Methods and apparatus for processing a substrate are described herein. A vacuum multi-chamber deposition tool can include a degas chamber with both a heating mechanism and a variable frequency microwave source. A method for degassing a substrate can include positioning a substrate comprising a polymer or an epoxy within a processing chamber maintained between a degas temperature and a glass transition temperature, exposing the substrate to variable frequency microwave radiation, exposing the substrate to a plasma comprising an inert gas, removing oxygen containing compounds from the chamber, raising the pressure of inert gas in the chamber, and maintaining the pressure of inert gas while cooling the substrate to a temperature lower than the degas temperature.

1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to apparatus and methods for substrate processing using microwave radiation.
2. Description of the Related Art
To match the constant demand for smaller and more powerful devices, the size of integrated components on semiconductors is decreasing. As features on semiconductor devices become smaller, advanced polymers and dielectrics have been developed to allow features to become more compact. These new dielectrics and polymers employ increased porosity to provide characteristics consistent with decreasing size and increasing compactness.
Deposition of high-quality metal films requires clean surfaces free of residues and desorption of volatile materials. It is common practice in semiconductor fabrication and packaging to use a thermal degas process often followed by a cleaning prior to metal deposition. These processes are typically carried out in-situ (without air exposure prior to metal deposition) to avoid recontamination of the substrate and incoming films. The thermal degas process typically involves heating the substrate on a hot plate, in a convection oven or using infrared heating by a lamp array.
Degassing has previously been done by heating of the substrate, with either a heating plate or infrared (IR) radiation lamps. However, both of these thermal heating embodiments are not sufficient in degassing modern films. Thermal heating takes quite a long time and results in very low productivity of the tools. Further, standard thermal processing can easily bring modern films to a temperature which produces oxygen-containing secondary gases or leads to glass transition of the layer.
Thus, there is a need in the art for methods and apparatus which allow for efficient degassing of the film while maintaining heat with the thermal processing ranges of the deposited film.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Integrated processing of porous dielectric, polymer-coated substrates and epoxy within a multi-chamber vacuum system confirmation


A new cultivar of Astelia named ‘Silver Shadow’ that is characterized by its foliage that is green in color with a silver overlay on the upper and lower leaf surface, its small leaves, and its dwarf, broad, and mounded plant habit.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Astelia named 'Silver Shadow', an interspecific hybrid of Astelia chathamica×Astelia nervosa and referred to hereafter by its cultivar name, 'Silver Shadow'. The new cultivar is grown for use as a foliage plant for landscape and container use.
'Silver Shadow' was selected in the Inventors' greenhouse in December 2004 as a single unique plant from amongst the seedlings derived from a cross made in November 2003 between an unnamed plant of Astelia chathamica as the female parent and an unnamed plant of Astelia nervosa as the male parent.
Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar was first accomplished by division in March of 2005 in Christchurch City, New Zealand by one of the Inventors. Asexual reproduction by division and tissue culture has determined that the characteristics of this cultivar are stable and are reproduced true to type in successive generations.


A novel fluid container system comprises a container having a port at an upper end through which port fluid is permitted to pass for emptying the container. A restricter is provided within the container for momentarily restricting fluid flow out of the port when the container is inverted, the restricter having a construction such that a restricted fluid flow is permitted through the port for a period of time when the container is inverted, after which period of time a substantially less restricted fluid flow is permitted through the port. A retainer retains the restricter in the vicinity of the port. The retainer is disposed on an inner surface of the upper end of the container and extends inwardly from the inner surface. The retainer can include a substantially horizontal arcuate member or a circular member. Furthermore, the retainer can comprise at least one vertical member wherein the vertical member includes an inwardly extending abutment for preventing the restricter from falling downwardly when the container is disposed in the upright position. The restricter includes a ball which is buoyant in the fluid, which ball has a diameter greater than a diameter of the container port wherein the restricter includes a device disposed on the inner surface of the container for preventing the ball from forming a fluid-tight seal over the port.

This invention relates generally to devices for controlling fluid flow from a bottle or other fluid container. More specifically, this invention relates to a momentary gate for restricting fluid flow through an upper container port when the container is inverted.
Many homes and commercial establishments are equipped with some type of fluid dispensing apparatus, such as an electric water cooler. For example, many modem offices are equipped with water dispensing devices to provide employees convenient access to hot and cold drinking water wherein control of fluid flow is required. Additionally, control of oil flowing from oil containers into gasoline engines is a very common problem.
Conventional water dispensing systems typically utilize a standard five gallon bottle having a bottle neck at its upper end which forms an outlet port for water stored inside. Before placing the bottle on the water dispenser, a seal over the port must be removed and the bottle must be simultaneously lifted and inverted to orient the bottle neck vertically downwardly and permit the gravitational flow of water into the dispenser. This is difficult because of the size and weight of the bottle.
A problem experienced by many users of water dispensing systems of this type involves spillage of water onto floors, carpets, walls, and furniture while the bottle is inverted before it is securely positioned on the water dispenser. Such spillage can pose a serious safety hazard in some instances, and can cause damage to property in the vicinity of the water dispenser.
Accordingly, there was a need for a device capable of restricting flow out of water bottles, oil containers or other fluid containers when they are inverted which would not interfere with normal flow of the fluid out of the container after the container was securely positioned where intended. Furthermore, such a flow restriction device was required to have characteristics that permitted an automatic release of the flow restriction, or alternatively permit manual disengagement of the outlet port occlusion. Additionally, a flow restriction device for use specifically with oil or water bottles is needed that can be adapted for use with existing receiving means, for example engines, reservoirs or water coolers. In order to be useful the restriction device was required to involve minimal expense for installation or modification.
Alternative systems have been developed to address this problem with water coolers. Several companies have developed caps that provided a moving plug within the cap either in an open or a closed position. In order to use this system the water cooler was required to have a special apparatus to retain the plug thus opening the container when seated on the cooler and closing the cap when pulled off the cooler. This system required a two piece cap along with a receiving apparatus in the cooler.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,448, issued to Kenneth A. Alley, provided a solution to these problems. In the system taught by Alley a momentary gate was provided for fluid containers that effectively restricted fluid flow through an upper container port as the container was inverted. The momentary gate was incorporated into a fluid container including a bottle having a tapered fluid port at an upper end through which fluid passed to fill or empty the container, and means within the bottle for momentarily restricting fluid flow out of the port when the bottle was inverted.
The restricting means taught by Alley had a construction such that if the bottle was filled with fluid in an upright position, the fluid was permitted free passage through the port until the bottle was substantially full if the restricting means was in the bottle during filling, although it was preferred that the bottle be filled without the restricting means. When the bottle was substantially full the port was substantially occluded by the restricting means. When the bottle was inverted, some passage of fluid was permitted past the restricting means. However the port remained substantially occluded until either the fluid pressure at the port reduced sufficiently for the restricting means to disengage and permit the fluid to flow without obstruction through the port or until the bottle means was given an exterior blow.
In a preferred form of the system taught by Alley, the fluid container was intended for use in connection with systems that required inverting a container to fill a reservoir with liquid such as oil entry ports for automobiles or with water conditioning units. Typical water conditioning units of this type had means for receiving and holding the fluid container in an inverted position thereon in order to permit gravitational flow of water into the interior of the water conditioning unit. Water placed within the conditioning unit in this manner could be dispensed on demand.
The water container of systems compatible with the restricting means taught by Alley included a standard cylindrical bottle that could have a tapered fluid port at an upper end through which fluid passed to fill or empty the container. The restricting means included a buoyant capsule having a diameter greater than the diameter of the tapered fluid port of the bottle. The restricting means further included a ridge which, in connection with the ball when positioned in engagement with the port to restrict flow therethrough, defined a fluid passageway to ensure leakage of fluid past the ball when the bottle was inverted.
The ball remained in place to substantially occlude the bottle port and restrict flow therethrough until the buoyant characteristics of the ball overcame the fluid pressure bearing downwardly on the ball and the frictional engagement between the ball and the bottle. When such a condition was reached, the ball floated upwardly through the water and thus permitted the fluid to flow with minimal obstruction through the port. This process occurred automatically over a short period of time after the bottle was inverted. Alternatively disengagement of the ball could be caused to occur immediately after the bottle was inverted by giving the bottle a sharp external blow. In the case of oil containers a squeeze and/or a releasing motion could be applied to the bottle.


The invention presents a method for providing activation parameters for a telematic device by receiving at least one telematic device specific activation attribute from a telematic device manufacturer at a remote activation server. Additionally, the remote activation server receives at least one mobile vehicle specific attribute from a mobile vehicle manufacturer. At least one data feed attribute is created as a function of the telematic device specific activation attribute and the mobile vehicle specific attribute, and is stored within a database in communication with the remote activation server.

