A portable, hand-held apparatus for capturing a gray scale image of a signature within a box having fiducial marks in the corners. Portions of the image outside the box are trimmed away and the box is oriented and scaled to a standard size and shape. Signature storage requirements are minimized and signature recognition is facilitated by thresholding the gray scale image and thinning the strokes of the signature to an image width of one pixel.

Many transactions are authorized, verified, or acknowledged by signature of a person involved in the transaction. In many situations it has become important to capture the signature at the time it is written and to transmit a representation of the signature to a remote site to verify the authenticity of the signature. In other situations, capture of the signature and storage, or transmission to a remote site, is important for record keeping. In an attempt to meet the requirements of real time signature capture, many methods and devices have been used. Typically, the approach in the past has been to use special signature pads which are pressure sensitive or sensitive to magnetic or electrical fields generated when used with special pens. Frequently, the special pens are tethered to or near the special signature pads, making their use awkward for the general public. In addition, the special signature pads are awkward to integrate with existing equipment and existing techniques of acquiring authorizing or acknowledging signatures.
Special pens and special signature pads are prone to damage from the abuse received under typical conditions of use. As a result, most methods and devices for real time capture of signatures are plagued with poor reliability. Furthermore, the use of special electronic pens has been poorly received by the general public. The fact that the special pen and special signature pad must be used by the general public increases the likelihood of damage. In portable equipment, the integration of a special signature pad in the portable equipment generally means that the equipment must be given over to the person signing. This is yet a further drawback, in that the portable equipment can be dropped and damaged, and, in addition, the operator or attendant of the equipment is prevented from completing other tasks with the portable equipment while the signature is being obtained.
In many instances, such as in package delivery services, the need exists to obtain many signatures and to retain the signatures until the opportunity arises to transfer the stored signature data to a more permanent repository. Thus, the need exists for signature capture and storage for a relatively large number (on the order of hundreds) of signatures in a portable device.
Thus, a need exists for a reliable and efficient device which is capable of capturing and storing a plurality of signatures which are made with standard writing instruments on arbitrary writing surfaces.

Method and apparatus for non-contact signature imaging


A method and system for generating a feature descriptor for robust facial expression recognition pre-processes a facial image using a Gaussian filter to smooth the facial image. Then, gradient based images at M scales and N orientations are generated from the pre-processed facial image. Further, a portion of an image corresponding to each action unit is selected from each of the gradient based images. Thereafter, appearance of at least one facial event in the selected portion of the image is captured. Also, a geometry of the at least one facial event in the selected portion of image is determined to obtain a feature descriptor for each action unit for robust facial expression recognition.

1. Field
The following description relates to image processing, and more particularly, relates to a method and apparatus for generating feature vectors for facial expression recognition.
2. Description of the Related Art
Facial expression is produced by activation of facial muscles which are triggered by nerve impulses. In image processing, facial expression recognition from visual cues is a technique of identifying a facial expression of an individual from a digital image or a video frame. A facial expression recognition system is generally employed to predict facial expression specific information based on a facial expression on a face of an individual. Typically, facial expression specific information is represented through a set of facial muscle action units (AUs). For example, when a new test image arrives, the facial expression recognition system first localizes facial muscle shapes, represents the localized facial muscle shapes using a feature descriptor, and classifies the representation against pre-stored AU models to obtain a facial expression on the face.
One of the challenges for accurate facial expression recognition is generating efficient and discriminative feature descriptors that are resistant to large variations of illumination, pose, face expression, aging, face misalignment, and other factors. One of the currently well used techniques comprises generating a feature descriptor by applying two-dimensional spatial filter banks that respond to edges and shapes at various orientations and scales. Another currently known technique generates a feature descriptor based on histogram of patterns derived from a relative change in parameters of local patches. In yet another currently known technique, relative distances of facial anchor points are coded as features. Some of the known techniques use a combination of the above techniques to generate feature descriptors. However, none of the currently known techniques are capable of generating efficient and discriminative feature descriptors.

Feature descriptor for robust facial expression recognition


The disclosure relates to a product for storing and using energy delivered through a vehicle's drive wheel. A rotatable element may rotate with the drive wheel. A first rotating mechanism may provide an input energy when rotated by the rotatable element. A storage device may receive and store the input energy. A second rotating mechanism may rotate in reaction to selective delivery of the input energy from the storage device to the second rotating mechanism, and may drive the rotatable element. The rotatable element may be adapted to rotate in a first rotational direction to rotate the first rotating mechanism, and may rotate in the same direction when rotated by the second rotating mechanism. A heat transfer device may surround at least part of the storage device. The exhaust system may be routed through the heat exchange device to heat the storage device and increase stored energy.

Normal operation of a vehicle involves repeated cycles of acceleration and deceleration. Energy used to bring a vehicle up to travelling speed may be substantially greater than that required to maintain a constant speed. Braking to slow a vehicle often means that additional energy must be consumed to resume a faster speed. It may be beneficial to recover vehicle braking energy in order to redeploy the energy when needed, such as during launch or acceleration of the vehicle.


A method for priming a fuel injected internal combustion engine with a returnless fuel system having a check valve and initiating a fuel pump with a command signal. After said initiation, adjusting said command signal as a sensed fuel pressure varies to achieve a fuel pressure and holding said command signal for a hold period after achieving said fuel pressure.

In vehicles having an internal combustion engine with an electronic returnless fuel system (ERFS), fuel priming methods may be used for fuel delivery during an engine start to achieve a desired air-fuel ratio (A/F ratio). Two such methods include: 1) open-loop fuel pump priming to a predetermined, fixed fuel pump input voltage in combination with a closed-loop fuel pump after priming/initialization, and 2) closed-loop fuel pump priming to a specified fuel pressure target value.
The priming method involving an open-loop fuel pump priming an engine to fixed fuel pump input voltage may be effective in achieving rapid fuel pressure rise times. In this method, the fixed fuel pump input voltage may be maximized during priming. Despite this maximization, the inventors herein have recognized a number of potential issues with such a control method.
One issue of this open-loop system priming to a fixed input voltage is that the resultant fuel pressure at the end of open-loop operation may be dependant on the available fuel pump electrical input power. Further, this end fuel pressure may be independent of a desired target fuel pressure. Thus, the fuel pressure may overshoot the target fuel pressure during priming. Additionally, this method may promote the closure of the check valve in the fuel delivery line. As a result, there may be disrupted feedback from the fuel pump to the injection pressure sensor. This may allow fuel pressure to build incrementally to the limit of the pressure relief valve under subsequent ignition key cycles during engine priming.
An alternative control method utilizing a closed-loop fuel pump controlled to a specified fuel pressure target value may overcome some of the disadvantages of the above-described open-loop system. The specific target pressure of a closed-loop may be a function of one or more input factors, including, but not limited to, engine temperature, fuel temperature, or barometric pressure. This method may be effective in enabling fuel pressure to be controlled to the target fuel pressure.
However, the inventors herein have recognized a number of potential issues with such a closed-loop fuel priming control method. For example, when using control gain values that give a desired fuel pressure control during running engine operation, these values may result in undesirable, slow fuel pressure rise times during priming. Likewise, the gain values that can provide fast pressure rise times during priming may result in fuel pressure variation during running engine operation.
At least some of the disadvantages of both of the above described fuel system priming methods may be overcome by a method for priming a fuel injected internal combustion engine with a returnless fuel system having a check valve. The method comprises initiating a fuel pump with a command signal; after said initiation, adjusting said command signal as a sensed fuel pressure varies to achieve a fuel pressure; and holding said command signal for a hold period after achieving said fuel pressure. In one example, the initiating command signal may be an open-loop signal held substantially constant for a first period.
Thus, in one example, an initial open-loop control can be used that is later modified by information for sensed pressure. In this way, advantages of both open and closed-loop control may be achieved, while reducing at least some of the above identified issues. For example, by using a holding period, it may be possible to maintain a substantially zero pressure differential across the check valve in the fuel system while the system is deadheaded, thereby reducing the potential for disrupting the ability for feedback. Further, such operation may provide for increased responsiveness once fuel injection begins. In this way, it may be possible to obtain accurate initial priming of the fuel system, while also compensating for various external effects.
In another embodiment, at least some of the disadvantages of both of the above described fuel system priming methods may be overcome by a method for priming a fuel injected internal combustion engine with a returnless fuel system, comprising: calculating a target fuel pressure based on operating conditions; initiating a fuel pump using an open-loop control; increasing fuel pressure to a target pressure using a closed-loop control; maintaining a command fuel pump output value at the targeted fuel pressure; anticipating a first fuel injection; and adjusting the command fuel pump output to a level necessary to satisfy flowing fuel injection requirements prior to fuel injection.
Thus, the inventors herein have recognized that a priming system utilizing both an open-loop control and a closed-loop control may enhance the robustness of initial fuel delivery during an engine start and limit fuel delivery variability by minimizing fuel pressure rise time to a targeted fuel pressure. Note that both the open-loop and closed-loop controls may include calculations based on engine operating conditions. In this method, the operating conditions upon which the target fuel pressure may be calculated may include fuel temperature, barometric pressure, and/or engine temperature but may be independent of the fuel pump electrical input power and the number of ignition key cycles.
Further, the method may use a delay mechanism in order to provide time for the fuel pressure to rise to the target pressure. The mechanism may be any mechanism capable of being activated during or after the open-loop control initiates the fuel pump. One such mechanism may be a passive anti-theft security system (PATS). PATS may be initiated immediately after the intelligent open-loop fuel pump command is directed to the fuel pump, or during the initial pressure rise of the open-loop fuel pump operation. Therefore, the fuel pump command signal may be sent to the fuel pump for an amount of time indirectly controlled by the duration of time required to complete the PATS subroutine. If PATS is not used, a timer could be substituted to act in a similar way as a delay mechanism to provide the time necessary for the fuel pressure to rise to the target pressure.
In still another example, a method for priming a fuel injected internal combustion engine with a returnless fuel system having a check valve, the method comprising: initiating a fuel pump with a command signal; after said initiation, achieving a fuel pressure with a command signal at a first level; and before a first fuel injection event, increasing said command signal to a second level higher than said first level to reduce a decreasing of fuel pressure caused by commencement of said first fuel injection event.
By increasing fuel pressure in anticipation of a first injection and reducing a drop in fuel pressure, it may be possible to obtain more consistent and accurate fuel control during starting, thereby reducing emissions.
Example advantages that may be achieved by various example embodiments disclosed herein may include the ability to control fuel delivery during an engine start, so as to limit fuel delivery variability as well as provide robust fuel delivery at an engine start.

