A liquid crystal display device and a method of fabricating the same are disclosed in the present invention. The liquid crystal display device includes first and second substrates facing into each other, a sealant outside a liquid crystal display panel region between the first and second substrates, a first column spacer surrounded by the sealant, and a liquid crystal layer between the first and second substrates.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display device and a method of fabricating the same. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for forming a liquid crystal display panel device having a uniform cell gap.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display device has characteristics of full color realization, low voltage operation, low power consumption, thinness, lightness in weight, and high image quality. Thus, its applications have been diversified from monitors for electronic watches, calculators, notebook computers, personal computers and TV, and gauge monitors for aviation, personal digital assistants (PDA), and mobile stations.
In fabricating the liquid crystal display device, it is necessary to form a liquid crystal layer between lower and upper substrates. A method for forming the liquid crystal layer is largely classified into two methods, such as a liquid crystal injection method and a dispensing method. In case of a small sized panel, the liquid crystal layer is formed by injecting liquid crystals between the lower and upper substrates in a vacuum condition through an injection inlet after bonding the lower and upper substrates to each other. If a size of the panel is large, such a vacuum injection method has a problem in that it takes a long time to inject the liquid crystal. Accordingly, in case of a large sized panel, the liquid crystal is dispensed on one of the lower and upper substrates, and then the substrates are bonded to each other to form the liquid crystal layer.
In addition, spacers are used for maintaining a uniform cell gap between the lower and upper substrates. There are two kinds of spacers: the one is a ball spacer being scattered on the substrate, and the other is a column spacer being attached to the substrate. With a trend of the large sized panel, the column spacer has been mostly used since the ball spacer has limitations in maintaining a uniform cell gap in the large sized panel. At this time, materials for maintaining the uniform cell gap are used for a sealant for bonding the substrates to each other as well as for the substrates. The materials may be made of a glass fiber of which thickness maintains the cell gap between the lower and upper substrates.
After bonding the lower and upper substrates to each other, the sealant is hardened so as to fix the bonded state of the substrates. At this time, the sealant is classified into a thermo-hardening sealant being hardened by heat and a photo-hardening sealant being hardened by UV-ray. A seal mixture of an epoxy resin and a hardener is usually used as a thermo-hardening sealant. If a thermal process is performed to the seal mixture, the hardener is chemically combined with the epoxy resin, and the epoxy resin activated by the hardener is chemically combined with another epoxy resin. Accordingly, the seal mixture is polymerized so that adhesion of the seal mixture is improved.
After forming the liquid crystal layer between the lower and upper substrates, the bonded substrates are treated in a press for one to two hours so as to completely bond the lower and upper substrates to each other. The photo-hardening sealant is a seal mixture of a hardener and acrylate resin such as epoxy acrylate resin or urethane acrylate resin. If UV-ray is irradiated to the sealant, the hardener becomes a radical, and then the radical acts with the acrylate resin, so that the acrylate resin is activated. Accordingly, the seal mixture is polymerized so that the adhesion of the seal mixture is improved. After forming the liquid crystal layer between the lower and upper substrates, the UV-ray is irradiated to the bonded substrates so as to harden the sealant between the lower and upper substrates for several seconds.
A related art liquid crystal display device and a method of fabricating the same will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a plane view of a liquid crystal display device according to a related art liquid crystal dispensing method. FIGS. 2A to 2G illustrate fabrication process of a liquid crystal display device according to the related art liquid crystal dispensing method.
Referring to FIG. 1, a plurality of gate lines and data lines are formed on a first substrate 100 to cross each other and define a plurality of pixel regions 112. A plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) are formed at each crossing point of the plurality of gate and data lines, and a plurality of pixel electrodes are formed in the pixel regions for being electrically connected to drain electrodes of the TFTs. Thereafter, silver (Ag) dots are formed at predetermined portions of the first substrate 100 for applying a voltage to a common electrode of a second substrate, and liquid crystal is dispensed on an active region.
Then, a black matrix layer, a color filter layer, and the common electrode are formed on the second substrate 150, and column spacers 150 are formed on portions of the second substrate corresponding to the gate and data lines of the first substrate 100 except for the pixel regions 112 of the first substrate 100. Upon formation of the column spacers, a photo-hardening sealant 110 including a glass fiber 125 is formed on the second substrate 150. The first and second substrates 100 and 150 are bonded to each other, and then UV-ray is irradiated to the photo-hardening sealant 110 including the glass fiber, thereby hardening the photo-hardening sealant 110. Furthermore, the column spacers 105 are formed within the active region 120 to maintain a cell gap on the entire panel of the liquid crystal display device. The cell gap is uniformly maintained at the circumferential region of the active region 120 by the thickness of the glass fiber 125 included in the photo-hardening sealant 110.
In this case, the photo-hardening sealant 110 including the glass fiber 125 is formed as follows. First, the photo-hardening sealant 110 is mixed with the glass fiber 125 at a ratio of 100 to 1 in weight for about ten minutes. A seal mixture of the photo-hardening sealant and the glass fiber is stirred to remove bubbles for two hours under a vacuum condition. The seal mixture without any bubbles is hermetically maintained in a cylinder at a temperature below 0 □. Then, the seal mixture and cylinder are maintained at the ambient temperature for about three hours or more. When the glass fiber 125 is mixed with the photo-hardening sealant 110 having high viscosity, gas bubbles are generated. Even though the gas bubbles are removed under a vacuum condition in a bubble remover, the gas bubbles are not completely removed since the high viscosity sealant is used to form the seal mixture. Accordingly, the photo-hardening sealant is unevenly formed, and spots appear on the panel due to the gas bubbles. Also, external moisture may penetrate into the liquid crystal display device through the sealant due to an out-gassing of the gas bubbles inside the sealant, thereby degrading a picture quality.
A method of fabricating a related art liquid crystal display device will be explained in detail. FIGS. 2A to 2G illustrate fabrication process of a liquid crystal display device according to a related art liquid crystal dispensing method. In FIGS. 2A to 2G, a plurality of liquid crystal display panel regions 200 are formed on one substrate, and then are cut into a plurality of unit panels.
Referring to FIG. 2A, a thin film transistor (TFT) array including gate and data lines (not shown) is formed at each liquid crystal display panel region 200 on a first substrate 100, and silver (Ag) dots are formed with a constant distance in the peripheral region of each liquid crystal display panel region 200 on the first substrate 100. Then, liquid crystal 103 is dispensed on each liquid crystal display panel region 200. The silver (Ag) dots are formed for applying a voltage to a common electrode formed on a second substrate 150.
As shown in FIG. 2B, column spacers 105 are formed on a black matrix layer (not shown) of the second substrate 150, on which a color filter array is formed at each liquid crystal display panel region.
Then, a photo-hardening sealant 110 including a glass fiber 125 is formed in the peripheral region of each liquid crystal display panel region on the second substrate 150, as shown in FIG. 2C.
Referring to FIG. 2D, the silver (Ag) dots 101 and the liquid crystals 103 are formed on the first substrate 100, and the column spacer 105 and the sealant 110 are formed on the second substrate 150. The first and second substrates 100 and 150 are loaded to a bonding apparatus being controlled to be under a vacuum condition. The surface of the second substrate 150, on which the sealant 110 is deposited, faces down, and then is fixed to an upper stage 170 that moves along the Z-axis direction (i.e., vertical direction). Also, the first substrate 100 is fixed to a lower stage 160 that moves along the XY-axis direction (i.e., horizontal direction). At this time, the silver (Ag) dots 101 are disposed outside the photo-hardening sealant 110.
As shown in FIG. 2E, the second substrate 150 fixed to the upper stage 170 and the first substrate fixed to the lower stage 160 are aligned, and a chamber of the bonding apparatus becomes in a vacuum condition. The upper stage 170 moves down to bond the first and second substrates 100 and 150 to each other.
Referring to FIG. 2F, gas or dry air is provided to the chamber of the bonding apparatus under a vacuum condition so as to equalize a pressure of the chamber to the ambient pressure. Accordingly, the first and second substrates bonded by the sealant 110 are maintained under a vacuum condition, and the circumferential region of the substrates is under the ambient pressure. Thus, the first and second substrates are pressed to each other caused by a pressure difference between the inside pressure of the substrates and the ambient pressure. Simultaneously, the liquid crystals 103 spread out on the entire panel between the first and second substrates, thereby forming a liquid crystal layer 103a.
Thereafter, the first and second substrates 100 and 150 bonded to each other are loaded on a quartz stage 180, shown in FIG. 2G. The UV-ray is irradiated to the bonded substrates from the bottom of the first substrate 100, thereby hardening the photo-hardening sealant 110 including the glass fiber 125 with the UV-ray.
However, the related art liquid crystal display device according to the liquid crystal dispensing method and the method of fabricating the same have the following disadvantages.
The photo-hardening sealant is mixed with the glass fiber, so that the gas bubbles are generated. Accordingly, spots appear on the panel due to the remaining gas bubbles after bonding the first and second substrates to each other. Also, it is difficult to maintain a uniform cell gap between the substrates in that the photo-hardening sealant is unevenly formed.
Furthermore, the external moisture may penetrate into the liquid crystal layer through the sealant due to an out-gassing of the gas bubbles inside the sealant, thereby degrading a picture quality.

