High quality epitaxial layers of compound semiconductor materials can be grown overlying large silicon wafers by first growing an accommodating buffer layer on a silicon wafer. The accommodating buffer layer is a layer of monocrystalline oxide spaced apart from the silicon wafer by an amorphous interface layer of silicon oxide. The amorphous interface layer dissipates strain and permits the growth of a high quality monocrystalline oxide accommodating buffer layer. Any lattice mismatch between the accommodating buffer layer and the underlying silicon substrate is taken care of by the amorphous interface layer.

The vast majority of semiconductor discrete devices and integrated circuits are fabricated from silicon, at least in part because of the availability of inexpensive, high quality monocrystalline silicon substrates. Other semiconductor materials, such as the so-called compound semiconductor materials, have physical attributes, including wider bandgap and/or higher mobility than silicon, or direct bandgaps that make these materials advantageous for certain types of semiconductor devices. Unfortunately, compound semiconductor materials are generally much more expensive than silicon and are not available in large wafers as is silicon. Gallium arsenide (GaAs), the most readily available compound semiconductor material, is available in wafers only up to about 150 millimeters (mm) in diameter. In contrast, silicon wafers are available up to about 300 mm and are widely available at 200 mm. The 150 mm GaAs wafers are many times more expensive than are their silicon counterparts. Wafers of other compound semiconductor materials are even less available and are more expensive than GaAs.
Because of the desirable characteristics of compound semiconductor materials, and because of their present generally high cost and low availability in bulk form, for many years attempts have been made to grow thin films of the compound semiconductor materials on a foreign substrate. To achieve optimal characteristics of the compound semiconductor material, however, a monocrystalline film of high crystalline quality is desired. Attempts have been made, for example, to grow layers of a monocrystalline compound semiconductor material on germanium, silicon, and various insulators. These attempts have generally been unsuccessful because lattice mismatches between the host crystal and the grown crystal have caused the resulting thin film of compound semiconductor material to be of low crystalline quality.
If a large area thin film of high quality monocrystalline compound semiconductor material was available at low cost, a variety of semiconductor devices could advantageously be fabricated in that film at a low cost compared to the cost of fabricating such devices on a bulk wafer of compound semiconductor material or in an epitaxial film of such material on a bulk wafer of compound semiconductor material. In addition, if a thin film of high quality monocrystalline compound semiconductor material could be realized on a bulk wafer such as a silicon wafer, an integrated device structure, such as, for example, a resonant heterojunction tunnel diode, could be achieved that took advantage of the best properties of both the silicon and the compound semiconductor material.
Tunnel diodes, where carriers tunnel through the band gap of a doped p-n junction, have taken many forms since first proposed in about 1958. Tunnel diodes provide very fast switching time and low power dissipation. The first tunnel diode, called an Esaki tunneling diode (after its originator), comprised two silicon regions of different conductivity types with both being highly doped. When bias is applied to the Esaki-type diode, the available states for electrons in the contact layer align with available states for holes in the valence band of the injection layer and tunneling occurs. Traditional Esaki diodes formed in silicon-based material systems, however, exhibit low peak current densities, low peak-to-valley current ratios, and low operational frequencies, which make them unsuitable for present-day demands for enhanced performance in areas such as high frequency circuits, portable communications systems, and digital applications. Thus, present-day Esaki-type diodes may comprise germanium, gallium arsenide, or other semiconductor materials, which exhibit more suitable electrical properties. For example, tunnel diodes having the most favorable electrical properties are currently manufactured in compound semiconductor material systems comprising materials such as indium aluminum arsenide (InAlAs), indium gallium arsenide (InGaAs), indium phosphide (InP), gallium arsenide (GaAs), and aluminum arsenide (AlAs). Unfortunately, as stated above, such compound semiconductor substrates tend to be expensive and extremely fragile.
Accordingly, a need exists for a semiconductor structure that provides a high quality monocrystalline compound semiconductor film over another monocrystalline material and for a process for making such a structure.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention.

Heterojunction tunneling diodes and process for fabricating same


In a method of forming a color filter for use in a solid-state image sensing device forming a color filter made of a resist material on a planarized layer made of a thermosetting resin formed on the surface of a solid-state image sensing device, a temperature for the heat treatment upon forming the color filter is defined as equal to or higher than 205.degree. C. and less than 220.degree. C., so that occurrence of micro-cracks in the planarized layer made of the thermosetting resin can be prevented.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a method of forming a color filter for a solid-state image sensing device having on-chip color filter and, more in particular, it relates to a method of forming a color filter used in a solid-state image sensing device for forming a color filter made of a resist material on a planarized layer comprising a thermosetting resin formed on the surface of the solid-state image sensing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A solid-state image sensing device includes such a device having a color filter formed on the surface of a solid-state image sensing device. Since the solid-state image sensing device has a remarkable surface unevenness, a planarized layer comprising a thermosetting resin is generally formed on the surface of the solid-state image sensing device and then the color filter is formed on the planarized layer. A resist material is often used for the material of the color filter. That is, the color filter is formed by coating a resist, applying exposure and development and then applying a heat treatment at a predetermined temperature for improving the adhesion with the underlying layer.
By the way, in the prior art, micro-cracks are often formed in a planarized layer made of the thermosetting resin in the solid-state image sensing device. Such micro-cracks cause deterioration of optical image sensing characteristics of the solid-state image sensing device. Such micro-cracks include those giving disadvantages in the initial stage and those resulting in disadvantages as an aging effect and both of them are innegligible since they deteriorate the characteristics of the solid-state image sensing device. Actually, failures caused by the cracks in the planarized layer have been generated so far at a rate as high as from 40 to 80%.
In view of the above, the present inventor has investigated the cause of the cracks, and has been found that thermal stresses induced by a heat treatment for the color filter after forming the planarized layer is attributable to the occurrence of the micro-cracks in the planarized layer. Further, as a result of proceeding the study for reducing the thermal stress, it has been found that the heat treatment temperature upon forming the color filter is excessively high. The present invention has been accomplished as a result of such studies.

Method of forming a filter for a solid-state image sensing device


A method and apparatus of a network element that processes network data using a transformed packet classification list in a network element is described. A network element receives a packet classification list and transforms a first set of the plurality of range sets corresponding to a first one of the two or more types of packet characteristics into a first set of range labels. In addition, the network element transforms a second set of the plurality of range sets corresponding to a second one of the two or more types of packet characteristics into a second set of range labels. The network element may create a set of combination labels. The network element further processes network data by performing a first lookup to derive a first combination packet label, performing a second lookup of at least the first combination packet label, and applying a rule resulting from the second lookup to the network data.

A packet classification list consists of an ordered series of rules, where each rule has a match criterion and an action. A packet classification list is applied to a piece of data by evaluating the data against these rules in order and taking the action of the first rule that matched. For example, a match criterion for each rule is a pair (V, M), where V is a numeric value up to N bits long and M is a mask of N bits having a binary value of 0 or 1. A value X matches the rule if (X & M)==(V & M), where "&" is the bitwise "logical and" operator.
In one example, the values (X) matched against an Access Control List (ACL), a type of Packet Classification list, are Internet Protocol (IP) v4 or IPv6 addresses. In this example, the (V, M) pairs match subsets of the IPv4 or IPv6 address space, and the actions of an ACL are either "permit" or "deny". Also, each ACL can be terminated by an "implicit deny" rule at the end equivalent to "deny (0, 0)," which denies every address that is not explicitly covered by another preceding rule in the ACL. In another example, the IPv4 or IPv6 address are coupled with other fields associated with a packet to form the match criteria for a rule.
In addition, the match criteria for rules can be expressed in range set style filters that are more expressive than simple criteria described above by using sets of "fields." For example and in an embodiment, a field can be one or more of prefixes, ports, and/or other types of packet characteristics. The member elements of a range set are generally unordered, each member referring to some range of values or value of some field of or associated with a packet. For example:
TABLE 1Sample packet classification list with rules that are prefix sets. prefix-set foo188.8.131.52/126.96.36.199/8188.8.131.52/32prefix-set bar10.0.0.0/8126.96.36.199/24except 10.10.10.0/24classifier ac1110 action denyip-protocol tcpsrc-prefix-set foosrc-port-set 1024-35019, 35041-65535dst-prefix-set bardst-port-set 22, 53, 1024-6553520 action permitip-protocol tcpsrc-prefix-set foosrc-port-set 35000, 35010, 35020-35040dst-prefix-set bardst-port-set 80, 123, 179, 30000-40000dscp cs6, cs7
In rule 20 of the "acl 1" classifier in Table 1, foo and bar refer to range sets defined above, and the order of prefixes in these sets is not important. The "src-port-set" of 35000, 35010, 35020-35040 represents another range set.
The dst-port-set of 80,123,179,30000-40000 is another range set, and the "dscp" line that specifies cs6 and cs7 indicates another range set, defined "in-line" in the rule itself. In this example, a packet is considered to match the "10 action deny" rule of the "acl1" classification list if the packet is a TCP packet and if the fields associated with the packet match all of the range sets specified in the rule. A classification list may include many such rules, potentially thousands of them. It is desirable and useful in a network switch to efficiently match a set of packet characteristics derived from a packet, or a set of fields derived from some other piece of data against the rules in a classification list and determine the first matching rule, wherein the classification list contains large numbers of rules, wherein those rules may require evaluation of many range sets, and wherein each range set may contain many instances of field ranges. Any range may consist of multiple values of a packet characteristic or of a single value. One method of evaluating a packet classification list containing range sets is to evaluate each rule in turn, and each range set of a rule when that rule is evaluated. This method is computationally expensive to perform in software, as each range set may require evaluating a packet characteristic derived from the packet against all ranges of packet characteristics in that range set, and the number of ranges could be large.
Algorithmic approaches can reduce the number of steps required to determine if any single range set is matched by a packet characteristic value; for instance the ranges of a range set could be programmed into a data structure such as a trie, tree, or hash table, but in the straightforward implementation the determination is still expensive, as each table requires a separate memory or portion of memory to store it, a lookup in such a data structure may require multiple memory accesses, and there may be many such range set lookups required to evaluate a piece of data against a packet classification list.
Hardware-based methods may be used to help accelerate the determination of whether a piece of data matches a range set—a range set could be programmed into a known hardware lookup data structure such as a trie, tree, hash table, content addressable memory (CAM), or ternary content addressable memory (TCAM). However, when many range sets are present in a classification list, storing each range set into its own data structure requires a large and possibly infeasible amount of hardware resources, or hardware resources that are not present in a particular implementation.
In another approach, one can eliminate the need to evaluate complex range sets in a rule and reduce it to the need to evaluate exactly one range per field per rule through rule expansion. In the rule expansion approach, one transforms a rule containing one or more range sets into multiple rules with the same action as the original rule wherein each of the transformed rules contains one element of the cross-product of the constituent range sets of the expanded rule. However, doing so can yield an unmanageable number of transformed rules if the original range sets contain many entries. The number of transformed rules is equal in this approach to the cardinality of the set consisting of the cross product of all such expanded range sets, leading to a large amount of memory needed and/or longer lookup times due to the need to evaluate a much larger number of rules. For example, a rule containing three range sets, each consisting of 10 ranges, would expand into 1000 rules in this approach. A classification list consisting of 100 unexpanded rules of this form would require 100,000 expanded rules which would be prohibitively expensive or prohibitively slow, or both, to implement using commonly available hardware lookup techniques.