Telematic communication units (TCU's), include devices such as cellular phones, personal data assistants (PDA's), Global Positioning System (GPS) devices, and on-board Vehicle Communication Units (VCU's). When used in conjunction with a Wide Area Network (WAN), such as a cellular telephone network or a satellite communication system, TCU's have made it possible for a person to send and receive voice communications, data transmissions, and facsimile (FAX) messages from virtually anywhere on earth. Such communication is initiated at the TCU when it is turned on, or by entering a phone number to be called, or in many cases, by pressing a preprogrammed button on the TCU or speaking a voice command causing the TCU to automatically complete the process of dialing the number to be called. A radio communication link may be established between the TCU and a Wide Area Network (WAN), using a node of the WAN near the TCU.
In cellular telephone systems, a node is commonly referred to as a "cellular base station." Once a radio communication link between the TCU and the cellular base station has been established, the base station may utilize a combination of additional cellular stations, conventional telephone wire line networks, and possibly even satellite systems to connect the TCU to the number to be called.
Prior to the TCU being permitted access to a communication system however, it must first be activated. Typically, TCU activation requires that activation attribute information (information specific to each telematic device) is hand keyed into each device or its associated devices by hand through the intervention of a device vendor. The activation attribute information may be provided to the vendor by retrievable data within the device, from information found on the device, and by hard copy data provided with the device. Since this information must be compiled, listed, and shipped to the vendor prior to activation, inaccurate or lost data may occur.
Some TCU's may also require activation over multiple service providers, such as a TCU used in conjunction with a wireless communication services provider and a mobile vehicle communication system (MVCS), or may require activation in communication with associated optional equipment. The mobile vehicle communication system may offer such services to the TCU user as navigation, providing location and destination information, roadside assistance, and may additionally offer aid in the motor vehicles operation. These services may be provided by Over-the-air Service Provisioning (OTASP), and are offered to the customer by the service provider using the wireless network instead of requiring the customer to bring in the TCU for reprogramming.
Additional equipment may be required to function in unison with the TCU to provide the OTASP service, and such equipment can include a mobile vehicle, a GPS, or other optional peripherals. When multiple service providers or communication systems must include each TCU's activation attributes to their system, the activation attribute information must be supplied and inserted by a vendor of each provider or system, and in a fashion that may be proprietary for each. Also if the TCU is associated with optional equipment, each device's activation attributes must be associated with the other equipments activation attributes. This causes a redundancy of data insertion as well as multiple opportunities for the accumulation of inaccurate or lost data.
Thus, there is a significant need for a method and system for optimizing the creation and collection of activation attribute information for a telematic communication unit and it's associated equipment that overcome the above disadvantages and shortcomings, as well as other disadvantages.

Method and system for telematic device activation attribute formation


Methods of encapsulating an environmentally sensitive device. The methods involve temporarily laminating a flexible substrate to a rigid support using a reversible adhesive for processing, reversing the reversible adhesive, and removing the device from the rigid support.

Many devices are subject to degradation caused by permeation of environmental gases or liquids, such as oxygen and water vapor in the atmosphere or chemicals used in the processing of the electronic product. The devices are usually encapsulated in order to prevent degradation.
Various types of encapsulated devices are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,268,695, entitled "Environmental Barrier Material For Organic Light Emitting Device And Method Of Making," issued Jul. 31, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 6,522,067, entitled "Environmental Barrier Material For Organic Light Emitting Device And Method Of Making," issued Feb. 18, 2003; and U.S. Pat. No. 6,570,325, entitled "Environmental Barrier Material For Organic Light Emitting Device And Method Of Making", issued May 27, 2003, all of which are incorporated herein by reference, describe encapsulated organic light emitting devices (OLEDs). U.S. Pat. No. 6,573,652, entitled "Encapsulated Display Devices", issued Jun. 3, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes encapsulated liquid crystal displays (LCDs), light emitting diodes (LEDs), light emitting polymers (LEPs), electronic signage using electrophoretic inks, electroluminescent devices (EDs), and phosphorescent devices. U.S. Pat. No. 6,548,912, entitled "Semiconductor Passivation Using Barrier Coatings," issued Apr. 15, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes encapsulated microelectronic devices, including integrated circuits, charge coupled devices, light emitting diodes, light emitting polymers, organic light emitting devices, metal sensor pads, micro-disk lasers, electrochromic devices, photochromic devices, microelectromechanical systems, and solar cells.
Generally, encapsulated devices can be made by depositing barrier stacks adjacent to one or both sides of the device. The barrier stacks typically include at least one barrier layer and at least one decoupling layer. There could be one decoupling layer and one barrier layer, there could be multiple decoupling layers on one side of one or more barrier layers, or there could be one or more decoupling layers on both sides of one or more barrier layers. The important feature is that the barrier stack has at least one decoupling layer and at least one barrier layer.
One embodiment of an encapsulated display device is shown in FIG. 1. The encapsulated display device 100 includes a substrate 105, a display device 110, and a barrier stack 115. The barrier stack 115 includes a barrier layer 120 and a decoupling layer 125. The barrier stack 115 encapsulates the display device 110, preventing environmental oxygen and water vapor from degrading the display device.
The barrier layers and decoupling layers in the barrier stack can be made of the same material or of a different material. The barrier layers are typically about 100-1000 Å thick, and the decoupling layers are typically about 1000-10,000 Å thick.
Although only one barrier stack is shown in FIG. 1, the number of barrier stacks is not limited. The number of barrier stacks needed depends on the level of water vapor and oxygen permeation resistance needed for the particular application. One or two barrier stacks should provide sufficient barrier properties for many applications, and three or four barrier stacks should be sufficient for most. The most stringent applications may require five or more barrier stacks.
The barrier layers can be deposited using a vacuum process, such as sputtering, chemical vapor deposition, plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition, evaporation, sublimation, electron cyclotron resonance-plasma enhanced vapor deposition (ECR-PECVD), and combinations thereof. Suitable barrier materials include, but are not limited to, metals, metal oxides, metal nitrides, metal carbides, metal oxynitrides, metal oxyborides, and combinations thereof. The barrier layers can be graded composition barriers, if desired. Suitable graded composition barriers include, but are not limited to, those described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,015,640, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The decoupling layers can be deposited using vacuum processes, such as flash evaporation with in situ polymerization under vacuum, or plasma deposition and polymerization, or atmospheric processes, such as spin coating, ink jet printing, screen printing, or spraying. Suitable materials for the decoupling layer, include, but are not limited to, organic polymers, inorganic polymers, organometallic polymers, hybrid organic/inorganic polymer systems, and silicates.
Handling flexible substrates as discrete sheets during the encapsulation of environmentally sensitive devices is difficult. The discrete sheets must be positioned correctly in relationship to the various pieces of equipment for depositing barriers, devices, etc. For example, many of the deposition steps utilize masks which must be positioned accurately and reproducibly with respect to the substrate to obtain the proper coverage. In order to maintain the correct position during processing, the discrete sheets need to rest on a rigid substrate or be held tightly by a clamping system. However, it is not easy to retain a polymeric sheet by mechanical clamping because of the plastic nature (e.g., flow and distortion under applied stress) of a flexible substrate. Furthermore, the encapsulation process imparts heat to a polymeric substrate, which has two adverse effects. Plastic flow leading to distortion increases significantly with heating of the film and may become catastrophic when the Tg is reached. Although the coefficient of thermal expansion (TCE) may not seem important, it is significant in an x-y plane when the dimensions are several inches by several inches. Both effects can cause a sheet of film which is initially tightly held at a temperature at the onset of processing to relax and distort as processing heats the film. In addition, another common system cannot be used with vacuum deposition processes. In that arrangement, the film is positioned on a rigid plate that has channels connected to a vacuum system, and a vacuum pump is used to establish a vacuum under the film at the contact of the film with the plate that holds the film in place. The film is held by the atmospheric pressure on the exposed surface of the film. However, this cannot be done in a vacuum environment.
In addition, the use of barriers on flexible substrates in roll form presents a significant issue. No matter how they are used as substrates for devices, the operation of cutting the substrate to an appropriate size for the finished device exposes the cut edges to the permeation of contaminants. The proposed solutions for this problem generally require additional, precision manufacturing steps, or result in a construction that sacrifices some or all of the advantages of the flexible substrate.
Therefore, there is a need for a method of handling discrete sheets during encapsulation of environmentally sensitive devices.