System and method to prime an electronic returnless fuel system during an engine start


A display device is provided. The device includes memories, a display unit, and a data collecting memory. The memories store a plurality of kinds of image data generated based on information acquired from different kinds of sensors, respectively. The display unit displays the image data that is selected by a user among the plurality of kinds of image data. The data collecting memory stores, in response to a predetermined report instruction, at least data of an image displayed on the display unit at the timing of the report instruction and, among the image data stored in the memories at the timing of the report instruction, the image data that is not displayed on the display unit.

Ships are generally provided with display devices which display a radar image created by a radar apparatus, a fish finding image created by a fish finder, a chart image created by a plotter apparatus, and various information including voyage information, such as latitude and longitude.
When some kind of abnormality occurs in such devices, a user generally calls a support center of the manufacturer of the device concerned, explains the situation, and receives support services, such as providing a method of fixing the abnormality. For example, when the radar image is not displayed appropriately, the user explains the symptom to an operator of the support center over the telephone.
However, the symptom that shows up on the radar image, although obvious in visual, is difficult to orally explain in many cases. Therefore, it is not easy for the user to orally explain exactly what the abnormality occurring in the display device is over the telephone. Moreover, it is also difficult for the operator of the support center to provide adequate support based on the little information given from the user over the telephone. Thus, it takes time to find out the cause of the abnormality in many cases.
Therefore, it can be considered that the user takes a picture of the display screen of the display device with, for example, a camera built in a mobile phone, and sends the data of the picture image to the support center. In this case, the operator of the support center can visually check the display screen of the display device with the abnormality by the image, and thus, the cause of the abnormality occurring in the display device becomes easier to identify.
However, the process of taking the picture of the display screen with the camera and sending the data of the picture image is troublesome to the user. Therefore, the support center feels reluctant to request the user to go through the process. Thus, in the actual scene, it is unlikely for the user to take the picture of the display screen with the abnormality and send it to the support center.
Meanwhile, in the field of ships, voyage data recorders (VDR) have been known. JP2006-071337A discloses such VDR which is configured to store image data obtained by a radar.
If the image data is stored as the VDR in JP2006-071337A does, when abnormality occurs in a display device, a user does not need to take a picture of the display screen with a camera. The stored image data can be considered useful in determining the cause of abnormality. However, the VDR in JP2006-071337A is for analyzing the data when a marine accident occurs, and determining the cause thereof, and is not for maintenance of navigational instruments. A VDR is generally for acquiring and storing predetermined data at all times so that if an accident occurs, the cause thereof can be determined, and therefore, the volume of the stored data becomes enormous. Therefore, even if the configuration of JP2006-071337A is simply applied to a display device to store data, it cannot be said that the cause of abnormality can be determined smoothly when it occurs in the display device.

Display device and information collecting method using the same


An integrated method for both super-resolution and multi-frame demosaicing includes an image fusion followed by simultaneous deblurring and interpolation. For the case of color super-resolution, the first step involves application of recursive image fusion separately on the three different color layers. The second step is based on minimizing a maximum a posteriori (MAP) cost function. In one embodiment, the MAP cost function is composed of several terms: a data fidelity penalty term that penalizes dissimilarity between the raw data and the super-resolved estimate, a luminance penalty term that favors sharp edges in the luminance component of the image, a chrominance penalty term that favors low spatial frequency changes in the chrominance component of the image, and an orientation penalty term that favors similar edge orientations across the color channels. The method is also applicable to color super-resolution (without demosaicing), where the low-quality input images are already demosaiced. In addition, for translational motion, the method may be used in a very fast image fusion algorithm to facilitate the implementation of dynamic, multi-input/multi-output color super-resolution/demosaicing.

Super-resolution image reconstruction is a kind of digial image processing that increases the resolvable detail in images. The earliest techniques for super-resolution generated a still image of a scene from a collection of similar lower-resolution images of the same scene. For example, several frames of low-resolution video may be combined using super-resolution techniques to produce a single still image whose resolution is significantly higher than that of any single frame of the original video. Because each low-resolution frame is slightly different and contributes some unique information that is absent from the other frames, the reconstructed still image has more information, i.e., higher resolution, than that of any one of the originals alone. Super-resolution techniques have many applications in diverse areas such as medical imaging, remote sensing, surveillance, still photography, and motion pictures.
The details of how to reconstruct the best high-resolution image from multiple low-resolution images is a complicated problem that has been an active topic of research for many years, and many different techniques have been proposed. One reason the super-resolution reconstruction problem is so challenging is because the reconstruction process is, in mathematical terms, an under-constrained inverse problem. In the mathematical formulation of the problem, the known low-resolution images are represented as resulting from a transformation of the unknown high-resolution image by effects of image warping due to motion, optical blurring, sampling, and noise. When the model is inverted, the original set of low-resolution images does not, in general, determine a single high-resolution image as a unique solution. Moreover, in cases where a unique solution is determined, it is not stable, i.e., small noise perturbations in the images can result in large differences in the super-resolved image. To address these problems, super-resolution techniques require the introduction of additional assumptions (e.g., assumptions about the nature of the noise, blur, or spatial movement present in the original images). Part of the challenge rests in selecting constraints that sufficiently restrict the solution space without an unacceptable increase in the computational complexity. Another challenge is to select constraints that properly restrict the solution space to good high-resolution images for a wide variety of input image data. For example, constraints that are selected to produce optimal results for a restricted class of image data (e.g., images limited to pure translational movement between frames and common space-invariant blur) may produce significantly degraded results for images that deviate even slightly from the restricted class. In summary, super-resolution techniques should be computationally efficient and produce desired improvements in image quality that are robust to variations in the properties of input image data.
It is significant to note that most prior super-resolution techniques have been limited to monochromatic images. Color super-resolution, however, involves additional challenges due to the color mosaic nature of most color images. Instead of using a full RGB sensor array that measures all three RGB values at each pixel, most sensors measure one R, G, or B value at each pixel of the array, resulting in a color mosaic of separated R, G, and B pixels. In a process known as demosaicing, the missing colors at each pixel are synthesized using some form of interpolation of colors from neighboring pixels. Most demosaicing techniques, however, produce images with color artifacts. When a set of such demosaiced low-resolution color images are used to reconstruct a super-resolved color image, the artifacts result in reduced quality. To avoid these problems, an alternative approach would be to use color information from multiple frames to decrease color artifacts. Due to movement between frames, such multi-frame demosaicing introduces complicated issues not present in the single-frame demosaicing problem.

System and method for robust multi-frame demosaicing and color super-resolution

The Regents of the University of California, Santa Cruz


A display device includes: a first display, a second display stacked on a visible side of the first display and having power consumption lower than that of the first display, a first processor controls the first display, and a second processor controls the first display and the second display and having power consumption lower than that of the first processor. In a state in which operation of the first processor is halted, the second processor causes the second display to display second information and simultaneously causes the first display to display first information having a lighter processing load than information that the first processor causes to be displayed by the first display.

In order to display a greater amount of information on a small-sized terminal such as a cellphone terminal, technology exists heretofore that vertically stacks, and switches between, a color liquid crystal panel capable of color display and a black-and-white liquid crystal panel having lower power consumption than the color crystal panel (see for example, Unexamined Japanese Patent Application Kokai Publication No. 2003-35900).

