A liquid crystal display device comprising a first polarizer, a first retardation film satisfying (1) to (6) below, a liquid crystal cell, a second retardation film satisfying (7) to (12) below, a second polarizer in this order wherein the absorption axis of the first and second polarizer and the slow axis of the first and second retardation film are substantially in parallel, respectively:10 nm<Re(548)<100 nm  (1)20 nm<Rth(548)<400 nm  (2)1.0<Re(446)/Re(548)<2.0  (3)0.5<Re(628)/Re(548)<1.0  (4)1.0<Rth(446)/Rth(548)<2.0  (5)0.5<Rth(628)/Rth(548)<1.0  (6)40 nm<Re(548)<300 nm  (7)20 nm<Rth(548)<400 nm  (8)0.5<Re(446)/Re(548)<1.5  (9)0.5<Re(628)/Re(548)<2.0  (10)0.5<Rth(446)/Rth(548)<2.0  (11)0.5<Rth(628)/Rth(548)<1.5  (12)

Every year applications of liquid crystal display devices are broadening for power-saving and space-saving image display devices. Heretofore, one serious defect of liquid crystal display devices is that the viewing angle dependence of images is large, but recently, VA-mode, broad viewing angle liquid crystal display devices have been put into practical use, by which the demand for liquid crystal display devices is rapidly increasing also in the market that requires high-quality images as in TVs.
VA-mode liquid crystal display devices have an advantage in that, as compared with other liquid crystal display modes, the contrast is generally high, but on the other hand, they have a problem in that the viewing angle-dependent contrast and color tone change is great. As a method for compensating it, various optical compensatory films have been proposed. In particular, a method of using two stretched cellulose acylates for an optical compensatory film, as in JP-A-2003-170492, is preferred in that the optical compensatory film may serve also as a protective film of a polarizer and that the liquid crystal display devices comprising the optical compensatory film may be thinned.
However, with the recent tendency more promoted in the art toward large-panel display devices mainly for large-size TVs, more definite display capabilities are being required. In the above-mentioned method, the compensation for viewing angle-dependent color tone change is insufficient, and further improvements thereon are desired.


The present invention is a system for providing Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS) partitioning. The system includes a memory, a bus controller communicatively coupled to the memory via a memory bus, and a MILS controller communicatively coupled to the bus controller via a host-side bus, the MILS controller configured for monitoring and controlling system transactions. The system further includes a plurality of input/output (I/O) devices communicatively coupled to the MILS controller via a plurality of corresponding device-side buses. The system further includes a MILS separation kernel configured for mapping regions of the memory to a plurality of user partitions. Each I/O device included in the plurality of I/O devices is allocated to a partition included in the plurality of partitions and is isolated from MILS separation kernel space. The MILS separation kernel is configured for guaranteeing isolation of the partitions of the memory. The system further includes a processor connected to the bus controller via a processor front-side bus. The MILS controller is configured for extending MILS partitioning to the plurality of I/O devices.

Many computing environments process and transmit information having different security classification levels. For example, military computing environments process classified information having security levels such as top secret and secret, as well as unclassified information. Typically, unclassified information is separated from classified information in these computing environments, so that classified information is not improperly passed to an unsecured computing environment. Keeping unclassified information separated from classified information has dictated separate processing environments and interconnection networks, such as separate black processing environments for processing unclassified or encrypted data, and red processing environments for processing unencrypted classified data.
Partitioned processing environments have been developed that enable single processors to host Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS). For example, the AAMP7G processor manufactured by Rockwell Collins of Cedar Rapids, Iowa utilizes a National Security Agency (NSA) certified brickwall Partition Management Unit (PMU) to enforce separation of processes, while a MILS Real Time Operating System (RTOS) provides process separation with a software implemented partitioning environment, which can operate on Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) processors.
In current MILS systems, the operating system may provide separation assurance (ex.—create distinct partitions) utilizing the processor's Memory Management Unit (MMU). However, memory protection provided by such partitioning is only effective for processor-originated actions (ex.—execute, read, write). Thus, the remainder of the MILS system, including all connected Input/Output (I/O) devices, is/are not controlled by the operating system's partitioning activities. This may be problematic in situations where the I/O devices are high capacity I/O devices and require Direct Memory Access (DMA) to operate. During DMA operations, data may be transferred from main memory to an I/O device via a bus, without passing the data through the processor (i.e., CPU). Essentially, the I/O device becomes the "bus master" and may place an arbitrary address on the bus, making it possible for the I/O device to read or write anywhere in system memory. Although some bus controllers may be able to protect some memory regions during DMA operations, they may not necessarily be able to restrict access to a partition's memory when multiple I/O devices on the same bus are utilizing DMA. Further complicating matters is that DMA operations during time critical partitions may take away precious processor cycles when the I/O device controls the memory bus.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide a system for providing Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS) partitioning which addresses the problems associated with current solutions.

System for extending Multiple Independent Levels of Security (MILS) partitioning to input/output (I/O) devices


A method and system for use in measuring the endothelial dysfunction utilizing flow mediated dilation and determining arterial health of a patient. The system includes a non-invasive blood pressure monitor, an ultrasound system and a pulse oximeter monitor that all communicate with each other to perform the flow mediated dilation. Initially, the ultrasound transducer, blood pressure cuff and pulse oximeter sensor are positioned on an arm of the patient. The blood pressure cuff is inflated to occlude an artery for an occlusion period. Following the occlusion period, the ultrasound system is automatically signaled to begin determining a parameter of the artery, such as diameter, and the flow rate of blood through the artery without any operator intervention. At the same time, the pulse wave velocity PWV is calculated between the ultrasound transducer and the finger probe of the pulse oximeter following the occlusion period. Based upon the detected characteristics of the artery before and after occlusion, as well as the PWV, the system can determine the endothelial dysfunction and arterial health of the patient.

Endothelial dysfunction is a disruption of the normal biochemical processes carried out by the endothelium, which is a cell group that lines the inner surface of all blood vessels, including arteries and veins. The normal function of the endothelial cells is to produce or release substances that control the biological characteristics of the blood vessels, including the dimension, elasticity, permeability and reactivity. Since impairment of the vascular endothelial function is found in early stages of atherosclerosis, it is possible to treat the atherosclerosis earlier by detecting the impairment of the vascular endothelial function. Endothelial dysfunction is thought to be a key event in the development of atherosclerosis and can predate clinically obvious vascular pathology by many years. Endothelial dysfunction has been shown to be of prognostic significance in predicting vascular events, including stroke and heart attacks.
A key feature of endothelial dysfunction is the inability of the arteries to dilate fully in response to an appropriate stimulus. This can be tested by a variety of methods including intra-arterial administration of various vasoactive agents, localized heating of the skin and temporary arterial occlusion by inflating a blood pressure cuff to high pressures. These techniques are thought to stimulate the endothelium to release nitric oxide (NO) and other agents, which diffuse into the surrounding vascular smooth muscles causing vasodilation. Flow-mediated dilation (FMD) is a non-invasive method for assessing vascular endothelial function by inducing reactive hyperemia with an occlusive cuff and by measuring arterial diameter with an ultrasonic probe. Reactive hyperemia is a transient increase in blood flow that takes place following a brief period of arterial occlusion and the subsequent release thereafter. The flow mediated dilation is a reaction in which an increased arterial blood flow stimulates the vascular endothelium of the artery concerned (typically the brachial artery), thus secreting vascular endothelium-derived relaxing factors that dilate the blood vessels, with a resulting increase in the diameter of the artery. When the vascular endothelial function is impaired the relaxing factors are secreted at a smaller quantity, which results in a smaller increase in arterial diameter. Thus, the vascular endothelial function can be assessed by measuring the extent of the diameter change of the artery following the arterial occlusion and comparing it to reference values.
Current methods to assess the endothelial function non-invasively use ultrasound to measure the FMD of the limb artery after the release of the temporary occlusion. However, the use of ultrasound probes poses problems for assessment of the vascular endothelial functions. Specifically, in presently used methods, the ultrasound measurements may be poorly reproducible since the technique is highly operator-dependent with regard to the positioning of the probe on the patient. Further, since the prior methods and systems require a trained technician to manually locate the blood vessel within the patient limb and simultaneously integrate the functions of the blood pressure cuff and the ultrasound probe, testing typically takes place in a research environment and is not widely used as a clinical tool.
In addition to the endothelial function of a patient, another measurement useful in diagnosing the arterial health of the patient is the pulse wave velocity. Pulse wave velocity is the time required for a blood pressure wave to travel a given distance between two sites of the arterial system and varies depending upon the elasticity, wall thickness and blood density of the patient. Pulse wave velocity correlates well with arterial distensibility and stiffness and is a useful non-invasive index to assess arterial sclerosis and thus arterial endothelial dysfunction. Presently, pulse wave velocity measurements can be made by utilizing two points along an arterial path and obtaining a time measurement between the sensing of the pressure wave at each of the two sites. Based upon the distance between the two sites, the pulse wave velocity for the patient can be determined. Since pressure waves travel more rapidly with thin, small, stiff tubes, increased PWV measurement over a period of time indicates a stiffening of the artery being analyzed.

