A damper which is adhered to the head suspension of a disc drive, which comprises a constraint layer/viscoelastic layer laminate, wherein the viscoelastic layer is temporarily provided with a release sheet that is removed on use so that the damper may be adhered to the head suspension, the side of the release sheet in contact with the viscoelastic layer having been treated with a non-silicone releasing agent, preferably a long-chain alkyl type or fluoroacrylate type releasing agent. No silicone is transferred to the viscoelastic layer so that silicone gas generation causing destruction of the memory layer of a disc can be prevented.

This invention relates to a damper adhered to a head suspension of a disc drive and a head suspension having the damper.
Disc drives for rotating a recording disc, such as a hard disc drive and a magnetooptical disc drive, have a read/write head part. As shown in FIG. 2A, the head part is made up of a head 1 (e.g., a magnetic head or an optical head) and a head suspension 2 supporting the head 1. Numeral 3 is a block on which the head suspension is fixed.
Since the head portion directly receives air pressure from a rotating disc and vibrations transmitted from the drive of the head 1 or the motor for rotating the disc, it follows that the head suspension 2 formed of a leaf spring, etc. is deformed to shift the position of the head 1, causing reading or writing errors.
In order to damp the vibrations of the head suspension 2, JP-B-4-8868 proposes adhering a damper 4 to a head suspension 2 as shown in FIG. 2B, the damper 4 comprising a laminate of a constraint layer and a viscoelastic layer. According to this proposal, the viscoelastic layer sandwiched in between the vibrating head suspension 2 and the constraint layer is deformed with the vibrational deformation of the head suspension 2 to generate internal resistance (molecular friction) As a result, the vibration energy is converted to heat energy, and the vibration energy directly transmitted to the head suspension 2 is reduced greatly.
To secure such vibration damping effects, it is important for the constraint layer to have high rigidity. Usually employed constraint layers include plates of metals, such as stainless steel, and plastic films. The viscoelastic layer is conventionally made mainly of pressure-sensitive adhesives, rubber, and the like.
Discs and disc drives having the above-described constitution are precise parts. Hence, they are liable to suffer from troubles attributed to, for example, corrosion by organic gases. The hard disc drives, in particular, are almost sealed in nature of its structure so that the inside atmosphere is liable to have an increased temperature, and the generated organic gases is liable to be confined, which would accelerate corrosion. Of organic gases, silicone gas is to be deposited on the disc. The disc having silicone deposit will have an increased coefficient of friction, and the heat generated by friction with a head may destroy the memory layer of the disc. This has become an important problem.
Since the above-described damper is stuck to a head suspension on its viscoelastic layer side, the viscoelastic layer is usually made of a pressure-sensitive adhesive, and a release sheet (separator) is temporarily adhered to the viscoelastic layer, which is stripped on use.
Conventional release sheets usually rely on silicone releasing agents for the release properties. However, silicone of the silicone releasing agent is transferred to the viscoelastic layer when the release sheet is removed and will give off silicone gas, which can cause destruction of the memory layer of a disc.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a damper for a head suspension which will not cause destruction of the memory layer of a disc attributable to silicone gas and a head suspension having the damper thereon.
In order to accomplish the above object, the present invention provides in its first aspect a damper which is adhered to the head suspension of a disc drive, which comprises a laminate of a constraint layer and a viscoelastic layer, wherein the viscoelastic layer is temporarily provided with a release sheet that is removed on use so that the damper may be adhered to the head suspension, the side of the release sheet in contact with the viscoelastic layer having been treated with a non-silicone releasing agent.
In a highly preferred embodiment, the non-silicone releasing agent is a long-chain alkyl type releasing agent or a fluoroacrylate type releasing agent.
The present invention also provides in its second aspect a head suspension for the head of a disc drive which has on at least a part thereof the above-described damper.
Since the releasing agent of the release sheet adhered to the damper is of non-silicone type, the damper generates no silicone gas while used in a disc drive, not giving rise to such a problem that silicone gas destroys the memory layer of a disc. The above-described preferred releasing agent not only prevents silicone gas generation but exhibits satisfactory release properties equally to silicone type releasing agent.
The term xe2x80x9cnon-silicone (type)xe2x80x9d as used herein means that the releasing agent contains no silicone. The term xe2x80x9csiliconexe2x80x9d as used herein is intended to include all organopolysiloxanes, such as silicone oil, silicone rubber, and silicone resins.

Damper and head suspension having the same


A hose or tubular guide catheter which accommodates and guides a balloon catheter through a portion of the vascular system to a site where the balloon catheter can be employed for the dilatation of coronary arteries. The wall of the catheter, in the region of its anterior end, is set back from the edge over a portion of the circumference. If the end of this guide catheter has passed only a little way into the entrance of a coronary artery, blood from the aorta can enter through the large flow section into the catheter and into the coronary artery. Hence the blood supply of the coronary artery is assured. By further advance of the guide catheter, the recess is closed off by the wall of the entrance opening of the coronary artery, so that injected contrast medium will enter full into the coronary artery and cannot pass into the aorta.

The invention relates to a hose or tubular guide catheter to accommodate and guide a balloon catheter for dilatation of coronary arteries of the heart.
From a printed source due to the firm of Schneider Medintag, Zurich, "Guide catheter with atraumatic tip," "Soft Touch" type, a hose or guide catheter of the kind in question is known whose end has an annular edge extending substantially axial to the axis of the catheter. In the immediate region of its end, the catheter has a more or less curved form, to facilitate insertion of the end from the aorta into the opening of a coronary artery, or at least render it possible. The guide catheter is moved manually so that its tip will enter a coronary artery and remain there, whereafter a guide wire is passed through the guide catheter into the coronary artery, and then a balloon catheter is introduced over the guide wire and through the guide catheter until the balloon arrives in the region of a constriction of the coronary artery, where the balloon, limited in diameter, is inflated and the constricted place in the coronary artery is thereby dilated and enlarged.
The diameter of the guide catheter is relatively large so that, with adequate wall thickness, a balloon catheter will pass through. This comparatively large diameter of the guide catheter leads in many cases to its tightly closing the entrance opening of the coronary artery, so that the blood supply of the coronary artery is blocked. The myocardium is thereby rendered ischemic with a risk of mortification.
To avoid this disadvantage, the said company print also mentions a guide catheter having lateral holes at some distance from its tip, through which blood is to enter the guide catheter from the aorta and pass on into the coronary artery. If these lateral openings are too close to the anterior edge of the guide catheter, there is danger that the openings will be located in the region of the coronary artery and thus be closed off by its walls, so that they cannot serve their purpose. If the lateral holes are more distant from the anterior edge of the tip of the guide catheter, blood can indeed flow in, but then there is the disadvantage that contrast medium to be injected into the coronary artery through the guide catheter for X-ray visualization of the artery will leak out of the lateral holes, be lost for purposes of visualizing the coronary artery, and impede or at least impair the X-ray image by entering the aorta. Besides, there is the disadvantage that the lateral holes tend to be clogged by blood clots.


This invention relates to a hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin and a method of preparing the same, wherein the preparation process is simplified, material supply problems can be solved, and the hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin can be prepared using a catalyst, which is inexpensive, has a low odor and is easy to handle, thereby realizing a yield and a preparation process that enable real-world application thereof. The hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin prepared by the method of the invention has excellent compatibility and a low specific viscosity, and can thus be efficiently used as a tackifier or an adhesive in a variety of fields.

A hydrocarbon resin is a representative tackifier and is mainly used as a material that imparts tackiness or adhesiveness to adhesive tape or products such as paint, ink, rubber, tires, etc. It is a thermoplastic resin in a liquid or solid phase at room temperature and may be provided in various forms ranging from a transparent semi-fluid liquid to a light yellow or water white solid.
A hydrocarbon resin, especially a hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin, is a thermoplastic resin prepared from a high-grade unsaturated hydrocarbon contained in thermal pyrolysis oil such as naphtha or the like in petrochemical plants, and has excellent resistance to heat and ultraviolet (UV) rays and may be adhesive, and thus may be variously utilized in medical supplies, woodworking articles and sanitary articles.
Although the number of products using hydrocarbon resin is increasing every year, the production of C5 and C9 oil fractions, currently useful as the main materials for hydrocarbon resin, is decreasing, and the shortage of material for hydrocarbon resin may become severe.
Meanwhile, in the case of a hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin, it is difficult to completely remove unreacted materials, a solvent and a low-molecular-weight oligomer during the preparation thereof, and thus, upon the manufacture of sanitary products such as diapers and the like, which involves spraying an adhesive at a high temperature, the odor of the hydrocarbon resin itself is generated, and may be released when the final product thereof is unpacked. Furthermore, the hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin may generate an offensive odor peculiar thereto when melted at a high temperature, thus adversely affecting working environments. Moreover, when it is applied to sanitary products, limitations are imposed on satisfying the needs of consumers who require the use thereof on sensitive skin, owing to odor-inducing factors.
Accordingly, since the requirement to control the odor of the hydrocarbon resin used for sanitary products is increasing with an increase in the standard of living of consumers, there is an urgent need to develop techniques for reducing the odor of the hydrocarbon resin.
In this regard, U.S. Pat. No. 5,652,308 discloses a tackifier resin in which a C3 monomer, propylene, and dicyclopentadiene (DCPD) obtained from a C5 monomer, are copolymerized using a metallocene catalyst, whereby a portion of the C5 monomer is substituted with the C3 monomer. However, when a hydrocarbon resin is prepared using the above method, an expensive metallocene catalyst, which is very vulnerable to oxygen and water, has to be used, thus causing problems of complicated process designs, high manufacturing costs and a very low yield of less than 30%, making it difficult to achieve real-world application thereof.
Also, the use of a C3 oil fraction, which is in a gas phase, requires an additional process and apparatus for the liquefaction thereof, and additional investment costs related to high-pressure reactors may be incurred, and real-world application thereof becomes difficult unless the high-pressure reactor is provided.
Moreover, Korean Patent Application No. 2013-0111233 discloses a method of preparing a hydrocarbon resin using propylene (C3 oil fraction) as an olefin, but problems such as low yield and strong odor may still occur.