Display device, display control method, and storage medium


A process for the preparation of alkali metal salts of ether-carboxylic acids by oxidation of etheralcohols in an aqueous phase with oxygen or gases containing oxygen at elevated temperatures in the presence of alkali metal hydroxides and noble metal catalysts, in which an aqueous solution, containing an alkali metal hydroxide solution, of the ether-alcohols is brought into contact in a thin layer on a solid carrier or in the form of fine particles with oxygen or the gases containing oxygen as a continuous phase, the concentration of the ether-alcohols in the aqueous phase being in the range from 0.1 to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous phase, enables aqueous solutions of the alkali metal salts of the ether-carboxylic acids in high concentrations to be prepared.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkali metal salts of ether-carboxylic acids of the general formula I EQU R--(OC.sub.m H.sub.2m).sub.n --O--CH.sub.2 COOM (I)
in which
R denotes an alkyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, an aryl group or an aralkyl group, PA1 m denotes the number 2 and/or 3, PA1 n denotes a number in the range from 0 to 20 and PA1 M denotes an alkali metal from the group formed by lithium, sodium and potassium, PA1 R, m and n are as defined above,
by oxidation of ether-alcohols of the general formula II EQU R--(OC.sub.m H.sub.2m).sub.n --OCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 OH (II)
in which
in the aqueous phase with oxygen or gases containing oxygen at elevated temperatures in the presence of alkali metal hydroxides and noble metal catalysts.
2. Statement of Related Art
Alkali metal salts of ether-carboxylic acids are compounds which have intersecting surface-active properties and are employed in the form of their aqueous solutions, for example in cosmetics formulations.
It is known that alkali metal salts of ether-carboxylic acids of the general formula I can be prepared by catalytic oxidation of the corresponding ether-alcohols of the general formula II, compare EP-B-0,039,111, EP-B-0,018,681, EP-B-0,073,545, US-C-3,342,858, DE-C-2,816,127, DE-A-3,135,946, DE-A-2,936,123 and DE-A-3,446,561.
However, only dilute solutions of the alkali metal salts of the ether-carboxylic acids can be prepared by the known catalytic processes. In particular, if oxygen or a gas containing oxygen is passed into a relatively highly concentrated solution of the ether-alcohols in water in the presence of the catalysts, the viscosity of the reaction mixture increases greatly as the conversion increases, passes through a maximum at about 30% conversion (about 30% of sodium salt of the ether-carboxylic acid and about 70% of ether-alcohol) and then drops greatly again as the conversion becomes higher; compare DE-C-2,816,127. The rate of reaction becomes so slow during this procedure, because the mass transfer is impeded by the viscosity, that the process is uneconomical since the reaction time is then too long; in the extreme case, the reaction here can even stop completely. Low concentrations of an organic substance (that is to say total weight of ether-alcohol and sodium salt of the ether-carboxylic acid) are therefore used in the known processes in order to avoid a high increase in the viscosity. However, this requires subsequent concentration.
It is indeed possible for the dilute aqueous solutions of the alkali metal salts of the ether-carboxylic acids obtained after the oxidation to be concentrated by removing some of the water contained in the solutions by distillation or by acidifying the solutions with strong acids, for example with sulfuric acid, liberating the ether-carboxylic acid and precipitating it, isolating the ether-carboxylic acid and preparing concentrated aqueous solutions after renewed conversion into the alkali metal salts. However, these processes have the following disadvantages:
1. Aqueous solutions of alkali metal salts of ethercarboxylic acids foam greatly during removal of the water by distillation. The profitability of the process is moreover greatly reduced by the energy required for removal of water by distillation. PA0 2. During precipitation of the ether-carboxylic acids with acids, the aqueous phase which remains is polluted by a high salt load, residual ether-carboxylic acids and unreacted ether-alcohol; its disposal is uneconomical. Renewed conversion of the ether-carboxylic acids into their alkali metal salts also leads to an additional increase in the costs of the reaction product.
An additional hindrance occurs in particular if air is used as the oxidizing agent. In this case, the oxidation procedure is made difficult by the foam formed as a result of the surface-active properties of the starting substances and end products The foam issues from the reactor with the waste gas and must be recycled from there back into the reactor after its destruction. The rate of foam formation is always high if air is dispersed in the solution, as is the case, for example, in agitator vessel reactors or bubble column reactors. In agitator vessel reactors in particular, the reaction solution can be converted into a foam-like state by the stirring action, so that mass transfer of the oxygen is prevented and the reaction is inhibited; compare DE-C-2,816,127.
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of alkali metals salts of ether-carboxylic acids of the abovementioned type, in which the above-mentioned disadvantages in respect of the increase in viscosity and the foaming of the reaction mixture are avoided and highly concentrated aqueous solutions of alkali metal salts of the ether-carboxylic acids, for example having a concentration of 20 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the solution, can be obtained.
According to the invention, this object is achieved by bringing an aqueous solution, containing an alkali metal hydroxide solution, of the ether-alcohols in a thin layer on a solid support or in the form of fine particles or droplets into contact with oxygen or the gases containing oxygen as the continuous phase, the concentration of the ether-alcohols in the aqueous phase being in the range from at least 0.1, in particular from 0.5 to 15% by weight, based on the total weight of the aqueous phase. Below the stated range the rate of reaction is generally too low so that the concentration should fall below this range only towards the end of the reaction, when the addition of ether-alcohol has ended.
Alkali metal salts of ether-carboxylic acids of the general formula (I) in which the group R can be a straight-chain or branched alkyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms can be prepared by the process according to the invention; typical examples of such alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, dodecyl, tetradecyl, hexadecyl, octadecyl, eicosyl and docosyl. The process according to the invention is particularly suitable for the preparation of alkali metal salts of ether-carboxylic acids in which the radical R is derived from C.sub.12 -C.sub.18 -fatty alcohols, or industrial mixtures thereof, obtainable from animal and/or vegetable fats and oils. The group R can also be an aryl radical, for example a phenyl group, or an aralkyl radical, for example a phenylalkylene group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms in the alkylene radical.
If n>0, the compound of the general formula II is an addition product of ethylene oxide or ethylene oxide and propylene oxide on alcohols of the formula ROH, it being possible, in the case of the ethylene oxide/propylene oxide adducts of the formula II, for the propylene-glycol radicals to be in random or block distribution in the alkoxylate chain, but a terminal ethyleneglycol radical always being present. Addition products of ethylene oxide on alcohols of the formula II are preferred in the context of the invention, so that m=2 is a preferred meaning for the compounds of the formulae I and II.
The increase in viscosity which occurs at higher concentrations of ether-alcohols is avoided if, according to the invention, the reaction is started with only a low ether-alcohol concentration at the beginning and ether-alcohol is metered into the reaction solution continuously or in portions as the reaction progresses further, and in particular at a rate such that the concentration of the ether-alcohols in the reaction mixture does not exceed the value of 15% by weight.
The abovementioned problem of foaming is avoided or considerably reduced by the reaction solution being present in the form of thin layers on a solid support or in the form of fine particles in a continuous phase of oxygen or gases containing oxygen.
According to an advantageous embodiment of the process according to the invention, the oxidation is carried out at a temperature in the range from 40 to 130.degree. C., in particular 60 to 85.degree. C. The rate of reaction is too low below the stated range. Although the reaction can also be carried out above the stated range, this gives only an insignificant increase in the rate of reaction
According to another advantageous embodiment of the process according to the invention, the oxidation is carried out under an oxygen partial pressure of 0.1 to 5 bar. With oxygen-containing gases in particular, foaming is suppressed more and more as the system pressure increases and the effective gas throughput thus decreases. The rate of reaction furthermore increases under certain circumstances as the oxygen partial pressure increases.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the oxidation is carried out with air. This is another considerable advantage over the processes known from the prior art, in which oxygen is in general used in order to prevent the nitrogen content of air as the oxidizing agent promoting undesirable foaming, and in order to carry out the reaction without a waste gas.
Useful catalysts for use in the process according to the invention are the noble metal catalysts known from the abovementioned prior art, in particular those based on platinum or palladium. Palladium catalysts, for example palladium-un-charcoal, have proved to be particularly suitable for the process according to the invention. The catalyst is preferably introduced into the process in the form of a suspension in the aqueous solution of the ether-alcohols. However, it is also possible for the catalyst to be located on a solid support material, over which the aqueous solution of the ether-alcohols is passed. Possible support materials for this purpose are, for example, active charcoal, graphite, kieselguhr, silica gel, spinels, aluminum oxide or ceramic materials. The catalysts can furthermore also contain combinations of a plurality of noble metals instead of one noble metal, for example mixtures of Pd and Pt, and moreover suitable activators, such as lead, bismuth or cadmium, in the form of their metals or their compounds, including combinations thereof. Suitable catalysts are described in the abovementioned literature and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,607,121.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the process according to the invention, the catalyst is employed in the form of a suspension in a concentration of 0.2 to 3% by weight, based on the total weight of the suspension containing the ether-alcohols and water.
The process according to the invention is in general carried out at pH values of at least 8. Particularly advantageous pH values are at least 9, in particular in the range from 9 to 11. Surprisingly, it has been found that, in contrast to the doctrine of U.S. Pat. No.4,607,121, in spite of these high pH values neither dissolving of the catalyst nor oxidative chain degradation or by-product formation occurs when air is used as the oxidizing agent; the end product of the process according to the invention is Pd-free and the catalyst can be reused after washing with hot water and treatment with hydrogen.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the oxidation of the ether-alcohols is carried out in a reactor in which the oxygen or the gases containing oxygen and the aqueous phase containing the ether-alcohol, alkali metal hydroxide solution and if appropriate the catalyst are introduced at the top of the reactor, the reaction mixture containing ether-carboxylic acid salts, unreacted ether-alcohol and if appropriate the catalyst is removed at the bottom part of the reactor and the reaction mixture is recycled to the upper part of the reactor for renewed oxidation of as yet unreacted ether-alcohol. It is preferable here for alkali metal hydroxide solution, for maintaining the pH of at least 9, in particular 9 to 11, and ether-alcohol, for maintaining the ether-alcohol concentration of at least 0.1, in particular 0.5 to 15% by weight in the reaction mixture, to be added continuously to the reaction mixture removed at the lower part of the reactor before recycling to the upper part.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, packed columns of the usual construction, such as are described, for example, in Ullmann, Enzyklopadie der Technischen Chemie, 4th edition, volume 3, pages 390 to 392 (1973), Verlag Chemie, Weinheim, as parallel flap packed columns, are used for carrying out the process.
The packings to be employed in the packed columns advantageously have a high intermediate volume so that the gas speed and the rate of foaming does not become too high. Typical examples of suitable packings are known from Ullmanns Enzyklopadie der technischen Chemie, 4th edition, volume 2, page 529 (1972) and 5th edition, volume B3, pages 4-82 to 4-83 (1988); the use of Pall rings, Novalox saddles, Berl saddles, Intralox saddles and Interpack bodies is particularly preferred. Ordered packings such as are described in volume 2 of the 4th edition of the abovementioned encyclopedia, pages 533-534, for example of the Sulzer packing type, can furthermore also be employed. Finally, it is also possible to employ bulk catalysts or catalyst fixed beds instead of bulk packing. Ordered catalyst packings, for example in honeycomb form, can also be employed.
According to another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the reaction mixture removed at the lower end of the column is recycled, after the pH and the ether-alcohol concentration has been adjusted, to the upper part of the column for renewed reaction until a concentration of the ether-carboxylic acid salt of 20 to 50% by weight, based on the total weight of the solution, is reached and the ether-alcohol metered in has reacted.
The invention is illustrated in more detail below with the aid of the drawing and a preferred exemplary embodiment.

