A plasmid comprising a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene and promoter isolated from maize. The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene encodes a phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase isozyme involved in C.sub.4 photosynthesis and which is not expressed in seeds.

The enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase orthophosphate:oxaloacetate carboxylase (phosphorylating), EC 184.108.40.206! is best known for its key role in C.sub.4 photosynthesis, which is the fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide in leaf mesophyll cells. However, PEP carboxylase is expressed in other cell types, such as etiolated leaves and roots, in C.sub.3 was well as C.sub.4 plants, and different isozymic forms have been distinguished. In maize (Zea mays L. subsp. mays; U.S. Public Inbred B73) PEP carboxylase is encoded in the nucleus by a small gene family, and various data indicate the PEP carboxylase isozyme involved in C4 photosynthesis is photosynthesis is encoded by only one member of the family. Furthermore, this gene is substantially divergent in sequence from other family members.
The PEP carboxylase isozyme involved in C.sub.4 photosynthesis is encoded in a gene 5.3 kb (kilobases) long, which has ten exons varying in size from 85 to 999 bp (base pairs). The nine introns vary in length from 97 to 872 bp. The 5' -flanking region includes several short repetitive sequences which have characteristics similar to elements important in light regulated genes from maize and wheat.
Northern blot analysis indicates that the PEP carboxylase isoenzyme involved in C.sub.4 photosynthesis is expressed in a number of tissues including young green leaves, mature green leaves, inner leaf sheaths, tassels and husks. The isozyme is not expressed in seedling stems, roots or seeds. The pattern of expression indicates that the regulatory region and promoter of the gene encoding this isoenzyme can be useful in controlling the expression of other genes in plants. Since the isozyme is not expressed in seeds, but are expressed in green tissue of the plants, it is possible to clone genes, under the control of the promoter, without concern that the product of the cloned gene will end up in food products. Therefore, valuable traits can be transferred to the maize plant without adulterating the food products produced by the plants.

Promoters derived from the maize phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase gene involved in C.sub.4 photosynthesis


An assembly tool for use in assembling orthopaedic prosthetic components is disclosed. The assembly tool includes a frame, a base plate that includes a mounting bracket configured to engage a first end of an orthopaedic prosthetic component and a mechanical actuator configured to apply a compressive load to the orthopaedic prosthetic component.

Joint arthroplasty is a well-known surgical procedure by which a diseased and/or damaged natural joint is replaced by a prosthetic joint. For example, in a total knee arthroplasty surgical procedure, a patient's natural knee joint is partially or totally replaced by a prosthetic knee joint or knee prosthesis. A typical knee prosthesis includes a tibial tray, a femoral component, and a polymer insert or bearing positioned between the tibial tray and the femoral component. The tibial tray generally includes a plate having a stem extending distally therefrom, and the femoral component generally includes a pair of spaced apart condylar elements, which include surfaces that articulate with corresponding surfaces of the polymer bearing. The tibial tray is configured to be coupled to surgically-prepared patient's tibia, and the femoral component is configured to be coupled to a surgically-prepared distal end of a patient's femur.
Such a knee prosthesis may also include a number of elongated intramedullary stem components which are implanted in the patient's tibia and/or femur. To secure a stem component to the patient's tibia and/or femur, the intramedullary canal of the patient's tibia and/or femur is first surgically prepared (e.g., reamed) such that the stem component may be subsequently implanted therein. In some designs, the stem component is implanted in the patient's bone by use of cementless fixation. One type of such a design is known as a "press fit" stem component.

Assembly tool for use in assembling orthopaedic prosthetic components


The present invention relates to methods of reducing body and/or vaginal odor comprising the application of a perfumed powder composition comprising from about 0.1% to about 25%, by weight of the composition, of uncomplexed cyclodextrin; a perfume composition selected from the group consisting of from about 0.05% to about 15%, by weight of the odor absorbing composition, of an encapsulated perfume, and from about 0.01% to about 5% by weight of the odor absorbing composition of a free perfume, and mixtures thereof; and a powder carrier.

Body odor is most commonly aused by fatty acids on skin and by malodors from microbial sources. The human skin is naturally populated with numerous micro-organisms which are nourished by various skin secreted substances (eccrine and apocrine sweat, and sebum), skin cell debris, breakdown products of the skin and the organisms themselves. These unpleasant body odors are mainly organic molecules which have different structures and functional groups, such as amines, acids, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, phenolics, polycyclics, indoles, aromatics, polyaromatics, etc. They can also be made up of sulfur-containing functional groups, such as, thiol, mercaptan, sulfide and/or disulfide groups.
Numerous attempts have been made to control or absorb body odors. Attempts have been made to deprive the microbials responsible for body odor of the moist/humid environment they need to proliferate and grow. Such efforts include the use of powders and/or antiperspirants. Body powders and powder-based compositions of the prior art have limited absorption capabilities. Antiperspirants are not always preferred in a body odor control product since, when used over the entire body, they may interfere with the body's thermal regulatory process by inhibiting perspiration through the action of astringent salts. Additionally, such salts may be irritating to a large number of users, particularly when applying them to sensitive areas such as the pelvic region.
Other deodorant compositions aimed at combating/controlling odor associated with skin secretions, which have been described in the chemical and cosmetic literature, include emulsion sticks or suspensoid sticks, aerosols, roll-ons, pads, pump sprays, and even soap bars. These known deodorants attempt to control odor through a variety of means. For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,33 1, to Betts, issued Jun. 11, 1996, discloses compositions which inhibit the growth of micro-organisms in the body-secretions. Deodorants may also include antibacterial compounds which help destroy/control the amount of bacteria present on skin, thereby minimizing odor produced via bacterial metabolism of skin secretions.
Zeolites are known odor absorbers. However, these solid odor absorbers, in addition to known activated charcoal odor absorbers, lose functionality when wet. Therefore, when wetted by body fluids or when carried in an aqueous solution, these odor absorbers are not preferred as they lose their desired odor absorbent characteristics. Furthermore, zeolites can cause "harsh" feel if too much is deposited onto the skin.
In addition to the aforementioned attempts at controlling and/or absorbing body odor, numerous attempts have been made to mask body odors with other odors or perfumes. However, perfumes are often inadequate at fully concealing body odors and may be irritating to the user when used alone for odor control.
Thus, there remains a need for an improved method of reducing body and/or vaginal odor using a perfumed odor absorbing composition, which is essentially free of irritating, astringent antiperspirants and which is safe and effective for use on the entire body. More particularly, there is a need for a method of using a composition which is left on the skin to absorb a broad spectrum of body odors that are not fully suppressed by the aforementioned means.
It has been discovered that such enhanced body odor control can be safely provided to the entire body by applying a composition, which is left on the skin, which incorporates odor absorbing, uncomplexed cyclodextrins; perfume composition; and a powder carrier. Surprisingly, it has been discovered that perfume composition may be added without defeating the body odor absorption utility of the uncomplexed cyclodextrins. A particular advantage of the present invention is the ability to provide convenient, non-irritating odor protection when applied to occluded skin areas such as the pelvic region, the external vagina, the panty-area, the bra-line, and skin-folds, which may be very sensitive. Moreover, it has been discovered that the aforementioned benefits may be delivered in a powder carrier which also optionally delivers skin aid benefits to the user such as protection and/or moisturization.
These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent from the detailed description which follows. All percentages, ratios, and parts herein, in the Specification, Examples, and Claims are by weight unless otherwise stated. The term "g", as used herein, means gram. The term "ml", as used herein, means milliliter. The term "wt", as used herein, means "weight".


Systems and methods are provided to create an acoustic map of a space containing multiple acoustic sources. Source localization and separation takes place by sampling an ultra large microphone array containing over 1020 microphones. The space is divided into a plurality of masks, wherein each masks represents a pass region and a complementary rejection region. Each mask is associated with a subset of microphones and beamforming filters that maximize a gain for signals coming from the pass region of the mask and minimizes the gain for signals from the complementary region according to an optimization criterion. The optimization criterion may be a minimization of a performance function for the beamforming filters. The performance function is preferably a convex function. A processor provides a scan applying the plurality of masks to locate a target source. Processor based systems to perform the optimization are also provided.