Liquid crystal display device having column spacers and method of fabricating the same


A loading apparatus with which it is possible to securely connect connection terminals of a recording medium to terminal electrodes, thereby enhancing the reliability of operations of the loading apparatus. A holder (34) which holds a recording medium (100) having connection terminals (105) and which is moved between an insertion/take-out position where the recording medium is inserted or taken out and a completion position where the loading of the recording medium is completed, and a lock lever (42) for locking the holder in the insertion/take-out position, are provided, and the locking of the holder in the insertion/take-out position by the lock lever is released when the connection terminals of the recording medium are connected to the terminal electrodes.

There has been known a loading apparatus for loading a recording medium on which to record information signals, for example, a plate-like recording medium including a semiconductor memory and a plurality of connection terminals. Such loading apparatuses are provided in various electronic apparatuses such as, for example, various audio apparatuses, personal computers, cellular phones, etc.
Among the loading apparatuses, there is one which includes a holder for holding the recording medium, and a chassis for supporting the holder movably in the moving direction of the holder, and in which a plurality of terminal electrodes for connection with connection terminals of the recording medium are attached to the chassis (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2001-60253).
In the conventional loading apparatus, the holder can be moved between a first position for insertion and removal of the recording medium and a second position where the connection terminals of the recording medium are connected to the terminal electrodes. When the recording medium is inserted into and held in the holder located in the first position, the holder and the recording medium are moved as one body to the second position by a biasing force of a bias member (toggle spring), and the connection terminals are connected to the terminal electrodes, whereby the loading of the recording medium is completed.
In the above-mentioned conventional loading apparatus, however, the terminal electrodes are attached to the chassis, and the connection terminals of the recording medium held by the holder are connected to the terminal electrodes attached to the chassis, so that the positional accuracy of attachment of the terminal electrodes to the chassis, the positional accuracy of the holder relative to the chassis and the positional accuracy of insertion of the recording medium into the holder have influences on the conditions of connection of the connection terminals and the terminal electrodes. Namely, where these good positional accuracies are not secured, defects might be generated in the connection between the connection terminals of the recording medium and the terminal electrodes.
In addition, since the holder is moved relative to the chassis and the connection terminals of the recording medium held in the holder are thereby connected to the terminal electrodes, a good condition of connection between the connection terminals of the recording medium and the terminal electrodes may not be secured, in the case where, for example, the holder stops on the upstream side of the second position due to deterioration of the toggle spring, the case where the condition of insertion of the recording medium into the holder is imperfect, or the like cases.
Accordingly, a loading apparatus for a recording medium having connection terminals according to the present invention aims at securely connecting the connection terminals of the recording medium to the terminal electrodes and contriving an enhancement of the reliability of the operations of the loading apparatus.

Loading device for storage medium having connection terminal


An assembly of RF coils for bilateral imaging of a first and a second breast of the same person is disclosed. The assembly includes a first pair of coils having a first coil juxtaposed and underlapping a second coil, thereby defining juxtaposed edges of the first and second coils, and a second pair of coils having a third coil juxtaposed and underlapping a fourth coil, thereby defining juxtaposed edges of the third and fourth coils. The first coil has a first opening for receiving the first breast, the second coil has a second opening for receiving the second breast, the third coil substantially opposes the first coil, defining therebetween a first region for receiving the first breast, and the fourth coil substantially opposes the second coil, defining therebetween a second region for receiving the second breast.

The present disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for bilateral imaging of a first and a second breast of a person, and particularly to an arrangement of RF coils for simultaneous bilateral imaging.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) mammography is useful in assessing the size of a tumor for surgical planning, especially with difficult histology such as infiltrating lobular carcinomas and extensive intraductal components. It has also shown to be accurate in the staging of cancers as well as determining the amount of chest wall or pectoralis invasion. Screening of the opposite breast of interest may be important in cases where a patient has a form of disease with high probability of bilaterality, for example, invasive lobular carcinoma, as well as assessing patients for contralateral breast disease. Assessment of the contrast uptake dynamics through MR imaging has been found to increase specificity and change clinical treatment in many cases.
An MRI system uses a static magnetic field B0 to align magnetic spins in the direction of the field, usually denoted along the z-axis. A rotating RF field B1 applied perpendicular to the B0 field will cause the spins to rotate into the transverse field at a resonant frequency. The transverse component of the magnetization can be detected through the use of an RF antenna or receiver coil, which is specifically tuned to the resonate frequency of the precessing spins, otherwise know as the Larmor frequency. The signal-to-noise-ratio (SNR) of the system is dependent on the filling factor of this RF coil, resulting in local RF coils being used to increase the SNR of the system. With RF coils, it is desirable to both optimize the SNR of the system and provide a comfortable environment for the patient, thus decreasing patient movement during the scan. It is also desirable to provide a coil that allows for optimal patient placement during the scan in order to minimize artifacts from the system.
With some MRI techniques, there may be trade-offs between spatial resolution and acquisition time, that is, using a low resolution imaging technique and acquiring many temporal time points versus using a mode of high resolution imaging and acquiring few temporal time points. For bilateral breast imaging acquisition, several methods have been used to produce dynamic enhancement parametric curves. The use of axial and coronal slices is commonly used but may reduce the acquisition efficiency and spatial resolution of the image. The axial volumes may be acquired with a significant amount of zero-filling in k-space in order to keep the acquisition times reasonable. However, for these interpolated data sets, the real spatial resolution of the images may not be equal to the reconstructed voxel size. A second imaging method is to toggle back and forth between the left and right breast volumes, thereby maintaining the spatial resolution but possibly effecting the temporal resolution and decreasing the efficacy of the enhancement curve. A third imaging method is to perform the imaging of the left and right breasts on separate days, which may be inconvenient for the patient.
An alternative imaging method is to use parallel imaging in the slice direction using a multi-element array coil where individual RF coil elements are more sensitive to one of the breast volumes than to the other. From the resultant data, a signal processing parallel imaging technique may be used to acquire sagittal slices from both breasts simultaneously. Here, a single large volume encompassing both left and right breasts is prescribed such that a volume V′ is aliased back into a volume V. To unalias the volume data into slices corresponding to volumes V and V′, the coil element sensitivities are used by the signal processing parallel imaging technique.
To advance the field of MRI mammography, there remains a need in the art to separate coil sensitivity maps in the encoding direction, thereby enabling higher temporal resolution and higher spatial resolution.


A system which detects droplets on a translucent surface having a camera which, upon activation, acquires an image of a portion of the surface. A radiation source, upon activation, illuminates the portion of the translucent surface while a control circuit selectively activates both the camera and the radiation source. A processor receives a captured image from the camera and, through image processing, generates an output signal representative of the number of droplets on the portion of the translucent surface.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a system for detecting droplets on a translucent surface.
II. Description of Material Art
There are previously known systems for detecting droplets on a translucent surface. These previously known systems are typically used in the automotive industry for detecting raindrops on the windshield of a vehicle. Upon detection of the raindrops, the vehicle's windshield wipers are activated.
These previously known raindrop detectors in the automotive industry typically comprised one of two different types. In a first type, a light emitting diode (LED) having an output radiation emission in the infrared range was arranged in the automotive vehicle to direct the infrared emission towards a portion of the windshield. Reflected infrared radiation was then detected by an infrared detector. This reflected infrared radiation changes whenever raindrops are present on the windshield and these changes are detected by the infrared detector.
One problem associated with this previously known LED raindrop detector, however, is that the raindrop detector was unable to differentiate between raindrops and other marks on the windshield, such as debris, smudges, and the like. Consequently, when the raindrop detector was utilized to control the activation of the windshield wipers, these previously known systems were prone to activate the windshield wiper system when such activation was not desired. Furthermore, windshield coatings, such as ultraviolet coatings, often interfered with the operation of the detector.
In the second type of raindrop detector, an ultrasonic transmitter was effectively coupled to the windshield and, similarly, an ultrasonic receiver coupled to the windshield at a position spaced from the transmitter. In the event of the presence of raindrops on the windshield, the raindrops tended to dampen the ultrasonic vibration and such dampening is detected by the ultrasonic receivers.
This previously known raindrop detector, however, is disadvantageously costly to implement in the automotive industry. Furthermore, since the ultrasonic vibration transmitter necessarily involved a mechanical interface with the windshield, such mechanical interfaces were prone to failure.
A still further disadvantage of these previously known systems is that such systems were unable to detect the magnitude or number of raindrops.