Process for the preparation of alkali metal salts of ether-carboxylic acids


Administering water-soluble or dispersible synthetic analogs or derivatives of astaxanthin, lutein, zeaxanthin, or lycophyll and/or other carotenoids to a subject may reduce some of the adverse effects of inflammation in a body organ or tissue. The analogs or derivatives may be incorporated into pharmaceutical, over-the-counter, or nutraceutical preparations. Administration of the analogs or derivatives described herein may reduce deposition of inflammatory mediators such as C-reactive protein, complement system proteins or the membrane attack complex (MAC) in tissues. Reduced deposition of these molecules in tissues may reduce cell damage and/or lysis in the tissues.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to the fields of medicinal and synthetic chemistry. Specifically, the invention relates to the synthesis and use of water-soluble and water-dispersible carotenoids, including analogs, derivatives, and intermediates thereof, as therapeutic and/or prophylactic anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant agents that reduce tissue damage associated with inflammation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Inflammation plays an important role in the pathophysiology of ischemic heart disease (Yeh et al., 2001). Elevated levels (>2 mg/dl) of C-reactive protein concentration (CRP), commonly used as a marker for an acute inflammatory response, are correlated with increased mortality due to cardiovascular events (Lagrand et al., 1999).
This relationship holds true for asymptomatic individuals (Ridker et al., 2000) and patients with unstable angina
(Lindahl et al., 2000) and acute myocardial infarction (Pietila et al., 1996). It has been suggested that the epidemiological studies relating CRP to the incidence and outcome of ischemic syndromes are not simply due to CRP being a nonspecific marker of disease susceptibility or inflammation but rather that CRP might be involved directly in the pathogenesis of ischemic syndromes through a proinflammatory effect mediated by complement activation (Beranek, 1997). The primary evidence for this hypothesis is derived from studies of autopsy specimens showing co-localization of CRP with activated complement components in infarcted myocardial tissue but not in healthy myocardium (Lagrand et al., 1997; Yasojima et al., 1998b). Deposition of CRP also occurs in the ischemic rabbit myocardium (Kushner et al., 1963) and is closely correlated with the infiltration of polymorphonuclear leukocytes (pro-inflammatory cells) to the ischemic tissue (du Clos et al., 1981). Additionally, studies have shown that the endogenous increase in plasma CRP secondary to a remote inflammatory lesion is associated with an increase in myocardial tissue injury secondary to regional ischemia and reperfusion. The myocardial injury occurs via a complement-dependent mechanism, and can be ameliorated by pretreatment with heparin, N-acetylheparin or can be prevented in rabbits deficient in complement protein C6, which are incapable of forming the membrane attack complex (Barrett et al., 2002). The evolving paradigm suggests that in the normal, healthy adult any elevations of CRP in the absence of acute infection or acute tissue injury can potentially be deleterious; indeed, in umbilical cord blood levels are very low (<0.01 mg/dl). For example, cardiovascular patients at risk for inflammatory heart disease benefit from lowering of circulating CRP levels, without evidence of a "no effect level" for this marker (Ridker et al. 2005). Local production of CRP by cells of other than hepatic origin has now been convincingly demonstrated (Venugopal et al. 2005), suggesting a tissue-specific role for this acute phase protein. Previous studies have also shown that administering carotenoid analogs or derivatives can reduce the serum concentration of CRP following ischemic reperfusion injury (Publication No. US-2005-0009758 and PCT International Application Number PCT/US2003/023706). Therapies aimed at (1) reducing circulating levels of CRP in mammals; (2) in the localized and/or systemic production of CRP by liver and other tissues; and (3) the deposition of CRP (either with or without other endogenous inflammatory mediators) in pathological injury will have important therapeutic value (Ridker 2005).
Carotenoids are a group of natural pigments produced principally by plants, yeast, and microalgae. The family of related compounds now numbers greater than 700 described members, exclusive of Z and E isomers. Humans and other animals cannot synthesize carotenoids de novo and must obtain them from their diet. All carotenoids share common chemical features, such as a polyisoprenoid structure, a long polyene chain forming the chromophore, and near symmetry around the central double bond. Tail-to-tail linkage of two C20 geranyl-geranyl diphosphate molecules produces the parent C40 carbon skeleton. Carotenoids without oxygenated functional groups are called "carotenes", reflecting their hydrocarbon nature; oxygenated carotenes are known as "xanthophylls." Cyclization at one or both ends of the molecule yields 7 identified end groups (illustrative structures shown in FIG. 1). Examples of uses of carotenoid derivatives and analogs are illustrated in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/793,671 filed on Mar. 4, 2004, entitled "CAROTENOID ETHER ANALOGS OR DERIVATIVES FOR THE INHIBITION AND AMELIORATION OF DISEASE" by Lockwood et al. published on Jan. 13, 2005, as Publication No. US-2005-0009758 and PCT International Application Number PCT/US2003/023706 filed on Jul. 29, 2003, entitled "STRUCTURAL CAROTENOID ANALOGS FOR THE INHIBITION AND AMELIORATION OF DISEASE" by Lockwood et al. (International Publication Number WO 2004/011423 A2, published on Feb. 5, 2004) both of which are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.
Documented carotenoid functions in nature include light harvesting, photoprotection, and protective and sex-related coloration in microscopic organisms, mammals, and birds, respectively. A relatively recent observation has been the protective role of carotenoids against age-related diseases in humans as part of a complex antioxidant network within cells. This role is dictated by the close relationship between the physicochemical properties of individual carotenoids and their in vivo functions in organisms. The long system of alternating double and single bonds in the central part of the molecule (delocalizing the π-orbital electrons over the entire length of the polyene chain) confers the distinctive molecular shape, chemical reactivity, and light-absorbing properties of carotenoids. Additionally, isomerism around C═C double bonds yields distinctly different molecular structures that may be isolated as separate compounds (known as Z ("cis") and E ("trans"), or geometric, isomers). Of the more than 700 described carotenoids, an even greater number of the theoretically possible mono-Z and poly-Z isomers are sometimes encountered in nature. The presence of a Z double bond creates greater steric hindrance between nearby hydrogen atoms and/or methyl groups, so that Z isomers are generally less stable thermodynamically, and more chemically reactive, than the corresponding all-E form. The all-E configuration is an extended, linear, and rigid molecule. Z-isomers are, by contrast, not simple, linear molecules (the so-called "bent-chain" isomers). The presence of any Z in the polyene chain creates a bent-chain molecule. The tendency of Z-isomers to crystallize or aggregate is much less than all-E, and Z isomers may sometimes be more readily solubilized, absorbed, and transported in vivo than their all-E counterparts. This has important implications for enterable (e.g., oral) and parenteral (e.g., intravenous, intra-arterial, intramuscular, intraperitoneal, intracoronary, and subcutaneous) dosing in mammals.
Problems related to the use of some prior art carotenoids and structural carotenoid analogs or derivatives include: (1) the complex isomeric mixtures, including non-carotenoid contaminants, provided in natural and synthetic sources leading to costly increases in safety and efficacy tests required by such agencies as the FDA; (2) limited bioavailability upon administration to a subject; and (3) the differential induction of cytochrome P450 enzymes (this family of enzymes exhibits species-specific differences which must be taken into account when extrapolating animal work to human studies). Selection of the appropriate analog or derivative and isomer composition for a particular application increases the utility of carotenoid analogs or derivatives for the uses defined herein.
New methods of reducing or inhibiting one or more of the pathological complications associated with inflammation and/or tissue injury associated with inflammation, including deposition of pro-inflammatory molecules and protein complexes in a body tissue of a subject would be useful therapeutic agents. Carotenoid analogs or derivatives displaying properties of increased water-dispersibility and bioavailability would be beneficial for such applications.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Reduction in complement activation and inflammation during tissue injury by carotenoids, carotenoid analogs, or derivatives thereof


