Semiconductor devices with replacement gate electrodes and integrated self aligned contacts are formed with enhanced gate dielectric layers and improved electrical isolation properties between the gate line and a contact. Embodiments include forming a removable gate electrode on a substrate, forming a self aligned contact stop layer over the removable gate electrode and the substrate, removing a portion of the self aligned contact stop layer over the removable gate electrode and the electrode itself leaving an opening, forming a replacement gate electrode of metal, in the opening, transforming an upper portion of the metal into a dielectric layer, and forming a self aligned contact. Embodiments include forming the contact stop layer of a dielectric material, e.g., a hafnium oxide, an aluminum oxide, or a silicon carbide and transforming the upper portion of the metal into a dielectric layer by oxidation, fluorination, or nitridation. Embodiments also include forming a hardmask layer over the removable gate electrode to protect the electrode during silicidation in source/drain regions of the semiconductor device.

The integration of hundreds of millions of circuit elements, such as transistors, on a single integrated circuit necessitates further dramatic scaling down or micro-miniaturization of the physical dimensions of circuit elements, including interconnection structures. Micro-miniaturization has engendered a dramatic increase in transistor engineering complexity, such as the inclusion of lightly doped drain structures, multiple implants for source/drain regions, silicidation of gates and source/drains, and multiple sidewall spacers, for example.
The drive for high performance requires high speed operation of microelectronic components requiring high drive currents in addition to low leakage, i.e., low off-state current, to reduce power consumption. Typically, the structural and doping parameters tending to provide a desired increase in drive current adversely impact leakage current.
Metal gate electrodes have evolved for improving the drive current by reducing polysilicon depletion. However, simply replacing polysilicon gate electrodes with metal gate electrodes may engender issues in forming the metal gate electrode prior to high temperature annealing to activate the source/drain implants, as at a temperature in excess of 900° C. This fabrication technique may degrade the metal gate electrode or cause interaction with the gate dielectric, thereby adversely impacting transistor performance.
Replacement gate techniques have been developed to address problems attendant upon substituting metal gate electrodes for polysilicon gate electrodes. For example, a polysilicon gate is used during initial processing until high temperature annealing to activate source/drain implants has been implemented. Subsequently, the polysilicon is removed and replaced with a metal gate.
Additional issues arise with lateral scaling, such as the formation of contacts. For example, once the contacted poly pitch gets to about 80 nanometers (nm), there is not enough room to land a contact between the gate lines and still maintain good electrical isolation properties between the gate line and the contact. Self aligned contact (SAC) methodology has been developed to address this problem. However, conventional SAC approaches involve metalizing the gate prior to patterning, followed by covering the gate with a hardmask to isolate the gate line from the contact during the contact etch and fill process. This approach, however, is not compatible with the replacement gate process.
A need therefore exists for methodology enabling the fabrication of semiconductor devices comprising integrating both metal replacement gates and self aligned contacts.

Method for self-aligning a stop layer to a replacement gate for self-aligned contact integration


Methods and systems for signal communication in gamma ray detectors are provided. One gamma ray detector includes a scintillator block having a plurality of scintillator crystals and a plurality of light sensors coupled to the scintillator crystals and having a plurality of microcells. Each of the plurality of light sensors have a local summing point in each of a plurality of signal summing regions, wherein the local summing points are connected to the plurality of microcells. The plurality of light sensors also each include a main summing point connected to the plurality of local summing points, wherein the main summing point is located a same distance from each of the local summing points.

The subject matter disclosed herein relates generally to gamma ray detectors, and more particularly, to systems and methods for communicating signals in gamma ray detectors.
Gamma ray detectors may be used in different applications, such as in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) systems. PET systems perform nuclear medicine imaging that generates a three-dimensional image or picture of functional processes within a body. For example, a PET system generates images that represent the distribution of positron-emitting nuclides within the body of a patient. When a positron interacts with an electron by annihilation, the entire mass of the positron-electron pair is converted into two 511 keV photons. The photons are emitted in opposite directions along a line of response. The annihilation photons are detected by detectors that are placed along the line of response on a detector ring. When these photons arrive and are detected at the detector elements at the same time, this is referred to as coincidence. An image is then generated based on the acquired image data that includes the annihilation photon detection information.
In silicon photomultiplier based PET detectors, in order to cover a large area for detection of gamma rays, a large number of small area silicon photomultipliers (e.g., 3×3 mm2 or 4×4 mm2 photomultiplier devices) may be used. However, the large number of these photomultipliers increases the complexity of the devices, as well as the number of readout channels, which can result is higher cost and higher power requirements. For example, signals from a number of silicon photomultipliers may be added using multiplexing schemes. However, in order to provide input signal integrity, very low noise and high bandwidth amplifiers are used.
In order to reduce the number of channels, as well as the complexity of handling many small individual pixels (e.g., a one anode device or a one anode per pixel device), larger sized silicon photomultipliers may be used with different multiplexing schemes. The larger sized silicon photomultipliers reduce the number of signal channels that are processed. However, the total capacitance increases and stretches the tail of the signal pulses as the total capacitance is proportional to decay time. These stretched signal pulses have a lower amplitude and reduce the signal amplitude, thereby decreasing timing performance. Also, the larger the area, the more spread in the signal transit time from each microcell of a SiPM pixel is inevitable. This degrades the timing performance too.