System for detecting droplets on a translucent surface


A low-leakage-current JFET having electrically isolated top and bottom gates. The structure employs enclosed geometry wherein one source/drain region fully surrounds the other source/drain region. Connection to the top gate is made through a diffusion-barrier to prevent penetration of metallization into the top gate contact region. A non-penetrating contact layer is provided on the upper surface of the top gate so that the material of the contact layer does not enter the top gate region to any significant extent. Both the channel region and the shield layer are formed by ion-implantation.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to transistors. More particularly, this invention relates to junction field effect transistors (commonly known as JFETs) formed in integrated-circuit (IC) chips.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Junction field effect transistors have been in use for many years, and generally are considered advantageous because their high input impedance results in quite low current being drawn from the device supplying the input signal, and also because they have relatively low noise. Thus JFETs frequently are employed as the input stage of high-performance amplifiers. In such arrangements, the JFETs generally are integrated on an IC chip with conventional bipolar devices, for example, to form an operational amplifier.
Prior art JFET devices typically are formed in an epitaxial layer often grown over a buried collector diffused in a substrate. The JFET devices include two source/drain regions of conductivity type opposite to that of the epitaxial layer, and are connected by a channel region of that same opposite conductivity type. (The term "source/drain" is used to identify a region which can serve interchangeably either as a source or as a drain, depending upon the characteristics of an associated circuit.) Current flow through the channel is controlled by the potential of a gate region adjacent the channel. In the usual JFET, there will be both a top gate and a back gate, i.e. the regions just above and just below the channel.
The source/drain regions of a JFET ordinarily are formed by standard diffusion techniques. The channel however commonly and advantageously is formed by ion-implantation, in a region which lies a small distance below the surface of the IC chip. Just above the channel implant, there is an even shallower implant of opposite type, i.e. of the same conductivity type as the epitaxy. This latter implant is referred to as the shield layer, and serves to provide an electrostatic image for any charges exterior to the device which might otherwise find an image in the channel and thus affect the current flowing there. Such exterior charge can for example be from static, from sodium in an oxide layer, or from monolayers of polar molecules chemisorbed on the surface of the chip. The shield layer provides stability for the device, and also constitutes the top gate for the JFET channel between the source/drain regions.
The top gate of a JFET device must be electrically connected to some controlled potential, or the device will be electrically unstable. If no such connection is made, the device will behave as though the stabilizing layer were not present. Making connection to the top gate in the normal fashion from above the chip, i.e. directly to the upper surface of the top gate, has however presented a problem due to the extreme shallowness of the shield and channel regions which in turn result from the use of ion-implantation. For example, if the commonly used contact metallurgies such as Aluminum are employed to make such direct connection to the top gate, it will be found that the metal tends to penetrate through the shallow top gate layer to the channel, causing a gate-to-channel short circuit.
To avoid that problem, the top gate conventionally is maintained at a controlled potential by connecting it to the back gate, and by directing the input signal to the back gate, thereby indirectly controlling the potential of the top gate. This top gate-to-back gate connection typically is made by a diffusion which extends from the upper surface of the semi-conductive body down through a small area of the channel region to the epitaxial layer. In such prior art devices, no electrical contact is made to the top gate from above that gate, and the two gates always are connected together.
With the top and back gates connected together as described above, the leakage current of the device will include contributions from both the top and back gates. The total leakage current in such case is relatively large, especially in view of the substantial effective area of the back gate. Such relatively large leakage current has detracted from the performance capabilities of prior art JFETs of the type described hereinabove.

Low-leakage JFET having increased top gate doping concentration


The invention is directed to a packaging film (2) comprising: a top layer (4) with at least one aperture (4.1); a bottom layer (8) adhered to the top layer (4); a tear layer (6) adhered to the bottom layer (8) and extending along the at least one aperture (4.1) so that upon traction on the tear layer, said layer tears the bottom layer (8) through the aperture(s) (4.1). The tear layer (6) extends beyond the at least one aperture (4.1), between the top layer (4) and the bottom layer (8), preferably longitudinally in two opposite directions. The invention also relates to a condom wrapping with such a film and to the manufacturing method for such a film.

Prior art patent document published U.S. Pat. No. 2,991,000 discloses a film according to the preamble of claim 1. This film is employed to form a bag or a pouch. The film is made of a first layer (12) comprising an opening (22). On the inner side of the opening (22), the layer (12) is provided with an unsupported strip (24) to cover the opening. A tear seal (18) is applied on the outer side of the opening (22) and is adhered to the unsupported strip (24). The tear seal is made of a layer and of flaps that can be grasped by the fingers of a user. To open the pouch, the user grasps the tear seal (18) and pulls it. The unsupported strip (24) is teared off and the pouch is therefore opened. This film allows a quick opening of the pouch. This film is very beneficial in terms of manufacturing process, since it can be made from a laminated film with several openings arranged in a row and a common tear seal that can extend over the several openings. The film is then cut to the desired dimension which correspond to the dimension of a pouch.
The opening of this document is mostly extending in one direction, i.e. a slotted opening. Such an opening is however only adapted for a pouch that contains an article that can be extracted through such a slotted opening, for instance by grasping an edge of the article. The film of this document is not appropriate when the pouch shall contain articles for which a wide opening, i.e. extending substantially in two dimensions, is needed, for instance when a substantially flat article is to be grasped and handled at the centre of one of its face instead of being grasped at one of its edges.
In addition, the unsupported strip is a single layer of thermoplastic such as polyethylene or polyvinyl whereas the tear seal is a laminate that contains a paper or/and a metal foil. In other words, the unsupported strip needs to be substantially weaker than the tear seal and also the first layer forming the opening in order to properly tear while pulling on the tear strip.
An example of articles that require a two-dimensional opening is condoms. The purpose of grasping condoms at their centre rather than at their edge is to maintain their orientation while handling them between the package and intercourse. This is illustrated in the documents WO2011/057931 A1 and US 2015/0144141 A1. Both of these documents disclose a condom package with a tear-off section that makes it possible to open an aperture extending substantially in two dimensions. The tear-off section is removed when a user pulls a pull tab. These articles however are complex to manufacture because each package individually must be provided with a pull tab and also because of the films that are strong laminate with a metal foil. The condoms have to be protected from external light, leakages, and other kinds of aggression so that the metal foil of the films must be continuous so as to form a closed container. The above pouch film is therefore not suitable for wrappings that requires a laminate to be torn for opening, like a condom wrapping.

Packing film with a top layer forming a predefined opening track


A semiconductor chip is secured in a state deformed into a substantially cylinder shape by a coating material formed on its surface. The deformed semiconductor chip is flip-chip connected to an interposer and sealed with sealing resin onto the interposer. Solder balls are provided, as external terminals, on the other side of the interposer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a semiconductor device, and particularly to a semiconductor device having a bent or curved semiconductor element such as a stacked multi-chip package (MCP) and a multi-chip module (MCM), for example.
2. Description of the Related Art
Presently, attention is being directed to a technique for deforming a flat semiconductor chip into a desired shape for mounting in order to increase integration and operational speed of a semiconductor device. As technology develops for manufacturing a thinner semiconductor chip, it is becoming increasingly easier to deform (bend) the semiconductor chip itself into a desired shape. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-118982 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-345823 disclose technologies for deforming (bending) and mounting a semiconductor element.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration of a deformed semiconductor chip that is described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2001-118982. The semiconductor chip 1 shown in this drawing is wrapped around a cylinder-shaped support substrate 2 to be deformed into a cylinder shape. In this drawing, electrode pads 1a of the semiconductor chip 1 are arranged in a longitudinal direction with respect to the cylinder shape and these electrode pads 1a may be used to interconnect to another similar cylindrically deformed semiconductor chip.
FIG. 2 is a side view showing a configuration of a deformed semiconductor chip that is described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-345823. One side of the semiconductor chip 3 shown in this drawing has solder bumps 3a mounted thereon as external connection electrodes, and the semiconductor chip 3 is deformed in a manner such this side forms a concave surface. The solder bumps 3a are connected to a wiring portion 4a of an interposer 4. According to this configuration, even when the interposer 4 is thermally deformed, stress created between the semiconductor chip 3 and the interposer 4 (i.e, at the solder bumps 3a) may be alleviated since the semiconductor chip may easily deform (bend).
However, in the example of FIG. 1, the semiconductor chip 1 is wrapped around a cylindrical substrate 2, and thereby, the weight of the semiconductor device may increase. Also, depending on the connection state of the chips (e.g., when the chips wrapped around a cylinder structure are mounted on top of each other), the chips that are to be mounted may need to be interconnected, and thereby the pads of the chips may have to be adjusted. Consequently, redesigning of the chip structure may be required, and the conventional semiconductor chip may not be used in its present form. Also, the semiconductor chip 1 has to be precisely wrapped around the cylinder substrate 2, and in turn measures for realizing such effect need to be contemplated.
Also, when a semiconductor chip is deformed and flip chip mounted as in the case of semiconductor chip 3 of FIG. 2, the chip is thin and lacks strength so that a crack may be generated upon connecting the chip to the interposer or sealing the structure with resin, for example. Further, since the semiconductor chip is deformed into an arc shape, the positioning accuracy of the connection portion between the interposer and the semiconductor chip may be low.