A strain-inducing semiconductor alloy may be formed on the basis of cavities which may have a non-rectangular shape, which may be maintained even during corresponding high temperature treatments by providing an appropriate protection layer, such as a silicon dioxide material. Consequently, a lateral offset of the strain-inducing semiconductor material may be reduced, while nevertheless providing a sufficient thickness of corresponding offset spacers during the cavity etch process, thereby preserving gate electrode integrity. For instance, P-channel transistors may have a silicon/germanium alloy with a hexagonal shape, thereby significantly enhancing the overall strain transfer efficiency.

1. Field of the Invention
Generally, the present disclosure relates to the fabrication of integrated circuits, and, more particularly, to transistors having strained channel regions by using embedded semiconductor alloys, such as silicon/germanium, to enhance charge carrier mobility in the channel regions of the transistors.
2. Description of the Related Art
The fabrication of complex integrated circuits requires the provision of a large number of transistor elements, which represent the dominant circuit element for complex circuits. For example, several hundred millions of transistors may be provided in presently available complex integrated circuits. Generally, a plurality of process technologies are currently practiced, wherein, for complex circuitry, such as microprocessors, storage chips and the like, CMOS technology is currently the most promising approach due to the superior characteristics in view of operating speed and/or power consumption and/or cost efficiency. In CMOS circuits, complementary transistors, i.e., P-channel transistors and N-channel transistors, are used for forming circuit elements, such as inverters and other logic gates to design highly complex circuit assemblies, such as CPUs, storage chips and the like. During the fabrication of complex integrated circuits using CMOS technology, transistors, i.e., N-channel transistors and P-channel transistors, are formed on a substrate including a crystalline semiconductor layer. A MOS transistor, or generally a field effect transistor, irrespective of whether an N-channel transistor or a P-channel transistor is considered, comprises so-called PN junctions that are formed by an interface of highly doped drain and source regions with an inversely or weakly doped channel region disposed between the drain region and the source region. The conductivity of the channel region, i.e., the drive current capability of the conductive channel, is controlled by a gate electrode formed in the vicinity of the channel region and separated therefrom by a thin insulating layer. The conductivity of the channel region, upon formation of a conductive channel due to the application of an appropriate control voltage to the gate electrode, depends on the dopant concentration, the mobility of the charge carriers and, for a given extension of the channel region in the transistor width direction, on the distance between the source and drain regions, which is also referred to as channel length. Thus, the reduction of the channel length, and associated therewith the reduction of the channel resistivity, is a dominant design criterion for accomplishing an increase in the operating speed of the integrated circuits.
The continuing shrinkage of the transistor dimensions, however, involves a plurality of issues associated therewith that have to be addressed so as to not unduly offset the advantages obtained by steadily decreasing the channel length of MOS transistors. For example, highly sophisticated dopant profiles, in the vertical direction as well as in the lateral direction, are required in the drain and source regions to provide low sheet and contact resistivity in combination with a desired channel controllability. Moreover, the gate dielectric material may also be adapted to the reduced channel length in order to maintain the required channel controllability. However, some mechanisms for maintaining a high channel controllability may also have a negative influence on the charge carrier mobility in the channel region of the transistor, thereby partially offsetting the advantages gained by the reduction of the channel length.
Since the continuous size reduction of the critical dimensions, i.e., the gate length of the transistors, necessitates the adaptation and possibly the new development of highly complex process techniques and may also contribute to less pronounced performance gain due to mobility degradation, it has been proposed to enhance the channel conductivity of the transistor elements by increasing the charge carrier mobility in the channel region for a given channel length, thereby enabling a performance improvement that is comparable with the advance to a technology standard requiring extremely scaled critical dimensions, while avoiding or at least postponing many of the process adaptations associated with device scaling.
One efficient mechanism for increasing the charge carrier mobility is the modification of the lattice structure in the channel region, for instance by creating tensile or compressive stress in the vicinity of the channel region to produce a corresponding strain in the channel region, which results in a modified mobility for electrons and holes, respectively. For example, creating tensile strain in the channel region for a standard crystallographic configuration of the active silicon material, i.e., a (100) surface orientation with the channel length aligned to the <110> direction, increases the mobility of electrons, which in turn may directly translate into a corresponding increase in conductivity. On the other hand, compressive strain in the channel region may increase the mobility of holes, thereby providing the potential for enhancing the performance of P-type transistors. The introduction of stress or strain engineering into integrated circuit fabrication is an extremely promising approach, since strained silicon may be considered as a "new" type of semiconductor material, which may enable the fabrication of fast powerful semiconductor devices without requiring expensive semiconductor materials, while many of the well-established manufacturing techniques may still be used.
Consequently, it has been proposed to introduce, for instance, a silicon/germanium (Si/Ge) material next to the channel region to induce a compressive stress that may result in a corresponding strain. When forming the silicon/germanium material, the drain and source regions of the PMOS transistors are selectively recessed to form cavities, while the NMOS transistors are masked, and subsequently the silicon/germanium material is selectively formed in the cavities of the PMOS transistor by epitaxial growth.
Although this technique provides significant advantages in view of performance gain of P-channel transistors and thus of the entire CMOS device, it turns out, however, that a further increase of the strain component in the channel region may be difficult to achieve by reducing the lateral offset of the silicon/germanium alloy with respect to the channel region without compromising integrity of the gate electrode structure, as will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 1a-1e to more clearly demonstrate one conventional approach for forming a silicon/germanium alloy.
FIG. 1a schematically illustrates a cross-sectional view of a conventional semiconductor device 100 at an early manufacturing stage. As illustrated, the semiconductor device 100 comprises a substrate 101, such as a silicon substrate, above which may be formed a buried insulating layer (not shown) if a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) configuration is considered. Furthermore, a silicon-based semiconductor layer 102 is formed above the substrate 101 and represents an "active" semiconductor material for forming therein and thereon circuit elements, such as transistors and the like. As illustrated, the semiconductor layer 102 comprises a first active region 102A and a second active region 102B, which are separated by an isolation structure 103, such as a shallow trench isolation and the like. The active region 102A represents an appropriately doped semiconductor material for forming therein and thereabove a P-channel transistor 150A, while the active region 102B may have an appropriate dopant concentration to provide the basic characteristics for an N-channel transistor 150B. In the manufacturing stage shown, the transistors 150A, 150B comprise a gate electrode structure 151, which may include a gate electrode material 151A, a cap layer 151B formed on a top surface of the gate electrode material 151A and a gate insulation layer 151C, which separates the gate electrode material 151A from a channel region 152 of the corresponding active regions 102A, 102B. Furthermore, a spacer element 104A is formed on sidewalls of the gate electrode structure 151 of the P-channel transistor 150A, possibly in combination with an etch stop liner 105. On the other hand, the N-channel transistor 150B is covered by a spacer layer 104, possibly in combination with the etch stop liner 105.
The semiconductor device 100 may be formed according to the following process techniques in compliance with well-established conventional approaches for providing a silicon/germanium alloy. After defining the active regions 102A, 102B by forming the isolation structure 103 and performing appropriate implantation sequences in order to establish the basic dopant concentration, the gate electrode structures 151 may be formed by providing an appropriate material for the gate insulation layers 151C followed by the deposition of a gate electrode material. Furthermore, material of the cap layers 151B may also be deposited. For this purpose, well-established oxidation, surface treatments and deposition techniques may be used, depending on the required materials and characteristics thereof. For example, the material for the gate insulation layer 151C may be formed by oxidation and/or deposition or surface treatment, for instance for forming silicon dioxide-based materials having a thickness of approximately one to several nanometers in sophisticated semiconductor devices. In other cases, high-k dielectric materials may be used, such as hafnium oxide and the like, which may typically have a dielectric constant of 10 or higher, thereby increasing the capacitive coupling of the gate electrode material 151A to the channel region 152 for a given physical thickness of the gate dielectric material. Thereafter, any appropriate material for the gate electrode 151A may be provided, for instance in the form of polysilicon and the like, followed by the deposition of the cap material 151B, which may be provided in the form of a silicon nitride material and the like. During the subsequent patterning of these material layers, sophisticated lithography techniques and etch processes may be used in order to obtain the gate electrode structure 151 with a desired gate length according to the design rules for the device 100. Next, the etch stop liner 105 may be formed by deposition and/or oxidation, followed by the deposition of the spacer layer 104, typically provided in the form of a silicon nitride material, which may be deposited by thermally activated chemical vapor deposition (CVD) recipes, plasma assisted processes and the like. When depositing the spacer layer 104, a thickness thereof may be selected in view of a desired width 104W of the spacer element 104A, which in turn may determine an offset of the silicon/germanium alloy to be formed in the active region 102A in a later manufacturing stage. In sophisticated applications, the width 104W is desirably reduced in order to enhance the strain-inducing mechanism obtained by the silicon/germanium material. However, although a reduced thickness of the spacer layer 104 may be desirable in view of a performance gain of the transistor 150A, preferred value for the thickness of the spacer layer 104 may have to be provided in view of maintaining overall integrity of the gate electrode material 151A and of the gate insulation layer 151C during the further processing in providing the strained silicon/germanium alloy. Consequently, typically, a thickness of 10-30 nm may be selected, thereby providing a required process margin in view of the subsequent manufacturing processes. After forming the spacer layer 104, an etch mask 106 is provided on the basis of photolithography techniques in order to cover the transistor 150B and the corresponding portion of the spacer layer 104, while exposing the transistor 150A to an etch ambient 107 that is designed to selectively remove material of the spacer layer 104, thereby forming the spacer element 104A. The etch process 107 may be performed on the basis of well-established plasma assisted anisotropic etch techniques, wherein, if required, control of the etch process may be accomplished on the basis of the etch stop liner 105. Thereafter, the liner 105 may be removed and a further etch process or a further step of the process 107 may be performed on the basis of appropriately selected etch parameters and etch chemistry for etching into the active region 102A selectively to the spacer 104A and the isolation structure 103. For example, highly selective anisotropic etch techniques for removing silicon selectively to oxide and nitride are well established in the art.
FIG. 1b schematically illustrates the semiconductor device 100 in a further advanced manufacturing stage. As illustrated, corresponding cavities 108 are formed adjacent to the gate electrode structure 151 and the spacer element 104A, wherein, due to the anisotropic nature of the preceding plasma assisted etch process, substantially vertical sidewalls 108S are obtained so that a lateral offset of the cavities 108 and thus of any silicon/germanium alloy still to be formed in a later manufacturing stage with respect to the gate electrode material 151A is substantially determined by the width 104W of the spacer 104A, possibly in combination with the thickness of the etch stop liner 105, if provided. After the corresponding cavity etch process or prior to the process, the etch mask 106 may be removed.
FIG. 1c schematically illustrates the semiconductor device 100 in a subsequent manufacturing stage in which the device 100 may be heated to an elevated temperature, for instance, 800° C. and higher in order to prepare the device 100 for being loaded into a corresponding process chamber or process ambient 160 that is appropriate for performing a selective epitaxial growth process.
FIG. 1d schematically illustrates the semiconductor device 100 during a heat treatment 109 that is performed in the process ambient 160, which may be performed at a temperature of, for example, 850° C. and higher to remove any native oxide, which may have formed on exposed surface areas of the cavities 108 (FIG. 1b). During the elevated temperatures of approximately 800° C. and higher, a certain degree of silicon reflow may occur and may thus "blur" the initial shape of the cavities 108. After the heat treatment 109, the temperature within the process ambient 160 may be adjusted to the desired deposition temperature, which may be approximately 750° C. and less, depending on the overall process parameters, such as pressure, precursor gas flow rates, rates for precursors for dopant species and the like.
FIG. 1e schematically illustrates the device 100 during a corresponding selective epitaxial growth process 110, during which a silicon/germanium alloy 111 may be formed in the cavities 108, wherein a lateral offset of the material 111 with respect to gate electrode material 151A is substantially defined by the width 104W (FIG. 1b), as previously explained. Consequently, by using a predefined fraction of germanium species in the material 111, a corresponding high degree of internal strain may be created wherein, however, the actual strain in the channel region 152 may be significantly affected by lateral offset of the material 111.
A further reduction of the spacer width 104W may be associated with a high risk for creating defects in the gate electrode structure 151 so that respective approaches may be less than desirable in view of overall production yield and product reliability.
The present disclosure is directed to various methods and devices that may avoid, or at least reduce, the effects of one or more of the problems identified above.

