A high performance wire guide is disclosed, having a core wire and an outer member disposed about the core wire for enhanced torque transmission along a longitudinal length of the core wire. The outer member may be an outer coil wrapped around the core wire in an interference fit.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to wire guides used in diagnostic and interventional medical procedures. More specifically, this invention relates to wire guides used for access to complex distal anatomy for diagnostic and interventional procedures.
2. Related Technology
Wire guides (also known as guide wires) have been used in percutaneous entry procedures for diagnostic X-Ray studies and interventional procedures since about the 1950's when the idea of percutaneous, wire guided entry into the vasculature was conceived. A wire guide is typically inserted percutaneously into a body vessel and advanced within the body vessel to a desired location. A catheter is then positioned over the wire guide, inserted into the body vessel percutaneously, and advanced along the wire guide to a desired location.
In order to negotiate the potentially-winding path of the body vessel and to reduce potential damage to the body vessel walls while the wire guide is being advanced, the wire guide preferably has a relatively flexible tip. Also, to further prevent the wire guide from becoming stuck within the body vessel, the wire guide is preferably rotated while being advanced along the body vessel. For example, the rotating distal tip may naturally migrate forward via contact with the body vessel internal walls and static friction forces generated from the contact. More specifically, the rotating movement of the distal tip may cause the wire guide to "walk out of" a depression or a bend in the body vessel. Therefore, to promote rotation of the distal portion of the wire guide upon rotation of the proximal portion by the medical professional, the wire guide preferably has a generally efficient torque transfer between the proximal portion and the distal portion of the wire guide.
Additionally, to improve the pushability and control of the catheter along the body vessel, the wire guide shaft that the catheter is advanced thereover preferably has a relatively high axial stiffness compared to the flexible tip and has a general resistance to kinking or bending so that the wire guide will not become kinked or bent during use. For example, the wire guide shaft preferably has an axial stiffness that is sufficient to prevent the wire guide from folding over itself and becoming obstructed within the body vessel.
However, current wire guide configurations have a number of disadvantages. A small diameter wire guide made from different materials results in several end to end type joints, or joints with sudden diameter changes or both. As a result, areas or points along the length of the wire guide have potentially-dramatic behavior changes, such as in terms of flexibility, kink resistance and diameter. These points can act as obstructions and interfere with advancement of small, fragile catheters. Furthermore, the end to end joints between nitinol and stainless steel can also result in sudden, localized flex points in the stiffer body portion of the wire guide. Flex points are the points at the ends of the splice cannula with sudden changes in stiffness, where the wire guide may kink or bend much easier than the portions of the wire just proximal and just distal to the splice.
One design used to mitigate effects of the steps and kink points utilizes a cannula positioned over a nitinol core wire for the shaft portion of the wire and includes a coil section that abuts the distal end of the cannula to form a smooth outer diameter wire guide. However, the combination of a nitinol core wire and stainless steel cannula has dramatically reduced torque control and kink resistance as compared to a solid nitinol mandrel and dramatically reduced stiffness and pushability as compared to a solid stainless steel mandrel.
Another design used to mitigate effects of the steps and kink points utilizes a coil over the shaft portion of the wire guide. Butt joints are then made between the various coil sections. However, this design does not effectively transfer torque between the proximal and the distal ends of the wire guide. More specifically, when the operator rotates the proximal portion of the wire guide, the coil rotates independently from the core wire and the rotation is not transmitted to the distal tip of the wire guide.
It is therefore desirous to provide a wire guide that maintains a generally constant diameter and that minimizes flex points along the wire guide, while preserving and improving the shaft torque transmission qualities, kink resistance, and stiffness.


A method of observing a tungsten plug of a semiconductor device using a microscope includes cutting the semiconductor device at the center of the tungsten plug. The semiconductor device is then stained with a reagent which includes hydrogen peroxide and ammonia and etched with a solution containing hydrofluoric acid. The fine structure of the grain of the tungsten plug of the semiconductor device is then observed with a microscope.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a technique for observing a semiconductor device microscopically, and more particularly to a technique that uses reagent to aid in the microscopic observation of a semiconductor device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a semiconductor device, a tungsten plug is usually used to connect two conducting layers to form a complete circuit. Therefore, the quality of the tungsten plug affects the quality of the semiconductor device. To control the reliability of the semiconductor device manufacturing process, the fine structure of a sample semiconductor device should be observed on a microscopic level. For example, the scale of the tungsten plug and the thickness of a glue layer can be learned by observing the device with a microscope.
A conventional semiconductor device may have a contact window of a tungsten plug that is larger than 0.5 .mu.m. The tungsten plug can be cut at the center. By etching with a glass reactive solution or a polysilicon reactive solution, for example, a solution of hydrofluoric acid (HF), a solution of hydrofluoric acid and acetic acid (CH.sub.3 COOH), or a solution of hydrofluoric acid and aqua fortis, the orientation of the grain of the tungsten plug and the structure and thickness of the glue layer 12 can be observed with a microscope.
Because of the rising level of integration, the width of the contact window of the tungsten plug may be less than 0.5 .mu.m. Therefore, the tungsten plug 20 cannot be cut at the center to show its grain orientation clearly.
To reduce the problem stated above, the center of the tungsten plug 30 is polished after cutting through the tungsten plug. Next, an etching process is performed with an etchant such as those noted above. Finally, the semiconductor device is observed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). However, the surface of the tungsten is difficult to observe with respect to the grain structure of the tungsten plug and the thickness of the glue layer because the polishing planarizes the surface of the tungsten.

Method for observing tungsten plug of semiconductor device microscopically


The invention is a method and apparatus for repairing a portion of a floor where a flooring material has become separated from a subfloor, the method includes the steps of: determining a separated area of the flooring material; drilling a first injector hole at the separated area to a void between the flooring material and the subfloor; injecting a liquid adhesive into the first injector hole via an injection nozzle to deliver the liquid adhesive into the void of the separated area; and allowing the liquid adhesive to set. The apparatus is the injection nozzle including a body having a first end, a second end and a passageway extending between the first end and the second end, the first end being configured to receive the liquid adhesive into the passageway, and the second end comprises a pre-formed hole configured to deliver the liquid adhesive from the passageway to the void.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus and method to fix a floor. Particularly to an apparatus and a method for fixing a floor where the flooring material has become separated from the subfloor and/or the surrounding flooring material by injecting a liquid adhesive between a flooring material and a subfloor via a drilled hole.
2. Description of Related Art
Traditional methods for repairing a floor where the flooring material has become separated from subfloor, such as a concrete slab, usually involve removing the flooring material from the subfloor and cleaning both the subfloor and the flooring material, then reinstalling the flooring material. In some situations the flooring material cannot be reinstalled, which then requires finding matching replacement flooring material or replacing all the flooring material.
More recent methods for repairing a floor where the flooring material has become separated from the subfloor include delivering a liquid adhesive between the flooring material and the subfloor via a hole drilled in the floor while leaving the flooring material in place. The liquid adhesive is then allowed to set, thereby adhering the flooring material to the subfloor. A method like this is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,000,890 "Method for Resetting Separated Tiles" which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety into this disclosure. This prior art however has the disadvantage of requiring specially designed adhesive injection devices, such as adhesive injection syringes, that require the user to fill the syringe themselves, which can be messy requiring cleaning of the injection device if it is to be used again. Additionally, the syringe itself can be costly. Additionally, this prior art uses an injection nozzle that is not adjustable or adaptable to different sized holes drilled in a floor. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to correct for the above disadvantages of the prior art.


This invention relates to face-pumped slab lasers of the type that have laser head assemblies constructed of individual components, which are rigidly attached together, in order to form an integral structure. Such structures of this type, generally, allow a face-pumped slab laser component to be assembled and disassembled easily and quickly.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to face-pumped slab lasers of the type that have laser head assemblies constructed of individual components, which are rigidly attached together, in order to form an integral structure. Such structures of this type, generally, allow a face-pumped slab laser component to be assembled and disassembled easily and quickly.
2. Description of the Related Art
Up to the present invention, complete dismantling of a face-pumped slab laser head is required in order to repair, replace or service a face-pumped laser. The complete dismantling typically requires a total optical alignment to properly restore the laser performance. A typical "down time" for a face-pumped slab laser which usually involves complete dismantling, re-assembly and realignment is about two days. Obviously, such a lengthy "down time" is expensive and time consuming. Therefore, a new advantageous system, therefore, would be presented if such amounts of "down time" could be reduced.
It is known, in commercial rod lasers, to utilize a rod, an end cap, and a flow tube replacement assembly to reduce "down time". While this replacement assembly performs adequately for a rod laser, a face-pumped slab laser requires a far more complex replacement or modular assembly, such as, for example, the cooling integration and cooling passage design. Also, the optical alignment requirements of a rod laser are not as stringent as those of a face-pumped slab laser. Therefore, modular slab laser assembly which reduced "down time" would be advantageous.
It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for a laser system which has a modular construction to reduce "down time", and which at least equals the safety and performance characteristics of other known lasers, but which at the same time is capable of being used with a face-pumped slab laser. It is a purpose of this invention to fulfill this and other needs in the art in a manner more apparent to the skilled artisan once given the following disclosure.

