An improved Brassica hybrid plant and seed thereof designated 46P50 are provided. The Brassica hybrid produces seed having an average weight of oil per gram of mature dried seed that is between about 2.7 to 3.3 percentage points higher than that produced by current commercial hybrids when grown under the same environmental conditions. Also provided are methods for producing the hybrid plant, methods of oil and meal production, and methods of breeding with the hybrid plant.

Brassica species are increasingly important oilseed crops in many parts of the world. As a source of vegetable oil, Brassica presently ranks behind only soybeans and palm and is virtually tied with sunflowers for the number three position of commercial importance. The oil is used both as a salad oil and as a cooking oil throughout much of the world.
In its original form Brassica oil, often known as rapeseed oil, was found to have deleterious effects on human health due to its relatively high level of erucic acid which commonly is present in native cultivars in concentrations of 30 to 50 percent by weight based upon the total fatty acid content. Plant scientists identified a source of low erucic acid germplasm and used this germplasm to breed low erucic acid cultivars (Chapter 6 entitled "The Development of Improved Rapeseed Cultivars" by B. R. Stefansson from "High and Low Erucic Acid Rapeseed Oils" edited by John K. G. Kramer, Frank D. Sauer, and Wallace J. Pigden, Academic Press Canada (1983)).
In Canada, plant scientists focused their efforts on creating "double-low" varieties which were low in erucic acid in the oil and low in glucosinolates in the solid meal remaining after oil extraction (i.e., an erucic acid content of less than 2 percent by weight based upon the total fatty acid content, and a glucosinolate content of less than 30 micromoles per gram of the oil-free meal). These higher quality forms of rape developed in Canada are known as canola. In contrast, European scientists worked to achieve only "single-low" types which were low in erucic acid, but did not attempt to improve the quality of the solid meal which retained a glucosinolate content of about 100 micromoles per gram of oil-free meal.
The result of this major change in the fatty acid composition of rapeseed oil was the creation of a new oil profile which often contained approximately 8 to 15 percent by weight of alpha-linolenic acid, approximately 62 percent by weight of oleic acid based upon the total fatty acid content, and approximately 7 percent or more by weight of saturated fatty acids in the form of lauric acid (C12:0), myristic acid (C14:0), palmitic acid (C16:0), stearic acid (C18:0), arachidic acid (C20:0), behenic acid (C22:0) and lignoceric acid (C24:0) based upon the total fatty acid content. Since the overall percentage of oil in the seed did not change appreciably when the new low erucic cultivars were developed, it appeared that the erucic acid oil component had been redirected into other fatty acids within the oil (Chapter 7 entitled "The Introduction of Low Erucic Acid Rapeseed Varieties Into Canadian Production" by J. K. Daun from the previously identified Academic Press Canada (1983) publication; "Prospects for the Development of Rapeseed (B. napus L.) With Improved Linoleic and Linolenic Acid Content" by N. N. Roy and A. W. Tarr, (1987) Plant Breeding 98:89-96; and "Genetic Control of Fatty Acid Composition in Oilseed Crops" by R. K. Downey and D. G. Dorrell, Proc. Flax Inst. U.S.A. 47(3)1-3).
Canola oil presently consists of approximately 7 percent saturated fatty acids primarily in the form of stearic acid (C18:0) and palmitic acid (C16:0), approximately 62 percent by weight oleic acid (C18:1) which contains a single double bond per molecule, approximately 21 percent by weight linoleic acid (C18:2) which contains two double bonds per molecule, approximately 10 percent by weight linolenic acid (C18:3) which contains three double bonds per molecule, and less than one percent by weight erucic acid (C22:1) which contains a single double bond per molecule.
Over the years scientists have attempted to improve the fatty acids profile for canola oil (for example, Chapter 10 by Gerhard Röbbelen entitled "Changes and Limitations of Breeding for Improved Polyenic Fatty Acids Content in Rapeseed" from "Biotechnology for the Oils and Fats Industry" edited by Colin Ratledge, Peter Dawson, and James Rattray, American Oil Chemists' Society (1984)). Further, scientists have been attempting to increase the overall oil content of the seed. FIG. 1 shows the steady rise in oil content of Canadian canola cultivars over the past 20 years.
In addition to high oil, the plant must also exhibit optimum agronomic performance. Such agronomic performance includes excellent vigor, flowering propensity, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, plant yield, disease resistance and herbicide resistance. In order to produce high yielding lines that can compete with current commercial lines, hybrid performance is required. High oil content in the seed combined with a high yield per hectare, makes possible a very high oil yield per hectare.
The production of Brassica hybrids is challenging because Brassica plants, and in particular Brassica napus plants, are generally able to self pollinate, as both male and female sexual organs are present in each flower. Accordingly, a hybrid system is required. There are several hybrid systems available in Brassica, each with advantages and disadvantages. These include: (i) self incompatibility (SI), (ii) genetic male sterility (GMS), and (iii) cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS). In addition, there are several CMS systems available in Brassica, the most common being Ogura CMS.
In CMS systems, including Ogura CMS, the female line (A line) is male sterile by virtue of a mutation in the DNA of the mitochondria. The male line (also called the restorer line or R line) contains a restorer gene in the nuclear genome that restores male fertility in Ogura CMS plants. Restorer lines for Ogura CMS lines were originally available from Institut National de Recherche Agrocole (INRA) of Rennes, France (WO92/05251 and WO98/027806, which are herein incorporated by reference). A third line, the maintainer line or B line, is required to propagate the male sterile female line. This line is generally isogenic to the male sterile female line and differs only in the cytoplasm. A hybrid plant is produced when the female CMS line is pollinated by the male restorer line and seed is harvested from the female line. Accordingly, the genotype and the phenotype of the resulting hybrid seed and plant are determined by the genetics of the female and male parents. If the male restorer plant comprises a homozygous restorer gene, then every F1 hybrid seed will be fully restored and fertile. If the male restorer plant comprises a heterozygous restorer gene, then 50% of the F1 hybrid seed will be fully restored and fertile and 50% will be male sterile.
In Canada, Brassica grain is used primarily for oil production, as approximately 40-45% of the crushed seed is oil. There have been many attempts to alter the fatty acid profile of the oil as well as to increase the overall oil content. A higher oil yielding line could exact a premium for growers. Enhancing the oil content while simultaneously improving grain yield and agronomic traits is a major challenge for breeders (D. Hauska, C. Oertel, L. Alpmann, D. Stelling, H. Busch (2007) In Proceeding of 12th International Rapeseed Congress. Science Press USA Inc. NJ 08852, USA. pp 159-162). However, the combination of very high oil, very high grain yield, excellent agronomic performance and disease resistance in a cultivar has not been found in Brassica napus in nature, despite many years of evolution. In addition, the combination of high oil and excellent agronomic performance has not been developed in Brassica napus by man, despite over 35 years of active canola breeding in Western Canada, Europe, and Australia.


The interconnect structure of the present invention includes at least a gate insulator layer and an oxide semiconductor layer on a substrate, wherein the oxide semiconductor layer is a layered product having a first oxide semiconductor layer containing at least one element (Z group element) selected from the group consisting of In, Ga, Zn and Sn; and a second oxide semiconductor layer containing at least one element (X group element) selected from the group consisting of In, Ga, Zn and Sn and at least one element (Y group element) selected from the group consisting of Al, Si, Ti, Hf, Ta, Ge, W and Ni, and wherein the second oxide semiconductor layer is interposed between the first oxide semiconductor layer and the gate insulator layer. The present invention makes it possible to obtain an interconnect structure having excellent switching characteristics and high stress resistance, and in particular, showing a small variation of threshold voltage before and after the stress tests, and thereby having high stability.