Hydrocarbon resin, method for preparing hydrocarbon resin, and adhesive composition


A session set-up for communicating data via a data network is disclosed. First, a session establishment between a communication apparatus and a serving entity is requested for a service from the serving entity supporting the service. Then, when a requirement of a user connection for the service is determined, an association with a data network for the service is activated via a core network.

For a real-time service a user plane connection is to be established and ready to use almost immediately when a user requests the service e.g. by pressing a specific key on his/her user equipment.
However, due to the nature of set-up procedures required for an association with a data network for communicating data according to the service it may take some time from requesting the service until the user is actually provided with a proper data connection.

Session set-up for time-critical services


Process steps for bonding substrates of a touch panel. Steps include forming an insulator layer around a flexible printed cable (FPC) contact formed on electrodes, forming a low resistive metal layer, to which the FPC is attached, on the insulator layer, forming dot spacers out of insulating material within the active area. Next, connecting the FPC with a band region formed by the insulator layer and the low resistive metal layer after the insulator layer, the low resistive metal layer and the dot spacers have been formed. Finally, bonding the substrates for reading an X coordinate and for reading a Y coordinate after connection between the insulator layer, the low resistive metal layer, the dot spacers and the FPC.

This invention claims the benefit of priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2001-1245 filed Jan. 10, 2001 and Korean Patent Application No. 2001/8970 filed Feb. 22, 2001. The present invention relates to a contact of substrates of a touch panel, and more particularly, to a method of bonding the substrates in order to embody optimal design thereof by reducing an inactive area on the touch panel and a contact structure of a flexible printed cable (FPC) for applying external signals to the touch panel.
A personal computer, a portable transmitter, a personal digital assistant and the like perform text and graphic processing by using various input devices such as keyboard, mouse and digitizer.
In particular, the digitizer is a device for digitally detecting positions of the fingers or pens on a specifically manufactured flat panel and outputting their values in the form of X/Y coordinates. The digitizer has an advantage that it can input characters or figures more conveniently and precisely than the mouse, keyboard, scanner and the like. Among the digitizer, a touch panel has frequently been used for an electronic note or the personal digital assistant (PDA).
As shown in FIG. 1, a digitizing apparatus, which can perform various functions of screen motions on a display 10 by attaching a touch panel 20 to a front surface of the display 10, is a typical type of a graphic user interface (GUI). The touch panel can be divided into a resistive type, a capacitive type, an ultrasonic wave type, an optical (infrared) type, an electromagnetic induction type and the like, according to operating methods thereof. Such various touch panels have features that signal amplification, resolution, difficulty in design and manufacturing techniques, and the like can be varied according to the operating methods thereof. The operating method of the touch panel can be selected according to its durability, its economical efficiency, etc. in addition to its optical property, its electromagnetic property, its mechanical property, its environmental resistance, its input property, etc.
The resistive touch panel has been combined with a liquid crystal display (LCD) and widely spread as an input device for use in the electronic note, the PDA, the portable personal computer, etc. Its design is very advantageous as compared with the other types of the touch panels, in view of thinness, compactness, lightness, low power consumption, etc. There are matrix and analog methods as a detection method of the resistive touch panel. Further, 0.1xcx9c0.2 mm thick film substrate, 0.2xcx9c2.0 mm thick glass substrate and 1.0xcx9c2.0 mm thick plastic substrate can be used as a transparent electrode, and upper/lower electrodes are constructed by combining these substrates. The analog detection method is again divided into 4-wire type, 5-wire type, 8-wire type, etc. according to electrode wiring.
FIG. 2 is a schematic view of the resistive touch panel 20. The resistive touch panel is constructed by fabricating transparent conductive films 50 on a first substrate 30 for forming the upper electrode and a second substrate 40 for forming the lower electrode, respectively, and then by fabricating dot spacers 60 for electric insulation between the first and second substrates 30, 40 on the conductive film 50 of the second substrate 40. In the resistive touch panel, distribution of the signals on X/Y coordinates by means of the two substrates is calculated and is in turn sent to external driver soft through a connector. Further, the touch panel is divided into the 4-wire, 5-wire, 8-wire types according to the number of bus lines for recognizing the signals on the X/Y coordinates of the substrates. Consequently, characteristics of a recognition or signal processing method of the signals distributed on the X/Y coordinates can be varied according to the number of the bus lines.
FIGS. 3 (a) and (b) show the 4-wire resistive touch panel 20, in which an insulating layer is processed and placed between the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40.
As shown in FIG. 3 (a), in order to form an active area are made of high resistive metal, X-axis potential compensating electrodes 60a, 60b made of low resistive metal are arranged in two lines on both lateral sides of the transparent conductive film 50 of the second substrate 40, after the insulator layer has been formed on the substrate. Further, dot spacers 60 made of insulating material for electric insulation between the two substrates, i.e., the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40, are formed within the active area al defined by a space between the potential compensating electrodes 60a, 60b.
As shown in FIG. 3 (b), in order to form an active area a2 made of high resistive metal, Y-axis potential compensating electrodes 70a, 70b made of low resistive metal are arranged in two lines on both lateral sides of the transparent conductive film 50 of the first substrate 30, after the insulator layer has been formed on the substrate.
Flexible printed cables (FPC) 80 for applying external signals to the touch panel 20 are connected to the first and second substrates 30, 40.
Before the first and second substrates 30, 40 are bonded together to FPC contacts 81 formed thereon, an electrical signal path made of conductive material is formed in order to apply the electric signals to the first substrate 30. After the FPCs 80 have been contacted to the FPC contacts 81 of both substrates, the second substrate 40 for sensing the X coordinate and the first substrate 30 for sensing the Y coordinate are bonded together in a state where the transparent conductive films 50 face each other. The X-axis and Y-axis potential compensating electrodes 60a, 60b; 70a, 70b, which are formed, respectively, on the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40, are gathered on one side of the insulator layers 31, 41. Further, each of the first and second substrate 30, 40 has a predetermined FPC contact 81 for bringing the substrates into contact with the FPC 80.
The FPC contact 81 of the second substrate 40 comprises of a pattern that protrudes from the X-axis potential compensating electrode 60a by an arbitrary length (inactive area) L1; and another pattern that extends along an outer periphery of the active area al, is then bent, and further extends from the other X-axis potential compensating electrode 60b disposed parallel to the pattern. When the two substrates 30, 40 disposed parallel to each other are combined together by causing them to be disposed within the area having the arbitrary length L1 formed by the FPC contacts 81, it is constructed such that the other pattern, which abuts against the FPC contact 81 of the first substrate 30, is also disposed in parallel. Therefore, the patterns of the second substrate 40 have configurations that they protrude from the insulator layer 41 to the outside by an arbitrary length.
The contact 81 of the first substrate 30 has a configuration that patterns, which are gathered from each end of the Y-axis potential compensating electrodes 70a, 70b toward a central portion of the first substrate, protrude to the outside by an arbitrary length L2.
The contact points formed by respective FPC contacts 81 of the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40 will be described according to the bonding process of the first substrate 30 and the second substrate 40. When the first substrate 30 is put over and combined with the second substrate 40, the pattern of the first substrate 30 comes exactly into contact with that of the second substrate 40. Thus, the first and second substrates 30, 40 can form the contact which the FPC 80 for applying the external signals via the FPC contact 81 gathered at one point can be contacted.
In order to detect the X coordinate in the aforementioned constitution, by applying a potential to the second substrate 40 through the FPC contact 81 disposed thereon, the potential is distributed on an entire surface of the transparent conductive film thereof. When the first substrate 30 has been in contact with the second substrate 40 by means of pressure exerted on a surface of the touch panel, the potential at that point is induced to the opposite first substrate 30. At this time, the signal is read into the FPC contact 81, and the X coordinate is then calculated. While the first substrate 30 is in contact with the second substrate 40 in this way, a potential for detecting the Y coordinate is also applied to the first substrate 30, and thus the potential is distributed on an entire surface of the transparent conductive film thereof.