System and method of processing packet classification with range sets


There is disclosed a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material which is improved in an antistatic property, curling before and after processing, and surface status after processing. The light-sensitive material includes a support having provided thereon at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, wherein the material contains an anionic crosslinked polymer dispersion containing a polymer represented by Formula (I), and the material further contains an anionic water soluble polymer represented by Formula (II): ##STR1## wherein A represents a repetitive unit formed by copolymerizing a crosslinking monomer having at least two copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups; B and E each represent a monomer unit formed by copolymerizing copolymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomers; R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom, a substituted or unsubstituted lower alkyl group, or a halogen atom; L represents a di- to tetravalent linkage group; M represents a hydrogen atom or a cation; m represents 0 or 1; n represents 1, 2 or 3; D represents a monomer unit formed by copolymerizing at least one monomer selected from the group consisting of N,N-dimethylacrylamide, N-acryloylmorpholine and N-acryloylpiperidine; x, y, z, x', y', and z' each represent a percentage of a monomer component, provided that x is from 1 to 70, y is from 0 to 50, z is from 25 to 90, x' is from 1 to 99, y' is from 0 to 50, and z' is from 1 to 99, wherein x+y+z= 100 and x'+y'+z'= 100.

A photographic light-sensitive material comprising a support and a photographic layer is liable to have a static charge accumulated thereon by contact friction with or peeling from a similar or different material during manufacture and use. This accumulated static charge causes many troubles. The most serious trouble is that a static charge accumulated before processing is discharged to sensitize a light-sensitive layer and form dot-like spot or dendritic and plumose line speckles when subjecting a photographic film to development processing.
This is a so-called static mark, and it markedly damages the commercial value of a photographic film. In some cases, the commercial value is completely lost. This phenomenon does not become clear until development is carried out and accordingly is a very troublesome problem. Further, this accumulated static charge causes secondary problems such as dust sticking on a film surface and difficulty in obtaining uniform coating.
As described above, such static charge is often accumulated during the manufacture and use of a photographic light-sensitive material. It is generated by, for example, the frictional contact of a photographic film with a roller and the peeling of an emulsion layer from a support during the steps of winding and rewinding of a photographic film. Further, the static charge is generated due to peeling of an X-ray film by contact with a machine part in an automatic camera or a fluorescent sensitive paper. In addition, it is generated by contact with a packaging material.
Static marking of a photographic material, which is caused by an accumulated static charge, is increased by the increase in the sensitivity and processing speed of a photographic light-sensitive material. Especially in recent years, the inclination toward high sensitivity for a photographic light-sensitive material and the increased chances to have the severe handling such as high speed coating, high speed photographing and high speed automatic development processing further accelerates the generation of static marking.
In order to remove the problems caused by a static charge, an antistatic agent is preferably added to a photographic light-sensitive material. However, the antistatic agents generally used in other fields cannot necessarily be applied as antistatic agents for a photographic light-sensitive material, since they must satisfy various requirements which are specific to a photographic light-sensitive material. That is, an antistatic agent which can be applied to a photographic light-sensitive material must have, for example, no bad influence on photographic properties such as the sensitivity of a photographic light-sensitive material, fog, graininess and sharpness, no bad influence on the layer strength of a photographic light-sensitive material (that is, no liability that a light-sensitive material is scratched by rubbing and scratching), no bad influence on anti-adhesiveness (that is, no liability that the surfaces themselves of the photographic light-sensitive materials or the surface thereof and that of another material are adhered), no acceleration of the deterioration of a processing solution used for a photographic light-sensitive material, and no deterioration of the adhesion strength between the respective component layers. Thus, the application of the antistatic agent is subjected to many limitations.
One method for eliminating the problems caused by a static charge is to increase the electroconductivity of the surface of a photographic light-sensitive material to discharge the static charge after only a short period of time (i.e., before an accumulated static charge is discharged). Accordingly, methods for increasing the electroconductivity of a support and various coated surface layers have previously been considered, and one method which has been tried is to utilize an ionic polymer.
The attempts to apply an anionic polymer having a carboxyl group for preventing a static charge in a photographic light-sensitive material are disclosed, for example, in JP-B-57-53587 (the term "JP-B" as used herein means an examined Japanese patent publication), and JP-B-57-15375, German Patent 1,745,061, JP-B-49-23827, JP-B-55-14415, and JP-B-55-15267, JP-A-48-89979 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an unexamined published Japanese Patent Application), U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,279,410 and 3,791,831, and JP-B-47-28937.
However, these polymers are water soluble, and problems arise when a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material in which these polymers are present in an amount sufficient for obtaining a necessary antistatic property is subjected to development processing, whereby these polymers are eluted in an aqueous development processing solution and are accumulated therein to stain a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material which is subsequently subjected to development processing, and a small -elution spot remains on the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material from which the polymers were eluted to generate a cloud thereon.
Further, there has been the problem that these polymers are diffused from the layer of a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material to which these polymers are added to the other layers, so that the antistatic property is markedly lowered.
In order to solve these problems, attempts to convert these polymers to crosslinked latexes by using an ethylenically unsaturated monomer have so far been made to some extent. For example, it is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,301,240 that the conversion thereof to a crosslinked polymer is possible with the following methods (a) and (b), and it has been possible to solve the above various problems concerning the water soluble anionic polymers:
(a) the method in which acrylic acid or methacrylic acid is subjected to a reverse phase emulsion polymerization in a water-in-oil emulsion together with a crosslinking monomer in the presence of an alkali and a surface active agent to prepare a dispersion of a crosslinked polymer, and then the dispersion is broken to redisperse these polymer particles in water; and
(b) the method in which a short chain aliphatic ester of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid is subjected to an emulsion polymerization in an oil-in-water emulsion (regular phase) together with a crosslinking monomer in the presence of a surface active agent, and then an alkali is added to saponify the short chain aliphatic ester portion of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid.
However, all of the above methods have the problems that the production thereof is troublesome and, in addition, that they require very expensive manufacturing costs. That is, in the method (a), a large amount of an organic solvent is needed in carrying out the reverse phase polymerization, and further the operation to break the dispersion and redisperse the polymer particles in water is necessary.
Meanwhile, in the method (b), stirring for a long time under heating at a high temperature has to be continued for saponifying a short chain aliphatic ester of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid. According to the examples of U.S. Pat. No. 4,301,240, a long time of 45 hours at a high temperature of 125.degree. C. is needed.
Thus, the operations are troublesome in any of the above methods, and in addition, the production costs are very expensive. The increase in the production cost of a crosslinked polymer results naturally in the increase in the production cost of a photographic light-sensitive material in which the crosslinked polymer is used, and the commercial value thereof is damaged so much. Accordingly, it is strongly desired to manufacture the crosslinked polymer at an inexpensive cost.
The countermeasure against this problem is disclosed in JP-A-61-296352, in which a monomer having a carboxyl group (for example, acrylic acid and methacrylic acid) is subjected directly to an emulsion polymerization in an oil-in-water emulsion (regular phase), and then, an alkali is added to prepare a crosslinked polymer dispersion. This methods can provide a polymer having an inexpensive production cost, no problem of layer peeling, and an excellent antistatic property.
It has been found, however, that where the above material is used as an antistatic agent (particularly for a side opposite to a silver halide emulsion layer), film curling after processing becomes large, and that in case of a roller transportation type automatic developing machine, film becomes folded in some cases. A large amount of a hydrophobic crosslinking monomer is needed for preparing a crosslinked latex in a regular phase emulsion polymerization from acrylic acid and methacrylic acid, which are water soluble monomers. Accordingly, the latex particles thus prepared are highly crosslinked.
It is considered that where such an anionic latex dispersion is applied to a back layer as an antistatic agent, development processing causes curling (a curvature of the film which is generated due to the difference between the extensions of the inside and outside thereof) because of a notably small swelling rate of the back layer side against that of the silver halide emulsion layer side. A photographic light-sensitive material is needed to have no curling which is generated due to variations of temperature and humidity not only after processing but also during storage, and therefore if countermeasures such as increasing the amount of gelatin in the back layer and raising the hardening degree of the emulsion layer side are taken to prevent curling after processing, curling during storage is another problem.
Also, the reduction of a hydrophobic crosslinking monomer has the problem that while it can provide an effect for increasing the swelling rate of the layer containing an antistatic agent and preventing curling to some extent, the amount of an acid component which is converted to a crosslinked particle is reduced, and the ratio of a water soluble monomer is resultantly increased, and therefore the above problem attributable to the water soluble monomer results.