As compared with widely used amorphous silicon (a-Si), amorphous (non-crystalline) oxide semiconductors have high carrier mobility (also called as field-effect mobility, which may hereinafter be referred to simply as "mobility"), high optical band gaps, and film formability at low temperatures, and therefore, have highly been expected to be applied for next generation displays, which are required to have large sizes, high resolution, and high-speed drives; resin substrates having low heat resistance; and others.
In the oxide semiconductors, amorphous oxide semiconductors consisting of indium, gallium, zinc and oxygen (In—Ga—Zn—O, which may hereinafter be referred to as "IGZO") have preferably been used, in particular, because of their having extremely high carrier mobility. For example, non-patent literature documents 1 and 2 disclose thin-film transistors (TFTs) in which a thin-film of an oxide semiconductor having an In:Ga:Zn ratio equal to 1.1:1.1:0.9 (atomic % ratio) was used as a semiconductor layer (active layer). In addition, patent document 1 discloses an amorphous oxide containing In, Zn, Sn, Ga and other elements, as well as Mo, in which the atomic composition ratio of Mo, relative to the number of all the metal atoms in the amorphous oxide, is from 0.1 to 5 atomic %. Examples of patent document 1 disclose TFTs using an active layer formed by addition of Mo to IGZO.
When an oxide semiconductor is used as a semiconductor layer of a thin-film transistor, the oxide semiconductor is required to have a high carrier concentration (mobility) and excellent TFT switching characteristics (transistor characteristics or TFT characteristics). More specifically, the oxide semiconductor is required to have, for example, (1) a high on-state current (i.e., the maximum drain current when a positive voltage is applied to both a gate electrode and a drain electrode); (2) a low off-state current (i.e., a drain current when a negative voltage is applied to the gate electrode and a positive voltage is applied to the drain voltage, respectively); (3) a low S value (Subthreshold Swing, i.e., a gate voltage needed to increase the drain current by one digit); (4) a stable threshold value (i.e., a voltage at which the drain current starts to flow when a positive voltage is applied to the drain electrode and either a positive voltage or a negative voltage is applied to the gate voltage, which voltage may also be called as a threshold voltage) showing no change with time (which means that the threshold voltage is uniform in the substrate surface); and (5) a high mobility.
Furthermore, TFTs using IGZO or other oxide semiconductor layers are required to have excellent resistance to stress such as voltage application and light irradiation (stress resistance). It is pointed out that, for example, when a voltage is continuously applied to the gate electrode or when light in a blue emitting band in which light absorption starts is continuously irradiated, charges are trapped on the boundary between the gate insulator layer and the semiconductor layer of a thin-film transistor, resulting in a variation of switching characteristics, such as a shift of the threshold voltage. In addition, for example, when a liquid crystal panel is driven or when a negative bias is applied to the gate electrode to turn on a pixel, the TFT is irradiated with light leaked out from the liquid crystal cell, and this light gives stress to the TFT to cause a deterioration in the characteristics. Indeed, when a thin-film transistor is used, a variation of switching characteristics due to stress by voltage application causes a lowering of reliability in a display devices itself, such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. For example, a variation of switching characteristics in an organic EL display creates a need to flow a current of several μA or higher for driving an organic EL element. Therefore, an improvement in the stress resistance (a small variation before and after the stress tests) has eagerly been desired.
The above-described deterioration in the TFT characteristics by stress such as voltage application or light irradiation is due to the formation of defects in the semiconductor itself or on the boundary between the semiconductor and the gate insulator layer during the stress tests. As the gate insulator layer, insulators such as SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3 and HfO2 are widely used in ordinary cases, but the boundary between the semiconductor layer and the insulator layer is an area where different materials come into contact with each other, and therefore, it is considered that defects are particularly liable to be formed. To improve stress resistance, the handling of this boundary between the semiconductor layer and the insulator layer seems to be particularly very important.
To solve the above problems, for example, patent document 2 discloses a method of controlling defects in grain boundaries to improve stability by the use of an amorphous oxide of In-M-Zn (M contains at least one of Ga, Al, Fe, Sn, Mg, Cu, Ge and Si) for a gate insulator layer. However, there is the possibility that the use of a method according to this document causes an increase of defects on the boundary between the gate insulator layer and the semiconductor layer, thereby lowering stability, because the gate insulator layer contains In liable to form oxygen defects.

Interconnect structure and sputtering target


There is provided a fiber optic connector holder adapted to selectively retain two or more fiber optic connectors that include a dust cap on the ferrule. The connector holder comprises a boot retainer to selectively retain a portion of the boot of the connector, and the connector holder comprises a dust cap retainer to selectively retain a portion of the dust cap of the connector. The connector holder is provided in a telecommunications enclosure to provide convenient parking for fiber optic connectors that are not optically connected within a distribution field or the like or that are generally not in service at the time. The connector holders may be selectively installed and/or removed from the telecommunications enclosure to assist in the installation of new fiber optic hardware, such as splitter modules.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to fiber optic connector holders, and more particularly, to devices adapted to selectively hold unused fiber optic connectors.
2. Description of Related Art
Telecommunications enclosures are commonly used at local convergence points or network access points to optically connect fiber optic cables in order for optical signals to be routed as desired. Some telecommunications enclosures include connectorized (either in the field or in the factory) fiber optic cables that may be selectively optically connected to one another, such as with an adapter. Such connections, as in a distribution field or the like, may be provided to enable a service provider to selectively connect or disconnect particular subscribers who request service or cancel service, respectively.
Although such selective connections are typically made within the telecommunications enclosures, the end faces of the ferrule (and optical fiber) are usually protected by a dust cap until the connector is ready to be inserted into an adapter or is otherwise optically connected. The dust cap generally protects the ferrule and fiber from scratches, other damage, and/or the collection of dust or debris, all of which could adversely affect the optical signal passing through the subsequent optical connection.
As a telecommunications enclosure may include dozens or hundreds of loose, unconnected fiber optic connectors that are reserved for future connections to provide subscribers service, telecommunications enclosures typically include fiber routing guides and/or connector holders to organize the loose, unconnected fiber optic connectors and cables. This organization of the connectors and/or cables is important as it 1) enables a technician to quickly and easily find the particular connector/cable desired to be connected, 2) enables the connectors to be safely stored to minimize the likelihood of damage to the connector cable, and/or 3) allows the connectors and cables to be stored in such a way that they do not interfere with other service work the technician may need to do within the enclosure.
Some conventional telecommunications enclosures include fiber optic cables that are grouped together with tie-wraps or the like, which may not provide adequate protection to the connectors and/or dust caps. Further enclosures include connector holders that gang a group of connectors together but that are free to dangle with the cables looped around routing guides, which may not allow a technician to quickly and conveniently find the particular connector and/or connectors needed at the time. Still further enclosures include connector holders mounted to a panel in the interior cavity of the enclosure; however, such connector holders are shaped like adapters such that they may be difficult for technicians to conveniently insert the connector into and/or remove the connector from the adapter. In addition, such connector holders typically occupy a relatively large area thus reducing the number of connectors that can be held and/or requiring the enclosure to be larger than desired. An example of such connector holder 2 is provided in FIG. 1, wherein the connector holder is adapted to selectively receive four individual fiber optic connectors (not shown).
Therefore, a need exists for a fiber optic connector holder than allows for safe and secure selective retention of fiber optic connectors while allowing the connectors to be quickly and conveniently removed as desired and requiring less volume within the interior cavity of the telecommunications enclosure.


A shift register unit, a driving method, a gate driving circuit and a display device are provided. The shift register unit includes: a starting circuit configured to control, under control of a first clock signal input terminal, turning on or off coupling between a first node and a starting voltage input terminal; a first capacitor circuit, having a first terminal being coupled to a second clock signal input terminal, and a second terminal being coupled to the first node; a first node control circuit configured to control, under control of a third node, turning on or off coupling between the first node and a first level input terminal; a potential control circuit configured to control, under control of the first node, turning on or off coupling between the second node and a second level input terminal; a second capacitor circuit; a second node control circuit; an output circuit; and a third node control circuit.

In the display field, in order to continuously improve displayed images and improve user's experience, high-definition and high-ppi (pixel per inch) displaying has become a hot research. However, as the number of pixels increases, the number of rows that a gate driving circuit including multi-stage shift register units needs to scan in one frame display time increases. An average pulse width of a grid driving signal of each row is continuously narrowed, and this requires to continuously improve driving capability of shift registers.

Shift register unit, method for driving shift register unit, gate driving circuit, method for driving gate driving circuit, and display device


A charging circuit includes a programable CPU for supplying a constant voltage and a constant current respectively to a voltage control circuit and a current control circuit so as to obtain function of automatically adjust the charging voltage and fix the current. A voltage checking circuit is provided to coordinate with the CPU for keeping watch of charging operation and checking if a battery being charged is normal or not. If the stored electric volume is less than a quarter (indicating the battery is damaged), if the positive and the negative of the charging circuit are connected reversely with those of the battery, if pinchers of the charging circuit contact each other in a short-circuited condition, or if the pinchers fall off the poles of the battery, the CPU stops at once charging operation so as to protect the charging circuit and batteries.

This invention relates to a charging circuit, particularly to one including a CPU is simple to operate and protects its own circuit and a battery being charged.
Conventional charging devices generally have a traditional circuit provided with a simple function and with a flaw of incomplete protective means, and liable to damage a battery being charged and lessen its service life.

Ma Lien Electrical Engineering Co., Ltd.


A seat group element is used primarily in the hotel trade and restaurant trade, e.g., in beer gardens, bistros and the like establishments. The seat group element in question is designed in such a way that a seat and a table are provided simultaneously on a frame which can be set up on a floor or the like surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a seat group element and is used primarily in the hotel trade and restaurant trade, e.g., in beer gardens, bistros and the like establishments. The invention can also be used in offices or in the home.
2. Description of the Related Art
In known furnishings for the hotel trade and restaurant trade, tables and chairs or stools are generally separate units. It is disadvantageous that much time and a correspondingly large interim storage surface area for tables and chairs or stools are required for setting up a beer garden or sidewalk bistro whose floor must be cleared for given periods of time periodically, usually daily.
Further, AT 387 314 B discloses a frame for a table which is preferably used as school furniture, which frame simultaneously has supporting elements for the seat. The frame is so arranged that the table and seat are adjustable relative to one another in different positions. However, this school furniture is not suitable as a seat group element which can be set up in variable ways for bistros or beer gardens, because, at least as a result of the construction principle that is used, it is very heavy, has thick structural members and supports, and some time must be spent folding it up for purposes of transporting and storage.