Likewise, the Y-axis potential at a point where the pressure is applied is induced to the second substrate 40 and is received through the FPC contact 81. Then, the Y coordinate is calculated by using a signal corresponding to the received potential. Finally, the values obtained from the calculation of the X/Y coordinates are shown on the display.
In such a case of-the 4-wire resistive touch panel in which by using a single FPC 80, the potential is applied to the second substrate 40 through the FPC contact 81 and the X/Y coordinates are simultaneously recognized, the FPC contact 81 should be disposed on each of the two substrates. Thus, the inactive area, i.e., a pattern area (a minimal area for arranging the pattern) protruding to the outside by a length L1, must be expanded.
Furthermore, since the signals are applied through conductive material filled between the first and second substrates In the resistive touch panel, it is substantially likely that shock to the two substrates and dislocation thereof cause the contact patterns to be dislocated and result directly in inferiority of the contact. Therefore, there was a problem in that reliability of the products would be deteriorated.
An object of the present invention is to expand an active area between the two substrates, i.e., first and second substrates of a resistive touch panel.
Another object of the present invention is to reduce an inactive area, which is formed by (flexible printed cable) FPC contacts and signal contacts of the first and second substrates of the resistive touch panel, in order to reduce a compensating electrode area.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a substrate bonding method wherein an inactive area, which is formed by FPC contacts and signal contacts of first and second substrates of a resistive touch panel, can be reduced and positions of the FPC contacts on the touch panel can also be changed.
According to an aspect of the present invention for achieving the above objects, there is provided a contact structure for use in a touch panel including a first substrate having a transparent conductive film in which an active area is defined by symmetrically providing X-axis (Y-axis) potential compensating electrodes made of low resistive metal thereon at an arbitrary interval, a second substrate bonded together to the first substrate and having a transparent conductive film in which an active area is defined by symmetrically providing Y-axis (X-axis) potential compensating electrodes made of low resistive metal thereon at an arbitrary-interval, dot spacers filled between the two substrates so as to ensure electric isolation between the first and second substrates, and contacts concentrated on a flexible printed cable (FPC) so as to form an electrical signal path out of conductive material when the two substrates are bonded together. The contact structure comprises a FPC contact which is constructed at an arbitrarily selected point on electrode arrangement defined by the X-axis (Y-axis) potential compensating electrodes arranged on the transparent conductive film of the first substrate along outermost edge portions thereof; and another FPC contact which is bonded to the FPC contact on the first substrate and is constructed at an arbitrarily selected point on another electrode arrangement defined by the Y-axis Q(-axis) potential compensating electrodes arranged on the transparent conductive film of the second substrate along outermost edge portions thereof.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a contact structure for use in a touch panel including a first substrate having a transparent conductive film in which an active area is defined by symmetrically providing X-axis (Y-axis) potential compensating electrodes made of low resistive metal thereon at an arbitrary interval, a second substrate bonded together to the first substrate and having a transparent conductive film in which an active area is defined by symmetrically providing Y-axis (X-axis) potential compensating electrodes made of low resistive metal thereon at an arbitrary interval, dot spacers filled between the two substrates so as to ensure electric isolation between the first and second substrates, and contacts concentrated on a flexible printed cable (FPC) so as to form an electrical signal path out of conductive material when the two substrates are bonded together. The contact structure comprises X-axis (Y-axis) potential compensating electrodes arranged along outermost edge portions of the transparent conductive film of the first substrate; a FPC contact for the first substrate, which is constructed at an arbitrarily selected point on electrode arrangement defined by the X-axis (Y-axis) potential compensating electrodes arranged on the transparent conductive film of the first substrate; Y-axis (X-axis) potential compensating electrodes IS arranged along outermost edge portions of the transparent conductive film of the second substrate; another FPC contact for the second substrate, which is constructed at an arbitrarily selected point on electrode arrangement defined by the Y-axis (X-axis) potential compensating electrodes arranged on the transparent conductive film of the second substrate; an insulator layer having an arbitrary length which is formed along the X-axis and Y-axis potential compensating electrodes around the FPC contacts constructed, respectively, on the potential compensating electrodes of the first and second substrates; and a low resistive metal layer in which the FPC is attached to an upper layer portion of the insulator layer formed on the potential compensating electrodes.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is also provided a contact structure for use in a touch panel including a first substrate having a transparent conductive film in which an active area is defined by symmetrically providing X-axis (Y-axis) potential compensating electrodes made of low resistive metal thereon at an arbitrary interval, a second substrate bonded together to the first substrate and having a transparent conductive film in which an active area is defined by symmetrically providing Y-axis (X-axis) potential compensating electrodes made of low resistive metal thereon at an arbitrary interval, dot spacers filled between the two substrates so as to ensure electric isolation between the first and second substrates, and contacts concentrated on a flexible printed cable (FPC) so as to form an electrical signal path out of conductive material when the two substrates are bonded together. The contact structure comprises an insulator layer having an arbitrary length which is formed along the X-axis and Y-axis potential compensating electrodes around the FPC contacts constructed, respectively, on the potential compensating electrodes of the first and second substrates; and a low resistive metal layer in which the FPC is attached to an upper layer portion of the insulator layer formed on the potential compensating electrodes.
According to a still further aspect of the present invention, there is a method for bonding substrates of a touch panel fabricated by processes of forming insulator layers on first and second substrates, forming potential compensating electrodes out of low resistive metal on transparent conductive films, forming dot spacers out of insulating material within an active area so as to achieve electric insulation between the first and second substrates, connecting a flexible printed cable (FPC) to the first and second substrates so as to apply signals to the touch panel from the outside, and bonding the first substrate for detecting an X coordinate and the second substrate for detecting a Y coordinate together so that the transparent conductive films can face each other. The method for bonding the substrates of the touch panel comprises the steps of forming the potential compensating electrodes out of the low resistive metal on the transparent conductive films upon completion of a process of depositing an insulator layer onto the first and second substrates, and forming an insulator layer around flexible printed cable (FPC) contacts formed on the potential compensating electrodes of arbitrarily selected one of the first and second substrates so as to arbitrarily change positions of the FPC contacts with respect to the potential compensating electrodes; forming a new low resistive metal layer, to which FPCs will be attached, on the insulator layer so as to connect the FPC to the potential compensating electrodes of the substrates; forming dot spacers out of insulating material within the active area so as to achieve electric insulation between the first and second substrates between which the insulator layer and the low resistive metal layer are formed through the above steps; connecting the FPC with a band region formed by the insulator layer and the low resistive metal layer, in order to apply signals to the first and second substrates from the outside after the insulator layer, the low resistive metal layer and the dot spacers have been formed between the first and second substrates through the above steps; and bonding together the first substrate for reading an X coordinate and the second substrate for reading a Y coordinate so that the transparent conductive films can face each other, after the connection between the insulator layer, the low resistive metal layer, the dot spacers and the FPC, which are sequentially formed through the steps, has been completed.
In a case where the substrate contact of the resistive touch panel is constructed as such, the signal contacts are formed in the two substrates for constructing the upper and lower electrodes. Thus, the inactive area is remarkably reduced while the active area is increased. From the viewpoint of the constitution of the touch panel, dislocation of a contact band can be greatly reduced, and contact stability that contact deformation due to the external shock is hardly produced can be obtained. Further, since the FPC contacts are fabricated according to the bonding method of the present invention, optimum design of the touch panel including the arrangement of the potential compensating electrodes for expansion of the active area can be realized and a degree of freedom of the FPC contact positions for the external signal application can be kept large.