Method and apparatus for automated vascular function testing


An angle indicator includes a wheel, a spring member and a rope. The angle indicator is used in a miter saw, which has a worktable, a swivel arm swivelably mounted to the worktable, and a saw blade rotatably mounted to the swivel arm, for indicating a bevel angle of the saw blade relative to the worktable. The wheel is adapted to be pivotally mounted to the worktable of the miter saw and provided with an indication zone. The spring member is adapted to be connected between the worktable and the wheel for providing a return force to the wheel relative to the worktable. The rope has an end adapted to be connected to the swivel arm of the miter saw and the other end connected to the wheel for pulling the wheel to rotate upon movement of the swivel arm relative to the worktable.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a miter saw and more specifically, to an indicator for use in a miter saw for indicating a bevel cutting angle at where the saw blade of the miter saw cuts a workpiece.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 shows a conventional miter saw 1, which comprises a worktable 2, a swivel arm 3 on which a saw blade 4 is rotatably mounted, and an adjustment mechanism 5 connected between the worktable 2 and the swivel arm 3 for enabling the swivel arm 3 to be swiveled relative to the worktable 2. During operation, the operator can adjust the bevel angle of the swivel arm 3 relative to the worktable 2 for cutting the workpiece that is supported on the worktable 2 at different angles.
Further, graduations are made on the periphery of the adjustment device 5, and a pointer is provided at the swivel arm 3. When pivoting the swivel arm 3, the operator can synchronously observe the bevel angle of the swivel arm 3 by means of the indication of the pointer at the graduations.
However, because the adjustment mechanism 5 is connected between the worktable 2 and the swivel arm 3, the swivel arm 3 may keep the operator's sight from the indication of the pointer at the graduations, resulting in an adjustment inconvenience.


A golf training and teaching device is provided for a golfer wearing a hat having a brim. The device includes a right-side L-shaped member and a left-side L-shaped member. The right-side L-shaped member includes an upper leg and a lower leg depending from the upper leg, with the lower leg having a sighting opening therein configured to be positioned adjacent the right eye of the golfer. The left-side L-shaped member includes an upper leg and a lower leg depending from the upper leg, with the lower leg having a sighting opening therein configured to be positioned adjacent the left eye of the golfer. The right-side and left-side L-shaped members are slidably coupled in partially overlapping relation so that the respective upper legs thereof overlay and define a clamp to be secured onto the brim of the hat. The sighting openings are configured to provide a visual containment area for a golf ball positioned adjacent the golfer's feet.

Since the beginning of golf, players and instructors have tried to build more repeatable and effective golf swings. Many areas of golf have improved enormously through the years. Equipment including drivers, irons, wedges, putters, balls, gloves, shoes, greens, golf courses, teaching techniques, and instructors have all evolved. Computers have launched golf into a new era. Now we can calculate launch angle, ball speed, spine angle, body position, body rotation, club path, impact position and much more.
Two areas of golf remain a challenge for instructors and players alike. Number one is the ability to master the set up position. In many ways the set up position mirrors the impact position. This is so important for the player to have the ability to swing the club repetitiously and be able to generate as much club head speed as possible. Correct spine angle at address gives the player the ability to rotate on the back swing while staying on a fixed axis. It is necessary to correctly position the chin to allow the shoulders to rotate without interference, and to aid the player in setting head and eyes level in the address position. This is important so the body is in the correct position for the down swing.
Number two brings us to the next unarguable fundamental in golf—keeping your head steady and your eyes focused on the ball. For centuries teachers have held a player's head stable or placed a club or object on the head to keep it stable. Many devices over the years have been tried to help teachers and players accomplish this. Most devices are large and bulky, some are very expensive, and others only allow a player to use the device indoors or in a fixed area. Many of these devices are not functional or effective.
As most great teachers in golf know muscle memory can be either positive or negative. Training aids that help players create the positive muscle memory are rare. A training aid that a player can train and practice in is obviously rarer. The most inconceivable is the training aid that can be used to train, practice and play in to build the elusive positive muscle memory while actually hitting a golf ball. Accordingly, there is a need to help golfers master these two areas, and to help every golfer with every shot from putting, chipping, iron shots, drives, and so on. There is a further need to do all of this while aiding the player with the two most unarguable fundamentals in golf: a means to address the ball in the proper position for repeatability and power while allowing the player to hit hundreds of golf balls from the same set up, or address position to develop this positive muscle memory before having to take the device off.

Adjustable golf training and teaching device for head and chin adjustment with stereo view of golf ball


A shaft behavior automatic measuring system 2 according to the present invention includes a metal member 14 provided on a surface of a shaft 8 in a golf club 4, and a radar device 6 to be a Doppler radar. The radar device 6 has at least one transmitting portion for emitting a radar wave to the metal member 14 in the golf club 4 during a swing and at least three receiving portions 16 for receiving the radar wave reflected from the metal member 14. The shaft behavior automatic measuring system 2 includes a calculating portion for calculating three-dimensional coordinates of the metal member 14 based on a signal received by the at least three receiving portions 16. A coating material containing metal powder, a resin sheet containing metal powder, a metallic foil and a metallic thin film are taken as an example of the metal member 14.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shaft behavior automatic measuring system capable of measuring a behavior of a shaft during a swing.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a method of measuring a behavior of a golf club shaft during a swing, a method using a strain gauge has been known. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 11-178953 has disclosed a technique for sticking a strain gauge into a plurality of positions in a longitudinal direction of a shaft and measuring a behavior of the shaft based on strain data obtained from each of the strain gauges.
The strain gauge is connected to a wiring. The wiring disturbs a swing and remarkably interferes with the swing of a golf player. Due to the wiring, the golf player cannot carry out the swing as usual. Moreover, weights of a golf club and a shaft are increased depending on a weight of the strain gauge and the wiring. Because of the increase in the weights, the golf club and the shaft have different specifications from a state in which the strain gauge is not attached. The increase in the weight disturbs a normal swing of the golf player. The increase in the weight interferes with an original behavior of the golf club shaft.
As a method which does not use the strain gauge, it is possible to propose a method using a high speed camera. A mark is put in a plurality of positions in the longitudinal direction of the shaft and a behavior of the mark is analyzed based on an image photographed by means of the high speed camera. By providing a plurality of high speed cameras and photographing a swing on a plurality of points of view, it is possible to obtain a three-dimensional behavior of each mark. However, the method using the high speed camera requires a long time for an analysis. Moreover, the method using the high speed camera has poor precision in a measurement.

Shaft behavior automatic measuring system


A method is disclosed for processing data using multiple interconnected firewall devices. A connection is initiated between an internal host and an external network, through a home firewall device. A separate, receiving firewall device may then receive a data packet for the internal host as part of a flow. The receiving device attempts to determine the home device for the packet. The receiving device sends a multicast to all other firewall devices in the firewall cluster. The multicast includes the data packet and information about the receiving device. The home device receives the multicast and responds, indicating that it is the home device. The home device extracts the data packet from the multicast and forwards it to the internal host. The receiving device stores the response information along with other forwarding information that is used to automatically forward to the home device subsequent data packets for the flow.

Many enterprises employ the "firewall" mechanism to protect their computer networks. A typical firewall device is located at the boundary of the enterprise network. It inspects network traffic flows entering or leaving the internal network, and filters out "unwanted" packets of data. Conventional firewall devices support stateful inspection to enforce more complicated security policies involving stateful network protocols. For example, one popular firewall policy allows Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) connections initiated from internal hosts, but denies TCP connections initiated from outside the network. A stateful inspection firewall handles this by creating a new connection state whenever it captures the first data packet of a data flow for a TCP connection initiated from an internal host. This packet is sometimes referred to as the TCP "SYN" packet. State information may be stored locally to the firewall device for the lifetime of the network flow.
State information about a network flow or connection is established in a firewall device when the first data packet initiating the connection is processed. In the TCP case, it may be referred to as the SYN packet. In the case of a User Datagram Protocol (UDP) session, it is the first UDP packet sent by the client. The data packets in a flow include header information about the packet. Subsequent packets are considered part of the flow if the packet's header information includes information for the connection. Different firewall implementations may have different header information, but they generally include information such as source and destination Internet protocol (IP) addresses and ports.
Due to the extra functions it performs, a firewall can sometimes become a performance bottleneck. One conventional solution uses a cluster of multiple load-balancing firewall devices. In order to support stateful inspection, these firewall devices must either share global state information or have some kind of traffic redirection device. A redirection device forwards packets of an established connection to the "home" firewall device in which the state information is kept locally.
Global state information-sharing is complicated and does not scale well when the number of firewall devices in a cluster rises. Because many network connections are "short-lived," processing power of firewall devices is wasted on global state synchronization. Using redirection devices increases the complexity and cost of the architecture, especially when multiple redirection devices are required to eliminate single point of failure. System administrators must manage a cluster of redirection devices in addition to the firewall cluster. What is needed is a method and system for better processing firewall transactions in systems having multiple firewall devices.

Stateful packet forwarding in a firewall cluster

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A flash memory and programming method are disclosed. The flash memory includes a memory cell array having memory cells arranged in a plurality of word lines including a selected word line and a plurality of non-selected word lines and a plurality of bit lines, a high voltage generator generating a program voltage applied to the selected word line, and a pass voltage applied to at least one of the non-selected word lines adjacent to the selected word line, and control logic controlling the generation of the program voltage, such that the program voltage is incrementally increased during a program operation, and generation of the pass voltage, such that the program voltage is incrementally increased.

