A method, system and computer program product for automatic IP range selection is provided. The GUI accepts user input for a parent IP range and IP range size, from which is calculated an address space prefix that corresponds to the address space that has the available IP range size. If the user does not provide input, the GUI fields are dynamically populated with default values for IP range, address prefix, address space, IP range, and number of addresses, wherein the default values are retrieved from a system IP network configuration.

The present invention generally relates to network addressing, and more specifically, to automatic IP range selection.
To configure network services for computing resources, a user typically is required to choose an IP address range using the Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR) format to reserve a network. The IP address range that is chosen resides within one or more parent IP address ranges and must not overlap any previously reserved IP address ranges. The IP range must also be large enough to contain all of the computing resources that will exist on the network.

International Business Machines Corporation


A lifting apparatus includes a lift arm for carrying a platform or cradle and is pivotally attached to a base for movement between lowered and raised positions. A crank arm is pivotal with the base and a connector arm is pivotal with the lift arm. The crank arm and connector arm are pivotally connected to each other for rotation about a common pivot axis. Rotation of the crank arm by an actuator moves the crank arm and connector arm combination through a top dead center alignment a lowered over center alignment with the lift arm movable from the lowered position to the raised position during operating positions of the apparatus, and to a raised over center alignments with limited movement of the lift arm in the raised position for providing a locking position of the apparatus thus eliminating a need for typical additional locking mechanism.

While dock mounted and transom mounted davits and lifts are well known, improvements have been developed throughout the years as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,293,521 to Johns, JR. et al. for "Hydraulic Transom Lift," the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. As described in the Johns '521 patent, a transom mounted lift assembly includes a lift arm operable with an actuator for rotating the lift arm. A lift arm extension member has a cradle attached for carrying a watercraft such as a dinghy. Once the watercraft is lifted to a storage position, the lift assembly is locked into position using a latch having a hook rotated onto a latch pin. Both the lift actuator and the latch actuator are driven by a hydraulic power pack. One need for the locking and thus the latch results from typically slow pressure drops in the hydraulic lines feeding fluid and pressure to the actuators. Such need to secure the lift assembly in a stored position is well known in the art, as further illustrated with reference to U.S. Pat. No. 6,327,992 to Martin for "Hydraulic Lift for Small Watercraft Mounted to a Boat Transom," wherein a locking cylinder actuates a plate having a hook for securing the lifting apparatus in a stored position. The present invention is directed to improving a lift and avoiding the need for added equipment such as the locking latch, by way of example.

Transom platform lifting apparatus and method


A common base amplifier (29) has an input (31) and an output (32). A transistor (33) has an emitter coupled to the input (31) of the amplifier (29), a collector coupled to the output (32) of the amplifier (29), and a base coupled to a voltage reference (34) provides low input impedance and unity current gain. A control circuit (38) controls a first bias circuit (36) and a second bias circuit (37). The second bias circuit (37) is coupled to the collector of the transistor (33) and provides a bias current for the transistor (33) while transistor (33) outputs the bias current which is received by the first bias circuit (36). Control circuit (38) determines the current magnitude for both the first bias circuit (36) and the second bias circuit (37) and ensures that the current magnitudes are maintained at a fixed ratio.

This invention relates, in general, to amplifiers, and more particularly to common base amplifiers.
A common base amplifier configuration is well known by those skilled in the art and has properties which make it very attractive for use as a buffer. The key properties are wide bandwidth and low input impedance. The low input impedance of the common base configuration allows it to be coupled to a large parasitic capacitance without forming a bandwidth limiting pole. Furthermore, the wide bandwidth of the common base amplifier allows it to be used in conjunction with other amplification stages with minimal impact to the subsequent amplifier stages. Generally, a common base stage provides a unity gain current signal from input to output thereby isolating a circuit coupled to the output from any input loading capacitance. Two problems which limit common base applications on an integrated circuit are 1) circuit complexity and 2) circuit density.
An example of a highly capacitive node is an input/output (I/O) of an integrated circuit. The high capacitance of an I/O can be the single most important factor in determining system speed of an integrated circuit. For example, optical signals have extremely fast transmission speeds. An optical signal coupled to an integrated circuit is converted to an electrical signal. The optical signal converted to an electrical signal typically has a small magnitude and must be amplified to logic levels used internally on the integrated circuit. Parasitic capacitance at the I/O form a dominant pole when coupled to an amplifier with a relatively high input impedance thereby limiting speed at which data can be transmitted to the input. This problem is compounded by the fact that hundreds of I/O's might be needed on the integrated circuit. I/O circuits are placed in close proximity to the I/O pad. Area for an I/O circuit is at a premium and any solution that addresses the speed problem must also be area efficient (to fit within an I/O site).
It would be of great benefit if a common base stage is provided which is extremely simple, occupies a small physical area, and has a wide bandwidth.


A control apparatus for a vehicle lamp includes a receiver to receive an acceleration signal indicative of an acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor, and a controller to derive an inclination angle of a vehicle relative to a horizontal plane from the acceleration signal. While the vehicle is stopped and if a change in the acceleration exceeds a threshold, the controller outputs an adjustment signal indicative of an instruction to adjust an optical axis of the vehicle lamp in accordance with a difference in the inclination angle before and after the change in the acceleration.

In an automatic leveling control, an irradiation direction can be changed by automatically adjusting the position of an optical axis of a vehicle headlamp according to an inclination angle of the vehicle. Generally, in automatic leveling control, vehicle height sensors are used as an inclination detection unit of a vehicle, and the position of the optical axis of a headlamp is adjusted on the basis of a pitch angle of the vehicle that is detected by the vehicle height sensors. Alternatively, an automatic leveling control may be implemented by using an acceleration sensor for detecting a pitch angle of the vehicle (see, e.g., JP2000-085459A, JP2004-314856A, JP2001-341578A and JP2009-126268A).
By using an acceleration sensor to detect a pitch angle of a vehicle, it is possible to reduce the manufacturing cost as well as the weight of an automatic leveling system as compared with a situation in which vehicle height sensors are used. Nevertheless, there is a demand for improved accuracy of an automatic leveling control using an acceleration sensor.

Control apparatus for vehicle lamp and vehicle lamp system


The invention makes it easier for the post office to calculate accurately terminal dues for business reply mail by providing information to the post regarding each piece of business reply mail that crosses an international border. The foregoing is accomplished by charging a sender's meter for business reply mail that is being deposited with a first carrier; transmitting the funds charged to the meter to a meter data center; transmitting from the meter data center to a first carrier meter payment center the funds attributable to the first and second carriers; and transmitting from the first meter payment data center to the second meter payment data center the funds attributable to the second carrier.

The Universal Postal Union has a complex system that administers contracts between member post offices relating to terminal dues paid between and among different post offices. Terminal dues are the payments made between national postal administrations to cover the costs of handling and delivering international mail. Rates are established by the Universal Postal Union, and through bilateral and multilateral agreements. Typically, a post office will charge another post office for the delivery of mail to a recipient within its jurisdiction. For instance, if mail is sent from the United States to the United Kingdom, the United States post office will deliver the mail to the Royal Mail, and the Royal Mail will deliver the mail to the recipient. At the end of a predetermined time, the United States post office and the Royal Mail will tabulate, by weight, all of the mail each post office delivered for the other post office and calculate how much money one post office owes to the other post office.
Business mailers prepare and process various types of business mail utilizing inserters to collate the sheets and stuff the same into envelopes. Invoices, advertisements for the purchase of goods and/or services, prepaid post cards as well as business reply, i.e., business reply envelopes, business reply cards. Business reply sometimes is placed in outer envelopes mailed by business mailers to customers. Recipients of business mailers' mail may enclose a check and invoice and/or an advertisement order form in the business reply mail and mail it via the United States Postal Service (USPS) to the business mailer. Business mailer recipient customers may also mail the enclosed business reply card back to the business mailer.
The USPS allows a business mailer to receive first class business reply permit mail from their customers and pay postage and a fee only for the mail returned to the mailer from the original distribution of the mailing. Postage and fees are collected when the mailer picks up the permit business reply mail at their local USPS office.
One of the disadvantages of the above procedure is that it does not accurately determine the services performed by each post office.
An additional disadvantage of the prior art is that a postage meter could not be used for the payment of international business reply mail.

Integrated payment for international business reply mail


Embodiments herein relate to a method for handling light source impairment. The position of a user's eye(s) when the user is inside the vehicle is obtained. The position of a light source outside the vehicle and an intensity of light from the light source in relation to the position of the user's eye(s) is obtained. Then, it is determined whether the user's vision is impaired by the light source. The determining is done based on whether there is a line of sight between the light source and the user's eye(s), and based on the intensity of light at the user's eye(s). It is determined whether at least one safety measure should be performed by the vehicle based on whether the user's vision is impaired by the light source.