The presently described embodiments are directed to compositions that include one or more carotenoid analogs or derivatives for use in the treatment of a disorder associated with platelet aggregation. Certain embodiments provide for the use of said carotenoid analogs or derivatives in preparing compositions suitable for use in such treatments. Further embodiments provide for pharmaceutical compositions that include one or more carotenoid analogs or derivatives in combination with one or more additional compositions or medicaments suitable for the treatment of a disorder associated with platelet aggregation. Yet further embodiments provide for methods of treating a disorder associated with platelet aggregation that include administering to a subject who would benefit from such treatment pharmaceutical compositions suitable for inhibiting platelet aggregation in a subject undergoing said treatments, and that include carotenoid analogs or derivatives, optionally in combination with one or more additional antiplatelet agents.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the field of medicinal chemistry. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of synthetic carotenoid analogs, derivatives and compositions made using same for the treatment and prevention of platelet aggregation and thrombus formation in a subject.
2. Description of the Relevant Art
Platelet accumulation at sites of vascular injury is a dynamic process that mediates formation of both the primary hemostatic plug and pathologic thrombus formation. The mechanisms by which platelet surface proteins direct platelet recruitment to thrombi under flow conditions have been studied in detail. In addition to directing initial platelet adhesion, cell-surface receptor interactions activate intracellular signaling. Intracellular signaling stimulates the release of thrombogenic substances from platelet granules. Signaling also mediates activation of the platelet integrin αIIbβ3 (gpIIb-IIIa) that facilitates firm adhesion of platelets to thrombi.
Arterial thrombosis mediates tissue infarction in coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease, and, thus, is the single most common cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Platelets are key mediators of arterial thrombosis. Thus, the identification of compounds that inhibit platelet function is of great importance to medicine.
Platelets form the body's primary means of hemostasis and, as such, have developed an elaborate mechanism of surveying the vasculature for defects in endothelial integrity. This mechanism involves the ability to respond to subendothelial matrices, shear forces, neighboring platelets, the adrenal axis, as well as soluble proteinacious, nucleotide, and lipid signals. Despite this plethora of physiologic activators, the platelet has only a small repertoire of major functional outputs. Upon activation, platelets change shape, aggregate, and secrete their granular contents. The process of platelet activation involves the expression of activities not shared by functionally merit resting platelets, including, for example, ATP release, serotonin release, lysosomal release, alpha granule release, dense granule release, and cell surface expression of markers of activated platelets (including, but not limited to CD9, gpIb, gpIIb, gpIIIa, CDIa-IIa, P-selectin, PECAM-1, activated gpIIb/IIIa, and vitronectin receptor). In addition, platelet activation results in the aggregation of platelets with each other and with non-platelet surrounding cells. The granular contents of platelets supply additional adhesion molecules, growth factors, coagulation enzymes and other specialized molecules instrumental in the process of thrombus formation and the initiation of the healing process.
In addition to coronary artery disease/myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular disease and peripheral vascular disease, diseases and disorders associated with inappropriate platelet activity and arterial thrombosis also include, for example, stable and unstable angina, transient ischemic attacks, placental insufficiency, unwanted thromboses subsequent to surgical procedures (e.g., aortocoronary bypass surgery, angioplasty and stent placement, and heart valve replacement), or thromboses subsequent to atrial fibrillation. Inhibitors of platelet activity can provide therapeutic and preventive benefits for each of these diseases or disorders. It is also possible that inappropriate platelet activation plays a role in venous thrombosis, such that platelet inhibitors can be useful for the treatment or prevention of disorders associated with such thromboses.
A connection is emerging between platelet activation and inflammation, particularly allergic inflammation (e.g., in asthma) and inflammation at the sites of atherosclerotic damage. Therefore, compounds that inhibit platelet activation can also be useful in the treatment or prevention of disorders involving inflammation.
There are a number of agents presently available that target platelet function. For example, aspirin is a relatively weak platelet inhibitor. However, aspirin can cause life-threatening allergic reactions in sensitive individuals.
Another platelet inhibiting agent is ticlopidine (TICLID™, Roche Pharmaceuticals). Because it requires the production of active metabolites to be effective, the effect of ticlopidine is delayed 24-48 hours. The drug can also cause thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a life-threatening condition, as well as nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, diarrhea and skin rash.
Clodiprogel (PLAVIX™, Bristol-Meyers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals) is another platelet inhibitor that requires the generation of active metabolites for its therapeutic efficacy. Therefore, clodiprogel also has a delay of 24-48 hours for its effect. Clodiprogel can also cause thrombotic thrombocytopenia purpura as well as agranulocytopenia, both life-threatening conditions. The drug has also been associated with rash, edema, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, nausea, abdominal pain, dyspepsia, diarrhea, urinary tract infections, liver enzyme elevations and arthralgia.
The platelet inhibitory agents Abiximab and c7E3 Fab (REOPRO ABCIXIMAB™, manufacturer—Centocor B.V., distributor—Eli Lilly and Co.) are only available in a parenteral form. The drugs can cause severe thrombocytopenia. Both have a very long half-life and, therefore, complicate surgery that is sometimes required in the setting of life-threatening arterial occlusion (e.g., emergent cardiac surgery in the setting of a myocardial infarction).
Tirofiban (AGGRASTAT™, Merck and Co., Inc.) is another platelet inhibitory agent that is only available in a parenteral form. Tirofiban can cause thrombocytopenia, coronary artery dissection, bradycardia and edema, as well as dizziness and vasovagal reactions.
Eptifibatide (INTEGRILIN™, COR Therapeutics, Inc., Key Pharmaceuticals Inc.) is another platelet inhibitory agent that is only available for parenteral administration. It can cause hypotension.
There is only limited clinical experience with the oral anti-GPIIbIIIa agents lamifiban, sibrafiban, orofiban and xemilofiban. Similarly, clinical experience is limited with the phosphodiesterase inhibitors cilostazol, trapidil and trifusal. There is more clinical experience with the phosphodiesterase inhibitor dipyridamole, but its activity is so weak that it is not frequently used.
There is a need in the art for additional platelet inhibitory agents for the treatment and prevention of diseases or disorders characterized by platelet activation and thrombosis. There is a need in the area of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular therapeutics for an agent that can be used in the prevention and treatment of thrombi, with minimal side effects, such as unwanted prolongation of bleeding, while preventing or treating target thrombi.
Antioxidant Properties of Carotenoids
Carotenoids are a group of natural pigments produced principally by plants, yeast, and microalgae. The family of related compounds now numbers greater than 750 described members, exclusive of Z and E isomers. Humans and other animals cannot synthesize carotenoids de novo and must obtain them from their diet. All carotenoids share common chemical features, such as a polyisoprenoid structure, a long polyene chain forming the chromophore, and near symmetry around the central double bond. Tail-to-tail linkage of two C20 geranyl-geranyl diphosphate molecules produces the parent C40 carbon skeleton. Carotenoids without oxygenated functional groups are called "carotenes", reflecting their hydrocarbon nature; oxygenated carotenes are known as "xanthophylls." "Parent" carotenoids may generally refer to those natural compounds utilized as starting scaffold for structural carotenoid analog synthesis. Carotenoid derivatives may be derived from a naturally occurring carotenoid. Naturally occurring carotenoids may include lycopene, lycophyll, lycoxanthin, astaxanthin, beta-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and/or canthaxanthin to name a few.