Contact structure of substrates of touch panel and method of bonding the same


A technique and apparatus for measurement of resistances of 0.01 ohm and s without disconnection from the circuit. The invention is used for measurement of degradation in cable shields by measuring the droop caused by circuit resistance in an induced current pulse in the undisconnected circuit. The method can also be used for measurement of junction resistances in high current circuits such as auto starters. The invention allows measurements to be made with the circuits connected so that the faults are present in the measurement setup. The method includes inductive coupling of long duration repetitive current pulses onto the circuit under test, measurement and display of induced current pulses, and display of induced current pulses on an oscilloscope.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for measurement of very small circuit resistances (0.01 ohm or less) without disconnection of the circuit.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) hardness assurance maintenance and surveillance programs and system life cycle study programs have been established by all branches of the military which have fielded systems with EMP survival requirements. A major portion of these programs is concerned with measurement of cable shield degradation over the lifetime of the system so that short and long term maintenance actions can be planned. To support these programs, several computer based data collection systems featuring network analyzers have been built or are planned. Computer controlled network analyzers provide the capability to collect, process, and store large amounts of high quality data in the form of transfer impedance (Zt) vs frequency plots to 200 MHZ and beyond. These systems emphasize the high frequency response characteristics of the Zt plots to estimate degradation of cable shields. The guiding principle is that holes in the weave of the shield material tend to enlarge as the cable degrades and these cause high frequency resonant peaks to appear in the Zt vs frequency characteristic. Although the use of Zt plots in a 200 MHZ bandwidth allows the data analyst to diagnose cable connector problems accurately and to track gradual deterioration of cable shields over the lifetime of the cable, the method has several drawbacks. First, the cable under test must be disconnected from its equipment and placed in a special cable test fixture. Removal of a cable from its normal environment may eliminate sources of shield degradation which may not be detected in the fixture. The problem may exist in the panel of the equipment from which the cable was removed. Second, the Zt method may yield uninterpretable results at high frequencies when the cable under test is a multi-branch cable. Also, a Zt vs frequency plot may be required for each branch. Third, computer controlled network analyzer systems are very expensive to build and to operate; thus, few systems will be available on short notice and one system may have a heavy case load. Typically, these systems are built into vans or shelters which are periodically transported to sites in the field for scheduled maintenance testing. The time interval between maintenance visits may be as long as a year. Thus, a readily correctable shield flaw may go undetected until the cable can be tested. If the flaw is not with the cable itself, the problem will go undetected despite Zt testing.
The subject inductively coupled low resistance measurement technique is proposed as a very inexpensive complement to the more orthodox method. Since the subject invention can be inexpensively mass produced and can be easily used by relatively unskilled personnel, it may be cost effectively distributed to units in the field. Many of the problems detectable via the subject invention can be repaired on the spot by such actions as cleaning threads on a connector backshell or tightening the coupling nut of a panel connector. With additional effort, the method and apparatus can be adapted to the inspection of conductors in the grounding systems of computer and communications facilities (fixed sites). The method and apparatus could be used to inspect for resistive joints that may develop in ground conductors.
Flaws in the shields of cables can usually be traced to connectors. These flaws which can result from improper bond between cable shield and connector backshell, mechanical stress, or metal oxide buildup at connector junctions, introduce resistances in series with the cable shield and reduce the overall effectiveness of the shield. When such flaws are present, they can be sometimes detected by the above described measurements of transfer impedance vs frequency obtained with a network analyzer or by direct measurement of cable shield resistance obtained with a milliohmeter. The presence of a flaw in the shield will be indicated by an increase in transfer impedance (ohms/length) or shield resistance (ohms) above a previously established maximum allowable value. Typical acceptable values of shield resistance of cables in real systems will range from ten milliohms (0.01 ohm) to several tenths of ohms depending upon such cable parameters as length, diameter, characteristics of the shield material, and allowable junction resistances.
It is not always desirable to attempt detection of cable shield flaws by measurements of transfer impedance or shield resistance by the standard techniques. Both techniques require that the equipment terminating the cable under test be disconnected. When measurements are made on a cable disconnected from its equipment, a serious flaw may go undetected. Disconnection may relieve the mechanical stress that caused the flaw or may eliminate a resistive junction between cable connector and equipment connector. Also, the shield flaw may exist, not within the cable, but at the junction between equipment connector and equipment enclosure. Thus, inspection for flaws in cable shields should be done with the cable connected to its terminating equipment so that all sources of shield degradation will be present in the measurement environment. Therefore, detection of flaws and degradation in cable shields translates to measurement of low valued resistances without disconnecting the circuit under test.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an inductively coupled low resistance measurement method and apparatus which can be used without disconnecting the circuit under test.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an inexpensive cable test set that works in combination with a user supplied portable oscilloscope that provides a continuous display of a pulsed current waveform induced on a cable by the test set.

United States of America as represented by the Secretary of The Army


A frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar is described. The radar includes a first discriminator for receiving a portion of the swept frequency signal generated by a frequency sweep generator and for producing a reference difference-frequency signal of frequency equal to the difference between the frequency of the swept frequency signal and the frequency of a time displaced swept frequency signal derived from the swept frequency signal. An analogue-to-digital converter is provided for sampling the target difference-frequency signal at a rate derived from the frequency of the reference difference-frequency signal. A processor (88) for determining frequency components of the digitized target difference-frequency signal is arranged to determine for at least one frequency component of the digitized target difference-frequency signal any phase difference between frequency sweeps of said swept frequency signal. The radar may be used for detecting foreign object debris (FOD) on runway surfaces and the like. A corresponding method of operating an FMCW radar is also described.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to Frequency Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) radar and in particular to a coherent FMCW radar device and a method of FMCW radar operation.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
FMCW radar systems are well known and have been widely used in a variety of applications for many years. In such systems the range to a target is measured by systematically varying the frequency of a transmitted radio frequency (RF) signal. Typically, the radar is arranged so that the transmitted frequency varies linearly with time; for example a triangular or saw-tooth frequency sweep is implemented. This frequency sweep effectively places a "time stamp" on the transmitted signal at every instant and the frequency difference between the transmitted signal and the signal returned from a target (i.e. the reflected or received signal) can be used to provide a measure of target range.
It is also well known to those skilled in the art that the accuracy of range measurements made using an FMCW radar depend on the linearity of the frequency sweep. In a typical FMCW radar, a voltage controlled oscillator (VCO) is used to convert a voltage variation into a corresponding frequency variation. Although it is trivial to produce a high quality linear voltage variation (e.g. a triangular or saw-tooth waveform), conversion to the corresponding frequency variation by the VCO often results in the introduction of significant non-linearities that seriously degrade the range resolution of the FMCW radar. A number of different approaches have thus been adopted over the years with the aim of improving the frequency sweep linearity of FMCW radar systems.
For example, attempts have been made to produce VCOs that are inherently linear. In particular, YIG oscillators are now produced by Micro Lambda Wireless Inc, Freemont, Calif., USA in which a fine-tuning coil produces a frequency sweep linearity of, at best, 0.1%. It is also known to modify or pre-distort the voltage tuning signal applied to a standard VCO to compensate for any non-linearity in the VCO response characteristics. A number of analogue and digital pre-distortion techniques have been proposed which can improve VCO linearity to better than about 1%. This level of linearity has been found to be sufficient for certain low cost FMCW radar applications.
It has also been described previously in GB2083966 and GB1589047 how non-linear frequency sweep effects can be reduced by sampling a return signal in a non-linear manner. In particular, GB2083966 and GB1589047 describe how an artificial, fixed range, target may be used to generate a "beat" frequency from which a stream of sampling pulses can be derived. The interval between such sampling pulses would be constant for a perfectly linear frequency sweep, but will vary if the frequency sweep is non-linear. Use of a sample-and-hold circuit to sample the returned signal (i.e. the signal returned by a real target) thus compensates for any non-linearities in the frequency sweep of the transmitted signal.
To date, the most commonly used technique for improving the linearity of FMCW radars is closed loop feedback. Closed loop feedback techniques have been implemented in a variety of ways but they are all based upon creating an artificial target which generates a "beat" frequency when mixed with a reference signal. In a perfectly linearised FMCW radar a fixed range target would produce a constant "beat" frequency. Therefore, in a practical FMCW radar, if the "beat" frequency drifts from the desired constant frequency value an error signal can be generated to fine tune the VCO to maintain a constant "beat" frequency. This feedback technique can be implemented at the final RF frequency of the radar or at a lower, downconverted, frequency. Waveforms having a linearity better than 0.05% have been demonstrated with a bandwidth of around 600 MHz. An example of a closed loop feedback loop arrangement is described in the paper "Novel 24 GHz FMCW Front End with 2.45 GHz SAW Reference Path for High-Precision Distance Measurements" by M Nalezinski, M Vossiek, P Heide, (Siemens AG, Munich), IEEE MTT-S International Microwave Symposium, Prague, June 1997.
It should be noted that FMCW radar systems of the type described above operate incoherently. In other words, the radars only output information related to the frequency shift between the transmitted and returned signals; the radars are not able to measure the difference in phase between transmitted and returned signals. Although an incoherent radar system is suitable for many applications, the provision of a coherent system has many advantages. For example, coherent systems allow Doppler processing to determine information on the velocity of detected targets. Furthermore, coherent integration over N frequency sweeps improves the signal to noise ratio (SNR) by a factor of N. This should be contrasted to the SNR increase of √{square root over (N)} typically obtained using incoherent integration of N frequency sweeps.
Despite the clear benefits of coherent operation, the requirement to not only control the linearity of the frequency sweep but to also control the absolute frequency of each sweep has limited the development of coherent FMCW radar systems. At operating frequencies less than around 20 GHz, VCOs have been produced that have sufficient frequency stability to enable coherent operation. Attempts have also been made to implement coherent FMCW radar using direct digital synthesis (DDS). Although DDS allows the production of repeatable waveforms, it can only provide such waveforms at frequencies up to around 1 GHz. The DDS waveform must then be up-converted or multiplied to the final RF frequency or be included in a phase locked loop circuit. The up-conversion technique involves a local oscillator which will drift with frequency and does not lend itself to coherent operation. The phase locked loop technique can provide coherent operation at frequencies below 20 GHz but the phase noise of the transmitted signal is very poor resulting in poor radar sensitivity. To date, the benefits of coherent FMCW radar operation have thus been restricted to DDS radars operating at frequencies less than 20 GHz.