The invention addresses the problem of dependency of wireless control systems for electrical appliances on pre-existing control switches along with limited switching functionality. It relates to a system (1,50) for wirelessly controlling an electrical appliance (100). By providing the system with an input unit (5,25,55) comprising a user-operable command interface (9,19,49,59) and a control device (3,30) which is connectable to said electrical appliance, wherein said input unit is located remotely from said control device, and said control device is adapted to detect a light signal being reflected off said command interface, to allocate said light signal to a predetermined command and to output said command to the electrical appliance, it is possible to rely on light manipulation when being reflected, without need of connection to the electrical wiring present in a building.

In the field of electrical appliances, in particular in the field of lighting systems, said systems and apparatuses are in some instances already installed during construction of a building. In most cases, however, those apparatuses and systems are installed only after construction of a building, when a room has already been finished. Within the building or room where the apparatuses or systems are to be installed, there is typically only limited access to electrical wires for providing electrical power supply to the electrical appliance itself on one hand side and to a control device, e.g. a switch, on the other hand side.
Control devices, e.g. control switches, are typically mounted on walls in a height within reach of a user. Accordingly, there are only limited options for installing control devices like control switches without having to install additional wires. Installing additional wires is however considered to be a major disadvantage, and as such sought to be prevented at all costs, as it either requires installation on wall surfaces which is aesthetically disadvantageous, or in the alternative requires installation into corresponding recesses inside a wall. However, those recesses need to be provided in said wall, which causes undesired additional installation effort.
In practice every 5-7 years buildings are reconstructed, rooms are shifted or cubicals are moved. Also in these cases re-wiring of wired switches is sometimes difficult and expensive. In some countries it is legally required to have a light switch installed. Having non-wired switches increases the degree of freedom to implementing a more efficient floor plan.
To address the problem of easy installation in combination with flexibility of installation, manufacturers of switching systems have suggested a way of wirelessly controlling lighting apparatuses. In one known system, and on/off switch is connected to a 433 MHz transmitter which sends a signal in response to detection of a switch action. The signal-receiving devices in said system are adapted to accordingly be turned on or off, depending on the transmitted signal. These transmission systems are usually installed as an upgrade and coupled to conventionally located and installed light switches on walls. The transmission units of these known systems require active supply of electrical power. To achieve said supply, these transmission units are typically fitted with batteries or use the electrical energy supplied to the switch. A problem generally associated with these known systems is that while improving flexibility over purely wire-bound lighting systems, the known systems still require a preexisting control switch to be mounted thereon which limits their flexibility. A further problem is seen in that these known systems can only provide basic switching functionality, e.g. on/off switching functionality, and are systematically not able to provide more complex control functions like for instance variation of light intensity or color.

System and method for remote control of electrical appliance using reflected light


A normally white super-twist nematic liquid crystal display is disclosed. Between a polarizer layer and an analyzer layer, the display includes a super-twist nematic liquid crystal cell having first and second substrates and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates. The display further includes at least one positively birefringent A-plate compensator layer disposed between the polarizer layer and the super-twist nematic liquid crystal cell and at least one positively birefringent A-plate compensator layer disposed between the analyzer layer and the super-twist nematic liquid crystal cell to reduce chromaticity shifts of the display at wide viewing angles and over temperature variations.

The invention relates to an improved passive matrix super-twist nematic (STN) liquid crystal display (LCD), and more particularly, to a compensated normally white (NW) STN LCD.
Active matrix LCDs (AMLCDs) exhibit high contrast and stable chromaticity over a wide range of viewing angles, but frequently cost more than the market for mobile displays can bear. Mobile LCD markets such as the commercial aircraft and the automobile markets necessitate lower cost displays. Passively addressed (i.e., using multiplexed addressing techniques) STN LCDs cost less than AMLCDs, and therefore are an attractive alternative in certain LCD markets. STN LCDs are well-known in the art. See for example, Scheffer and Nehrin, Liquid Crystals Applications and Uses, B. Bahadhur, ed., 1990, p 231.
Normally black (NB) STN LCDs (commonly referred to as "film-compensated STN" or "FSTN" displays) and uncompensated NW STN LCDs (commonly referred to as optical mode interference or OMI displays) are examples of comparatively low-cost displays that can be driven by passive addressing techniques. Compared to NW STN LCDs, FSTN LCDs have more limited operational temperature ranges and exhibit large chromaticity shifts over the field-of-view (FOV). While NW STN LCDs are known to possess a wider operational temperature range than FSTN LCDs, they suffer from low display brightness and large chromaticity shifts over the range of viewing angles and of operating temperatures. These disadvantages of prior art NW STN LCDs limit their use in applications such as the commercial aircraft and automobile markets, to name just a few. Therefore, there is a need for a NW STN LCD which overcomes these limitations of prior art NW STN LCDs.

Film compensated normally white super-twist nematic liquid crystal display that reduces chromaticity shifts over large temperature and viewing angle range


A combine head trough assembly comprises a curved steel panel having two openings passing therethrough, one opening being disposed at each end of the panel, the assembly further comprising two doors configured to respectively cover the two openings. The doors are pivoted between a closed position during normal combine operation and an open position to permit cleanout of crop material.

A combine head is the structure mounted on the front of a combine harvester to gather grain and non-grain crop materials, separate them from the ground or stalks, and convey them to a combine processing section that is typically disposed inside the vehicle itself. The processing section in the vehicle separates crop materials from a stalk or cob as is appropriate.
One common style of combine head is one used to harvest corn, and therefore is called a corn head. Corn heads typically include a laterally-extending frame (relative to movement of the combine) to cover multiple crop rows, that cradles a laterally-extending auger trough configured to receive ears of corn. The auger trough directs them to a center portion of the head where they are then conveyed backward through a central opening in the corn head to the processing section of the combine vehicle. The frame also supports an auger for rotation slightly above the lower surface of the trough. Flights on the auger engage ears of corn that are dumped into the trough and convey them to the central portion of the corn head where they are removed from the corn head for in field processing by the processing section of the vehicle.
Row units are fixed to a leading edge of the troughs in a spaced-apart arrangement extending across the width of the corn head. Each row unit is configured to gather and harvest ears of corn from a single row of corn stalks as the combine travels through the field. Each row unit separates the ears of corn from the cornstalk itself and deposits the ears in the leading edge of the trough directly behind each row unit.
Corn-harvesting is a robust process in which there is a great deal of shaking, banging and jostling. All of this activity causes individual corn grains and other plant matter to become separated from the ears of corn and to become bunched in various portions of the corn head, stuck in corners, even to rest in the bottom of the auger troughs in the space between the auger flights and the trough.
All this material must be cleaned out of the corn head between harvesting sessions for a variety of reasons. First, the corn residue left in the corn head, like any plant matter, is subject to fungus, mold, parasites, and rot. It is necessary to remove this plant matter from the corn head before it has a chance to grow the relevant species of parasitic contamination. Second, corn kernels from one variety of corn can contaminate other varieties of corn that are subsequently harvested by the corn head. Third, residual plant matter attracts moisture and can build up on the corn head surfaces, decay the paint and cause rust.
One of the prime places for plant matter to be left in the corn head is in the bottom of the trough. Furthermore, plant matter from higher surfaces is washed down into the trough whenever farmers clean their equipment with water hoses or a power washer.
To permit the combined water and plant matter to leave the combine head during cleaning, some manufacturers have provided corn heads with a small opening in one of the end sheets of the corn head. "End sheets" are the two vertical walls that are bolted, welded or otherwise fixed to both outer ends of the corn head frame and trough to close off the ends of the trough.
While these openings have been somewhat useful, they have not provided for the complete removal of plant matter from the auger trough because they must be made small enough to minimize crop loss during harvesting operations. In addition, combines having one of the small openings in one end sheet require all the plant material to be pushed to the end sheet of the corn head having the opening. If the combine is on uneven ground, or for any reason is tilted away from the end sheet having the opening, water naturally runs away from the opening and naturally carries the plant matter with it. As a result, extra effort and time must be taken during cleanout to force the water uphill and out the opening.
What is needed, therefore, is an apparatus for cleaning out the auger troughs of combine heads that provides better access and does not retain as much residual plant matter. What is also needed is an apparatus for cleaning out the auger troughs of combine heads that is usable regardless of the orientation of the combine head itself.