The present invention relates generally to locating, extracting and tracking acoustic sources in an acoustic environment and mapping of the acoustic environment by adaptively employing a very large number of microphones.
Acoustic scene understanding is challenging for complex environments with e.g., multiple sources, correlated sources, non-punctual sources, mixed far field and near field sources, reflections, shadowing from objects. The use of ultra large arrays of microphones to acoustically monitor a 3D space has significant advantages. It allows improving source recognition and source separation, for instance. Though methods exist to focus a plurality of microphones on acoustic sources, it is believed that no methods exist for source tracking and environmental acoustic mapping that use ultra large sets (>1020) of microphones from which adaptively subsets of microphones are selected and signals are processed adaptively.
Accordingly, novel and improved methods and apparatus to apply ultra large (>1020) microphone arrays and to select an appropriate subset of microphones from an very large (below or above 1020) set of microphones and to adaptively process microphone data generated by an ultra large array of microphones to analyze an acoustic scene are required.

Method and apparatus for acoustic area monitoring by exploiting ultra large scale arrays of microphones


A tennis racket with handle and head coupled with an interconnection insert provides torsional elasticity and vibration damping. The racket handle has a mating extension extending toward the head and the head includes a mating extension extending toward the handle such that the handle and head mate together at the mating extensions. The handle extension has a tongue with two bores and a pair of elastic bushings extending through bores. The head mating extension comprises a recess or U-shaped channel which receives the tongue and includes a pair of securing pins extending through the bushings and being rigidly secured to the sides of the recess or channel. The bushings and pins are positioned transverse to the longitudinal extent of the handle and parallel to the racket face. The bushings perform a shock absorbing function, provide torsional elasticity and control the racket stiffness. A stabilizing bushing may be added parallel to the first two bushings and it extends through the tongue and through the sides of the recess or channel. A stabilizing pin then extends through this bushing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to tennis rackets and more particularly to an improved handle construction.
2. Prior Art
Tennis rackets are constructed of various materials with newer models constructed of graphite, titanium, carbon fiber, Kevlar or other high strength, light-weight materials. The head, neck and handle are typically constructed as a single molded structure. The racket has a stiffness which is substantially predetermined and is a function of the material, racket length and structure.
A goal of racket designers is to provide a "sweet spot" which is as large as possible. The size of the sweet spot is a function of numerous variables including racket stiffness, string tension and others. The larger the sweet spot the more room for error there exists for the player hitting the ball. Providing a racket with a larger sweet spot will improve almost every player's game.
Balls striking the racket face off the longitudinal axis of the racket handle tend to torque or twist the racket in the player's hand causing the struck ball to rebound at an undesirable angle to the direction of motion of the racket and reducing the player's control of the shot. It has been discovered that a racket which provides a torsional elasticity can reduce this deflection angle and improve shots struck off axis.
Injuries to the wrist, elbow or shoulder are sometimes sustained by tennis players from the repeated shocks imparted by striking the ball. Additional injury may result to the wrist from the twisting torque caused by a player striking the ball off the center of the racket face as discussed above. Various designs have been developed to damp the transmission of vibration and shock from the racket to the player. For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,198 to Haines et al, titled "Games Racket Frame", a discontinuous racket frame is described. The frame has two parts which are joined by a vibration-damping material secured in position by plugs. A reinforcing collar surrounds the discontinuity and together with a rod contained within the vibration-damping material stabilizes the racket handle. This design is intended to reduce the transmission of shock and vibration to the player, thus minimizing the risk of tennis elbow and similar injuries.
Another racket design intended to reduce impact shock is U.S. Pat. No. 5,178,387 to Kuebler titled "Racket for Ball Games, in Particular a Tennis Racket". In this design, a pair of parallel groove-like channels are positioned on opposing sides of the throat and parallel to the racket face to create a hinge. The channels are filled by an elastic shaped mass. However, neither this design nor that of the 5,236,198 patent has found widespread commercial success.
A tennis racket of improved design which reduces or damps some of the shock transmitted to the player would be quite beneficial. Further, a racket which is more flexible or "soft" would provide improved training for an injury-prone player or one recuperating from tennis elbow or other injuries.
The power of the serve with a conventional racket comes from the string tension and the angular velocity of the racket head at the moment the ball is struck. Any design which enhances the energy transferred to the ball by the racket head, even by a small amount, can provide noticeable improvement in a player's serve.
Another important feature of a tennis racket to many tennis players is the feel of the racket when it strikes the ball. This is particularly important for net play when the racket is not so much swung as used to reflect the ball. It has been discovered that the medium frequency components of vibration are the critical part of the feel and should be preserved while the lower and higher frequency components of vibration can be damped.
In most rackets, the weight and balance (feel) are mainly controlled by the handle. For example, the Wilson Classic manufactured by Wilson Racket Sports weighs 345 grams and is a heavy racket designed for strong players. The Wilson 6.2 which weighs 298 grams is a light racket designed for weaker players. In both rackets, the weight of the head, without the handle, is approximately the same. Thus a new design with separate head and handle can continuously vary the total weight and balance (feel) of the racket by adjusting the handle weight.
Recent technology improvements have provided extra long tennis rackets which have been utilized by some top players to improve their games, particularly by increasing the speed of their serves. A racket design which is compatible with different racket lengths is desirable.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an improved tennis racket having torsional elasticity and an enlarged sweet spot.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a tennis racket design having vibration damping.
It is another object of the invention to provide a tennis racket with a continuous spectrum of weight and balance.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide an improved tennis racket design having a variable length.

Tennis racket with vibration damping and torsional elasticity


Disclosed are a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method. The wireless communication device according to one embodiment comprises one or more processors. The processors are configured so as to: on the basis of auxiliary dissemination limitation information about a source device as an information dissemination source, acquire device information about candidate devices capable of establishing direct communication with the source device; on the basis of the locations of the source device and the candidate devices, select a target device for establishing direct communication with the source device from the candidate devices; and determine a transmission resource for direct communication with the target device and generate a transmission resource scheduling indication.

Proximity-based service (ProSe) direct communication, such as device-to-device (D2D) communication, in a cellular network usually refers to a service for directly transmitting user data between terminals without a network transit. The D2D communication reduces a load of a base station, and remedies a defect that it is unable to perform effective communication between cellular devices outside a coverage of the base station.
The D2D communication may be applied to a variety of scenarios including for example: traffic data at a user plane may be directly transmitted locally without going through a network side, to for example achieve offloading of cellular network traffic; wireless communication between terminals is ensured with the D2D communication in a case where infrastructure of a traditional communication network is damaged due to a natural disaster; and an enhanced D2D communication for the Internet of Things, etc. In particular, as a typical application scenario of the Internet of Things, the D2D communication may include communication between a vehicle and an associated entity (V2X communication). The V2X communication may include, for example, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), and vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communications, etc.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Wireless communication device and wireless communication method


An image forming apparatus detecting container's dismounting. A drive unit rotates the container for replenishing toner to a development unit. An output unit outputs a first signal while a predetermined portion of the container is detected, and outputs a second signal while the predetermined portion is not detected. A decision unit decides a count of changes from the second signal to the first signal based on a toner replenishing amount. A detection unit detects dismounting of the container in a case where the first signal is changed to the second signal during not rotating. The controller stops the rotation in a case where the count of changes reaches the count decided, controls the drive unit to output the first signal in a case where containers should be exchanged, and does not control the drive unit to output the first signal in a case where containers should not be exchanged.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus equipped with a container in which toner is contained.
2. Description of the Related Art
An image forming apparatus of an electrophotographic system forms a toner image by developing an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive member using developer (referred to as toner, hereafter) in a development device. Since the amount of toner that can be accumulated in the development device is limited, the toner is replenished to the development device from a container that is detachable to the main body of the image forming apparatus.
For example, there is proposed a container that is provided with a rotation portion that is rotated, a pump portion for changing internal pressure of a chamber to discharge toner from the chamber that accommodates the toner, and a converter that converts a rotating motion of the rotation portion into a reciprocating motion of the pump portion (see US 20120014713A1). This container discharges the toner in a chamber by making the pump portion expand and contract according to the rotation of the container. That is, the air that is sucked from a discharging port as the pump portion expands loosens the toner in the chamber, and then, the chamber becomes in a positive pressure state and the air in the chamber forces out the toner, which covers the discharging port, from the discharging port as the pump portion contracts.
Incidentally, if an image forming apparatus is provided with a dedicated detection means to detect mounting/dismounting of a container in order to determine whether the container is dismounted from the image forming apparatus, there is a problem that the cost of an image forming apparatus will increase.