Coherent frequency modulated continuous wave radar


A system for use in delivering a thrombolytic agent to a firm obstruction in a blood vessel by effecting longitudinal extension of the distal infusion segment of an infusion device through the obstruction as the obstruction is dissolved by the delivery of the thrombolytic agent. The infusion device is inserted into the lumen of an introducer to straighten the distal infusion segment and the assembly is advanced through a selected path in a patient's vascular system to the obstructed site. The distal infusion segment is advanced from a distal end opening of the introducer sheath lumen and assumes the pre-biased J-shaped bend configuration when positioned that tends to present the infusion port in a side wall toward the obstruction. A spring loaded assembly is coupled between the proximal ends of the infusion device and the introducer catheter that applies a force axially along the body of the infusion device against the resistance of the obstruction in contact with the distal infusion segment. As the dissolving agent is delivered and the obstruction dissolves, the distal infusion segment tunnels through the soft obstruction under the influence of the applied axial force.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to medical devices for use in delivering a thrombolytic agent to a firm obstruction in a blood vessel and particularly to such a device having a configuration and system for effecting longitudinal extension through the firm obstruction as the obstruction is dissolved by the delivery of the thrombolytic agent.
2. Description of the Background Art
The acute symptoms of blockage of a vein at a venous valve or a partially sclerosed and narrowed artery may be instigated by the presence of a soft obstruction or blood clot that is soft and jelly-like in consistency. Such blood clots may form for a variety of reasons in the vascular system and be released and flow until they block a partially occluded section of the blood vessel. When this clot blocks a vessel in the leg, for example, the resultant pain or loss of circulation requires its removal or dissolution.
Such soft obstructions are readily penetrated but reform after the penetrating object is removed. To effect the initial opening of a soft obstruction, thrombolytic drugs or clot dissolving agents may be applied through an infusion catheter inserted into the clot to encourage the dissolution of the clot. For example, the infusion catheter disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,635 is proposed to be introduced over a guidewire previously advanced through the soft obstruction and be used for infusion of thrombolytic drugs (as well as diagnostic agents, in other procedures) out side wall openings into contact with the soft obstruction.
Some obstructions or blood clots are not "soft" and are not subject to easy penetration by a guidewire or convertible wire and consequently are characterized as "firm" obstructions. The typical treatment is to gain access to one end of the firm obstruction and to infuse the thrombolytic agent in proximity to that end to dissolve it. In the use of conventional infusion guidewires, convertible wires or catheters for introducing the dissolving agent in such a fashion, it is not always possible to direct a concentration of the dissolving agent into the firm obstruction, where the infused agent would provide the most benefit. Some of the infused thrombolytic agent has the desired effect while the majority of the agent flows away from the site.
It would be desirable to provide local delivery of dissolving agents to a firm obstruction or firm blood clot to magnify the therapeutic effects while minimizing the complications, e.g. bleeding, of systemically delivered thrombolytic agents. Similarly, it would be desirable to apply and concentrate such agents into the firm obstruction as it shrinks in response to the treatment. Despite the advances and improvements in treatment that have been introduced in recent years, a need remains for an infusion guidewire and catheter that provides a simple and less expensive way to assure delivery of drugs or agents into a firm obstruction to achieve its rapid dissolution and restoration of blood flow through the blood vessel.
One way to speed the penetration and dissolution of the firm obstruction would be to apply firm pressure against the accessed end thereof as the agent is infused. However, despite efforts to make the tips of catheters and infusion guidewires soft, the application of force to penetrate a firm obstruction is problematic since any mistake in positioning of the tip may cause it to penetrate through the vessel wall or tunnel sub-intimal passageways alongside the vessel lumen and to pass by the firm obstruction without treating it.

Longitudinally extendable infusion device


A method is provided for adapting the data transfer rate of a data flow in a communication device according to which: the data flow can be subdivided into at least one data block containing transmission bits to be transmitted; the transmission bits are formed by a coding process from information-carrying input bits; transmission bits determined from a data block of the data flow are removed (punctured) in order to adapt the data transfer rate; a puncturing pattern stipulates which transmission bits are to be removed, and; the puncturing pattern is constructed in such a manner that transmission bits are preferably removed that, during the coding process, depend on few input bits. The present invention also relates to a corresponding communication device.

Different applications in communications systems mostly operate with different data rates. But the underlying transmission channels, however, mostly offer, because they are embedded into certain transmission formats, only a fixed data transmission rate or a raw data transmission rate or only a discrete set of such data rates. Thus, it will be necessary, in general, to match the data rates to each other at the corresponding interface. This is described below using an example from the UMTS standardization.
At present, work is in progress on standardizing what is known as the UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) mobile radio standard for third-generation mobile radio devices. In accordance with the known current state of UMTS standardization there is provision for subjecting the data to be transferred via a high frequency channel to channel coding, in which case convolutional codes are particularly used. The data to be transmitted is coded redundantly by channel coding which makes a more reliable retrieval of the transmitted data possible on the receiver side. The code used in each case for channel coding is characterized by its code rate r=k/n, where k is the number of data bits or message bits to be transmitted and n is the number of the bits present after encoding. As a rule, the smaller the code rate the more powerful the coding. A problem associated with coding, however, is that the data rate is reduced by a factor of r.
Rate matching is performed in the transmitter to adapt the data rate of the coded data stream to the relevant possible transmission rate with bits being either removed from the data stream in accordance with a specific pattern or duplicated in the data stream. The removal of bits is the called "puncturing" and the duplication is called "repetition".
According to the current status of UMTS standardization, it is proposed for rate matching that an algorithm be used which performs puncturing with an almost regular puncturing pattern, with the bits to be punctured being distributed equidistantly over the coded data block to be punctured in each case.
In addition, it is known that for convolutional coding the bit error rate (BER) decreases at the edge of a correspondingly coded data block. It is also known that the bit error rate within a data block can be changed locally by regularly distributed puncturing. It is further known from WO 01/26273A1 and WO 01/39421 A1 that it is advantageous to puncture the individual data blocks of the data stream for adapting the data rate in accordance with a specific puncturing pattern, in which case the puncturing pattern is designed in such a way that it features a puncturing rate that increases constantly from a middle area of the individual data block to at least one end of the individual data block.
An object of the present invention is, thus, to specify a method for adapting the data rate of a data stream in a communications device as well as a corresponding communications device which guarantees a satisfactory bit error rate and can be used, in particular, in mobile radio systems with convolutional coding.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and communications device for adapting the data transfer rate in a communications device


Provided are an apparatus and method for coating a separator. The method includes supplying a coating solution to a receiving chamber; applying the coating solution received in the receiving chamber to a surface of the separator through a coating bar; collecting coating solution overflowing the receiving chamber by a collection chamber surrounding the receiving chamber; and returning coating solution from the collection chamber to the receiving chamber through a return line.

1. Field
Embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for coating a separator for secondary batteries.
2. Description of the Related Art
Separators used for secondary batteries may be porous films fabricated by uniaxially or biaxially orienting a polyolefin polymer such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The heat resistance of separators may be increased using a method of adding inorganic materials having high heat resistance to a separator, a method of fabricating a separator using materials having high heat resistance, or a method of coating one or both sides of a prefabricated polyolefin porous separator with inorganic particles having heat resistance. Heat resistant layers for increasing heat resistance may be formed by lamination, co-extrusion, or coating.

Apparatus for coating a separator having collection chamber and method for coating the separator


A connector assembly (100) adapted to be mounted onto a panel (8) includes a housing (1) having a number of keys (107, 108) on exterior surfaces thereof, a number of contacts (2) received in the housing, and a fixing pusher (6) attached to the housing along a first direction. The fixing pusher includes a finger operable main body (60) and a forwardly extending filling bar (61). The keys are adapted to pass through the panel along the first direction and engage with the panel after a movement of the housing relative to the panel along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The main body of the fixing pusher is directly pushed by a user to bring the filling bar into engagement with the panel, and thus, safely mounts the connector assembly onto the panel in a floating manner.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a connector assembly, and more particularly to a connector assembly which can be easily held for mounting on a panel in a floating manner.
2. Description of Related Art
Cable connector assemblies are widely used for signal or power transmission between personal computers and peripheral equipments. Such a cable connector assembly is usually needed to be mounted to a panel on which a plurality of connectors are arranged side by side to form a sub module.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,547,591 (U.S. Cl. 439/557, 558) discloses a panel-mounting connector with resilient retaining members latching to the panel. U.S. Pat. No. 6,017,233 (U.S. Cl. 439/248, 247) discloses a panel mounting connector with locking portions latching to floating retaining caps for performing the floating retention thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 6,210,215 (U.S. 439/545, 564) discloses a panel mounting connector assembled to the panel in an L-shaped moving path.
Hence, an improved panel mounted connector system is highly desired to obtain a convenient, easy, and reliable attachment with the panel.


An animal repellant apparatus, particularly for protecting trash cans, comprises a mat of rubber, plastic, or other elastomeric material equipped with a system of wires and a source of electric current for shocking and repelling animals. The mat has at least one central opening to receive a trash can and a switch actuated by placing a trash can in position. The mat has a plurality of parallel grooves and ridges in the upper surface thereof with drainage holes extending through the bottom of the grooves to assist in draining off rainwater. A system of wires is provided on the surface of said ridges and a source of electric power provided to energize the wires sufficiently to shock an animal without killing it and without danger to humans, adult or child. The electric power source is connected to the wires so that alternate wires are connected to one side or the other side thereof whereby any animal stepping thereon will be shocked and repelled therefrom.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to new and useful improvements in animal repellant apparatus and more particularly, apparatus for protecting trash cans and the like from animals.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Silverman, U.S. Pat. No. 2,297,193, discloses a garbage can holder comprising a base and a supporting railing which prevents the garbage can or trash can from being overturned. This may provide some physical protection against animals.
Adams, U.S. Pat. No. 1,165,485, discloses an electrically charged or energized grid arranged to be supported on the ground or on a floor for guarding the entrances to rooms, dwellings, vaults, business houses, and the like for protection against thieves and burglars. The apparatus carries a sufficient electric charge to kill or severely injure a person stepping on it.
Barcroft, U.S. Pat. No. 2,187,928, discloses an arrangement of electric conductors or strips on a floor or a mat arranged to activate a burglar alarm. The strips are electric conductors and may be metal foil or metal paint applied to a floor or to a matting.
Additionally, it is known to provide electrically energized wire fences for enclosing livestock and it is also known to use electrically energized portable prods for manipulating livestock and other animals.
The prior art, however, does not disclose any simple, electrically energized animal repellant apparatus for protecting trash cans and the like which would not kill an animal or injure a human, adult or child, and particularly, does not disclose apparatus of this type which would be free from shorting out by rainwater.