Method of encapsulating an environmentally sensitive device


An article of furniture and method for assembling the same are disclosed for use wherein a membrane is supported between two opposing frame members. The membrane is attached to the side frame by a first set of fasteners. Thereafter an elongated strap and an elongated web are attached to the side frame overlying the edge of the membrane The first and second halves of a slide fastener are attached to the longitudinal edges of the web and are selectively interengaged to enclose the fasteners and conceal the same from view. Alternatively, an upholstery pad can be attached to the article of furniture such that it overlies the membrane. A second elongated web is attached to the underside of the pad such that the web is spaced inward from the outboard edge of the pad. The second half of the slide fastener is attached to this second elongated web and is selectively interengaged with the first half of the slide fastener which is fixedly attached to the side frame. The outboard edge of the upholstery pad extends outwardly such that it covers the fasteners and conceals them from view. In another embodiment, the membrane and a first half of the slide fastener are attached by fasteners to the opposing frame members. A fabric strip is attached to the membrane to conceal the fasteners. A second half of a slide fastener is fixedly attached to an upholstery pad. The first and second halves of the slide fastener engage to attach the upholstery pad to the chair and to conceal the fasteners from view. In yet another embodiment, the membrane is attached to the opposing frame members by fasteners. An elongated strip is mounted to the support member such that a portion selectively overlies the fasteners. The elongated strip is preferably mounted in a groove adjacent the edge of the membrane.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an article of furniture with a membrane supported between two supports and, more particularly, to the means for fastening the membrane to the supports.
2. Description of Related Art
A wide variety of chairs and other articles of furniture have a membrane stretched between a supporting frame wherein the membrane supports the occupant of the chair. U.S. Pat. No. 3,624,814 to Borichevsky, issued Nov. 30, 1971 discloses a plurality of support filaments mounted to a chair frame by screws. U.S. Pat. No. 4,152,023 to Buhk, issued May 1, 1979 discloses a plastic shell and an upholstery covering mounted to a chair frame by screws.
Alternatively, a sleeve may be telescopically mounted on opposing side frames, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,601,516 to Klein, issued Jul. 22, 1986 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,249 to Bradbury, issued May 2, 1989. Other chairs comprise a membrane or a plurality of filaments mounted to a chair frame by rolling the membrane on a frame member and then restricting rotation of the frame member when the chair is assembled, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,399,926 to Hehn, issued Sep. 3, 1968 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,545,614 to Abu-Isa et al., issued Oct. 8, 1985.
Still other chairs have incorporated grooves or apertures along parallel side frames and a widened edge of the membrane or plastic shell secured within the groove, as seen in U.S. Pat. No. 3,431,022 to Poppe et al., issued Mar. 4, 1969, U.S. Pat. No. 3,298,743 to Albinson et al., issued Jan. 17, 1967, U.S. Pat. No. 3,601,446 to Persson, issued Aug. 24, 1971 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,844,612 to Borggren et al., issued Oct. 29, 1974. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,041,109 to Eames et al., issued Jun. 26, 1962, a web of a chair is mounted between parallel rails which have an outwardly facing groove. The edge web is wrapped 360.degree. around a stiffener element and then inserted into the outboard groove.
Chairs have also utilized slide fasteners or zippers to secure upholstery or seat covers to the chair frame or base. Examples of this are seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,776 to Takamatsu, issued Apr. 26, 1977 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,233,986 to Leech, issued Mar. 4, 1941. In each of these designs, the zipper is exposed to the observer at the edge of the upholstery.
None of the references disclose an article of furniture with a membrane stretched between two support members wherein the fastening means are effectively hidden from view, thereby creating a more aesthetically pleasing appearance. In addition, none of the chairs previously known disclose fastening means for attaching an upholstery pad such that the upholstery hides the fastening means from view. This hidden fastening means also creates a more aesthetically pleasing chair.


This invention pertains to a medical device for securing bodily tissues to bone, and more particularly to a triangular shaped joint stabilizer comprising sharpened, toothed bone anchors that are forcibly spread into the bone by a central plug.

Currently there are various staples and anchor devices for attaching soft tissue to bone. None of the tissue stabilizing devices known to the inventor provide multiple sutures to be anchored, distally expand in contrast to proximal expansion or an equal expansion along their long axis, and collect soft tissue into the receiving hole of the bone. Alternative devices also suffer from low pull-out strength, a lack of adequate suture attachment sites, a failure to assist the surgeon in positioning soft tissue into contact with bone prior to suturing to maximize bonding of the soft tissue to bone (tissue gathering capabilities), and an overall difficulty in physically handling the devices during surgery.
Generally, injury to joints such as the shoulder and knee involve the tearing or separation of ligaments from their natural position on the bone. The injury leads to a chronic instability in the joint which requires surgical intervention. Modernly, the surgery involves use of one or more arthroscopic devices. These devices include surgical cannulas through which a camera or surgical device are passed. The arthroscopic methods involve less iatrogenic trauma to the patient than previous methods and predict a faster recovery.
In brief, the surgical procedures involve visualization and localization of the damage, preparation of the bone surface, implantation of a soft tissue anchor, and suturing of the tissue to the bone to tighten up the joint and restabilize it. By tightly contacting the ligament or other soft tissue to a properly prepared bone surface, the two materials bond during the healing process.


Embodiments related to detecting object information from image data collected by an image sensor are disclosed. In one example embodiment, the object information is detected by receiving a frame of image data from the image sensor and detecting a change in a threshold condition related to an object within the frame. The embodiment further comprises adjusting a setting that changes a power consumption of the image sensor in response to detecting the threshold condition.

Manage battery life in a mobile device equipped with a visual input sensor may pose challenges. Continuous image capture may require that the device keep track of lighting, focus, and resolution variables while writing the image data to memory. As a result, the mobile device may experience a large current draw during sensor operation. Further, the large current draw may cause the battery and/or microprocessors inside of the mobile device to become hot, potentially reducing the lifetime of the battery and/or the microprocessor.

Controlling power consumption in object tracking pipeline


Example embodiments disclose a tunable optical pair source (TOPS) configured to generate first and second output optical beams having respective first and second frequencies that are phase locked with each other. The TOPS may include a first laser, such as a tunable laser, configured to generate a first laser beam, a radio frequency (RF) oscillator configured to transmit an RF reference signal, a beam splitter in optical communication with the first laser, and an electro-optic modulator configured to modulate the second split beam with the RF reference signal to form a modulated beam having a first sideband comb comprising a plurality of harmonics. Additionally, the TOPS may include an optical filter configured to receive the modulated beam and output a filtered optical beam, and a second laser configured to generate a second laser beam at the second frequency, the second laser being configured to receive the filtered optical beam as a seed.

Wireless communications utilize a wide variety of RF frequencies, including S and C bands (2-6 GHz), Ku-band (12-18 GHz), etc. Next generation broadband wireless may utilize at higher RF frequencies. Schneider et al. discloses a photonic radiofrequency system where a single signal source that can generate carrier waves over a variety of RF frequency bands, without sacrificing spectral purity. In contrast, purely electrical solutions encounter obstacles to realizing such a widely tunable source, as challenges arise related to high conduction losses, parasitics and susceptibility to electromagnetic interference (EMI).
FIG. 1 is representative of the prior art system of Schneider et al. Modulation is provided by an electro-optic phase modulator driven by a low-frequency high-purity reference. Phase modulation by a pure sinusoidal reference signal yields a comb of sidebands offset from the reference by multiples (harmonics) of the reference. Additional nonlinear distortion is contributed by including an electronic element such as a saturated amplifier or a nonlinear transmission line, which yields a broader comb of sidebands. Injecting the entire comb of sidebands into a clone laser (Laser 2), after filtering to suppress the reference laser's (Laser 1) fundamental line, phase-locks the Laser 2 with Laser 1.
Wide tunability is realized by injection locking using a broad comb of harmonics, all derived from externally modulating reference Laser 1 with a low-frequency RF reference that has been subject to nonlinear distortion. The output of Laser 1 may be used as the optical carrier. Laser 2 is a clone laser that is tuned to match and lock to the frequency of any one of the injected harmonics and is used as a reference beam. When the outputs of Laser 1 and Laser 2 are combined, a combined optical signal is generated having a beat frequency equal to the offset (difference) between the frequencies of Laser 1 and Laser 2. Choosing higher harmonics allows very high offset frequencies to be obtained, and because the locked lasers have identical phase noise, the purity of the reference is preserved.
In the prior art system of FIG. 1, the primary laser (Laser 1) is fixed. Tunability of the system is achieved by generating and injecting a wide comb of sidebands into the clone laser (Laser 2) that are offset from Laser 1 (the primary laser) by harmonic multiples of a low-frequency tunable RF reference oscillator, and tuning the clone laser (Laser 2) to select one of the harmonics of the injected comb of sidebands. Specifically, prior to injection into the clone laser (Laser 2), the optical carrier is suppressed by an optical filter to reject the optical carrier while passing one entire sideband comb; or interferometrically, as by null biasing in a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) type modulator (when the optical carrier is suppressed in a Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI) type modulator, even harmonics are also suppressed along with the carrier, and both upper and lower sideband combs comprising odd harmonics are injected into the clone laser (Laser 2)). The resonance of the injected laser cavity of the clone laser (Laser 2) is thermally tuned to match a targeted and/or selected harmonic in the sideband comb injected into the clone laser (Laser 2). This technical setup leads the laser beam of the clone laser (Laser 2) to lock to that particular selected harmonic of several harmonics that are injected into the clone laser (Laser 2).
As noted, in the prior art system of FIG. 1, harmonics other than the selected harmonic in the comb are also injected into the clone laser (Laser 2). Although these non-selected harmonics are not resonantly amplified in the laser cavity of the clone laser (Laser 2), they are present in the output of the clone laser (Laser 2) as spurs. As a result, when the output of the clone laser (Laser 2) is combined with the reference laser (Laser 1), the non-desired harmonics beat in conjunction with the output of the reference laser (Laser 1) output on the photodiode detector which leads to a particular problem of generating undesired spurious RF output harmonics.

Tunable optical pair source and related systems and methods


The workpiece handling device includes a workpiece carrying arm and a workpiece support spaced from the lathe machine on which the workpiece carrying arm is pivotally provided. The workpiece carrying arm includes a gripping unit for holding the workpiece thereon. The workpiece carrying arm can turn within a 180 degree range.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a workpiece handling device, more particularly to a workpiece handling device of a computer numerical control lathe machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
C-N-C lathes (computer control lathes) are well known in the art and are used to shape a large volume of workpieces. Because the C-N-C lathes are expensive, they are not normally used to shape a small volume of workpieces. As shown in FIG. 1, in a portable lathe used to cut a small volume of workpieces, only the cutting process is automatically controlled. Heretofore, the processes of placing the workpieces into a chuck, tightening and loosening the chuck, and discharging the workpieces from the chuck are automatically controlled by a specially designed robot (2). Since the construction cost of such a robot is tremendously high, buying such a robot and using it in a C-N-C lathe machine is a great financial burden for an ordinary mechanic.