Silver halide photographic light-sensitive material


A tube holder supports a spool of flexible line wrapped onto the outer surface of a tube. The tube holder comprises a body portion configured to support the tube thereon, such that the interior surface of the tube rests of the top surface of the body portion; and an end protector detachably secured to the distal end of the body portion via a quick-release, contact fastener. The end protector is configured to be detachably secured to the body portion, while remaining spaced away from the tube such that the tube does not interfere with connecting the end protector with the body portion.

Threads, strings, yarns, filaments and other flexible lines are often fed into textile manufacturing processes (e.g., carpet tufting processes, fabric manufacturing processes, and/or the like) from line spools wrapped around cardboard tubes. Those tubes may be reused in some manufacturing environments, with empty tubes being rewrapped with additional flexible lines after the tube has been emptied. Even in large, industrial textile manufacturing settings, those manufacturing processes require relatively consistent line tension settings leading into the manufacturing machinery to produce uniform, desirable textile products. However, the cardboard tubes themselves have historically been a source of problems impacting the tension in lines fed from the respective spools into the manufacturing machinery, because even small cuts or other imperfections in an end of a cardboard tube can catch the line as it is fed from the spool and create undesirable increases in the tension of the line leading into the machinery. Since the cardboard tubes may be reused multiple times prior to disposal, the cardboard tubes may be repeatedly damaged, crushed, torn, and/or the like after multiple uses. In some extreme cases, the line tension can increase beyond the tensile strength of the line itself, thereby causing the line to snap and to create substantial delays in the manufacturing process.
The historical approach to minimizing the detrimental impacts of damaged cardboard tubes has been to secure a rigid protecting end cap onto the cardboard tube itself. The cap includes generally smooth edges that cover the rough, damaged end of the cardboard tube, such that the line is able to slide smoothly over the surface of the end cap as it is fed into the processing machinery. However, the end caps are generally shaped to conform to the generally round-shape of cardboard tubes, and therefore they are often incapable of attaching relative to deformed (e.g., oblong, ovular, flat, and/or the like) tubes that may have been severely damaged or misshapen prior to use.
Accordingly, a need exists for tube holders capable of smoothly and consistently dispensing spooled line from damaged and/or misshapen cardboard tubes.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A method of establishing a sleep mode operation between a mobile station and its serving base station is provided in a wireless communications system. When sleep mode operation is active, the MS enters into a series of sleep cycle and each sleep cycle comprises a listening window followed by a sleep window. In one novel aspect, each sleep cycle is associated with a set of sleep cycle parameters including a Sleep Cycle Length and an adjustable Listening Window Length. Each set of sleep cycle parameters is determined based on a predefined traffic characteristic of a data communication flow between the MS and it serving BS. Different embodiments of sleep cycle parameters are provided for real-time traffic, non-real-time traffic, real-time and non-real-time mixed traffic, and multi-rate transmission traffic. By using sleep cycle-based parameters, the efficiency of sleep mode operation is improved.

In wireless communications systems, a mobile station (MS) maintains communication with a serving base station (BS) in normal mode operation, during which the MS actively receives and transmits data packets. In order to minimize power consumption, the MS sometimes enters sleep mode operation, during which the MS conducts pre-negotiated periods of absent time from the serving BS air interface. Thus, in addition to minimize power consumption, sleep mode operation is also designed to reduce usage of the serving BS air interface resource, and to mimic certain desirable traffic characteristics. When sleep mode operation is active, a series of alternating listening windows followed by sleep windows are provided for the MS. In each listening window, the MS is expected to receive and transmit data packets as in normal mode operation. In each sleep window, the serving BS shall not transmit any data packets to the MS.
FIG. 1 (Prior Art) illustrates examples of sleep mode operation in an IEEE 802.16e wireless communications system. As illustrated in FIG. 1, three types of power saving classes (PSCs) are defined based on different traffic characteristics. For non-real-time variable rate (NRT-VR) traffic and best effort (BE) traffic, a PSC of type I is defined. In type I PSC, the MS is provided with a fixed listening window length for monitoring incoming protocol data units (PDUs). The MS starts with an Initial Sleep Window Length TMIN (S0=TMIN), and each subsequent sleep window Sk grows exponentially until reaching a Final Sleep Window Length TMAX (Sk=min {TMIN*2k, TMAX}). When a traffic indication message indicates positive traffic or when there are incoming PDUs in a subsequent listening window, the MS goes back to normal mode operation. For real-time variable rate (RT-VR) traffic and unsolicited grant service (UGS) traffic, a PSC of type II is defined. In type II PSC, each sleep window has a fixed length (Sk=S0). For multicast or management traffic, a PSC of type III is defined. In type III PSC, the MS enters one fixed-length sleep window (S0=final sleep window) to process the multicast or management traffic and then goes back to normal mode operation.
FIG. 2 (Prior Art) illustrates a problem of power waste under PSC of type I for NRT-VR/BE traffic. In the example of FIG. 2, variable-sized data bursts are generated with variable arrival intervals from the serving BS. The MS goes back to normal mode operation when the traffic indication message indicates positive traffic. The length of sleep window is reset to the Initial Sleep Window Length when sleep mode operation is reactivated. For NRT-VR/BE services, there generally would be long silence time between two successive data bursts. However, because the length of the sleep window is reset to the Initial Sleep Window Length, the MS unnecessarily wakes up during the long silence and extra power is wasted.
FIG. 3 (Prior Art) illustrates a problem of power waste under PSC of type II for RT-VR traffic. In the example of FIG. 3, each listening window has a fixed length. For RT-VR traffic, variable-sized data bursts are generated periodically with fixed arrival interval from the serving BS. Because each listening window has a fixed length, the MS keeps monitoring incoming PDUs even when no data packets are being received. Thus, the fixed listening window length approach is inefficient and extra power is wasted.
FIG. 4 (Prior Art) illustrates a problem of unnecessary latency under modified version of PSC of type II for RT-VR traffic. In the example of FIG. 4, each listening window has an adjustable length, but each sleep window has a fixed length. For RT-VR traffic, variable-sized data bursts are generated periodically with fixed arrival interval from the serving BS. If the incoming PDUs arrive at a time that the MS is sleeping, then the MS has to wait for the next listening window to receive the PDUs. Thus, because each sleep window has a fixed length, unnecessary latency is introduced.
Various solutions have been sought to solve the problems of the above-described sleep window-based sleep mode operation. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,289,804, the length of each initial sleep window is not fixed, but instead changes based on a counter for each sleep mode. In US patent publication 2008/0009328, the length of each sleep window grows exponentially, with additional parameters such as a sleep mode ratio to modify the speed of the growth. In US patent publication 2008/0075026, the length of a listening window can be extended according to a data reception timer. In LTE systems (e.g. 3GPP TS 36.321), a fixed DRX cycle is applied with adjustable On-duration time. These solutions have not eliminated the above-described energy waste and latency problems. In addition, the current PSC mechanism is unsuitable for the application for multi-rate traffic transmission. A solution is sought.

Method of establishing sleep mode operation for broadband wireless communications systems


Provided in one embodiment is a method of modifying an air flow at least one location of a building structure, comprising: generating a first air flow at the at least one location of the building structure; and modifying a second air flow exterior to the building structure using the generated first air flow. An apparatus configured to modified an air flow is also provided.