The present disclosure relates to memory devices and programming methods for memory devices. More particularly, the disclosure relates to memory device programming methods that control the levels of a pass voltage and a local voltage in relation to a program voltage that increases during a program operation.
Over the past several decades, flash memory has become a commercially important form of nonvolatile memory. Like all nonvolatile memory, flash memory is able to retain stored data in the absence of applied power. Yet, flash memory is capable of being very densely integrated on a stored bit per unit area basis. Increasing integration density is enabled by shrinking design rules (i.e., constituent components are designed with smaller sizes and less inter-component spacing). Unfortunately, shrinking design rules lead to certain fabrication and performance problems with the resulting memory devices.
For example, design rules for contemporary flash memory continue to shrink, it becomes increasingly difficult to secure and maintain a so-called pass voltage window. A "pass voltage window" is an important performance consideration in flash memory and is critical to successful program operations.
During a program operation, a program voltage (Vpgm) is applied to a selected word line, and a pass voltage (Vpass) is applied to a non-selected word line. Under these conditions, a program voltage disturb may occur due to a low pass voltage. A program voltage disturb is a well known phenomenon in flash memory and arises when one or more program-inhibited memory cells within a plurality of memory cells connected to a selected word line (i.e., a word line receiving the program voltage (Vpgm)) are nonetheless programmed by the applied program voltage. This inadvertent programming of what should have been program-inhibited memory cells results in a program operation failure.
A pass voltage disturb is a similar type of programming failure. It arises, however, from a high pass voltage. That is, a high pass voltage is applied to memory cells within a plurality of memory cells connected to a memory cell string resulting in the inadvertent programming of memory cells and a program operation failure.
Thus, a pass window voltage may be understood as a voltage range bounded on one end by a pass voltage level so low that a program voltage disturb occurs and on the other end by a pass voltage level so high that a pass voltage disturb occurs. Clearly, the overall reliability of the program operation is enhanced by obtaining the widest possible pass voltage window.

Nonvolatile memory device and program method with improved pass voltage window


A sealed switch has two switch contacts arranged inside a cavity formed in a molded switch body and the terminal connection for each switch contact are also arranged in respective cavities in the switch body. The switch contacts are sealed by a rigid sheet material that is adhered to the bottom of the switch body and a flexible sheet material that is clamped to the top of the switch body by a spring-like metal element that includes an actuator arm arranged adjacent the moveable one of the two switch contacts. Upon depression of the actuator arm, the flexible sheet material is deformed and a moving force is applied to the moveable switch contact to make a switch connection. The cavities housing the terminal connections are covered by a pierceable insulating material, so that connection pins on a circuit board pass through the insulating material and engage with the terminal connections during mounting of the sealed switch.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a waterproof sealed switch and, more particularly, to a waterproof sealed switch that has a single-pole contact surrounded by a waterproof sealed case and which has a construction intended for ease of manufacturing and insertion as a surface mount component.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are many demands for a waterproof sealed switch, however, such switches tend to be complex and costly both in their construction and in the manufacturing process required to assemble such switches.
Some waterproof sealed switches include a flexible covering over the switch elements and the switching actuation occurs by deformation of the flexible covering. In addition some waterproof sealed switches have multiple contacts positioned inside the waterproof covering, which necessitates a complicated assembly and contact insertion operation.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to improve upon U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,606 assigned to Micro Contacts Inc., invented by Leonard Simpson while an employee of Micro Contacts Inc., and to provide a waterproof sealed switch that incorporates a relatively simple, single switch contact and that can be easily and inexpensively manufactured in an environment that is sealed from external gaseous and liquid contaminants.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the single contact and its actuator are arranged in an overlying relationship and top and bottom insulation sheets are arranged therearound and sealed with a heat-curing adhesive or ultrasonic welding to encapsulate the conductive switching members in a cavity. The top insulating sheet is composed of an elastomeric membrane material which is perimeter sealed to a structural body and mechanically captured by spring action provided by a formed metal cover that also provides a protruding actuating dome used to activate the switching mechanism. The electrical terminations for connection to the active switching mechanism may be located on the bottom, top, or sides of the case and may incorporate, among other mechanical fastening techniques, an internal female terminal for solderless pin connection.
According to another aspect of the present invention, at the location where the terminals would typically exit from the mounting surface of the case, the terminals are instead encapsulated in a gasket covered cavity. This permits an intrusive bayonet or bandoliered or snap-in 0.025xe2x80x3 (635 mm) square post header to penetrate the cavity and make contact with the female terminal. This provides a penetration process for termination connections to, for example, a printed circuit board or similar manufacturing processes.
According to another aspect of the present invention, the switch can be manufactured by forming the contact elements in metal strip form and then operating on the metal strip to place the switch contacts in the proper spatial relationship prior to arranging the top and bottom of the casing therearound. Subsequently, a shearing operation is performed that separates the electrical terminations for each switch from the strips.
The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments thereof to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Waterproof sealed switch with a single contact and method for manufacturing same


Of the many methods provided, in one aspect, the present invention provides a method comprising: providing a treatment fluid comprising: an aqueous base fluid, a first surfactant, and a surfactant-based fluid loss control agent capable of forming a viscoelastic fluid; and introducing the treatment fluid into a well bore that penetrates the subterranean formation.

The present invention relates to methods and compositions for treating subterranean formations. More particularly, the present invention relates to surfactant-based fluid loss control agents for surfactant gels, and associated methods.
Viscosified treatment fluids may be used in a variety of subterranean treatments. Such treatments include, but are not limited to, drilling operations, stimulation treatments, and sand control treatments; As used herein, the term "treatment," or "treating," refers to any subterranean operation that uses a fluid in conjunction with a desired function and/or for a desired purpose. The term "treatment," or "treating," does not imply any particular action by the fluid.
Drilling operations typically require the use of a drilling fluid. During drilling operations, a viscosified treatment fluid (e.g., a drilling fluid) passes down through the inside of the drill string, exits through the drill bit, and returns to the drilling rig through the annulus between the drill string and well bore. The circulating drilling fluid, among other things, lubricates the drill bit, transports drill cuttings to the surface, and balances the formation pressure exerted on the well bore. Drilling fluids typically require sufficient viscosity to suspend drill cuttings. Viscosified treatment fluids also may be used in, other operations to transport and remove formation particulates from the well bore or the near well bore region. In some instances, these formation particulates may be generated during the course of drilling, digging, blasting, dredging, tunneling, and the like in the subterranean formation.
One common production stimulation operation that employs a viscosified treatment fluid is hydraulic fracturing. Hydraulic fracturing operations generally involve pumping a viscosified treatment fluid (e.g., a fracturing fluid) into a well bore that penetrates a subterranean formation at a sufficient hydraulic pressure to create or enhance one or more cracks, or "fractures," in the subterranean formation. The fracturing fluid may comprise particulates, often referred to as "proppant particulates," that are deposited in the fractures. The proppant particulates function, inter alia, to prevent the fractures from fully closing upon the release of hydraulic pressure, forming conductive channels through which fluids may flow to the well bore. Once at least one fracture is created and the proppant particulates are substantially in place, the viscosity of the fracturing fluid usually is reduced, and the fracturing fluid may be recovered from the formation.
Treatment fluids are also utilized in sand control treatments, such as gravel packing. In gravel-packing treatments, the viscosified treatment fluid suspends particulates (commonly referred to as "gravel particulates") for delivery to a desired area in a well bore, e.g., near unconsolidated or weakly consolidated formation zones, to form a gravel pack to enhance sand control. One common type of gravel-packing operation involves placing a sand control screen in the well bore and packing the annulus between the screen and the well bore with the gravel particulates of a specific size designed to prevent the passage of formation sand. The gravel particulates act, inter alia, to prevent the formation particulates from occluding the screen or migrating with the produced hydrocarbons, and the screen acts, inter alia, to prevent the particulates from entering the production tubing. Once the gravel pack is substantially in place, the viscosity of the treatment fluid is often reduced to allow it to be recovered. In some situations, fracturing and gravel-packing treatments are combined into a single treatment (commonly referred to as "frac pack" operations) to provide stimulated production and an annular gravel pack to reduce formation sand production. In some cases, the treatments are completed with a gravel pack screen assembly in place, and the fracturing treatment fluid being pumped through the annular space between the casing and screen. In such a situation, the fracturing treatment usually ends in a screen-out condition, creating an annular gravel pack between the screen and casing. This allows both the fracturing treatment and gravel pack to be placed in a single operation.
Maintaining sufficient viscosity in these fluids is important for a number of reasons. Viscosity is desirable in drilling operations since treatment fluids with higher viscosity can, among other things, transport solids, such as drill cuttings, more readily. Maintaining sufficient viscosity is important in fracturing treatments for particulate transport as well as to create or enhance fracture width. Particulate transport is also important in sand control treatments, such as gravel packing. Also, maintaining sufficient viscosity may be important to control and/or reduce leak-off into the formation. To provide the desired viscosity, polymeric gelling agents commonly are added to the treatment fluids. Examples of commonly used polymeric gelling agents include, but are not limited to, guar gums and derivatives thereof, cellulose derivatives, biopolymers, and the like. The use of polymeric gelling agents, however, may be problematic. For instance, these polymeric gelling agents may leave an undesirable residue in the subterranean formation after use. As a result, potentially costly remedial operations may be required to clean up the fracture face and proppant pack. Foamed treatment fluids and emulsion-based treatment fluids have been employed to minimize residual damage, but increased expense and complexity often result.
To combat these and other problems associated with polymeric gelling agents, some liquid surfactants have been used as gelling agents. Certain surfactants, when mixed with an aqueous fluid having a certain ionic strength, are capable of forming a viscous fluid that has certain elastic properties, one of which may be shear thinning. Surfactant molecules (or ions) at specific conditions may form micelles (e.g., worm-shaped micelles, rod-shaped micelles, etc.) in an aqueous fluid. Depending on, among other things, the surfactant concentration, and the ionic strength of the fluid, etc., these micelles may impart increased viscosity to the aqueous fluid, such that the fluid exhibits viscoelastic behavior due, at least in part, to the association of the surfactant molecules contained therein. As a result, these treatment fluids exhibiting viscoelastic behavior may be used in a variety of subterranean treatments where a viscosified treatment fluid may be useful. Such viscosified fluids may be referred to herein as "surfactant gels." No particular structure or composition is implied by the term. Surfactant gels generally are thought to be nondamaging to the subterranean formation in which they are used because they do not leave an undesirable polymer residue.
Although such fluids may be used in downhole applications, oftentimes surfactant gels may experience significant fluid loss complications. This may be because they do not build a filter cake as a more traditional viscosified treatment fluid that comprises a polymeric gelling agent does. More fluid is lost as a result. This problem may be worse at higher temperatures. Moreover, adding a gelling agent polymer to the surfactant gel to combat this fluid loss problem is generally not desirable because it defeats the purpose of using a surfactant gel. Additionally, any formation fluids that may be present in the subterranean formation (e.g., hydrocarbons, additives, solvents, corrosion inhibitors, etc.) may reduce the viscosity of the surfactant gel, which increases fluid loss.
Conventional attempts to combat such fluid loss problems have not met with much success. One method is to do nothing, and just pump a significantly larger fluid volume at higher rates to combat the fluid loss. However, as known by those skilled in the art, this is not an optimal method for treating with surfactant gels. Another method includes pumping a pad or a pre-pad fluid that contains a polymeric gelling agent before or with the surfactant gel. This method, however, is undesirable because it defeats one of the purposes of using a surfactant gel, i.e., using a non-polymeric containing fluid. Another method is to foam the surfactant gel with a gas or with the use of an expanding additive. Such methods can be logistically difficult to manage, however, especially in off-shore or remote well locations. Moreover, the pumping rate at which the foamed fluid may be pumped is limited. Yet another method to combat fluid loss control in surfactant gels includes adding a fluid loss control agent. Common fluid loss control agents include silica, mica, and calcite, alone, in combination, or in combination with starch. Use of these fluid loss control additives alone in surfactant gels, however, has been observed to give only modest decreases in fluid loss. The poor performance of these conventional fluid loss additives is typically attributed to the period of high leak-off (spurt) before a filter cake is formed and the formation of a filter cake permeable to the surfactant gel. Additionally, the silica flour may remain in the formation, which is damaging to the formation, and therefore, undesirable. Polylactic acid fluid loss control agents generally have temperature limitations at the lower temperatures. Additionally, many traditional attempts to control fluid loss in surfactant gels are either not temporary or provide no gel stabilization.