A battery-charging device, having a maximum power point tracking (MPPT) function, for a stand-alone generator system includes a DC/DC power converter and a control circuit used to control the DC/DC power converter. The method applied in the device includes: performing a MPPT function to supply a continuous current when the electric power generated from the electrical power source of the stand-alone generator system is low; operating a pulse charging function and continuing the MPPT function when the electric power generated from the electrical power source of the stand-alone generator system is high and not greater than the summation of the load power and a maximum charging power of the pulse charging method for the battery; terminating the MPPT function while the electric power is greater than the summation of the load power and the maximum charging power of the pulse charging method for the battery; and operating a constant-voltage charging mode when the battery voltage is greater than a predetermined constant charging voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a battery-charging device for a stand-alone generator system having a MPPT (maximum power point tracking) function and a method thereof. Particularly, the present invention relates to the battery-charging device and the method thereof applied to electrical generation equipment of wind energy, solar energy or other renewable energy, with the battery-charging device including a DC/DC converter and a control circuit. More particularly, the present invention relates to the control circuit of the battery-charging device provided with four operation modes, with one of the operation modes selected and actuated by the output of wind energy or solar energy power and the state-of-health of batteries so as to increase the utilization of wind energy and solar energy.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional small stand-alone wind energy or solar energy generator system directly supplies to loads, and any redundant electric power will charge batteries for storing energy. The batteries will supply electric power to the load when the electric power supplied from the generator system cannot satisfy the power demanded by the load. Generally, such a stand-alone generator system is only designed with small-capacity equipment and is suitable for remote areas where no utility power can arrive. The stand-alone generator system is frequently used in the environment with a shortage of an electric power resource. Hence, there is a need for increasing a ratio of energy utilization of such a stand-alone generator system.
In some circumstances, the electric power supplied from the stand-alone generator system of wind energy or solar energy is lower than that required by loads. Accordingly, the stand-alone generator system of wind energy or solar energy is equipped with batteries and a battery-charging device. In order to effectively utilize the electric power stored in batteries of the stand-alone generator system, the power generated from the stand-alone generator system must rapidly charge the batteries which can perform as an electric power source of loads. Disadvantageously, rapidly improper charging may cause damage to batteries and may shorten the life of the battery.
There are several major battery-charging methods including: a constant current charging method, a constant voltage charging method, a hybrid constant current/constant voltage charging method and a pulse current charging method.
Each of the above-mentioned charging methods has several advantages and drawbacks. For instance, the constant current charging method has a drawback of overcharge occurrence when the battery voltage is high. In addition, the constant voltage charging method has a drawback of causing a large charging current, when the battery voltage is low, thus damaging the battery. The hybrid constant current/constant voltage charging method can improve the drawback of a large charging current when the battery voltage is low. However, such a charging method requires a longer charging time. As to the pulse current charging method, damages to the battery may be relatively small.
In general, a conventional battery-charging method of the stand-alone generator system (for example: a wind energy or solar energy power generator system) having a MPPT function utilizes the two-stage constant current/constant voltage charging method, namely the hybrid constant current/constant voltage charging method. When the power generated by the electric power generator system is lower than the summation of the load power and the maximum charging power (Pb) of the constant current charging method for a battery, the generator system is operated in a MPPT mode. Conversely, when the power generated by the electric power generator system is higher than the summation of the load power and the maximum charging power (Pb) of the constant current charging method for a battery, the power generated by the electric power generator system is limited to be the summation of the load power and the maximum charging power (Pb) of the constant current charging method for a battery to avoid the high charging current damaging the battery. In this circumstance, the MPPT function of the generator system is terminated, so that the electric power generator system cannot supply the maximum electric power and the redundant electric power cannot be effectively utilized.
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a curve diagram of an output electric power P(W) of a conventional stand-alone generator system having a MPPT function is shown. When the stand-alone generator system is a solar energy power generator system, curves P1, P2, P3, P4, as shown in FIG. 1, represent the output power of the solar energy generator system in relation to its output voltages under various solar illuminations. The curve P4 represents the output power of the solar energy generator system under a maximum solar illumination, while the curve P1 represents the output power of the solar energy generator system under a minimum solar illumination. When the stand-alone generator system is a wind energy generator system, curves P1, P2, P3, P4 represent the output power of the wind energy generator system in relation to its rotational speeds under various wind speeds. The curve P4 represents the output power of the wind energy generator system under a maximum wind speed, while the curve P1 represents the output power of the wind energy generator system under a minimum wind speed. With continued reference to FIG. 1, when maximum power sections of the curves P3 and P4 are greater than the summation of the load power and the maximum charging power (Pb) of the constant current charging method for a battery, the power generated by the electric power generator system is limited to be the summation of the load power and the maximum charging power (Pb) of the constant current charging method for a battery. Disadvantageously, the output electric power generated by the electrical power source, as best shown in a meshed area in FIG. 1, cannot be effectively utilized while located in a maximum power area (i.e. the redundant electric power area) of the curves P3 and P4.
Another conventional solar energy pulse battery-charging device, as described in Taiwanese Patent Publication No. 566745, has a battery-charging method similar to the above-mentioned method. Another conventional charging method of a battery-charging device having a MPPT function, as described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004/0174939, discloses a constant voltage generated from solar power energy to supply a battery and loads via a battery-charging device. The battery-charging device can be controlled to execute the MPPT function if the output power of the battery-charging device is less than the summation of the load power and the battery-charging power. Conversely, if the output power of the solar energy generator system is greater than the summation of the load power and the battery-charging power, the battery-charging device is controlled to terminate the MPPT function and to set the output power of the solar energy generator system equal to the summation of load power and battery-charging power so as to maintain outputting a constant voltage. In this manner, such a battery-charging method is a constant voltage charging method.
The battery-charging device of U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2004/0174939 is successful in outputting a stable constant voltage, avoiding the damage of severe voltage variation to loads and simplifying the entire structure. However, the difference between the battery voltage and the output voltage of the battery-charging device is large when the battery is situated in low stored energy, and it may cause an overcharging current if the battery-charging device is operated in a constant voltage charging mode. Disadvantageously, the overcharging current may not only shorten the life of battery but also may damage the battery-charging device. Briefly, there is a need for improving the battery-charging method applied in U.S. Patent Pub. No. 2004/0174939 so as to avoid damaging the battery-charging device and the battery. In addition, there is a need for improving problematic aspects while incorporating the MPPT function with other battery-charging methods.
Taiwanese patent publication No. 200825278 discloses a battery-charging method of a wind energy generator system having a MPPT function. However, such a battery-charging method requires utilizing a DC/DC converter and a pulse control (pulse generating) circuit and includes five operation modes of the battery-charging device. Disadvantageously, the circuit hardware and the control method applied therein are complicated.
As is described in greater detail below, the present invention provides a battery-charging device for a stand-alone generator system having a MPPT function. The battery-charging device includes a DC/DC converter and a control circuit. The control circuit is used to control the DC/DC converter performing four operation modes. When a generated output power of the electrical power source of the stand-alone generator system is low, the battery-charging device is operated in the MPPT function and provides a continuous charging current. If the generated output power of the electrical power source of the stand-alone generator system is lower than the load power, the electrical power source and the battery supply electric power to the load together. If the battery voltage is lower than a predetermined discharging voltage, the load is cut off. When the generated output power of the electrical power source of the stand-alone generator system is greater than the summation of the load power and the maximum charging power of the constant current charging method for the battery, the battery-charging device is switched and operated in a pulse charging method. In this manner, the battery-charging device is still controlled to execute the MPPT function if the generated output power of the electrical power source of the stand-alone generator system is not greater than the summation of the load power and a maximum charging power of the pulse charging method for the battery. The MPPT function is terminated if the generated output power of the electrical power source of the stand-alone generator system is greater than the summation of the load power and the maximum charging power of the pulse charging method for the battery. The battery-charging device is switched and operated by a constant voltage charging method if the battery voltage is greater than a predetermined constant charging voltage. Accordingly, the utilized generated output power of the electrical power source of the stand-alone generator system of the present invention can be effectively increased.