Contemporary methods for tall building construction typify the prevailing modern paradigm in which building envelopes are intended to maximally isolate interior spaces from the climatic environment by minimizing energy transmission at the building envelope. As a result, they tend to rely comprehensively on energy-intensive mechanical systems to deliver adequate air supply. Furthermore, tall buildings currently contribute to non-renewable material consumption within the building sector in order to meet desired aerodynamic performance bench mark for wind-related applications. (e.g., cross-wind response reduction or integrated wind energy generation) through solid-based aerodynamic modification ("SAM"), either by changing structural or geometric characteristics such as the building's shape or through the use of materials and the addition of auxiliary damping.
While our environment contains mostly fluids, conventional building methods are primarily restricted to approaching investigations of the interactions between buildings and their surroundings by using solid modeling. As a result, the design of tall buildings has relied on both a solid-based aerodynamic modification (SAM) approach to meet a desired aerodynamic performance bench mark and on techniques to modify the geometry of the building (Geometry-based Aerodynamic Modification or "GAM") or its structural properties, such as stiffness through the use of materials and auxiliary damping systems. Although these techniques do provide a narrow path for success, they do not adapt to fluctuating environmental conditions and are accompanied by a loss of useful floor area and an increase in total energy cost.

Methods and systems of modifying air flow at building structures


In one embodiment, light is detected using a photodetector. If the detected light is causing the photodetector to saturate, one or more liquid crystal light valves are adjusted to filter the amount of incident light on the photodetector.

A photodetector is sometimes used to sense the light produced by a light source. The sensed light may then be used to regulate the intensity or color of light produced by the light source. If the incident light on the photodetector is too great, the photodetector can saturate. That is, if the incident light on the photodetector is too great, the photodetector may become unable to distinguish between different intensities of incident light. When this happens, the photodetector may not regulate the light source correctly, or may fail to regulate the light source at all.
The likelihood that a photodetector will saturate can be reduced in a variety of ways. One way is to carefully position or orient the photodetector with respect to the light produced by a light source. For example, the photodetector may be placed closer to, or farther from, the light source; or, the photodetector may be oriented perpendicular to, or parallel to, the light produced by the light source.
Another way to keep a photodetector from saturating is to place one or more neutral density filters over the photodetector.
Yet another way to keep a photodetector from saturating is to regulate the light produced by a light source to ensure that the incident light on the photodetector never exceeds a predetermined threshold. This, however, can have the undesirable effect of artificially limiting the light output of the light source.

Method and apparatus using liquid crystal light valve to filter incident light on a photodetector

Avago Technologies ECBU IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


A method for automatically inserting an interactive HTML object into an existing web page without the user having any knowledge of programming in HTML or server-side scripts. The method is contained in a utility and referred as xe2x80x9cWEB Content Customizationxe2x80x9d (WCC). The WCC utility is launched from a web authoring tool, such as a desktop publishing computer program, when the user selects the option to insert interactive HTML object into their web page. The WCC utility provides a user with the ability to customize their web page by inserting interactive HTML object using the same web site authoring computer program module, such as a desktop publishing computer application program that was used to create the web page. The WCC utility creates a dialog box in the web-authoring tool and opens the remote site in the dialog box. The dialog contains at least one window that displays a list of the available interactive HTML object that the user may select. Once the user selects an interactive HTML object, the WCC utility then transfers the associated block of HTML code from the remote site to the web-authoring tool, where the block of HTML is inserted directly into the electronic file.

The invention generally relates to developing hypertext mark-up language (xe2x80x9cHTMLxe2x80x9d) computer code, and more specifically relates to automatically inserting HTML computer code for interactive HTML objects within a computer application program.
With the use of the Internet increasing on a daily basis, the appearance of new web sites has increased at a seemingly exponential rate. Many of these new web sites are authored by individuals with little or no experience in programming Hypertext Markup Language (xe2x80x9cHTMLxe2x80x9d). However, web site authors want their web site to look as if a professional HTML programmer designed it. Unfortunately, hiring a professional HTML programmer can be expensive and beyond the financial means of most individuals.
One method to make a web site look like it was designed by a professional, as well as make it more useful to users, is to add interactive HTML object. Interactive HTML objects may be graphics or text, such as a marquee or a button to open a URL. However, creating interactive HTML object from xe2x80x9cscratchxe2x80x9d is not a simple task and is typically beyond the ability of most web site authors. For example, many interactive HTML objects require the support of server-side scripts on the web server (e.g., Active Server Pages (xe2x80x9cASPsxe2x80x9d), Computer graphics interface (xe2x80x9cCGIxe2x80x9d)-scripts, etc.). Normally, these server-side scripts are complex to write and are typically beyond the ability of the average web site author.
Furthermore, if the server-side scripts for the interactive HTML object are written incorrectly, they can pose a serious security threat for the Internet Service Provider (xe2x80x9cISPxe2x80x9d) servers. As a result, many ISPs often require a premium price for hosting a web site with server-side scripts. Additionally, the HTML code that is required to interact with the server-side scripts is equally complex for the average web site author to write.
As a result, many companies have created web site authoring tools, which claim to facilitate the creation of HTML objects without requiring the web site author to have any knowledge of HTML or server-side script programming. Unfortunately, these tools are often unable to produce the HTML code required for interacting with server-side scripts. Furthermore, the tools that do support this type of HTML use outdated functions, such as xe2x80x9cInsert HTML Code Fragment,xe2x80x9d which require the web site author to have a working knowledge of programming HTML and are generally not xe2x80x9cWhat You See Is What You Getxe2x80x9d(xe2x80x9cWYSIWYGxe2x80x9d).
One method to help web site authors insert interactive HTML object into their web pages was to provide the HTML code for the interactive HTML object over the Internet. One such web site that provides interactive HTML object over the Internet is LinkExchange operated by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash. However, the LinkExchange service only partially solves this problem. LinkExchange will host all the necessary scripts on the server, so users are not faced with the complexity and expense of creating these scripts themselves. But LinkExchange only provides users with minimal help in creating web pages that interact properly with the server-side scripts. Upon completion of a registration process, LinkExchange provides the web site author with a customized block of HTML that corresponds to an interactive HTML object. However, the task of inserting the HTML code into the web page is left up to the user. Unfortunately, this can often be a difficult task. Specifically, the user must go through a multi-step process to incorporate the interactive HTML object into the web page. For example, the user must first create the web page in a web-authoring tool. Next, the author must register with the LinkExchange (or any similar interactive HTML object) web site. Finally, the user must incorporate the provided HTML code into their web page by manually inserting the block of customized HTML code into the existing HTML code.
Another problem with using the HTML interactive code web sites is that the user cannot access the web site from the application program they are using to develop their web page. The user must first exit the web-authoring tool, and open an Internet browser application program, such as INTERNET EXPLORER, developed by Microsoft Corporation of Redmond, Wash., to access the HTML code server web site. Once the user retrieves the interactive HTML object, they must manually insert the HTML code themselves into the web page. Then, if the user wants to view the interactive content, they must save the web page in the authoring application and open the web page in the Internet browser application program. This process of having to use a separate Internet browser application to view the interactive HTML object in the user""s web page, is both time consuming and confusing to the average web page developer. This, in turn can lead to users making numerous errors in building their web pages and ultimately leads to user frustration.
Thus, there is a general need in the art for a more convenient and efficient method for inserting interactive HTML object into a web page. There is a further need for a method for inserting interactive HTML objects into a web page, which automatically retrieves all the required HTML code from the HTML interactive web site with out requiring any user intervention or knowledge of HTML or server-side script programming.
The present invention meets the above-described needs in a software utility for inserting an interactive HTML object into an electronic file, such as an Internet web page. Specifically, the utility allows a user to select an interactive HTML object from a remote HTML code server web site. The utility then automatically inserts the HTML code associated with the interactive HTML object into the user""s web page.
Generally described, a WEB Content Customization (xe2x80x9cWCCxe2x80x9d) utility allows a user to automatically insert an interactive HTML object into an existing web page.
First, the user opens the HTML file, such as a web page, in a web-authoring tool. The user first selects the option to insert an HTML object into the HTML document. Next, the WCC utility retrieves the URL address of a remote site that contains interactive HTML objects. The WCC utility then automatically establishes a link with the HTML code service web site. Next, the user selects an interactive HTML object and the WCC utility retrieves a block of HTML code associated with the selected interactive HTML object. Finally, the WCC utility automatically inserts the interactive HTML object into the electronic file in the web-authoring tool.
More specifically, the WCC utility creates a dialog box in the web-authoring tool and launches an HTML rendering engine in the dialog box. The WCC utility then opens the HTML code service web site in the rendering engine in the dialog box. The dialog box contains at least one window that displays a list of the available interactive HTML object that the user may select. Once the user selects an interactive HTML object, the WCC utility then transfers the associated HTML computer code from the remote site to the web-authoring tool, where the WCC utility automatically inserts the HTML computer code into the electronic file.
The WCC utility may also store an identifying indicia, such as a uniform resource locator (URL), associated with the web site that provided the interactive HTML object. When the user wishes to reconfigure the interactive HTML object, this URL is used by the HTML rendering engine to retrieve the appropriate web page. This removes the need for the user to remember a complex sequence of steps required to reconfigure the object. Also, this URL may contain data that identifies the user or identifies the particular object. This allows the program to bring the user to the relevant web page immediately, bypassing or simplifying the log-on process.
Furthermore, the web site providing the interactive content includes some client-side script (such as JavaScript or VBScript) that automatically delivers the HTML to the authoring application. The WCC utility then inserts the HTML data into the electronic file. The position of the HTML interactive object in the electronic file may be provided by the HTML code service web site or may be specified by the user.
The HTML code service web site providing the interactive HTML object may choose to specify predetermined dimensions for the content. In this case, the authoring application will reserve an area on the page of the correct size. If the web site does not specify dimensions, the authoring application will allow the size of the content to be adjusted by the user through the use of an input device.
The Webster providing the interactive object contains a block of JavaScript specially designed to communicate directly with the host application (the web-authoring tool). This communication takes place via xe2x80x9cOLE automationxe2x80x9d. Those skilled in the art will be familiar with OLE automation, as a standard mechanism used by scripts (such as those contained in web pages) to interact with other objects. This allows the HTML code service web site to automatically download a block of HTML code associated with the interactive HTML object directly into the electronic file open in the web-authoring tool. This provides several advantages over the previous methods of inserting HTML objects into electronic files. First the user never sees the block of code associated with the interactive HTML object . The WCC utility allows for the block of HTML code to be downloaded to the web-authoring tool and inserted into the electronic file without the user ever viewing the block of code. Secondly, the WCC utility reduces the complexity inserting interactive HTML objects into files by running the HTML rendering engine within the web-authoring tool
That the invention improves over the drawbacks of web authoring systems for creating interactive HTML object and accomplishes the advantages described above will become apparent from the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments and the appended drawings and claims.