When being subject to bright light, humans may experience difficulty in seeing things. This may also be referred to as glare or dazzle. The bright light received may be perceived as uncomfortable by the person. Several car accidents are caused by a user that was distracted by the sun, oncoming headlights or other light sources. Some figures say that 2,575 accidents out of 108,211 are caused by dazzling sun. With active safety systems in the vehicles, several of these accidents are prevented today.
If a user of the vehicle is dazzled by e.g., the sun, the sun can be blocked at the particular windscreen position where it is visible to the user. For example, the windscreen may be a smart windscreen where a selectable part can be darkened in order to block the sun at the particular position. Another counter measure may be to activate another suitable safety system that is deactivated.
After a blinding glare is removed, an after-image remains on the eye's retina that creates a blind spot for the user. This phenomenon, known as the Troxler Effect, has been found to postpone user reaction time by up to 1.4 seconds.
Therefore, there is a need to at least mitigate or solve the issue that users' vision are impaired by light sources in order to reduce the amount of accidents caused by this.

System and method for handling light source impairment


A RISC processor having a data mover engine and instructions that associate register addresses with memory addresses. In an embodiment, the instructions include a read-tie instruction, a single write-tie instruction, a dual write-tie instruction, and an untie instruction. The read-tie, single write-tie, and dual write-tie instructions are used to associate software accessible register addresses with memory addresses. These associations effect the operation of the data mover engine such that, for the duration of the associations, the data mover engine routes data to and from associated memory addresses and the execution unit of the processor in response to instructions that specify moving data to and from the associated register addresses. The invention reduces the number of instructions and hardware overhead associated with implementing program loops in a RISC processor.

Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processors are well known. RISC processors have instructions that facilitate the use of techniques such as pipelining, thereby improving processing performance.
Conventional RISC processors cannot operate on data stored in memory. Therefore, data to be operated upon by the processor must first be moved from memory into a register of the processor using a load instruction. Additionally, results calculated by the processor must be moved from a register back to memory using a store instruction. As a result, the load and store instructions of a conventional RISC processor can create significant overhead in certain types of programs, especially programs that perform looping routines. This overhead can also limit the speed at which a program operates. Furthermore, programs with looping routines need instructions to maintain and update a loop counter. This also results in additional overhead.
What is needed is a new RISC processor that overcomes the limitations noted above.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Conditional branch execution in a processor having a write-tie instruction and a data mover engine that associates register addresses with memory addresses


The present invention relates to an electric radiator. A heating body, made of a resistive element embedded in a light alloy unit, is housed in an enclosure. The enclosure and heating body are separated by stiffening elements to surround the heating body with an air space. Heat is controlled by cutting power to the heating body during a variable time interval.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electric radiator having a heating body embedded in a light alloy unit.
2. Background and Material Information
The present invention acts as either a primary or supplemental heat source for all types of environments, including apartments, houses, offices, stores, or other private or professional premises.
Under the current design of heating systems, it is difficult to control and optimize energy consumption in large installations. As a result, self-contained individual units have become the preferred method of heat over central heating systems, except for hospitals and hotels.
The three most commonly used sources of energy for heating systems are fuel oil, gas and electricity. Electricity has numerous advantages over the other two, including versatility, cleanliness, comfort, ease of adjustment and programming, low investment, etc.; however, the cost of electric power is substantially higher than the other two types of energy. This has motivated the development of "integrated heating", which utilizes electric heaters in an environment which is insulated properly. Specifically, in order to save energy, new buildings are well-insulated, and electricity is the preferred source of energy to provide heat.
Heating units are generally in the form of radiator units which include a casing of metal provided with an inlet and outlet for air passage. A single electric resistance, which is often associated with wings or baffles, increases the heat exchange surface and/or directs the air flow. The control mechanism is typically a thermostat integrated in the unit, although more developed systems may be used, such as a zone thermostat, exterior thermostat, programming or power cut-off device.
Current electric radiators have two particular disadvantages.
First, the control is typically an on-off control between two nearly equal temperatures ("differential"). In this design, the heat source is alternately shut-off and cold, then connected at its maximum temperature. Recent studies have shown that the "impression" of the heat does not "feel" like the preferred temperature, but rather makes the heated environment feel closer to the lower temperature. As a result, users often set the thermostat several degrees above the desired temperature, wasting a significant amount of electricity.
Second, while numerous public awareness campaigns encourage saving energy, most people who have a graduated thermostat set it to 19.degree. or 20.degree. C. (which are the generally recommended values). However, users of hot water heaters controlled by non-graduated taps are often satisfied with substantially lower temperatures, which do not provide the same "feel" of being cold as noted above.

Electric radiator with a heating body embedded in a light alloy unit


A security device may include a spool, locking mechanism, button, plug, and latch. The spool is configured to either wind or unwind a cable for wrapping around an object. The locking mechanism is configured to partially lock the spool. The button may be used to move the locking mechanism between locked and unlocked positions. The button may be blocked by inserting a plug into a housing of the device such that the button cannot be activated to unlock the spool. The plug may be secured to the housing through the latch that prevents the unauthorized removal of the plug. For an enhanced locking feature, the latch and the plug may be configured to require at least two forces to move the latch and free the plug. The spool, locking mechanism, and button may be stacked along a common axis to provide a more compacted design.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to security devices used to protect merchandise or other objects and, more particularly, to security devices having one or more adjustable cables used to wrap around the objects such that the security devices are secured to the objects.
2. Description of Related Art
Electronic article surveillance (EAS) systems are often used to deter and detect shoplifting. Typically, an EAS security system includes an EAS tag, a transmitter, a receiver, and an alarm. The EAS tag is attached to a piece of merchandise. The transmitter and the receiver are positioned at the exit of a retail establishment and configured to establish a detection zone in which a consumer must pass through as he or she exits the retail establishment. The transmitter is configured to send signals through the detection zone. When an EAS tag enters the detection zone, the EAS tag responds and creates a signal or a change or disturbance in the original signal transmitted by the transmitter, which is detectable by the receiver. Upon detection of the EAS tag, the alarm is triggered in order to notify the store personnel that someone is trying to exit the retail establishment with merchandise that has an attached and active EAS tag.
In an EAS system, it is the actual EAS tag that is being detected and not the merchandise itself. Therefore, an EAS system can be circumvented by removing the EAS tag from the merchandise. To prevent the unauthorized removal of the EAS tag, security devices have been developed. A typical security device is configured to house the EAS tag and attach the EAS tag to the merchandise in a manner that limits the likelihood that a consumer or a would-be thief could tamper with or otherwise remove the EAS tag from the merchandise.
As an example, one particular type of security device is a cable wrap security device such as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,497,101, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Typically, a cable wrap security device includes a first housing for a ratchet mechanism, a second housing for an EAS tag, and a cable that is routed through both the first and second housing and configured to wrap around the package of the merchandise. The ratchet mechanism is configured to tighten the cable around the package such that the security device is not removable from the package without being loosened. The security device further includes a locking mechanism that prevents loosening or release of the cable without a specifically configured key or other specialized equipment that is controlled by the employees of the retail establishment. In some applications, the cable of the cable wrap security device also prevents a consumer or would-be thief from opening or otherwise tampering with the package to get to the merchandise within the package.


The present invention discloses a composition of matter consisting of a high impact polystyrene exhibiting improved environmental stress crack resistance. The HIPS material is formed utilizing polybutadiene, polyisoprene, and copolymers thereof with styrene, having a Mooney viscosity exceeding about 35 and a gel content of up to about 28%. The present invention discloses the use of a combination of lubricant additives to obtain a HIPS material with higher ESCR values than either additive alone could provide, and also discloses the optimum level of each additive.