Image forming apparatus equipped with toner container


An energy consumption efficiency improving agent is disclosed which forms a substance having a large adherability to an applying object and a high adherence to a contacting object and greatly reduces energy loss, and attains improvement of an energy consumption efficiency substantially equal to three powers of adhesion improving rate under ordinary use conditions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improving an energy consumption efficiency generally typified by the concept of a fuel consumption or the like, and more particularly to an energy consumption efficiency improving agent which is applied to a surface to be brought into contact with ground (hereinafter referred to as "grounding surface") of a tire of a vehicle, a footwear, and so on. Further, the present invention also relates to an energy consumption efficiency improving method and an article improved in energy consumption efficiency.
2. Related Background Art
Hitherto, especially after the so-called first oil shock in 1973, automakers have made efforts to improve the energy consumption efficiency of autos generally typified by the concept of fuel consumption or the like as the most important issue, and it is well known that American, Japanese and European automakers have recently paid attention to the improvement of the fuel consumption, etc. as an issue of protection of the globe environment. It has hitherto been said that in the case of vehicles, the major factors affecting the fuel consumption and their contribution rates are the rolling resistance of tires (contribution rate: ⅓), the frictional resistance in a power plant including an engine (contribution rate: ⅓), and the air resistance of a body (contribution rate: ⅓), although the distribution rates greatly vary depending on the drive speed, and so on. Thus, the automakers have dealt with the respective major factors in various manners to improve the fuel consumption.
For example, means for reducing the rotation resistance of tires includes reducing the number of grooves provided in the tire surface, using a hard rubber material for tires, or reducing the car body weight to decrease hysteresis loss due to deformation of the tire rubber during traveling (or driving); means for reducing the frictional resistance of the power plant includes changing the fuel injection method to improve the engine combustion efficiency or changing the structure of a rotation transmission section to increase the power transmission efficiency; and means for reducing the air resistance of the body includes designing the appearance of a car body or an outer attachment such as a side mirror in a shape with less air resistance.
However, although these means for improving fuel consumption are large in scale, their fuel consumption improving effect is insufficient.
On the other hand, in order to make the consumption of physical energy as less as possible when a man travels a long distance by a bicycle or walks or runs on a long distance with a footwear such as shoes, bicycle makers, shoemakers, or the like have made efforts to reduce the weight of bicycle, shoes, etc. or changed the material, shape, structure, etc. of a grounding surface of a bicycle tire, shoes, etc., thereby improving the adhesion to the ground.
As described above, the conventional means for improving energy consumption efficiency such as fuel consumption includes large scale means such as reduction in a car body weight, change of a tire shape, a fuel injection method, or a power transmitting method, etc. and relies on the effort of automakers, bicycle makers, shoemakers, and so on. If a consumer oneself wishes to improve energy consumption efficiency such as fuel consumption, he will have to replace his car or a component thereof such as a tire with a new car or component improved in energy consumption efficiency, which will result in considerable disbursement. Further, when a consumer uses, e.g., tires with less grooves as means for reducing the rolling resistance of tires for the purpose of improving energy consumption efficiency, the use of such tires exhibits the effect of improving the energy consumption efficiency such as fuel consumption on a dry road surface in a fine weather. However, the use of such tires in a rainy weather, or on a wet or frozen road surface will give rise to a slip and is dangerous, so that it is necessary to replace such tires with tires having a sufficient number of grooves formed in their surfaces. This forces the consumer to select and adopt a suitable means for improving the energy consumption efficiency depending upon the use environment, which necessitates considerable labor, expense, and the like. Therefore, simple, inexpensive means for improving the energy consumption efficiency such as fuel consumption that is available for an ordinary consumer is limited to, for example, paying attention so as not to be involved in traffic congestion, or avoiding unnecessary acceleration when driving a car.
Further, when a man travels a long distance on a bicycle or walks or runs on a long distance with a footwear such as shoes, the countermeasure for avoiding unnecessary consumption of physical energy is limited to buying and use of a bicycle, shoes, etc. having a light weight and good adhesion to a road surface, which also necessitates a great expense.

Energy consumption efficiency improving agent and method, and article having improved energy consumption efficiency


A monolithic integrated circuit device combines integrated heterostructure acoustic charge transport (HACT) devices and heterostructure insulated gate field effect transistor (HIGFET) devices in a single structure in which the HACT and HIGFET layers are grown in as a contiguous composite heterostructure.

I. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to electro-acoustic charge transport devices and, more particularly, to monolithic integrated circuit devices containing heterostructure acoustic charge transport (HACT) and heterostructure insulated gate field effect transistor (HIGFET) devices fabricated on a same substrate.
II. Discussion of the Related Art
Acoustic charge transport devices having a delay line using a surface acoustic wave (SAW) generating transducer to launch a series of acoustic waves through a layered piezoelectric semiconductor structure have been developed relatively recently. Such devices use an acoustic wave passing through the piezoelectric semiconductor to form a series of potential wells that transport packets of charge, together with the wave, along the semiconductor material. Further developments include improvements related to confining the mechanism within specific areas of the piezoelectric material such that the transport mechanism is confined to one or more discrete transport channel layers within the material so that the location of the charge packet can be more accurately defined for use.
Generally, in these devices, transducers are utilized for launching surface acoustic waves along a propagation axis. The waves are characterized by maxima and minima of electrical potential which can be used to transport electrical charge such as provided to it. A first input electrode is utilized to provide input electric charge to the surface acoustic waves by conduction to the transport channel. The surface acoustic waves are transported along the transport channel carrying the charge packets within, provided that there is lateral and vertical electric potential confinement, until the wave reaches a connection to an output electrode which receives the transported signals. In this manner, sampled input signals in the form of the electrical packets can be transported readily at predictable speed through the material.
One such device which uses heterostructure quantum wells to confine the charge packets to the discrete channels is illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,893,161 to William J. Tanski, et al. Another device which incorporates a barrier transport channel made by forming a portion of a layer of piezoelectric semiconductor material between confining layers in which majority carriers are depleted from the channel and an electrical signal is thereafter injected into the channel such that a delayed version of the electrical signal which has been carried along by the surface acoustic wave can be extracted from the channel is illustrated and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,633,285.
It is also known to provide a monolithic device having a heterostructure acoustic charge transport (HACT) device monolithically integrated with a modulation doped field effect transistor (MODFET) on the same substrate. Such a device is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,884,001 to Robert N. Sacks and William J. Tanski, co-inventors in the present application. That device is characterized by a sequence of epitaxial layers comprising the MODFET fabricated as the uppermost layers in a multi-layer heterostructure with the HACT device fabricated in a partially overlapping, adjacent section using layers beneath the level of the MODFET, after selected upper ones have been partially removed, to form a monolithic device.
In addition to MODFETs, there has been an effort to combine ion implanted metal semiconductor field effect transistors (MESFETs) with acoustic charge transfer devices built of N.sup.- epitaxial GaAs layers. These integrated devices do have a high operating frequency, however, they are not heterostructure devices, require relatively high power and have a relatively small dynamic range.
It is also known to fabricate heterostructure insulated gate field effect transistors (HIGFETs) on a common planar wafer surface (e.g., semi-insulating gallium arsenide (GaAs) wafer substrate) using known molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) techniques. Such a device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,814,851 to Abrokwah, et al. In that system, the heterostructure used for the HIGFETs consists of an undoped GaAs buffer layer grown on the semi-insulating GaAs substrate followed by an undoped AlGaAs gate layer. This can be used to make both n- and p- channel HIGFETs which utilize the high mobility, two-dimensional (2 D) electron (hole) gas which is induced at the (AlGa)As-GaAs hetero-surface by the application of a suitable gate biased voltage. A self-aligned gate (SAG) process is used to form the source and drain regions of the transistors with p.sup.+ implanted regions for the p-channel and n.sup.+ implanted regions for n channel HIGFETs. Such devices are characterized by their low energy consumption, high processing yield and high circuit density.
Heretofore, it has not been possible to combine the distinct electronic advantages of compact HIGFET heterostructure design with HACT in an integrated HACT/HIGFET monolithic integrated circuit device. It would be quite advantageous if the HIGFET control electronics could be used to program and read out the HACT device in an integrated, monolithic IC structure. This would greatly enhance the signal processing capabilities of the HACT device and provide small, highly reliable devices with low pick-up noise.