Method for inserting interactive HTML objects into an electronic file


The apparatus has a substantially planar base having a surface which defines a wafer cassette receiving station and a wafer receiving station. A transportable wafer cassette is removably coupled to the base in the wafer cassette receiving station. The transportable wafer cassette is provided for holding a plurality of wafers in an axially aligned manner, each of the wafers having identification indicia disposed on a surface thereof. A wafer receiving cassette is coupled to the base adjacent to the transportable wafer cassette in the wafer receiving station. A first reciprocally moveable wafer transfer member is attached to the base, and is operative for transferring the wafers held in the transportable wafer cassette to the wafer receiving cassette. The wafer transfer member includes a wedge shaped block for aligning the wafers in the wafer receiving cassette in an axially offset manner relative to each other so that the identification indicia on the surface of each wafer is visible for reading by an operator. A second reciprocally moveable wafer transfer member disposed adjacent to the base is provided for transferring the remaining wafers from the wafer receiving cassette to the transportable wafer cassette and aligning the wafers in the transportable wafer cassette in an axially aligned manner.

It is well known that in order to meet achieve low price and high supply demands for semiconductor devices, semiconductor manufacturers have developed semiconductor wafer processing techniques and methods which are oriented toward batch processing. Batch processing techniques usually involve the temporary storage and transportation of a plurality of semiconductor wafers from one processing station to another in the manufacturing facility. This is almost universally accomplished by employing plastic semiconductor wafer cassettes which typically hold twenty-five semiconductor wafers.
In the ordinary course of handling and processing the semiconductor wafers, it is necessary to inscribed or otherwise mark each semiconductor wafer with indicia which provides important processing information. Such information typically pertains to the plant number where the semiconductor wafer is being processed, the lot number to which the semiconductor wafer belongs, the number of the semiconductor wafer and other like information in order to enables the proper processing and production routing of the wafers.
During the processing of semiconductor wafers it is often desirable to select a specific one or more wafers from the wafer cassette for various reasons such as quality control audits and the like. This requires the ability to visually read the identification indicia located on each of the wafers in the cassette at the same time so that the desired wafer can be located and removed from the cassette. Presently, this is only possible by individually removing each wafer one at a time and reading its identifying indica and then loading the wafer back into the cassette until the desired wafer is located which is extremely time consuming and involves considerable risk of wafer contamination and breakage.
Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus which avoids the need for individually removing each wafer one at a time in order to visually read the identification indicia located on the wafer.

Apparatus for visually reading semiconductor wafer identification indicia


A polarization insensitive semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) is provided. The SOA includes an active waveguide, a passive waveguide, and a taper coupler for coupling optical energy from the passive waveguide into the active waveguide, wherein the taper coupler has width W varying relative to position along a main axis z of propagation of the SOA in proportion to the minimum value of 1/CTE 01(z) 1/CTM 01(z), where CTE 01(z) represents the coefficient of energy coupling between a fundamental mode and a first order mode for the transverse electric polarization as a function of the position z, and CTM 01(z) represents the coefficient of energy coupling between a fundamental mode and a first order mode for the transverse magnetic polarization as a function of the position z.

The present invention relates to semiconductor optical amplifiers.
The efficient transfer of optical energy is a primary design goal of semiconductor optical amplifiers (SOAs). Providing inexpensive fabrication methods is another. However, fabrication methods should be robust, allowing for variations to occur without compromising function and reliability. Polarization insensitive operation is another goal of SOA design. Polarization insensitivity is needed to provide consistent amplification of the optical signal, despite variations that occur in its polarization.
Up to the present time, the pursuit of such goals has been fraught with problems. Good signal coupling from the optical transmission fiber into the active region of the optical amplifier is needed for efficient energy transfer. However, signal coupling loss between the optical fiber and the SOA has been high in prior art SOAs, typically ranging between 5 and 7 dB or even more.
Some prior art processing methods, termed "material regrowth", are intended to improve energy coupling efficiency of SOAs. However, such methods are difficult and costly to perform. In addition, they fail to achieve desired coupling efficiency. In a material regrowth process, the epitaxial layers of the substrate are not grown in a continuous sequence of steps. Instead, the substrate is processed incrementally in a deposition chamber to grow one or more layers, and then removed to a second chamber to perform one or more etch steps. After etching, the substrate is returned to a deposition chamber again for to grow more layers. Later, the substrate may be returned again to the second chamber to be etched.
Some less costly, easier to manufacture alternatives also fail to achieve good coupling efficiency between the optical transmission fiber and the active region of the SOA. Nor have such alternatives been able to provide polarization insensitive operation.
It would be desirable to provide a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA) that is polarization insensitive and has high energy coupling efficiency between the optical transmission fiber and the SOA and/or between the SOA and an optical transmission fiber. It would further be desirable to provide a method of making an SOA that does not require the growth or regrowth of one or more epitaxial semiconductor layers of the SOA following a step of etching one or more epitaxial semiconductor layers.

Polarization insensitive semiconductor optical amplifier


An elevator apparatus has a car suspended by a main rope through the intermediation of a shackle spring. The car is equipped with a displacement sensor for measuring the displacement amount of the main rope with respect to the car. The displacement sensor is electrically connected to an abnormality control device mounted on the car. The abnormality control device obtains the magnitude of the tension of the main rope based on information from the displacement sensor, and selectively outputs a braking command signal to one of the following devices: an operation control device, a brake device, and an emergency stop device, according to the magnitude of the tension of the main rope.

JP 2001-192183 A discloses a conventional elevator apparatus having a structure in which maintenance is performed when the expansion amount of a rope for suspending the car exceeds an allowable limit. In this conventional elevator apparatus, when the expansion amount of the rope exceeds the allowable limit, an alarm is given to the person in charge of the elevator.
However, if the expansion amount of the rope exceeds the allowable limit, the control of the elevator operation is continued as in the normal condition. As a result, even after the rope has become abnormal, the rope remains under a burden for a while. Further, it is only whether there is any abnormality in the rope or not that is detected, so it is rather difficult to properly cope with the abnormality in the rope.


Position detection apparatus comprises: an incident unit that forms a parallel beam from a light beam of a light source and supplies the parallel beam to a beam splitter in a way that the separated beams, obtained from the parallel beam by the beam splitter, are respectively incident upon the reference surface and the measurement target surface at an angle; and a reflection unit that reflects the separated beams, which have been reflected by the reference surface and the measurement target surface and integrated to a light path by the beam splitter, to be supplied to the beam splitter as a parallel beam along the light path, and generates a signal corresponding to a phase difference of the separated beams by interfering a light beam that has been supplied from the reflection unit, separated by the beam splitter, reflected by the reference surface and the measurement target surface, and integrated again to a light path by the beam splitter.