Battery-charging device for a stand-alone generator system having a MPPT function and method thereof


A cargo bed step is described including a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion. The frame is disposed proximate a rear portion of a cargo bed. A pivoting mechanism is disposed between an inner surface and the upper portion for selectively pivoting the cargo bed step assembly between a stowed position and an extended position. At least one step is disposed proximate the lower portion. The frame is selectively pivotable to be generally flush with the inner surface of either an inner cargo bed surface or an inner tailgate surface in the stowed position.

Heavy and awkward loads are often moved in a cargo bed of a pickup truck. Although pickup trucks are designed to transport such loads, loading and unloading such cargo is sometimes difficult. It is beneficial when loading cargo to have a step at an end of a cargo bed upon which to project the load into the cargo bed. In turn, having an operator in the cargo bed of the vehicle is also beneficial to facilitate loading and unloading the cargo, however, for the operator to get into the cargo bed may be problematic due to its height. Loading cargo such as motorcycles and other recreational vehicles may also be difficult without the use of a ramp. However, ramps typically slip on the tailgate of the pickup truck or may not be safely placed on the edge of the tailgate. Step assists and ramps have been employed in the past to ease loading, operator entry into the cargo bed, and moving heavy cargo up into the cargo bed; however, they have been separate and external cumbersome devices that also aesthetically change the appearance of the vehicle.
It is therefore desired to have a step assist, integrated with respect to the tailgate that could be used to facilitate getting the cargo into the cargo bed and for operator's ease of entry into and from the cargo bed. Furthermore, it is desired to have an integrated ramp-securing mechanism that would allow a user to safely secure a ramp for loading cargo into the cargo bed. It is also desired that the step assist and ramp securing mechanism be simple to use, and not change the appearance of the vehicle. As such, it is desired to have a cargo bed step that not only integrates the step assist and ramp securing mechanism, but is also integrated with respect to the tailgate.

Nissan Technical Center North America, Inc.


Face mask communication system 100 includes face mask 10 worn by user 14 and signal receiving hand glove 16 worn by user 18. Glove 16 includes data receiver 66 for data communication with mask 10 and includes multiple vibrotactile devices for generating haptic signals. Mask 10 includes an elastic element of flexible material, and a plurality of EMG sensors 12 fixed to the element, for sensing electrical activity of face regions of the user's 14 face. Mask 10 includes a processor 60; decoding algorithm 110 and transmitter 62 for, respectively, processing signals from the sensors 12; generating command instructions based on the signals; and wirelessly transmitting the signals to receiver 66 of glove 16. Mask 10 includes thread elements connected to the elastic element of mask 10 enabling tensioning of the element to provide for fitment of mask 10 to users of different sizes, for optimal location sensors 12.