Workpiece handling mechanism of a C-N-C lathe machine


A method and apparatus for encoding signals so as to form a multiplexed signal and for decoding the same. The apparatus may include an encoding unit and a decoding unit. The encoding unit may include a device for encoding a dynamic image signal so as to form a video bit stream, a device for encoding superimposed data so as to form bit map data, a device for encoding the bit map data and coordinates of a plurality of regions so as to form a bit stream of each respective region, a device for encoding the bit stream of each of the regions and coordinates of a page layer so as to form a bit stream of a page layer. The page layer specifies information indicative of start and end positions of a plurality of regions such that each of the regions are within a display area, and a device for multiplexing the bit stream of the page layer and the video bit stream. The decoding unit may include a device for separating the multiplexed bit stream into the video bit stream and the superimposed data bit stream, a device for decoding the video bit stream so as to form the dynamic image signal, a device receiving the superimposed data bit stream for obtaining coordinates of a page layer, coordinates of a plurality of regions and bit map data therefrom and for decoding the bit map data, a device for selecting one of the decoded bit map data and the dynamic image signal, and a control device.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an encoding method, an encoding apparatus, a decoding apparatus, a record medium and a transmitting method for a dynamic image signal, for transmitting a dynamic image signal together with superimposed data, such as caption data, graphic data, menu image data and the like. In particular, it is suitable for applying to a record medium, such as a video tape, a video disk or the like, on which a dynamic image signal is recorded, and an encoding method and a decoding method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, for example, a caption encoding and decoding system having configuration as shown in FIG. 1 is well known. This caption encoding and decoding system includes a caption encoder 50, a record transmitting section 60 and a caption decoder 70.
Caption information, a region coordinate of the caption information, a display time of the caption information and a duration are sent from a caption generator 45 to the caption encoder 50. Here, the region coordinate is data for indicating a display position (coordinate) of a region described later. And, the duration is data for indicating a display continuation time from the display time.
The caption information is encoded into bitmap data by a caption bitmap encoder 51. This bitmap data is data into which a caption ("ABCDEFG" in FIG. 12 and the like) is encoded by means of a bitmap. This bitmap data, the region coordinate and the duration are integrated with each other as attribute information of the caption, and encoded into a caption bit stream by a caption bit stream encoder 52. The caption bit stream and the display time of the caption are sent to a multiplexer 53.
On the other hand, a dynamic image and the display times of respective images in the dynamic image are sent from a dynamic image generator 46. The dynamic image is encoded into a video bit stream by a video encoder 54. The video bit stream and the display time of the dynamic image are sent to the multiplexer 53.
The multiplexer 53 inputs the above mentioned information, that is, the caption bit stream, the display time of the caption, the video bit stream and the display time of the dynamic image, multiplexes in a predetermined order and generates a multiplexed bit stream.
The multiplexed bit stream is modulated by a modulating circuit 47, and recorded or transmitted by the record transmitting section 60 composed of a record medium 61 and a transmitting path 62.
After that, the information taken out from the record transmitting section 60 is demodulated by a demodulating circuit 48, and the multiplexed bit stream is sent to the caption decoder 70.
The caption decoder 70 receives the multiplexed bit stream, and an inverse multiplexer 71 separates the above multiplexed bit stream into a caption bit stream and a video bit stream. The caption bit stream separated by the inverse multiplexer 71 is sent to a caption bit stream analyzer 72, and the video bit stream is sent to a video decoder 73.
When separating the multiplexed bit stream into the caption bit stream and the video bit stream, the inverse multiplexer 71 takes out the information of the display time inserted in a multiplexing layer, sends the display time of the caption to a controller 47, and sends the display time of the video to the video decoder 73.
The caption bit stream analyzer 72 analyzes a syntax of the caption bit stream, and separates the caption bit stream into the bit map data, the duration and the region coordinate. The bit map data separated by the caption bit stream analyzer 72 is sent to a caption bit map decoder 75. The duration and the region coordinate are sent to the controller 74. Here, the bit map data is decoded by the caption bit map decoder 75 to thereby become caption data.
The caption data obtained by decoding the bit map data by the caption bit map decoder 75, and the video data obtained by decoding the video bit stream by the video decoder 73 are sent to a selector 76.
The controller 74 switches the selector 76 from a video side to a caption side to thereby insert the caption into the dynamic image (video), in a time and position at which the caption is displayed, on the basis of the information of the display time of the caption data, the display continuation time (duration) and the display position (region coordinate).
The above mentioned region is a displayed rectangular area, for example, an area (Region.sub.-- 1) in "ABCDEF" shown in FIG. 2 or an area (Region.sub.-- 2) in "HIJKLMN". This display position of the region (Region coordinates) is represented by a start point (H.sub.-- start) and an end point (H.sub.-- end) in a horizontal direction and a start point (V.sub.-- start) and an end point (V.sub.-- end) in a vertical direction of each of the regions, as shown in FIG. 3.
By the way, in a case that a displayed content is long and the content is displayed in a plurality of lines, the caption is divided into a plurality of lines in many cases, in order to avoid that, for example, even interlinear and unnecessary space illustrated by an oblique line block in FIG. 4 is encoded as the bit map data. Then, each of the lines becomes one region. However, Originally it is the caption that is displayed simultaneously. Thus, it is redundant to set a display start and a finish time for every region.
It is needed to move the caption from a default position specified by the bit stream to the preferable position to users.
In order to support the above mentioned moving function for the caption, in the conventional caption decoder 71 shown in FIG. 1, the controller 74 receives an outer control signal (a movement command from the user) and adds a movement offset value to the display position (Region coordinates). Accordingly, the region is moved.
Here, a case of a realtime decode is considered, in which the bit stream is decoded and displayed immediately. In this case, when the region position information (Region coordinates) belongs to each of the regions, in a case that a plurality of regions 151 and 152 exist on a screen 150 as shown in FIG. 5, and, for example, while the region 151 is decoded, there is no information of a position which the region 152 is displayed on, in a decoder.
For this reason, in a case that the region is moved and displayed by the outer control signal, it cannot be judged whether or not a presently decoded region is the movement in a displayable range. However, it cannot be judged whether or not the movement by the movement command from the user is in the displayable range for the region that is still not decoded.
For this reason, in a case that the two regions 151 and 152 exist on the screen 150 as shown in FIG. 5, even if the movement does not exceed a displayable range indicated in a movement offset amount for the region 151, the movement may exceed the displayable range for the region 152.
In a case that only one region is present on a screen 160 at a certain time point, as shown in FIG. 6, when the user specifies that the position of the region is located at the lowest portion, if two region is present at a next time point, although an upper region 162 is displayed, a lower region 163 exceeds the displayable range. In order to avoid it, the user needs to operate the movement command while always viewing the screen. This results in a problem of poor operability.