It is well known that rubber-reinforced polymers of monovinylaromatic compounds, such as styrene, alphamethyl styrene and ring substituted styrenes are desirable for a variety of uses. More particularly, rubber reinforced polymers of styrene having included therein discrete particles of a crosslinked rubber, for example, polybutadiene, the discrete particles of rubber being dispersed throughout the styrene polymer matrix, can be used in a variety of applications including refrigerator linings, packaging applications, furniture, household appliances and toys. The conventional term for such rubber reinforced polymers is "High Impact Polystyrene" or "HIPS". The physical characteristics and mechanical properties of HIPS are dependent upon many factors, including the particle size of the cross-linked rubber particles. One of the most desirable characteristics of HIPS material is the ability of such material to resist environmental articles such as food containers. In addition, other such properties which must be maintained for such articles include flexural strength and tensile strength.
The property of stress crack resistance, or environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR), is particularly important in thermoplastic polymers utilized in food containers. The food content of such polymer containers might not normally degrade the type of polymeric material of which the container is made, but when a thermoplastic polymer is thermoformed from extruded sheet material, residual stresses are locked into the molded article. These stresses open the polymer up to attack by substances which it would normally be totally resistant to. Such articles made from styrene polymers modified with rubber to increase impact strength are prone to stress cracking when they come into contact with common agents found in organic food products such as fats and oils. Likewise, such products are also subject to stress cracking when coming into contact with organic blowing agents such as halohydrocarbons, containing fluorine and chlorine. These polymers generally are found in household items such as refrigerator liners, which may crack when the cavities in the refrigerators are filled with a polyurethane foam as a result of the blowing agent utilized in the foam.
In the past, environmental stress cracking has been prevented by complex procedures usually involving multiple layer polymer construction wherein an intermediate protective layer of polymer is placed between the polystyrene layer and the blowing agent or the fatty food materials. One such layer of material utilized to insulate the styrene from these agents is the terpolymer material known as ABS, or acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene. Other attempts to improve the stress crack resistance of high impact monovinylaromatic polymers have been to increase the amount of rubber mixed in the polymer. Unfortunately the higher rubber content decreases the tensile and flexural strengths. Other solutions have involved the use of tightly controlling process conditions to maintain strict control over particle size of the rubber particles cross linked within the polystyrene matrix. One such patent disclosing this technique is that granted to the assignee of the present invention, U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,210, issued Oct. 11, 1988, in which a continuous flow process for producing high impact polystyrene and for providing reliable and reproducible methods for varying particle sizes was disclosed. In that patented process, a pre-inversion reactor was utilized to convert a solution of styrene, polystyrene, rubber (such as polybutadiene) and a peroxide catalyst into a high impact polystyrene material exhibiting high environmental stress crack resistance.
Another attempt to improve stress crack resistance was that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,144,204 to Mittnacht, et al., dated Mar. 13, 1979 in which a monovinylaromatic compound was modified with rubber to increase the ESCR and wherein the amount of rubber dissolved in the monomer prior to polymerization was chosen so that the content of the soft component (gel phase) in the impact resistance polymer was at least 28% by weight and preferably 38% by weight or more, based on the weight of the impact resistant polymer. The upper limit of the content of soft component was about 50 to 60% by weight and a preferable range of 30 to 40% by weight was found advantageous.
A third method used conventionally to increase ESCR in HIPS is that disclosed in British patent specification 1,362,399 in which a liquid hydrocarbon telomer having an unsaturated carbon chain is added to the HIPS material in amounts ranging from 0.2 up to 5 parts per hundred. Telomers are defined in Websters unabridged dictionary as the products of chemical reaction involving the addition of fragments of one molecule (such as alcohol, acetal or chloroform) to the ends of a polymerizing olefin chain. In the British patent, the specific number average molecular weights in the range of 1000 to 6000. Experiments attempting to utilize low molecular weight polybutadienes to manufacture ESCR-HIPS have been unsuccessful because of cross-linking, indicating that this patented process utilizes butadienes which are compounded or blended with polystyrene rather than being added during the polymerization reaction.
Another attempt to improve the stress crack resistance of HIPS material can be found in British patent No. GB 2,153,370A, wherein a HIPS material was manufactured utilizing a high molecular weight rubber material having a stated molecular mass of at least 300,000, a viscosity greater than or equal to 140 centipoise; the resulting HIPS containing between 7 and 10% by weight of rubber, and the polymerization being carried out in the presence of alphamethyl styrene dimer or a compound chosen from n-dodecylmercaptan, tertiarydodecylmercaptan, diphenyl 1,3 butadiene, or various other compounds or mixtures thereof. Also, this process was carried out in the presence of cyclohexane and ethylbenzene equal to at least 7% by weight of the total ingredients. In addition, additives including monotriglycerides of stearates from polyethylene waxes were also necessary.
On the other hand, additives are used for reasons besides ESCR improvement. U.S. Pat. No. 3,506,740 to Dempsey, et al. teaches the use of low molecular weight polyolefins as internal lubricants for impact polystyrene compositions. Listed examples include polypropylenes and polybutylenes with molecular weights in the range of 800 to 1600 (as measured by vapor pressure osmometry).

Monovinylaromatic polymer with improved stress crack resistance


This invention relates to methods and apparatus of a combination of multi-laser wave mixing technology with diagnostic flow system with embodiments describing capillary electrophoresis. The unique combination of these technologies along with minute detection levels not yet been seen in the field.

Laser wave mixing has been described in many patents, journals and articles. Having greatest relation to embodiments of the invention described herein are Tong has described degenerate four wave mixing and apparatus therein in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,600,444 and 6,141,094 and Patent Application 2006263777. These describe apparati and methods that in their capacities are capable of analyzing small quantities of analytes down to a detection level of attomoles. They utilize different complements of analysis systems including HPLC and HCPE and a gas phase atomizer type spectroscopy. Furthermore, the dissertation "Protein Analysis at the Single Cell Level by Nonlinear Laser Wave-Mixing Spectroscopy for High Throughput Capillary Electrophoresis Applications" from Sadri's PhD dissertation N.C. State from 2008 relates similar apparati discussed in the Tong patents that reach the levels of detection of yoctomoles (10−24). The named articles, dissertations and patents are incorporated by reference in their entirety. These references give a background into the theories, adjustments and variations upon the technology that are explanatory. Similarly, capillary electrophoresis (CE) has been explained and describe in many patents and journal articles. A current review article gives a good example of the technology as used with peptides "Peptide Separation by Capillary Electrophoresis with Ultraviolet Detection: Some Simple Approaches To Enhance Sensitivity and Resolution," L. Noumie Suragau, Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences, 15:2 (2011)273-287. This reference gives a current view of CE technology with peptides as an example analyte. Some advantages of CE are: employs capillary tubing within which the electrophoretic separation occurs; adaptable to modern detector technology to give ease of use output; has great efficiencies; requires minute amounts of sample; easily automated for precise quantitative analysis and ease of use; consumes limited quantities of reagents thus making it environmentally friendly; is applicable to a wide selection of analytes.
As used in this specification and in the appended claims, the singular forms "a," an" and "the" include plural references unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
The use of the word "preferably" in its various forms is explanatory for ease of reading, and should not be used to read into the claims as limiting or anything more.
In describing the invention and embodiments, the following terms will be employed and are intended to be defined as indicated below. If any terms are not fully defined, then the normal usage as used in the art will fill any gaps in the understanding of the terminology.
Laser: is a device that creates a beam of light where all of the photons are in a coherent state—usually with the same frequency and phase. Among the other effects, this means that the light from a laser is often tightly focused and does not diverge much, resulting in the traditional laser beam. In free space, the beams inside and outside the cavity are usually Gaussian distributed and are highly collimated with very small divergence. The distance over which the laser beam remains collimated depends on the square of the beam diameter while divergence angle varies inversely with the beam diameter.
Collimating: is the process of making light rays parallel from a mixture of diverging light rays or beams, and therefore will spread slowly as it propagates. The word is related to "collinear" and implies light that does not disperse with distance (ideally), or that will disperse minimally (in reality). A perfectly collimated beam with no divergence cannot be created due to diffraction, but light can be approximately collimated by a number of processes, for instance by means of a collimator or collimating lens.
Diagnostic flow technology: Is a solid state technology through a series of pumps or pump like mechanisms (such as electroosmotic flow, electrophoretic flow, capillary action, siphoning, pressure, imploding gas bubbles and the like) and apparati move analytes from a sample collection area to an analysis area which comprise of multiple detectors types such as photodiode arrays (PDA), ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) spectrometers, charge coupled device (CCD) (such as a CCD-camera) mass spectrometer (MS), Infrared spectrometers (such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR)}, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) detectors, Refractive Index spectrometers (RI), fluorescence detectors, radiation photomultipliers, and the like. Flow can be achieved through liquids, fluids, gas or other means pumped or other means driven through a series of channels and mediums (such as tubing or silica gels) to move analytes from one point to another. Examples would comprise but not limited to Liquid Chromatography (LC) (which would further comprises variations such as micellar, ion exchange and the like), Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC), Gas Chromatography (GC), High Performance Capillary Electrophoresis (HPCE), Capillary Zone Electrophoresis (CZE), Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC), Sub-critical Fluid Chromatography (SubFC), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP), and the like. Each technology is unique unto its own with positives and negatives propagating from each in achieving the needs of the user. For example, capillary electrophoresis has environmental positives in utilizing very little hazardous materials but has negative issues in what substances in what solvents are compatible.
Focal spot: an area or point onto which collimated light parallel to the axis of a lens is focused. This spot of light can be expanded and contracted in different shapes and geometries by some means such as a cylindrical lens.
Absorptive interaction: interaction of analytes in a flow cell chamber or multi channel chamber when the two input beams are mixed and focused in an absorbing medium. These beams form light induced gratings when analytes absorb the excitation light beam. The excited molecules in the form of interference patterns release their heat energy to surrounding solvent or matrix molecules, creating dynamic thermal gratings, and as a result, refractive index gratings. The incoming photons from the probe beam diffract off the gratings to generate the output signal beams.
Multichannel chamber: an enclosed space in which is configured to allow an absorptive interaction between multiple analytes and light beams. Multichannel flow cells and multiple capillary arrays can be situated in a multichannel chamber.