Surface electromyography (EMG) is a technique whereby voltage-measuring electrodes attach to the surface of the skin and are used to detect and/or infer various phenomena relating to muscle contraction.
EMG is presently used in research to estimate activity of muscle, in prosthetic design to provide a control signal, and in biofeedback to provide subjects with a visual or auditory indication of muscle contraction.
In practice, successful applications of EMG are unfortunately limited by the variability in signals detected and poor quality of estimates based on the detected signals. A major challenge to EMG based signal detection systems and applications is that EMG readings are adversely affected by a multitude of factors, especially repositioning of electrodes between subsequent sessions of EMG data collection. Other factors which effect accurate and consistent signal detection include ambient temperature, temperature of the user's skin and skin tissue properties of the user.
A need therefore exists for an accurate device for collecting EMG signals from a user, particularly during a series of subsequent sessions ordinarily necessitating repositioning of EMG sensors, at a beginning of each session. A need further exists for a device which can be used by users of different sizes, and which accurately and consistently detects EMG signal from the user, without lengthy and time consuming set-up and optimization of location of the EMG sensors relative to the user.
A need further exists for a so-called "silent/or speechless communication system" bases on obtaining EMG signals from a user and decoding these signals to produce meaningful instructions or feedback from the user.
In this specification, any reference to the terms "silent speech" and or "speechless communication", shall be interpreted broadly to mean, whispering, soft speech, as well as subvocalization and even so-called "mouthing words", whereby a person makes the correct mouth and tongue movements for speech, but without activation of the vocal cords and/or without making any noise.

Face mask for accurate location of sensors relative to a users face, a communication enabling face mask and a communication system including the face mask


In a multimedia communications system (100), a multimedia-based answering system (200) lowers the amount of air interface bandwidth used to send multimedia mail messages. When a called party is unavailable, a user of a user terminal (102) is given an option to send a multimedia mail message for the unavailable called party (300, 302, 304). If the user wants to send a multimedia mail message, the bandwidth requirements for the call are renegotiated to reduce bandwidth for sending the multimedia mail message (306). The multimedia mail message is then transmitted over-the-air to a multimedia mail system (208), where the multimedia mail message is buffered, transcoded (if necessary) and stored until the called party retrieves it (308, 310).

Wireless communication systems are well known. Wireless communication systems allow mobile radiotelephones to communicate with each other and other networks, such as the Internet and the public telephone network. First and second generation wireless telephone systems are generally constrained in the amount of bandwidth available for communication. This limits capacity and also the types of services that are provided. Third generation wireless systems hold the promise of greater bandwidth, thereby increasing capacity and allowing for enhanced services, such as multimedia services. Third generation wireless communications devices include, in addition to a voice communication interface, capability for communication of data and display of data, including video.
Voicemail systems are also known. Voicemail systems allow callers the option to leave voicemail messages for parties who are unavailable. In order to leave a message, the caller is typically prompted to enter a command on a keypad of a handset or wait for a specified tone, or both. The voicemail system then records the voicemail message for a predetermined amount of time or until the caller ends the call. Proposed third generation wireless systems will permit wireless users the capability to leave messages in multimedia mail systems similar to that of voicemail systems. However, voicemail systems presently function as real-time entities that use the same amount of air interface bandwidth for recording voice messages as for regular telephone calls. This is a problem.
Therefore a need exists for a method and system for lowering the amount of air interface bandwidth used to send multimedia mail messages to a multimedia mail system.

Internet protocol enabled multimedia mail system with reduced bandwidth requirements


A turbocharger incorporates a turbine rotor, a housing having defined therein a turbine housing portion in which the turbine rotor rotated by exhaust gas is disposed, a shaft rotatably supported on the bearing housing portion via a bearing, a compressor rotor fixed to a second end of the shaft, a bypass passage formed on the turbine housing portion so as to communicatively connect an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet of the housing while bypassing the turbine rotor, a waste gate valve disposed in the bypass passage and operatively positioned to open or close the bypass passage in response to a boost pressure, and a nozzle member fixedly positioned with the exhaust gas outlet of the housing such that a first end of the nozzle member is adjacent to the turbine rotor while maintaining a predetermined clearance therefrom and a second end of the nozzle member defines an opening of an exhaust gas outlet side of the bypass passage oriented along the direction of the main flow of the exhaust gas discharged from the turbine rotor. The housing further has defined therein the exhaust gas inlet, the exhaust gas outlet and a bearing housing portion which is formed on the turbine housing portion. The turbine rotor is fixed to a first end of the shaft. The compressor rotor is disposed in a compressor housing fixed to the bearing housing portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a turbocharger and, more particularly, to a turbocharger including a waste gate structure for controlling a boost pressure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional turbocharger is disclosed in, for example, Japanese patent application laid-open publication No. 4(1992)-103817. This turbocharger includes a turbine rotor, a turbine housing in which the turbine rotor rotated by exhaust gas is disposed therein and which is provided with an exhaust gas inlet and an exhaust gas outlet, a bearing housing which is fixed to the turbine housing, a shaft which is rotatably supported on the bearing housing via a radial bearing and on one end of which the turbine rotor is fixed thereon, a compressor rotor which is fixed on the other end of the shaft and which is disposed in a compressor housing fixed to the bearing housing, a bypass passage which is formed on the turbine housing so as to communicate between the exhaust gas inlet and the exhaust gas outlet while bypassing the turbine rotor and a waste gate valve which is disposed in the bypass passage and which opens or closes the bypass passage in response to a boost pressure (a pressure of intake air supercharged by the compressor rotor). In this turbocharger, when the boost pressure exceeds a predetermined value, the waste gate valve is opened by a driving mechanism and the exhaust gas inlet communicates with the exhaust gas outlet. Thereby, a part of the exhaust gas is discharged to the exhaust gas outlet while bypassing the turbine rotor and the boost pressure is maintained at a constant value.
The turbine rotor has to be disposed while maintaining a predetermined slight clearance between adjacent members and its circumference in order to efficiently rotate by the exhaust gas. Therefore, in the above mentioned prior turbocharger, the turbine housing and the bearing housing are constituted as a two-piece construction in order to prevent the assembling of the turbocharger from deteriorating due to the shape of the turbine rotor. Thereby, a coupling or a plate and so on are required for air-tight fastening between the turbine housing and the bearing housing. As a result, the manufacturing cost of the turbocharger is increased due to the increase in the number of the parts, and there is the danger of the exhaust gas leaking from the fastening portion between the turbine housing and the bearing housing.
Furthermore, in the above mentioned prior turbocharger, the bypass flow of the exhaust gas which is discharged toward the exhaust gas outlet via the bypass passage interferes with the main flow of the exhaust gas discharged from the turbine rotor and the exhaust pressure. Namely, the exhaust gas pressure of the outlet side of the turbine rotor is increased. As a result, the exhaust gas pressure of the inlet side of the turbine rotor is increased and thereby the efficiency of the turbocharger is decreased.