Caption display method for using digital video system


A method for testing integrity of a plugged honeycomb structure includes forming a condenser at a first end of the honeycomb structure, passing a vaporous stream into a second end of the honeycomb structure, wherein a column of the vaporous stream emerges at the first end of the honeycomb structure from cells in the honeycomb structure that are defective, and observing the first end of the honeycomb structure for condensation spots formed by contact between the column of the vaporous stream emerging at the first end of the honeycomb structure and the condenser. An apparatus for accomplishing the method is also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and system for testing plugged honeycomb structures, and, more specifically, to non-destructive testing of such structures for defects/leaks.
2. Technical Background
Wall-flow honeycomb filters are typically used to remove carbonaceous solid particulates from diesel engine exhausts. The honeycomb filter is typically extruded from ceramic precursors mixed with pore forming material. The pore forming material is burned out when the ceramic precursors are fired to produce the hardened ceramic body. FIG. 1 shows a typical wall-flow honeycomb filter 100 having an inlet face 102, an outlet face 104, and an array of interconnecting porous walls 106 extending longitudinally from the inlet face 102 to the outlet face 104. The interconnecting porous walls 106 define a grid of inlet channels (or cells) 108 and outlet channels (or cells) 110. The outlet channels 110 are plugged with filler material 112 where they adjoin the inlet face 102 and are open where they adjoin the outlet face 104. The inlet channels 108 are open where they adjoin the inlet face 102 and are plugged with filler material (not visible in the drawing) where they adjoin the outlet face 104.
In a typical cell structure, each inlet cell 108 is bordered on all sides by outlet cells 110 and vice versa. The cells 108, 110 may have a square cross-section as shown. Other cell geometries such as triangle are also known. Honeycomb filters having cellular densities between about 10 and 300 cells/in2 (about 1.5 to 46.5 cells/cm2), more typically between about 100 and 200 cells/in2 (about 15.5 to 31 cells/cm2), are considered useful to provide sufficient thin wall surface area in a compact structure. Wall thickness can vary upwards from the minimum dimension providing structural integrity of about 0.002 in. (about 0.05 mm), but are generally less than about 0.060 in. (1.5 mm) to minimize filter volume and pressure drop. A range of between about 0.010 and 0.030 in (about 0.25 and 0.76 mm), e.g., 0.019 in., is most often selected for these materials at the preferred cellular densities.
The honeycomb filter 100 may be installed in a housing and inserted into the exhaust system of a vehicle equipped with a diesel engine. In operation, diesel exhaust directed at the inlet face 102 of the honeycomb filter 100 flows into the inlet cells 108. The interconnected porous walls 106 are provided with an internal interconnected open porosity that allows the exhaust to pass from the inlet cells 108 to the outlet cells 110 while restraining a desired portion of the solid particulates in the exhaust. The filtered exhaust exits the filter through the outlet cells 110.
Filtration efficiencies up to and in excess of 90% by weight of the diesel exhaust particulates can be achieved with honeycomb filters such as described above. In the production of honeycomb filters for diesel particulate filtration, it is customary to test the integrity the honeycomb filter to see if there are defects in the interconnecting porous walls and plugs of the filter, since such defects can reduce the filtration efficiency achievable. Defects found in the honeycomb filter are typically plugged, and the test may be repeated until the results are satisfactory. The test may be performed while the honeycomb structure is still green or after firing the honeycomb structure. In general, it is easier to repair defects while the honeycomb structure is still green.
One prior-art method for testing the integrity of a plugged honeycomb filter involves taping a clear film to one end of the honeycomb structure and pouring graphite into the other end of the honeycomb structure while rotating the honeycomb structure about two axes. Defective cells having voids within their walls or plugs allow the graphite particles to pass through and are detected by presence of the graphite particles on the clear film. Variations of this method include replacing the graphite particles with other particles, such as micro glass and plastic beads.
Another prior-art method for testing the integrity of a plugged honeycomb filter is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,434 (Hijikata et al.). This method involves flowing a gas containing solid particulates, such as carbon soot, under pressure into one end of the honeycomb structure. A gas-permeable screen is placed adjacent the other end of the honeycomb structure to collect solid particulates from the gas flowing out of the honeycomb structure. The screen is inspected for patterns differing from the defect-free structure.
The methods described above require fired plugged honeycomb structures and do not reliably detect defects in cases where the solid particulates are too big to flow through the defects. In cases where graphite particles are used for testing, small amounts of graphite particles remain inside the honeycomb structure after testing, which can interfere with the downstream processing of the honeycomb structure, such as catalyst coating process. Further, additional steps are required to clean and remove the solid particulates used for testing from the filter.
Another prior-art method for testing the integrity of a plugged honeycomb filter involves securing a heat sensitive film (liquid crystal) to one end of a honeycomb filter. The heat sensitive film is initially heated. Cold air is blown from the opposite end of the filter to the film. The air that passes uninhibited through the voids and cracks within the walls of the filter cools the films at the location of the defective cells. This method is suitable for inspecting green plugged honeycomb filter.

Method and system for testing the integrity of green plugged honeycomb structure


Provided herein are pharmaceutically acceptable sodium nitrite and pharmaceutical compositions thereof. Also provided herein are methods for determining the total non-volatile organic carbon in a sodium nitrite-containing sample. Further provided herein are methods for producing pharmaceutically acceptable sodium nitrite. Still further provided herein are methods of treatment comprising the administration of pharmaceutically acceptable sodium nitrite.

Sodium nitrite has numerous applications, such as uses as a food additive and a pharmaceutical ingredient. Even though thousands of metric tons of sodium nitrite are produced annually, only a few kilograms are utilized pharmaceutically for the production of sodium nitrite injection as currently indicated as a treatment for cyanide poisoning. It has been reported that sodium nitrite is an effective treatment for hydrogen sulfide poisoning (Hall and Rumack, Vet Human Toxicol. 1997, 39, 152-154). It has been recently reported that sodium nitrite is an effective vasodilator, which may be used to treat many conditions, including heart attack, stroke, sickle cell anemia, respiratory diseases, and bacterial, viral or fungal infections (WO 2005/004884, WO 2005/007173, U.S. Patent Application Publication Nos. 2004/0105898, 2005/0036949, and 2008/0260865, the disclosure of each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). It has also been recently reported that sodium nitrite augments angiogenesis and arteriogenesis, which may be used to treat ischemic conditions including angina and claudication. (Kumar et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 2008, 105, 7540-7545). Sodium nitrite is also useful in connection with reducing the risk of hospital-acquired infections, such as nocosomial infections, originating from the insertion of medical devices, such as catheters (U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0239107, the disclosure which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety).
The manufacture of pharmaceutical products in the United States is regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since the passage of the Federal Food Drug and Cosmetic Act in 1938, the FDA has required new pharmaceutical products and their corresponding active ingredients to be manufactured in accordance with the exacting requirements of "pharmaceutical grade" Good Manufacturing Practices as detailed in the United States Code of Federal Regulations 21 CFR 211. Because of the relatively small quantity of sodium nitrite that is currently used to formulate pharmaceutical products, no raw material supplier presently manufactures sodium nitrite in accordance with "pharmaceutical grade" Good Manufacturing Practices.
In addition to regulating manufacturing practices, the FDA establishes stringent quality specifications for each new pharmaceutical product and its corresponding active ingredients. A pharmaceutical product is classified as "new" if it was introduced to the market after the passage of the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act in 1938. As mandated in this Act, the FDA requires a new pharmaceutical product and its active ingredients to be manufactured in accordance with "pharmaceutical grade" Good Manufacturing Practices and to meet applicable quality specifications. When the Food Drug and Cosmetic Act was enacted in 1938, pharmaceuticals that were already on the market were classified as "grandfathered drugs" and were permitted to remain on the market without formal FDA approval if the product and its labeling remain unchanged. Any change to the product or its labeling would cause the "grandfathered drug" to become a "new" drug that is subject to FDA-imposed regulations and quality standards. Currently available sodium nitrite injection that is labeled solely for use as a treatment of cyanide poisoning is a "grandfathered medication". Consequently, the product formulation and corresponding quality specifications have remain unchanged for decades.
In anticipation of the receipt of a New Drug Application for a sodium nitrite pharmaceutical product, the FDA recently announced that sodium nitrite raw material for a new pharmaceutical product must be manufactured in accordance with "pharmaceutical grade" Good Manufacturing Practices and it must conform to a new set of quality specifications. This new set of quality specifications is more expansive and stringent than the existing quality specifications. Currently available sodium nitrite raw material does not meet the new set of FDA quality standards and is unsuitable for use in the formulation of a new pharmaceutical product. Consequently, there is a clear and unmet need for purified sodium nitrite raw material that is manufactured in accordance with "pharmaceutical grade" Good Manufacturing Practices and that meets the new set of quality specifications in order to translate recent nitrite-related research discoveries into FDA-approved clinical therapies.
Another hurdle in developing pharmaceutical grade sodium nitrite is the lack of an effective analytical method to determine total non-volatile organic carbon in a sodium nitrite-containing sample, which is one of the new FDA-imposed quality standards. The conventional method for total non-volatile organic carbon determination requires that any inorganic carbon must be removed before measuring the organic carbon content in a sample. This is typically achieved by adding acid. At low pH, the inorganic carbon is converted to carbon dioxide, which is then purged from the sample. The sample is then routed to a combustion chamber with a catalyst and a temperature of approximately 680° C. to convert organic carbon to carbon dioxide. The quantity of carbon dioxide thus produced is then determined using an infrared detector. However, this conventional method cannot be used to analyze a sodium nitrite-containing sample. Sodium nitrite explodes when exposed to temperatures in excess of 538° C. Also, sodium nitrite is converted into nitric oxide when exposed to an acid, and the nitric oxide thus formed may pass into the detector along with carbon dioxide, interfere with the detection, and produce false signals. Furthermore, sodium nitrite may precipitate during the analysis. Deposits of sodium nitrite salt on the catalyst can foul the catalyst and preclude complete combustion. Deposits of sodium nitrite salt on the optics can also decrease the light intensity of the radiation source. Therefore, there is also a need for an analytical method for determining total non-volatile organic carbon in a sodium nitrite-containing sample.
Another hurdle in developing pharmaceutical grade sodium nitrite is the presence of anti-caking material in non-pharmaceutical grade sodium nitrite. Sodium nitrite is hygroscopic. To prevent the absorption of water over time and to facilitate industrial usage, manufacturers of non-pharmaceutical grade sodium nitrite generally add anti-caking material with surfactant characteristics, such as sodium alkyl naphthalene sulfonate. Even if a manufacturer of non-pharmaceutical grade sodium nitrite that contains an anti-caking agent produces a batch of sodium nitrite without the addition of an anti-caking agent, trace quantities of the anti-caking agent that exceed the new FDA-imposed quality standards may be present. Therefore, any anti-caking material in sodium nitrite must be detected, quantified, and limited in order to produce pharmaceutical grade sodium nitrite.

Sodium nitrite-containing pharmaceutical compositions


A coring assembly comprises an outer barrel coupled to a coring bit. An inner barrel is disposed within the outer barrel. An inner sleeve is disposed within the inner barrel and includes at least one frangible region that allows the inner sleeve to break so that coring operations can continue after the occurrence of a core jam.