Surfactant-based fluid loss control agents for surfactant gels and associated fluids and methods


An auxiliary screen unit is provided in conjunction with a desktop personal computer, for use in connection with editing a reading operations. The auxiliary screen unit has a touch-sensitive screen and stylus by means of which a user may operate a graphical user interface to select, highlight or otherwise edit text; edits may be performed on text displayed on the computer screen in the normal way using a mouse and a graphical user interface. The auxiliary screen unit and the computer are connected directly to each other so that text selected on one screen may be imported directly onto the other screen. Such an apparatus thus provides similar functional capability to that of paper, which is still the medium of choice for formulating edits.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the processing of text, such as word processing, for example.
2. Discussion of the Background Art
Automated word processing systems have been in existence for many years in various forms, and they have provided substantial advantages in relation to text processing activities. However, the functional capability of existing word processing systems is frequently incompatible, at least to some extent, with the thought processes and behaviour of people involved in the preparation and amendment of documents. For example, existing word processing systems which provide an extra screen, and/or a plurality of "windows" per screen do not provide the functional capability of paper. For example, existing word processing systems which provide an extra screen, and/or a plurality of "windows" per screen do not provide the functional capability of paper.


An apparatus for analyzing the amount of gas in a solid sample such as a contained oxygen analyzing apparatus and method utilizing a preliminary reducing furnace which can be connected to an analyzing furnace by a transfer unit. A sample such as steel can be reduced in the preliminary reducing furnace and transferred to the analyzing furnace, for example, by a magnetic force, a gripping unit or a transporting sample body holder. A controller can control the application of heat and the mixing of a metal flux to provide discharge gas to an analyzer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a gas analyzing apparatus, including a contained oxygen analyzing apparatus and a contained oxygen analyzing method which can measure a trace amount of contained oxygen by removing an oxide film on a sample surface to enable a measurement of a small amount of oxygen in a sample to be measured, for example, a metal sample (particularly, steel).
2. Description of Related Art
As a method of quantitatively analyzing an oxygen contained in steel, there has been generally used a method of combining a fusion extraction method in an inert gas, an infrared absorbing method and a thermal conductivity method. The fusion extraction method, the infrared absorbing method and the thermal conductivity method comprise the steps of arranging a graphite crucible in which a sample to be measured is inserted, within a heating furnace, heating and fusing the steel corresponding to the sample to be measured while supplying an inert gas, and analyzing carbon monoxide or carbon dioxide generated at this time, for example, by an infrared gas analyzer.
In order to accurately detect the oxygen contained at only a trace quantity in the sample such as steel, it is necessary to previously remove any oil content, dirt or the like attached to a surface of the sample (hereinafter, refer to as an attachment), and any oxide film. Further, in order to remove any attachment attached to the surface, a preliminary treatment was applied to the sample by heating the sample at 400° C. to 600° C. for about ten minutes.
FIGS. 13a and 13b show one example of a conventionally executed contained oxygen analyzing method. The method of removing the oxide film shown corresponds to a method described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-148170. FIG. 13A shows the temperature change within a carbon furnace (a graphite crucible) in correspondence to a procedure of contained oxygen analysis, and FIG. 13B shows the change in amount of signals detected by the infrared gas analyzer.
First, the carbon furnace is preliminarily heated at a high temperature, for example, 3000° C. or the like, between time points Tp11 and Tp12 in FIG. 13A. Next, the surface oxide film is reduced by inputting the sample to be measured into the graphite crucible in which the preliminary heating is finished, at a time point Tp13, and heating the sample to be measured to a temperature equal to or less than a melting point (for example, in a range between 900° C. and 1400° C.), between time points Tp14 and Tp15. Then, an amount of the contained oxygen in the sample to be measured is analyzed by increasing a temperature of the carbon furnace to be equal to or more than 1400° C. (in particular, 2400° C.).
FIGS. 14A and 14B show another example of a contained oxygen analyzing method, in which FIG. 14A shows a temperature change within the carbon furnace in correspondence to a procedure of the contained oxygen analysis, and FIG. 14B shows a change in mount of signals detected by the infrared gas analyzer.
In accordance with the method shown, first, the graphite crucible is preliminarily heated between time points Tp21 and Tp22, and thereafter, the sample to be measured is input into the graphite crucible at a time point Tp23. Next, the surface oxygen is removed by heating the sample to be measured, for example, to 1050° C. in the graphite inert gas between time point Tp24 and Tp25. Then, the sample to be measured is cooled in the inert gas to be approximately room temperature, and at a time point Tp26 the sample to be measured is taken out to the ambient air so as to be oxidized.
Next, the sample to be measured is input into the graphite crucible at a time point Tp29, after a preliminary heating is again applied to the graphite crucible between time points Tp27 and Tp28. The surface oxygen is again removed by heating the sample to be measured, for example, to 1050° C. in the graphite inert gas between time points Tp30 and Tp31, and the amount of oxidation of the oxide film is measured from a signal amount Sp21 at this time. Then, the sample is cooled to approximately room temperature in the inert gas, at a time point Tp32 and the sample is taken out to ambient air so as to be again oxidized.
Further, after the preliminary heating is applied for a third time between time points Tp33 and Tp34, a metal solvent is input into the graphite crucible at a time point Tp35, and a metal bath of the metal flux is prepared in the graphite crucible by heating an inner side of the graphite crucible, for example, to 2400° C. Then, a signal amount Sp22 of a gas generated by inputting the sample into the graphite crucible is measured at a time point Tp36. Accordingly, a contained oxygen amount (a bulk oxygen) of the sample is determined by subtracting the oxygen amount of the oxide film calculated from the signal amount mentioned above from a whole oxygen amount to be calculated (Sp22−Sp21).
However, in accordance with the conventional oxygen analyzing method shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B, since the signal Sp11 caused by the carbon monoxide gas generated from the graphite crucible is increased at a time of increasing the temperature of the graphite crucible from a preliminary heating temperature between 900 and 1400° C. to 1400° C. or more (in particular, 2400° C.), an influence of fluctuation in the signal Sp11 is added to the measured signal amount Sp13, so that there is a problem that a magnitude of the signal Sp12 caused by the oxygen contained in the sample to be measured cannot be accurately determined.
Especially, since the increase of the signal Sp11 caused by the carbon monoxide gas generated from the graphite crucible creates an influence because the oxygen contained in the sample to be measured is only an extremely trace quantity, and it is impossible to measure below 0.5 ppm at the maximum, for example, with respect to an indicated value of 2.9 ppm. That is, in accordance with the conventional oxygen analyzing method shown in FIG. 13, it is impossible to analyze an extremely small quantity of contained oxygen.
Further, in accordance with the conventional oxygen analyzing method shown in FIG. 14, it is necessary to measure the surface oxidation oxygen at two times, so that it is unavoidable to increase the time of measurement. In addition, the subtraction (Sp22−Sp21) is executed on the assumption that the amount of the surface oxidation oxygen at the first time is equal to the amount of the surface oxidation oxygen at the second time; however, it is unavoidable that both amounts fluctuate due to the time in contact with the ambient air or the other conditions. That is, in accordance with this example, it is impossible to restrict a dispersion of the surface oxidation to be equal to or less than 0.5 ppm at the maximum with respect to the value of analysis in the case of measuring a trace quantity of contained oxygen of about 2.9 μg/g.