A nonvolatile semiconductor memory device includes a first insulating film provided on a surface of a semiconductor substrate, a charge accumulation layer provided on the first insulating film, a second insulating film provided above the charge accumulation layer and contains silicon and nitrogen, a third insulating film provided on the second insulating film, and composed of a single-layer insulating film containing oxygen or a plural-layer stacked insulating film at least whose films on a top layer and a bottom layer contain oxygen, relative dielectric constant thereof being larger than it of a silicon oxide film, a fourth insulating film provided on the third insulating film and contains silicon and nitrogen, a control gate provided above the fourth insulating film, and a fifth insulating film provided between the charge accumulation layer and the second insulating film or between the fourth insulating film and the control gate, and contains silicon and oxygen.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rewritable nonvolatile semiconductor memory device, and particularly relates to a floating-gate nonvolatile semiconductor memory device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor devices include rewritable semiconductor memory devices (nonvolatile memories) which are called floating-gate nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices. General floating-gate nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices have memory transistors which are constituted so that a tunnel gate insulating film, a floating gate, an inter-electrode insulating film and a control gate are sequentially stacked to cover a channel area between a source area and a drain area formed on a surface layer of a semiconductor substrate.
In recent years, miniaturization and high-integration of the semiconductor devices are noticeable. In the floating-gate nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices, as scaling down of cell structure proceeds, influence of so-called bird's beak formed at the edge of capacitor insulating films increases. When the bird's beak is formed on the inter-electrode insulating film, a capacitance of an inter-electrode insulating composed of the floating gate, the inter-electrode insulating film and the control gate is reduced. When the capacitance is reduced, a coupling ratio is also reduced so that an electric field applied to the inter-electrode insulating film increases. As a result, reliability and performance of the floating-gate nonvolatile semiconductor memory device as well as reliability and performance of the memory transistor deteriorate.
Such a problem is not much noticeable because even if a bird's beak is formed on a terminal of inter-electrode insulating film, a percentage of the area of the bird's beak with respect to the area of the whole inter-electrode insulating film is small in a generation where a gate width is comparatively large. However, when floating-gate nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices are further miniaturized in the future, the percentage of the area of a bird's beak portion with respect to the area of the whole inter-electrode insulating film increases. For this reason, such a problem is unignorable. Therefore, in the case where the floating-gate nonvolatile semiconductor memory devices are further miniaturized in the future, it is an important problem to prevent a bird's beak. From another point of view, it is an important problem to control an amount of the bird's beak within an allowable range.
Normally, the bird's beak of the inter-electrode insulating film is formed when a sidewall of the memory transistor is subject to an oxidizing process. The oxidizing process to be given to the transistor sidewall is executed in order to recover from plasma damage generated in a reactive ion etching process to form a gate of the memory transistor. Oxidizing species for oxidizing the transistor sidewall diffuse to the inside of the inter-electrode insulating film from the insulating film edges. The bird's beak of the inter-electrode insulating film is formed by oxidation of surfaces of the floating gate and the control gate made of polycrystal silicon.
A method of controlling a bird's beak generated due to such a mechanism includes the following methods. Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 7-249697 proposes a technique of a NONON film structure such that when an inter-electrode insulating film is formed into an ONO film structure composed of three layers: an oxide film, a nitride film and an oxide film, SiN films are provided on both upper and lower faces of the ONO film. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,661,056, U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,183 and the like propose that a SiN film is inserted between an inter-electrode insulating film and a floating gate electrode or a control gate.
The method of forming the SiN film between an inter-electrode insulating film whose top layer and bottom layer are made of oxide films and upper and lower polycrystal silicon electrodes includes the following methods, for example. In one method, a polycrystal silicon electrode is subject to a thermal nitriding process in an NH3 atmosphere so that a SiN film is deposited on an interface between a floating gate electrode as a lower electrode and the inter-electrode insulating film. In another method, a SiN film is deposited on a polycrystal silicon electrode by a CVD method. In still another method, a SiN film is deposited on an oxide film as the top layer of an inter-electrode insulating film on an interface between a control gate electrode as an upper electrode and the inter-layer insulating film. As a result of examinations by the inventors of the present invention, however, when the SiN film is simply inserted between the inter-electrode insulating film and the floating gate electrode or the control gate electrode, a bird's peak of the inter-electrode insulating film can be prevented, but an operation of a floating-gate nonvolatile semiconductor memory device such as charge retention property is affected.


The present invention overcomes the problems inherent in the use of a paint can and paintbrush to contain the spread of errant paint from accumulating on the rim, outer portion of the can, and otherwise spreading externally.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a paint can, and more particularly a paint can cover that fits over the top of a conventional paint can to shield the rim of the can to prevent the accumulation of paint.
2. Description of Related Art
When using a paintbrush and paint can it is common to dip the brush directly into the can and then wipe off the excess paint on the edge of the rim. This act also applies to the use of a paint stirrer, or stirring stick. As can be appreciated, this causes the paint to accumulate within the lid sealing groove and on the rim, which will subsequently overflow down the exterior of the can. While exposed to air a portion of the paint will begin to dry, thus adding to the built up the paint accumulation.
If the accumulated paint is not removed before replacing the paint can lid, the remaining liquid portion will seep out when the lid is replaced. That seepage results in the paint spreading onto the surrounding outside of the can, lid, and any objects it contacts. The portion of the remaining paint dries within the lid sealing groove.
Each successive reuse continues to increase the paint build up in the lid sealing groove, the rim, and lid which makes it increasingly difficult to form an airtight seal. The failure of an airtight seal causes a portion of the paint composition to evaporate, which changes the overall pigmentation and consistency of the paint, and causes a thick skin to form atop the paint. Subsequently the paint will not coat as the original contents, nor match the original color. Additionally, most paint compositions emit vapors. These escaping fumes may be odorous and volatile, and potentially problematic.
Furthermore the paint left to dry in the sealing groove and rim of the can will adhere to the lid as well. This forms an adhesion of the lid to the rim making it increasingly difficult to remove. As a result, an increase of force is required to remove the lid, which is then prone to deforming, hindering it from forming a uniform airtight seal.
Other devices have been disclosed in prior art that protect the paint can lid sealing groove. However these devices are more costly and the methods by which they attach themselves are troublesome to use. In addition, these prior art devices do not provide a means of shielding the entire rim and adjacent surface of the can, nor do they effectively direct the paint back into the can. Therefore it is desirable to have a device that can prevent the paint from collecting in the lid sealing groove and rim, as well as provide a means of wiping off the excess paint from a brush or stirrer, and return into the can. The device will also prevent the paint from building up on the paint can and lid, and minimize the buildup on device itself.

Abstract: The device comprises a top member that is designed to fit over the entire top of a conventional paint can, and an outer wall extending down the exterior side wall of the can, which includes an internal bead with contoured surface along the bottom circumference thereof forming a secure grip on the can. The outer wall has a curved and angled bottom edge, also slotted relief gaps, both design for fast and easy installation and removal of the device.

Abstract: The device further includes an inner lip shielding the interior side of the paint can rim, and a flat section along the device interior used for scraping off paint.


A semiconductor device has: a silicon substrate; trench formed downward from the surface of the silicon substrate, the trench defining active regions on the surface of the silicon substrate; a first liner layer of a silicon nitride film covering an inner wall of the trench; a second liner layer of a silicon nitride layer formed on the first liner layer; an element isolation region of an insulator formed on the second liner layer; a p-channel MOS transistor formed in and on one of the active regions; a contact etch stopper layer of a silicon nitride layer not having a ultraviolet shielding ability, formed above the silicon substrate, and covering the p-channel MOS transistor; and a light shielding film of a silicon nitride layer having the ultraviolet shielding ability and formed above the contact etch stopper layer.

A) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and its manufacture method, and more particularly to a semiconductor device having a shallow trench isolation (STI) and its manufacture method.
B) Description of the Related Art
The local oxidation of silicon, LOCOS, has been used as one of the element isolation methods for semiconductor devices. The local oxidation of silicon is the techniques wherein a silicon oxide layer is formed on a silicon substrate as a buffer layer, thereafter a silicon nitride film is formed as an oxidation preventing mask layer, the silicon nitride layer is patterned and thereafter the surface of the silicon substrate is thermally oxidized.
While the silicon substrate is thermally oxidized, oxidation seeds such as oxygen and moisture invade also into a buffer oxide silicon layer under the end portion of the silicon nitride layer and oxidize the silicon substrate surface under the end portion of the silicon nitride layer, so that a silicon oxide region of a bird's beak shape called a bird's beak is formed. The region where the bird's beak is formed cannot be used substantially as the element forming region (active region) so that the element forming region is narrowed.
If a silicon nitride film having openings of various sizes is formed and the substrate surface is thermally oxidized, the thickness of a silicon oxide layer formed on the silicon substrate surface with the small opening size is thinner than the silicon oxide layer formed on the silicon substrate surface with the large opening size. This phenomenon is called thinning.
As miniaturization of semiconductor devices advances, the ratio of an area not usable as the element forming region to the whole area of a semiconductor substrate is increased by bird's beaks and thinning. Namely, the ratio of narrowing the element forming region increases, hindering the high integration of semiconductor devices.
As techniques of forming an element isolation region, trench isolation (TI) techniques are known wherein a trench is formed in the surface layer of a semiconductor substrate and insulating material or polysilicon is buried in the trench. This method has been applied to bipolar transistor LSIs which require a deep element isolation region.
Application of the trench isolation to MOS transistor LSIs has progressed because both the bird's beak and thinning will not occur. Element isolation can be realized by a relatively shallow trench of about 0.1 to 1.0 μm in depth because MOS transistor LSIs do not require a deep element isolation like bipolar transistor LSIs. This structure is called shallow trench isolation (STI).
U.S. Pat. No. 5,447,884 discloses that a pad oxide film and a pad nitride film are formed on a silicon substrate, a trench is formed by anisotropic etching by using a resist pattern, a trench inner wall is thermally oxidized, thereafter a silicon nitride layer liner having a thickness of 5 nm or thinner (a thickness preventing hot phosphoric acid from invading) is formed, a burying silicon layer is deposited on the silicon nitride layer and the pad nitride film is removed by hot phosphoric acid.
Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. HEI-11-297812 discloses that a trench for element isolation is formed in a silicon substrate, a silicon oxide layer and a silicon nitride liner are formed on the trench inner wall, and the upper portion of the nitride silicon liner is removed to lower the upper end of the silicon nitride layer.
"2003 Symposium on VLSI Technology Digest of Technical Papers" by K. Goto et al reports that in the structure that the upper end of a silicon nitride film liner formed on the inner wall of an element isolation trench is lowered and a contact etch stopper layer of a silicon nitride film is formed on the silicon substrate, covering the gate electrode, the drive current of a MOS transistor can be improved by controlling the stresses in both the silicon nitride films.
Although the element isolation by STI is suitable for element miniaturization, there arises the problems specific to the STI itself. Novel techniques has long been desired which can mitigate the problems specific to the STI itself.