Integrated heterostructure acoustic charge transport (HACT) and heterostructure insulated gate field effects transistor (HIGFET) devices


A method is provided for recording medium having a substrate on which first data and second data are recorded as a protrusion/depression pattern and a reflective layer that is provided on a surface having the protrusion/depression pattern. Laser light is radiated to the reflective layer to change the protrusion/depression pattern of the second data, and third data used for identifying the recording medium is additionally recorded at a predetermined position on the recording medium.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to recording media, recording methods and recording apparatuses for the recording media, and manufacturing apparatuses. More particularly, the present invention relates to a recording medium onto which data used for identification of the recording medium is additionally recorded, a recording method and a recording apparatus for the recording medium, and a manufacturing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
The standards of compact discs (CDs) widely available today are referred to as "compact disc digital audio (CD-DA)" standards, which are based on specifications described in a book standard (Red Book). In accordance with the book, various formats are standardized to constitute a so-called "CD family". In the description below, the term "CD" generally refers to discs in various formats included in the CD family.
It has been proposed that material for a reflective layer of a disc is selected and data is recorded by radiating a laser beam onto the reflective layer. Such recording onto the reflective layer allows for recording of, for example, identification information for identifying each disc. To record identification information, a Q-channel subcode can be used in a CD format.
In the CD standard, modes 1 to 5 are already designated for a subcode. Mode 1 is considered to be the most important and is used to record, as a time code, address information indicating a position on a disc. Modes 2 and 3 are used for recording a copyright code and the like.
In the CD standard, it is specified that mode-1 data is required to be in 9 frames or more out of 10 consecutive frames, and mode-2 or -3 data is required to be in at least one frame out of 100 consecutive frames. In other words, only the ratio of data is defined but no recording position is defined. In conventional CDs in which subcodes are recorded at the same time by mastering, only specifying the ratio of data has not caused significant inconvenience. However, since a method for recording an identification signal onto the reflective film is a method for additional recording, the method has a problem in which additional recording is difficult when a recording position is not specified.

Data recording apparatus and associated method of imparting data to a recording medium by irradiating a reflectivity layer of the medium


A reorientation station has front and rear vertical drives that are spaced apart from each other along a flow axis of the orientation station that coincides with the flow axis of the machine. A pivot carriage support bar is coupled at its front end to the front vertical drive and at its rear end to the rear vertical drive. The vertical drives are operable to move the pivot carriage support bar to predetermined heights and to orient the pivot carriage support bar at predetermined tilt angles. A pivot carriage is mounted on the pivot carriage support bar for rotation about a roll-axis defined by the pivot carriage support bar. A roll drive coupled between the pivot carriage support bar and the pivot carriage rotates the pivot carriage about the roll axis to a selected roll angle. The pivot carriage supports front and rear template carrier bars, which are positioned transversely with respect to the roll axis and are mounted on the pivot carriage in spaced-apart relation axially with respect to the roll axis for movement along paths parallel to the roll axis. Linear drive devices move the template carrier bars along the paths on the pivot carriage to predetermined positions. Automated and remotely controllable devices are provided for releasing the template carrier bars from the carrier brackets that support them on the pivot carriage to pedestals for tool changes.

The present invention relates to multi-station metal-forming machines, such as transfer presses, and, in particular, to an orientation station of the type that is located between adjacent work stations of the machine, receives the work pieces seriatim from the upstream station, holds them temporarily, and while they are held reorients them for transfer to the downstream station.
Reorientation stations, which are sometimes referred to as universal or depositing stations and are well-known, have template carriers that are mounted on a system of positioning devices for moving the template carriers axially with respect to the flow direction of the work pieces (the x-axis), transversely of the flow direction (the z-axis), and vertically (the y-axis) and for tilting the template carriers forwardly and rearwardly about a transverse axis (the tilt axis) and rolling them from side to side about an axial axis (the roll axis). The template carriers receive templates that match the shapes of portions of the work pieces that arrive from the previous work station and hold the work pieces in a stationary position during reorientation. After reorientation to a position for movement from the reorientation station to the next working station of the machine, the work pieces are picked up and transferred to the next station. Modern reorientation stations are fully automated and computer controlled and operate at very high speeds.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,318 (Thudium et al., Sep. 17, 1991, "the '318 patent") describes and shows a depositing station having, starting at the bottom of a stack of positioning mechanisms that operate in series, a z-axis transfer mechanism, an x-axis transfer mechanism, a y-axis lift/lower mechanism, a roll mechanism and a tilt mechanism. Because the x-axis and z-axis mechanisms are at the base of the machine, the station of the '318 patent cannot be used in presses that have equipment, such as liftclamp modules, located between adjacent work stations. The depositing station of the '318 patent also requires devices separate from the depositing station for changing the templates and template carrier bars when the press tooling is changed to produce a different part.

Orientation station for multi-station metal-forming machines

Verson, a Division of Allied Products Corporation


A method of forming an electrical device that includes forming a multilayered fin composed of a first source/drain layer for a first transistor, a first channel layer for the first transistor, a common source/drain layer for the first transistor and a second transistor, a second channel layer for the second transistor and a second source/drain layer for the second transistor. A common spacer is formed on the common source/drain layer that separates a first opening to the first channel layer from a second opening to the second channel layer. Gate structures are then formed in the first and second openings.

Modern integrated circuits are made up of literally millions of active devices such as transistors and memory devices. With the continuing trend towards miniaturization of integrated circuits (ICs), there is a need for transistors to have higher drive currents with increasingly smaller dimensions. For decades, semiconductor manufacturing was driven by Moore's Law and planar transistor architecture. This provided a predictable, self-sustaining roadmap for transistor cost scaling and well-defined interfaces where each individual process/layer could follow its own technology trajectory independently. However, as the industry scales to provide sub-20 nm nodes and other popular device architectures, such as FinFET and vertical devices are employed, new processes are required, and new approaches for semiconductor manufacturing are being explored and implemented.

Series connected stacked vertical transistors for high voltage applications

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


An antenna base has a holding structure for installing an antenna directly thereon. The base also has a base plate with an axis perpendicular to the axis of an installed antenna. An antenna mounting plate is suitable for having the base plate affixed to it. The antenna mounting plate is supported relative to a pole clamp by a spherical shell. The mounting plate, exposed through an opening in the shell, is supported for rotating about a horizontal axis passing through the plate to provide for elevation angle adjustment. Locking screws are used to secure the adjusted elevation angle. The pole clamp has a pair of axially spaced tracks that define an arcuate path that extends circumferentially around at least a portion of the clamp. The shell is held in position adjacent to the clamp by two pairs of guide elements in a way that allows the shell to move along the arcuate path. An adjustment screw is used to adjust the position of the shell along the arcuate path, thereby adjusting the azimuth of the antenna about a vertical axis. Locking screws are used to secure the adjusted azimuth orientation.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to assemblies for mounting antennas to poles.
2. Description of Related Art
The present invention is particularly intended for use on directional antennas, although it may be used for omni-directional antennas as well. A directional antenna is an antenna with a gain that is sensitive to its angular orientation. The angular orientation is commonly measured in terms of azimuth (i.e. "horizontal angle") in combination with an elevation (i.e. "vertical") angle. An assembly for mounting such an antenna is preferably provided with a bracket that includes a clamp for mounting to the pole and a support structure for supporting the antenna relative to the clamp. The bracket typically also has components for adjusting each of the azimuth and the elevation angle, so that the gain can be maximized. The support structure is attached fixedly to the clamp, and azimuth and elevation angle of the antenna plate are adjusted with respect to the support structure.
Adjustment of the azimuth is obtained conventionally by orienting the bracket around the vertical pole properly. A separate component might not be provided for adjusting the azimuth. For example, the bracket illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. Des. 361,068, provides for only elevation angle adjustment.
The adjustability of the orientation of the clamp around the pole may not provide a high enough resolution in azimuth, especially for heavy or highly directional antennas that permit only a small error in angular orientation. Indeed, some microwave antennas weigh over 50 lbs. To be installed, the assembly must be lifted up to the desired point on the pole and then, with the associated transceiver operating, rotated horizontally around the pole until the maximum gain is registered. That procedure determines the exact orientation for clamping, which must be maintained continuously during attachment of the clamp to the pole.
Given such difficulties, many bracket assemblies are provided with an additional component for azimuth adjustment. FIG. 1 shows a representative conventional bracket providing such azimuth adjustment. A directional antenna transceiver 40 is mounted on a pole 42 by a bracket assembly 44 supporting an antenna base 46, to which the transceiver is attached. Bracket assembly 44 has a clamp 48 and a support structure 50 that is attached to the clamp. The bracket assembly is further provided with an azimuth adjusting screw 52, which couples the base to the support structure. The adjusting screw rotates the antenna around pivot point 54 along the direction indicated by the arrow 56. An elevation adjustment component, not shown in the plan view of FIG. 1 is also included in the bracket.
A problem with such brackets is that large mechanical stresses or loads become highly concentrated on very few components. Pivot point 54 is subjected to large loads because of the weight of the antenna and strong wind forces. Moreover, screws that adjust the azimuth angle are subjected to the wind forces, while screws that adjust the elevation angle are subjected to the weight of the antenna.
What aggravates this problem is the competing design requirements of the azimuth and elevation angle adjusting screws. Such screws should have fine threads to provide a high resolution for tuning the antenna angle they control. Simultaneously, they should be robust enough to withstand large forces applied to them, without losing the set adjustment.
Another source of problems is that the adjustment components are exposed. These components are thus subject to deterioration due to the weather, vulnerable to vandalism, and unsightly (which can be a problem in code stringent areas).