Modular construction of face-pumped laser head components


A number of devices (floor grommets) for providing an air seal of an aperture through which one or more cables or conduits pass are disclosed. The devices (1, 90) include a frame (6) and at least first and second opposing sealing members (91, 92) defining sealing faces mounted in the frame. At least one of the sealing members (91, 92) is movable between a position in which the aperture is substantially closed and a position in which the aperture is substantially open. The sealing members (91, 92) includes resilient flexible compressible foamed plastics or polymeric material or the like. The sealing members provide a substantial air seal across the frame opening in use with said resilient flexible compressible foamed plastics or polymeric material forming the sealing members deforming and conforming around any cables or conduits or the like extending through the frame.

Modern data centres typically house multiple rows of equipment cabinets standing on a raised access floor that serves as a pressurised air plenum to deliver cooling air to the computer equipment. The cabinet rows face onto "cold aisles" fed with cooling air from floor-mounted air grilles, and this is drawn through the equipment racks and discharged into "hot aisles" at the rear of the cabinet rows, where it is re-circulated via the computer room air conditioning plant.
Much of the cabling to the equipment racks is fed from the sub-floor space through holes in the floor deck/sub-floor. Cables are regularly added and removed, so large holes are required to provide ready accessibility, but these can leak substantial quantities of cooling air which will bypass the equipment racks and reduce cooling efficiency. To address this problem, seals have been developed that can be easily removed and replaced and which substantially reduce air leakage and thus increase the quantity of air delivered into the cold aisles. Such seals however offer virtually no resistance to fire. Whilst there are currently available fire-resistant seals, these are rigid and unadaptable to different sizes and numbers of cables, and are thus unsuited to applications where regular wiring changes are required.
Fire in data centres is a serious issue. The high rate of air flow in the sub-floor plenum will fan the development and spread of fire, which can then pass via floor penetrations into the equipment racks, with potentially catastrophic consequences.
To address this risk data centres are fitted with very early smoke detection apparatus, and rapidly deployable fire suppression systems in the form of water sprinklers and/or gas flooding systems. To be effective, the fire detection and suppression systems are set to activate at the first possible indication of a fire, and this creates an alternate risk of a false alarm which will unnecessarily activate the fire suppression and shut down the data centre; which is in itself a disruptive and costly event.
A further risk to electronic equipment comes from air-borne particulates, which may include zinc whiskers detaching from sub-floor structure, but also corrosive decomposition products resulting from fire, and accordingly a more effective barrier to air flow would also assist in reducing such hazards.
While the prior art addresses some of the issues, none are entirely satisfactory. Sempliner U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,999 discloses brush-seal devices in which multiple layers of opposing brushes spread around the cables from opposite sides of the grommet frame and thus shroud the opening. The seals are designed for easy removal and replacement to allow changes to cabling, and the seals are adaptable to different sizes and numbers of cables, however if the transiting cables pull sideways against the brushes the seal can open up and lose effectiveness.
U.S. Pat. No. 7,507,912, also to Sempliner, addresses issues of air leakage, electrostatic build-up and adaptability. Although mention is made of flame-retardant materials and alternative sealing elements made from flexible materials such as foam, there is no disclosure of practicable means to utilise such materials to achieve dust or water tightness, or fire resistance.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,544,901, 7,282,650 and 7,723,622 describe closures with more effective sealing capability, but these devices generally require the seal face to be profiled to suit a pre-determined conduit diameter, and so they are unadaptable to different conduit sizes and numbers. They also require effort to install and remove and so are unsuited to situations of constant cabling changes, particularly in confined spaces such as on the floor of equipment cabinets.
Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles or the like which has been included in the present specification is not to be taken as an admission that any or all of these matters form part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed before the priority date of each claim of this application.


A system and method for slewing a spacecraft with a reaction wheel system including determining initial total momentum, determining maximum forward and reverse rates that can be realized within the reaction wheel system maximum storage capacity, determining a slew rate and slew direction from the maximum forward and reverse rates so as to minimize slew time for known slew angles or maximize slew rate for arbitrary slew angles, and slewing the spacecraft.

Throughout the life of a spacecraft, attitude modifications are made to carry out mission objectives, to determine orientation, and to correct for undesired torques. In order to minimize expendable fuel in slewing maneuvers, reaction wheel systems are used to transfer rotational momentum to and from the satellite body.
Current techniques for attitude control use predetermined slew directions, slew rates, or both, or try to minimize the slew angle. These techniques do not take into account the amount of stored momentum in determining slew direction and rate.

System and method for utilizing stored momentum to optimize spacecraft slews


A system and computer based method for transcribing and extracting metadata from a source media. A processor-based server extracts audio and video stream from the source media. A speech recognition engine processes the audio and/or video stream to transcribe the audio and/or video stream into a time-aligned textual transcription and to extract audio amplitude by time interval, thereby providing a time-aligned machine transcribed media. The server processor measures the aural amplitude of the extracted audio amplitude and assigns a numerical value that is normalized to a single, normalized, universal amplitude scale. A database stores the time-aligned machine transcribed media, time-aligned video frames and the assigned value from the normalized amplitude scale.

The invention relates to audio/video/imagery processing, more particularly to audio/video/imagery metadata extraction and analytics.
Extraction and analysis of non-transcribed media has typically been a labor-intensive process, typically human driven, which does not allow for extensive and consistent metadata extraction in rapid fashion. One or more person has to view and listen to the source media, e.g., audio and/or video content, and manually transcribe the corresponding audio to generate an index of what took place and when, or to generate closed captioning text that is synchronized to the video. To manually locate and record a timestamp for even a small fraction of the speech and script elements often requires several hours of manual work, and doing this for the entire source media may require several days or more.
Currently available systems and methods deal with the extraction and analysis of transcribed media. Currently available systems and methods time-match a written script text to raw speech transcript produced from an analysis of recorded dialog to ensure accuracy of the transcript. That is, transcribed source media is processed and the resulting speech recognized transcript is compared to the written script to ensure accuracy. Such transcripts are used in movie industry and video production environment to search or index video/audio content based on the text provided in the written script. Also, aligned transcript can be used to generate closed caption text that is synchronized to actual spoken dialog in the source media.
These automated techniques for time-synchronizing scripts and corresponding video to pre-existing written script typically utilize a word alignment matrix (e.g., script words vs. transcript words). But, they are traditionally slow and error-prone. These techniques often require a great deal of processing and may contain a large number of errors, rendering the output inaccurate. For example, due to noise or other non-dialogue artifacts, in speech-to-text transcripts the wrong time values, off by several minutes or more, are often assigned to script text. As a result, the transcript may not be reliable, thereby requiring additional time to identify and correct the errors, or causing users to shy away from its use altogether.
The problems are exacerbated when one must extract non-transcribed media because there is no written script to compare the speech transcript for accuracy.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a technique for providing efficient and accurate time-aligned machine transcribed media that is normalized to a single universal amplitude scale. That is, the claimed invention proceeds upon the desirability of providing method and system for storing and applying automated machine speech and facial/entity recognition to large volumes of non-transcribed video and/or audio media streams to provide searchable transcribed content that is normalized to a single universal amplitude scale. The searchable transcribed content can be searched and analyzed for metadata to provide a unique perspective onto the data via server-based queries.