This disclosure relates generally to methods and apparatus for acquiring cores from subterranean formations. More particularly, this disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for mitigating the effects of core jamming by utilizing a frangible core barrel.
Formation coring is a well-known process for obtaining a sample of a subterranean formation for analysis. In coring operations, a specialized drilling assembly is used to obtain a cylindrical sample of material, or "core," from the formation so that the core can be brought to the surface. Once at the surface, the core can be analyzed to reveal formation data such as permeability, porosity, and other formation properties that provide information as to the type of formation being drilled and/or the types of fluids contained within the formation. Coring operations include bottom-hole coring, where a sample is taken from the bottom of the wellbore, and sidewall coring, where a sample is taken from the wall of the wellbore. Coring operations can also be performed using conventional wellbore tubulars, such as drill string, or using wireline conveyed tools.
In bottom-hole coring, as a core is being cut, it is received within an elongated tubular receptacle, known as a barrel. As the core moves into the barrel it can become stuck, or "jammed," in the barrel, and prevent additional core from moving into the barrel. Once a jam occurs, the cut core is subjected to increased compressive loads until the coring operation is stopped. Often, the increased compressive loads can damage the core before the coring operation can be stopped. Thus, in many instances, a core jam can result in an insufficient length of core being obtained and/or damage the core that can compromise the desired analysis. Therefore, in bottom-hole coring operations, when a core jam is detected, the coring operation is halted and the tools are brought back to the surface. This can be especially costly in deep wells where it may take several hours to retrieve the coring tools from the bottom of the well.
Thus, there is a continuing need in the art for methods and apparatus for acquiring cores that overcome these and other limitations of the prior art.


A barcode scanner with a tool free tower housing assembly. The barcode scanner includes a base, a tower section coupled to the base, and a tower housing assembly over the tower section including a tower housing and a bezel that are installable and removable without hand tools.

Dual-aperture scanners have a tower that extends above a checkstand. The tower includes elements that may periodically require servicing, such as buttons, speakers, and light emitting diodes. Additionally, this space may be used to contain other serviceable components, such as an electronic article surveillance antenna, a radio frequency identification antenna, and other electronics.
Tower housings must be sturdy enough to allow gripping during carrying, installation, and removal of scanners from checkstands. Typical tower housings are fastened with screws for structural support. However, fasteners make servicing of components with the tower housing more difficult.
It would be desirable to provide a tower housing assembly which does not require tools to install or remove so that technicians may more easily service components within the tower housing assembly.

Barcode scanner with tool free tower housing assembly


An exercise device includes an inflatable bladder and is partially stabilized with a small amount of filler. The bladder includes a first aperture to allow the filler to be easily placed in the bladder. The bladder also includes a valve main body that allows air to be easily injected into the bladder to inflate the bladder. In an exemplary method the filler is forced into the inflatable bladder using a mixture of air and filler. The air is under pressure and assists in forcing the filler into the bladder. After a proper amount of filler is in the bladder, the bladder can be deflated for packaging and/or shipping.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to exercise equipment. More specifically, embodiments of the present invention relate to exercise devices, such as stability balls, that enhance the user's exercise by destabilizing the user.
2. The Related Technology
Over the years those engaging in physical fitness exercises have used a variety of different ways to achieve their desired exercise goals. For example, individuals exercise by carrying out routines using their own weight for resistance, such as push-ups and sit-ups. To meet their exercise needs, exercisers have also used hand weights and/or devices that use a system of cables, pulleys, weights, springs, and/or resilient
Recently, however, those engaging in physical fitness activities have recognized the value of exercise devices that place the user in an unstable position. One such device is a stability ball, also known as an exercise ball or Swiss ball.
The stability ball is a large flexible ball that is used to create instability during an exercise routine. As the unstable user exercises, he or she exercises his or her core muscles to maintain balance during the exercise routine. For instance an exerciser can lie on the stability ball while exercising with hand weights. The instability of the ball requires the user to flex and exert core body muscles to maintain balance while performing the hand weight exercise. Instead of simply exercising a targeted group of muscles, the exerciser on a stability ball also uses core or stabilizing muscles, particularly those in the abdominal region. Stability balls are known to develop balance and stability by exercising the core body muscles.
One problem with stability balls, however, is that stability balls have a tendency to move or roll relative to an underlying support surface. While it is desirable for the stability ball to create instability in an exerciser, it is undesirable for the stability ball to randomly move or roll relative to the support surface. For example, a stability ball that is instable with respect to the support surface tends to roll out of position unless the user is continuously in contact with it. A user can become occupied with maintaining the position of the ball, thus detracting from the core body training experience.
A particularly advantageous solution for stabilizing a stability ball is to place a small amount of sand or other filler material in the ball. One difficulty with placing a filler material in a stability ball is that traditional valves make it difficult to inject the filler into the ball. Furthermore, valves currently in use with stability balls prevent certain grains of filler from being placed in the ball due to grain size.

Partially stabilized exercise device with valve mechanism


A photovoltaic device for converting light into electrical power includes a film (16, 26, 36) of silicon nanoparticles. The silicon nanoparticle film, which can be a multilayer film, has a photoluminescence response and couples light and or electricity into semiconductor layers. A particular example photovoltaic device of the invention include a solar cell that accepts and converts light of a predetermined wavelength range into electrical power. A film containing luminescent silicon nanoparticles is optically coupled to the solar cell. The film has a predetermined thickness. The film responds to incident radiation and produces light or electron response in the predetermined wavelength range that is optically coupled into the solar cell. In preferred embodiments, the film is additionally or alternatively electrically coupled to the solar cell, which produces charge response that is electrically coupled into the solar cell.

Photovoltaic devices convert light to electrical potential. Solar cells are common photovoltaic devices in widespread use for converting light energy to electrical potential. Present uses of solar cells are limited by the inefficiency of solar cells. Typical crystalline solar cells have an efficiency of ˜15% under 1.35 kW/m2 space illumination. The best commercial cells have an efficiency of 19%.
Solar cells provide small voltage potentials in small scale applications, such as MEMs devices. Usefulness is limited by the inefficiency, however. The low levels of efficiency also make solar cells difficult to implement in portable power sources for generation of electricity that might be used in any number of portable devices requiring a portable power source.
For large scale energy production, such as sources for electrical generation, the low efficiency of present solar cells makes their use cost prohibitive compared to traditional sources used to generate electricity. With direct sun photovoltaic (PV) power and current solar cell technology, costs far exceed the costs of generating electricity from fossil fuels. A goal of current research efforts is lowering the cost of producing electricity from sunlight from solar cells to make generation more comparable in cost to generation of power from fossil fuels.
The principal problem in commercial silicon (Si) solar cells is that less than 40% of sun light effectively couples to the Si semiconductor that forms the basis of commercial photovoltaic cells. A silicon solar cell converts sunlight energy into direct-current (DC) electrical energy by the photovoltaic effect. As sunlight impinges on the top surface of a silicon crystal film, the incident light energy is used in freeing electrons from silicon atoms, allowing them to wander inside the crystal. By special contact designs, those electrons are harnessed as an electric current for operation of an electronic instrument or appliance.
Other photovoltaic semiconductors include cadmium telluride (CdTe), and copper indium diselenide (CuInSe2). Semiconductors applied as thin films on a variety of inexpensive backings have been studied. Examples of PV products using thin film technology include photovoltaic roofing shingles and lightweight flexible panels used by backpackers and boaters.
Silicon-based PV is the most attractive material system because Si is the most abundant material and it is the least toxic of all. In addition, Si offers the opportunity for integration of solar power sources in silicon fabricated electronic devices, which remains the most widely used semiconductor fabrication material.
Silicon is inefficient as a photovoltaic converter. It has an indirect band gap material with a gap of 1.1 eV. Thus, long-wavelength infrared light of photon energy less than 1.1 eV (wavelength larger than 1.124 μm) does not have the threshold energy needed to free electrons from the Si atoms. In addition, deep red radiation converts mostly to heat in the cell. On the other hand, short wavelength light such as that in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum has more than enough energy to create electron hole pairs. The excess energy is transferred to the charge carriers and is dissipated as heat.
Crystalline silicon has a relatively low absorption coefficient, between 102 and 104 cm−1, which means that a thickness of about 200 μm is necessary to absorb most of the sunlight. However, efficient collection of the current is hampered by thick cells. The problem of providing sufficient light absorption in thin silicon has been an area of research. An example technique of texturing the surface of the solar cell has showed that cells that are as thin as 50 μm can be efficient.
Proposed techniques to increase efficiency of solar cells, in many cases, have had poor results. Despite many research efforts, a practical technique that is commercially feasible is still lacking. One Internet-posted study by Berkeley research students Becca Jones, Mike Scarpulla, Jessy Baker, Kevin Sivula, and Kirstin Alveri entitled "Nanocrystalline Luminescent Solar Converters", C226 Photovoltaic Materials, Dated Dec. 6, 2004, describes study of techniques for coupling short wavelength light into a solar cell. The study describes the coating of a layer of CdSe/CdS core/shell nanorods onto a high-efficiency PV cell manufactured by Sunpower Corp to increase efficiency. No increase in efficiency was reported. The researchers recommended further research with conventional silicon PV cells with the nanorods embedded in transparent medium such as a glass or a transparent oxide or nitride layer.
United States Published Patent Application US2004/0126582, Jul. 1, 2004, discloses the use of an organic polymer to disperse nanoparticles, including silicon nanoparticles. The silicon nanoparticles are embedded in polymer matrix that is used to prevent aggregation of the particles or formation of closely-packed films. A solar cell is described with one or a series of polymer layers with dispersed nanoparticles therein, including layers having different sized luminescent silicon nanoparticles, with characteristic red, green and blue luminescent responses.
Others have proposed a porous silicon layer with its silicon nanostrucures as an active layer to be layered over a silicon solar cell. The use of porous layers, however, lacks control over the nanostructure distribution; it normally consists of a random and wide distribution in size and shape extending to sizes of tens of nanometers, which limits charge separation and collection or light propagation across the film. Also, porous layers are thick layers that might interfere with the operation of the underlying cell. At present, acceptable results are obtained for the use of porous Si as antireflecting coating for Si solar cells only. (See, e.g., "Porous silicon in solar cell structures: a review of achievements and modern directions of further use," Yerokhov V. Y.; Melnyk I. I., Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 3, 291-322(32), (1999); "Antireflective porous-silicon coatings for multicrystalline solar cells: the effects of chemical etching and rapid thermal processing, R J Martin-Palma, L Vázquez, J M Martinez-Duart, M Schnell and S Schaefer," Semicond. Sci. Technol. 16 657-661 (2001); G. Kopitkovas, I. Mikulskas, K. Grigoras, I.imkienë, R. Tomaiûnas, "Solar cells with porous silicon: modification of surface recombination velocity," Appl. Phys. A 73, 495-501 (2001).
In another proposed technique (see, e.g., V. {hacek over (S)}vr{hacek over (c)}ek, A. Slaoui, J.-C. Muller Thin Solid Films, 451-452, 384-388 (2004)) for improving solar cell efficiency, silicon nanocrystals were prepared ex situ (pulverizing of electrochemical etched porous silicon) and were embedded into a spin-on-glass antireflecting SiO2 based solution and then spun onto standard silicon solar cells. The Si-nc/SiO2 layer was intended to serve as a luminescence down-converter. The influence on solar cell performances (internal quantum efficiency, current-voltage characteristic) was investigated in an indirect manner in terms of destroying the nanoparticles by high temperature to see their effect. An increase in efficiency was reported. However, the obtained contribution from the silicon nanocrystal based system was also reported to be rather weak. This is likely due first to the fact that the fraction of incorporated nanomaterial is limited to a few percent. In other words, a problem with this approach is that the silicon nanoparticles are incorporated in a composite with glass, resulting in a low density of nanoparticles, ˜1% of the composite. Second, the size distribution of particles in the composite is wide since present synthesis techniques lack control over size or shape. Third, it is possible that matrix material is not smooth enough to provide optical confinement and index of refraction matching.