Contained oxygen analyzing apparatus and contained analyzing method


An edge gap sealing arrangement for the rigid lid (1) of an automobile sliding roof, which arrangement is moulded on to the peripheral edge of the lid (1) to form a frame body (3). The frame body has an initially free edge strip (5) extending outwards, which is bent over to form a hollow chamber (7). The strip is arranged to be adjustably secured preferably from below to the frame body (3) with its outer edge adjacent to the peripheral edge of the lid. The seal so formed is adjustable as to its cross-section and the width of the hollow chamber (7) so that it is adapted to dimensional variations and irregularities in the edge gap. Preferably at the outer edge of the edge strip (5) an inner surface portion (8) is provided, which after the edge strip (5) has been bent to form the hollow chamber (7), is adjustably secured to a counter-surface (9) of the frame body (3) by means of a clamping profile strip (10). The clamping profile strip (10) engages into a clamping groove (11) of the frame body (3).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an edge gap sealing arrangement for the rigid lid of an automobile opening roof particularly a sliding roof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Edge gap sealing arrangements for this purpose are well known such as form a watertight seal of the closed lid of the sliding roof with respect to the peripheral rim, surrounding the lid, of the roof opening which seats the closed lid. Such known sealing arrangements include those which have a hollow sealing element formed from an injection moulding having a strip an edge of which is bent over and secured to form the hollow. This arrangement can indeed, by elastic deformation, accommodate slight differences in width of the edge gap and also slight unevenness, that is fluctuations in width, at the rims or edges of the roof opening and lid which in the ideal case are aligned continuously parallel and at uniform spacing, but larger differences and irregularities can at the very least make it difficult to obtain an effective watertight seal. Problems arise for the fitting together of the lid and roof opening, especially where a glass lid that cannot be highly accurately dimensioned is involved, from the dimensional variations that occur due to the differences in manufacturing tolerances between lid and roof opening, which cannot always be satisfactorily compensated by conventional edge gap sealing arrangements or profiles, that is cannot achieve a good watertight seal. The applied pressure at the edge gap seal is, with the described dimensional variations and irregularities, not uniformly distributed over the entire bearing surface at the peripheral rim of the roof opening, which can lead to local leakage points.
In one known edge gap sealing arrangement (see German Petty Patent No. DE-G 94 18 090.3, FIGS. 3 and 4) having a hollow sealing element of the kind described above, a beading-like extension, for example generally circular in cross-section, is provided at the outer edge of the edge strip integral with the frame body. This beading-like extension is then, after the edge strip has been bent over, snap-fitted into a recess of corresponding cross-section in the frame body. Since the edge strip possesses uniform dimensions all around the lid periphery, after the edge strip has been bent over and the extension has been snap-fitted into the associated recess, a continuous edge gap seal of uniform cross-section is obtained, which extends around all sides of the lid. With this known edge gap seal it is not possible for the above described, unavoidable dimensional variations and irregularities to be completely compensated, especially when they are large, so that the risk of at least local leakages at the edge gap exists.

Edge gap sealing arrangement for the lid of an automobile roof


In the application a spray dryer absorption apparatus for treating a stream of flue gas containing acidic components is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a chamber having vertical cylindrical walls, said chamber comprises (i) an inlet for a flue gas stream containing an acidic component, (ii) an atomizer for spraying droplets of an absorbent slurry into said flue gas stream to effect a chemical reaction between the droplets and the acidic component of the flue gas, thereby forming a particulate reaction product, and (iii) an outlet for the treated flue gas and entrained particulate reaction product, wherein the bottom of the chamber having vertical cylindrical walls is substantially horizontal and impervious to gases. The apparatus of the invention has the advantage of a simplified geometry accounting for lower building and maintenance costs.

Combustion plants emit large amount of flue gas containing fly ash and harmful, acidic gasses, such as SO2. Therefore, to avoid undesired impact on the environment, combustion plants usually have installed flue gas desulfurization systems to reduce SO2 emission.
A particular attractive way of removing acidic components from a flue gas is provided by a spray dryer absorber (SDA). In an SDA acidic gasses are absorbed in an absorbent sprayed into the flue gas. Typically, the flue gas is introduced into a spray dryer absorption chamber and contacted with a fine spray of absorbent slurry, such as an aqueous suspension of burned lime. A significant part of the acidic components in the flue gas are rapidly absorbed into the alkaline droplets and water is evaporated simultaneously. The gas distribution, slurry flow rate and droplet size are controlled such that the droplets are dried to a fine powder.
The conventional design of the SDA chamber includes an upper cylindrical part combined with a lower cone part. Examples of this design are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,279,873 (Niro) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,530,822. The intended function of the cone part was to collect the heavy particles that dropped out of the flue gas stream and to secure a volume for deposits to fall into in case of malfunction, thereby securing a clean gas path through the system.
The present inventors have now realized that a clean gas path could be realized by an alternative design of the SDA chamber saving significant investment in materials. Moreover, the frequent maintenance of the product discharge system in the SDA cone may be dispensed with. It is therefore the aim of the present invention to substantially reduce the construction and maintenance costs of an SDA plant. Lower cost of the SDA system may prompt areas rich in coal of a poor quality to control the air pollution by using a SDA system for treating the flue gas.

Spray dryer absorption apparatus with flat-bottomed chamber


Layout patterns for the deep well region to facilitate routing the body-bias voltage in a semiconductor device are provided and described. The layout patterns include a diagonal sub-surface mesh structure, an axial sub-surface mesh structure, a diagonal sub-surface strip structure, and an axial sub-surface strip structure. A particular layout pattern is selected for an area of the semiconductor device according to several factors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to MOSFETS (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors). More particularly, the present invention relates to the field of routing body-bias voltage to the MOSFETS.
2. Related Art
Generation of the physical layout of a semiconductor device having MOSFETS (metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors) formed on a semiconductor substrate is a challenging task. An extensive amount of time and resources are spent during the creation of the physical layout. However, consumption of resources can be minimized if new physical layouts utilize substantial portions of existing physical layouts. For example, a new physical layout having MOSFETS that are body-biased would be less expensive to generate if an existing physical layout having MOSFETS without body-bias is utilized and modified according to the needs of the new physical design. Unfortunately, this process of modifying the existing physical layout typically requires forming an additional routing layer for the body-bias voltage on the surface of the semiconductor device, creating a serious issue since the existing physical layout utilizes most, if not all, available surface area.