Metadata extraction of non-transcribed video and audio streams


A substrate processing apparatus enables an efficient collection of a solvent vapor discharged via a nozzle onto a wafer on which a resist pattern is formed. A retaining base that retains the wafer is moved relative to the nozzle, which includes a nozzle head. A pair of leakage preventing portions are disposed opposite to each other across the nozzle head. Each of the leakage preventing portions has an opening via which the solvent vapor discharged out of the discharge opening can be sucked, or a solvent vapor blocking gas can be discharged selectively. A solvent vapor supply source and a gas supply source are switchably connected to the supply opening of the nozzle head via a first switching valve. An exhaust pump and a solvent-vapor-blocking gas supply source are switchably connected to the openings of the leakage preventing portions via a second switching valve.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a substrate processing apparatus for improving a surface roughness on a resist film on a substrate, such as a semiconductor wafer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, the photolithography step in a semiconductor device manufacturing process includes a resist application process, an exposure process, a developing process, and an etching process. In the resist application process, a resist solution is applied to an underlayer film on a semiconductor wafer, thereby forming a resist film. In the exposure process, the wafer surface is exposed to light to form a predetermined circuit pattern thereon. In the developing process, the exposed wafer is developed using a developing solution. In the etching process, the underlayer film or the like on the wafer is etched.
On the surface of the resist pattern after the aforementioned developing process, multiple lines appear in the horizontal and vertical directions on the side wall surfaces of the resist pattern due to the wave property of light (with the wavelength of 248 nm in the case of KrF and 193 nm in the case of ArF), with which the wafer surface is irradiated during the exposure process. These lines produce surface roughness called line width roughness (LWR) and line edge roughness (LER) on the resist pattern. When there is such roughness on the resist pattern surface, etching the underlayer film using the resist pattern as a mask causes the appearance of lines or other roughness on the underlayer film corresponding to the lines on the resist pattern. Thus, the lines or other roughness on the resist pattern prevent the formation of a precise circuit pattern and the manufacture of semiconductor devices with required quality.
The applicants have proposed a technology to overcome the aforementioned problems of LWR and LER. The technology, which is a smoothing process, employs a resist solvent vapor to dissolve and smooth the upper-most surface of the resist pattern (Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 2005-19969; see the claims and FIGS. 4 and 5 in particular).
In accordance with this smoothing process, the solvent vapor is discharged via a nozzle onto the surface of a substrate having a resist pattern that has been exposed and developed. The solvent vapor swells the resist pattern and flattens the surface roughness.
In this smoothing process, in order to prevent the diffusion of the solvent vapor atmosphere within equipment, considerations must be given to the air-tight sealing and evacuation of the smoothing processing apparatus (module), and other safety precautions such as explosion proofing. An exhaust cup is typically provided within the apparatus so as to prevent the diffusion of the solvent vapor atmosphere within the apparatus.
However, it is difficult with the exhaust cup alone to reliably collect the solvent vapor discharged out of the nozzle, and the solvent vapor may still leak within the apparatus. Furthermore, prevention of diffusion of the solvent vapor from within the apparatus to the outside requires a sufficient air-tight sealing of the module.
When the solvent vapor remains in the nozzle, this may interfere with the subsequent processes. Thus, the solvent vapor used in a process needs to be collected without delay.


The invention is directed to a retractable door assembly in a panel van type of vehicle comprising a cargo area having at least one door opening for access thereto. The retractable door assembly is positioned in at least one door opening, with the retractable door assembly comprising a flexible door member slideable between open and closed positions within opposing track assemblies. Access to the cargo area is provided by selectively sliding the flexible door to the open position. The vehicle conversion system comprises a retractable door assembly of predetermined dimensions, and a frame assembly selectively secured in a door opening of a vehicle. The retractable door assembly is mounted to the frame assembly to substantially close the door opening. A method of vehicle conversion is also set forth, comprising the steps of providing a door opening in a vehicle, and securing a frame assembly in association with the door opening. A retractable door assembly is mounted to the frame assembly, wherein the retractable door assembly is selectively slideable between open and closed positions.

The use of passenger vans as well as mini van type of vehicles for use in courier operations or the transportation and delivery of other goods or services has become more and more prevalent for many applications. Although certain types of vehicles have been developed specifically for such a purpose, such as step vans which have a large walk in area behind a drivers cab section. These specially designed vehicles are particularly suitable for transportation and delivery of packages or the like, and have been constructed to include retractable doors rather than hinged, swing-out door assemblies. Step vans of this type have been found to be advantageous in that the vehicle can back-flush to a loading dock or the like for loading and/or unloading of the vehicle. Although this is advantageous for certain applications, such vehicles are large, expensive to purchase and costly to operate.
For many applications, such as courier operations where a relatively smaller number of packages or the like are transported and delivered, a step van type of vehicle is simply not needed. To reduce costs associated with purchase or lease of vehicles for use in such applications, and to reduce operating costs, many businesses have therefore begun to use panel van size vehicles. Although these smaller vans provide the benefits of reduced capitol cost and operating costs, such panel vans are only produced by vehicle manufacturers to include hinged swing-out doors. Due to their construction, such vehicles do not allow backing flush to a loading dock, and simply do not provide convenient access to the rear cargo carrying area of the vehicle for use in courier or other similar types of operations. Panel van type of vehicles are also being used to a greater extent for a variety of other applications, such as work vehicles in which tools, equipment or other supplies may be stored in the cargo carrying area. For such applications, security as well as access to the cargo area are important factors. It would also be advantageous for such applications to allow easier access and increased security of such vehicles.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a courier door system for panel van size vehicles and conversion methods therefore which overcome the limitations associated with use of such vehicles for transport and delivery of packages or other commercial operations.
The invention is directed to a panel van vehicle comprising a cargo area having at least one door opening for access thereto. A retractable door assembly is provided in the at least one door opening, with the retractable door assembly comprising a flexible door member slideable between open and closed positions within opposing track assemblies. Access to the cargo area is provided by selectively sliding the flexible door to the open position. Additionally, the invention is directed to a vehicle conversion system comprising a retractable door assembly of predetermined dimensions, and a frame assembly selectively secured in a door opening of a vehicle. The retractable door assembly is mounted to the frame assembly to substantially close the door opening. A method of vehicle conversion is also set forth, comprising the steps of providing a door opening in a vehicle, and securing a frame assembly in association with the door opening. A retractable door assembly is mounted to the frame assembly, wherein the retractable door assembly is selectively slideable between open and closed positions.
These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent upon a further reading of the detailed description of the invention in conjunction with the drawings.

Vehicle courier door system and method of conversion


A method for producing a silicon substrate for solar cells is provided. The method includes performing a saw damage removal (SDR) and surface macro-texturing on a silicon substrate with acids solution, so that a surface of the silicon substrate becomes an irregular surface. Thereafter, a metal-activated selective oxidation is performed on the irregular surface with an aqueous solution containing an oxidant and a metal salt, in which the oxidant is one selected from persulfate ion, permanganate ion, bichromate ion, and a mixture thereof. Afterwards, the irregular surface is etched with an aqueous solution containing HF and H2O2 so as to form a nano-texturized silicon substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a method for producing a silicon substrate for solar cells.
2. Description Of Related Art
Solar cell is a very promising clean energy source, which can generate electricity directly from sunlights. However, the cost of the production of solar cells needs to be significantly reduced, so that the solar cells can be widely accepted as a major electricity source. Study shows that the silicon wafer share occupies over one third of the total cost of a crystal silicon (c-Si) solar cell module. Consequently, in order to reduce the cost, it has become an important development trend to make solar cells by multicrystalline silicon (mc-silicon) thin film.
Recently, all high-efficiency mono-crystalline silicon solar cells have a particular textured structure on the front surface, so as to reduce the reflection loss and to improve the light-trapping property. Currently, the most effective texturization method is to etch pyramids on mono-crystalline wafers with <100> surface orientation, in which method alkaline etching solutions of potassium hydroxide (KOH) or sodium hydroxide (NaOH) with anisotropic etching rates, where the etching rate of <111> planes are slower than that on <100> and <110> planes by two orders of magnitude are used. Therefore, randomly distributed pyramids are formed through intersecting <111> planes, which are called random pyramids, or inverted pyramids structure is formed by using a cross-hatched masking layer. Although the above method is an elegant and effective method for forming the surface texture of the mono-crystalline wafer, it is not suitable for the multicrystalline wafer, since the grains have different orientations. When the conventional alkaline etching technique is used, the random grain orientations of the multi-crystalline silicon wafer have an inhibited effect in forming the uniform and effective surface configuration. Therefore, the isotropic etching or other approaches that are not affected by the crystal orientation must be adopted to configure the above surface.
As for a wet chemical isotropic etching of multicrystalline silicon, hydrofluoric acid (HF) and nitric acid (HNO3) are appropriate, and such an etching process provides an undamaged smooth surface and achieves almost uniform reflectance distribution on the wafer surface. The reaction of these acids with silicon is strongly exothermic, so that phosphoric acid (H3PO4) or acetic acid (CH3COOH) may be added therein to control the etching process. However, the surface may become smoother and the reflectivity may be increased instead of decreased. Therefore, a surface-active agent is generally added into the etching solution to enhance the bubble-masking effect.
In addition, a wet chemical approach for texturing multicrystalline silicon has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,790,785, where a nanometer-scale porous layer is etched on a multicrystalline silicon surface. A weighted reflectivity value obtained by this approach is reduced to 9%, but the short-circuit current density of the solar cell is significantly reduced. That's because the porous silicon etching may result in poor surface passivation and high absorption coefficient for short wavelength photons. Furthermore, as the direct band-gap behavior of the short wavelength response is reduced, the porous silicon layer has a appreciable absorption loss.
Furthermore, in some research, the silicon surface is textured by disposing first a metal-containing layer, for example, as disclosed in WO 2007/025536, the etching process being performed with a solution containing HF or NH4F, as well as an oxidant. However, it is quite complicated to control the thickness of the metal-containing layer in terms of a large surface area.