Silicon nanoparticle photovoltaic devices

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois


Luminous pixel array. Each pixel in the array is formed by a luminous flying vehicle. A plurality of luminous flying vehicles are controlled to move in three-dimensional space so as to crate two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes that can move in space. In one embodiment images are formed.

In general, 3-dimensional display devices comprise membranes or films that project an illusion of depth in a photograph, movie or other 2-dimensional image. A 3-dimensional illusion can be projected to a viewer by displaying two 2-dimensional images, which represent two perspectives of the same photograph, movie or image. However, such 3-dimensional display devices generally require viewers to wear specialized eyeglasses.
On the other hand, some 3-dimensional projection devices, such as swept-volume displays, comprise a plurality of image projectors that project images on a display surface undergoing rotational motion. As the display surface rotates, the images projected on the 2-dimensional display surface changes, which creates a 3-dimensional illusion. However, such 3-dimensional projection devices have limited viewing angles.

3-D luminous pixel arrays, 3-D luminous pixel array control systems and methods of controlling 3-D luminous pixel arrays


The graphical controller provides a graphic user interface for monitoring and managing multiple chemical feed constituents, and displays a breakpoint curve specific to water being treated and a given ammonia set point, based on operator input and data from measurement of total chlorine, free chlorine, monochloramine, combined chlorine, ammonia residual, and the like. The graphical interface determines where on the curve the process is, provides immediate visual feedback to the water treatment operator and allows control of chlorine and ammonia feed rates to a fixed or new chloramination and ammonia set point.

The present invention relates generally to graphical controllers, and more particularly relates to a graphical controller interface for monitoring multiple chemical feed constituents, such as for monitoring chloramination of a municipal water supply.
Disinfection chemicals such as chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, and the like, commonly are added to raw water to make it safe to drink. Chlorine is one of the most common disinfectants but due to health problems associated with disinfection byproducts such as trihalomethanes, many water producers are changing over to products such as chloramines (chlorine combined with ammonia).
Chloramination can be difficult to control because of the formation of monochloramine and the subsequent formation of dichloramine and trichloramine as the proportion of chlorine to ammonia exceeds the stoichiometric ratio of approximately 5 to 1 (by weight). Chloramine is currently commonly measured by a chlorine monitor, and as the chlorine to ammonia ratio rises above 5:1 (by weight), the measured chlorine level drops until the ammonia has been completely reacted and destroyed (breaking to free chlorine), at which time the total chlorine residual begins to rise again. An operator observing a total chlorine monitor can therefore read the same level of measured total chlorine for up to three different chlorine feed rates and be unsure where they are in the process. The objective with chloramine disinfection is to maximize the yield of monochloramine, without forming dichloramine or trichloramine, which have odor and taste concerns. Breaking to free chlorine may be used to remove chloramines from purchased water or to "shock" some distribution systems as part of a maintenance program.
Currently water chloramination disinfection operators are required to take readings from multiple analyzers and infer whether the stage of chloramination indicates monochloramine production, monochloramine destruction, free chlorine, and the like. For example if ammonia is present, the process is either in monochloramine production or destruction; if no ammonia is present and free chlorine is present, then the process has exceeded the "breakpoint," and no chloramines remain. Water disinfection operators are frequently confused as to the meaning and interaction of the multiple analyzer readings, and may not have the ability to infer the correct stage in the chloramination process.
Another known method for monitoring water chloramination involves adding a color-forming reagent that reacts with monochloramine to a sample of the water, allowing the sample to be calorimetrically analyzed to determine the amount of monochloramine present. However, the method uses toxic chemicals, and the time for analysis to be completed is excessive for many control system applications. Another water chloramination control system is known that compares the concentration of aqueous higher chloramines to aqueous ammonia to optimize the ratio of added ammonia to chlorine, using spectroscopic measurements of free iodine produced from the reaction of potassium iodide with chlorine and monochloramine.
Chloramination control varies from water treatment agency to agency and in many cases must be inferred by calculation with the data available, and in many cases is poorly controlled, resulting in overfeed of ammonia or chorine, which can result in control problems causing nitrification (and bacterial growth), or taste and odor problems, respectively, or in the worst case, inadequate disinfection of the public water supply. There is consequently a need for a graphical controller for monitoring multiple chemical feed constituents, which would allow for improved control of chloramination. The present invention addresses this and other needs.