To provide an electro-optical device, which is capable of improving film thickness uniformity and flatness of electro-optical layers to be formed. A method of manufacturing an electro-optical device according to the present invention comprises a step of forming a first partition wall portion and a second partition wall portion, and a step of ejecting a liquid substance for each of openings of each of the partition wall portions using a liquid droplet ejecting method, the liquid substance including functional materials composing the electro-optical layers. The ejected liquid substance has different viscosities for each electro-optical layer. In the partition wall portion formation step, a surface area of a portion of the first partition wall portion projecting from the second partition wall portion becomes relatively small in a position at which the liquid substance having relatively low viscosity is ejected, and the surface area of the portion of the first partition wall portion projecting from the second partition wall portion becomes relatively large in a position at which the liquid substance having relatively high viscosity is ejected.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a color filter substrate, a method of manufacturing an electro-optical device, an electro-optical device, and an electronic apparatus.
In recent years, there has been developed a color organic electroluminescent (EL) device having a structure where a light emitting layer formed of a light emitting material is inserted between an anode and cathode by adopting a method in which the light emitting material is patterned by an inkjet method of jetting ink made of a light emitting material, such as an organic fluorescent material, on a substrate (for example, Patent Document 1).
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2002-252083.

Method of manufacturing color filter substrate, method of manufacturing electro-optical device, electro-optical device, and electronic apparatus


A liquid crystal display includes: first and second substrates on which a display area and a non-display area are defined and a plurality of pixels are defined at the display area; a pixel electrode formed at each pixel on the first substrate; a plurality of first attachment improving protrusions formed at the non-display area along edges of the display area on the first substrate and made of the same material as the pixel electrode on the layer on which the pixel electrode is formed; a common electrode formed at least on a display area of the second substrate; a plurality of second attachment improving protrusions formed on the non-display area of the second substrate and branched off from the common electrode; and a sealant formed between the first and second substrates such that the sealant is attached with the first and second attachment improving protrusions, and having conductivity, wherein the common electrode receives a common voltage via the sealant and the first attachment improving protrusions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display (LCD) and, more particularly, to an LCD capable of improving an adhesive strength of a sealant by increasing an attachment area of the sealant formed between a first substrate, a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate, and a second substrate, a color filter substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, the application coverage of a liquid crystal display (LCD) extends thanks to its characteristics that it is lighter, thinner, and driven at a low power consumption. Thus, the LCD is commonly used as a means for displaying images in mobile computers, mobile phones, office automation equipment, or the like.
The LCD displays a desired image on its screen by controlling the amount of transmission of light according to a video signal applied to a plurality of control switching elements arranged in a matrix form.
The LCD includes a liquid crystal panel including a color filter substrate, an upper substrate, and a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate, a lower substrate, which face, between which and a liquid crystal layer is formed, and a driver that supplies a scan signal and image information to the liquid crystal panel to operate the liquid crystal panel.
The related art LCD having such construction will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating the first substrate 1, the TFT array substrate, of the related art general LCD, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line I-I′ in FIG. 1 and showing the section of a TFT 7 formed at each pixel on the first substrate 1.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the related art general LCD includes the first substrate 1, the TFT array substrate, and a second substrate 2, the color filter substrate, and a liquid crystal layer 6 formed between the first and second substrates 1 and 2.
With reference to FIG. 1, gate lines GL and data lines DL are formed to cross vertically and horizontally on the first substrate 1, defining a plurality of pixels, and TFTs 7 are formed at each crossing of the gate lines GL and the data lines DL of each pixel.
With reference to FIG. 2, the TFT 7 includes a gate electrode 7a formed on the first substrate 1, a gate insulating layer 7b formed on the gate electrode 7a, a semiconductor layer 7c formed on the gate insulating layer 7b, and a source electrode 7d and a drain electrode 7e formed on the semiconductor layer 7c. A passivation layer 8 is formed on the source electrode 7d and the drain electrode 7e.
The gate electrode 7a of the TFT 7 is connected with the gate line GL, the source electrode 7d is connected with the data line DL, and the drain electrode 7e is connected with the pixel electrode 9.
A color filter layer including color filters 11 corresponding to the pixels defined on the first substrate 1 is formed at a display area on the second substrate 2. Black matrixes 12 are formed at regions corresponding to the gate line GL, the data line DL and the TFT 7 of the display area AA and a region corresponding to a non-display area NA. A common electrode 4 is formed on the color filter 11 and the black matrix 12.
A common line 3 is formed at the non-display area NA on the first substrate 1 in order to supply a common voltage to the common electrode 4. The common line 3 is formed along edges of the display area AA, and may be connected with the common electrode 4 via a conducting means such as Ag dot or the like.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sealant is formed along the edges of the display area AA) at the non-display area NA between the first and second substrates 1 and 2. The sealant 5 serves to allow the first and second substrates 1 and 2 to maintain their aligned and attached state and seal the region between the first and second substrates 1 and 2 to thereby prevent liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 6 from being leaked.
In the related art general LCD constructed as described above, the sealant 5 is formed to mostly overlap with the common line 3 on the first substrate 1 and the common electrode 4 on the second substrate 2 as shown in FIG. 1, and in this case, the common line 3 and the common electrode 4 are formed to be relatively smooth without any change in their level, so the sealant 5 attaching (bonding) the first and second substrates 1 and 2 cannot exert any force stronger than its intrinsic adhesive strength. Thus, if an external force (e.g., a force that pulls the first or second substrate) is applied to the first or second substrate 1 or 2, portions attached with the common line 3 or the common electrode 4 are frequently released at a certain region of the sealant 5, resulting in the leakage of the liquid crystal of the liquid crystal layer 6 to cause a defective image.