Method for producing silicon substrate for solar cells

Industrial Technology Research Institute


An electrode array which has applications for neural stimulation and sensing. The electrode array can include a large number of electrodes each of which is flexibly attached to a common substrate using a plurality of springs to allow the electrodes to move independently. The electrode array can be formed from a combination of bulk and surface micromachining, with electrode tips that can include an electroplated metal (e.g. platinum, iridium, gold or titanium) or a metal oxide (e.g. iridium oxide) for biocompatibility. The electrode array can be used to form a part of a neural prosthesis, and is particularly well adapted for use in an implantable retinal prosthesis where the electrodes can be tailored to provide a uniform gentle contact pressure with optional sensing of this contact pressure at one or more of the electrodes.

Efforts are currently underway in a number of groups worldwide to develop an implantable retinal prosthesis to restore at least partial sight to persons suffering from certain forms of blindness due to end-stage photoreceptor degenerative diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and hereditary retinitis pigmentosa. Such retinal prostheses, which are currently being developed, are based on the electronic transfer of visual information from a camera located in front of the eye to receiver circuitry which will be implanted within the eye to feed the visual information in pixelized form an electrode array that will be placed either in front of the retina (epiretinal) or beneath the retinal tissue (sub-retinal). Electrical currents from the electrode array will then provide artificial stimulation of neural tissue (e.g. ganglion cells) in the retina to generate the visual perception of dots of light corresponding to the pixelized visual image, with the goal of being able to restore a measure of sight to a blind person. Further details of implantable retinal prostheses to which the electrode array of the present invention can be applied can be found, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,476,494; 5,836,996; 5,935,155; and 6,393,327 which are all incorporated herein by reference; and in an article by John Wyatt et al. entitled "Occular Implants for the Blind" published in IEEE Spectrum, pp. 47–53, May 1996; in another article by Mark S. Humayun et al. entitled "Pattern Electrical Stimulation of the Human Retina" published in Vision Research, vol. 39, pp. 2569–2576, 1999; and in yet another article by M. Schwarz et al. entitled "Single Chip CMOS Imagers and Flexible Microelectronic Stimulators for a Retinal Implant System" published in Sensors and Actuators, vol. 83, pp. 40–46, 2000.
Although progress has been made in the development of retinal prostheses, there still remains a need for an improved electrode array which can provide from hundreds to tens of thousands or more individual electrodes, each of which can conform to the curvature of the retina while providing a gentle, uniform contact pressure on the retina to prevent damage to the underlying neural cells.
The present invention represents an advance in the art by providing a micromachined electrode array which comprises a plurality of spaced-apart electrodes, each of which is flexibly attached to a supporting substrate by a plurality of springs to allow independent movement of the individual electrodes, and to allow a spring constant of each spring to be tailored during design so that each electrode will provide substantially the same low contact force when urged into contact with the curved surface of the retina.
The micromachined electrode array of the present invention can also be adapted for neural stimulation or sensing applications for many different types of neural tissue including neural tissue associated with visual, auditory and sensory systems, and for neural tissue associated with the control of muscles (e.g. for bladder function or the activation of paretic limbs).
In certain embodiments of the present invention, the electrode array can be used to sense the contact force of one or more electrodes in contact with a neural surface to ensure that the contact force does not exceed a predetermined limit, or to ensure that the contact force provided by the electrodes is substantially the same.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become evident to those skilled in the art.


A similar-image detecting part detects similar image regions similar to one another in a plurality of frame images captured by rolling shutter type exposure. A displacement-vector detecting part detects a displacement vector of each of the similar image regions with respect to a reference position in each of the plurality of frame images. An average calculating part calculates an average of displacement vectors in the plurality of frame images. A correcting part shifts a similar image region in one of the plurality of frame images such that the displacement vector of the similar image region becomes the average calculated by the average calculating part.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processor for carrying out image processing on an image captured by rolling shutter type exposure, and also relates to a camera system equipped with such image processor, and an image processing method of processing such image and a motion picture displaying method.
2. Description of the Background Art
Conventionally known exposure techniques for capturing images are of global shutter type and rolling shutter type (also called "focal plane shutter type"). A global-shutter-type image capturing apparatus represented by an image capturing apparatus equipped with interline CCD (Charge Coupled Device) sensors provides almost the same exposure time period and exposure starting time for each pixel in one frame image. In contrast, a rolling-shutter-type image capturing apparatus represented by an image capturing apparatus equipped with CMOS sensors provides the same exposure time period but different exposure starting time for each pixel or each line of pixels in one frame image.
Since the rolling-shutter-type image capturing apparatus provides a different exposure starting time for each pixel or each line of pixels in one frame image as described above, hand shake of a user may cause a distortion of the whole screen of a frame image captured by such image capturing apparatus.

Image processor and camera system, image processing method, and motion picture displaying method


Disclosed is a an in-cell type display device including a touch screen function which is capable of preventing a luminance from being changed in accordance with a viewing angle, and omitting a process of connecting touch electrodes provided in an upper substrate with Tx driver and Rx driver connected with a lower substrate, wherein the display device includes a lower substrate, a thin film transistor layer including thin film transistors provided on the lower substrate, an encapsulation layer provided on the thin film transistor layer, color filters provided on the encapsulation layer, a black matrix provided between the color filters and provided on the encapsulation layer, and first touch electrodes overlapped with the black matrix.

Technical Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device including a touch screen function.
Description of the Related Art
With the advancement of an information-oriented society, various requirements for the display device of displaying an image are increasing. Thus, there are various display devices of liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, plasma display panel (PDP) devices, organic light emitting display (OLED) devices, etc. Among these display devices, the OLED device has advantages of low-voltage driving, thin profile, wide viewing angle, and rapid response speed.
The OLED device may include a display panel having data lines, scan lines, and a plurality of pixels provided every intersection of the data and scan lines, a scan driver for supplying scan signals to the scan lines, and a data driver for supplying data voltages to the data lines. Each of the pixels may include an organic light emitting diode, a driving transistor for controlling an amount of current supplied to the organic light emitting diode in accordance with a voltage of a gate electrode, and a scan transistor for supplying a data voltage of the data line to the gate electrode of the driving transistor in response to a scan signal of the scan line.
Recently, the OLED device may include a touch screen panel for sensing a user's touch. In this case, the OLED device including the touch screen panel may function as a touch screen apparatus. Recently, the touch screen apparatus is widely applied to home appliances such as a refrigerator, a microwave and a washing machine, as well as monitors for navigation, an industrial terminal, a notebook computer, a banking automation device and a game console. They are also used in mobile terminals such as a smart phone, tablet, mobile phone, MP3, PDA, PMP, PSP, mobile game console, DMB receiver and tablet PC. The touch screen apparatus has become widely used due to its easy operation.
The touch screen apparatus may be largely classified into either an on-cell type in which a touch screen panel is disposed overlaying a display panel, and an in-cell type in which a plurality of touch sensors are prepared by disposing Tx lines and Rx lines in a display panel. In case of an on-cell type OLED device, it has a problem relating a large thickness. Meanwhile, an in-cell type OLED device is advantageous in that it has a relatively-small thickness in comparison to that of the on-cell type OLED device. However, in case the in-cell type OLED device, a distance between an organic light emitting layer and a color filter is increased due to the Tx lines and the Rx lines, whereby a luminance is changed in accordance with a viewing angle. Also, in case of the in-cell type OLED device, the Tx lines and Rx lines are provided on an upper substrate, whereby it needs an additional process of connecting the TX lines and RX lines provided on the upper substrate with Tx driver and Rx driver connected with a lower substrate.