A tool assembly which is adapted to perform a cutting operation and also a beveling operation on a pipe. There is a rotary power saw which has rotary drive member to which a saw blade can be mounted. There is a bevel section having a mounting member that connects to the rotary drive member, and a bevel member. There is a locating surface portion around the axis of rotation of the bevel member, and an end lateral locating section and an apex end of the bevel member. The bevel section can be removably connected to the drive member of the power saw.

In the prior art, large plastic pipes are used to transport water or other liquids, and these can very substantially in size, with some of these being as large as one to two feet in diameter, or possibly larger. Sometimes they have to be cut to different lengths and joined end to end in some manner, and this often requires beveling the end edge portion of the pipe.
One common method of cutting these pipes is to use a rotary power saw which has a rear hand grip section and a front cutting section. At the cutting section, there is a disc saw blade which is mounted about an axis of rotation that is transversely aligned relative to a forward to rear axis of the power tool. It is common practice in the industry to sometimes bevel the end to edge portion of the pipe by using the saw blade of this same rotary power saw to make the beveled cut around the circumference of the end edge of the pipe section. This is a somewhat difficult task, and is particularly difficult to provide a relatively uniform beveled surface at the proper angle.
A search of the patent literature has disclosed a number of patents, some of which deal with the task of making a beveled cut at the end edge of a pipe or the like. These are the following:
U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,302 (Gudleske) shows a combination tool where the saw blade has bevelling cutters attached to the saw blade, so that the cutting is accomplished simultaneously with the cutting of the pipe.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,736,545 (Moss) shows a machine for tapering fiberglass pipe ends. There is a jig means that holds the pipes and parts in the proper relationship.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,883 (Dent) shows a pipe cutting device where there is a saw blade and bevel cutters are mounted to the saw blade.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,919 (Mitchell) shows a tool for both cutting and bevelling pipe where there is a rotary cutting blade 38 and a bevel cutter 39 which rotate together. There is an adjustable link assembly which extends around the pipe and this moves around the pipe to make the cut and the bevelling.U.S. Pat. No. 4,566,511 (Robinson) discloses a sander attachment for a rotary power saw where the power saw is mounted to a support and the sander is attached to the axle of the saw blade.U.S. Pat. No. 4,490,909 (Waschs, et al.) discloses a "travelling pipe cutter" having a frame and rollers for mounting the frame for travel around the pipe. The saw blade 45 (see FIG. 2) cuts the pipe.U.S. Pat. No. 4,180,358 (Uribe) shows a power pipe bevel cutting tool. It is indicated that the attachment is capable of being mounted to a variety of power tools. There are rollers provided for guiding the bevelling tool around the pipe.U.S. Pat. No. 3,712,174 (Gransfield) shows a jig that holds the power tool by which the bevel cutter is rotated relative to the pipe.U.S. Pat. No. 3,386,337 (Spier) shows a bevel cutter on which the rotating tool is guided by a means which is centered within the pipe.U.S. Pat. No. 2,869,239 (Howard) shows an abrading disk driven by a power device that resembles a power saw. The edge of the disk 19 forms the bevel abrading the edge of the pipe. There is a means for mounting the abrading device around a spindle 5 that is centrally mounted with respect to the pipe.U.S. Pat. No. 2,561,484 (Shaw, et al.) shows a power operated cutting tool that is mounted to the pipe in a manner so that it will travel around the pipe. In FIG. 2, there is shown a cutting tool 72 which would appear to have a cutting edge that would both cut through the pipe and create a bevel.U.S. Pat. No. 1,932,462 (Howlett) discloses a pipe cutting machine having a rotary saw.


The present invention provides an image detection system capable of picking up a high resolution image of the surface condition of a circuit pattern-formed wafer without being affected by steep pattern steps, discontinuous reflectance distributions and optically transparent substances which are formed after resist patterns are formed and removed. A defect detection apparatus using such an image detection apparatus is also provided by the invention. The present invention is implemented by a configuration comprising a scanning stage having a sample mounted thereon, an image pickup system for picking up a surface image of the sample, height detection means for detecting the surface height of the sample at plural points including two points which are respectively on the opposite sides of the image pickup position in the scanning direction, sample height calculation means for calculating the height of the sample at the image pickup position by using the detected heights and focusing means for focusing the image pickup system by using the calculated sample height.

The present invention relates to an image detection apparatus which captures a high resolution surface image of a sample made of various materials and having an uneven surface, such as a semiconductor wafer on which fine circuit patterns are formed, and a defect detection/measurement apparatus using that image. In particular, this invention is preferably applicable to an apparatus which employs a high resolution and narrow focal depth optical system such as an optical microscope using a DUV light source.
As systems for picking up a high resolution surface image of a sample made of various materials and having an uneven surface, there are pattern defect detection apparatuses for semiconductor wafers.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-76450, a focus detection method is disclosed for semiconductor wafer pattern defect detection apparatuses. In this conventional method, a reticule inserted in an illuminating light path is projected onto the sample via an objective lens and an image of the reticule pattern reflected from the sample is shaded by another reticule placed in the detection light path. The height of the sample is detected by the increase or decrease in the quantity of light which has passed the reticule.
Similar to pattern defect detection apparatuses, projection exposure apparatuses also have a high resolution optical system which must be focused on the surface of a sample made of various materials and having an uneven surface. For automatic focusing in a projection exposure apparatus, a height detection method is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-36036. Wafers to be processed by a projection exposure apparatus is coated entirely with a resist, an optically transparent-substance. To accurately detect the surface height of the resist in this disclosed method, S-polarized light is irradiated to the wafer at an incident angle of 85 degrees or more so that reflection at the transparent surface layer is raised.
The first conventional technique mentioned above is immune to the unevenness of the surface of the sample and the distribution of reflection over the surface of the sample. However, it has a drawback that the detected height does not necessarily agrees with that of the surface layer since where the surface layer is an optically transparent substance, irradiated light penetrates through the surface layer and is reflected by an under layer.
The second conventional technique mentioned above provides high accuracy height detection if the whole surface of the wafer is smoothly coated with a resist. However, sufficient care is not given to steep dents and bumps which may occur to the circuit pattern on the wafer after a resist pattern is formed or removed.

Image detection method and its apparatus and defect detection method and its apparatus


The present invention describes a process for the production of olivine lithium nickel phosphate composite by uniformly mixing oxides of Ni and P with Li2CO3, converting the mixture to a paste by adding glycerol, calcining the paste continuously to obtain the desired composite.

The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of olivine lithium nickel phosphate (LiNiPO4) composite, which is very useful for high voltage lithium reversible cells. LiNiPO4 is a reversible cathode material useful for high voltage cells of lithium in non-aqueous media.
In all the procedures available in the literature several disadvantages are observed:
1. Phase impurity
2. Longer duration of thermal preparation
3. High temperature of operation
4. pH control
5. Several steps of preparation
The main object of this invention is to synthesis olivine LiNiPO4 under suitable solid state reaction method which obviates the defects and draw backs hither to known in other methods of preparation of this compound from already known procedures in literatures.

Process for the preparation of olivine lithium nickel phosphate composite

Council of Scientific and Industrial Research


A dehumidifier for use in a bathroom or the like utilizes the cold surface of a heat exchanger to condense moisture, and the hot surface of a heat exchanger to warm the air after the moisture is removed. The cold surface is provided by having the cold water supplied to the room pass through the cold heat exchanger; and, the hot surface is provided by having the hot water supplied to the room head pass through the hot heat exchanger. The heat exchangers may be concentric circles, so a recirculation fan centrally of the heat exchangers will move air across the two, or may be rectangular with a plenum at each end so air moves across the two. A drip pan beneath the cold heat exchanger catches the condensate. The circular heat exchangers may be less than a full circle, and a light housed in the space defined. Also, an exhaust fan may be mounted concentrically with the recirculation fan in the circular heat exchanger, or may be mounted in the output plenum of the rectangular device.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to dehumidifiers and the like, and is more particularly concerned with a dehumidifier for use where there is a shower or the like, the warm and cold surfaces of the dehumidifier being provided by water flowing to the shower.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
It has long been recognized that, in bathrooms and the like where one runs hot water to a considerable extent, as when bathing, the room becomes filled with water vapor. This vapor becomes a nuisance because it condenses on walls and ceilings, and on mirrors so a person cannot easily use the mirror while combing hair, shaving, applying make-up or the like.
The most common technique for clearing the air to prevent the mirrors from fogging is to utilize an exhaust fan. The exhaust fan will simply exhaust the moist air from the room, and replace it with air from adjacent rooms which may be cooler, and hopefully with lower water content. It will be understood, however, that a large volume of air must be moved by the exhaust fan to accomplish the task because the exhaust fan must replace all the air in the room often enough to maintain the humidity at the lower level. This requires a relatively large amount of power, and also creates sufficient air flow that one may be uncomfortably cold immediately on leaving the warm bathing water.
Another well known technique for de-humidifying air (though it is not normally used in a bathroom) is the use of a dehumidifier. The conventional dehumidifier utilizes a refrigeration system wherein the evaporator acts as a cold surface on which moisture condenses, and the condenser acts as a heat exchanger to re-warm the air before the air passes back into the room. Such dehumidifiers require more power than just a fan, and are usually too large to be used conveniently in a bathroom.
Thus, the prior art has not provided a simple and economical means for dehumidifying a room where one is bathing or otherwise running a rather large volume of hot water.