An orifice membrane is provided an articulation parallel to the rows of orifices and between the area of the orifice membrane secured to the cartridge body and the area of the orifice membrane secured to the barrier layer of the heater resistor substrate. The reduced stress at the orifices reduces the distortion of the bore axis of the orifices.

Inkjet printing is generally accomplished by expelling droplets of ink from tiny orifices to land on a recording medium such as paper. The most widespread technologies used to expel ink are a thermal process in which ink is vaporized to provide momentum to the ink droplet and a piezoelectric process in which an electromechanical force expels the ink droplet. Although the present invention is applicable to at least these two technologies, the preferred embodiment will be explained using the thermal inkjet process.
A typical inkjet cartridge is shown in FIG. 1, in which the cartridge body member 101 houses a supply of ink and routes the ink to the printhead 103 via ink conduits. Visible at the outer surface of the printhead are a plurality of orifices 105 through which ink is selectively expelled upon commands of the printer (not shown), which commands are communicated to the printhead through electrical connections 107. In one implementation of an inkjet print cartridge, the printhead 103, the orifices 105, and the electrical connections 107 are realized using a technology commonly known as Tape Automated Bonding (TAB). A flexible polymer tape 109, which may be formed of Kapton.TM., commercially available from 3M Corporation, or similar material which may be photoablated or chemically etched to produce the orifices 105 and other desirable characteristics is formed to have the plurality of orifices extending through the tape. Further copper or other conductive traces are deposited or created on one side of the tape so that electrical interconnections can be made from the printer to a semiconductor substrate. The semiconductor substrate includes thin film resistors for vaporizing the ink and may also contain transistors for multiplexing the electrical signals from the printer to the heater resistors. The semiconductor substrate is typically affixed to the tape by a photo definable adhesive barrier layer which is secured by a process of heat and pressure. Subsequently the tape 109 is typically bent around edges of the print cartridge and secured with an adhesive to the body to provide an uncluttered working surface for the printhead and to enable connection to the printer for the electrical contacts 107.
A close up view of one conventional orifice and firing chamber is illustrated in FIG. 2. The tape 109 is arranged such that the orifice 105, which extends from the inner surface of the tape to the outer surface, is centered essentially over a heater resistor 201 in an ink ejection chamber or ink firing chamber 203. The ink firing chamber is further defined by a photodefinable adhesive, or barrier, layer 205 which is applied to a semiconductor substrate 207. The tape 109 is secured to the other surface 208 of the barrier layer (which surface is generally parallel to the surface of the semiconductor substrate) thereby forming one ink ejecting apparatus of the inkjet printhead. Ink, represented by 209, enters the firing chamber 203 via an opening or edge in the substrate 207 thence across the surface 208 of the substrate to the firing chamber 203. Subsequent to the vaporization process which ejects the ink in a thermal inkjet printhead, the chamber is refilled in replacement of the ink which was expelled.
A cross section of the printhead and the cartridge body is illustrated in FIG. 3. It can be seen that heater resistors 201 and 301 may be arranged on opposite sides of the surface of the substrate 207. Conventionally, heater resistors and associated orifices are arranged in staggered fashion (although the heater resistors may also be arranged colinearly) in two essentially parallel rows on the printhead. Ink droplets 303 are selectively ejected upon command of the printer and the responsive electrical heating of the heater resistors. The tape 109, which includes the plurality of individual orifices and therefore is termed an orifice membrane herein, is adhesively secured to a surface of the body member 101 by adhesive 305 in a fashion which places the top surface (as illustrated in FIG. 3) of the barrier layer 205 parallel to and either elevated above or coplanar with a surface 306 of the body member 101. This adhesive further forms a seal around the substrate so that ink, which is in the ink conduit 307, will not leak from around the junction of the orifice membrane tape 109 and the body member 101. An example of a printhead which may benefit from the present invention is further described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,226, assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
It has been observed that ink drops ejected from printheads such as those employing tape orifice membranes may be subject to trajectory errors. U.S. Pat. No. 5,467,115, assigned to the assignee of the present invention, suggested a solution to the problem of such trajectory errors. The orifice membrane, there, is affixed to the barrier layer at the surface of the semiconductor substrate using heat and pressure. The orifice membrane extends beyond the outer edges of the barrier layer substrate (as depicted in FIG. 3 herein), bridges the space between the substrate and the cartridge body member, and is affixed to the body member. During the heating and pressure step used to affix the orifice membrane to the barrier layer, the orifice membrane undesirably bends over the outer edges of the barrier layer, causing the orifices to be uncontrollably deformed or tilted thus resulting in inaccurate trajectory of the ink droplets and less than an optimum quality of printing. As a solution, it was proposed that the orifices be pre-tilted prior to the affixing of the orifice membrane to the substrate barrier layer or that the barrier layer be trenched to provide a compensating deformation of the orifice membrane.
In some instances, the solutions offered are insufficient and further correction is needed, particularly those instances when the surface of the barrier layer of the semiconductor substrate is elevated above the mounting surface of the body member and the orifice membrane is then affixed to the body member. Since the surface of the body member is not coplanar with the surface of the barrier layer on the substrate, the orifice membrane is canted away from being planar, thereby stressing the area near the orifices with a tilting of the orifices as a result. Further, a sloping orifice membrane will reduce the area available for ink flow to the ink firing chamber thereby reducing the speed at which the firing chamber will refill with ink.