Display device including touch screen function


Systems and methods are disclosed for advising a user when an energy storage device in a computing system needs charging. State of charge data of the energy storage device can be measured and stored at regular intervals. The historic state of charge data can be queried over a plurality of intervals and a state of charge curve generated that is representative of a user's charging habits over time. The state of charge curve can be used to generate a rate of charge histogram and an acceleration of charge histogram. These can be used to predict when a user will charge next, and whether the energy storage device will have an amount of energy below a predetermined threshold amount before the next predicted charging time. A first device can determine when a second device typically charges and whether the energy storage device in the second device will have an amount of energy below the predetermined threshold amount before the next predicted charge time for the second device. The first device can generate an advice to charge notification to the user on either, or both, devices.

A modern battery-powered electronic device can monitor the charge level of one or more batteries in the electronic device. Typically, when the battery level falls below a predetermined threshold value of remaining charge, then the electronic device notifies the user with a message such as "battery low" or other visual and/or audible indicator of the remaining charge level.
Often, a "battery low" indication that is based on a fixed threshold of charge remaining is not received in time for the user to take a corrective action. For example, if a user typically charges her smart phone at night, but forgets to do so on one occasion, receiving a "battery low" indication just before leaving for work the next day does not leave the user time to charge her phone before work.


A spark-generating device for a lighter that has a sparker configured and adapted to produce sparks, and preferably a cover configured and adapted to substantially prevent operational contact of the sparker by a finger of a user during actuation of the sparker, the device including at least one manipulable member configured and adapted for manipulation and movement by a user and having at least two associations with the sparker. In a first association, the manipulable member is independently movable with respect to the sparker, and in an operable association, the manipulable member is coupled with the sparker to move the sparker.

The present invention relates to lighters which resist undesired operation by unintended users.
Lighters have been developed to resist undesired operation by unintended users. Some efforts have included hindering the unintended user""ability to produce sparks or otherwise ignite lighter fuel. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,483,978; 5,520,197; and 5,769,098 disclose lighters with a resiliently deformable guard that covers a striking wheel assembly. To operate such lighters, a user may exert sufficient pressure to depress the guard before rotating the striking wheel assembly. The pulp of a user""finger also may wrap around the guard to rotate the strike wheel assembly.
Other lighters that rely on hindering an unintended user""ability to produce sparks include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,096,414 and 5,547,370 and PCT Publication No. WO 98/04869. These references disclose lighters with which the pulp of the thumb of the intended user, such as an adult, can be used to rotate the striker wheel located between two plates that are freely rotatable with respect to the striker wheel.
Other teachings are directed to preventing the release of fuel from the lighter. Examples of these teachings include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,165,886; 5,125,829; 5,090,893; 5,002,482; and PCT Publication No. WO 93/17282.
The invention is directed to a spark generating device or a lighter using a spark generating device for igniting fuel, which is preferably configured for use in disposable cigarette lighters and which more preferably resists inadvertent operation or makes undesired operation by unintended users more difficult.
In one embodiment, the spark generating device generally includes a sparker, which is preferably non-piezoelectric and preferably includes a striker drum. The sparker or striker drum may contact a flint to generate sparks, which when configured in a lighter ignites released fuel.
The spark generating device may include a manipulable member which has an exposed portion which is arranged for manipulation and movement by a user. The manipulable member is configured to have at least two associations with the sparker; a first disengaged association in which the manipulable member is independently movable, and preferably freely rotatable, with respect to the sparker, and a second operable association in which the manipulable member moves, and preferably rotates, the sparker to generate sparks.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a clutch releasably connects the manipulable member to the sparker between the first disengaged condition and the second engaged condition. In the preferred clutch, the manipulable member includes a first clutch portion and the sparker includes a second clutch portion. The first and second clutch portions move between a first position where they are disengaged and move independently of one another, and a second position w here they are frictionally connected so they move together. The first and second clutch portions preferably have engageable surfaces configured for engaging with each other in the engaged, operable condition to transfer motion.
The manipulable member remains in a disengaged first condition unless at least a sufficient coupling force is applied to the manipulable member to place the clutch in the engaged condition. The coupling force which is sufficient to place the clutch in the engaged condition preferably is difficult for unintended users to apply in order to provide increased resistance to operation by such users.
In a preferred embodiment, the manipulable member comprises two wheels, and a striker drum is arranged between the two wheels on a common axis. The manipulable member may be arranged and configured to have a greater height than the sparker, and preferably the striker drum.
The spark generating device also preferably includes a cover or guard member configured to substantially prevent contact of the sparker, and preferably the striker drum, by the user during actuation of the sparker. The cover or guard member is preferably disposed adjacent the sparker. The cover or guard member may be positioned radially outward of, even with, or inward of the manipulable member. The cover or guard member may be disposed radially outward of the manipulable member in a manner to inhibit manipulation of the manipulable member as an alternative or further method of providing increased resistance to unintended operation. The guard may be resiliently deformable, preferably so when configured to be disposed outward of the manipulable member, so that application of a predetermined inward force on the guard may move the guard to a position to permit manipulation of the manipulable member. The force required to move or deform the guard to permit manipulation of the manipulable member may be configured to provide increased difficulty of operation to resist undesired operation by unintended users. The guard may further be substantially rigid, and may be configured to be positioned radially outward of, even with, or inward of the manipulable member. Where the guard is rigid it may further be configured to make manipulation of the manipulable member more difficult in order to resist undesired operation of the lighter by unintended users.
The manipulable member is preferably disposed adjacent, and preferably above, the finger actuatable portion of the valve actuator to permit operation of both the manipulable member and the finger actuatable portion of the valve actuator by moving a finger along a path or paths that is generally in contact with the lighter. The cover or guard member may be configured and disposed to cover the sparker generally along the path or paths in order to substantially decrease manipulation of the sparker upon movement of the finger along this path.

Covered spark-generating device for a lighter with engageable manipulable member


A seat slide device for an automotive vehicle which supports a seat to be slidably movable in the front and aft direction. The seat slide device is provided with a seat rail connected to the seat which is slidably connected with a floor rail. A bracket is integrally connected to and vertically projects and extends from the floor rail. The bracket is fittingly connected to a vehicle body with bolts. The bolts are located at a position where they are uncovered by other parts of the device, thereby enabling the easy detachment of the seat from the vehicle body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to improvements in a seat slide device of an automotive vehicle.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known that a seat of an automotive vehicle is slidably mounted to a vehicle body through a seat slide device. Such a seat slide device for an automotive vehicle is generally provided with a seat rail 102 connected to a seat 101 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The seat rail 102 is slidably engaged with a floor rail 103 connected to the vehicle body so as to be slidably movable in the front and aft direction. With this arrangement, the seat 101 is slidably movable in the front and aft direction. An installation surface 103a of the floor rail 103 has a plurality of installation holes at predetermined intervals. The floor rail 103 is fixed to a vehicle body 105 of the automotive vehicle with a plurality of bolts 104 passing through the holes.
However, with the conventional arrangement, the positions to which the bolts 104 are screwed, are covered with the seat rail 102. Accordingly, in the situation where something with the device goes wrong, it is difficult to detach the seat 101 from the vehicle body 105. Therefore, it is a great deal of trouble to repair the device.


A keyboard support having an adjustable keyboard shelf is provided. The keyboard support includes a base having a pair of upper and lower horizontal slots. A pair of bars connect the keyboard shelf to the slots. Inner ends of the bars slide within the slots to allow the shelf to be withdrawn from, or retracted into, the base. One of the slots includes an angled end portion allowing the bars to pivot with respect to the slots. As a consequence of the pivot action, the keyboard shelf is selectively raised or lowered. A rack and pinion mechanism is provided within the slots to limit jamming of the shelf as it is withdrawn from, or retracted into, the base. The invention provides a sturdy adjustable keyboard support inexpensively constructed of few moving parts.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to keyboard support shelves and, in particular, to a keyboard support shelf having means for adjusting the height of the keyboard.
2. Description of Related Art
A wide variety of keyboard supports are known in the prior art. A conventional keyboard support provides a shelf for supporting a keyboard with the shelf mechanically connected to a base mounted either above or below a desk-top. Typically, the shelf is extendable from the base when in use and retractable into the base when not in use. In many such devices, the height, inclination or tilt of the keyboard may be adjusted while extended.
Typically, means for extending and retracting the keyboard and for raising, lowering, and tilting the keyboard are elaborate, include numerous moving parts and, consequently, are expensive to manufacture. Such complicated keyboard supports are easily broken and difficult to repair. Often, the keyboard support is spring loaded to the base to bias the keyboard shelf toward one position or another. Spring-loaded mechanisms tend to lose their effectiveness with time.
Further, elaborate keyboard support mechanisms, particularly spring-loaded mechanisms, do not rigidly support a keyboard such that, in use, the keyboard jiggles.
Keyboard support structures having simple mechanisms often provide a sturdier shelf for the keyboard, yet do not provide adequate means for adjusting the height of the keyboard.