High-throughput multi-laser wave mixing detection methods and apparatus


A method for manufacturing a coil-embedded dust core with a small variation in inductance value with efficiency includes a step (a) of charging soft magnetic metal powder including an insulating material, composing a green body 10, so as to cover a coil 1, and (b) compacting the soft magnetic metal powder covering the coil 1 in an axial direction of the coil 1. In the step (b), the soft magnetic metal powder is compacted while an amount of the soft metal powder charged into the part corresponding to the winding section is kept smaller than an amount of the soft magnetic metal powder charged into the other part that are not corresponding to the winding section, with an upper surface or a lower surface of the winding section as a reference.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a coil-embedded dust core, which may be used in inductors having a unitary structure with a magnetic core and in other electronic components. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing the coil-embedded dust core. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing coil-embedded dust core constructed by embedding an air-core coil in a green body, and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, electric and electronic equipment has become more compact, and dust cores that are compact (low in height) yet able to accommodate large current have come to be in demand.
Materials used for dust cores are ferrite powder and ferromagnetic metal powder, but ferromagnetic metal powder has larger saturation magnetic flux density than ferrite powder and its DC bias characteristics may be maintained even in a strong magnetic field. Consequently, in making a dust core that can accommodate large current, using ferromagnetic metal powder as a material for dust core has become mainstream.
In addition, in order to further the effort to make the core more compact (lower in height), a coil body in which a coil and compacted magnetic powder form a unitary structure has been proposed. In the present specification, an inductor having such a structure may be called a "coil-embedded dust core."
A manufacturing method for a surface-mount type inductor having a structure of a coil-embedded dust core has been proposed in the past. For example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-291046 discloses that an exterior electrode is connected to an insulation-coated conduction wire, and these are enclosed in magnetic powder, which is then compressed into a magnetic body. Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.11-273980 discloses that a composite material made by mixing flat soft magnetic metal powder and binder, and a coil are inserted into a die constituted by a die set and a bottom punch at the same time and compression-forming is performed. Japanese Patent No. 2958807 discloses a method for manufacturing an inductor by compressing magnetic powder while orientating the easy axis of magnetization of magnetic powder along the orientation of the magnetic field formed by energizing the coil in order to obtain a large inductance value. Further, Japanese Patent No.3108931 discloses the method for manufacturing an inductor by preparing a first green body and a second green body which are preformed by compression respectively and by performing main compression-forming until an interface between the first green body and the second green body is removed with the coil being vertically sandwiched with these green bodies. According to the method described in Japanese Patent No. 3108931, a loading weight of magnetic powder constituting the green body can be increased, and therefore a larger inductance value can be obtained than in the above-described Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-291046, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-273980, and Japanese Patent No. 2958807.
However, according to the method described in Japanese Patent No. 3108931, three forming operations are required, that is, performing of the first green body, performing of the second green body, and main forming performed with the coil being sandwiched by the first green body and the second green body. When these forming operations are performed with one die machine, a die has to be replaced for each forming operation, which is inefficient. Further, in the case of main forming, compressing pressure is increased so that the interface of the preformed core is not left, which causes problems of deformation of the coil, an insulation failure and the like.
As described above, a large inductance value can be obtained with the coil-embedded dust core of a small size, and while size reduction of electric and electronic devices are rapidly advancing, there is a strong demand for improvement in quality of the coil-embedded dust core. In concrete, as the frequency at which the coil-embedded dust core is used shifted to a higher frequency side, the demand for precision of the inductance values increases. Since impedance increases in proportion to a frequency, the coil-embedded dust core has to be designed so that the inductance value decreases as the frequency, at which the coil-embedded dust core is used, is shifted to a higher frequency side. Meanwhile, it is necessary to avoid the situation in which part of the magnetic body is saturated magnetically and a predetermined inductance value (design value) cannot be obtained. Namely, it is required to obtain an inductance value previously specified based on the working frequency with stability.
Thus, in view of the above-described points, the present invention has its object to provide a method for efficiently manufacturing a coil-embedded dust core which attains a predetermined inductance value (design value) with a small variation in inductance value, and the like.

Method for manufacturing inductor having coil embedded dust core


A storage system may store files on multiple nodes. One or more logs may indicate operations performed on the files stored in the storage system and may identify the nodes that requested the operations. A new allocation or file placement scheme may be determined to reduce network traffic.

Cloud computing has increased in popularity as more applications and data services are being managed remotely on a server rather than locally on a client. For example, cloud systems are often used to store files and host applications for users. A cloud system may include many servers to perform these storage and hosting functions. Each server in a cloud system can be referred to as a node. Users can connect to the cloud system via the Internet (such as for a public cloud) or some other network (such as for a private cloud) using their own computing devices, such as personal computers, smart phones, or the like.

Determining file allocation based on file operations

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


An automatic liquid filling system including a liquid supply, a liquid-retaining structure, and a filling apparatus in fluid communication with the liquid supply and the liquid-retaining structure. The filling apparatus is configured to automatically supply liquid to the liquid-retaining structure when the liquid recedes below a low level that is based on a position of the filling apparatus in relation to the liquid-retaining structure.

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and method of filling a liquid receptacle, and more particularly to a system and method of automatically filling a liquid-retaining structure, such as a bird bath.
Various liquid-retaining structures, such as bird baths, pet water bowls, livestock troughs, aquariums, pools, and the like require a minimal amount of liquid to adequately operate. For example, if the water level in a bird bath is too low, birds will not be attracted to the bird bath. Similarly, a livestock water trough will be incapable of providing water to livestock if the trough is empty.
In order to maintain suitable water levels within liquid-retaining structures, a user typically monitors the liquid levels within the structures. When the liquid level within a structure is too low, the user typically refills the structure. The water level within the structure remains low or empty until the user decides to refill the structure. As such, if the user is absent for a given period of time, the liquid-retaining structure will remain low or empty until the user returns and refills the structure.
Thus, a need exists for a safe, efficient, cost-effective manner of automatically filling a water-retaining structure, such as a bird bath, pool, pond, livestock water trough, aquarium, or the like.

System and method for automatically filling a liquid receptacle


A removal system for sewn-in hair extensions, hair weaves, hair augmentation, and wigs is disclosed. This invention solves issues with respect to facile removal and scalp irritation caused by such extensions through the use of methods using dissolvable thread and dissolving agent, with optional added antipruritic and anti-itch properties or by adding a separate antipruritic agent. The dissolvable thread may be used to either secure hair extension wefts to a wearer's hair or in conjunction with a hair weft constructed of the same dissolvable material comprising the thread.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to hair weft extensions and methods of securing same, and more particularly to providing a hair weft with a dissolvable thread which secures the weft to natural hair or wig caps for extending the length of the natural hair and enhancing the fullness of the hair on a individual's head, where such dissolvable thread allows for facile removal of such hair weft extensions.
2. Background Information
The amount of time and effort spent in the removal of sewn-in hair extensions, hair weaves, hair augmentation, or wigs from the person's natural hair is tedious and lengthy. Cutting instruments utilized in this task invariably result in the unintentional cutting of some of the wearer's own natural hair.
Using cutting instruments to remove hair extensions, such as scissors or knives, often presents the risk of mistakenly cutting one's own natural hair, or sustaining cutting injuries altogether. Further, the vast majority of people wearing previously installed hair extensions continuously experience itching from such extensions.
The methods and compositions disclosed herein solve both of those issues through the use of dissolvable thread and dissolving agent, with added antipruritic and anti-itch properties, thus providing consistent comfort to the wearer. The dissolvable thread may be used to either secure hair extension wefts to a wearer's hair or in conjunction with a hair weft constructed of the same materials of which the dissolvable thread is constructed.

Removal system for sewn-in hair extensions, hair weaves, hair augmentation, and wigs