Cyclization at one or both ends of the molecule yields 7 identified end groups (illustrative structures shown in FIG. 1). Examples of uses of carotenoid derivatives and analogs are illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/793,671 filed on Mar. 4, 2004, entitled "CAROTENOID ETHER ANALOGS OR DERIVATIVES FOR THE INHIBITION AND AMELIORATION OF DISEASE" by Lockwood et al. published on Jan. 13, 2005, as Publication No. US-2005-0009758 and PCT International Application Number PCT/US2003/023706 filed on Jul. 29, 2003, entitled "STRUCTURAL CAROTENOID ANALOGS FOR THE INHIBITION AND AMELIORATION OF DISEASE" by Lockwood et al. (International Publication Number WO 2004/011423 A2, published on Feb. 5, 2004) both of which are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Documented carotenoid functions in nature include light harvesting, photoprotection, and protective and sex-related coloration in microscopic organisms, mammals, and birds, respectively. A relatively recent observation has been the protective role of carotenoids against age-related diseases in humans as part of a complex antioxidant network within cells. This role is dictated by the close relationship between the physicochemical properties of individual carotenoids and their in vivo functions in organisms. The long system of alternating double and single bonds in the central part of the molecule (delocalizing the π-orbital electrons over the entire length of the polyene chain) confers the distinctive molecular shape, chemical reactivity, and light-absorbing properties of carotenoids. Additionally, isomerism around C═C double bonds yields distinctly different molecular structures that may be isolated as separate compounds (known as Z ("cis") and E ("trans"), or geometric, isomers). Of the more than 750 described carotenoids, an even greater number of the theoretically possible mono-Z and poly-Z isomers are sometimes encountered in nature. The presence of a Z double bond creates greater steric hindrance between nearby hydrogen atoms and/or methyl groups, so that Z isomers are generally less stable thermodynamically, and more chemically reactive, than the corresponding all-E form. The all-E configuration is an extended, linear, and rigid molecule. Z-isomers are, by contrast, not simple, linear molecules (the so-called "bent-chain" isomers). The presence of any Z in the polyene chain creates a bent-chain molecule. The tendency of Z-isomers to crystallize or aggregate is much less than all-E, and Z isomers are more readily solubilized, absorbed, and transported in vivo than their all-E counterparts. This has important implications for enteral (e.g., oral) and parenteral (e.g., intravenous, intra-arterial, intramuscular, and subcutaneous) dosing in mammals.
Carotenoids with chiral centers may exist either as the R (rectus) or S (sinister) configurations. As an example, astaxanthin (with 2 chiral centers at the 3 and 3′ carbons) may exist as 4 possible stereoisomers: 3S, 3′S; 3R, 3′S and 3S, 3′R (identical meso forms); or 3R, 3′R. The relative proportions of each of the stereoisomers may vary by natural source. For example, Haematococcus pluvialis microalgal meal is 99% 3S, 3′S astaxanthin, and is likely the predominant human evolutionary source of astaxanthin. Krill (3R,3′R) and yeast sources yield different stereoisomer compositions than the microalgal source. Synthetic astaxanthin, produced by large manufacturers such as Hoffmann-LaRoche AG, Buckton Scott (USA), or BASF AG, are provided as defined geometric isomer mixtures of a 1:2:1 stereoisomer mixture [3S, 3′S; 3R, 3′S, 3′R,3S (meso); 3R, 3′R] of non-esterified, free astaxanthin. Natural source astaxanthin from salmonid fish is predominantly a single stereoisomer (3S,3′S), but does contain a mixture of geometric isomers. Astaxanthin from the natural source Haematococcus pluvialis may contain nearly 50% Z isomers. As stated above, the Z conformational change may lead to a higher steric interference between the two parts of the carotenoid molecule, rendering it less stable, more reactive, and more susceptible to reactivity at low oxygen tensions. In such a situation, in relation to the all-E form, the Z forms: (1) may be degraded first; (2) may better suppress the attack of cells by reactive oxygen species such as superoxide anion; and (3) may preferentially slow the formation of radicals. Overall, the Z forms may initially be thermodynamically favored to protect the lipophilic portions of the cell and the cell membrane from destruction. It is important to note, however, that the all-E form of astaxanthin, unlike β-carotene, retains significant oral bioavailability as well as antioxidant capacity in the form of its dihydroxy- and diketo-substitutions on the β-ionone rings, and has been demonstrated to have increased efficacy over β-carotene in most studies. The all-E form of astaxanthin has also been postulated to have the most membrane-stabilizing effect on cells in vivo. Therefore, it is likely that the all-E form of astaxanthin in natural and synthetic mixtures of stereoisomers is also extremely important in antioxidant mechanisms, and may be the form most suitable for particular pharmaceutical preparations.
The antioxidant mechanism(s) of carotenoids, and in particular astaxanthin, includes singlet oxygen quenching, direct radical scavenging, and lipid peroxidation chain-breaking. The polyene chain of the carotenoid absorbs the excited energy of singlet oxygen, effectively stabilizing the energy transfer by delocalization along the chain, and dissipates the energy to the local environment as heat. Transfer of energy from triplet-state chlorophyll (in plants) or other porphyrins and proto-porphyrins (in mammals) to carotenoids occurs much more readily than the alternative energy transfer to oxygen to form the highly reactive and destructive singlet oxygen (1O2). Carotenoids may also accept the excitation energy from singlet oxygen if any should be formed in situ, and again dissipate the energy as heat to the local environment. This singlet oxygen quenching ability has significant implications in cardiac ischemia, macular degeneration, porphyria, and other disease states in which production of singlet oxygen has damaging effects. In the physical quenching mechanism, the carotenoid molecule may be regenerated (most frequently), or be lost. Carotenoids are also excellent chain-breaking antioxidants, a mechanism important in inhibiting the peroxidation of lipids. Astaxanthin can donate a hydrogen (H) to the unstable polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) radical, stopping the chain reaction. Peroxyl radicals may also, by addition to the polyene chain of carotenoids, be the proximate cause for lipid peroxide chain termination. The appropriate dose of astaxanthin has been shown to completely suppress the peroxyl radical chain reaction in liposome systems. Astaxanthin shares with vitamin E this dual antioxidant defense system of singlet oxygen quenching and direct radical scavenging, and in most instances (and particularly at low oxygen tension in vivo) is superior to vitamin E as a radical scavenger and physical quencher of singlet oxygen.
Carotenoids, and in particular astaxanthin, are potent direct radical scavengers and singlet oxygen quenchers and possess all the desirable qualities of such therapeutic agents for inhibition or amelioration of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Synthesis of novel carotenoid derivatives with "soft-drug" properties (i.e. activity in the derivatized form), with physiologically relevant, cleavable linkages to pro-moieties, can generate significant levels of free carotenoids in both plasma and solid organs. This is critically important, for in mammals, diesters of carotenoids generate the non-esterified or "free" parent carotenoid, and may be viewed as elegant synthetic and novel delivery vehicles with improved properties for delivery of free carotenoid to the systemic circulation and ultimately to target tissue. In the case of non-esterified, free astaxanthin, this is a particularly useful embodiment (characteristics specific to non-esterified, free astaxanthin below):                Lipid soluble in natural form; may be modified to become more water soluble        Molecular weight of 597 Daltons [size<600 daltons (Da) readily crosses the blood brain barrier, or BBB]        Long polyene chain characteristic of carotenoids effective in singlet oxygen quenching and lipid peroxidation chain breaking        No pro-vitamin A activity in mammals (eliminating concerns of hypervitaminosis A and retinoid toxicity in humans).
The administration of antioxidants that are potent singlet oxygen quenchers and direct radical scavengers, particularly of superoxide anion, should limit hepatic fibrosis and the progression to cirrhosis by affecting the activation of hepatic stellate cells early in the fibrogenetic pathway. Reduction in the level of ROS by the administration of a potent antioxidant can therefore be crucial in the prevention of the activation of both HSC and Kupffer cells. This protective antioxidant effect appears to be spread across the range of potential therapeutic antioxidants, including water-soluble (e.g., vitamin C, glutathione, resveratrol) and lipophilic (e.g., vitamin E, β-carotene, astaxanthin) agents. Therefore, a co-antioxidant derivative strategy in which water-soluble and lipophilic agents are combined synthetically is a particularly useful embodiment.
Vitamin E is generally considered the reference antioxidant. When compared with vitamin E, carotenoids are more efficient in quenching singlet oxygen in homogeneous organic solvents and in liposome systems. They are better chain-breaking antioxidants as well in liposomal systems. They have demonstrated increased efficacy and potency in vivo. They are particularly effective at low oxygen tension, and in low concentration, making them extremely effective agents in disease conditions in which ischemia is an important part of the tissue injury and pathology. These carotenoids also have a natural tropism for the liver after oral administration. Therefore, therapeutic administration of carotenoids should provide a greater benefit in limiting fibrosis than vitamin E.
Problems related to the use of naturally occurring carotenoids and some structural carotenoid analogs include: (1) the complex isomeric mixtures, including non-carotenoid contaminants, provided in natural and synthetic sources leading to costly increases in safety and efficacy tests required by such agencies as the FDA; (2) limited bioavailability upon administration to a subject; and (3) the differential induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes (this family of enzymes exhibits species-specific differences which must be taken into account when extrapolating animal work to human studies).