Transistor with embedded Si/Ge material having reduced offset to the channel region


A perpendicular magnetic recording medium is disclosed that includes a substrate; a soft magnetic underlayer formed on the substrate; a seed layer of an amorphous material formed on the soft magnetic underlayer; an oxidation prevention layer formed on the seed layer; an underlayer formed on the oxidation prevention layer, the underlayer including multiple crystal grains formed of Ru or a Ru alloy having an hcp crystal structure, and a first air gap part configured to separate the crystal grains from each other; and a recording layer formed on the underlayer, the recording layer including multiple magnetic particles having a magnetocrystalline easy axis in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the substrate, and one of a second air gap part and a non-magnetic non-solid-solution phase, the one being configured to separate the magnetic particles from each other. The oxidation prevention layer includes a noble metal element other than Ru.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to perpendicular magnetic recording media, methods of manufacturing the same, and magnetic storage units including the same, and more particularly to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a magnetic layer in which magnetic particles are separated by a non-magnetic material, a method of manufacturing the same, and a magnetic storage unit including the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Magnetic storage units are employed in large-scale systems to a variety of apparatuses such as computers and communication devices of personal use. In each use, magnetic storage units are required to record information with higher density and transfer information at higher speed.
According to perpendicular magnetic recording, information is recorded in a magnetic recording medium by magnetizing the recording layer of the magnetic recording medium in a direction perpendicular to its substrate surface. Accordingly, compared with longitudinal (in-plane) magnetic recording, the recorded information is less likely to disappear. Therefore, perpendicular magnetic recording can perform recording with higher density than longitudinal magnetic recording.
Perpendicular magnetic recording media are formed by stacking a soft magnetic underlayer formed of a soft magnetic material on a substrate and stacking a recording layer on the soft magnetic underlayer. Usually, the recording layer is formed of a CoCr-based alloy. The CoCr-based alloy is formed by sputtering while applying heat to the substrate, so that non-magnetic Cr is segregated at the grain boundary between Co-rich magnetic particles of the CoCr-based alloy, thereby magnetically isolating the magnetic particles from one another.
On the other hand, the soft magnetic underlayer forms the magnetic path of magnetic flux flowing into a magnetic head at the time of reproduction. In a crystalline soft magnetic material, spike noise is generated because of magnetic domains. Therefore, the soft magnetic underlayer is formed of an amorphous or microcrystalline body, for which it is difficult to form magnetic domains. Accordingly, the heating temperature at the time of forming the recording layer is restricted in order to avoid crystallization of the soft magnetic underlayer.
Therefore, a recording layer having a so-called granular columnar structure where magnetic particles of a CoCr-based alloy are separated from one another by a SiO2 non-magnetic parent phase is proposed as a recording layer that isolates magnetic particles from one another and does not require heat treatment at high temperature. Further, it is also proposed to form a Ru film as the underlayer of a recording layer in order to form a columnar structure in which the c-axis of a magnetic particle grows in a direction perpendicular to the surface of a substrate and cause the magnetic particles to grow at substantially equal intervals (see, for example, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2005-353256).
The magnetic particles of the recording layer perform crystal growth on the surface of the Ru film. Accordingly, the crystal orientation of the magnetic particles is significantly affected by the crystal orientation of the Ru film. That is, the (0002) crystal planes of the Ru film preferentially serve a's growth planes, and the Co (0002) crystal planes of the magnetic particles grow on the growth planes. An increase in the proportion of the (0002) crystal planes of the Ru film which planes are not parallel to the substrate surface affects the orientation of the Co (0002) crystal planes. This increases the proportion of those of the multiple magnetic particles whose magnetocrystalline easy axes (c-axes) are not perpendicular to the substrate surface, thus degrading so-called magnetocrystalline easy axis orientation dispersion. In particular, the Ru film is formed in an inert gas atmosphere of Ar gas or the like by sputtering, and the crystal orientation of the Ru film in its initial growth condition is easily disturbed in a manufacturing apparatus because of the effect of oxygen gas adsorbed on the inner wall of a film formation chamber. This disturbance has an adverse effect on the entire Ru film and further on the magnetic particles of the recording layer. This degrades recording and reproduction characteristics, thus causing the problem of making it difficult to achieve a further increase in recording density, that is, so-called higher recording density.