An inclined plane which inclines toward a lower plane of a ceiling portion, that is, the lower plane of a communication substrate from a ceiling plane of a second liquid chamber is formed in the second liquid chamber of the communication substrate. Therefore, an individual communication opening is formed, in a state of penetrating the communication substrate from the inclined plane. One end (lower end) of the individual communication opening communicates with the second liquid chamber by being open onto the inclined plane, and the other end (upper end) of the individual communication opening individually communicates with a pressure chamber of a pressure chamber forming substrate by being open onto an upper plane of the communication substrate. When a thickness of the communication substrate is referred to as T, a length of the individual communication opening is referred to as L, and a substantial depth of the second liquid chamber is referred to as D, the dimensions are configured so as to be L+D>T.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a flow path component which is used in a liquid discharge head such as an ink jet type recording head, and a liquid discharge apparatus, particularly, to a flow path component which is formed from a silicon substrate, a liquid discharge head, and a liquid discharge apparatus.
2. Related Art
A liquid discharge apparatus is an apparatus which includes a liquid discharge head, and discharges (ejects) various types of liquids from the discharge head. As such a liquid discharge apparatus, for example, there is an image recording apparatus such as an ink jet type printer or an ink jet type plotter, but recently, the liquid discharge apparatus is applied to various types of manufacturing apparatuses by using a feature of being able to accurately land the liquid of a very small amount at a predetermined position. For example, the liquid discharge apparatus is applied to a display manufacturing apparatus which manufactures a color filter such as a liquid crystal display, an electrode forming apparatus which forms an electrode such as an organic electro luminescence (EL) display or a field emission display (FED), or a chip manufacturing apparatus which manufactures a biochip (biotip). Therefore, a liquid ink is discharged in a recording head for the image recording apparatus, and a solution of each color material such as red (R), green (G) or blue (B) is discharged in a color material discharge head for the display manufacturing apparatus. Moreover, a liquid electrode material is discharged in an electrode material discharge head for the electrode forming apparatus, and a solution of a bio-organic matter is discharged in a bio-organic matter discharge head for the chip manufacturing apparatus.
In such a liquid discharge head, for example, a nozzle plate where a plurality of nozzles are installed, a substrate where a plurality of hollow portions to be a pressure chamber communicating with the respective nozzles are formed, a substrate where a flow path hollow portion to be a common liquid chamber (referred to as reservoir or manifold) in which the liquid being common to the respective pressure chambers is accumulated is formed, a plurality of piezoelectric elements (one type of actuators) which are respectively arranged correlating with the respective pressure chambers and the like are included. In such a configuration, since a flow path and the like can be formed by an etching highly accurately, a silicon substrate (silicon single crystal substrate) is adopted, as a material of the substrate which forms the flow path (for example, see JP-A-2014-037133).
In the configuration which is disclosed in JP-A-2014-037133, as illustrated FIG. 12, among a communication substrate 64 where the flow path hollow portion of the common liquid chamber is formed, a hollow is made by the etching in the middle of a substrate thickness direction toward an upper plane side from a lower plane of the communication substrate 64, and thereby, a hollow portion (referred to as liquid chamber hollow portion, hereinafter) 65 being a portion of the common liquid chamber is formed. Moreover, in the communication substrate 64, an individual communication opening 66 which penetrates the upper plane of the communication substrate 64 from the common liquid chamber is formed, in order that the common liquid chamber individually communicates with the respective pressure chambers. The individual communication opening 66 functions as a flow path of individually supplying the ink to the pressure chamber from the common liquid chamber side. In addition thereto, the individual communication opening 66 is a portion relating to discharge efficiency at the time of discharging the ink from the nozzle by driving the actuator. Hence, a flow path sectional area (hole diameter) or a flow path length is designed, so that flow path resistance, inertance or the like is suitable in the individual communication opening 66. Since a hole diameter X of the individual communication opening 66 is determined to a degree being the minimum value depending on a processing method, in general, a full length L′ of the individual communication opening 66 is mainly adjusted, so that the inertance or the like becomes the suitable value after the hole diameter X is determined to be fixed.
However, if the length L′ of the individual communication opening 66 is set to be suitable, since a depth D of the liquid chamber hollow portion 65 tends to be shallow along therewith, that is, since the flow path sectional area of the liquid chamber hollow portion 65 becomes small, the flow path resistance becomes significant in the liquid chamber hollow portion 65, and hereby, there is a tendency that a pressure loss is increased. In contrast, when the depth D of the liquid chamber hollow portion 65 is secured in order to suppress pressure loss, the length L′ of the individual communication opening 66 is insufficient.

Flow path component, liquid discharge head, and liquid discharge apparatus


The rubber composition and the material suitable for preparing the rubber composition show high gas-barrier properties and being free from inhibition of vulcanization. The rubber composition is essentially composed of a rubber and a layered mineral filler treated with short chain alkyl ammonium salt.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a rubber composition which is useful for preparing products such as a rubber hose, a gasket and packing material, and to material for the rubber composition.
2. Description of the Related Art
It have been known to add a layered mineral filler such as clay or mica in the form of flat to a rubber to mix them in order to improve gas-barrier properties of the rubber. The layered mineral filler in the form of flat is not permeable to gas, and therefore it is generally considered that the gas-barrier properties of the rubber composition can be improved by the volume fraction of the filler mixed with the rubber.
Even the use of the layered mineral filler is restricted in the improvement of the gas-barrier properties. In contrast, increase of the added amount of the layered mineral filler brings about deterioration of processing properties (e.g., extruding properties) of a formulation for the rubber composition and increase of the weight of the formulation, and further leads to lowering of strength and elongation of the resultant rubber composition.
JP-A-11-159667 describes a process for preparing a rubber composition by using an organic-treated clay and a modified butyl rubber having a carboxylic anhydride group. Further it describes that a hose for transporting refrigerant is obtained by use of the rubber composition and the hose has excellent vibration absorbing properties and fluid-barrier hose has excellent vibration absorbing properties and fluid-barrier properties. The organic-treated clay (clay treated with organic compound) is obtained by ionicically combining a clay with an organic onium ion. Examples of the organic onium ion include ammonium ion having six or more carbon atoms such as hexyl ammonium ion, stearyl ammonium ion and trioctyl ammonium ion.


A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a color filter including complementary color filter segments. When a shutter release bottom is pressed to its half-stroke or full-stroke position, light incident via the filter is picked up in a movie/photometry or a still picture mode, respectively. While signal charges are read out of an image sensor in accordance with the mode, the signal charges are digitized to become pixel data. In the movie/the photometry mode, despite that a plurality of pixel data are mixed together, a set of primary color pixel data are generated as if pixel signals were thinned out by mixture. In the still picture mode, all the pixels are sequentially read out and interpolated to generate primary color pixel data greater in number than photosensitive cells. The primary color data are raised in frequency to enhance the resolution of a picture.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a solid-stated image pickup apparatus and a signal processing method therefor advantageously applicable to the processing of image signals output from, e.g., an image pickup apparatus using complementary colors.
2. Description of the Background Art
Today, a digital camera using a solid-state image pickup apparatus is extensively used because of various advantages available therewith. For example, a digital camera outputs a picture with resolution comparable with the resolution of a camera using a silver halide photosensitive type of film. Also, a digital camera allows a picture picked up to be immediately seen on an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or monitor mounted on the camera. Further, a digital camera allows image data representative of a picture to be input to a computer.
A current trend in a digital camera art is toward a smaller image sensing device, or smaller pixel size, that enhances the resolution of a picture and reduces the cost of the camera. A decrease in pixel size, however, directly translates into a decrease in the sensitivity of the individual image sensing device. While picture quality may be enhanced if both of resolution and sensitivity are increased, resolution and sensitivity are contrary to each other in the above respect.
In light of the above, nearby pixels may be shifted from each other in order to enhance resolution. Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 340455/1996, for example, discloses an image signal processor including unique data generating means. The data generating means generates pixel data in a lattice pattern on the basis of signal charges read out of a plurality of actual pixels, which adjoin a given pixel and are arranged in a non-lattice pattern. Despite that the image signal processor uses photosensitive cells arranged in a non-lattice pattern, it is capable of outputting pixel data in a lattice pattern that can be adequately input to a computer.
Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 72283/1984 teaches an electronic still camera using a solid-state photosensitive cells, or pixels, that are arranged in a checker pattern and allow video signals to be read out by progressive scanning on a two scanning line basis. The still camera includes a video signal processor including first circuit means and second circuit means. The first circuit means combines video signals on an upper and a lower scanning line by interpolation in the horizontal direction to thereby produce a new single line of video signals. The second circuit means delays the video signals on lower one of the two scanning lines by a single scanning period. The second circuit means then combines the delayed video signals with video signals on upper one of the next two scanning lines by interpolation in the horizontal direction, thereby producing a new single line of video signals.
The first and second circuit means output the respective video signals at the same time. The video signal processor can therefore output signals belonging to an odd-numbered field and an even-numbered field, which are particular to 2:1 interlace scanning, at the same time by a single vertical scanning. This implements a high quality still shot even when the horizontal and vertical directions are replaced with each other, i.e., without regard to the position of a frame with respect to vertical and horizontal directions.
Other various schemes have been proposed to reduce the pixel size, which is spatially sampled, and enhance sensitivity at the same time. For example, Masafumi Inuiya presents references of 1998 and a study thereof in "Image Pickup Characteristics in Megapixels DS Camera", the Society of Photographic Science and Technology of Japan, Digital Camera Group. Inuiya discusses, e.g., the influence of the pixel size on the image pickup characteristics in relation to sensitivity and S/N (Signal-to-Noise) ratio and an image pickup system using a single color filter. A solid-state image pickup apparatus adopts either one of a primary color pickup system using an red (R), green (G) and blue (B) color filter and a complementary color pickup system using a plurality of complementary colors. Inuiya reports that the complementary color pickup system is superior to the primary color pickup system with respect to the efficient use of incident light.
As for the complementary color pickup system, Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 31688/1983 proposes a solid-state color image pickup apparatus directed toward high resolution. In the apparatus taught in this document, photosensitive cells adjoining each other in the vertical direction are shifted from each other by half a pitch in the horizontal direction. Three color filter segments each are provided with a particular spectral characteristic such that the sum of the outputs of three adjoining photosensitive cells substantially corresponds to a luminance signal. The apparatus is capable of reducing moiré and increasing resolution. More specifically, the apparatus uses a color filter, white (W), yellow (Ye) and cyan (Cy) filter segments arranged in a delta shape on complementary color system and produces a luminance signal from three adjoining pixels (two horizontal lines).
The technologies taught in the above-described laid-open publication Nos. 72283/1984 and 31688/1983 each use a mixed two-line reading system or simultaneous two-line independent reading system belonging to a family of color multiplexing systems. This reading system feeds signal charges derived from incident light to signal lines and then reads out two signal lines by mixing them together. The above technologies both assume a movie and a MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor.
It is known that progressive scanning (or all pixel read-out) conventional with a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor is not applicable to a MOS image sensor. Therefore, a picture available with a MOS image sensor is lower in resolution, particularly vertical resolution in the case of a movie, than a picture implemented by progressive scanning. Even the image signal processor proposed in the previously mentioned laid-open publication No. 340455/1996 cannot fully meet the demand for high vertical resolution.