Carotenoid analogs and derivatives for the prevention of platelet aggregation


The invention provides a stacked wafer structure with decreased failures. In one embodiment, there is a barrier layer deposited on exposed surfaces of conductors that extend across a distance between first and second device structures. The barrier layer may prevent diffusion and electromigration of the conductor material, which may decrease incidences of shorts and voids in the stacked wafer structure.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to stacked wafer integrated circuits, and more particularly to use of a barrier layer on patterned connecting structures to prevent diffusion and electromigration.
2. Background of the Invention
Stacked integrated circuits have conductors extending between bonded wafers. These conductors can have exposed surfaces which can lead to reliability problems. FIG. 1 is a side cross section view of an example conventional stacked integrated circuit 100 that illustrates such problems. The stacked integrated circuit 100 has a first device structure 102. The first device structure 102 includes a substrate layer 104 and an oxide layer 106. Copper conductors 108 extend from the oxide layer 106 of the first device structure 102 to a second device structure 110. The conductors 108 have exposed surfaces 112 because the first and second device structures 102, 110 are spaced a distance 114 apart. Because the conductors 108 have exposed surfaces 112, and because copper can diffuse through oxide easily, issues such as copper diffusion and electromigration may occur. This can lead to shorting of the stacked integrated circuit 100 or voids in the conductors 108. Either of these problems can cause the stacked integrated circuit 100 to malfunction.


A magnetic drape comprises a drape body made of a flexible material. The drape body has a panel portion having an undersurface adapted to be laid on an uneven body and a top surface, and a given thickness between the undersurface and the top surface. A plurality of magnet units are within the flexible material of the drape body, with each said magnet unit comprising a shielding material in the shape of a cup oriented to have a bottom wall facing toward the undersurface of the drape body, and a magnet received at least partially in the cup. The magnet comprises two or more sections arranged to expose opposite polarity on a top surface of the magnetic drape, with each said section having opposite polarities oriented vertically.

Surgeons and medical professionals and personnel (e.g., doctors, veterinarians, dentist, nurses) use a plurality of instruments in performing surgery/treatment such as scalpels, forceps, sharps, scissors, clamps, needles, etc. The various instruments each have a specific function during surgery/treatment. Rigid trays are commonly used in order to support the plurality of instruments during surgery/treatment. The trays are typically kept horizontal by a stand or other structure so as to be relatively close to the surgical/treatment site. Medical personnel is often required to select and hand the instruments to the surgeon from the tray. Oftentimes, a nurse or the like is dedicated to selecting and handing instruments as requested by the surgeon.
It also has been common for medical personnel to place instruments directly on the patient surface for easy access to the instruments, and to create a transfer zone close to the treatment site. Such hands-free practice reduces the risk of percutaneous injury to medical personnel as well as the possibility of dropping the instruments as a result of being passed back and forth. However, as the patient usually represents an uneven surface, instruments may not be retained properly on the patient due to the effect of gravity and may roll or slide off the patient onto the floor.
A magnetic mat, magnetic drape or surgical drape (reusable in that it can be sterilized or single use) has been used into surgical rooms for a number of years as an alternative, in supplement or in combination to rigid trays for holding instruments or placing the instruments on the patient surface. One example thereof is the MagnaDrape™. The MagnaDrape™ consists of a flexible instrument-holding drape made of silicone, typically 12 inches by 16 inches, within which a plurality of permanent magnet units are positioned. The magnet units of the MagnaDrape™ are embedded or sandwiched in the drape. The flexible nature of the drape allows it to be laid onto uneven surfaces such as the body of the patient, in close proximity to the surgical or treatment site. The permanent magnet units of the MagnaDrape™ produce a magnetic field that will attract the surgical instruments and retain them on the drape even if the drape is not horizontal. As the permanent magnets are raised, there is defined free space between the permanent magnet units to facilitate the grasping of instruments. As they are typically made of ferromagnetic material, the surgical instruments do not have to be treated prior to being used with the MagnaDrape™ other than to be sterilized. Accordingly, with the MagnaDrape™, the surgical instruments may be retained in close proximity to or on a patient without the need for a support structure such as a stand.
However, the presence of permanent magnet units produces magnetic fields. The magnetic fields may have an effect on nearby electronic devices, implanted devices, or on the patient. For instance, a magnetic field of a given magnitude may alter the operation of implanted electronic devices used for stabilizing and/or controlling physiological parameters such as pacemakers, defibrillators, insulin pumps or regulators, pain control devices, any programmable medical devices or electronic devices, etc. Such magnetic fields can also affect the blood flow of the patient. In some instances, it is desired to reduce or avoid such side effect.

Magnetic interference reducing surgical drape


A computer-implemented method of application control includes receiving a list of applications available on a wireless device in communication with a vehicle computing system (VCS). The method also includes storing a list of applications, including triggers associated with one or more of the applications, in a local memory. The method further includes monitoring, via the VCS, one or more vehicle sensors or other input mechanisms for a state which corresponds to a trigger. This method also includes comparing, via the VCS, the trigger to the triggers associated with one or more of the applications upon detection of a state which corresponds to a trigger. Finally, the method includes recommending at least one application having an associated trigger that is the same as the trigger to which the state corresponds for activation, via the VCS.

With the rise in popularity of IPHONES, ANDROID and other smartphones and PDAs, a vast marketplace of available applications has arisen. Millions of applications that run on these small, portable computer-like devices have been written, and the number of available applications continues to grow exponentially. The applications run the gamut from music players, to GPS functionality, to almost anything imaginable.
In June of 2009, the NEW YORK TIMES reported that it is estimated that an average smartphone user downloads 23.6 applications and uses 6.8 applications per day. Over half of smartphone users report using applications for over 30 minutes a day. (source http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/05/quantifying-the-mobile-apps-revolution/).
In many, if not all, instances, however, the applications have to be launched manually by the user. Many smartphones, such as the IPHONE 3G and earlier versions of the IPHONE, also will only run one application at a time. Further, keeping applications "on" can provide a drain on battery life. Accordingly, even if applications have functionality that could be situationally useful, smartphone users are not necessarily inclined to simply leave all the applications on their device running, in the event one is needed.
Additionally, cell phone usage while driving has been banned or limited in numerous jurisdictions. In some studies, it has even been shown that using a cellular phone or other wireless device to perform certain functions, such as texting, while driving, is actually more dangerous than drinking and driving. Accordingly, the focus of these laws is to keep the attention of the driver fixed on the road, as opposed to the wireless device.
Since drivers are more conscious of the perils of distracted driving, there are often opportunities that arise, while traveling, where an application might be useful, but the driver cannot or does not want to use the wireless device to activate the application, or look at a navigation screen installed as part of the vehicle package to start an on-board application. In other instances, a driver may not even know that a particular application would be useful in a particular setting.

Methods and apparatus for activating applications


A solar cell module comprises a solar cell die that is soldered to a substrate. The substrate comprises one or more power contacts. A power conductor is soldered to a power contact, thereby electrically coupling the power conductor to the solar cell die. A pre-heat module heats a first side of the substrate at a first area to a first temperature for a first duration. Then, a solder heat source solders a power conductor to a power contact at a second area of the substrate at a second temperature for a second duration. The resulting solder connection at the power conductor is less prone to cold-solder defects. The temperature of the pre-heat module is controlled to promote curing of an RTV sealant used in the manufacture of the solar cell module. The temperature of the solder heat source is controlled to avoid burning and degrading of the RTV sealant.

A solar cell module comprises a solar cell die soldered to a substrate having a plurality of electrical traces terminating in at least two power contacts output onto a surface of the substrate. A solar cell die housing, termed a cowling, is coupled to the substrate with a curable sealant such as a room temperature vulcanization (RTV) sealant. Curing of the sealant can be accelerated by application of heat, but the application of too much heat can degrade the bonding strength and change the properties of the RTV sealant. Also, excessive heat may expand the RTV rapidly, squeezing the RTV, leaking the RTV out to the cowling that may result in an electrical contact problem in addition to the leakage of the RTV.
After the solar cell die housing is coupled to the substrate, a power conductor is coupled to a power contact on the substrate, thereby electrically coupling the solar cell die to the power conductor via the power contact on the substrate. The temperature at the power contact during soldering can be as high as 220° C. for a tin/lead solder process, or higher for a lead-free process. If the substrate is cold, relative to the 220° C. solder temperature, then the resulting solder joint at the power contact can comprise a solder "cold-joint" that is subject to cracking and breaking. If the temperature of the solder at the power contact is held high long enough to overcome a cold-joint, then too much heat may be transferred to the substrate, thereby burning and degrading the RTV sealant that bonds the solar cell die housing to the substrate. Further, excessive heat applied to the substrate can result in increasing the size of solder voids in the solder joint between the solar cell die and the substrate.
To address these problems, it is desirable to control the temperature of the substrate in relation to the effect of temperature upon the RTV sealant in contact with the substrate and in relation to the temperature needed to make a high quality solder joint of the power conductor to the power contact on the substrate.