Graphical controller for monitoring multiple chemical feed constituents


An array substrate for a liquid crystal display device includes a substrate, a thin film transistor having a signal line of dual layered structure of a copper compound and copper, and a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor for a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and more particularly, to a thin film transistor having a metal signal line for a liquid crystal display device and a manufacturing method thereof.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Generally, a liquid crystal display (LCD) device includes two substrates that are spaced apart and face each other with a liquid crystal material layer interposed between the two substrates. Each of the substrates includes electrodes that face each other, wherein a voltage applied to each electrode induces an electric field between the electrodes and within the liquid crystal material layer. The intensity and direction of the applied electric field affects alignment of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal material layer. Accordingly, the LCD device displays an image by varying light transmissivity through the liquid crystal material layer in accordance with the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules.
FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a liquid crystal display (LCD) device according to the related art. In FIG. 1, an LCD device 11 has upper and lower substrates 5 and 22, which are spaced apart from and facing each other, and a liquid crystal material layer 14 interposed between the upper and lower substrates 5 and 22. The upper substrate 5 includes a black matrix 6, a color filter layer 8, and a transparent common electrode 18 subsequently disposed on an interior surface thereof. The black matrix 6 includes openings having one of three sub-color filters of red (R), green (G), and blue (B).
A gate line 13 and a data line 15 are formed on an interior surface of the lower substrate 22, which is commonly referred to as an array substrate, such that the gate line 13 and the date line 15 cross each other to define a pixel area P. In addition, a thin film transistor T is formed at the crossing of the gate line 13 and the data line 15 and includes a gate electrode, a source electrode, and a drain electrode. A pixel electrode 17 is formed within the pixel area P to correspond to the sub-color filters (R), (G), and (B) and is electrically connected to the thin film transistor T. The pixel electrode 17 is made of a light transparent conductive material, such as indium-tin-oxide (ITO).
A storage capacitor C is connected to the pixel electrode 17. The gate line 13 acts as a first capacitor electrode and a metal layer 30 acts as a second capacitor electrode that is connected to the pixel electrode 17. The metal layer 30 is formed when source and drain electrodes for the thin film transistor T are formed.
A scanning pulse is supplied to the gate electrode of the thin film transistor T along the gate line 13, and a data signal is supplied to the source electrode of the thin film transistor T along the data line 15. Accordingly, light transmission through the liquid crystal material layer 14 is adjusted by controlling electrical and optical properties of the liquid crystal material layer 14. For example, the liquid crystal material layer 14 includes a dielectric anisotropic material having spontaneous polarization properties such that the liquid crystal molecules form a dipole when the electric field is induced. Thus, the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal material layer 14 are controlled by the applied electric field. In addition, optical modulation of the liquid crystal material layer 14 is adjusted according to the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules. Therefore, images on the LCD device are produced by controlling the light transmittance of the liquid crystal material layer 14 due to optical modulation of the liquid crystal material layer 14.
Detailed description of the pixel area P is explained with reference to FIG. 2, which is an enlarged plan view of an array substrate for an LCD device according to the related art. Gate lines 62 and data lines 76 are formed on a substrate 50 to cross each other, thereby defining pixel areas P.
A thin film transistor T is formed at the crossing of each of the gate and data lines 62 and 76 to function as a switching element. The thin film transistor T includes a gate electrode 60 that is connected to the gate line 62 to receive scanning signals, a source electrode 70 is connected to the data line 76 and receives data signals, and a drain electrode 72 is spaced apart from the source electrode 70. In addition, the thin film transistor T includes an active layer 66 between the gate electrode 13 and the source and drain electrodes 70 and 72, and a transparent pixel electrode 80 is formed in the pixel area P and is connected to the drain electrode 72. The pixel electrode 80 is connected to a metal layer 74 and forms a storage capacitor C.
To prevent signal delay on the gate line 62, a low resistance metal, for example aluminum Al or aluminum alloy AlNd, is used as a gate line 62. Because aluminum is chemically weak, chrome Cr or molybdenum Mo is used as a protection layer. Thus, the gate line 62 is formed as a dual layer.
Because there is a difference in etching ratio for the two layers using the same etchant, it is difficult to pattern the dual layered gate line, which will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3A to 3F.
As shown in FIG. 3A, an aluminum material and a molybdenum material are sequentially deposited on a substrate 50, where switching and pixel areas T and P are defined, thereby forming a first metal layer 52 and a second metal layer 54. A photo-resister layer is deposited on the second metal layer 54 and patterned to form a PR pattern 56.
When the exposed portion of the second metal layer 54 and the first metal layer 52 are etched by an etchant, only metal portions 58a and 58b under the PR pattern 56 remain, as shown in FIG. 3B. When a wet etching process is carried out, overhangs are formed because Mo shows a lower etching rate than Al. This overhang causes, during subsequent formation of an insulation film on the signal layer, deterioration of insulation performance of the insulation film by the formation of voids or cavities on the sides of the layer of Al material underlying it
To solve the overhang problem, a dry etching to etch peripheral portions of the second metal portion 58b and the PR pattern 56 is carried out, and the step caused by the overhang becomes smooth as shown in FIG. 3C.
The PR pattern 56 is then removed to expose a gate electrode 60 of Al/Mo in the switching area T and a gate line 62 near the peripherals of the pixel area P as shown in FIG. 3D. Sequentially, on the gate electrode 60 and the gate line 62 a gate insulating layer 64 is formed. The gate insulating layer 64 may be selected from non-organic materials, for example silicon nitride or silicon oxide.
Next, on the gate insulating layer 64, an amorphous silicon layer and a doped amorphous silicon layer are formed and patterned into an active layer 66 and an ohmic contact layer 68, respectively, as shown in FIG. 3E.
After forming the ohmic contact layer 68, a conducting metal such as aluminum Al, aluminum alloy, tungsten W, molybdenum Mo or chrome Cr is deposited and patterned to form source and drain electrodes 70 and 72 contacting the ohmic contact layer 68 and spaced apart from each other. A data line 76 connected to the source electrode 70 is also formed. At the same time, an island-shaped metal layer 74 for a capacitor is formed over the gate line 62.
Next, as shown in FIG. 3F, a passivation layer 78 is formed entirely on the substrate 50 by coating organic material, for example benzocyclobutene (BCB) and an acrylic resin, or by depositing an inorganic material, for example silicon nitride (SiNx) and silicon oxide (SiO2). The passivation layer 78 is patterned to expose portions of the drain electrode 72 and the island shaped metal layer 74.
Next, a pixel electrode 80 is formed on the passivation layer 78 by depositing a transparent conductive material, for example indium-tin-oxide (ITO) and indium-zinc-oxide (IZO), and patterning the transparent conductive material. The pixel electrode 80 is connected to the drain electrode 72 and the island-shaped metal layer 74 via the exposed portions of the drain electrode 72 and the island shaped metal layer 74, respectively.
An array substrate may be manufactured as explained above, but when forming the gate line and the gate electrode, both wet etching and dry etching should be carried out to overcome the overhang problem. Accordingly, the total manufacturing time increases.

Thin film transistor having a copper signal line and method of manufacturing the same


A tube assembly of the present invention has at least one subunit with at least one dry insert generally surrounding the subunit which may be disposed within a tube, thereby forming a tube assembly. The subunit includes a fiber optic ribbon and a sheath, wherein the sheath is tight-buffered about the fiber optic ribbon, thereby inhibiting buckling of the ribbon during temperature variations. Additionally, the tube assembly can be a portion of a fiber optic cable having a sheath that may include a plurality of strength members and a cable jacket. In other embodiments, the subunits and dry insert are disposed within a cavity, thereby forming a tubeless cable. Additionally, subunits may include a marking indicia for denoting the security level.

Optical cables include optical waveguides such as optical fibers that transmit optical signals such as voice, video, and/or data information. One type of fiber optic cable is a breakout fiber optical cable. A breakout fiber optic cable generally includes several protected structures that are capable of being broken-out from an assembly or cable and run to desired locations for optical connection.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,051 is an example of a breakout fiber optic cable that discloses a plurality of optical fiber ribbon structures in a tube. As depicted in FIG. 11, an optical fiber ribbon structure 110 requires a fiber optic ribbon 112 and a plurality of strength members 116 surrounded by a relatively loose sheath 118. Strength members 116 are aramid fibers that are used to protect a plurality of optical fibers 112a of fiber optic ribbon 112 from breakage due to tensile forces applied to the optical fiber ribbon structure 110. The fiber optic cable can include flame-retardant materials for riser or plenum applications; however, this cable has disadvantages.
For example, since sheath 118 is relatively loosely disposed around the optical fiber ribbon 112, ribbon 112 can rotate relative to sheath 118 as depicted in FIG. 12. Stated another way, when the ribbon structures are stranded within the tube, portions of optical fiber ribbon 112 can twist and contact the inner wall of sheath 118 causing local stress points. These local stress points can cause undesired optical attenuation in the optical fibers adjacent to the local stress point and may even render the optical fibers inoperable. Additionally, when subject to temperature variations, sheath 118 can shrink which can cause stresses and/or strains on optical fiber ribbon 112. For instance, the shrinking sheath 118 can cause a compressive force that undulates or buckles optical fiber ribbon 112 along its length, thereby causing undesired optical attenuation. Additionally, the breakout fiber optic cable of the '051 patent is not suited for outdoor applications since it does not block the migration of water. Moreover, the flame-retardant materials of sheath 118 are, generally speaking, not compatible for contact with traditional cable filling materials.


A method of providing streaming content to a user device is provided, including: providing a gateway having a transcoder, having a single encoder and a single decoder, the transcoder configured to adapt the streaming content to a plurality of bit rates; the user device requesting the content at a bit rate from said gateway; the gateway instructing the transcoder to provide the content at the bit rate; the user device requesting the content at a second bit rate from said gateway; the gateway instructing the transcoder to provide the content at the second bit rate; and the transcoder transcoding the content at the second bit rate.

Transcoding is used to change the bit rate of streaming content. The present method for providing a plurality of different bit rates for a user device is shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, a content source 10 receives a request from a client 20 for streaming content. Media server 15 determines the appropriate bit ratei, for the streaming content, and requests that bit rate from the corresponding transcoder ti. Each transcoder ti, is configured to provide a particular bit rate, for example transcoder t1 may provide a bit rate of 128 kb/s; transcoder t2 a bit rate of 256 kb/s, and transcoder t3 at 512 kb/s. When a client 20 requests a different bit rate, the appropriate transcoder ti is instructed to provide the streaming content.
While this system, if enough transcoders ti are present, is able to provide appropriate bit rates as requested, typically many of the transcoders ti are not used at any given time, and the computing resources reflected in the unused transcoders ti are wasted. Also, particular transcoders may be used much more than others resulting in inefficient allocation of resources.
Related prior art includes US 2002/0152317; U.S. Pat. No. 7,586,868; US 2006/0126742; US 2011/0265134; US 2002/0152317; and US 2010/0094931.
US Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0152317 discloses a multi-rate transcoder for digital streams. FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of such a transcoder, in which a single transcoder t1 includes a single decoder d1 and a number of encoders ei, each of the encoders ei configured to provide a particular bit ratei.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a method and system that improves on the deficiencies of the prior art.