The Michelson interferometer employing a laser is widely utilized in the field that requires nanometer measurement. An interferometer of this type needs to receive reflected light from a measurement-target object. For this purpose, mirrors are generally used. In the method utilizing mirrors, since optical alignment must be adjusted with extremely high precision, normally a cube corner reflector is employed for the measurement target so that interference measurement is not interrupted by deviation of the optical alignment. However, because a cube corner reflector is a prism, it cannot be attached to a microscopic location. In other words, if the measurement-target object is microscopic, position measurement employing an interferometer cannot be performed.
In view of this, the applicant of this invention has proposed to focus light on a mirror serving as the measurement target as shown in FIG. 8 so as to prevent a disturbance of the interference state caused by deviation of the mirror alignment (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (KOKAI) No. 2001-076325).
Referring to FIG. 8, a divergent light beam outputted by a light source LD is converted to a moderately focused light beam BEAM, transmitted through a non-polarization beam splitter NBS, and separated into P polarization component and S polarization component by a polarization beam splitter PBS. More specifically, while the P polarization component is transmitted through the PBS and reflected by a reference mirror M2, the S polarization component is reflected by the PBS and reflected by a measurement target surface M1. Then these reflected light beams are combined at the polarization beam splitter PBS and reflected by the non-polarization beam splitter NBS. The light beam reflected by the non-polarization beam splitter NBS goes through a quarter wavelength plate QWP and converted to linearly polarized light, whose polarization orientation rotates in accordance with a variation of a phase difference that bases upon a variation of the path length difference in the separated two light beams. The linear polarized light is divided into four light beams by a division device GBS. Each of the beams is transmitted through four polarization devices PP1, PP2, PP3 and PP4 arranged in a way that each of the polarization orientations is shifted by 45° In this manner, the four light beams are converted to four signal beams, whose interference cycles have 90° phase difference to each other, and received by respective photoreceptive devices PD1 PD2, PD3 and PD4, then four periodic signals are outputted.
In this conventional example, since light is focused on the measurement target, even if an alignment deviation (angle deviation) is generated, the wave surface of the reflected light does not change. Note that the center of the reflected light (optical axis) deviates. Since the wave surface does not change, the interference state between the reflected light and the reference light is stable.
Since this method does not use a cube corner reflector, it can be used as a new compact displacement sensor that measures a microscopic out-of-plane displacement on a measurement-target surface, with the use of a semiconductor laser for an optical sensor head.
However, since this method focuses light on a measurement-target surface, the spatial resolution becomes extremely high. Therefore, if a horizontal deviation or the like occurs on the measurement target object when measuring an out-of-plane displacement of the measurement-target surface, the superficial shape component of the measurement-target object is also detected, and the measurement may become unstable. Therefore, depending on the application, it is better to have a low spatial resolution in the direction of horizontal deviation on the surface for realizing stable out-of-plane displacement measurement. For this reason, widening the light irradiating area on the measurement target (mirror) has been desired.
Furthermore, in the above-described method, measurement is performed by focusing light on the measurement target. However, if there is a large out-of-plane displacement, the light focusing conditions are not satisfied, impairing the function of stabilizing the interference state to deal with an alignment deviation. For this reason, in general the measurable area has been limited to several tens of μm. Therefore, there have been demands for a method that enables easy alignment (enlarged allowance for an angle deviation) and that enlarges the measurable area of an out-of-plane displacement on the order of millimeter.


A dynamic false contour detector identifies a pixel where a false contour is expected to be generated based on monotony of change in gradation level, an existence of carry/borrow of the subfields, and a position of a contour. Then, a pixel value switcher switches individual gradation levels among a plurality of pixels including the pixel identified by the dynamic false contour detector. As a result, it is achieved to reduce degradation of image quality due to the dynamic false contour with a simple structure and processes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an identification method for a generated position of a dynamic false contour for restraining dynamic false contours generated on a display using subfields such as a plasma display panel, a processing method for an image signal, and a processing apparatus for an image signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a conventional basic gradation display method, six subfields arranged in an order of luminance ratio of 1:2:4:8:16:32 are combined for representing one field with 64 gradations as described in FIG. 8 of Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei. 7-271325, for example. The order of turning on for sustain discharge is fixed for the six subfields, and the order is identical for the gradation levels with respect to the time axis.
However, when a motion picture is displayed with this method, there is such a problem that unevenness of light emission becomes remarkable in terms of time, and thus large disturbance occurs in the gradation when bit-carry gradation levels (such as 63 and 64, 31 and 32, and 15 and 16) exist. This disturbance in the gradation is called as a dynamic false contour.
As a result, it is necessary to identify a position where the dynamic false contour is generated, and then to conduct signal processing for restraining the dynamic false contour at the identified position to obtain proper image quality.
As a method for identifying a position where a dynamic false contour is generated, image data corresponding to one field period are stored in a frame buffer, then, image data in the next field period are compared with the image data in the stored field period, and consequently motion vectors are detected based on the comparison result.
Also, as a method for restraining the dynamic false contour, the following methods described in FIG. 16 to FIG. 23 in Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei. 7-271325 have been applied.    (a) A method for switching order of individual subfields    (b) A method for increasing the number of subfields constituting one field so as to secure two or more types of combinations of light-emitting subfields when a gradation is represented.
Further, a method for spatially diffusing the disturbance in the gradation by signal processing such as error diffusion method is applied.
In addition, there is a method called as equalization pulse method described in "Display and Imaging" 1997, Vol. 5, pp. 229–240 as an alternative method for restraining a dynamic false contour. In this equalization pulse method, an amount for emitting light is added to or subtracted from an original signal when a disturbance of gradation is expected to be observed if the line of sight moves on a display where subfields are used, and consequently large disturbance in gradation is restrained.
However, since the method for identifying a position where a dynamic false contour is generated by detecting motion vectors requires a frame buffer with a large capacity, there is such a problem that the cost remarkably increases. Also, it is practically impossible to detect a large number of motion vectors all at once, and simultaneously, it is difficult to detect a sudden and large change of motion vectors. As a result, a detection error occurs, and consequently there is such a problem that an image is extremely degraded as the result of processing for restraining dynamic false contour based on the detection error.
Also, in the conventional processing for restraining the dynamic false contour for multi-gradation display, there are the following problems. First, when there are N subfields, it is possible to represent 2N gradation levels. However, when the number of the constituting subfields is increased to more than N on a plasma display panel for restraining the dynamic false contour by reducing unevenness of light emission in terms of time, the sustain discharge period becomes short, and consequently the luminance decreases. As a result, it is impossible to increase the number of the subfields without reducing the luminance. Secondly, when the number of the divided subfields is increased, since disturbance in the gradation occurs for a specific gradation levels, it is impossible to prevent the disturbance in the gradation for the specific gradation levels.
Additionally, the signal processing for restraining the dynamic false contour by the conventional error diffusion method has the following problems. First, since the signal processing is applied to an input signal whether the dynamic false contour is generated or not, the input signal in a region where the dynamic false contour is not generated is degraded. Secondly, since there is no regularity in the disturbance in the gradation diffused by the error diffusion method, it is impossible to predict influence of the diffused disturbance in the gradation in advance.
Further, the processing for restraining the dynamic false contour by the equalization pulse method has the following problems. First, an input signal is corrected according to a motion speed of a figure for reducing disturbance of an image recognized by the eye by detecting the motion of the figure in the input signal. Since the precision of detecting the motion vectors decreases for some input image, a signal correction error may decrease the quality of the motion picture. Secondly, since it is assumed that the line of sight follows a moving figure, disturbance of the image due to the corrected signal may be recognized when the line of sight does not follow the figure.

Identification method for generated position of dynamic false contour, processing method for image signal, and processing apparatus for image signal


A force transducer is formed by utilizing a slender column, having co-extensive opposing flat surfaces, interposed between a fixed member and a member movable toward the fixed member so that the plane of bending will be perpendicular to the flat surfaces. A pair of strain gauges are attached to the opposite flat sides of the column and connected with opposing terminals of a Wheatstone bridge in series through the respective strain gauge and balanced by resistors. The read-out of the bridge indicates the increase or decrease in resistance of the strain gauges which is proportional to the force applied.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to pressure transducers and more particularly a transducer utilizing strain gauges on diametric opposite sides of a slender column or collapsible pin to measure force by the bending of the slender column collapsible pin prior to a critical force at which the slender column would collapse. Rupture pin pressure relief valves are generally well known. A collapsible or buckling pin is formed by a slender column which yields or collapses by force applied to the axis of the slender column. The yield point at which the column collapses can be easily calibrated in accordance with Euler's formula for slender columns.
Transducers for indicating the value of a force or pressure are well known. Such transducers generally include a diaphragm and strain gauges on the diaphragm indicates the pressure value by diaphragm fluctuation. Instruments recording such fluctuations must be periodically adjusted to achieve accuracy in measurement. As stated hereinabove this invention uses strain gauges on opposite sides of a slender column with the force to be measured axially impressed on the slender column.
This invention is an improvement over known force transducers by using a collapsible pin having opposing parallel sides so that the direction of bending of the collapsible pin under axial pressure below its yield value will be known by bending laterally in either its flat surfaces direction. Since the direction of bending is known, the amount of bending can be measured.
2. Description of the Prior Art
U.S. Pat. No. 5,146,942 issued Sep. 15, 1992 to Taylor for Low Pressure Fluid Emergency Shutdown Valve and U.S. Pat. No. 5,297,575 issued Mar. 29, 1994 for In-Line High Pressure Fluid Release Valve are believed good examples of the state-of-the-art. Each of these patents disclose a long slender column forming a pressure collapsible pin having one end portion secured in a socket of a valve body and the opposite end portion of the pin secured in a coaxial socket moved toward the axis of the collapsible pin by fluid pressure in a vessel or line being monitored. The collapsible pin being responsive to the axially imposed force caused by fluid pressure will swing laterally and buckle in response to fluid pressure greater the yield value of the slender pin. The direction of bending is not known since it is free to bend in any direction.