Solid-state honeycomb type image pickup apparatus using a complementary color filter and signal processing method therefor


To calibrate a registration measurement system for use in semiconductor fabrication processes, a calibration structure is provided. The calibration structure includes at least one zero offset registration structure and a plurality of non-zero offset registration structures. By measuring the displacement of the zero registration, structure at 0.degree. and 180.degree., the tool induced shift (TIS) of the registration measurement system may be determined. Then, by measuring the displacement of the zero offset registration structure at 0.degree., 90.degree., 180.degree., and 270.degree. the initial TIS determination is verified and the presence or absence of astigmatism is established. When TIS and astigmatism have been accounted for, all of the registration structures, both zero and non-zero, are measured at an angular orientation of 0.degree. to determine the systematic errors present in the measurement. Once these errors are determined, the registration measurement system is calibrated to alleviate these errors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to integrated circuit fabrication and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for measuring and calibrating the registration between overlying layers of a semiconductor wafer.
1. Description of the Related Art
The fabrication of complex semiconductor devices involves multiple processing steps. Multiple patterned layers of different materials are applied to a substrate to create the desired electronic semiconductor device. The different layers overlie each other and must be accurately registered to ensure proper operation of the semiconductor device. Displacement between corresponding features on different layers can degrade the performance of the device or can cause the device to be totally inoperative. As semiconductor devices have become increasingly complex, the feature dimensions have been correspondingly reduced. This reduction in feature dimensions has reduced acceptable tolerances on displacement between layers.
When a semiconductor device is fabricated, it is one of many chips on a wafer of semiconductor material. An example of a typical fabrication process is described below. First, a silicon wafer with a nitride is patterned and etched. A silicon dioxide layer is grown in the nitride windows, and the nitride is removed. Next, polysilicon is deposited on the wafer, aligned to the previous layer, and then the wafer is again patterned and etched. Then, the wafer is aligned to the previous layer, patterned, and diffused with dopants. After this step, a dielectric is deposited on the wafer, aligned to the previous layer, and then the wafer is again patterned and etched. Finally, a metal layer is deposited on the wafer, aligned to the previous layer, and then patterned and etched.
Higher circuit densities, smaller device sizes, and larger chip sizes have resulted from improved fabrication techniques. These advances require that the circuit patterns used for each step of the fabrication process be made more accurately so that they align with one another more precisely. To assist in the registration of overlying layers in semiconductor wafers, it has been common practice to include registration patterns or marks in each layer of the wafer. The patterns overlie each other and have a predetermined relationship when the layers are correctly registered. One commonly used registration pattern includes squares of different sizes on the layers to be registered. When the two layers are exactly registered, the squares are concentric. Any registration error produces a displacement of the squares relative to one another.
Since semiconductor wafers having multiple complex integrated circuits are expensive to fabricate, it is usually desirable to verify registration after the application of each layer to the wafer. If the displacement of the layers is outside tolerable limits, the defective layer can be removed and replaced with an accurately registered layer. Registration measurement, verification, and correction eliminate the scrapping of potentially good yielding wafers.
To avoid misregistration and its resulting expense, the registration must be accurately determined. In the past, it was common practice to verify registration manually. Experienced operators examined the registration of overlying patterns, e.g., typically pairs of bi-layer interleaved comb structures called optical veneers, on each wafer. However, such techniques were relatively slow and subject to human error and contamination of the semiconductor wafers.
More recently, automated systems for measuring registration have been developed. While these automated systems are vast improvements over the previous manual systems, a measurement system, nonetheless, unavoidably introduces certain errors into the measured values. The errors arise both in the optical and electronic portions of the automated systems. No known system can entirely eliminate or compensate for these errors, which are typically referred to as systematic errors.
In the past, it has been customary to calibrate such registration systems by comparing measurements with those obtained from another system, such as a scanning electron microscope (SEM), that is known to be accurate. However, such calibration techniques are relatively complex and require additional expensive equipment. Currently, the ability to calibrate registration measurement systems is limited to three techniques: (1) the indirect single layer design offset technique, (2) the SEM micrograph of multilayered structures technique, and (3) the tool induced shift (TIS) technique. All three techniques are limited in their applications and accuracy.
To describe the limitations of these techniques, the actual structure that is targeted for registration determination, and the conditions in which it is presented to the measurement system, must be described. The actual structure that is being used for registration determination includes an underlyinq substrate, a base layer, a developed photoresist layer, and, in most cases, an intermediary layer which is usually deposited for subsequent processing. An example of a typical measurement structure is formed as a box within a box so that registration measurement may be determined for the photoresist layer to the base layer. The registration measurement is determined by measuring the x and y components of the concentric boxes. The designed geometric center of the two boxes is defined as coordinate (0,0). The actual difference between the center of the inner box and the center of the outer box during wafer processing is the registration offset to be determined. A typical size for the inner box is 10 microns square. A typical size for the inner edge of the outer box is 20 microns square, with the outer edge of the outer box being 50 microns square. While these are not absolute numbers, they are submitted as typical sizes being employed in the industry.
In the single layer offset technique, both the outer and inner boxes are designed at the same layer, i.e., either the base layer or the photoresist layer. Offsets of the outer box relative to the inner box are designed into the structure. There is usually a group of structures with varying offsets in both the x and y directions. These structures are measured and the measured values are plotted against the design values. Equations of best fit are determined and used as calibration curves in the registration measurement system for measuring the actual multi-layer process topography. The limitation of this technique is that it does not represent the actual topography to be measured. Therefore, the calibration of the measurement system does not contain the optical characteristics of the structure to be measured. The most prominent missing optical factor is the optimum focus between the top of the photoresist and the top of the base layer. Other important factors include the refractive index and distortion of an intermediary layer.
The SEM micrograph technique is very difficult to use and limited in its applications and accuracies. This technique uses an SEM to take top-down micrographs of the multi-layered box-in-box structure or similar multi-layered registration structure. The micrographs are then used for measurements of the x and y components of registration. These measurements are determined through manual measurement with calipers and correlation to another SEM micrograph of a "known" standard. If the SEM system has direct measurement capabilities, then the taking and measuring of micrographs is not necessary. Once the SEM measurements of registration have been determined, they are plotted against the measurement system values. Equations of best fit are determined and are used as calibration curves for the registration measurement systems.
Since the SEM is considered to be the measurement standard of the semiconductor industry, one would believe that a calibration to its measurements would be the most accurate. However, there are some variables inherent to a SEM that limit both the applications and accuracy of this technique. First, the SEM is a highly sensitive system that relies on beam stability. Unfortunately, minor fluctuations in beam stability are commonplace and cause astigmatism in the resulting micrograph. Astigmatism results in error in the measurement of x and y registration. Further, it cannot be assumed that micrographs taken at different times have the same inherent beam characteristics.
Second, the SEM gains its notoriety through its ability to resolve very small features. It is assumed that this ability is transferable to the determination of very small differences in orientation. However, the SEM must be at very high magnification to resolve small feature differences. Unfortunately, the registration measurement structures currently employed are designed to be very large to maximize image field utilization and magnification of the registration measurement system, but this large size limits their imaging on an SEM to very low magnification. Therefore, the advantage of the SEM's high resolution is defeated through the use of low magnification.
Third, the SEM's output is the result of bouncing a beam of electrons off of a surface and tracing the paths of the scattered electrons to create an image. Unfortunately, the presence of an intermediary layer will block the beam from reaching the base layer. Therefore, all process levels that have an intermediary layer cannot be calibrated with this technique.
In the TIS technique, the registration measurement system (RMS) takes two measurements of a registration structure to determine the tool induced shift exhibited by the RMS. The first measurement is made with the registration structure at 0.degree. and the second measurement is made with the registration structure rotated by 180.degree. . The TIS calculated from these measurements can compensate subsequent measurements made with the RMS However, the TIS technique compensates for translational offsets only. It does not compensate for systematic magnification and distortion errors such as astigmatism.
The present invention is directed to overcoming, or at least minimizing, one or more of the problems set forth above.

Structure and method for direct calibration of registration measurement systems to actual semiconductor wafer process topography


This application describes a wall construction and method of making the same in generally a Piece-en-piece mode. A vertical mortise is provided in adjacent vertical timber members and vertical mortises are cut into the end faces of horizontal timber members expected to be placed between adjacent vertical member. When the horizontal timber members are in place the vertical mortises align and wooden or metal splines can be inserted into the mortises thus securing the horizontal members laterally while still allowing them to move vertically to account for, for example, shrinkage in the wood. By substituting a mortise for a tenon, this invention reduces manufacturing costs and reduces assembly time and costs, as each horizontal timber can be set directly into place without lifting it to the top of the upright timber members.