A substrate defining an insulating surface layer portion and formed with a wiring groove filled with a wiring line the wiring line is electrically connected to a conductive member. The conductive member occupies an area larger than an area of the wiring line as viewed along a line parallel to a normal to the first surface. An insulating first film is formed on the first surface. A via hole is formed through the first film. The via hole is formed so that a boundary between the wiring line and the insulating surface layer portion passes through the inside of the via hole. The bottom of the via hole is observed with an apparatus for obtaining image information by utilizing secondary electrons and reflection electrons, to judge whether a state of the bottom of the via hole is accepted or rejected.

This application is based on Japanese patent application 2001-313706, filed on Oct. 11, 2001, the whole contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
A) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device manufacturing method and a semiconductor device, and more particularly to a semiconductor device manufacturing method with an inspection for hole opening for via holes to be formed through an insulating film on a wiring layer, and to semiconductor devices manufactured by such a method.
B) Description of the Related Art
Several inspection methods for hole opening are known for inspecting whether a via hole formed through an interlayer insulating film reaches the surface of the underlying layer of the interlayer insulating film.
FIG. 12A is a cross sectional view showing a peripheral area of a via hole to be inspected by the inspection method for hole opening disclosed in JP-A-60-109240. On an underlying interlayer insulating film 500, a wiring line 501 is formed. An upper interlayer insulating film 502 formed on the interlayer insulating film 500 covers the wiring line 501. A via hole 503 is formed through the interlayer insulating film 502. The via hole 503 is disposed so that the edge of the wiring line 501 passes through the bottom area of the via hole 503, as viewed along a line parallel to the normal to the substrate surface.
If the via hole 503 reaches the wiring line 501, a step formed by the wiring line 501 can be observed when the bottom of the via hole is observed with a scanning electron microscope (SEM). If the via hole 503 does not reach the wiring line 501, a step by the wiring line cannot be observed.
An inspection for opening of the via hole 503 can therefore be made relying upon whether the step by the wiring line 501 can be observed.
As shown in FIG. 12B, if the edge of a wiring line 507 to be formed on an interlayer insulating film 505 having a via hole 506 is disposed in the opening of the via hole, it is possible to detect an alignment shift between the layer formed with the via hole 506 and the layer disposed with the wiring line, by observing the step on the bottom of the via hole 506.
FIGS. 13A and 13B are cross sectional views showing peripheral areas of via holes to be inspected by the inspection method for hole opening disclosed in JP-A4-12531.
As shown in FIG. 13A, a wiring line 511 is disposed on an underlying interlayer insulating film 510. An upper interlayer insulating film 512 disposed on the interlayer insulating film 510 covers the wiring line 511. The region of the interlayer insulating film 512 above the wiring line 511 is swelled, and the interlayer insulating film 512 becomes thicker near in the central area of the wiring line 511. Therefore, as a via hole 513 is formed in an area corresponding to the wiring line 511, residues 514 are likely to be left on the wiring line 511. The left residues 514 make it difficult to detect a step of the wiring line 511.
As shown in FIG. 13B, if two wiring lines 511 are juxtaposed, the upper surface of an interlayer insulating film 512 between the two wiring lines 511 can be made generally flat. If a via hole overriding at least one of the two wiring lines is formed in the interlayer insulating film 512, residues are not left on the wiring lines 511 and a step of the wiring line or lines 511 can be detected easily.
FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view showing a peripheral area of via holes to be inspected by the inspection method for hole opening disclosed in JP-A-11-297777. On the surface of a semiconductor substrate 520, an interlayer insulating film 521 is formed on which a wiring line 522 is formed. The wiring line 522 is electrically connected to the semiconductor substrate 520 via a via hole 523 formed through the interlayer insulating film 521.
An upper interlayer insulating film 524 formed on the interlayer insulating film 521 covers the wiring line 522. Via holes 525 are formed in the interlayer insulating film 524 to expose the partial upper surfaces of the wiring line 522. The bottom of each via hole 525 observed with a SEM is bright if the wiring line 522 is exposed, and dark if the via hole 525 does not reach the wiring line 522.
Even if the wiring line 522 is exposed on the bottom of the via hole 525, the brightness of the bottom of the via hole lowers if electrons are accumulated in the wiring line 522, and this case cannot be discriminated from the case that the via hole 525 does not reach the wiring line 522. The structure that the wiring line 522 is connected to the semiconductor substrate 520 as shown in FIG. 14 can prevent accumulation of electrons in the wiring line 522.
As compared to a conventional method of forming a wiring line by patterning a metal layer through reactive ion etching (RIE), a damascene method can satisfy more easily high integration requirements of semiconductor integrated circuit devices and can expect a reduction in the number of processes. The damascene method has therefore drawn attention and is suitable for forming a copper wiring with a lowered wiring resistance.
FIG. 15A is a cross sectional view showing a peripheral area of a via hole during a process of forming a copper wiring by a damascene method. In a wiring groove formed in a surface layer of an underlying interlayer insulating film 530, a copper wiring line 532 is embedded. In order to prevent copper diffusion, the inner surface of the wiring groove is covered with a barrier metal layer 531 of tantalum (Ta) or the like.
On the interlayer insulating film 530, a silicon nitride (SiN) film 533, a silicon oxide (SiO2) film 534, a low dielectric constant insulating film 535, an SiO2 film 536, and an SiN film 537 are laminated in this order from the bottom. This lamination structure is formed with a via hole 538 which exposes a partial upper surface of the copper wiring line 532. A wiring groove 539 is formed overlapping the via hole 538, and reaches the bottom of the low dielectric constant insulating film 535.
FIG. 15B shows a SEM photograph showing the peripheral area of the via hole 538. Since the bottom of the via hole 538 is dark, it is not possible to judge whether the copper wiring line 532 is exposed.
FIG. 15C is a cross sectional view showing the peripheral area of a via hole 538A wherein the via hole 538A is slightly shifted from a copper wiring line 532 so that the edge of the copper wiring line 532 passes through the bottom area of the via hole 538A. The via hole 538A is formed by etching the lamination structure to the bottom of the SiO2 film 534 by using the SiN film 533 as an etching stopper film and thereafter removing the SiN film 533 exposed on the bottom of the via hole.
The etching conditions for the SiN film 533 are usually set so that the interlayer insulating film 530 and copper wiring line 532 are scarcely etched. Therefore, a step corresponding to the edge of the copper wiring line 532 is not formed.
FIG. 15D is a SEM photograph showing the peripheral area of the via hole 538A. Almost the whole area of the bottom of the via hole 538A is observed dark and the boundary between the copper wiring line 532 and interlayer insulating film 503 cannot be detected. This is because there is no step as opposed to the conventional example shown in FIG. 12A.
The inspection for hole opening without utilizing a step is possible for the conventional case shown in FIG. 14. However, as a diameter of the via hole 525 becomes small, a difference between darkness and brightness of the exposed and unexposed wiring lines 522 becomes small so that highly reliable inspection for hole opening is not possible.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device manufacturing method capable of performing highly reliable inspection for hole opening even if a step is not formed on the bottom of a via hole and the diameter of the via hole is small.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a semiconductor device manufactured by the above-described semiconductor device manufacturing method.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device manufacturing method comprising steps of: (a) forming a first film of insulating material on a first surface defined on a substrate, the substrate having a surface layer portion made of insulating material and formed with a wiring groove filled with wiring line of conductive material, an upper surface of the wiring line being exposed on the first surface, the wiring line being electrically connected to a conductive member, and the conductive member occupying an area larger than an area of the wiring line as viewed along a line parallel to a normal to the first surface; (b) forming a via hole through the first film, the via hole being formed so that a boundary between the wiring line and the surface layer portion of insulating material passes through the inside of the via hole as viewed along a line parallel to the normal to the first surface; and (c) observing a bottom of the via hole with an apparatus for obtaining image information by utilizing secondary electrons and reflection electrons from a specimen, to judge whether a state of the bottom of the via hole is accepted or rejected.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor device comprising: a substrate defining a first surface, the substrate having a surface layer portion made of insulating material and formed with a wiring groove filled with a wiring line of conductive material, an upper surface of the wiring line being exposed on the first surface, the wiring line being electrically connected to a first conductive member, and the first conductive member occupying an area larger than an area of the wiring line as viewed along a line parallel to a normal to the first surface; a first film made of insulating material and formed on the first surface of the substrate; a via hole formed in the first film, the via hole being disposed so that a boundary line between the wiring line and the surface layer portion of insulating material passes through the inside of the via hole as viewed along a line parallel to the normal to the first surface; and a second conductive member filled in the via hole and connected to the wiring line at a bottom of the via hole, wherein a bottom of said second conductive member has no step at a position corresponding to an edge of the wiring line.
Since the wiring lines are connected to a large conductive member, accumulation of charges in the wiring lines can be reduced and a clear image can be obtained by utilizing the intensity distribution of secondary electrons and reflection electrons. Since the boundary line between each wiring line and surface layer portion passes through the bottom area of the via hole, it can be judged whether the wiring line is exposed or not, by detecting a presence/absence of the boundary line on the bottom of the via hole.