In one embodiment, a rotor blade balancing apparatus may include a tube member defining an inner cavity, a plurality of weights, and a biasing member. The tube member may be for the insertion into a cavity of a rotor blade. Each of the weights may be adapted to be slide-ably inserted into the inner cavity of the tube member within a cavity of a rotor blade, and slide-ably removed from the inner cavity of the tube member within a cavity of a rotor blade in order to balance a rotor blade. The biasing member may be for biasing weights, which have been slide-ably inserted into the inner cavity of the tube member within a cavity of a rotor blade, towards an end of the tube member.

Rotor blades, such as helicopter blades, often require adjustable, fine-tuning weights to reduce vibration induced by differences between rotor blades. The differences can be due to initial manufacturing, erosion/wear, repairs/maintenance, and/or weight gain due to moisture ingress. The weights are typically buried in the rotor blade or made flush to avoid performance losses due to aerodynamic drag. Many of the existing rotor blade balancing apparatus and/or methods of balancing rotor blades rely on threaded fasteners to retain the weight while in flight. Threaded fasteners large enough to retain the weights under high centrifugal force and the attendant structure required into which the fasteners thread tend to be relatively heavy and require safety features so that the fastener does not vibrate loose and depart in flight. Many of the existing apparatus use metal boxes surrounding the weights to help transfer the loads from the weights to the surrounding structure. These enclosures tend to be heavy. The access cut-out areas are often large, with a significant structural impact and need for additional reinforcement. Further, many of the existing apparatus use an abundance of parts, are costly, require excessive time during balancing, and are difficult to implement.
A rotor blade balancing apparatus, and/or method of balancing a rotor blade is needed to decrease one or more problems associated with one or more of the existing rotor blade balancing apparatus and/or methods.

Rotor blade adjustable weight retention system


An embedded plate frame structure, having a polygonal or arc-shaped frame body; the polygonal frame body includes at least a first frame, a second frame and a third frame; a panel is installed on the frame body; the first frame, the second frame and the third frame are formed by metal profiles; the metal profiles are provided with accommodating grooves; peripheral sides of the panel are respectively inserted into the corresponding accommodating grooves of the first frame, the second frame and the third frame and extruded, such that the panel is connected with the first frame, the second frame and the third frame into a whole; the metal profile is provided with a reinforcing portion, and the reinforcing portion is integrally formed with an outer side of the metal profile.

The present invention relates to the technical field of metal plate frames, and in particular, to an embedded plate frame structure.
At present, there are many kinds of shelves in the market, which may roughly fall into fixed shelves that are not easy to disassemble, combined shelves that are easy to disassemble, etc. The combined shelves that are easy to disassemble have the advantages of being easy to store and transport.
The existing combined shelf usually includes a bracket and a plate frame, where the plate frame is mainly formed by a frame and a panel through welding, and such a shelf has the following disadvantages:
1. The shelf has too many welding positions, poor structural stability and environmental pollution.
2. It takes a lot of time to perform welding, which is not high in production efficiency, wastes materials and has a high cost.
3. The shelf is not attractive, and sharp convex parts exist after plate frame welding, which easily causes scratches and has certain potential safety hazards.


The invention is a CNC machine tool, namely a CNC lathe, that includes a horizontal main spindle. The unfinished parts to be machined are supplied to the machine tool horizontally to the working compartment by a handling device integrated into the CNC control, and are then supplied via the handling device to a chuck that is to the horizontal main spindle. The machine tool according to the invention is particularly well-suited for small machining runs.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a CNC-controlled machine tool, especially a CNC-controlled lathe.
2. Background Art
Today, for loading and unloading machine tools, namely lathes, bar feeds with part catchers are also employed in addition to expensive portal loaders or robots. The portal loader or robot has to be newly adjusted upon each workpiece change. The bar feed is restricted by the passage (bore) and the spindle, and the removal of the finished parts is mostly effected through part catchers which cannot be employed with surface-sensitive workpieces.
From DE 33 29 266 A1, a CNC-controlled machine tool, namely a lathe, with horizontally operating main spindle is known, wherein a linearly movable gripper picks up workpieces from a conveyor and transports them into the processing region and from the processing region again to the conveyor.
DE 101 40 940 A1 describes a CNC-controlled machine tool, namely a lathe, with a vertically operating main spindle, wherein workpieces are conveyed from a conveyor to a liftable delivering device by means of a delivering device, and are transported from there into the processing region and again back to the delivering device and from there to the conveyor by means of a linearly movable main spindle.
From U.S. Pat. No. 6,634,265 B2, a CNC-controlled machine tool, namely a lathe, with horizontally operating main spindle is known, wherein a linearly movable gripper tool unit picks up workpieces from a deposition surface and transports them into the processing region and from there again to the deposition surface.


The present invention relates to a handheld vibrating mesh nebuliser for delivery of a medicament to the respiratory system in therapy. The present invention also relates to a supply container for loading the nebuliser with liquid medicament. The present invention also relates to a kit for delivery of a medicament to a respiratory system and a method of loading a vibrating mesh nebuliser with liquid medicament from a supply container. The present invention also relates to compositions for use in a method of treatment of a respiratory disease in a patient by therapy.

Vibrating mesh nebulisers can be classified as micropump systems because aerosol generation from this technology is usually a result of energy forcing liquid to flow through small apertures of a plate or membrane. There are two main types of micropump nebulisers: passive or active vibrating mesh systems. The passive vibrating mesh nebuliser (e.g. Omron MicroAir; Omron Healthcare, Inc., Lake Forest, Ill.) is composed of a piezoelectric crystal which generates vibration from electrical force to a transducer horn that is in contact with the liquid formulation. The vibration then creates waves in the nebuliser reservoir that travel towards a perforated plate positioned in front of the transducer horn. Consequently, aerosol droplets are created once the fluid flowing through the membrane is enough to cause drop detachment [1,2].
In contrast, active vibrating mesh nebulisers (e.g. Aerogen Aeroneb® [Aerogen, Inc., Galway, Ireland] and PART eFlow® [PART Respiratory Equipment, Inc., Midlothian, Vir.]) have a dome-shaped membrane (aperture sizes of approximately 4 μm and 2-20 μm, respectively [3]) directly connected to a vibrating piezoelectric element. Following application of electric current, said membrane starts to vibrate at high frequency (over 100,000 times per second), and the liquid formulation is rapidly extruded through the mesh as a consequence of the downward and upward movements of the membrane; this action generates the aerosol droplets [1]. The vibrating mesh nebuliser creates a fine particle, low velocity aerosol optimized for targeted delivery through the lungs. It is designed to produce an aerosol from a drug in liquid format without damaging or altering the molecular integrity or the concentration of the compound.
Both active and passive vibrating mesh nebulisers may be highly dependent on formulation characteristics. The influence of bulk liquid characteristics on aerosol generation of solutions has been systematically evaluated. Both systems have been demonstrated to ineffectively produce aerosols from solutions that have high viscosities [4]. The passive mesh technology yields slightly larger droplets than the active mesh system, but compensates to provide a similar respirable output by having a higher total aerosol output. An increased viscosity provides a decrease in droplet size, and a consequently higher respirable output from both mesh systems, but the overall output rate is compromised for passive mesh nebulisers. The influence of surface tension on aerosol properties is less clear, but it is known that fluids with low viscosity and low surface tension seem more desirable for greater nebulisation performance. With the PART eFlow® nebuliser, an increase in solution viscosity led to a decrease both in aerodynamic diameter and output rate, whilst an increase in the electrolyte concentration led to an increase in output rate and a decrease in aerodynamic diameter. Therefore, the proportion of respirable droplets generated is dependent on the interplay between output rate and aerodynamic diameter, which in turn are each highly driven by the physicochemical properties of the formulation [1,2].
A low ion concentration is crucial for providing less variable aerosol generation with vibrating-mesh nebulisers. Investigations using several sodium halides showed that solutions containing ions with greater polarizing abilities (i.e. NaI) presented superior aerosol performance due to their greater presence at the air-water interface [1]. In general, active vibrating mesh nebulisers deliver solutions of low viscosity more efficiently than jet nebulisers, while passive devices present comparable performance [1]. Overall, mesh nebulisers are not compatible with viscous liquids or those that crystallise on drying [2 (Table 1),4]. The Omron (passive) and Aeroneb® Pro (active) vibrating mesh nebulisers were both shown to be unsuitable for delivery of highly viscous liquids, since nebulisation was intermittent or ceased completely [4].
Glycosaminoglycans, such as heparin, are known to be effective in the treatment of several respiratory diseases, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [5]. Heparin is a polydisperse high molecular weight polysaccharide [6]. It behaves as a typical polyelectrolyte in aqueous solution due to its high negative charge. Therefore physicochemical measurements, including measurements of intrinsic viscosity, are sensitive to pH and ionic strength. Heparin forms highly viscous solutions in water, but there is a decrease in intrinsic viscosity with increasing ionic strength [6]. Adding cations shields the negative charges on heparin and reduces the extended coil conformation, reducing the hydrodynamic radius and thus the intrinsic viscosity [7].
Bendstrup et al. reported that the kinematic viscosity (dynamic viscosity/density) of heparin solutions increased with increasing concentration, and with decreasing temperature [8]. Calcium heparin had a lower viscosity than sodium heparin, and output (IU/min) from an ultrasonic nebuliser was maximum at 7000 IU/ml and a kinematic viscosity of 3 cSt (3 centistokes). Output was reduced at higher concentrations and viscosities. Surface tension has little effect on aerosolisation properties of heparin. The intrinsic viscosity of heparin (average molecular weight 13.5-15 kDa) in water is much higher (80.6 mL/g) than other polymers of similar or even greater size such as Ficoll F-30 (6.8 mL/g, molecular weight 21,292) and pullulan P-20 (18.1 mL/g, molecular weight 22,800), which are both non-ionic polymers [7].
Therefore, it has not been thought possible that glycosaminoglycan solutions, such as heparin solutions, could be delivered from vibrating mesh nebulisers, and particularly not in a volume and at a concentration that will be useful in the treatment of COPD and other pulmonary diseases, if they are delivered at all.