Layout pattern for deep well region to facilitate routing body-bias voltage


A method for forming an Al interconnect is disclosed. A disclosed method comprises: depositing a Ti layer on a substrate having predetermined devices; depositing a TiN layer on the entire surface of the Ti layer by performing a CVD process; performing a plasma treatment for the TiN layer; depositing an Al layer on the TiN layer; and forming an ARC on the entire surface of the Al layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to a semiconductor fabrication and, more particularly, to a method for forming an Al interconnect with a TiN layer formed through a chemical vapor deposition process and a plasma treatment.
2. Background of the Related Art
In a semiconductor device fabrication, metallic interconnects are generally made of Al. However, in consideration of the low reliability of Al and the high integration degree of the semiconductor device, multi-layered structure comprising an Al layer and refractory layers such as a Ti layer or a TiN layer is used. That is, the multi-layered structure may comprise a Ti layer 13, a TiN layer 14, an Al layer 12 and an Anti-Reflective Coating 15 (hereinafter referred to as "ARC") made of TiN on a substrate 11 in sequence as shown in FIG. 1a. In addition, another multi-layered structure may comprise a substrate 11, a Ti layer 13, an Al layer 12 and an ARC 15 as shown in FIG. 1b.
In general, because a Chemical Vapor Deposition (hereinafter referred to as "CVD") process does not provide an in-situ process as well as requires high temperature and has a low deposition rate, one of a Physical Vapor Deposition (hereinafter referred to as "PVD") processes such as a sputtering process or an evaporation process has been mainly used to make the multi-layered structures.
Referring to FIG. 1a, both the Ti layer 13 and a TiN layer 14 are sequentially positioned under the Al layer 12. The TiN layer 14 and the Al layer 12 hardly react with each other and, therefore, undesired compound materials which generally have high resistance are not formed between the TiN layer 14 and the Al layer 12. Thus, the initial cross-sectional area of the Al layer 12 is maintained till the end of an interconnect formation process. However, the unreactivity leads to a weak adhesive strength between the Al layer 12 and the TiN layer 14 and, therefore, the Al layer 12 will be easily peeled off from the TiN layer 14. In addition, the [111] crystal growth direction of the Al layer 12 on the TiN layer 14 is much poorer than that of the Al layer 12 on the Ti layer 13. Thus, the poor [111] crystal growth direction of the Al on the TiN layer 14 significantly affects EMs (Electro-Migration), thereby deteriorating the reliability of semiconductor devices. Moreover, when a later cleaning process is performed to remove polymers in resulting interconnects using a predetermined solution, the Ti layer 13 may function as an electrode which causes galvanic corrosions. Furthermore, because the etching rate of the TiN layer 14 is two times lower than that of the Al layer 12, just a thin photoresist is allowed to be formed for a later etching process and, as a result, fine interconnects may be difficult to achieve.
On the other hand, if an Al layer 12 is deposited on an Ti layer 13 as shown in FIG. 1b, the crystal texture of the Al layer 12 grows toward the [111] crystal growth direction. Moreover, the adhesive strength between the Al layer 12 and the Ti layer 13 is enhanced, thereby preventing the Al layer 12 from being peeled off. However, the Ti layer 13 and the Al layer 12 easily react with each other, generating a TiAl3 layer 16 which is 3 times thicker than the Ti layer 13. The thick TiAl3 layer 16 has high resistance and will get even thicker by later processes. Thus, the cross-sectional area of the resulting Al layer 12 is much smaller than the initial design. In addition, voids may be created in the Al layer 12 by the stress due to the pulling of the TiAl3 layer 16.

Method for forming aluminum interconnect


A method for measuring a blur of a print job and adjusting printer parameters in response to the blur is disclosed. For example, the method may be performed by a multi-function device (MFD) and includes printing an image on a print media, scanning the image, calculating a blur count for each location of the image in a cross-process direction, determining that the blur count for at least one location of the image is above a blur threshold, and adjusting at least one print parameter for a subsequently printed image on the MFD.

Various types of printers can be used to print images and text on print mediums. Different examples of printers may include inkjet, laser, and the like. Printers can have various transport paths to transport the print medium through the printer to receive the printing fluid or ink.
The mechanics of the transport path may affect print quality. For example, if there are mechanical imperfections in the transport path of the printer, the printing fluid may not be dispensed accurately at the desired locations of the print medium. This may lead to a degradation of the print quality.

Method and apparatus to measure blur and adjust printer parameters in response to blur


An apparatus and method of using same for exposing successive sections of opposite sides of a web of material to actinic radiation in patterns on each section of the opposite sides of the web is provided. The apparatus includes a first station having mechanisms to locate and expose selected sections on the first side of the web to actinic radiation in a first patterns, and a second station spaced from the first station having mechanisms to locate and expose selected sections on the second side of said web to actinic radiation. The first and second stations include first and second pattern masters and first and second mountings for the masters, and first and second sources of actinic radiation to project the desired patterns of exposure from each of the masters to each of the sections on the first and second sides of the web in very close registration or alignment thereof. Each of the stations includes a web locating device to locate the web and the master with respect to each other at each station, and each of said stations includes a mechanism to selectively maintain the master and web in a located position contacting each other during exposure, and a web transfer mechanism to periodically transport the sections to and from the stations. The invention also includes a program which uses fiducial marks on the masters and alignment devices on the web to provide a best fit of the master with the web at each location.

In the production of flexible circuitry, a conventional practice is to provide a relatively thin web or sheet of material with circuitry on one or both sides. The web of material is then used to make various electrical connections utilizing its flexibility. As the number of connections increase, it is increasingly desirable to have circuitry on both sides of the web of material, and hence this has become a significant product, i.e., a product with circuitry on both sides thereof. As the technology advances, the density of the circuitry increases, i.e., the width of the lines, decrease and the spacing between the lines decreases, thus allowing more circuitry to be provided in a given surface area. Also typically it is necessary for the circuitry or circuit traces on both sides of the flexible material to be in relatively close alignment with each other, i.e., the circuitry on one side must be in close alignment with the circuitry on the opposite side thereof. Hence, as the density of the circuitry increases, the tolerance for misalignment decreases, thus requiring closer and closer tolerances between the circuitry on opposite sides.
A photolithographic process is the preferred process for forming circuitry on opposite sides of the web. In such a process, photoresist material is coated on both sides of the web and exposed to actinic radiation in the desired pattern, followed by a development of the exposed photoresist to reveal or transfer the pattern to the substrate. Following this, the circuitry is formed by conventional additive or subtractive plating processes which are not the subject of the present invention. Thus, it becomes necessary in this very early stage in the process to be sure that the exposed patterns are aligned within the allowable tolerances to provide their required degree of alignment. Such two-sided exposure has been attempted at the same station at the same time; however, this poses significant problems of attempting to expose both sides while chucking the material. However, attempts to do the two-sided exposure at separate stations at separate times has not proved entirely satisfactory as the circuit density increases due to the difficulty of providing the necessary alignment of the pattern on the second side of the web to the pattern previously exposed on the first side.
Therefore, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for exposing opposite sides of a web of material to actinic radiation for a lithographic process at spaced stations simultaneously with a close alignment of the exposed patterns on both sides necessary for fine circuitry formation.

Dual-sided expose mechanism for web product

International Business Machines Corporation


A fabric belt for producing a corrugated cardboard web in a corrugated cardboard machine is joined together at the two ends thereof to produce an endless belt. An outer paper side facing the corrugated cardboard web and an inner load side assigned to the drive are formed. Connecting pieces to connect the belt ends have in each case at one end transversely with respect to the belt clips lying next to one another at a spacing, and are fixed at an opposite end with a connection section at the associated belt end. In the longitudinal direction of the belt, the clips of one connecting piece interact in a force-transmitting manner with the clips of the other connecting piece. The connection section of a connecting piece is held in a receiving gap of the belt that, starting from the belt end, extends between the paper side and the load side.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a fabric belt for producing a corrugated cardboard web in a corrugated cardboard machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Such a fabric belt is known from U.S. Pat. No. 1,932,203. The fabric belt comprises an outer paper side facing the corrugated cardboard web and an inner load side on which the drive forces are introduced into the belt. Connecting pieces are provided for connecting the belt ends into an endless belt, which connecting pieces consist of a fastening strip with connecting clips and a connecting section, which surrounds the fastening strip as an outer fabric web. The fabric web of the connecting section is placed on the belt ends and is tightly sewed thereon in such a way that the fastening strips represent an extension of the belt end. The coupling clips of the opposite ends which are fixed in the fastening strip engage in a meshing fashion into each other and are connected to each other in a force-transmitting manner by a coupling rod.
The fabric strips of the connecting section which are sewed onto the outer sides of the fabric belt lead to an increase in the thickness in the end region of the belt. This is undesirable both on the load side associated with the drive and also on the paper side carrying the product.
A fabric belt is known from EP 2 055 831 A1 whose belt ends are reduced in thickness in order to form connecting pieces. In these thickness-reduced ends, the fastening clips are fixed and connected in the known manner via a coupling rod in the longitudinal direction of the belt in a force-transmitting manner to each other.
In order to produce the belt connection, the belt ends need to be reshaped, the clips need to be introduced into the reshaped ends and finally need to be flock-coated for height compensation. This type of connection is technically complex and requires long production periods.


A modified membrane material, including a conductive surface, which may be used for a variety of medical or other applications, is provided. Various devices can be formed of the conductive surface materials, including tubes, probes, catheters and the like. Activation of the conductive surface, such as by connection to a suitable energy source, enables electrical current to be passed into a body region or to a device (e.g., a container) useful in holding and/or treating other materials.