Semiconductor device manufacturing method capable of reliable inspection for hole opening and semiconductor devices manufactured by the method


A circuit comprises a first metal-oxide semiconductor, MOS, power transistor having a first gate terminal, a first drain terminal, and a first source terminal, a second MOS power transistor having a second gate terminal, a second drain terminal, and a second source terminal, and a switch connected in-between the first gate terminal and the second gate terminal and configured to selectively couple the first gate terminal and the second gate terminal.

Power switches are conventionally used to selectively couple a load with a supply voltage. In recent years, "smart" power switch devices have been developed which are equipped with one or more diagnostic abilities and protection features, for example against failure conditions such as overload and short circuit. For example, in such power switch devices a MOS power transistor may be used as switching element. The MOS power transistor may be operated in a defined state, e.g., high-resistivity state, in case of a failure condition.
Certain applications require driving higher loads and/or reducing power losses. To achieve such goals, it is possible to implement a plurality of MOS power transistors in the circuit and provide the circuit with the ability to support a parallel channel configuration: here, the load is connected in series to the plurality of MOS power transistors and the MOS power transistors are connected in parallel. In the parallel channel configuration, in the low-resistivity state of the power switch, the current through each MOS power transistor of the plurality of MOS power transistors is reduced; thereby, the overall current drawn by the load—corresponding to the sum of currents through the plurality of MOS power transistors—can be increased. A smaller current through an individual power transistor also reduces the dissipated power of that power transistor.
It has been observed that protecting the MOS power transistors against failure conditions can be difficult in such a parallel channel configuration.

MOS power transistors in parallel channel configuration


An integral light and support provides illumination in areas where temporary lighting is desirable and elongate members such as studs or joists are readily available. The light and support includes a mount assembly which has a diagonal support member having a first bracket on one extreme end of the diagonal support member and a second bracket on another opposite end of the diagonal support member and which brackets conform to opposite sides of the elongate member. Friction between the elongate member and the first and second brackets along with torque produced by having a center of mass of the integral light and support extended away from the front of the elongate member create sufficient force to hold the light in place on the elongate member. The light is readily relocatable on the elongate member by a user by placing the light and support adjacent to the elongate member and rotating. The light and support may also be suspended from a flat wall having nails protruding from the surface through attachment to nail grooves provided. The integral light and support has a light housing that is pivotable and rotatable to direct the light in a variety of different areas without movement of the entire light and support. An electric outlet assembly may also be provided which allows a user to access electric power for operation of other electrical appliances. The integral light and support may also be attachable to elongate members having low friction surfaces without sliding by adjusting of a tightening pin located along the diagonal support member which applies additional force for applying greater friction force.

Effective temporary lighting is very important in situations where activities occur at night or in areas where, for various reasons, permanent lighting is not in place. A need exists for the temporary lighting to be easily and securely positioned and yet also easily detachable for removal after the lighting necessity passes. In many locations where temporary lighting is required an abundance of narrow elongate structures are available.
In a construction site environment, where work may be performed after dark or in poorly lit areas or in enclosed buildings, which block sunlight, a plurality of erect rectangular cross-section studs are frequently exposed. While some lighting devices exist which can be attached to the readily available studs and other elongate members, none of these devices exhibit the ready adjustability, connectability and disconnectability of the instant device. Another constant need in the construction environment and in other environments where permanent lighting is not available is for a standard electrical outlet providing standard power for running various electric appliances.
No devices known in the prior art provide both the necessary lighting along with providing an integral electric outlet. The device of this invention provides both lighting and an electrical outlet in a structure which is easily connectable and disconnectable from elongate members. Accordingly, a new and useful lighting device is provided.
The following prior art reflects the state of the art of which applicant is aware and is included herewith to discharge applicant's acknowledged duty to disclose relevant prior art. It is stipulated, however, that none of these references teach singly nor render obvious when considered in any conceivable combination the nexus of the instant invention as disclosed in greater detail hereinafter and as particularly claimed.
______________________________________ INVENTOR PATENT NO. ISSUE DATE ______________________________________ F. Beauront, Jr. 175,407 March 28, 1876 A. L. Stanford 730,580 June 9, 1903 D. C. Lamb 1,105,083 July 28, 1914 L. Fort 1,129,285 February 23, 1915 W. J. Myers 1,499,242 June 24, 1924 Johnston 3,746,294 July 17, 1973 Bourhenne Des. 229,821 January 8, 1974 Bourhenne 3,837,597 September 24, 1974 Hubbard 4,228,485 October 14, 1980 Johnson 5,063,274 November 5, 1991 ______________________________________
The patent to Beaumont teaches the use of a stilt for attaching a platform to an elongate member in a manner allowing the device to support a person or other object. The attachment means of Beaumont includes two opposing, parallel restraining plates conforming to and engaging opposite sides of an elongate member. A platform coupled to the plates extends horizontally away from the elongate member such that when force is applied downwardly on the support, the opposite restraining plates are forced into the elongate member, thereby supporting the entire device above ground. While the device of the instant invention uses a coincidentally similar force couple concept to attain attachment to an elongate member, it is distinguished over Beaumont, inter alia, in that it utilizes this basic concept of static physics in providing an adjustable portable lighting device.
The patents to Stanford, Bourhenne, Johnson and Myers also teach the use of the basic concept first disclosed in the Beaumont patent. The device of this application is distinguishable from all of these inventions in that it utilizes this concept in conjunction with a temporary lighting device and in such a manner to provide a readily adjustable and engagible device.
The patent to Lamb teaches the use of an electric light support which is connectable to an elongate member. The device of the instant application is distinguishable from Lamb, inter alia, in that it attaches to the elongate member with only two restricting plates instead of the three required by Lamb. The Lamb device requires three points of contact to the elongate member, and that a portion of the device be flexible to snap around the elongate member. This requires that the Lamb device be installed by a user having two, free hands to distort the two outer contact points vis-a-vis a central contact to straddle the elongate member. It is therefore also difficult to readjust the light. The device of the instant invention is easily attachable by comparison and is detachable and adjustable by a user with only one hand, thereby allowing the user to keep the other hand free for other tasks. Furthermore, the Lamb device fails to provide an electrical outlet device whereas the device of this application provides an electric outlet device for providing power to various tools in the location proximate to the lighted area.
The patents to Fort, Johnston and Hubbard teach lights which use some form of the basic attachment principle utilized by the invention of this application. However, in each of these prior art patents the concept of easy attachment and detachment is not addressed leaving these devices flawed by comparison and unable to effectively address the needs associated with the temporary lighting environment.