An aluminum alloy billet obtained by continuously casting molten aluminum alloy in the shape of rod is cut into a predetermined length by means of a cutting device. The aluminum alloy billet thus cut is loaded into a product carrier container with an identification mark that has been made. The casting condition and inspection results of the aluminum alloy billet are stored in the storage unit of a production control device in association with the identification mark so as to stabilize the quality and production of the aluminum alloy billet used for machining materials.

Generally, the aluminum alloy billet utilized as machining materials, such as, for automobile parts and aluminum sash, is produced by casting molten aluminum alloy in the shape of rods, such as e.g., by DC casting, hot-top casting, hot-top gas pressure casting, and horizontal continuous casting, and then through long bar cutting process, homogenizing process, surfacing process, short bar cutting process, and defect inspection process.
Since ordinary DC casting makes it a rule to process in batch for every process the aluminum alloy billet is casted to a finite length, a long period of time is required until the final inspection. On that account, there is a drawback therein that it is prone to develop defective products, when a process failure occurs, and controlling at a low production rate so as not to break out any defective products lowers productivity. In contrast, the horizontal continuous casting obviates batch processing of the aluminum alloy billet in batch for every process, which is produced by continuously casting the molten aluminum alloy in the shape of rod. This enables manufacturing of the aluminum alloy billet without a decrease in the productivity.
Incidentally, the aluminum alloy billet yielded by casting the molten aluminum alloy might develop defects including a casting defect depending on the casting condition. Thus, for the aluminum alloy billet produced by casting the molten aluminum alloy to be cut into a predetermined length for shipment as a product, it is necessary to inspect the product for a defect in the aluminum alloy billet to control the quality thereof. Hereupon, as techniques of controlling the quality of the aluminum alloy billet produced by continuously casting the molten aluminum alloy are widely known. One of the techniques is that a surface and the inside of the aluminum alloy billet undergo a nondestructive inspection and the quality of the aluminum alloy billet is controlled based on the inspection results. Another technique is that an ultrasonic flaw inspection is conducted to the aluminum alloy billet pulled out from the mold of the continuous casting device for control of the quality of the aluminum alloy billet.
Further, in the technique in which the billet is directly cut into a length of the product after being casted to the shape of a billet, there has thus far been no art of the management of production and inspection information or the feedback thereof to the manufacturing process.

Production system and production method of aluminum alloy billet, and aluminum alloy billet


An ignition circuit (200) includes: an igniter (210) having first (211) and second (212) terminals; a first diode (225) electrically connected in series with the igniter at the first terminal; a second diode (230) electrically connected in series with the igniter at the second terminal. The first and second diodes each have an anode terminal (226, 231) and a cathode terminal (227, 232), wherein like terminals of the first and second diodes are electrically connected to the igniter, thereby defining proximal terminals and distal terminals. A capacitor (235) is electrically connected across the distal terminals and connectable in parallel with a series-connected energy source (215) and switch (220). The energy source and a switch are electrically connectable across the distal terminals via test lead wires. Current flow through the igniter sufficient to ignite the igniter is prevented until an ignition voltage is applied to the distal terminals that is equal to or greater than the reverse breakdown voltage of the first diode or the second diode.

The present invention relates to electric and electronic detonators and, more specifically, to such detonators being protected against inadvertent firing by stray or induced electrical currents, magnetic fields and the like, and even more specifically, to such detonators having a means for testing the electrical integrity of associated downhole test lead wires disposed in a conductive and/or galvanic environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,179,248 (the '248 patent), issued Jan. 12, 1993 to J. Keith Hartman et al. and entitled "Zener Diode For Protection Of Semiconductor Explosive Bridge", discloses protection of a semiconductor bridge against inadvertent firing by connecting a zener diode across the conductive metal lands forming part of the semiconductor bridge. As explained at column 3, line 14 et seq., a semiconductor bridge device includes a pair of spaced-apart metal lands disposed in ohmic contact on a doped semiconductor layer with a gap between the lands. In response to a voltage or current equal to or in excess of a predetermined level and duration being applied to the gap between the lands, a plasma is formed in the gap with sufficient energy to initiate an explosive disposed in the gap. The device for preventing accidental discharge includes and preferably consists of a zener diode having anode and cathode electrodes respectively connected to the first and second lands of the semiconductor bridge device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,309,841 (the '841 patent), issued May 10, 1994 to J. Keith Hartman et al. and entitled "Zener Diode For Protection of Integrated Circuit Explosive Bridge", expands on the disclosure of the '248 Patent, including disclosure of circuits adding an energy storage capacitor and energy source in parallel with the zener diode and incorporating the elements into an integrated circuit.
As disclosed in both the '248 patent (col. 6, line 56 through col. 7, line 7; FIG. 3) and the '841 patent (col. 7, lines 20-39; FIG. 3), protection against premature firing of the semi-conductor explosive bridge is accomplished via waveform clipping by the protective zener diode.
Commonly assigned U.S. Patent Publication 2008/0223241A1, published Sep. 18, 2008, to Eldon K. Hurley and entitled "Detonator Ignition Protection Circuit", discloses a resistor disposed as part of the protection circuit to provide an electrical path in front of protection diodes for pre-testing the integrity of electrical connections from the firing station up to the protection circuit and igniter, and for protecting the igniter against stray static voltages.
While existing protective schemes for detonator devices may be suitable for their intended purpose, there remains, however, a need in the art for improved protective schemes that provide improved protection against possible stray voltage conditions that could cause unplanned initiation of a detonator, and a need in the art for improved circuit testing schemes that provide improved circuit testing under conditions where the test lead wires are disposed in conductive and/or galvanic environments.

Detonator ignition protection and detection circuit


A micro-bolometer type infrared (IR) sensing device is provided. The IR sensing device includes an absorbed heat discharging part and a sensing structure part formed as bean structure, spaced apart from the absorbed heat discharging part, supported at least at one end on the absorbed heat discharging part, and discharging heat absorbed in the sensing structure part by being elastically deformed and thus touching the absorbed heat discharging part. The sensing structure part includes a sensing part with variation in secondary attribute according to heat and a light-absorbing part formed into one unit with the sensing part in a manner to surround the sensing part as seen in section view, and converting energy of incident photons into heat. The sensing structure part discharges heat absorbed therein by being elastically deformed and thus touching the absorbed heat discharge part spaced apart downward from the sensing structure part.

1. Field
The following description relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a micro-bolometer type infrared (IR) sensing device.
2. Description of the Related Art
A micro-bolometer type infrared (IR) sensing device senses IR light by detecting variation in a secondary attribute that responds to the heat absorbed when the IR light is applied thereon. One of the secondary attribute that is sensed is the TCR (Temperature Coefficient of Resistance). In conventional resistive-type sensing devices which take advantage of the TCR of the material, a resistive-type sensing part is made of Vanadium Oxide (VOx), poly-silicon, armorphous-silicon, thermistor ((MnNiCO)3O4), etc. These materials have an advantage that the TCR (ratio of resistance variation to temperature variation) is high, however they have a disadvantage that performance seriously deteriorates at low frequencies due to excessive flicker noise (that is, 1/f noise) caused by their inherent characteristics.
Also, such a conventional IR sensing device sometimes includes a chopper for resetting a sensing part by periodically blocking heat in the form of the thermal image that is incident on the array. However, the chopper limits the operation of the IR sensing device, and makes the construction of the IR camera system more complicated and increases manufacturing costs.
Conventional IR sensing devices have an inherent design conflict between sensitivity and image lag. To increase the sensitivity of the device each pixel must be as thermally isolated from it's environment as much as possible. A pixel that is very isolated from its environment is by design very slow to respond to changes in the scene and thus induces image lag. This new sensor has pixels that have thermal reset, thus allowing for the decoupling of sensitivity to the thermal time constant requirements of video frame rates. The thermal resetting action of this new device eliminates image lag and allows for an additional increase in sensitivity due to the elimination of the so called "Temperature Fluctuation Noise" component in the noise equations.
The present applicant has proposed a semiconductor device in which crystalline silicon thin film formed by a SOI (Silicon On Insulator) substrate manufacturing method is used as a sensing part, and a sensing structure part having a serpentine shape discharges heat by touching a substrate spaced apart downward from the sensing structure part, which has been registered as Korean Patent No. 704,378.
The semiconductor device is an improvement on conventional technologies in view of sensitivity, simplicity of structure and manufacture and elimination of image artifacts like image lag.,

Semiconductor device and method of manufacturing the same