Bathroom dehumidifier method and apparatus


A method for automatically balancing air conditioning outdoor heat exchange detects a piping measured value of each piping equipment through a detection unit and compares the piping measured value with a set operation mode selected by users and a set value. Airflow amount of adjustable air vents is adjustable according to the comparing result. The method includes the steps of: (1) selecting an operation mode, (2) selecting an effective piping measured value which serves as the basis to operate an air fan device, and (3) based on the piping measured value corresponding to each exchange equipment to open the air vents at a desired degree. By means of the aforesaid method and system, the air conditioning outdoor heat exchange system can be balanced automatically.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for automatically balancing air conditioning outdoor heat exchange to improve total system operation efficiency and automatically balance operation of air conditioning outdoor heat exchange systems to maintain an automatic balance condition and save energy.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Nowadays installation of an air conditioning system has to take into account of indoor configuration, aesthetic appealing, silence and saving space. Hence many air conditioning equipment and piping are installed outdoors to become an outdoor heat exchange equipment. To further reduce space and cost, a plurality of outdoor heat exchange equipment could share one or more set of air fan device F. Through operation of the air fan device F, outdoor air is channeled through the piping arrays A and A′ of the outdoor heat exchange equipment to maintain system stability thereof (referring to FIG. 1). However, the aforesaid conventional outdoor heat exchange equipment has disadvantages when in use, notably:
To save space and cost, usually multiple sets of outdoor heat exchange equipment are arranged to share one or more set of air fan device F. As each of the heat exchange equipment is not necessary located on the same side of the case, airflow direction entering each heat exchange equipment could coincide with the wind direction or against the wind direction. For the equipment located in the wind direction, airflow amount generally is much greater than the normal condition, hence the efficiency of the heat exchange equipment is higher. But excessive airflow could also result in dropping of the efficiency. For instance, for generating a cooling condition, excessive condensing could happen; and for generating a heating condition, overloading could occur. On the other hand, if the heat exchange equipment is located against the wind direction, external air is more difficult to enter, and airflow could be not adequate. With the air fan device F running in the same condition, the operation efficiency varies significantly because of different installed locations of the heat exchange equipment. This is especially severe to the equipment that are against the wind direction. Inadequate airflow results in decreased efficiency, and the operation efficiency of the entire system suffers.
Moreover, for the outdoor heat exchange equipment that consists of multiple sets, if the airflow demand for the equipment on one side is smaller, or only part of the equipment is operating, the air fan device F does not automatically regulate to a more efficient operation mode. Unnecessary waste of operation cost occurs.

Method for automatically balancing air conditioning outdoor heat exchange


Systems and methods for processing natural language statements. Based on historical records of data associated with an entity, systems and methods provide models for inferring publication of data content associated with the particular entity. The systems and methods may compare newly observed data content to predicted content associated with an entity for evaluating novelty or impact of the newly observed data content.

Widespread use of computing devices and networks enables access to vast amounts of data content in the form of articles, journals, webpages, or the like. In some scenarios, several independent content sources may provide content directed to similar subject matter. Natural language processing methods and systems may be used to process data content for analysis.

System and method for processing natural language statements


Described are chemical mechanical processing (CMP) compositions and related methods, including compositions and methods for polishing nickel phosphorus (NiP) surfaces for hard disk applications.

The electronics and microelectronics industries rely on chemical mechanical processing techniques for preparing sophisticated electronic devices that pervade our modern world. These include microprocessors and other integrated circuits that rely on semiconductor materials; solid state and hard disk memory devices; optical materials and devices; and various other commercial and consumer electronic items.
One ubiquitous example is the hard magnetic disk, used for storing digital information in a manner that allows for highly efficient random access of the information. Hard disks now available for memory applications include multiple layers of different materials coated onto a rigid disk base. Each layer can have a different specialized function depending on specific mechanical or magnetic properties of the material of the layer. One of the layers functions as a magnetic storage layer. But the other layers are also critical to reliable performance of the hard disk product, meaning that precision placement of each and every layer is essential in preparing the disk.
One layer that is common in a hard memory disk is a non-magnetic nickel layer, e.g., NiP, especially electroless NiP, which is present to provide hardness. The processed nickel layer is strong, hard, and can be prepared into a highly smooth and uniform surface that allows the non-magnetic nickel layer to serve as a base for added magnetic and other layers. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,977,030. The nickel layer can be provided by electroless plating and may be referred to as "electroless" NiP. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 6,410,104.
The nickel layer as it is initially applied to a substrate will have surface properties (roughness, micro-waviness, flatness) that are not immediately suitable for further processing into a hard disk, such as by applying additional constituent layers of the multi-layer hard disk. Current manufacturing techniques include processing the surface of an applied nickel layer by chemical-mechanical processing to improve the surface properties, especially smoothness (i.e., reduced roughness and micro-waviness), before depositing additional layers of a hard disk product.
In processing a nickel surface to improve smoothness or another surface property, various CMP techniques and slurry materials (e.g., abrasive particles, chemicals, etc.) have been used. Important factors in processing the nickel layer surface include a relatively high removal rate of material from the surface (to maintain processing throughput and an adequate cost of operation), and highly uniform resultant surface properties with a low level of scratching.
Balancing factors of removal rate and highly refined surface properties leads to different processing options, such as using relatively hard abrasive particles to provide higher removal rates, but which can produce excessive scratching, versus using softer particles that provide less scratching but have a lower removal rate. Conventionally, multiple CMP processing steps are used to prepare a nickel surface, including a first step at a first processing apparatus (e.g., platen) that uses hard abrasive particles to effect a high removal rate, followed by at least one subsequent step at a second processing apparatus (e.g., platen) using softer particles that have a lower removal rate but provide a more gentle (fine) process and a final, low roughness, low scratch surface. The first step, for processing the nickel surface following placement of the nickel material onto a substrate surface (sometimes referred to as a bulk removal step) may include the use of one or more of: hard abrasive particles (e.g., alumina particles), relatively large abrasive particle size, a relatively hard CMP pad, and relatively high pressure between the pad and the nickel layer surface during processing. In a subsequent (fine) step designed to provide a finished (low roughness) surface at a relatively lower removal rate, generally smaller sized and softer (e.g., silica) particles may be used along with lower pad pressure and a relatively softer CMP pad. Because the materials (e.g., abrasive particles) of the first and second slurries are different, the first and second steps are conventionally performed at different locations.
Many slurries used for processing a nickel phosphorus surface contain alumina or a mixture of alumina and colloidal silica as abrasive particles. Alumina is often used for achieving a relatively high removal rate in a bulk removal step. But alumina abrasive particles have certain distinct disadvantages. Alumina particles can become embedded in a surface of a nickel layer during processing, forming an embedded (alumina) particle defect. The alumina abrasive particle can remain embedded in the nickel layer throughout subsequent processing, eventually forming a surface protrusion in a finished hard magnetic disk surface. During use of the hard magnetic disk product, the surface protrusion can cause a head crash if a magnetoelectric read or write head contacts the protrusion as the head flies over the magnetic disk surface. Consequently, it is desired to find methods and materials (e.g., slurries) that are useful for processing a nickel layer without the need for alumina particles.
Also, as noted, conventional methods of processing a nickel-phosphorus substrate surface require two steps involving different abrasive slurries: a first "bulk removal" step, and then a second "polishing" step. The first step is performed at a first location, e.g., a "platen" that includes a rotating pad, a "carrier" to hold the substrate in contact with the rotating pad, and a dispenser for dispensing fluid such as a slurry that contains abrasive particles in a liquid carrier. During the first step, the carrier holds the substrate in contact with the pad, and slurry is dispensed to the pad, the substrate, or both. At the end of the first step, a cleaning step is usually performed, to clean the substrate. To perform the cleaning step, the substrates is removed from its carrier and handled external to the CMP apparatus, including by processing in a separate cleaning apparatus. After cleaning, the substrate is then moved and installed in a second carrier of a second CMP apparatus, or a "platen." At the second platen, the substrate is processed by the second (polishing) step, which is a more gentle removal step relative to the bulk removal step, meaning that the polishing step will remove a smaller amount of material from the substrate surface, producing a highly-refined final substrate finish.
A longstanding goal and desire for CMP processing is referred to as a "single-platen" process for processing a nickel-phosphorus substrate, as an alternative to conventional two-platen, or multi-platen processes. A single-platen process would avoid a cleaning step between a bulk removal step and polishing step, and would avoid the need to remove the substrate from a carrier, then re-install the substrate in a carrier, between the bulk removal step and the polishing step. Specifically, a series of CMP steps that can be performed on a nickel-phosphorus substrate surface without removing the substrate from its carrier would be highly desirable, if the series of steps can provide desired surface properties of the finished substrate surface. A method of performing a bulk removal step in a carrier, and a polishing step in the same carrier, would eliminate the need for removing the substrate from the carrier and handling and transporting the substrate outside of the carrier. Eliminating a cleaning step has the general advantage of eliminating a complex and expensive step, and allowing faster throughput. More specific advantages include: eliminating handling and transport of the substrate, which can reduce the risk of contamination or damage that may occur during these steps; and reduced cost of ownership and labor intensity of a CMP process.