Semiconductor device having STI with nitride liner and UV light shielding film


A system and method for improving air humidification for fuel cell applications includes a fuel cell stack having a cathode inlet and a cathode outlet. The cathode inlet receives an oxidant. A humidifier humidifies the oxidant prior to delivery of the oxidant to the cathode inlet. An injection nozzle is provided, and a volume of water substantially vaporized by the injection nozzle reduces a temperature of the oxidant and increases a water transfer rate of the humidifier. The injection nozzle can be positioned either directly upstream of the humidifier in the oxidant inlet line or in a stack cathode outlet line which is directed into the humidifier.

Fuel cell systems frequently include a plurality of fuel cells assembled together to form a fuel cell stack. Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) type fuel cells normally include an anode, a cathode and a membrane separating the anode and cathode. Each of the anodes of the individual fuel cells are both electrically and fluidly connected together such that the plurality of anodes are commonly referred to as the anode side of the fuel cell stack. Similarly, each of the cathodes of the individual fuel cells are both electrically and fluidly connected together and commonly referred to as the cathode side of the fuel cell stack. The anode side of the fuel cell stack includes an inlet for a fuel and an outlet for the non-consumed fuel and for exhaust gases which are created at the anode side and exhausted from the fuel cell stack. The cathode side of the fuel cell stack also includes an inlet normally used to inject a gaseous oxidizing agent such as air and an outlet used to exhaust gases which are produced at the cathode side. A compressor is commonly connected upstream of the cathode side inlet of the fuel cell stack to pressurize the gaseous oxidizing agent prior to injection.
The membranes of the individual fuel cells must be kept moist during operation of the fuel cell stack to protect the membranes from damage and to achieve the highest degree of fuel cell stack operating efficiency. During operation of a fuel cell stack, protons which originate from a hydrogen component of the fuel supplied to the anode side migrate through the humidified membranes and react at the cathode side with the oxidizing agent. The oxidizing agent is normally in the form of atmospheric oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen combine to generate electrical power and also produce a volume of water. Water is therefore always present at the cathode side. A portion of this water during normal operation of the fuel cell stack diffuses back through the membranes of each fuel cell to the anode side of the fuel cell stack so that both sides of the membrane and both the anode and cathode sides are normally humidified. The water produced is often in excess of that required for normal humidification of the fuel cell stack, therefore an excess portion of the water is normally removed from the anode side and the cathode side and either collected for re-use or drained off.
Adequate humidification control of the fuel cell stack cannot always be maintained, however. During certain operating conditions the atmospheric air normally used for the oxidizing agent does not contain sufficient water volume and the cathode side of the fuel cells can therefore be inadequately humidified. To resolve this, common fuel cell stacks provide active humidification control of the cathode gas flow. A common form of humidification control involves the use of a humidifier upstream of the fuel cell stack which is separately supplied by a water source such as a tank. Water for these humidifiers is also commonly provided from fuel cell product water transferred from the exhaust of the fuel cell stack to the stack cathode inlet. Because water is being injected, to prevent direct impingement of water particles on the fuel cell membranes, the fluid volume is first preheated to entirely vaporize it. This additional process step increases the cost and complexity of the system. Proper flow control of the water injected into the fuel cell stack is also required which is commonly provided through the use of flow nozzles or pressure control valves. These components also increase system cost and complexity.
Humidifiers used at the stack cathode inlet are commonly of the membrane type. Membrane type humidifiers generally provide optimal efficiency at air inlet humidities of approximately 100% relative humidity (RH) plus a portion of liquid water. However, if the humidity at the humidifier inlet drops below 100% RH the efficiency of the humidifier will drop significantly. One solution to this problem is to increase the size of the humidifier, however this solution increases the component cost of the humidifier and can result in further configuration problems for the system. A lower cost and simpler solution is therefore desirable.

Air humidification for fuel cell applications


A support for conventional garment hangers is designed for flush mounting against a wall or other vertical surface, thus being particularly effective for space-saving considerations. An inner rectangular member is affixed to the wall surface and has a height less than that of an outer rectangular member. The inner and outer members are connected at their lower edges by a bridge member with opposing surfaces of the inner and outer members in spaced relation. In a first embodiment, a plurality of members having opposite, triangular-shaped surfaces are positioned in side-by-side relation in the space between the inner and outer members. The triangular surfaces are in respective contact with, and preferably fixedly attached to the spaced, opposing surfaces of the inner and outer members. The hanger supporting edge of the outer member is linear in the first embodiment and the hooked ends of supported hangers extend into the spaces between the triangular-shaped members provides spacing and positional stability of the hangers. In a second embodiment, the structural members between the inner and outer members are omitted and the hanger supporting edge of the outer member is scalloped or notched to provide grooves to receive the hooked hanger ends and maintain spacing and positional stability.

The present invention relates to supports for conventional garment hangers, and more specifically to an elongated support for accepting the upper, hooked ends of a plurality of hangers for mounting upon, with its longitudinal axis parallel to a wall or other vertical surface.
The standard, hooked-end garment hanger has been one of the most familiar household items for many years. These hangers are fabricated from bent wire, molded plastic, wood and combinations of such materials. In their most common form, the hangers are essentially planar; that is, the hooked, upper end which engages over a support lies in the same plane as the outwardly extending, garment supporting portions of the hanger.
Supports for both conventional and special-design hangers have been proposed in a multitude of variations including, by way of example, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,708,522, 3,081,882, 3,120,309, 3,302,800, 3,688,915, 4,548,328, 4,676,382, 4,811,853, 4,953,718, and 5,050,750. The hanger support may be free standing or affixed to some other structure, such as the lower, horizontal surface or an outer edge of a shelf, or vertical, parallel wall surfaces between which the hanger support (e.g., an elongated rod) extends.
In virtually all cases, the support has an axis perpendicular to the planes of hangers suspended thereon. This means that the garment supporting portions of the hangers extend outwardly on each side of the vertical plane passing through the longitudinal axis of the hanger support. Consequently, the hanger support must be spaced from any adjoining vertical surfaces of walls, doors, etc. by a distance equal to at least half the width of the hanger. In other words, elongated hanger supports commonly extend along an axis parallel to and spaced from a vertical wall surface and the suspended hangers and garments carried thereon are generally perpendicular to the wall surfaces.
In locations where space is at a premium, e.g., in mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and other somewhat restricted areas, a significant amount of otherwise free space is taken up by hangers and garments carried thereon perpendicularly to an adjoining, vertical surface. The usual alternative, where it is desired that hangers and garments lie essentially flush against a vertical surface, has been to affix supports in the nature of pegs, hooks, or the like, to such surface. However, supports of that type are generally suitable for accepting only one or two hangers if their space-saving purpose is to be achieved. If support for more than a very few hangers is desired, it is necessary to install a significant number of individual hanger supports, presenting obvious disadvantages in cost, installation time, esthetics, etc.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an elongated support adapted to accept several conventional garment hangers which saves a significant amount of free space in the area in which it is installed.
Another object is to provide an attractive, easily installed support for holding a plurality of garment hangers in side-by-side relation.
Another object is to provide a novel and improved garment hanger support which permits the garments to be suspended in an orientation substantially parallel to an adjoining wall surface.
Other objects will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.


A light emission device and a display device having the light emission device are provided. The light emission device includes first and second substrates that are arranged to face each other, an electron emission unit that is located on a first surface of the first substrate facing the second substrate and has electron emission regions and driving electrodes, a light emission unit that is located on a surface of the second substrate and has an anode electrode and one or more phosphor layers, and a surface heat generation unit that is located on a second surface (or outer surface) of the first substrate facing away from the second substrate to control a temperature of the first substrate using a resistive layer having a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) property.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a light emission device that is designed to control a temperature of a rear substrate on which electron emission regions are located. The present invention further relates to a display device using the light emission device as a light source.
2. Description of Related Art
Devices that can emit light to an external side can be referred to as light emission devices. One type of light emission devices includes a rear substrate on which electron emission regions and driving electrodes are formed, and a front substrate on which an anode electrode and a phosphor layer are formed. This light emission device emits visible light by exciting the phosphor layer using electrons emitted from the electron emission regions.
In more detail, the light emission device is operated by i) controlling an amount of electrons emitted from the electron emission regions by applying driving voltages (scan and data driving voltages) to the driving electrodes and ii) accelerating the electrons emitted from the electron emission regions toward the phosphor layer by applying a positive direct current voltage (anode voltage) of hundreds to thousands of volts to the anode electrode.
The light emission device may be used as a light source for emitting light to a passive type display panel of a display device.
In an initial driving state of the light emission device or when the light emission device is driven under a low temperature environment, electron emission cannot be sufficiently realized due to the rear substrate being in a low temperature state. That is, it takes a relatively long time to increase an emission amount of electrons to a proper level with a certain (or predetermined) driving voltage to thus stabilize the electron emission property.
Furthermore, when the light emission device is being driven, there may be a temperature difference between the front and rear substrates. This temperature difference may cause cracks to be generated on and/or in the substrates, thereby deteriorating lifespan and reliability of the light emission device. The temperature difference also adversely affects the spacers arranged between the front and rear substrates by varying a surface potential of the spacers, thereby deteriorating an electron beam path around the spacers.