Perpendicular magnetic recording medium, method of manufacturing the same, and magnetic storage unit


A plate type member of a Cu--W and/or Mo alloy can be bonded to a ceramic member or the like to form a semiconductor device package without problems, because the degree of warping of the plate type member during a heating step in its fabrication is suppressed. In the plate type member consisting of a Cu--W and/or Mo alloy, including a small amount of alkaline earth metal impurity the difference between alkaline earth metal contents in upper and lower halves of the member along the thickness direction is not more than 10 ppm, or delete "an alkaline earth" preferably not more than 5 ppm relative to the content of W and/or Mo. This plate type member is manufactured by reducing the alkaline earth metal content in W and/or Mo raw material powder, or standing a skeleton vertically upright on a refractory plate for carryiing out Cu infiltration, and performing homogeneous heating and cooling replace during the manufacturing thereby preventing maldistribution of the alkaline earth metal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plate type member consisting of a copper-tungsten and/or molybdenum alloy which is applied to a package for a semiconductor device, a method of manufacturing the same, and a package for a semiconductor device employing the plate type member.
2. Description of the Background Art
As integrated circuits and high frequency/high output transistors are implemented with higher density of integration and higher outputs, power consumption is increased year by year, while the sizes and heating values of semiconductor devices employed therefor are also increased in response. Following such circumstances, packages for housing the semiconductor devices are increased in size, while members such as substrates for mounting the semiconductor devices and radiating plates having excellent heat radiation properties are required for the packages.
In general, a copper-tungsten, copper-molybdenum or copper-tungsten-molybdenum alloy (hereinafter referred to as a copper-tungsten and/or molybdenum alloy) having an excellent heat radiation property is employed as the material for a substrate serving as a member for a semiconductor device package for improving its heat radiation property and the thermal expansion coefficient of the substrate is matched with those of a ceramic member and a semiconductor chip, thereby obtaining a highly reliable package, as described in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 59-21032 (1984) (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,680,618) or 59-46050 (1984).
Such a copper-tungsten and/or molybdenum alloy is prepared by an infiltration method of adding copper powder to tungsten powder and/or molybdenum powder as needed, sintering the mixture and infiltrating copper in the obtained skeleton, or a sintering method of sintering a compact of copper powder and tungsten powder and/or molybdenum powder. In order to suppress structural defects such as blowholes, an iron family metal may be added by 0.02 to 2 percent by weight in the infiltration method or within 8 percent by weight in the sintering method.
In case of integrating a plate type member consisting of the aforementioned copper-tungsten and/or molybdenum alloy into a package for a semiconductor device, brazing is generally performed for bonding the member to a ceramic member serving as a counterpart. In advance of this brazing, nickel plating such as electrolytic nickel plating and/or electroless nickel-phosphorus plating, electroless nickel-boron plating or the like is performed on the plate type member for improving the brazing property and corrosion resistance and forming an underlayer for gold plating etc. which may be performed in a later step. The electrolytic nickel plating may be performed with addition of a metal such as cobalt.
As a pretreatment for this nickel plating, the plate type member is heated to 780 to 900.degree. C. under a general temperature condition in a non-oxidizing or reducing atmosphere, for the purpose of activating its surface and/or improving adhesion after the plating and adjusting brazing flowability. However, the plate type member of the copper-tungsten and/or molybdenum alloy is disadvantageously warped due to this heat treatment.
Such a warp of the plate type member of the copper-tungsten and/or molybdenum alloy causes the formation of a clearance between the bonding surfaces of the same and the ceramic member, i.e., between the brazing layers, and deteriorates the airtightness of the package. The degree of warp is increased as the diameter (in case of a circular plate) or the diagonal length (in case of a rectangular plate) of the plate type member consisting of a copper-tungsten and/or molybdenum alloy, which has been about 15 mm in general, is increased to 30, 40, 50 or 60 mm due to size increase of the package, to result in a serious problem in assembling of the plate type member and the ceramic member by brazing.
Due to requirements of improveming the yield and reducing of the cost of brazing filler metals in package manufacturers, the requirement for further reduction of the warp is increased also in relation to a plate type member of a copper-tungsten and/or molybdenum alloy having smaller sizes than heretofore provided.
In order to prevent the plate type member of the copper-tungsten and/or molybdenum alloy from suffering such a warp before assembling, it is important to uniformly and sufficiently remove a lubricant of an organic compound in order to easily compact the material so that no carbon remains and/or segregates in the alloy, and to uniformalize the compacting density distribution. Even if carbon is sufficiently removed and the density distribution of a compacted body is uniformalized, however, the occurrence of a warp caused by heating in a plating step cannot be completely prevented.

Plate type member for semiconductor device package and package


The aspects described herein relate to replacing pixels in images in order to remove obstructions from images. In one example, an image of a scene having symmetrical features and image information identifying at least one pixel of the image corresponding to a hole to be filled may be received. This hole may correspond to an obstruction in the image. A set of symmetry axes may be identified based on the symmetrical features. A symmetry map identifying correspondences between different pixels in the image based on the set of symmetry axes may be generated. A correspondence between the at least one pixel corresponding to a hole to be filled and a second pixel of the image is identified based at least in part on the symmetry map and the image information. The at least one pixel may be altered based on the identified correspondence in order to remove the obstruction.

Various systems may provide users with images of different locations. For example, these images may include aerial images, satellite images, street level images, etc. Some of these street level images may provide a panoramic view of a location. Thus, these street level images may provide users with a higher resolution of street-scenes than aerial or satellite views. However, these street level images are more likely to have static and mobile obstacles such as street-side vegetation, parked vehicles, moving vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists, etc.
Such obstacles may become even more evident when the images are used to generate 3D models of various scenes. For example, trees and vehicles may prevent the images from capturing areas behind these obstacles relative to the camera. Thus, when the images are used to generate a 3D model, the areas behind these obstacles would not necessarily be visible or included in the 3D model. This may make the model appear incomplete to a user viewing the model.


A video-on-demand server, having a plurality of audiovisual assets stored in association therewith, and an application server module, are interconnected with a first group of consumer premises equipment (CPE) associated with a first group of subscribers and a second group of CPE associated with a second (different) group of subscribers, via a video content network. The application server module, the first group of CPE, and the second group of CPE are cooperatively configured to prepare a first video-on-demand catalog comprising a first group of the audiovisual assets and a second video-on-demand catalog comprising a second (different) group of the audiovisual assets. The application server module, the first group of CPE, and the second group of CPE are further cooperatively configured to make the first video-on-demand catalog available to the first group of subscribers and to make the second video-on-demand catalog available to the second group of subscribers.

With the advent of digital communications technology, many TV program streams are transmitted in digital formats. For example, Digital Satellite System (DSS), Digital Broadcast Services (DBS), and Advanced Television Standards Committee (ATSC) program streams are digitally formatted pursuant to the well known Moving Pictures Experts Group 2 (MPEG-2) standard. The MPEG-2 standard specifies, among other things, the methodologies for video and audio data compression allowing for multiple programs, with different video and audio feeds, to be multiplexed in a transport stream traversing a single transmission channel. A digital TV receiver may be used to decode an MPEG-2 encoded transport stream, and extract the desired program therefrom. The compressed video and audio data are typically carried by continuous elementary streams, respectively, which are broken into access units or packets, resulting in packetized elementary streams (PESs). These packets are identified by headers that contain time stamps for synchronizing, and are used to form MPEG-2 transport streams. For digital broadcasting, multiple programs and their associated PESs are multiplexed into a single transport stream. A transport stream has PES packets further subdivided into short fixed-size data packets, in which multiple programs encoded with different clocks can be carried. A transport stream not only includes a multiplex of audio and video PESs, but also other data such as MPEG-2 program specific information (sometimes referred to as metadata) describing the transport stream. The MPEG-2 metadata may include a program associated table (PAT) that lists every program in the transport stream. Each entry in the PAT points to an individual program map table (PMT) that lists the elementary streams making up each program. Some programs are open, but some programs may be subject to conditional access (encryption), and this information (i.e., whether open or subject to conditional access) is also carried in the MPEG-2 transport stream, typically as metadata.
The aforementioned fixed-size data packets in a transport stream each carry a packet identifier (PID) code. Packets in the same elementary streams all have the same PID, so that a decoder can select the elementary stream(s) it needs and reject the remainder. Packet-continuity counters may be implemented to ensure that every packet that is needed to decode a stream is received.
Video on demand (VOD) systems allow users to select and watch video content over a network. Some VOD systems "stream" content for real-time viewing. Others "download" the content to a set-top box before viewing starts. Use of digital video recorders (DVRs), also known as personal video recorders (PVRs), such as the TiVo® device (registered mark of TiVo Brands LLC, Alviso, Calif.) and the R Replay TV® device (registered mark of Digital Networks North America Inc., Pine Brook, N.J.), is ubiquitous. Such devices may provide some benefits to TV viewers. For example, a prior art DVR allows a user to record his or her favorite TV programs for later review, and to exercise a season-pass-like option wherein every episode of his or her favorite program is recorded for some period. Such devices may automatically record programs for the user based on his or her viewing habits and preferences. The presentation of the recorded programming content can be manipulated by exercising rewind, pause, skip and/or fast-forward functions (hereinafter referred to as "trick mode" or "trick play" functions) furnished by the DVR.
A "network PVR (NPVR)" (also referred to as an NDVR (Network Digital Video Recorder)) service allows the user to perform the analogous DVR functions through use of a network, rather than via a local DVR at the user premises. Unlike a DVR device, the NPVR service allows a user to "reserve" past and future programs for his or her review, even if such reserved programs were not identified by the user before their broadcast. Note that an NDVR can be distinguished from a DVR in that the latter, storage of programs and the like is local to the DVR, while in the former (NDVR) case, such storage is at the server or head end level.