Solid wood buildings, made of logs or of squared timbers have been in use for centuries. A particular construction of solid wood building, commonly called "piece-en-piece" employs horizontal solid logs or horizontal squared timber members (or alternatively called herein "log members") stacked vertically between upright timber members. The upper and lower elongated surfaces of each horizontal timber member are flattened. The main advantages of "piece-en-piece" construction is that a) it employs relatively short timbers which are easier to handle than wall-length logs, and b) short timbers of suitable cross-sectional dimensions are more abundant than long timbers of the same cross-sectional dimensions, and c) it requires relatively lower costs in labor, heavy equipment, and specialized skills than many other forms of log construction.
As currently practiced, piece-en-piece log construction requires that vertical tenons be fashioned into the ends of the horizontal log members that comprise a wall section. These tenons engage vertical mortises, or continuous grooves, that are cut into the faces of the upright timbers adjacent to the ends of the horizontal timber members. The mortise-and-tenon construction fulfils two functions: it secures the vertically stacked horizontal timbers from lateral movement, and it permits each horizontal log member to move vertically relative to the upright timbers as needed by shrinkage or settling forces. To set a horizontal log into place, it must be raised to the full height of the upright timber members in order to insert the tenons into the mortises of the upright timbers. Once the tenons are engaged into the mortises, the horizontal timber member is dropped down into position.
It was observed by the inventor that an opportunity exists to reduce manufacturing costs and labor costs for piece-en-piece log construction by means of an innovation in design.
The herein discussed examples of the related art and limitations related thereto are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.


A distributor (1) for distributing a flow of cooling fluid over one or more surface(s) (3) to be cooled has a housing (13) that may be manufactured in a single piece together with inlet (8) and outlet (9) manifolds and a plurality of flow cells (26, 27, 28, 29). The flow cells (26, 27, 28, 29) may be connected in parallel between the manifolds (8, 9), and may be adapted to cool multiple surfaces (3) simultaneously. The present invention is also directed to a fluid-coolable unit comprising a distributor (1) for removing heat from an electronic circuit, such as integrated circuit or CPU.

Semiconductor devices generate heat during their operation, and this heat usually acts to degrade the operation of the semiconductor device. For power semiconductor devices it is necessary to be cooled during operation to maintain acceptable device performance, and for high power semiconductors liquid cooling is often applied.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,841,634 discloses a liquid-cooled semiconductor device. The semiconductors are here placed inside a housing on a plate which is to be cooled. The device shows a fluid inlet port and a fluid outlet port, and a baffle placed in a chamber inside the housing. The baffle includes a wall separating the chamber into a top portion and a bottom portion, and walls separating each portion into compartments. A number of holes in the wall between top and bottom portion provide fluid communication between the portions. Fluid is led from the inlet port to a first bottom compartment, and then through holes to a first top compartment. In the top compartment the fluid is led along the plate to be cooled, and through holes to a second bottom compartment. From the second bottom compartment the fluid is led to a second top compartment, where it cools another area of the plate to be cooled. After having passed three top compartments the fluid it led to the fluid outlet port, and out of the device. Thus the cooling compartments of the device are connected in a serial manner.
DE 202 08 106 U1 discloses a cooling device, in particular for liquid cooling of semiconductor devices. The cooling device comprises a housing and a separate baffle positioned inside the housing and with a plurality of flow cells defined therein. The flow cells each form a fluid connection between an inlet manifold and an outlet manifold. DE 202 08 106 U1 does not disclose that the housing, the manifolds and the flow cells are formed in a single piece.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,101,715 discloses a microcooling device with a channel structure through which a coolant fluid can flow. The device shown in FIG. 1 comprises an inlet manifold, an outlet manifold and a plurality of flow channels manufactured in a single piece.
The flow channels are connected in parallel between the manifolds along one direction, i.e. the direction transversal to the flow direction. However, they are not arranged in parallel along any other direction. As a consequence, a temperature gradient would inevitably occur along the flow direction of the flow channels, and it would not be possible to tailor the cooling.
EP 0 447 835 concerning a cold plate and an integrated cooling module embodying a cross-hatch flow distribution scheme discloses a prior art cooling module in FIG. 3. This prior art cooling module comprises an inlet and an outlet, and a meandering flow channel establishing a fluid connection between the inlet and the outlet. The flow channel is provided with fins in order to create turbulence in the cooling fluid. Since there is only one flow channel, the cooling is serial, and a temperature gradient will therefore occur.
As the fluid passes the first top compartment, it takes up heat from the plate to be cooled and thus leaves the first top compartment at a higher outlet temperature than the inlet temperature. When the fluid then reaches the second top compartment, additional heating of the fluid will take place, and this will lead to a temperature difference on the cooled plate, from fluid inlet port end to fluid outlet port end. This is detrimental to the lifetime of such a power semiconductor device as high power semiconductors are very sensitive to temperature variations and also sensitive to the general temperature level.
Also the serial connection of multiple cooling compartments will have a high flow resistance as a result, leading to a high pressure drop or a low flow rate of the fluid through the cooling device.
WO 02/055942 discloses a normal-flow heat exchanger comprising a core having a heat-transfer surface. An inlet plenum is located at one end of the length of the core, and an outlet plenum is located at the opposite end of the length. A plurality of inlet manifolds extend the length of the core, and a plurality of outlet manifolds extend the length of the core and are located alternatingly with the inlet manifolds across the width of the core. A plurality of interconnecting channels each fluidly communicate with a corresponding inlet manifold and the two outlet manifolds located immediately adjacent that inlet manifold. In order to provide the manifolds and the interconnecting channels, it is necessary to manufacture the heat exchanger in several plates which are subsequently assembled to form a unitary structure. In order to obtain a tight fit between the individual plates, it is necessary to manufacture each plate in a very precise manner. This is a disadvantage because it is very difficult and expensive to obtain sufficient accuracy. Consequently the unit price for the heat exchanger becomes relatively high.


A method for assembling a battery, wherein the battery has a plurality of battery modules each including multiple battery cells, a battery housing at least partially enclosing the battery modules, and a temperature control unit thermally contacted with the battery housing. A thermally conductive cavity filling compound for thermally contacting the battery cells of the respective battery module with the temperature control unit is arranged in a cavity between an outside of a respective battery module inserted into the battery housing and an inside of the battery housing facing toward the outside of the respective battery module.

In the assembled state, the battery has a plurality of battery modules each comprising multiple battery cells, a battery housing at least partially enclosing the battery modules, and a temperature control unit which is thermally contacted with the battery housing. In other words, the fully assembled battery comprises the components mentioned. During the assembly, a thermally conductive cavity filling compound for thermal contacting of the battery cells of the respective battery module with the temperature control unit is arranged in a cavity between an outside of a respective battery module inserted into the battery housing and an inside of the battery housing facing toward the outside of the respective battery module.
A battery in the sense of the invention is in particular a high-voltage battery (high voltage: electrical voltage greater than 60 V). Such a battery is preferably used as an electrical energy accumulator for an at least partially electrically driven motor vehicle. In order to be able to provide the electric voltage required to drive the motor vehicle, generally of several hundred volts, the battery comprises a plurality of electrically interconnected battery modules. Such a battery module has multiple battery cells. The battery cells can be designed, for example, as round cells and/or as prismatic cells. The battery module is generally equipped with a mechanical clamping device, which is used to exert a pressure on the battery cells in order to limit a volume enlargement (so-called swelling) occurring in operation of the battery cells. Such a clamping device can be designed as a battery module housing, which encloses the battery cells of the battery module. However, the clamping device can also be designed to be open and have at least two plates which are arranged on opposite sides of the battery module and are connected to one another by means of at least one anchor, in particular by means of at least one threaded rod. A thermally insulating material, in particular a thermally insulating pad with or without air channels, can preferably be arranged between the individual battery cells of the battery module. As a result, the individual battery cells are advantageously thermally insulated from one another.
In order to be able to operate a battery of the type described efficiently, it is necessary to set an operating temperature which, when the battery is in operation, is always within a predetermined, design-dependent temperature range. A temperature control unit is generally used for this purpose. Such a temperature control unit can be arranged, for example, as a temperature control plate on the battery housing and/or can be integrated into the battery housing. A thermally conductive cavity filling compound or a so-called gap filler is generally used to thermally contact the battery cells with the temperature control unit. Alternatively or additionally, a mat-shaped heat-conducting element, for example, can be used.
DE 10 2017 213 887 A1 describes such a heat-conducting element of a battery, which is formed as a formation made up of a plurality of fibers comprising at least one metal. Such a heat-conducting braid has to be provided in a predetermined size corresponding to the battery. Disadvantageously, flexible metering of the heat-conducting medium, as provided, for example, by a viscous or thick heat-conducting cavity filling compound, is not provided here.
DE 10 2015 002 828 A1 also relates to the temperature control, in particular the cooling, of a motor vehicle battery. For this purpose, DE 10 2015 002 828 A1 provides cooling elements arranged between and under individual battery cells and coated with a plastic. Here too, the flexibility of the arrangement is disadvantageously limited.
DE 10 2018 005 234 A1 in turn describes the use of a thermal paste, via which battery cells of a battery are thermally coupled to a cooler for cooling the battery cells. To avoid excessive consumption of thermal paste and/or excessive contact pressure when assembling the battery, DE 10 2018 005 234 A1 provides metering the thermal paste to be applied individually in dependence on a respective height of a battery cell. For this purpose, a respective cell is scanned in a complex method by means of a measuring sensor or by means of a suitable measuring system while the thermal paste is being applied.
DE 10 2014 226 249 A1 also describes a method for producing a battery system using a heat-conducting agent.