Light emission device and display device


Compounds of Formula (1), their N-oxides and agriculturally suitable salts, are disclosed which are useful for controlling undesired vegetation

The control of undesired vegetation is extremely important in achieving high crop efficiency. Achievement of selective control of the growth of weeds especially in such useful crops as rice, soybean, sugar beet, corn (maize), potato, wheat, barley, tomato and plantation crops, among others, is very desirable. Uncontrolled weed growth in such useful crops can cause significant reduction in productivity and thereby result in increased costs to the consumer. The control of undesired vegetation in noncrop areas is also important. For example, many products are commercially available for these purposes, but the need continues for new compounds that are more effective, less costly, less toxic, environmentally safer or have different modes of action.
World Patent Publication 95/33719 discloses compounds of Formula i as herbicides

Abstract: wherein                A, R1, R2a, R2b, W, Y, and Z are as defined in the disclosure. Also disclosed are compositions containing the compounds of Formula (1) and a method for controlling undesired vegetation which involves contacting the vegetation or its environment with an effective amount of a compound of Formula (1).


A method for manufacturing a ferroelectric capacitor in accordance with the present invention includes: (a) a step of forming a ferroelectric laminated body by successively laminating a lower electrode layer, a ferroelectric layer and an upper electrode layer over a base substrate; (b) a step of patterning at least the upper electrode layer and the ferroelectric layer by dry etching; (c) a step of coating a coating composition including a compound having an element composing the ferroelectric layer at least on a side wall of the ferroelectric layer; and (d) a step of thermally treating the coating composition, to crystallize the coating composition coated on the side wall of the ferroelectric layer.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to methods for manufacturing ferroelectric capacitors, methods for manufacturing ferroelectric memories, ferroelectric capacitors, and ferroelectric memories.
2. Related Art
A ferroelectric capacitor has a structure in which a ferroelectric layer is formed between a lower electrode layer and an upper electrode layer. Such a ferroelectric capacitor is formed by patterning with dry etching.
However, because the ferroelectric layer is exposed to a plasma atmosphere when being dry etched, the ferroelectric capacitor would likely be damaged at a side wall of the ferroelectric layer. The ferroelectric capacitor damaged in this manner may have defects in its capacitor characteristics, such as, an increased leakage current, and the like.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a ferroelectric capacitor and a method for manufacturing the same, in which damaged portions formed when a ferroelectric layer is dry-etched can be repaired. Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a ferroelectric memory using the method for manufacturing a ferroelectric capacitor, and a method for manufacturing the same.

Method for manufacturing ferroelectric capacitor, method for manufacturing ferroelectric memory, ferroelectric capacitor and ferroelectric memory


Systems and methods are provided for determining a set of imaging parameters for an imaging system. A selection of an image is received from a set of images. A modification of certain quality measures is received for the selected image. The modified selected image is mapped to a set of imaging parameters of an imaging system based on the certain quality measures using a trained Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) agent.

The present invention relates generally to medical imaging systems, and more particularly to automatically determining parameters for medical imaging systems using an intelligent artificial agent to optimize image quality for a user.
Medical imaging systems are typically used by doctors and other medical professions for clinical analysis and medical intervention procedures. The desired quality of the images generated by the medical imaging systems depends on the subjective preferences of the doctor. For example, different doctors may prefer different amounts of sharpness, fuzziness, blurring, noise, dynamic range, contrast, smoothness, brightness, etc. in the images.
Conventionally, medical imaging systems are manually configured by adjusting its imaging parameters according to the preferences of the doctor, the conditions of the patient, and the medical procedure being performed. Such manual configuration of such conventional medical imaging systems is labor intensive, time consuming, and expensive due to the numerous possible imaging parameters and their non-linear relationship to the resulting quality of the medical images.

Smart imaging using artificial intelligence


An improved method for stimulating electrical activity in an eye is provided. Provided is a technique for implanting small, nanometer-sized photoactive devices into an eye to improve electrical activity within an eye or mitigate degradation of electrical response in damaged eyes.

Many people suffer from various forms of retinal damage, such as retinitis pigmentosa, retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration, which can lead to diminished sight and blindness. And, as the age of the general population increases, the number of people suffering from diminished sight due to these causes increases.
Several devices have been developed to attempt to restore vision loss due to retinal damage. For example, silicon-chip based photovoltaic devices, which are attached to a portion of a retina, have been developed to stimulate rods and cones within the retina. Although such devices may provide some stimulation, the devices suffer from several drawbacks. In particular, the devices are relatively large (e.g., on the order of square millimeters). As a result, when placed on a retina, the devices block significant portions of light that would otherwise reach rods and cones located behind the devices. Another problem associated with these devices is that they are placed on a surface of the retina, which is delicate; thus, the retina surface may tear or otherwise become damaged when the devices are attached to the retina.
Other, silicon-chip based devices, which are implanted subretinally have also been developed to attempt to improve vision in those suffering from retinal damage. Mild improvement of electrical response to light has been observed using these devices. However, several problems have also been observed. Specifically, because the devices are relatively large, once the devices are attached to the retina, oxygen is blocked from reaching cells adjacent to or proximate the devices. In addition, implantation of the devices is thought to further damage the retinal tissue.
Accordingly, improved devices and methods for increasing electrical stimulation of photoreceptors and/or other portions of a retina within an eye are desired.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method for stimulating retinal response using photoactive devices

The Regents of the University of Colorado


A method to determine the tool path of a material removal tool which is part of a system to shape the surface of a substrate is disclosed. The method conditions initial metrology data of the substrate into a dwell time versus position on the surface for the removal tool. The dwell time array is subsequently converted into a velocity versus position array so that a position controller means may be utilized to guide the movement of the substrate with respect to the removal tool to perform precise material removal on the surface of the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system to shape the surface of a substrate, namely, to thin and modify films, and more particularly, to a method for determining the path for a plasma assisted chemical etching material removal tool to thin and modify the thickness profile of an existing substrate layer. The present invention provides a means to obtain a layer of uniform and specified thickness from a layer having a measured, but non-uniform thickness profile.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Substrate materials with thin solid layers, such as silicon-on-insulator (SOI) wafers, and films are used extensively in the fabrication of electronic, optical, magnetic, superconducting and other important technological devices. Such substrates are often subjected to figuring and thinning processes which remove some of the material from the surface. Along with describing conventional material removal processes, a system for removing material from the surface of an SOI wafer is described in a related patent application entitled "System for Removing Material from a Wafer", U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/696,897, filed on May 7, 1991. The system disclosed therein includes a means for determining thickness profile data for a surface of a wafer, means for converting the thickness profile data to a dwell time versus position map stored in a system controller and a means for removing material from the surface of the wafer in accordance with the map such that the wafer has a preselected thickness profile.
The present invention is directed toward a method used to determine the paths that the removal tool must make over the wafer to thin the wafer to a uniform thickness or a desired profile.

Method to determine tool paths for thinning and correcting errors in thickness profiles of films


A press pack module includes a collector module terminal, an emitter module terminal, a gate module terminal, and an auxiliary module terminal. Each IGBT cassette within the module includes a set of shims, two contact pins, and an IGBT die. The first contact pin provides part of a first electrical connection between the gate module terminal and the IGBT gate pad. The second contact pin provides part of a second electrical connection between the auxiliary module terminal and a shim that in turn contacts the IGBT emitter pad. The electrical connection between the auxiliary emitter terminal and each emitter pad of the many IGBTs is a balanced impedance network. The balanced network is not part of the high current path through the module. By supplying a gate drive signal between the gate and auxiliary emitter terminals, simultaneous IGBT turn off in high speed and high current switching conditions is facilitated.