System and method for tailored video-on-demand catalogs


A method for determining the speed and position of a rotor of a salient-pole permanent magnet synchronous machine, the method comprising the steps of creating a voltage model (41) on a permanent magnet synchronous machine, forming a voltage reference (us,ref) for a stator of the permanent magnet synchronous machine, determining stator currents (is) of the permanent magnet synchronous machine, calculating a rotor angular speed (42) from the voltage reference (us,ref) and the stator currents (is) using the voltage model (41). The method further comprises the steps of forming with signal injection a position tracking signal (ε) of the rotor of the permanent magnet synchronous machine, forming a rotor angular speed estimate ({circumflex over (ω)}m) from the calculated rotor angular speed (42) and the rotor position tracking signal (ε), forming a rotor position angle estimate ({circumflex over (θ)}m) from the formed rotor angular speed estimate ({circumflex over (ω)}m) and the rotor position tracking signal (ε).

The present invention relates to a method in connection with a salient-pole permanent magnet synchronous machine in accordance with the preamble of claim 1.
For reliable operation a plurality of motor control systems require accurate information on a position angle and angular speed of a rotor. In a typical implementation the position angle and the angular speed of the rotor are determined using a mechanical sensor coupled on a motor shaft. This sensor produces information, for instance, on the rotor position and from a change in the position it is further possible to calculate the angular speed of the rotor. However, the sensor coupled to the shaft is a mechanical component liable to faults, which increases the price of a motor drive considerably. In addition, as the motor drive control is based on information obtained from the sensor, sensor breakage inevitably causes downtime in said motor drive.
There are also currently used a variety of methods for controlling the motor without direct feedback from the position or speed of the rotor. The most common ways in connection with the permanent magnet synchronous machine are based on using various flux observers. The operation of the flux observer is based on a voltage model on a synchronous machine, the model being based on the voltage equation of the machine. The initial values required by the voltage equation are inductances and resistances of the machine.
The voltage models produce an accurate estimate on the angular speed of the rotor at its higher values. However, the voltage models have a drawback that at near-zero speed the estimate obtained by the voltage model becomes inaccurate, due to possibly erroneous parameters and measurement inaccuracies together with a low back EMF produced by the machine.
One manner to estimate a rotor position angle in a motion sensorless synchronous machine is based on utilizing signal injection methods. In signal injection an extra signal deviating from the fundamental frequency is injected to the motor either in voltage or in current form. This signal provides in the machine an injection frequency response, from which is obtained by demodulation a position tracking signal that can be used for determining the position of the rotor. Signal injection methods enable operation at low speeds down to zero speed, but the obtained dynamic behaviour is poor, however.

Method in salient-pole permanent magnet synchronous machine


A coilable storage device for retaining an article comprising: a metal spring strip, and a piece of material extending across the metal spring strip, wherein the metal spring strip is a relatively thin, elongated piece of metal material having a first end, a second end, a first side edge, and a second side edge. The metal spring strip has an internal lateral bias for maintaining an opened position wherein the metal spring strip is substantially straight longitudinally from the first end to the second end and has a transverse arch from the first side edge to the second side edge. The metal spring strip further has an internal longitudinal bias for maintaining a closed position wherein the metal spring strip is substantially arcuate longitudinally from the first end to the second end and is substantially straight transversely from the first side edge to the second side edge. The metal spring strip is movable from the opened position to the closed position. The piece of material extends across a bottom portion of the metal spring strip opposite the upper portion and is secured to the upper portion of the metal spring strip along the first side edge, the second side edge, and the second end, thereby defining a pocket at the first end when the metal spring strip is placed in the opened position. The pocket allows a user to store an article, such as jewelry therein and keeps the article securely positioned and stored by placing the metal spring strip into the closed position, thereby compressing the article between the metal spring strip and the material extending across the bottom portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a new and improved storage device for small articles. More specifically the present invention provides a unique storage device for securely storing and transporting articles such as jewelry, including necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets. Furthermore, the storage device will keep articles from getting tangled or otherwise damaged.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various different storage devices for storing articles such as jewelry or fishing gear have been disclosed and used in the marketplace, however, these storage devices can be bulky, unattractive, and can cause stored articles to easily tangle and be damaged. Such storage devices include jewelry boxes, tackle boxes, tubes, and various other types of containers and bags. The transportation and storage of jewelry, such as necklaces, earrings, rings, and bracelets; and fishing gear, such as hooks, and lures, can often lead to tangled and/or damaged articles, thereby making it difficult to keep appropriate articles properly organized and safe from damage. It would therefore be desirable to provide a compact, attractive storage device that can protect and organize articles such as jewelry and fishing gear.
These and other types of jewelry storage devices used in the past do not offer the flexibility and inventive features of my coilable storage device. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, the coilable storage device of the present invention differs from those previously proposed.


A bulk acoustic wave filter, a manufacturing method thereof, and a communication device are disclosed. The bulk acoustic wave filter includes a first filter substrate and a second filter substrate; the first filter substrate includes a first base substrate and a first resonator, a first electrode pad and a first auxiliary pad arranged on the first base substrate; the second filter substrate includes a second base substrate and a second resonator, a second electrode pad and a second auxiliary pad arranged on the second base substrate, the first filter substrate is arranged opposite to the second filter substrate, the first electrode pad and the second auxiliary pad are in contact with each other, and the second electrode pad and the first auxiliary pad are in contact with each other.

With the continuous development of 5G technology, the application and demand of radio frequency filter are continuously upgraded, and the requirements for the performance indicators of the radio frequency filter are getting higher and higher. Generally, according to the transmission mode of the sound wave of the radio frequency filter, the radio frequency filter is divided into: a bulk acoustic wave filter and a surface acoustic wave filter.
The working frequency of the surface acoustic wave filter is generally below 2.5 GHz, and the working frequency of the bulk acoustic wave filter is generally between 1.5 GHz and 10 GHz. In contrast, the bulk acoustic wave filter comprises a higher working frequency; in addition, the bulk acoustic wave filter further comprises the advantages of insensitivity to temperature changes, low insertion loss, high quality factor (Q), strong power tolerance, and high reliability.

Bulk acoustic wave filter and manufacturing method thereof, communication device


A brilliant gemstone cut, having a crown, a girdle and a pavilion. The crown has a flat table shaped as an equilateral n-sided polygon. The girdle is also multi sided polygon. The corner, lower girdle, bezel and star facets are at significantly angles of inclination, with respect to the table to provide significantly improved brilliance.

There are a variety of step and brilliant gemstone cuts available on the market that achieve good coefficients of brilliancy, dispersion and scintillation. However, due to several problems that the prior art presents there is a long felt but unfulfilled need for a better gemstone cut. The present invention fulfils that long felt need by providing a brilliant cut that achieves excellent coefficients of brilliancy, dispersion and scintillation, along with achieving best elegant and classic looks.
There are several U.S. patents available, however, all of them present certain problems and do not fulfill the need for a better diamond cut.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,364,031 to Suderov presents brilliant type cut diamond and a method of cutting it. The diamond cut in this prior art has a table that is in the form of a twelve-sided polygon. The angles of inclination are significantly different in the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,763,665 to Polakiewiz presents a brilliant cut diamond. This prior art has an octagonal table, eight small facets in a shape of a trapezoid with a large base, eight triangular facets having as its base the large base of the above small facets, eight quadrangular facets, eight pairs of generally Trapezoidal facets and several other pairs of either triangular or trapezoidal facets in pairs of eight. The present invention, having a significantly different angle of inclination, between the facets and the girdle plane.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,649 to Grossbard presents a brilliantized step cut diamond, where the cut has a step cut crown having multiple facets and a brilliant cut pavilion. The present invention has different angles of inclination of the facets.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,744 to Greeff discloses a cut cornered mixed cut gemstone, which has a step cut crown and a brilliant cut pavilion. The crown has two steps, a table, and a girdle. The crown and the pavilion are substantially square with four equal sides and corners about ⅓ the length of the sides. The present invention has angles of inclination of the facets, with the girdle to enhance the brilliance of the girdle.
U.S. Pat. Nos. Des. 141,258,141,259 and 143,470 to Fine teaches a brilliant cut gemstone having a multitude of facets in its crown with several corner facets and upper girdle facets.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,430,963 by the present inventions discloses a mixed cut diamond. However, the angles of inclination of the facets are significantly different.
While the prior art of a diamond cuts are of a significant interest, it does not address a specific need of a particular way of having a gemstone cut, that achieves brilliancy, scintillation and dispersion coefficients that are the same as the present invention. The present invention addresses a brilliant gemstone cut that achieve excellent coefficients for many characteristics of a gemstone, and cut to provide space for the prong of a setting, without interfering with the brilliance of the upper corner facets.

Abstract: The upper corner facets are spaced from the girdle. The space between the corner facet vertices and the girdle is left open to be covered by a prong of a jewelry setting.