In a method of continuously annealing steel strip comprising a heating step (A), a soaking step (B), a primary cooling step (C) including a rapid cooling step at least in a second half thereof, an overaging step (D), and a final cooling step (E), inert atmosphere gas containing H.sub.2 gas in the concentration of 30-60% is employed as cooling gas for use in the rapid cooling step, the blowoff temperature of the cooling gas is 30.degree.-150.degree. C., and the blowoff speed of the cooling gas is 100-150 m/sec. The primary cooling method in continuously annealing steel strip provides the primary cooling step (C) including the rapid cooling step which can be carried out with a high efficiency and a low cost.

Because of being too hard and thereby exhibiting almost no workability, a steel strip after cold rolling cannot be subjected to press forming and hence cannot be put into practical use so long as no further treatment is effected. To improve the workability of the steel strip, it is necessary to increase the grain size of the steel strip sufficiently, and to reduce the amount of solid-solution state carbon contained in the steel strip as small as possible.
To this end, continuous annealing treatment including soaking, primary cooling and averaging is performed. More specifically, a steel strip after cold rolling is heated above the recrystallization temperature and is kept at the soaking temperature of 700.degree.-850.degree. C. for a certain period of time for growth of crystal grains. During the soaking step, the dissolved carbon is generated in solid-solution state, and it must be settled to be harmless in the succeeding steps. Therefore, in the first half of the primary cooling, the steel strip is slowly cooled down to a certain temperature (600.degree.-700.degree. C.) so as to increase the amount of solid-solution state carbon in the ferrite matrix, and to prevent deterioration of flatness of the steel strip such as cooling buckle for achieving satisfactory operation. In the second half of the primary cooling, the steel strip is rapidly cooled down to the overaging temperature (about 400.degree. C.). Then the steel strip is kept at the overaging temperature for a certain period of time so that the solid-solution state carbon is precipitated as cementite for reducing the amount thereof. Lastly the steel strip is subjected to the final cooling.
Where cooling by water-gas mixture is performed in the second half of the primary cooling to rapidly cool the steel strip, an oxide film is formed on the surface of the steel strip so that a post-treatment such as acid pickling is required immediately after the continuous annealing. In view of the above, a method of cooling a steel strip by blowing inert atmosphere gas on N.sub.2 basis upon it wherein the cooling gas contains a large amount of H.sub.2 gas that has a great cooling ability, is proposed in Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 55-1969 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 6-346156, for example.
Although the above-cited Publications suggest the concentration of H.sub.2 gas being adjusted within the range of 8-90%, the following problems have not yet been resolved satisfactorily.
(1) While an increase in the concentration of H.sub.2 gas surely increases the cooling ability, such an increase of the H.sub.2 gas concentration pushes up the running cost.
(2) If the concentration of H.sub.2 gas is lowered and the blowoff speed of the gas from nozzles is raised, a higher cooling ability can be achieved. However, if the blowoff speed exceeds a certain value, the running steel strip tends to flutter and suffer from scratches on the surface thereof.
(3) Also, if the cooling gas containing H.sub.2 gas is recirculated and only the loss is supplied, the cooling gas can be used efficiently. In this case, however, since the cooling gas is heated by the steel strip to be cooled and consequently becomes a high temperature gas, the cooling efficiency of cooling gas is lowered. In this manner, the appropriate temperature of the cooling gas has not been taken into consideration in the prior art.
The present invention has been made in view of these drawbacks of the conventional method, and its object is to provide a primary cooling method in continuously annealing steel strip more efficiently and in a more inexpensive manner, wherein the concentration of H.sub.2 gas, the temperature of cooling gas and the blowing speed of the cooling gas are appropriately selected on the basis of the results of various experiments.

Primary cooling method in continuously annealing steel strip


A method of forming carbon nanotubes (CNTs) is disclosed. The method includes dispersing a plurality of substantially semiconductor pure carbon nanotube (CNT) seeds on a substrate to provide a seeded substrate, ozonating the seeded substrate to remove defects on end faces of the plurality of substantially semiconductor pure CNT seeds, and growing carbon extensions on the end faces of the plurality of substantially semiconductor pure CNTs seeds to form a plurality of substantially pure CNTs.

There is an increasing interest in the use of carbon nanotubes in the electronic field, and in general, in information technologies. This interest is particularly due to the electrical properties of carbon nanotubes, which substantially depend on their structure and geometry. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) substantially include cylindrical structures of atoms of carbon arranged in a hexagonal configuration, and having a high length-diameter ratio (e.g., diameters on the order of several atoms and lengths up to several microns). Nanotubes can be both single-wall (SWNT, Single-Wall carbon Nano Tube), and multi-wall (MWNT, Multi-Wall carbon Nano Tube) formed by two or more coaxial structures of SWNT. On the basis of the diameter and the chirality, i.e., the value of the angle of the hexagonal structure which composes them, carbon nanotubes can show a metallic or semi-conductive behaviour. In particular, the natural use of metallic nanotubes is the fabrication of nanowires, which essentially conduct current on a surface and provide small, low resistivity interconnections that conduct high density current. As semiconductors, they can instead be integrated as part of a transistor.
To selectively exploit the electrical properties of the typology of carbon nanotubes, several technologies have been devised which enable separation of the semiconductor nanotubes from the metallic ones after they have been developed. The nanotubes can then be further separated by diameter or chirality—this enables nanotube powder/solution sources with different specific electrical properties. In particular, the possibility of controlling the chirality stands for the possibility of making a real new generation of electronic devices comprising circuits only formed by SWNTs, or alternatively by MWNTS, wherein semiconductor nanotubes play the role of active elements (e.g. transistors), while metallic nanotubes play the role of connectors.
CNT arrays are currently grown from pairs of patterned iron catalyst strips. The problems with this technique are that the CNTs produced are 2:1 semiconducting to metallic and that the diameter (bandgap) of the semiconducting CNTs cannot be controlled. Bandgap control is crucial because the CNT bandgap is what sets the injection barrier between the source contact and the CNT. Since the iron catalyst grown CNTs have a bandgap range of 0.4-1.3 eV, not all of the tubes can be contacted equally well with a single source contact material. The work function of the contact metal is typically high; however, the Fermi level of CNTs is about 4.6 eV. This means that the large bandgap tubes are difficult to contact and contribute very little to the total on current of a CNT field effect transistor (FET).
On the other hand, the small bandgap, semi-metallic tubes are easy to contact, but don't turn off. These, along with fully metallic CNTs, increase power consumption in mixer devices and degrade the on/off ratio, which means that iron catalyst FETs would perform poorly in an amplifier. This variation in CNT bandgap is also consistent with the observed variation in the minimum voltage (Vmin) values of CNT array FETs. Furthermore, empirical modeling has shown that strong Vmin variation results in low on/off ratios, even in arrays containing all semiconducting carbon nanotubes.