System, method, and apparatus for automatically disabling an appliance to prevent accidental fires. A shut-off system is coupled to a smoke detector. When the smoke detector alarm is activated a signal is sent to the shut off system coupled to a cooking appliance. The shut off system includes a timer and an override mechanism. If the override mechanism is triggered prior to the timer expiring, then the shut off system does not activate. If the override mechanism is not triggered prior to the timer expiring then the shut off system activates and decouples the appliance from its power supply.

Most residential fires originate in the kitchen as a result of negligence during cooking. Ovens and stove-top burners are often left unattended. Gas or electric stoves and ovens are found in most homes and apartments, and also in some office buildings. Many of these stoves and ovens have built-in timers that may be set by a user to give an audible alarm after a set time interval has elapsed. Such alarms remind the user to check what they are cooking on the stove or in the oven and to turn off the power to the oven or cook-top. However, a user may simply forget that the stove or oven is in use. This problem is compounded if the user has an illness such as Alzheimer's disease or other mental impairment that affects memory. Also, if a user does not hear the timer's audible alarm, then the oven or cooking surface remains on and the food may become overcooked or burnt, and a fire may start. A user may not hear the timer alarm because the user may be in a different room in the house, or because the user may be hearing-impaired, for example. Still other fires have been caused by falling asleep while cooking. In addition, unforeseen events such as electrical shorts, earthquakes, and product failures can result in accidental fires.
Additional objects of the present invention will become apparent from reading of the summary and detailed description set forth below.


A plurality of partial networks can work independently from each other, and each partial network connects together several nodes including a connection node for transmission of audio signals. A connection network connects respective connection nodes of the respective partial networks so as to connect the plurality of the partial networks with each other through the connection nodes. The connection node of the partial network operates when the audio signal is transmitted from the partial network to the connection network, for forwarding the audio signal from a transmission channel used for carrying the audio signal in the partial network to another transmission channel to be used for carrying the audio signal in the connection network, and operates when the audio signal is transmitted from the connection network to the partial network, for forwarding the audio signal from a transmission channel used for carrying the audio signal in the connection network to another transmission channel to be used for carrying the audio signal in the partial network.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an audio network system that is capable of connecting a variety of audio devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventional technologies for audio signal communication in a Professional Audio (PA) network system used for PA such as plays and concerts, music production, and private broadcasting include CobraNet (registered trademark) described in Non-Patent Reference 1, SuperMAC (registered trademark) described in Non-Patent Reference 2, and EtherSound (registered trademark) described in Non-Patent Reference 3.
[Non-Patent Reference 1]
http://www.balcom.co.jp/cobranet.htm
[Non-Patent Reference 2]
http://www.sonyoxford.co.uk/pub/supermac/
[Non-Patent Reference 3]
http://www.ethersound.com/news/getnews.php?enews_key=101
CobraNet is a professional audio network system developed by Peak Audio, Inc (USA). CobraNet provides a technology using the standard Ethernet (registered trademark) protocol of IEEE802.3u in which uncompressed audio signals and control signals of multiple channels are transmitted through the Ethernet. This technology can transmit audio data having a sample rate of 48 kHz and bit width of 16, 20, and 24 bits, and can handle the audio signals and control signals in two directions, each having up to 64 channels (i.e., up to 128 channels in both directions). SuperMAC and EtherSound are similar technology for transmitting audio signals over the Ethernet.
Audio devices having a variety of functions such as analog input, analog output, digital input, digital output, mixing, effecting, recording/reproducing, remote control, and a combination of any two of these functions can be optionally connected to an audio network that uses the above technologies.
In any method of the various technologies that have been developed for transmitting audio signals through the network as described above, the maximum number of channels for transmitting audio signals through the network is determined based on the transfer rate of the network. Accordingly, even though the conventional technologies are designed to allow any audio devices to be connected to the network, if all the transmission channels are already in full use, additionally connected audio devices cannot communicate audio signals. Thus, actually, the conventional technologies limit the number of connectable audio devices.
Further, although a console for controlling the audio devices is essential for the network connecting the audio devices, the conventional technologies have not taken into consideration a process for backup at the occurrence of a malfunction of the console. One may consider that, when a malfunction has occurred in the console, a new console is connected to the network as a substitute for the console. However, connecting the substitute console to the network may not be permitted due to the limitation on the number of audio devices.
In the various audio devices, often, their setting states are stored as scene data, and the scene is recalled to be set in the audio devices through a simple manipulation. However, when a structure connecting the various audio devices to a network as described above is employed, there is no choice but to individually store and recall scene data for each device, and it is also difficult and inconvenient to manage the scene data.


A fuel vapor emission system for small engine gas tank which does not require redesign or retooling for manufacturing of the tank. A new filler tube has the lower end positioned to cause fuel to rise rapidly in the tube before the tank is full, signaling the operator to stop refueling and maintain a vapor dome in the tank when the filler cap is replaced. A vapor vent valve is disposed in a separate access opening and includes a float operated rollover valve. The vent valve opens when a predetermined positive pressure is reached in the tank; and, a reverse flow vacuum relief valve is disposed in the vent valve. The outlet of the vent valve is intended to be connected to either a storage canister or the engine air inlet.

The present invention relates to fuel tank systems for small engines of the type employed for portable appliances such as portable power generating sets, garden tractors, lawn mowers and other such devices where the fuel tank is either mounted on the engine or closely adjacent thereto. Fuel tanks of this type are typically refueled by removing the filler cap and pouring fuel from a container having a pouring spout, or by pouring from a container and using a funnel.
Small engine fuel systems have recently been subjected to mandated requirements for fuel vapor emission control and it has been required to prevent vapor emission from the tank during operation and when the engine is not operating.
Heretofore small engine fuel systems have often employed a tank having an open vent in the filler cap for providing make-up air in the tank as fuel was withdrawn but which permitted escape of fuel vapor to the atmosphere.
In order to meet the requirement that a fuel tank for a small engine not emit fuel vapor, the filler cap must be sealed to prevent fuel vapor emission. If the filler cap is sealed then other provisions must be made for admitting make up air to the tank during engine operation. Furthermore, provisions must be made for overpressure relief. Thus, it has been desired to find a way or means of sealing a small engine fuel tank, yet provide for make-up air and over pressure relief and to do so in a cost-effective manner without requiring redesign or retooling of the tanks.

Controlling vapor emission in a small engine fuel tank system


The undercarriage assembly includes a roller frame and a pair of wheels held in spaced apart relation by the roller frame. An endless track belt is entrained about the pair of wheels. A bogie arm is pivotally connected to the roller frame at a pivot axis. The bogie arm includes a roller arranged and configured for supporting the track belt between the wheels. The undercarriage assembly also includes an elastomeric bearing positioned about the pivot axis of the bogie arm for reducing shock loads applied to the bogie arm. The elastomeric bearing can be arranged and configured to bias the bogie arm toward the track belt via torsion.

Construction, earthmoving, and agricultural type work machines or vehicles are often equipped with endless self-laying track chain assemblies for support and propulsion of the machines. Such prior art track type machines, which utilize metal track chain assemblies, generally operate at low speeds and are relatively noisy. More recently, work machines having endless elastomeric track belts have been utilized to perform work tasks previously accomplished by metal track equipped machines. The machines having elastomeric track belts have many advantages over metal track machines and also over wheel type work machines. Some of these advantages include less weight and maintenance, lower soil compaction, lower noise levels, and the ability to travel on improved roadways.
One type of prior belted work machine is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,115. This patent discloses a work machine having an elastomeric belt entrained about a drive wheel and an idler wheel. Rollers are used to support the elastomeric belt between the drive and idler wheels. The rollers are rigidly connected to a roller frame so as to form a hard bottom for supporting the elastomeric belt. The hard bottom provided by the rollers provides a smooth ride in field conditions. However, at roading speeds on hard surfaces, shock loads applied to the roller frame can be intense. Also, the development of slack in the elastomeric belt can cause the belt to untrack from the drive and idler wheels. What is needed is a belted work machine capable of providing a smooth ride on both soft field surfaces and hard road surfaces. What is also needed is a belted work machine configured to reduce the likelihood of untracking. The present invention addresses these needs, as well as other needs.