Conductive surfaces have several applications in medicine. For example, cardiac pacemakers have conductive surfaces that transfer electrical pulses to the heart to stop unwanted electrical activity in the conduction fibers of the heart. Additionally, it is well known that electrical fields applied to nerves, muscles, vessels and the like can stimulate the corresponding nerves, muscles, vessels or other tissue.
Recently, new, potential, uses for the conduction of electricity in medical contexts have been developed. For example, in Shocking Treatment Proposed for AIDS. (zapping the AIDS virus with low-voltage electric current), 139 SCIENCE NEWS 207 (1991), methods to reduce infectivity of viruses by applying a current, e.g. in the range of about 50 to 100 .mu.amps, to white blood cells containing the virus exist. The current is believed to affect the virus such that production of enzymes crucial to virus reproduction is inhibited.
Application of an electric pulse to fluids to sterilize the fluid is also known. In particular, Viazurek et al., Effect of Short HV pulses on Bacteria and Fungi, 2 EEE TRANSACTIONS ON DIELECTRICS AND ELECTRICAL INSULATION 418 (1995) discloses use of electrical pulses to sterilize consumable fluids, which may either be ingested by or inserted into a patient.
Another medical application is the electrical sterilization of biofilms (e.g., biofilms which form on a dialysis membrane away from an electrode). Wellman et al., Bacterial Biofilms and the Bioelectric Effect, 40 ANTIMICROB AGENTS CHEMOTHER 2012 (1996) discloses increased efficiency of sterilizers, such as antibiotics and biocides, by the addition of an electric field. Thus, in the presence of an effective electrical field, less sterilizer is required to kill unwanted bacteria and may therefore reduce the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Application of electrical current may also be used to simulate growth of certain bacteria. As disclosed in Using Electricity to Kill Bugs, 18 EPRI JOURNAL 4 (1993), this technique may be used for, inter alia, production of genetically engineered substances. Alternatively, this technique could be used to breed beneficial bacteria within a body. Additionally, it is thought that small electrical fields can attract or repel various pathogens or bacteria from an area which includes the electrical field.
Use of electricity to generate local heat is also known. In this regard, application of localized heat within a body can have a therapeutic effect. Accordingly, placing resistive or conductive materials within the body and passing a current through such materials to generate heat to the body region of interest can have therapeutic value. In addition, extreme local heat may be used to cauterize or remove unwanted material. Removal of unwanted material is assisted by destroying, burning, or reducing a volume of unwanted material, making removal of such material through a relatively small opening possible. For example, unwanted plaque or cholesterol may be removed using this technique.
The above and other medical applications generally are accomplished by electrically connecting sensors inside a body to instruments outside a body, or by the invasive insertion of rigid electrodes into a patient, or by the addition of electricity to a device, such as a container, filled with a material to be treated. Each of these methodologies have various drawbacks.
For example, invasive insertion of rigid electrodes is problematic because, inter alia, the insertion may increase the risk of infection to the patient. Additionally, insertion of a rigid electrode may cause discomfort to the patient during and/or after insertion.
Similarly, medical applications involving the external use of electricity (for example, to grow or inhibit growth of certain bacteria) often require multiple components, for example, an electrode which is attached to a device (e.g., a container) to hold the material to be treated. As a result, the apparatus is typically complex and, because of the extra components, extra surface area must be sterilized prior to use, thus, tendering increased costs associated with the procedure.

Medical probe including an electrically conductive membrane suitable for medical uses


Methods and apparatus are disclosed for processing packets, for example, using a high performance massively parallel packet processing architecture, distributing packets or subsets thereof to individual packet processors and gathering the processed packet or subsets and forwarding the resultant modified or otherwise processed packets, accessing packet processing resources across a shared resource network, accessing packet processing resources using direct memory access techniques, and/or storing one overlapping portion of a packet in a global packet memory while providing a second overlapping portion to a packet processor. In one implementation, the processing of the packet includes accessing one or more processing resources across a resource network shared by multiple packet processing engines. In one implementation, a global packet memory is one of these resources. In one implementation, these resources are accessed using direct memory access (DMA) techniques. In one implementation, a descriptor used in a prior DMA request is modified and then used in a second DMA request.

The communications industry is rapidly changing to adjust to emerging technologies and ever increasing customer demand. This customer demand for new applications and increased performance of existing applications is driving communications network and system providers to employ networks and systems having greater speed and capacity (e.g., greater bandwidth). In trying to achieve these goals, a common approach taken by many communications providers is to use packet switching technology. Increasingly, public and private communications networks are being built and expanded using various packet technologies, such as Internet Protocol (IP).
A network device, such as a switch or router, typically receives, processes, and forwards or discards a packet based on one or more criteria, including the type of protocol used by the packet, addresses of the packet (e.g., source, destination, group), and type or quality of service requested. Additionally, one or more security operations are typically performed on each packet.
Known packet processes typically have architectures consisting of a pipeline with fixed stages of hardware resource blocks and micro-sequencers. The hardware resource blocks include functionality like parsing of packet headers based on register based configuration for packet classification and longest prefix match search. The micro-sequencers can do header modification based on results from resource blocks. This architecture strikes a balance between high performance (similar to levels of completely hardwired packet processors) and flexibility. There have been numerous tweaks made to the micro-code to support features not understood when the original ASICs were designed that would have required a re-spin if the micro-sequencers had not be included.
The primary difficulty with this architecture is that the pipeline architecture still assumes that the ordering of processing and resource accesses is mostly understood at the time of the application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) design, and is fairly consistent across all applications. If new applications want to use resources (e.g., memories, lookup engines, or content-addressable memories) in new ways or want to more flexibly trade-off performance and features, the pipeline architecture is rigid. Additionally, the complexity of programming the pipelined engines greatly escalates with an increased number of processor stages. Also, the split packet processing functionality across the various stages of the pipelined architecture greatly constrains the packet processing capabilities. Needed are new methods and apparatus for processing packets.

Methods and apparatus for processing packets including accessing one or more resources shared among processing engines


Methods and apparatus for substrate processing are provided herein. The apparatus, for example, can include a plurality of multi environment chambers coupled to a buffer chamber configured to load a substrate therefrom into each of the plurality of multi environment chambers for processing of the substrate using a plurality of processing mini environment chambers coupled to each of the plurality of multi environment chambers, at least one of the plurality of multi environment chambers comprising a robot and at least one of the plurality of multi environment chambers comprising a carousel, wherein each of the robot and the carousel is configured to transfer the substrate to and from each of the processing mini environment chamber of the plurality of processing mini environment chambers.

Conventional cluster tools (e.g., a substrate processing platform) are configured to perform one or more processes during substrate processing. For example, a cluster tool can include a physical vapor deposition (PVD) configured to perform a PVD process on a substrate, an atomic layer deposition (ALD) chamber configured to perform an ALD process on a substrate, a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) chamber configured to perform a CVD process on a substrate, etc., and/or one or more other processing chambers, e.g., a preclean process chamber. The cluster tool can include a robot or a carousel to move the substrate(s) to/from the various processing chambers and/or to/from a buffer chamber or load lock of the cluster tool. Each of the robot and carousel having pros and cons associated therewith.
While the aforementioned cluster tools are suitable for processing a substrate or multiple substrates, the inventors have found that such cluster tools, can be limited in mechanical throughput, vacuum purity, and/or flexibility, can have a relatively large footprint, and/or are relatively expensive.
Accordingly, described herein are substrate processing platforms, which use multiple processing chambers for processing substrates, coupled to each other via a common buffer chamber.

Substrate processing platforms including multiple processing chambers


A digital video storage system, suitable for use within a movie-on-demand (MOD) system, includes a plurality of disk drive storage devices; the disk drives being connected together serially to form a loop, wherein each disk drive within the loop has an input for receiving digital video data for storage and an output for providing stored digital video data, the output of each disk drive being connected to the input of the succeeding disk drive in the loop. Successive segments of a video program, stored on successive disk drives in the loop, are each repeatedly moved at a predefined time interval from the disk drive on which the segments are currently stored to the succeeding disk drive in the loop. A plurality of taps are connected to the loop to provide connection points for MOD subscribers or viewers for receiving the video program from the loop. Each tap corresponds to the output of one of the plurality of disk drives. During operation, the video program is provided at each tap, however at any instant each tap is providing a different segment of the video program. The system also includes means for changing the tap to which a MOD subscriber or viewer is connected in response to a request received from the viewer. This feature allows the MOD subscriber to pause, play, or to jump forward or backward in time to the beginning of any movie segment, simulating the operation of a VCR or video disk player.

The digital video market is among the earliest markets to develop out of the emerging multimedia business. The applications of digital video will first appear in movie-on-demand (MOD) services, which enable viewers to call up particular movies or other video programs whenever they want to watch them. Most present day movie request systems are analog rather than digital having fixed movie start times.
Digital movie-on-demand programs may be provided from a centralized location for a large number of users or can be provided "downstream" at Local Exchange companies or Cable Companies. Movie-on-demand services are expected to be among the most popular interactive multimedia offerings on the electronic information superhighway.
A network providing movie-on-demand services, upon receipt from a MOD customer of a signal requesting to view a movie, must verify the request and set up necessary connections to a video storage server. To the customer, the MOD service should desirably operate in a manner similar to that of a typical VCR or laser disc player, providing features such as pause, fast forward, stop, and rewind. Ideally, the requested movie should be accessible immediately, or within one to two minutes from the time the request was entered.
The storage requirements for digital video are great. Storage requirements for a single movie, depending upon picture quality, compression ratio and length of the movie can vary from 1 gigabyte (GB) to 3 GB. Typically, a standard quality VHS movie 100 minutes long will require 1 GB of storage. Movies developed for High Definition TV may require storage capacities of 33 GB per movie. Early MOD systems that utilize this type of video/audio storage are targeted to accommodate approximately 1600 users, while later systems may provide service to 10,000 users per video server.
The video server must be able to access the video information delayed by one or two minutes and multiples thereof for the length of the movies and update all users in a specified real-time window. The delay allows customers to jump forward or backward in time, simulating the operation of a VCR or video disk player. In order to provide acceptable performance, many early video server implementations utilize large amounts of fast Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM); up to 60 GB per server at approximately $25/megabyte (MB).