An event generation and collection system for a distributed network includes an event source which generates event objects and an event collector for gathering objects. Conversion routines are run on the event objects so that the data they carry can be converted to a format that is useful by other processes in the network.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to event generation in a network system, and more specifically, relates to event generation in an on-line computer network.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Many different on-line networks are beginning to gain popularity with the general public. On-line networks such as Compuserve.RTM., Prodigy.RTM., America On-Line and the Microsoft.RTM. Network being accessed by increasing numbers of customers. In general, these networks offer news information, chat areas and email systems so that customers can communicate with each other.
On-line computer systems are becoming an integral part of many corporations' standard business practices. For example, a number of companies provide on-line technical support and information on their products and services. In addition, some companies now offer products and services which can be purchased electronically through computer systems such as the Internet. Naturally, the companies that support the networks must bill their customers for their services.
Generally, most businesses produce a bill at the end of every month that includes charges made during that month. These bills show an itemized breakdown of the charges for that month. Similarly, payment for products and services used on-line are normally either charged to the customer's credit card or billed to the customer. However, a statement detailing the charges is normally posted on-line, but not necessarily mailed to the customer. One of the challenges that has arisen from on-line purchasing is an accurate method of billing customers for their products and services.
One challenge of billing customers in an on-line network is the sheer volume of transactions that take place at any one time. Normally, customers are billed a standard monthly rate, and also charged for access to premium areas of the on-line network. In most cases, the on-line service provider charges a customer's credit card for the charges that have accrued in any month.
Customers can be billed for on-line charges that accrue while the customer is accessing the system. These charges accrue, for example, for every hour that the customer maintains a connection to an on-line network. A number of on-line systems such as Compuserve, America Online and the Internet can charge customers for every hour that they are connected to the network. In addition, these networks often offer services with "premium surcharges" which begin accruing when a customer accesses a specific area of the on-line network. For example, there may be an additional surcharge for accessing stock quotes or business news sections of the on-line network which is over and above the base subscription price the customer pays per hour to access the network. A formidable challenge in these on-line networks is the continuous update of billing information so that the charges can be viewed by the customer as they occur.
With potentially millions of users attaching to an on-line network, a billing system must be very efficient to properly charge the customer base while maintaining an up-to-date on-line statement of current charges. Some currently available on-line systems only update customer statements every twenty-four hours.
While complex billing systems for the UNIX operating system such as the Arbor Front-BP system from Kenan Technologies (Cambridge, Mass.) are available, they do not provide the sophistication necessary for billing millions of simultaneous on-line users in real time on a large network.
A system for interactive on-line electronic communications and processing of business transactions has been described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,156 to Shavit et al. Although a billing system for an on-line network is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,156, it does not describe methods of tracking the progress of millions of simultaneous users and providing a real-time, on-line statement for each customer's account. Thus, a need exists for a sophisticated billing system in an on-line network that can track the progress of a customer during an interactive session and provide real-time statements.

Method and apparatus for generating and collecting a billing event object within an on-line network


Loading program modules with hierarchical relationship can include receiving a request for loading the program modules from a client, the request including root module information in the program modules to be loaded and, according to the root module information in the request, obtaining a root module to be loaded and child modules of the root module to be loaded using a central processing unit. The root module and the child modules of the root module can be sent to the client.

With the increases in the size and the amount of code of computer application programs, and the promotion of the program modularization, more and more program developers avoid repetitive programming work by referencing existing common codes (such as Common Library). These repetitively-used codes may include Program Class and other code packets, which are components or modules to constitute an application program. A great application program may be constituted of a plurality of such program modules, and there may usually be hierarchical relationship between these program modules (which also can be understood as a father-son relationship or invoking dependence relationship). Now when many application program are developed, tested or run, it is necessary to transmit/invoke/load these repetitively-usable program components or modules with hierarchical relationship through networks.
Now, there are several technical solutions for transmitting program modules through networks. One is to load the entire Library. Since the Library normally is big in size, and what is really needed to be invoked is only partial modules in the Library, loading the entire Library may cause unnecessary content transmission, extending the loading period.
The second technical solution in the prior art is to only load necessary code units. For example, Widget A of a client needs 100 code packages in some Library, while Widget B of the client needs 50 code packages in the Library (in which, some of code packages are the same with the code packages needed by the Widget A), and although during the transmission, the Widgets A and B both can only request a server end to transmit its needed code packages, can also avoid transmitting the same code packages, and can avoid the transmission of unnecessary and repetitive code contents, the Widgets A and B need to issue a request to the server for each of its needed code packages, resulting in rapid increase of the number of network requests, which will also extend the loading period greatly.
The third technical solution in prior art is to pack the code packages needed by different applications (such as Widget) of the client by program developers in advance, and then, when invoking each Widget, the packed program packages are directly sent to the client. The advantage of such technical solution is that loading the entire Library can be avoided, and excessive network requests can also be avoided, but the disadvantage is that numerous repetitive code packages may be sent to the client, since the code packages needed by the Widget A of the client and the code packages needed by the Widget B have repetition, in the case of loose-coupling the program development (in which, the loose-coupling indicates there are a plurality developers for some application program, for example, the developers of the Widget A and the developers of the Widget B do not know whether the Widget developed by each other needs the same code packages), different program developers can not know which of the code packages are repetitive in advance.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A technique capable of preventing an increase in the load of a system and a IP-based network that perform both a process of transmitting information in real time and a process of storing and searching history information and of improving the scalability of the system. A video surveillance system includes: plural cameras that capture images; a monitoring apparatus that displays the images captured by the cameras; an information generating apparatus that generates information for searching the images captured by the cameras; and a search apparatus that searches the images captured by the cameras. The information generating apparatus acquires the images captured by the cameras, generates retrieval data from the acquired images, and transmits the generated retrieval data to the search apparatus. The search apparatus stores the retrieval data received from the information generating apparatus in a storage device, and notifies the monitoring apparatus that the retrieval data has been stored.

The development of an IP-enabled imaging apparatus, such as a Web camera, makes it possible to construct a wide and large-scale monitoring system using an IP-based network. In addition, a reduction in the cost of a hard disk device and an increase in the capacity of the hard disk device make it possible to store images captured by the monitoring system for a long time. In recent years, there is an increasing demand for a search technique capable of searching desired data from the stored image data.
As a technique for searching images, there is a similarity search technique based on image features. In the search technique, an image feature, which is a numerical vector representing information, such as a color and a shape, is extracted from a frame image of a video, which is a search target, and the image feature is stored as retrieval data in a database. During a search, a distance between the image feature extracted from the image selected by the user and the image feature stored in the database in a vector space is evaluated. An image having a short distance between the image features is determined as a similar image, and is returned as the search result.

Video surveillance system and method using IP-based networks


The present invention discloses a node flow optimization distribution method for improving the accuracy of transient hydraulic simulation of a water supply in-series pipeline. The present invention optimizes the flow distribution coefficients of intermediate nodes to minimize the impact thereof on the calculation and analysis of transient flow. Further, the simplified error generated by the node flow distribution can be quantified and evaluated by the control threshold of the simplified errors to achieve effective control of the simplified process. In addition, the simplified operation of the method of the present invention is carried out sequentially from the intermediate node with the smallest simplified error, which effectively overcomes the potential defect of the conventional node flow distribution that leads to a significant reduction in the accuracy of the model, and can ensure the reliability and accuracy of the simplified operation of the same-diameter in-series pipeline.

With the development of science and technology and the improvement of the living standards of residents, the informatization and intelligent management of an urban water supply pipeline network have become an inevitable development trend, and are also an important part of China's smart water construction. The establishment and application of a hydraulic model is an indispensable key part of the informatization and intelligence of the pipeline network, and is also an important prerequisite for the monitoring and optimization of the leakage and loss of the water supply pipeline network. In recent years, geographic information system (GIS) has been widely used in the information management of an urban water supply system. GIS has extensive pipeline network topological information and rich component property information, which provide great convenience for the establishment of the hydraulic model of the pipeline network. However, the GIS-based hydraulic model of the water supply pipeline network usually has too detailed and complex system information. With the increasing scale of the water supply pipeline network system, the scale and complexity of the hydraulic model of the pipeline network increases, which makes it more and more difficult to solve and manage the model of the pipeline network. Therefore, appropriate technical measures need to be taken to ensure the universality and ease of use of the model of the pipeline network. The model simplification is a commonly used technical means, which can reduce the complexity of the pipeline network and the number of components to make the model easy to use, while ensuring the simulation accuracy of the model.
The simplification of the in-series pipeline is one of the common operations in the simplification of the water supply network model, which can effectively simplify the number of nodes and pipeline sections in the model. The combination of the same-diameter in-series pipelines is one of the main simplified types and is used to deal with the situation of a large number of user nodes on a single water transmission and distribution pipeline. From the perspective of hydraulic calculation and model application, these scattered user nodes can be combined into a small number of "centralized" user nodes to reduce the complexity of the model. This combination process involves the distribution of flow from the intermediate nodes to the nodes at both ends to maintain the water volume balance of the system. At present, the flow distribution of the conventional intermediate nodes mostly adopts empirical or semi-empirical methods, such as a proportional distribution method or a proportional distribution method according to the length of the in-series pipelines. These conventional methods can ensure that the steady-state hydraulic calculation results before and after the model are simplified are not much different and hence are suitable for application scenarios under steady flow conditions. When a sudden and obvious change in hydraulic state occurs in the pipeline network (i.e., a transient flow state), the conventional method does not take into account the complex effect of the node flow on the transient pressure wave propagation process during the transient flow, so There may be obvious differences between the results of calculation and analysis of the transient flow before and after the flow of the intermediate node is distributed, which leads to unreasonable design of transient prevention and control measures (a function failure or cost waste), thus posing a major hidden danger to the safe operation and management of the pipeline network. From this point of view, at present, the flow distribution of nodes in the simplified process of water supply in-series pipelines lacks a scientific, reasonable and effective method.

Node flow optimization distribution method for improving accuracy of transient hydraulic simulation of water supply in-series pipeline