Combined light and light support bracket


Disclosed is a covering designed to be attached to and along the bottom portion of chain-linked and other similar types of fencing in order to prevent grass and weeds from growing between the links. Produced in varying lengths from a rubber or plastic type material, the covering has an L-shaped profile that allows it to be placed along the bottom edge of the fencing resting on the ground and against the fence. The mowing strip portion of the L-shape guard that rests upon the ground extends out horizontally from the bottom of the fence serves a shield that will prevent plant growth along the fence line.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to chain link fencing, and more specifically to a fence guard that is used to line the lower perimeter of a chain link fence, preventing the growth of grass and weeds therein and providing a decorative border along the fence line.
2. Description of the Related Art
For those who use chain-linked fencing to serve as a property boundary, we know all to well of the difficulties and burdens associated with keeping grass and weeds from growing in between the fence links. The grass and weeds tend to become entangled in the fencing, making it difficult to remove even with conventional gas-powered line trimmers. The metal mesh fencing materials shield the grass and weeds and also tend to sever the trimmer filament line, forcing one to expend an excessive amount of time, effort and materials in order to complete the job. Alternatively, some people use chemical treatments to remove the grass and weeds, however this method is expensive and many people question the environmental effects associated with their use. Accordingly, the need has developed for a means by which one can prevent grass and weeds from growing in between chain-linked fencing and becoming entangled therein. The development of the present invention fencing cover fulfills this need by providing a decorative shield that attaches both to the bottom of the fencing and to the ground, providing a stable and effective shield that prevents the growth of grass and weeds along the fence line.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention. However, several references to vegetation shields for use with fencing were discovered. These devices neither anticipate nor disclose any embodiment that would preclude the novelty and the utilitarian functionality of the features of the present invention.
Several patents disclose fence guards that are used to prevent growth of grass and weeds along the bottom portion of a chain link fence or the like:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,595,175, issued in the name of Kauffman et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. 4,349,989, issued in the name of Snider Jr.;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,945,747, issued in the name of Cruz;
U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,096, issued in the name of Eccleston et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 352,643, issued in the name of Hoculik;
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 343,774, issued in the name of Cox et al.;
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 304,086, issued in the name of Eads; and
U.S. Pat. No. RE 33,037, issued in the name of Kauffman et al.
While the intent of these inventions is to prevent the growth of vegetation along the bottom of a chain link fence, these designs suffer from a variety of flaws that make them difficult to install and use. Designed to extend from beneath the fence on both sides from the bottom, installation would require that the guard be slid under the fence, the result being that a great deal of difficulty would be encountered in raising the fencing to the requisite height. These designs also incorporate minimal, if any, anchoring means by which to secure the guard in place on the ground beneath the fence. Many of these designs are unnecessarily complex, having a variety of connectors and special parts that are used to navigate around fence posts and corners that add both to the installation difficulty and to the cost of manufacture. Furthermore, these designs do not disclose any means by which to secure the guard to the fencing itself, creating the likelihood that the guard can shift out of place over time. Finally, many of these disclosures fail to take aesthetic qualities into consideration in the design of the fence guard.
While several features exhibited within these references may be incorporated into this invention, alone and in combination with other elements, the present invention is sufficiently different so as to make it distinguishable over the prior art.
The present invention consists of a covering designed to be attached to and along the bottom portion of chain-linked and other similar types of fencing in order to prevent grass and weeds from growing between the links. Produced in varying lengths from a rubber or plastic type material, the covering has an L-shaped profile that allows it to be placed along the bottom edge of the fencing resting on the ground and against the fence. The mowing strip portion of the L-shape guard that rests upon the ground extends out horizontally from the bottom of the fence serves a shield that will prevent plant growth along the fence line. The user simply cuts the guard to the appropriate length and places it along the fence line, spiking it into the ground with spikes and securing it to the fencing. Installed in place, the present invention prevents grass and weeds from growing between the fencing links and along the sides thereof, allowing the user to mow all of the grass adjacent to the fence with a lawn mower, alone, and eliminating the need to trim along the fence. Furthermore, use of the cover can help prevent injuries to people and pets associated with these types of fencing that occur often when feet slide under or become entangled therein. The material construction of the covering is of a rugged, durable quality designed to withstand years of use. Available in a variety of styles and colors, the present invention serves as a time-saving yard maintenance tool while adding aesthetic beauty to one""s yard.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a fence guard that prevents unwanted growth of grass and weeds along a fence line.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fence guard that minimizes the need to trim grass and weeds along a fence line, allowing the use of a lawnmower to trim the area adjacent to the fencing.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fence guard that can be used along a single side or both sides of a fence line.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fence guard that attaches both to the fencing and to the ground along which it lies, thus improving the stability of the fencing and the fence guard.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fence guard that attaches to a single side of the fencing, allowing the user to selectably use the guard on one side or both sides of a fence line.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fence guard that enhances the aesthetic beauty of the fence line to which it is attached.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fence guard that is of a single-piece construction that does not require the use of a variety of component pieces to navigate the corners and fence posts encountered while navigating a fence line.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a fence guard that is constructed of a strong, durable and flexible material that allows it to be closely molded along a fence line.
Finally, it is an object of the present invention to provide a fence guard that uses readily available materials and manufacturing methods, resulting in a cost-effective production.


Systems and methods which enable fast and simple identification of unauthorized users of cellular telephones are described. In one embodiment, the system includes a plurality of remote computers capable of communicating, e.g., via modem, to a central server which includes an electronic database having a plurality of data entries stored therein. The data stored in the database relates to cellular telephones. When a remote computer initiates communication with the server, the server prompts the user to enter a name and password. The server then checks whether the user is an authorized (valid) server user, and if the user is authorized, the main menu is displayed at the remote computer. Once the operator selects Cellular Tracking/Recovery, then the server causes an electronic serial number (ESN) menu to be displayed at the remote computer. The ESN menu enables an operator to select xe2x80x9cSearch for ESNxe2x80x9d (or by mobile identification number (MIN)) to obtain the relevant data. Once the user selects xe2x80x9cSearch for ESNxe2x80x9d, the user is then prompted to input the ESN or MIN which is the subject of the search. The server then searches for a match of the entered ESN or MIN in the database, and if a match is found, the relevant data is displayed at the remote computer. The type and amount of data displayed is controlled, in one embodiment, by the authorized access level of the user.

This invention relates generally to cellular devices such as cellular telephones and, more particularly, to systems and methods for assisting in detecting fraud associated with such cellular devices.
Unauthorized use of cellular telephones, e.g., due to theft, is an increasing problem as the use of such cellular devices becomes more widespread. The lost revenues associated with such unauthorized use are in the range of hundreds of millions of dollars, and possibly even up to billions of dollars. As such lost revenues continue to rise, there is an increasing need for effective systems and methods for detecting unauthorized use of cellular telephones.
Known methods which have been used in the past for monitoring such unauthorized use include use of a Personal Identification Number, or PIN, in connection with cellular telephones. With this known method, and prior to making a telephone call via the cellular telephone, the customer was required to enter a PIN number into the phone keypad. The PIN number was then checked, and if the PIN was a valid and authorized number, then the customer could proceed with making a call.
Use of PINs, however, was not widely accepted in the cellular industry. Particularly, requiring customers to remember and enter a PIN prior to making each telephone call was a significant burden and inconvenience for the customers. In addition, thieves were still able to steal the PIN along with the cellular telephone number.
Another known method for at least limiting the geographic area in which unauthorized users could make calls with a cellular device is generally referred to as a xe2x80x9cBrown Outxe2x80x9d method. With the xe2x80x9cBrown Outxe2x80x9d method, certain calling areas are blocked out from use so that a particular cellular telephone can be used in only limited geographic areas. For example, a cellular telephone authorized for use in the Baltimore area cannot be used to make a call in the Chicago area.
Although the xe2x80x9cBrown Outxe2x80x9d method has been somewhat successful in at least limiting the extent of unauthorized use, such method results in inconvenience for at least some customers who often travel from an authorized geographic area into an unauthorized geographic area. Further, by limiting the geographic areas in which xe2x80x9cauthorizedxe2x80x9d calls can be made, potential revenues are being lost by the cellular telephone companies.
Still another known method includes a computer based control program which tracks calls by tower locations and time. For example, if a call is made through a tower A in Sante Fe, N.Mex., and if another call is made five minutes later from the same number through a tower B in Little Rock, Ark., there is a strong likelihood that at least one of the calls is an unauthorized use. Therefore, the control program blocks at least the later in time call. While the tower tracking control program is useful and effective, such program is not necessarily effective in large cities such as New York or Chicago in which there may be many towers and many valid calls can be made close in time via different towers.
Yet another known method enables a police officer, or other law enforcement agent, to use the cell phone to access the carrier by entering a three digit code that automatically connects with the correct carrier servicing the phone. Particularly, upon identifying possible unauthorized use of a cellular telephone, the officer uses a three digit number from the phone to identify the carrier. After identifying the carrier, the officer then contacts a service which requests that the carrier contact the authorized customer for the subject cellular phone to obtain a release so that information regarding authorized users can be obtained.
Although such method is effective, it requires contacting the authorized user to obtain the release, and if the authorized user is unavailable, difficulties can arise in detaining the suspected unauthorized user. In addition, even if the authorized user is available to provide the release, completing the process may take longer than 20 minutes, which is the usual time period that a suspect can be lawfully detained by police.
In order to more effectively detect, and deter, unauthorized cellular telephone usage, it would be desirable to provide systems and methods which enable simple and fast identification of unauthorized users and are not limited by geographical location. In addition, it would be desirable if such systems and methods minimize inconvenience to authorized users and facilitate reducing lost revenues due to unauthorized use of cellular telephones.
These and other objects may be attained by systems and methods which enable fast and simple identification of unauthorized users of cellular telephones. More particularly, and in one aspect, the present invention is a tracking system which includes a plurality of remote computers capable of communicating, e.g., via modem, to a central server which includes an electronic database having a plurality of data entries stored therein. The data stored in the database relates to cellular telephones.
When a remote computer initiates communication with the server, the server prompts the user to enter a name and password. The server then checks whether the user is an authorized (valid) server user, and if the user is authorized, the main menu is displayed at the remote computer. Once the operator selects Cellular Tracking/Recovery, then the server causes an electronic serial number (ESN) menu to be displayed at the remote computer. The ESN menu enables an operator to select xe2x80x9cSearch for ESNxe2x80x9d (or by mobile identification number (MIN)) to obtain the relevant data.
Once the user selects xe2x80x9cSearch for ESNxe2x80x9d, the user is then prompted to input the ESN or MIN which is the subject of the search. The server then searches for a match of the entered ESN or MIN in the database, and if a match is found, the relevant data is displayed at the remote computer. The type and amount of data displayed is controlled, in one embodiment, by the authorized access level of the user.
The above described system and method are believed to more enable easy and quick identification of relevant information related to cellular telephones so that officers can more easily and quickly determine whether a particular user is authorized to use a particular telephone. In addition, the system and method are not limited by geographical location and do not present any substantial inconvenience to authorized cellular telephone users.

Cellular device authorized user tracking systems and methods