Articulated stress relief of an orifice membrane


Fluid-dispensing apparatus include a fluid-dispensing needle. A gas discharge member is positioned proximate a dispensing end of the needle that is configured to direct a gas towards a fluid tear-off position below the dispensing end of the needle. A controller controls discharge of the gas by the gas discharge member to control dispensing of fluid from the needle. The dispensing control may control an amount of fluid dispensed from the needle and/or tailing off of fluid dispensed from the needle. The amount of fluid dispensed from the needle may be a microliter range volume of a viscous fluid.

This invention relates to fluid-dispensing apparatus and methods for using the same, and more particularly to dispensing small volumes of fluid.
The ability to deliver small volumes of fluids accurately is important in a variety of industries. For example, a variety of different fabrication operations in the semiconductor industry utilize sub-microliter control of fluid dispensing. Such uses may require accurate, repeatable and rapid dispensing of precise amounts of fluids. If these requirements are not met, it may adversely impact the yield of the fabrication process.
One example of sub-microliter dispensing of fluids is in the fabrication of semiconductor light-emitting devices. It is known to provide semiconductor light-emitting device type light sources in packages that may provide protection, color selection, focusing and the like for light emitted by the light-emitting device. For example, the light-emitting device may be a light-emitting diode ("LED"). As shown in the example of FIG. 1, a power LED package 100 generally includes a substrate member 102 on which a light-emitting device 103 is mounted. The light-emitting device 103 may, for example, include an LED chip/submount assembly 103b mounted to the substrate member 102 and an LED 103a positioned on the LED chip/submount assembly 103b. The substrate member 102 may include traces or metal leads for connecting the package 100 to external circuitry. The substrate 102 may also act as a heatsink to conduct heat away from the LED 103 during operation.
A reflector, such as the reflector cup 104, may be mounted on the substrate 102 and surround the light-emitting device 103. The reflector cup 104 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes an angled or sloped lower sidewall 106 for reflecting light generated by the LED 103 upwardly and away from the LED package 100. The illustrated reflector cup 104 also includes upwardly extending walls 105 that may act as a channel for holding a lens in the LED package 100 and a horizontal shoulder portion 108.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, after the light-emitting device 103 is mounted on the substrate 102, a microliter quantity of an encapsulant material 107, such as liquid silicone gel, is dispensed into an interior reflective cavity 109 of the reflector cup 104. The interior reflective cavity 109 illustrated in FIG. 1 has a bottom surface defined by the substrate 102 to provide a closed cavity capable of retaining a liquid encapsulant material 107 therein. As further shown in FIG. 1, when the encapsulant material 107 is dispensed into the cavity 109, it may wick up the interior side of the sidewall 105 of the reflector cup 104, forming the illustrated concave meniscus.
In dispensing the encapsulant material 107, a bead of the material is typically formed on a dispensing needle and then contacted to surfaces of the reflective cavity 109 and the light-emitting device 103 therein. When the needle is withdrawn, the surface tension between the encapsulant material 107 and surfaces within the reflective cavity 109 and gravity cause the encapsulant material 107 to tear-off from the dispensing needle and remain in the reflective cavity 109.
While this surface tension controlled dispensing of the encapsulant material 107 may be very accurate under uniform conditions, a variety of factors may adversely impact the accuracy of the process and the amount of fluid dispensed. For example, different surfaces within the reflective cavity 109 may have different surface tension characteristics based on coatings on the surfaces, shape characteristics of the surfaces and variations in where the encapsulant material 107 is initially placed in the reflective cavity 109. In addition, variations in the characteristics of the encapsulant material 107 may also affect the amount of fluid dispensed. For example, the encapsulant material 107 is typically subject to varying viscosity and stringiness characteristics over time (due, for example, to partial curing) or across different temperature conditions. Stringiness characteristics, such as varying tail properties, may change with variations in temperature, humidity or the like or may change over time. Thus, the tear-off point and the volume of fluid dispensed may vary.
Other approaches to sub-microliter control of dispensing of fluids include the use of metering pumps particularly designed for accurate dispensing of small volumes of fluid. In addition, specially designed small volume dispensing nozzles (needles) are known that may be used with such precision pump systems.