Movie-on-demand disk storage loop architecture


A gap detection apparatus for determining in real time the gap required for electrochemical machining gap includes a tooling electrode, a plurality of tool adjusting electrodes, a feedback circuit, a processing feed mechanism for controlling the tooling electrode, a three-dimensional driving mechanism, and an automatic control and measurement system. The tooling electrode includes a plurality of through-holes for receiving tool adjusting electrodes. The three-dimensional driving mechanism is mounted upon the processing feed mechanism, which includes a Z-coordinate feeding portion having a thimble for the feeding of the tool adjusting electrodes. The automatic control and measurement system controls the feed of the processing feed mechanism and the three-dimensional driving mechanism, and establishes the required gap for electrochemical machining.

Electrochemical machining (ECM) is a commonly used method of machining electrically conductive workpieces with one or more electrically conductive tooling electrodes. During machining, a tooling electrode is located near the workpiece, such that a gap is defined therebetween, that is the machining gap. The gap is filled with a pressurized, flowing, aqueous electrolyte, such as a sodium nitrate aqueous solution. For a given tooling electrode geometry, dimensional accuracy of the workpiece is primarily determined by the distribution of the gapping. The gap size should be maintained at a proper range. Too small a gap, such as less than 100 micrometers in a standard ECM operation, could lead to short-circuiting between the tooling electrode and the workpiece. Too large a gap could lead to excessive gap variation, as well as reduction in the machining rate. Monitoring and controlling the gap size between the tooling electrode and the workpiece is important for ECM.
Lack of suitable means for detecting gap size may hinder ECM accuracy control. Without such means, many rounds of costly trial-and-error experiments must be run to obtain the gap size changes that occur during the machining process. Gap size can change significantly during the machining process, partly because conductivity of the electrolyte may change in the gap due to heating or gas bubble generation on the tooling electrode surface. Variation and inaccuracy in tooling electrode feed rate and tooling electrode positioning can also contribute to changes in gap size and workpiece thickness. In-process gap detection is important for improving ECM process control.


An X-ray tube is provided. The X-ray tube includes a first housing including an X-ray window formed therein, a second housing being rotatable about a rotational shaft installed within the first housing, an anode installed on the rotational shaft within the second housing and positioned in one side of the rotational shaft in an extending direction of the rotational shaft, an emitter installed on the rotational shaft within the second housing, positioned in the other side of the rotational shaft in the extending direction of the rotational shaft, and emitting electron beams, a lens unit installed between the anode and the emitter and focusing the electron beams emitted from the emitter to the anode, and an electron beam deflection unit installed on the rotational shaft to deflect an angle of electron beams moving toward the anode from the lens unit.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an X-ray tube.
(b) Description of the Related Art
An X-ray tube uses principle the fact that when a high voltage is applied between a cathode and an anode, a thermal electron source generated in the cathode configured as a filament collides with the anode as a metal to collide with electrons of the metal, producing X rays.
The interior of the X-ray tube is maintained in a vacuum state to prevent molecular ionization in a movement path of high energy electron beams, thus preventing damage to the electron source due to dielectric breakdown or ion collision. A thickness of a target is determined in consideration of a transmission depth of electrons and absorption capability of heat generated by the target.
Here, in the X-ray tube, electrons emitted from the cathode are accelerated in the vacuum state to collide with the anode target, about 1% of electron energy is generated as X rays and about 99% of energy becomes heat energy according to bremsstrahlung, and thus an allowable thermal load of the anode target is directly related to an output of an X-ray source.
Meanwhile, an X-ray tube is divided into a fixed X-ray tube and a rotational X-ray tube according to a way in which an anode operates. A rotational X-ray tube is substantially the same as a fixed X-ray tube, except for a function of dispersing heat generated by a target according to rotation of an anode.
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating a rotational X-ray tube according to the related art. Referring to FIG. 1, the related art X-ray tube employs a thermal electron source and a magnetic electron lens, in which a vacuum container 2 having a thermal electron source at the left is positioned within a container 1 filled with cooling insulating oil, and supports a bearing 6 to allow a rotational shaft 3 to rotate.
A path of electron beams emitted from the thermal electron source is bent due to a magnetic lens 5 outside of the vacuum container 2 to reach a sloped anode 4 target, producing X rays. The related art X-ray tube is advantageous in that the rotary anode 4 may effectively release (or dissipate) heat through the cooling insulating oil.
However, X-rays cannot be switched at a desired time due to a limitation in the thermal electron source.

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A dry etching method and the like that can process a layer to be processed in a fine pattern to have a peripheral portion of an angular shape, are described. This dry etching method forms a step portion 21 along a peripheral portion of a first mask layer 20 that corresponds to an outline of an etching pattern in such a manner that the step portion 21 projects toward an opposite side to a magnetic thin layer 18 (layer to be processed).

As a conventional fine processing technology for semiconductors, information recording media, and the like, a dry etching method is known which includes a mask layer processing step of forming a mask layer having a predetermined pattern on a layer to be processed, and a layer-to-be-processed processing step of removing an exposed portion of the layer to be processed by dry etching so as to process the layer to be processed in the aforementioned pattern.
There are various types of dry etching. Reactive ion etching, that is one type of dry etching, can increase a selection ratio of an etching rate of the layer to be processed and an etching rate of the mask by appropriately selecting types of a reactive gas and a material for the mask. Thus, reactive ion etching can make the mask layer thinner and process a fine pattern. For that reason and the like, reactive etching is widely used at present.
Reactive ion etching is a technology that has developed mainly in the field of semiconductor fabrication. This technology can be also used in other fields such as fabrication of an information recording medium including a magnetic layer, for example (see Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. Hei 12-322710, for example).
However, although the layer to be processed can be patterned in a fine pattern by the technique of dry etching, it is difficult to process the layer to be processed 100 in a shape in which its peripheral portion 100A corresponding to the outline of the pattern is angular, as shown in FIG. 21(A). In fact, the peripheral portion of the layer to be processed is processed in a rounded shape. Thus, a certain degree of disagreement occurs between a desired processed shape and the actually processed shape.
More specifically, in dry etching, not only the layer to be processed is removed, but also the mask layer on the layer to be processed is etched and removed little by little. In the etching of the mask layer 102, as shown in FIG. 21(B), a peripheral portion 102A is removed faster than other portions. Thus, as shown in FIG. 21(C), the peripheral portion 100A of the layer to be processed 100 is exposed from the mask layer 102 faster than other portions of the layer to be processed 100. Therefore, the layer to be processed 100 is removed faster in the peripheral portion 100A than in the other portions, so that the peripheral portion 100A is processed in a rounded shape, as shown in FIG. 21D. Such a phenomenon usually occurs in dry etching. Especially, such a phenomenon is more apparent in reactive ion etching.
In dry etching, a part of ions is incident on the layer to be processed at an angle with respect to that layer. Therefore, a side face of the layer to be processed 100 is in the shadow of the mask with respect to the ions incident on the layer to be processed at an angle, so that it is processed to be tapered.
As the pattern becomes finer, an effect of the aforementioned disagreement of the processed shape on properties of a product and the like tends to become relatively larger. For example, in an information recording medium and an apparatus for recording and/or reproducing information, the effect of the aforementioned disagreement of the processed shape on the properties of the product and the like, becomes a problem in many cases. Thus, needs of a dry etching technique that can process the layer to be processed in a shape in which its peripheral portion is angular have increased.
The aforementioned problem can be avoided if the mask layer having a sufficient thickness is formed on the layer to be processed in advance, considering that the peripheral portion of the mask layer is removed faster than the other portions. However, the mask layer is also processed by dry etching in a predetermined pattern generally, so that the side face of the patterned mask layer is tapered. Thus, in the case where the pitch of the pattern is small, when the mask layer is thick, a concave portion having a V-shaped cross section is formed in the mask layer or the layer to be processed by continuous side faces of the mask layer or the layer to be processed. After the V-shaped concave portion is formed, etching no longer progresses. Thus, it may be impossible to process the layer to be processed to a desired depth.


A binocular adapter including a base and a receiver joined together by a stanchion arm. The receiver being configured to receive a binocular stem in a stem aperture defined by a receiver head. The receiver head configured to rotate relative to a receiver stanchion. The binocular stem including a first and a second end. The first end including a connector configured to connect to a binocular. The second end, distal to the first end, including a stem extension configured to be received by the stem aperture. The second end further including a groove configured to be received in a spring clip disposed on the receiver stanchion for retaining the binocular stem. The receiver head including a fastener for securing the binocular stem within the stem aperture while it is engaged in the spring clip.

Binoculars allow for increased perception of objects outside the sight range of a user, such as an outdoorsman. Binoculars are typically formed using two sets of lenses and prisms calibrated to magnify an image when viewed through them. In order to gain a clear picture of an object the binocular must remain steady and focused. Movement of the binocular may lead to losing sight of the object the user seeks to observe. Additionally, image resolution may be degraded by movement of the subject or object being viewed. The portability of binoculars allows a user to hold the binoculars, but leaves the stability of the binoculars subject to the steadiness of the user's posture.
Traditionally, binoculars have been attached to a stand for holding the binoculars steady using a clip within the stand. However, such devices and methods of securing binoculars have the drawback of allowing the binoculars to unclip when in use. Other devices for securing binoculars required complicated engagement components and/or long installation periods to properly secure the binoculars.

System and method for binocular tripod adapter with automatic locking engagement