Chemical-mechanical processing slurry and methods for processing a nickel substrate surface


A reflex-type screen includes a base which has saw-tooth appearance, and an optical absorption layer on one edge of each saw-tooth of the base. The base consists of white resin and includes a plurality of projector side inclined planes and non-projector side inclined planes, which are alternately provided to form the saw-tooth appearance. The projector side inclined planes are oriented so that the image light from the projector may be incident on them, while the non-projector side inclined planes are oriented so that the image light from the projector may not be incident on them. The optical absorption layer is formed on each of the non-projector side inclined planes of the base to absorb the light. The projector side inclined plane reflects the image light just in front of the observer of the reflex-type screen from the projector.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reflex-type screen for displaying an image which is projected from a projector, and a reflex-type screen assembly equipped with the reflex-type screen.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there has been a demand for displaying an image on a screen for an observer located just in front of the screen by projecting the image onto the reflex-type screen at an angle in a short range. When a widely used white mat reflex-type screen is used for the purpose, since majority of the image light projected from the short focal-length projector is reflected to a place where the observer is not present, an even and bright image cannot be provided to the observer located just in front of the reflex-type screen.
For example, as a reflex-type screen that solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-347297 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-241888 disclose a hologram reflecting screen using hologram element on a reflection plane, which diffuses and diffracts the projected image light towards the observer. In addition, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. H11-44805 discloses a transparent resin panel on which a shading film is formed, where the cross section of the panel has saw-tooth appearance formed by vertical planes and inclined planes which are provided alternately, as a technique to reduce the reflection of a light on a transparent cover provided, for example, in front of instruments of an automobile.
However, the hologram element of the hologram reflex-type screen has a limit of chromatic dispersion. Therefore, when the image light (e.g., image light projected from a projector) including a predetermined wavelength range is projected, a color shift may occur, for example, in periphery of the screen due to the chromatic dispersion of the hologram element.
Moreover, the hologram element records hologram information by exposing photosensitive resin, or so-called exposing method. When the exposing method is to be employed, it is difficult to enlarge the size of the screen due to the restrictions on a manufacturing method. Moreover, in order to make angle-of-visibility property in a vertical direction being different from that in a horizontal direction, multiple exposure is needed which makes the manufacturing method more complicated.
Moreover, when the transparent resin panel disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-44805 is to be employed to the reflex-type screen, there is a problem that it is difficult to give the reflectivity and diffusivity required for the reflex-type screen on a saw-tooth cross section.


A method and a programmable controller for accessing data or functions, the data being stored in a database of the programmable controller and the database being assigned to an application program of the programmable controller, and a web server of the programmable controller being accessed by a client via the network protocol, where at least one program module of the automation program of the programmable controller is assigned to a web service of the web server, and where execution of the program module is initiated by the web service such that flexible and simply implementable access to data or functions of the programmable controller is therefore possible, and the access to the data or functions can be controlled load-dependently.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for accessing data or functions of a programmable controller via a network protocol, and to a programmable controller with access to its data or functions via a network protocol.
2. Description of the Related Art
Data or functions of a programmable controller, for example, production data, state information, control parameters and the like are conventionally accessed via an operation and observation unit, which generally has a graphical user interface for monitoring and operating an automated process or the like. The operation and observation units are generally connected via a data network to the programmable controller. The access to the data or functions of the programmable controller is generally performed via proprietary protocols from the field of automation. Besides these data or function accesses in more or less closed architectures and systems, there is an increasing requirement to make the data of a programmable controller generally accessible, in particular via the Internet and by using the usual protocols there, for example HTTP. To this end, it is known to equip programmable controllers with web servers that deal with corresponding requests of clients (e.g., web browsers, or cellphone applications).
One problem with the conventional use of web servers in programmable controllers is that the web server integrated into the programmable controller must exchange the data with the automation program (SPS program), or call its functions, although in general a web server cannot or should not have direct access to functions, variables and parameters of an automation program. For this reason, an additional data module is usually defined for the automation program, i.e., a "control data module". For the automation program, a special code module ("WWW module") is then additionally defined, which is necessarily called in each cycle and writes the data to be exchanged into the control data module, or reads them out therefrom. A disadvantage with this method, however, is that, on the one hand, a permanent load is generated by calling the "WWW module" even in cases in which no data are currently meant to be exchanged and, on the other hand, the data exchange is rigidly connected to the execution cycle of the automation program, and can therefore often occur only with a delay. Controlled calling of functions of the programmable controller is therefore not at all possible.
Besides the explained access via a web server in the programmable controller, it is also known to deliver instructions and parameters to the programmable controller via the OPC-UA protocol, and in the same way to deliver data from the programmable controller to an OPC-UA client unit, although this requires the construction of an OPC-UA client/server architecture and therefore entails high outlay. Furthermore, with this approach there are also problems in relation to the cycle-oriented data exchange between the local OPC-UA server of the programmable controller and the automation program.

Method and apparatus for accessing data or functions of a programmable controller via a network protocol


E-mail messages or computer files are scanned to identify embedded internet addresses. These embedded internet address 18 refer to data that may be retrieved via the internet. This data is pre-emptively retrieved and scanned for malware even though it has not been requested by a user. If the data is found to be malware-free, then a record of this is kept. If a user subsequently seeks to access the data associated with the embedded internet address, then the stored data may be referred to and if the internet address is found and the data associated with that address is unchanged since it was previously scanned, then that data may be supplied to the user without the need to be rescanned.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of data processing systems. More particularly, this invention relates to the field of malware scanning, such as, for example, scanning for computer viruses, worms, Trojans, banned words etc, within data processing systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is known to provide malware scanners that are able to scan data for the presence of malware such as computer viruses, worms, Trojans, banned words and other undesirable material. One type of malware scanner is resident upon a client computer or a server computer and serves to scan files for malware either on an on-access or an on-demand basis.
A significant source of malware is data downloaded via the internet. The anonymous and unregulated nature of the internet mean that it is relatively easy for a person to distribute malware via the internet, such as to unsuspecting users downloading programs or webpages that contain computer viruses or worms. In order to address this problem it is known to provide malware scanners that operate in conjunction with a computer network firewall such that data being retrieved from the internet through that firewall is scanned for malware. Whilst this is an effective protection, it suffers from the disadvantage that it slows the speed with which data requested by a user from the internet is returned to that user since the data is delayed within the firewall whilst it is scanned. This problem is made worse by the fact that there is an ever increasing number of malware threats, such as known viruses, worms, Trojans etc for which a search needs to be made within the data.

Predictive malware scanning of internet data


A lighting device which can be used for illuminating pedestrian crossings or in other applications where it is necessary to form a defined and uniform rectangular pattern includes a parabolic reflector element and a planar screen with an array of cylindrical microlenses or microprisms on a surface thereof.