Method for assembling a battery, battery, and motor vehicle having such a battery


Provided is a system for recovering waste heat discharged from distillation columns, incinerators, blast columns, smelting columns, and the like at relatively low temperatures to produce hot water in high efficiency, which can be used in various industrial fields. The investment and operating costs of the waste heat recovery system are relatively low as compared with the conventional systems.

Waste heat refers to heat generated by such furnaces as distillation columns, incinerators, blast columns, and smelting columns used in various industrial fields for which no useful application is found. Waste heat produced by furnaces, boilers, dry facilities, and air conditioning facilities is often discharged in the form of combustion flue gas, whereas waste heat produced during heating, distillation, evaporation, purification, and separation processes is cooled off or condensed, and then released as cooling water. Waste heat at relatively high temperatures can be utilized for the production of low-pressure steam or for preheating boiler feed water. On the other hand, waste heat at relatively low temperatures is merely discharged to the environment due to technical difficulties as well as high equipment costs for its recovery.
Particularly, a petrochemical process may be divided into two general steps of (1) a reaction step and (2) a separation/purification step. From the perspective of energy, such a process may also be divided into (1) a heating step wherein heat is supplied, e.g., to the lower part of a column for reaction or separation/purification and (2) a cooling step wherein the upper part of a column is cooled off. In general, the heating step uses steam as a heat source, and the cooling step uses cooling water as a cooling source.
In a petrochemical process, steam is used to reboil the lower part of a column, resulting in a hot fluid. The hot fluid in the upper part of the column is subjected to cooling by cooling water or a fan cooler, which is then recycled to the column as a reflux or produce a distillate. FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional distillation column wherein a hot fluid generated in the upper part of the column is cooled by cooling water. With reference to FIG. 1, the distillation column 100 comprises a column 101, a steam reboiler 102 for supplying heat to the column wherein the steam reboiler is connected to a lower part of the column, and a cooling device 103 for cooling a hot fluid discharged from an upper part of the column by cooling water wherein the cooling device is connected to the upper part of the column. The column 101 receives heat from the steam reboiler 102, and the hot fluid discharged from the upper part of the column 101 is cooled in the cooling device 103 and subsequently recycled to the column 101.
The low-temperature heat source discharged from a column overhead may be utilized by, e.g., a mechanical vapor recompressor (MVR) or a thermal vapor recompressor (TVR), instead of being cooled by cooling water.
An MVR uses a mechanical compressor for compressing vapor discharged from a column overhead to raise the temperature and the pressure thereof. The vapor can then be reused as a heat source for reboiling the column or for generating low-pressure steam. However, an MVR requires high investments and operation costs. Further, the column may not be safely operated in case the MVR system fails since no cooling source is then available.
In a TVR, high pressure vapor is used as a driving force to compress low pressure waste steam, the compressed steam being reused as a heat source. The investment and operation costs for a TVR are relatively low. However, it requires a large amount of high pressure vapor for producing usable steam, which may result in a loss of secondary steam due to the disruption of the overall steam balance.
Accordingly, there has been a need for a system for recovering waste heat generated in the upper part of a column to thereby improve the energy efficiency thereof.


The present disclosure belongs to the technical field of organic light-emitting diods (OLEDs), and provides a compound used as an electron transmission material of OLEDs. Molecules of the compounds include an aromatic ring (or aromatic fused ring) and a phenanthroline group that are connected to each other. In an embodiment, the compound according to the present disclosure includes two types of groups, i.e., an aromatic ring (or aromatic fused ring) and a phenanthroline (or benzoquinoline) group. These two groups not only have good electron accepting ability, but also can be well doped with metals. The planarity of the two groups is conducive to the stacking of molecules, which facilitates the combination of holes and electrons and generates excitons, thereby increasing the electron mobility of the material and improving efficiency of device.

The electron transmission material used in the conventional electroluminescent device is Alq3, but the electron mobility of Alq3 is relatively low (about 10−6 cm2/Vs), resulting in an imbalance between electron transmission and hole transmission of the device. With the increasing commercialization and practical application of electroluminescent devices, it is urgent to develop an electron transmission material having higher transmission efficiency and usability. In this field, researchers have made a huge amount of research.
The common electron transmission materials on the market, such as bathphenanthroline (BPhen), bathocuproine (BCP) and 3,3′-[5′-[3-(3-Pyridinyl)phenyl][1,1′:3′,1″-terphenyl]-3,3″-diyl]bispyridine (TmPyPB), generally meet the market demand for organic electroluminescent panels, but have relatively low glass transition temperature, typically below 85° C. When the device is in operation, generated Joule heat causes molecular degradation and molecular structure changes, resulting in reduced panel efficiency and poor thermal stability. Meanwhile, the molecular structures of such conventional electron transmission materials are highly symmetrical and easily crystallized after a long period of operation. Once the electron transmission material crystallizes, the charge transition mechanism between the molecules is different from the mechanism of normal operation of the amorphous film, resulting in a decrease in the performance of electron transmission and an imbalance of electron and hole mobility of the entire device. Therefore, exciton formation efficiency is greatly reduced. Moreover, the exciton formation occurs at relatively high concentrations at the interface between the electron transmission layer and the light-emitting layer, resulting in a serious decrease in device efficiency and service time.
Therefore, in order to reduce threshold voltage, improve device efficiency, and prolong the device service time, it is urgent to design and develop a stable and efficient electron transmission material and/or electron injecting material, which simultaneously have high electron mobilities, high glass transition temperatures, and effectively doping with metal Yb or Liq3.

Compound, display panel and display apparatus

Wuhan Tianma Microelectronics Co., Ltd. Shanghai Branch


An apparatus and method for anchoring a buoyant device are provided. The apparatus preferably includes first, second, and third plates adjoined along a common line. An end of the second plate is transversely connected to an end of the first plate along the common line and extends inwardly therefrom at a predetermined angle so that the first and second plates in combination define an angled plate member. A third plate is adjoined along the common line and extends outwardly therefrom in a different direction from the angled plate member. A shank is pivotally connected to a medial portion of the angled plate member and extends outwardly therefrom. At least one prong member is connected to and extends outwardly from the outer surface of each of the first and second plates of the angled plate member.

Boat anchors have been developed over the years for stabilizing or bracing boats or other buoyant devices when positioned in the water. An anchor can generally be described as a large or heavy device which embeds into the floor of a sea, lake, river, or other body of water to brace a boat or other buoyant device. Conventional anchors have hooks, flukes, or barbs which embed into or snag underwater terrain to accomplish the bracing function. Advance have been made over the years in the structural design of anchors to make them easier to handle or transport, which enables the anchor to readily reach the waterway floor or other underwater terrain, and which increases the anchoring force when launching, positioning, or setting an anchor. Some examples of these advances can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,793 by Sakai titled "Anchor, " U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,257 by Colin titled "Sea Anchor In Particular For Large Ships," and British Published Patent Document No. 1,067,382 by Wright titled "Improvements In Or Relating To Anchors."
Floors or the underwater terrain of these waterways, however, also often contain many natural as well as man-made obstacles, such as rocks, shrubbery, trees, sea plants, natural caverns, wreckage, or pollutants, with which anchors can become entangled. Generally, when a user of an anchor incurs difficulty in removing or dislodging an anchor from the underwater terrain by merely winching the anchor, the boat is guided in a reverse direction and the anchor is attempted to be removed when the boat is above or now behind the anchor in the opposite direction it was originally attempting to travel. If the anchor has portions thereof, e.g., a hook, fluke, or barb, lodged under a large rock, log, or some type of man-made obstacle, this conventional anchor removal process is often unsatisfactory. In other words, the anchor remains lodged under the obstacle or a user has problems in removing the anchor.
One cause of these anchor removal problems, for example, is that the hook, fluke, or barb can actually be further lodged under the obstacle when the upper shank of an anchor is pulled in the opposite direction. Accordingly, attempts have been made to develop anchors which can more easily be removed when lodged under obstacles. Examples of some of these attempts can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,593 by Brown et al. titled "Anchor With Snag Release Mechanics," U.S. Pat. No. 4,385,584 by Simpson, III titled "Boat Anchor," U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,894 by Woodgate titled "Anchor," and French Published Patent Document No. 1,466,433 by Garnier. These conventional "snag-release" anchors, however, are often complex which, for example, can increase the risk of entanglements, expensive to manufacture, and fail to be easily used on some of the various underwater terrain which an anchor can encounter.

Anchoring apparatus and method of anchoring