Undercarriage assembly for a belted work machine


A computing system according to the present invention includes data having a primary access location in the system and having a secondary access location in the system. The system also includes a computer running an application, where the application requests for the data having the primary and secondary access locations. In response to the application requesting the data, middleware on the computer determines whether the requested data is at the primary access location. If the data is at the primary access location, the middleware retrieves the requested data from the primary access location and sends the requested data to the application. In response to the data not being found at the primary access location, the middleware retrieves the data from the secondary access location. The middleware then sends the requested data to the application and stores a copy of the requested data at the primary access location. The middleware is implemented as software.

Modern data processing systems are often implemented as distributed computing environments, such as "client/server" configurations in which a number of "client" computers, typically personal computers or workstations, communicate with one or more "server" computers and request server computers to perform processing tasks.
To promote network efficiency, objects, such as database tables, are often distributed among client and server computers. In particular, database tables are often stored on a server computer (such as a mainframe computer), where client computers can access the database tables on the server computer.
Applications running on client computers may call for data in such database tables on the server computer, and consequently the server computer must transfer data to the client computers. Known systems will automatically and periodically transfer large amounts of data from the database tables to the client computers. However, periodically transferring large amounts of data to client computers can be very time consuming and wastes valuable system resources since not all client computers will need all the data being transferred. Moreover, the transferred data can become out of date because there may be frequent updates between transfers.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a more reliable and efficient method for transferring data stored on a server computer to a client computer than is currently known.


A system according to the present invention includes a cabinet, a basin positioned within the cabinet to contain and thermally treat a liquid bath, and a rack or tray disposed on the cabinet that supports exposed scope optics above the liquid bath within the basin. The scope optics resides outside of the bath in a dry state, thereby permitting the remaining scope portions within the bath to be thermally treated. This enables accurate temperature warming of the scope to reduce trauma of tissue and retrieval of enhanced images by the scope during a medical procedure. The present invention permits medical personnel or operating room staff to warm scopes in a controlled environment while maintaining scope optics in a dry state.

1. Technical Field
The present invention pertains to a system for thermally treating surgical instruments. In particular, the present invention pertains to a system for warming surgical scopes in a temperature controlled liquid bath while maintaining optics of the scope in a dry state.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Surgical scopes (e.g., laparoscopes, endoscopes, arthroscopes, etc.) are used in corrective medical procedures, as well as in medical procedures that image interior viscera such as surfaces of the stomach, small intestines, and colon. The use of surgical scopes permits a surgeon to view a patient body interior with a minimal amount of cutting of patient tissue. The surgical scopes may be warmed prior to use, where scope optics must remain dry to protect those optics and prevent distortion of the image. The scopes are warmed for several reasons, including enhancing image results and preventing infections. For example, a scope that is unwarmed prior to being inserted into a patient body may fog due to differences between the body temperature and scope temperature, thereby impeding or distorting the resulting image. Further, scopes may be warmed to minimize trauma caused to tissue in response to insertion of the scope into the patient body. The trauma basically results from the temperature difference between the scope and the tissue. Inserting a hot or cold scope may damage tissue, thereby leading to infections.
Currently, scopes are typically warmed in an insulated container (e.g., THERMOS) filled with warm liquid. However, since the container generally does not provide temperature control for the liquid and/or scopes, the temperature of the scope is not precisely known by medical personnel. Accordingly, medical personnel may utilize scopes at inadequate temperatures relative to a patient body, thereby potentially causing tissue trauma and fogging of the scope as described above. A chemical wipe or spray may be used to reduce fogging instead of warming the scopes; however, the chemical may be inadvertently introduced into the patient, thereby causing complications.

Thermal treatment system instrument rack and method of selectively thermally treating medical instrument portions


A calibration system is provided that supports a plurality of multi-gas detectors and that includes additional options for delivering additional test gases to the detectors. The system can include a calibration module for calibrating a multi-gas detector with a first gas and a replacement module capable of being coupled to the calibration module. When coupled to the calibration module, the replacement module can support delivering a plurality of test gases, not including the first test gas, to the calibration module.

Many known calibration systems include a single test gas inlet to calibrate a plurality of single gas detectors. For example, FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of a calibration system 100 that includes a single test gas inlet to calibrate a plurality of single gas detectors. As seen in FIG. 1, the calibration system 100 can include a master module 110 and a plurality of test modules 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, 120-4. Although only four test modules are shown in FIG. 1, the calibration system 100 can support any number of test modules as would be known by those of skill in the art, for example, ten test modules.
In the calibration system 100, each of the master module 110 and the test modules 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, 120-4 can include a solenoid 130, 130-1, 130-2, 130-3, 130-4, respectively, therein. Purge gas 140 and quad gas 150 can enter the master module 110 via respective gas inlets and be processed by the solenoid 130 before passing through each of the test modules 120-1, 120-2, 120-3, 120-4 and their respective solenoids 130-1, 130-2, 130-3, 130-4 in sequence. Accordingly, test module 120-4 can receive the purge gas 140 or the quad gas 150 only after each of the test modules 120-1, 120-2, and 120-3 receive the purge gas 140 or the quad gas 150.
The calibration system 100 may be suitable for calibrating a plurality of single gas detectors for a single gas. However, many users of calibration systems are requiring the ability to calibrate a plurality of single gas detectors for a plurality of different gases. For example, FIG. 2 is a system block diagram of a calibration system 200 that includes a plurality of test gas inlets to calibrate a plurality of single gas detectors. As seen in FIG. 2, the master module 210 can include two solenoids 230, 230′ therein, while each of the test modules 210-1, 210-2, 210-3, 210-4 can include one solenoid 230-1, 230-2, 230-3, 230-4, respectively therein. Quad gas 250 can enter the master module 210 via a respective test gas inlet and be processed by the first solenoid 230 and exotic 1 gas 260 can enter the master module 210 via a respective test gas inlet and be processed by the second solenoid 230′ before passing through each of the test modules 210-1, 210-2, 210-3, 210-4 and their respective solenoids 230-1, 230-2, 230-3, 230-4 in sequence.
Although only two solenoids 230, 230′ in the master module 210 are shown in FIG. 2, the master module 210 can include any number of solenoids as would be known by those of skill in the art, for example, five solenoids. The master module 210 can support a plurality of test gas inlets, but must include a respective solenoid therein for each supported test gas inlet. Accordingly, the master module 210 of the calibration system 200 in FIG. 2 must be factory configured for the number of test gas inlets supported. Thus, depending on a user's needs, he may have to purchase a new master module to support additional test gas inlets.
While the calibration systems 100, 200 may be suitable for calibrating a plurality of single gas detectors, many users of calibration systems are also requiring the ability to calibrate a plurality of multi-gas detectors. For example, FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of a calibration system 300 for calibrating a plurality of multi-gas detectors. As seen in FIG. 3, the calibration system 300 need not include a master module and, instead, includes a plurality of test modules, 320-1, 320-2, 320-3, 320-4.
The calibration system 300 includes four gas inlets corresponding to purge gas 340, quad gas 350, exotic 2 gas 360, and exotic 1 gas 370, respectively. The calibration system 300 also includes lines 310-1, 310-2, 310-3, 310-4, for example, tubing or piping, corresponding to the purge gas 340, quad gas 350, exotic 2 gas 360, and the exotic 1 gas 370, respectively. The lines 310-1, 310-2, 310-3, 310-4 are configured so that each line 310-1, 310-2, 310-3, 310-4, flows through each test module 320-1, 320-2, 320-3, 320-4 regardless of whether the gas 340, 350, 360, 370 corresponding to the line 310-1, 310-2, 310-3, 310-4 is actually delivered to and/or processed by the test module 320-1, 320-2, 320-3, 320-4. This configuration allows gas to be delivered to downstream, out-of-sequence modules without first having to be sequentially delivered to upstream modules. This configuration also allows for simultaneous and independent calibration of the test modules.
For example, as seen in FIG. 3, line 310-1 corresponding to purge gas 340 can flow through each test module 320-1, 320-2, 320-3, 320-4 and be processed by each test module 320-1, 320-2, 320-3, 320-4 via a respective solenoid 330-1, 330-2, 330-3, 330-4 therein. Line 310-2 corresponding to quad gas 350 can also flow through each test module 320-1, 320-2, 320-3, 320-4 and be processed by each test module 320-1, 320-2, 320-3, 320-4 via the respective solenoid 330-1, 330-2, 330-3, 330-4 therein. However, line 310-3 corresponding to exotic 2 gas 360 can flow through each test module 320-1, 320-2, 320-3, 320-4, but only be delivered to test module 320-3, 320-4 and processed by solenoids 330-3′, 330-4′ therein. Similarly, line 310-4 corresponding to exotic 1 gas 370 can flow through each test module 320-1, 320-2, 320-3, 320-4, but only be delivered to test modules 320-2, 320-4 and processed by respective solenoids 330-2′, 330-4″ therein.
As seen in FIG. 3 and described above, each test module 320-1, 320-2, 320-3, 320-4 includes a number of solenoids therein corresponding to the number of gases delivered thereto and processed thereby, not including the purge gas. Accordingly, each test module 320-1, 320-2, 320-3, 320-4 must be factory configured for the number of test gases supported. Thus, depending on a user's needs, he may have to purchase new test modules to support additional solenoids and test gases delivered to the module.
For example, only the purge gas 340 and the quad gas 350 are delivered to test module 320-1. Accordingly, the test module 320-1 includes one solenoid 330-1. The purge gas 340, the quad gas 350, and the exotic 1 gas 370 are delivered to test module 320-2. Accordingly, the test module 320-2 includes two solenoids 330-2, 330-2′. Similarly, the purge gas 340, the quad gas 350, and the exotic 2 gas 360 are delivered to test module 320-3. Accordingly, the test module 320-3 also includes two solenoids 330-3, 330-3′. The purge gas 340, the quad gas 350, the exotic 2 gas 360, and the exotic 1 gas 370 are all delivered to test module 320-4. Accordingly, the test module 320-4 includes three solenoids 330-4, 330-4′, 330-4″.
In view of the above, there is a continuing, ongoing need for a calibration system that supports a plurality of multi-gas detectors, but that also includes additional options for supporting additional test gases delivered to the detectors.