The present invention relates to a lighting device able to generate a light beam which forms a defined and uniform rectangular pattern at the work area, e.g. for illuminating pedestrian crossings or for use in other applications where an illumination pattern of the above indicated type is required, such as in the case of motor-vehicle fog lamps, or for illuminating paintings or long aisles in industrial buildings, etc.
The object of the present invention is that of providing a device of the above indicated type which is able to form a rectangular pattern of relatively wide dimensions starting from a device of reduced dimensions, which may have any shape, including the circular shape, and with a relatively simple and inexpensive structure.

Lighting device for generating a rectangular pattern at the work area, E. G. for illuminating pedestrian crossings


A package for storage of at least one recording medium has a paperboard component formed from a blank folded along a horizontal midline to define a double thickness, with an exposed outer face thereof being coated and printed and a concealed inner face thereof being unprinted. The concealed inner face defines at least one pair of parallel grooves, preferable formed by laser ablation.

The present invention relates to packaging for a recording media and a blank therefor, and more particularly to a grooved blank and packaging made therefrom.
Kosterka U.S. Pat. No. 4,709,812 discloses a package for a compact disc formed from a precut, prescored, preprinted unitary blank or sheet and at least one injection molded plastic compact disc holder. More particularly, the blank is divided into two rows of a like plurality of rectangular sections, the rows being separated by a foldline. The sections in the first or bottom row are separated from each other by a strip having a width small relative to the width of the sections, the strips being bound by foldlines, and the sections in the second or top row are separated from each other by a slot having a width slightly greater than the width of the strip. The second row is eventually folded downwardly along the foldline so that each of the sections of the second row partially overlie a respective section of the first row but does not overlie the strip adjacent that section of the first row. The overlying sections are joined together to form double thickness segments. While this package has received widespread acceptance, it has not proved to be entirely satisfactory for high quality packaging.
If only one face of the blank is to be printed, only one passage is required through the printing press (whereas if both faces are to be printed, two passes through the printing press are required). The use of single paths through the printing press allows faster turnaround, increased capacities, lower costs and the like. Further, where the blank is to be printed on only one side, higher quality graphics may be utilized as there is no fear of ink bleeding through from an image on one face to an image on the opposite face.
In Kosterka, while the segments are of double blank (board) thickness, the strips are of single blank thickness. When, for economic or other reasons, the blank is coated and printed on only one face thereof, the segments (formed from two folded-over sections) can be made with both outer surfaces thereof (i.e., the front and back of each segment) appropriately coated and printed. However, the strips intermediate the segments, being made of single board thickness, can have only one face thereof coated and printed (typically the face thereof which will be visible in the folded package), with the other face (typically the face thereof which is visible only when the package is opened) being unprinted. Because the unprinted face of the strip is visible to the viewer once the package is opened, the package appears less attractive and less finished to the viewer.
Further, because the strips of the Kosterka package are of only single board thickness, they are more subjected to becoming torn than the segments which are formed from double board thickness.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a package for a recording media which in a preferred embodiment is made from a paperboard blank which is coated and printed on only one side thereof, all exposed faces of the package, even when opened, being coated and printed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a package wherein in a preferred embodiment the segments are interconnected by double board thickness strips for additional strength.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a blank from which such packaging may be made.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a blank and packaging which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture and use.

Grooved board packaging and blank therefor


The present invention corrects a teaching point set in a robot movement control program to another position using jog-feed buttons. A robot tool is moved by jog-feed buttons using a jog-feed command unit toward a position to which a teaching point is to be corrected. When the position of the tool approaches any teaching point contained in a movement command program, the robot is automatically shifted to the teaching point to be corrected in the movement command program. When the teaching point to be corrected is found, correction of a teaching point from the closest teaching point to the position to be corrected is then performed.

In conventional control of an industrial robot, an operator teaches a target point for the movement of a tool attached to the end of a robot arm, and a robot is moved according to a program generated so that the robot reaches this teaching point. Such a teaching point specified by the program is sometimes deviated from a set point as the result of varying the position or direction of a workpiece during work. In this case, it is necessary to correct the teaching point deviated from the set point, as a matter of course.
When correction of a teaching point is performed in conventional robot control device, a command block of the teaching point is specified on the screen of a teaching pendant, and the robot is moved to the specified teaching point, and is further moved by jog-feed from the specified teaching point to a corrected teaching point. When the robot reaches the corrected teaching point, a coordinate point of the command block is automatically corrected by instructing correction on the teaching pendant.
However, the conventional robot control device described above needs to find the correspondence between a teaching point to be corrected and its command block. Even if this correspondence is found, it is necessary to alternate execution of a program and jog-feed operation with each other, and as a result, working efficiency is degraded.

Robot movement control device and movement control method


The fire suppression system includes a system piping, with at least one sprinkler, a flow control valve, a fire suppressant delivery line in fluid communication with the flow control valve, at least one fire detector adapted to detect temperatures associated with fire, and a control system. The control system is in communication with the fire detector, the flow control valve and the system piping. The control system is adapted to detect a flow condition and a no-flow condition in the system piping and actuates the flow control valve between a normally open condition and a closed condition when the fire detector is in a no-fire condition state and the control system detects a flow condition in the piping system and may cycle the flow control valve to open when the flow control valve is closed in response to the fire detector being in a fire condition state.

The present invention relates to a fire suppression system and, more particularly, to a fire suppression system in which fire suppressant, such as water, remains in the piping system and yet the system controls the amount of fire suppressant or water which can escape from the system in the event of damage to the sprinklers or the system piping.
Conventional water based fire suppression systems include "wet pipe", "dry pipe", "single-interlocked preaction", and "double-interlocked preaction" systems. The dry pipe and preaction systems are normally dry, but once activated, permit the water based fire suppressant to enter the fire suppression network of piping and sprinklers. However, since the systems are normally dry, the response time can be significantly longer than wet pipe systems. Preaction systems are normally preferred over wet pipe and dry pipe systems because they minimize the risk of water damage in the event that the fire suppression network of pipes or sprinklers are damaged. Therefore, when water based fire suppression systems are installed in commercial or residential areas, where water damage can result in extensive property damage, preaction systems are typically employed.
On the other hand, wet pipe systems are filled with water and, therefore, upon triggering of the respective sprinkler heads, water is immediately dispersed by the sprinkler heads to the location of the fire. In addition, the use of fast response type sprinklers is preferred and may be limited to wet pipe systems. Consequently, wet pipe systems have a significantly shorter response time than dry pipe systems. However, in the event that a sprinkler head is damaged or a pipe in the network of pipes is damaged, as mentioned above, extensive water damage can occur.
Consequently, there is a need for a wet pipe fire suppression system which can provide a quick response and yet can avoid the extensive water damage that is associated with conventional wet pipe systems.


A waste toner transfer device of an image forming apparatus includes a waste toner transfer unit which is disposed in proximity to a cleaning member to transfer waste toner removed from a photoconductive medium by the cleaning member, and includes a plurality of protrusions at one end, a driving unit which horizontally reciprocates the waste toner transfer unit, and a plurality of ribs which constrain the plurality of protrusions when the waste toner transfer unit moves, so that the waste toner transfer unit vibrates vertically.

1. Field of the Invention
The present general inventive concept relates to an image forming apparatus, and more particularly, to a waste toner transfer device, a waste toner cleaning device having the waste toner transfer device, and a developing unit having the waste toner cleaning device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, an electrophotographic image forming apparatus has a photoconductive medium cleaning unit to remove waste toner residue from a photoconductive medium.
The photoconductive medium cleaning unit includes a scraper to physically scrape toner off of the surface of the photoconductive medium, and a waste toner collecting portion to collect waste toner scraped off of the photoconductive medium surface by the scraper. The waste toner collecting portion has a waste toner transfer device to convey waste toner without generating toner lumps.
The waste toner transfer device includes a waste toner conveyance, and a cam driving unit to shake the waste toner conveyance. The waste toner conveyance has a plurality of passing holes to break up lumps of waste toner. The cam driving unit shakes waste toner conveyance, preventing waste toner from being lumped on the waste toner conveyance.
The waste conveyance is usually reciprocated in a direction perpendicular to the direction of waste toner. Accordingly, the waste toner conveyance functions to prevent waste toner from lumping on the waste toner conveyance or to break up lumped waste toner, rather than functioning to transfer waste toner to the waste toner collecting portion.
In the above described method, the scraped waste toner is transferred passively to the waste toner collecting portion as it is moved on the waste toner conveyance. Therefore, if a large amount of waste toner is generated on the surface of the photoconductive medium due to malfunction of the image forming apparatus based on printing errors, such as an inferior transfer or a paper jam, the waste toner is not transferred to the waste toner unit rapidly enough and as a result flows backward toward the scraper.

Waste toner transfer device, waste toner cleaning device having the waste toner transfer device, developing unit having the waste toner cleaning device, and image forming apparatus