FIG. 1 (Prior Art) is a sectional perspective diagram of a high power Insulated Gate Bipolar Transistor (IGBT) press pack module 1. The module 1 includes a disc-shaped bottom plate member 2 of nickel-plated copper. The disc-shaped bottom plate member 2 has a set of horizontally-extending channels cut into its upper surface, and also has a set of vertically-extending channels cut into its upper surface. As a result of the perpendicularly intersecting channels cut down into the upper surface, the bottom plate member 2 has an array of upward facing pedestals. When viewed from the top perspective, each pedestal has a substantially square planar upper surface. The bottom surfaces of the channels form a two-dimensional grid-shaped surface at the base level 3 of the pedestals (see FIG. 2). A Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 4 is provided that has a circular outer periphery and is of approximately the same diameter as the disc-shaped bottom plate member 2. The disc-shaped PCB 4 also has a set of substantially square cutouts, where the shape of each cutout corresponds to a corresponding one of the pedestals, so that the disc-shaped PCB 4 can be fit down over the pedestals. When the PCB 4 is fit down over the pedestals and is in place, the bottom surface 5 of the PCB 4 rests on the grid-shaped surface 6 of the bottom plate member 2 at the bottom of the channels. Each pedestal of the bottom plate member 2 sticks up through a corresponding cutout in the PCB 4.
FIG. 2 (Prior Art) is a cross-sectional side-view diagram of one of the pedestals 9 of the bottom plate member 2. The PCB 4 that extends around the pedestal 9 is seen in cross-section. The bottom surface 5 of the PCB is seen to be resting on the grid-shaped surface 6 of the bottom plate member 2 at the base level 3 of the pedestal 9.
FIG. 3 (Prior Art) is an exploded perspective view of a holding assembly 7 sometimes referred to as a "cassette". Cassette 7 includes a four-sided die locator frame 8 made of injection molded insulative plastic. The four-sided frame 8 is open on the bottom and is open on the top so that the frame can fit down over pedestal 9. A silver shim 10 of the cassette assembly fits down into the top of the frame 8 as shown in FIG. 3 and is held in place in the lateral dimension by the frame 8 so that the bottom surface of the silver shim 10 is in contact with the upper square planar surface 11 of the pedestal 9. A first molybdenum shim 12 having a corner cutout fits down onto the upper surface of the silver shim 10. An IGBT die 13 is placed with its frontside 14 down onto the upper surface of the first molybdenum shim 12 so that an emitter contact pad on the frontside 14 of the die 13 is in contact with the top surface of the first molybdenum shim 12. The first molybdenum shim 12 has a corner cutout area so that a spring-loaded contact pin 15 can extend up through the plane of the first molybdenum shim 12 and make contact with a gate contact pad on the downward facing frontside 14 of the IGBT die 13. A second molybdenum shim 16 is placed down onto the backside 17 of the IGBT die 13. The backside of the IGBT die 13 is a metalized collector pad of the IGBT. The second molybdenum shim 16 therefore makes contact with the collector pad of the IGBT die. The stack of shims 10, 12, 16 and the IGBT die 13 is also seen in perspective view in FIG. 2.
One such cassette is fitted over each of the upward extending pedestals of the bottom plate member 2. A disc-shaped top plate member 18 of nickel-plated copper (see FIG. 1) then fits down onto the tops of the cassettes. The flat bottom surface of the top plate member 18 presses down onto the tops of the cassettes, thereby compressing the spring-loaded contact pins of all the cassettes, and forcing good mechanical and electrical contact within each cassette between the bottom of the top plate member, the stack of shims, the IGBT die, and the pedestal of the bottom plate member. Good mechanical and electrical contact is also maintained between the gate pad on the IGBT die, the contact pin, and a metalized track on the top of the PCB 4.
As shown in FIG. 1, the top plate member 18 fits into and is attached to a disc-shaped top lid 19. Top lid 19 is a disc of stamped metal. The top lid 19 and the top plate member 18 may, for example, be brazed together. Likewise, the bottom plate member 2 fits into and is attached to a disc-shaped bottom lid 20. Bottom lid 20 is a disc of stamped metal. The bottom lid 20 and the bottom plate member 2 may, for example, be brazed together. A ceramic collar 21 is attached to the bottom lid 20. A metal flange 26 is attached to the top rim of the ceramic collar 21. During assembly of the press pack module, the top lid/top plate member assembly is pressed down onto the remainder of the press pack module, and the top lid 19 is welded to the flange 26.
The press pack module 1 has a collector terminal 22, an emitter terminal 23, and a gate terminal 24. The collector terminal 22 is an extension of the top lid 19. Within the assembly, the backside collector metal of the IGBTs are electrically coupled through the second molybdenum shims, and through the copper top plate member 18, to the top lid 19. The collector terminal 22 serves as a sensing terminal to the top lid 19. Within the assembly, the frontside emitter pads of the IGBTs are coupled through the first molybdenum shims and the silver shims down to the solid copper bottom plate member 2, and to the bottom lid 20. The emitter terminal 23 serves as a sensing terminal to the bottom lid 20. Within the assembly, the gate pads of the IGBTs are coupled through the spring-loaded contact pins down to a metalized track on the PCB 4, and laterally through the metalized track of the PCB 4 across the module to the inside edge of the ceramic collar, via a clip 25 through a hole in the ceramic collar 21, and to the gate terminal 24. Many IGBT dice may be provided in this way in one press pack module.
Although the cassette is described here as retaining an IGBT die, a cassette can also retain other types of semiconductor dice. A cassette can, for example, contain a diode die. U.S. Pat. No. 6,678,163 discloses a module involving twenty-eight IGBT dice and nine diode dice. The description above of a press pack module is simplified and is presented for background purposes. There are several different variations and types of press pack modules involving cassettes. Rather than using a PCB to provide connection between the gates of the IGBTs and the gate terminal, a preformed insulating insert and stamped copper sheet can be used within the module for gate signal distribution purposes. For additional information on press pack modules and cassettes, see: U.S. Pat. No. 6,678,163 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,303,974 (the subject matter of which are incorporated herein by reference).

Power device cassette with auxiliary emitter contact


In a discharge tube shielding hood for an extractor hood, a top side of the extractor hood is provided with a positioning seat for extension of a discharge tube therethrough. The positioning seat is insertably connected to a retractable shielding hood unit, which includes a first shielding plate having a bottom end slidably inserted into the positioning seat, and a second shielding plate that is partly disposed in the first shielding plate. The first and second shielding plates are locked and positioned by screws. The shielding hood unit can shield the discharge tube and has a two-stage retractable construction to facilitate mounting and positioning and to adapt to different mounting heights.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an extractor hood, more particularly to a discharge tube shielding hood for an extractor hood.
(b) Description of the Prior Art
An extractor hood generally includes a housing, in which is disposed a wind belly. The wind belly includes two motor fan units for extracting oily smoke generated during cooking. A top side of the wind belly is coupled to a discharge tube, which can extend upwardly and outdoors to discharge the extracted smoke to the outside. In terms of the appearance and environment of the kitchen, exposing the discharge tube is unsightly. Besides, the folds of the discharge tube can easily trap oily dirt, which is difficult to clear. A conventional way is to mount the extractor hood under a suspension type cabinet and to conceal the discharge tube inside the cabinet. However, this method is costly. Besides, as the cabinet is fixed, it poses certain restrictions in future replacement of the extractor hood.
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a discharge tube shielding hood for an extractor hood. The shielding hood can shield the discharge tube to prevent exposure of the discharge tube so as not to affect the environment and appearance of the kitchen and to protect the discharge tube so as to prevent accumulation of dirt thereon, which is difficult to clear. The shielding hood has a two-stage retractable construction to facilitate mounting and positioning and to adapt to different mounting heights. Moreover, the structure is light and inexpensive to manufacture and is removable so as not to pose restrictions on future replacement of the extractor hood in terms of environment.
Accordingly, the extractor hood includes a housing, in which a wind belly is disposed. A top side of the wind belly is provided with an outlet, which is connected to a discharge tube. A top side of the housing is formed with an opening for passage of the discharge tube therethrough. The discharge tube shielding hood includes a positioning seat disposed at the opening in a top portion of the housing. The positioning seat is centrally provided with a hole for extension of the discharge tube. The positioning seat is insertably connected to a bottom portion of a retractable shielding hood unit. The shielding hood unit includes: a first shielding plate having a surface plate and two side plates, bottom ends of the two side plates being slidably inserted into the positioning seat; and a second shielding plate having a surface plate and two side plates, the second shielding plate having an outer peripheral size corresponding to the inner peripheral size of the first shielding plate. The second shielding plate is partly disposed in the first shielding plate. The first and second shielding plates are positioned by screws.