Gas detection management system with replacement modules


A method and apparatus for storage, insertion, deletion, and searching of a database index using a compact representation of a 0-complete binary tree. The compact representation, termed a C0-trie, is represented in a computer memory as a set of layered vectors with the layering of the vectors corresponding to the depths of the C0-trie. Insertion and deletion processes maintain the representation of the C0-trie remains in a well-formed and taut state at the end of each operation, thus providing subsequent efficient manipulations of the C0-trie in computer memory.

The invention relates to computer data and file storage systems, and more particularly to a method and system for inserting and deleting search keys from a structure implementing a compact representation of a 0-complete binary tree.
Data and file storage systems such as a database, in particular those implemented in computer systems, provide for the storage and retrieval of specific items of information stored in the database. The information stored in the database is generally indexed such that any specific item of information in the database may be located using search keys. Searches are generally accomplished by using search keys to search through an index to find pointers to the most likely locations of the information in the database, whether that location is within the memory of the computer system or in a storage medium of the computer system.
An index to database records within a computer is sometimes structured as a "trie" comprised of one or more nodes, connected hierarchically, stored within a storage means of the computer. A trie is a tree structure designed for storing strings in which there is one node for every common prefix. The actual strings are stored at the "bottom" of this hierarchical structure in leaf nodes. Each node generally includes one or more branch fields containing information for directing a search, and each such branch field usually contains a pointer, or branch, to another node, and an associated branch key indicating ranges or types of information that may be located along that branch from the node. The trie, and any search of the trie, begins at a single node referred to as the root node and progresses downwards through the various branch nodes until the nodes containing either the items of information or, more usually, pointers to items of information are reached. The information related nodes are often referred to as leaf nodes or, since this is the level at which the search either succeeds or fails, failure nodes. Within a tree storage structure of a computer, any node within a trie is a parent node with respect to all nodes dependent from that node, and sub-structures within a trie which are dependent from that parent node are often referred to as subtries with respect to that node.
The decision as to which direction, or branch, to take through a tree storage structure in a search is determined by comparing the search key and the branch keys stored in each node encountered in the search. The results of the comparisons to the branches descending from a given node are to be followed in the next step of the search. In this regard, search keys are most generally comprised of strings of characters or numbers which relate to the item or items of information to be searched for within the computer system.
The prior art contains a variety of search tree data storage structures for computer database systems, among which is the apparent ancestor from which all later tree structures have been developed and the most general form of search tree well known in the art, the "B-tree." See, for example, Knuth, The Art of Computer Programming, Vol. 3, pp. 473-479. A B-tree provides both primary access and then secondary access to a data set. Therefore, these trees have often been used in data storage structures utilized by database and file systems. Nevertheless, there are problems that exist with the utilization of B-tree storage structures within database systems. Every indexed attribute value must be replicated in the index itself. The cumulative effect of replicating many secondary index values is to create indices which often exceed the size of the database itself. This overhead can force database designers to reject potentially useful access paths. Moreover, inclusion of search key values within blocks of the B-tree significantly decreases the block fan out and increases tree depth and retrieval time.
Another tree structure which can be implemented in computer database systems, compact 0-complete binary trees (i.e., O-trees), eliminates search values from indices by replacing them with small surrogates whose typical 8-bit length will be adequate for most practical key lengths (i.e., less than 32 bytes). Thus, actual values can be stored anywhere in arbitrary order, leaving the indices to the tree structure to be just hierarchical collections of (surrogate, pointer) pairs stored in an index block. This organization can reduce the size of the indexes by about 50% to 80% and increases the branching factor of the trees, which provides a reduction in the number of disk accesses in the system per exact match query within computer database systems. See Orlandic and Pfaltz, Compact 0-Complete Trees, Proceedings of the 14th VLDB Conference, pp. 372-381.
While the known method of creating C0-trees increases storage utilization 50% to 80% over B-trees, there still remains a waste of storage space because of the presence of dummy entries (surrogate, pointer==NIL) wherein the number of index entries at the lowest level of the tree exceeds the actual number of records stored. Therefore, the expected storage utilization of index entries of C0-trees at the lowest tree level is 0.567 versus 0.693 as in the case of B-trees. See Orlandic and Pfaltz, Compact 0-Complete Trees, Proceedings of the 14th VLDB Conference, pp. 372-381.
Moreover, although B-trees and O-tree storage structures represent efficient methods of searching for values, both methods require initial generation and subsequent maintenance of the tree data storage structure itself. Neither of these computer storage structures inherently stores information in sorted order.
A trie can be built more efficiently if the key records are initially sorted in the order of their key field, than if records are in random order. Therefore, an efficient computer database system should sort sets of keys first, and then build a trie based on keys extracted at intervals from the sorted keys. Searches of the tree data storage structure will also be performed more efficiently if the trie does not contain an excess number of keys, namely keys that are associated with data no longer in the database or keys that are no longer necessary to maintain the structure of the trie. In some implementations of O-tree storage structures, the method of storing and indexing the search keys may be complex, and the method of inserting and deleting groups of keys may be inefficient. Therefore, a need exists to simplify the trie structure and to easily delete and insert groups of keys in batches is desirable, especially when large groups of keys are involved.

Computer implemented compact 0-complete tree dynamic storage structure and method of processing stored data

Sand Technology Systems International, Inc.


Embodiments are directed to microfluidic refill cartridges and methods of assembling same. The microfluidic refill cartridges include a microfluidic delivery member that includes a filter for filtering fluid passed therethrough. The filter may be configured to block particles above a threshold size to prevent blockage in the nozzles. For instance, particles having a dimension that is larger than the diameter of the nozzles can block or reduce fluid flow through the nozzle.

Technical Field
Embodiments are directed to microfluidic refillable cartridges that include a microfluidic delivery member and methods of making and using the same.
Description of the Related Art
Fluid delivery systems that include refill cartridges are currently being used in the printer industry. Many printers, including 3D printers, use replaceable inkjet cartridges that incorporate an ink reservoir and a print head for delivering ink from the reservoir to the paper. The print head includes nozzles with very small openings. Particles in the cartridges, such as contaminants in the fluid, can block the nozzles, preventing the cartridge from operating properly.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Microfluidic delivery member with filter and method of forming same