Discharge tube shielding hood for an extractor


A stand structure for a flat-panel display device, including a stand body; and an interface circuit board installed within the stand body, electrically connecting the flat-panel display device with a host computer and a power supply input. An input unit cover is attached to the stand body, covering the interface circuit board while providing external electrical access thereto. A speaker unit is electrically connected to the host computer via the interface circuit board. A through-hole is formed in the upper portion of the stand body, through which passes a cable carrying electrical power and display control signals from the interface circuit board. A hinge assembly, having a horizontal shaft, rotates about a vertical shaft in the stand body. Two auxiliary external connections, for a headphone audio output and a microphone audio input, are provided.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stand structure for a flat-panel display device and, more particularly, to a compact stand structure having a small footprint and multi-media host computer interfacing capability.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Among widely used devices for displaying the video information of a multimedia computer, flat-panel display devices (e.g., liquid crystal displays) are becoming more prevalent due to their light weight and compact design. Such a flat-panel display device largely includes a thin LCD unit as the display portion of the device and a stand unit for supporting the display. In addition, mechanism for adjusting the display angle generally are provided, wherein a user operates a hinge unit to control the viewing angle of the display with respect to the stand unit, usually along a horizontal axis for tilting the LCD unit forward and rearward. To achieve these objectives, it has become necessary to provide a supporting stand unit with an approximate size determined by the horizontal dimension (length) of the LCD unit. Therefore, the dimensions of the stand unit have come to be substantially equivalent to those of the LCD unit, such that the footprint is overly large and consumes excessive desk space. The stand unit of the conventional LCD device is bulky and serves as mere supporting means for the display unit, with no multi-media capability. However, there is a practical limit to downsizing the stand unit and, particularly its footprint, especially if auxiliary functions (e.g., audio input/output) are to be provided for the display device.
Exemplars of the contemporary practice in the art include U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,136, issued to Mooney for Backlash-Free Swivel And Tilt Mounting which describes an oversized support shaft journaled in dual ball bearings housed in a base. The base includes a plate with an aperture receiving a cylindrical section of a support shaft, rotatably secured therein with a set of bearings. The device does not include a central inner passage for a cable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,437,638, issued to Scheibenpflug for Arrangement For Fastening A monitor To A Text Station describes a monitor mounted on a support column with a bracket having holes registered with holes in the support column, a shaft being received therethrough. The support column defines an inner race slidingly received in an outer race of extension arm, providing rotational freedom therebetween. The device does not include a central inner passage for a cable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,447,031, issued to Souder et al. for Spring Counterbalanced Support Arm System describes a nose bracket mounted on a television set. The nose bracket includes flanges with registered holes. Screws received in the holes engage an anchor tube receiving a tension pin engaged with a swivel arm. The tension pin provides for relative rotation between the swivel arm and nose bracket. The device does not include a central inner passage for a cable. U.S. Pat. No. 5,335,142, issued to Portable Computer Display Tilt/Swivel Mechanism describes a yoke 42 with flanges having registered holes. A tilt base has complementary flanges with registered holes. The yoke and base holes receive a hollow tilt tube. The base mounts on a swivel disk received within a groove defined by a split mounting ring. The device does not include a hinge member having a central aperture configured to receive a vertical hinge shaft, fixed relative to a stand, providing a central inner passage for a cable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,378, issued to Kagami for Display Apparatus describes a base with oblique or offset upstanding flanges with registered holes. The chassis and neck frame of a monitor pivot relative to the base about a connecting bolt received in the holes. The device does not include a hinge member having a central aperture configured to receive a vertical hinge shaft, fixed relative to a stand, providing a central inner passage for a cable. U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,481, issued to Yurchenco et al. for Balanced monitor Stand describes a base with an oblique tab having a first horizontal throughbore. A platform mounted on a monitor has a second throughbore in registry with the first throughbore. The tab and platform rotate in a vertical plane about a pin received in the throughbores. The device does not provide for rotation of the monitor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,108,062, issued to Detwiler for Pivot Apparatus describes a clam shell socket member rotatably secured to a housing member. A leg portion extends from one of the clam shell socket members to a base portion mounted in a base member. The device does not provide for rotation of the monitor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,625, issued to Baek for Monitor Stand Assembly, U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,779, issued to Bates et al. for Tilt And Rotate Apparatus For A Display Monitor and U.S. Pat. No. 5,632,463, issued to Sung et al. for Monitor Stand Assembly describe an upper stand portion having a slot. A stand base portion has a coupler bar received in the slot. When the upper stand portion is rotated relative to the stand base portion, projections of the coupler bar prevent disassembly thereof. The devices do not convey a cable through a hinge member having a central aperture configured to receive a vertical hinge shaft, fixed relative to a stand. U.S. Pat. No. 4,589,713, issued to Phuhl et al. for Video Display Support Joint describes a stand including upstanding, ribbed prongs. A connector ring, mounted on a monitor, has holes that receive the prongs. The connector ring traps a bottom casing and a protector cover, which provide tilting capability in the monitor relative to the stand, against the stand. The device employs a complicated assembly of multiple parts obviated by the present unitary hinge body. U.S. Pat. No. 4,691,886, issued to Wendling et al. for an Adjustable Display Stand describes a base with a detachable lower segment. The lower segment is not described as counterbalancing a display unit, or possessing any weight that inherently might counterbalance an upsetting, offset display unit center of gravity. U.S. Pat. No. 5,271,594, issued to Djelouah for a Solar Lamp Stand describes a receptacle demountably connected to a box. The box includes a detachable base plate. The base plate is constructed from plastic and an orifice with which the base plate is fastened to the ground.
After careful study of the exemplars of contemporary practice in the art, I have found a need for a flat-panel display apparatus including a dual-axis hinge conducting signal and power cable therethrough from an interface mounted in the stand that provides auxiliary connectors.

Stand structure for flat-panel display device with interface and speaker


A trailer hitch locking device for securing a trailer having a ball type hitch includes a rigid U-shaped frame member having a central lower mounting member, an upper pin shield, a locking pin having a flattened locking end, a shaft and a pin head, the locking end engaging a cylindrical security lock which engages the locking pin through a hole in the frame member, the cylindrical security lock being surrounded by a lock security collar, preventing access to the entire cylindrical lock except for the outer surface of the cylindrical lock, exposed from the lock security collar, the pin head being sunken into a pin head recess in the frame member across from the lock security collar. The pin head access prevents access to the pin, the upper pin shield prevents access to the shaft of the pin and the cylindrical security lock and lock security collar preventing access to the locking end of the pin, the pin preventing removal of the device from the applied ball type hitch of the trailer.

1. Field of Invention
A trailer hitch locking device for securing a trailer having a ball type hitch includes a rigid U-shaped frame member having a central lower mounting member, an upper pin shield, a locking pin having a flattened locking end, a shaft and a pin head, the locking end engaging a cylindrical security lock which engages the locking pin through a hole in the frame member, the cylindrical security lock being surrounded by a lock security collar, preventing access to the entire cylindrical lock except for the outer surface of the cylindrical lock, exposed from the lock security collar, the pin head being sunken into a pin head recess in the frame member across from the lock security collar. The pin head access prevents access to the pin, the upper pin shield prevents access to the shaft of the pin and the cylindrical security lock and lock security collar preventing access to the locking end of the pin, the pin preventing removal of the device from the applied ball type hitch of the trailer.
2. Description of Prior Art
The following United States patents were discovered and are disclosed within this application for utility patent. All relate to trailer locking devices. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,467,317 to Hillabush, a locking device adapted to a lunette-style trailer is disclosed which includes a bottom member having a hardened tang with a central aperture, a top member having a slot through which the tang extends and a step in lock having a bolt, activated by a lock mechanism, which engages the aperture in the tang to attach the bottom member to the top member, the step in lock having a raised wall within which the step in lock is secured. The step in lock and the raised wall bear similarity to element of the present invention, but the remainder of the Hillabush device is distinctively different from the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. D419,122 to Stech is adapted to a trailer hitch having a square ball locking mechanism. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,598,432 to Dwyer is a lock box is fitted over a trailer hitch, also having a central tang which is inserted within the ball receiving portion of a ball trailer hitch, as are U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,614 to Bonvillain, U.S. Pat. No. 5,775,139 to Sellers, U.S. Pat. No. 4,571,964 to Bratzler and D388,383 to Foster.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,755 to O'Neal involves a rounded ball inserting into the ball type hitch, the ball connected to a chain, the chain further connected to a padlock which locks the chain to a hole in the spring loaded lever of the hitch, locking the ball within the ball-type hitch. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,774,823 to Callison, a simple ball attached to a mounting plate attached to the trailer hitch, serves dual purpose, first in blocking access to a ball type hitch socket, and second, locking a connection between a ball type hitch and a ball on a towing hitch when attached together. A universal trailer hitch is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. D436,064 to Niswanger, discloses a U-shaped frame member, a central lower mounting member attached to the U-shaped member and a locking pin spanning the U-shaped member through a pair of aligned holes in the U-shaped member, the locking pin secured to the U-shaped member by a padlock, the locking pin securely retaining the Niswanger device on a ball type hitch.


A first portion or plug and a second portion or pencil are provided, for use in a device, such as a marine engine. The first portion or plug may have an outer surface with external threads and a cavity with internal threads. The external threads of the first portion or plug may be threaded oppositely from the internal threads inside the cavity of the first portion or plug. The opposite threading allows the plug and pencil combination to be detached and unscrewed from an engine without the plug and pencil coming apart.

Zinc pencils and brass plugs are often used, for example, in marine engines to help reduce or prevent the effects of electrolysis. Typical prior art brass plugs, used with zinc pencils, have outer threads and a cavity with inner threads, which are threaded in the same direction as the outer threads. During operation the zinc pencil will corrode, expand and form a crust on the outside of the zinc pencil. This makes the pencil diameter larger then the cavity of the engine into which the pencil was placed, making it difficult to remove the pencil from the engine cavity.
To remove a zinc pencil from an engine cavity one would turn the plug in a counter clockwise direction (for example) to unscrew the plug from the engine cavity. However, when the zinc pencil is corroded the zinc pencil will not move easily and turning the plug in the counter clockwise direction while the zinc pencil is not moving will cause the pencil to unscrew from the plug. This is because the outer threads on the plug and the inner threads in the cavity of the plug are threaded in the same direction.
If the pencil unscrews from the plug while the pencil is in the engine cavity, the pencil may fall into the cooling system of the engine. This can cause various undesirable results including restricted water flow in the engine.