Fluid-dispensing apparatus with controlled tear-off


A position alignment mark is formed by simultaneously forming on a silicon substrate an alignment marking contact hole and a back surface electrode contact hole, respectively, in a field zone and an element zone. A wiring pattern layer and a back surface electrode are formed on the field zone and element zone, respectively. A silicon layer is cut from the back surface of the silicon substrate to expose the wiring pattern layer and an alignment marking contact hole pattern. The contact hole pattern is then used as an alignment mark for forming a surface electrode.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods for forming position alignment marks, and in particular for position alignment mark formation which can be useful in the manufacture of sticked-layer structure SOI (silicon on insulating substrate) devices requiring their silicon layers and back surface electrodes to be laid over and stuck together as they are formed.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In particular,, sticked-layer structure SOI devices composed of single-crystal silicon having both of its surfaces stuck to electrodes have a decisive advantage in improving and raising to a great degree the circuit integration of their resultant semiconductor LSIs.
Among the drawings attached to this invention, FIGS. 1 and 2 and their associates are simplified cross-sectional views of an SOI device of the above-described type, which may make clear its conventionally-employed processing method step by step.
As shown in FIG. 1(a), an SiO.sub.2 film on a silicon (Si) substrate is selectively etched to form a field zone (insulating zone) over the surface of the substrate 11 and is then subjected to thermal oxidation to form thereover a primary insulating layer 12 of oxidized silicon (SiO.sub.2 (I)). The silicon substrate thus processed is then, as shown in FIG. 1(b), masked over with a resist 17 and provided with a contact hole 20 which is cut therethrough to link the silicon layer with a back surface electrode layer. This contact hole 20 is positioned in an (active) element zone with its position aligned with respect to the end edge of the field zone.
As shown in FIG. 1(c), the silicon substrate is then stuck to polysilicon (poly-Si) which, through its patterning, forms the back surface electrode 13 in the contact hole 20.
As shown in FIG. 2(a) (just a reverse of its position as shown in FIG. 1(c)), the silicon substrate now has its entire surface covered over with a secondary insulating layer (SiO.sub.2 film (II)) 14. In turn, this SiO.sub.2 film (II) 14 is coated with a secondary poly-silicon (poly-si) layer which is a poly-Si layer 25. After having this layer polished, the silicon base is further stuck to a wafer 22 which forms a bed. The Si substrate 11 is ground and polished from the direction of its top surface (direction shown in the drawing with arrows) and its processing is completed when the SiO.sub.2 film (I) 12 is exposed, leaving in its active zone the Si substrate 11 which is now an Si layer. As shown in FIG. 2(b), the Si substrate 11 thereafter has formed thereover a gate insulating film 21 and a poly-Si gate electrode (surface electrode) 16. In this processing, the poly-Si gate electrode has its position aligned with respect to the end edge of the field zone.
According to the conventional manufacturing process as just described in the above, the contact hole 20 as shown in FIG. 1(b) and the poly-Si gate electrode 16 as shown in FIG. 2(b) need to be aligned with each other across the field zone, inevitably necessitating their respective positions to be aligned separately and making their alignment difference vulnerable to increase accordingly. This, in turn, makes it necessary to keep twice as much as allowance for an alignment gap margin between the contact hole 20 and the poly-Si electrode 16 as shown in FIG. 2(b), a fact which hampers the desired high-level circuit integration of SOI devices in a method presented herein as a reference to the prior art in the field the present invention relates to.

Method for forming position alignment marks in a manufacturing SOI device


A vehicle has a movable member movably disposed in an opening to close or open the opening. The seal is mounted to one of the movable member and an inner edge surrounding the opening conforming to each other. The seal has a seal portion subject to elastic deformation when being pressed against the movable member or the inner edge. The seal portion is made of a vulcanizable rubber. A base portion is made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The seal portion and the base portion are integrated by coextrusion. The rubber of the seal portion is vulcanized when passing through a vulcanizer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to seals used in vehicles, such as weather strips, and, more particularly, to procedures and facilities for manufacturing these seals.
2. Description of Related Art
Weather strips are used for sealing automobile passenger compartments to prevent rain, washing water, mud, noise and the like from entering the passenger compartment. Opening trim (OT) weather strips (hereafter referred to as xe2x80x9cOT weather stripsxe2x80x9d) and door weather strips seal a space defined between the doors and the body panels located adjacent to the doors. Door glass run channels seal a space between the door frames and the door glasses moving along the door frames.
A typical OT weather strip includes a U-shaped trim and a tubular seal formed integrally with the trim. The trim is secured to a peripheral flange of a door opening of a body panel. Since the trim is required to have a predetermined degree of strength, the trim is formed by embedding a metal core with ethylene-propylene-diene copolymer (EPDM), solid rubber. The outer side of the trim is covered by a decorating layer formed of, for example, thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). It is also required that the seal has an elastic property at the low-temperature. The sealing is thus formed of EPDM sponge rubber.
FIG. 11 shows a conventional-type procedure for manufacturing the OT weather strip. Specifically, a supplier 106 supplies a plate-like metal core to an EPDM solid rubber extruder 101. The metal core is then embedded by unvulcanized solid rubber and supplied to a first die 102. Meanwhile, an EPDM sponge rubber extruder 100 supplies unvulcanized EPDM sponge rubber to the first die 102. The sponge rubber, together with the solid rubber embedding the metal core, is extruded through the first die 102 and formed as one body, or a workpiece having a predetermined shape. The workpiece including unvulcanized rubber is sent to a microwave heating vulcanizing device (UHF device) 103 in which the workpiece is pre-heated. While the workpiece is passing through the UHF device 103, a foaming agent contained in the EPDM sponge rubber activates and starts foaming the rubber. The workpiece is then sent to an air heating vulcanizing furnace 104. By passing the workpiece through the air heating vulcanizing furnace 104, the EPDM rubber is completely vulcanized. The workpiece including the vulcanized rubber is then cooled in the air.
Meanwhile, olefine type thermoplastic elastomer (TPO) used for forming the decorating layer of the trim is molten in a TPO extruder 105. The molten TPO is shaped like a sheet by second die 107 through extrusion molding. Then, the sheet-like TPO is press-fit on the workpiece by a roller. In this manner, the outer side of the trim is covered by a TPO decorating layer. Subsequently, the workpiece is again cooled in the air and bent such that the trim has a U-shaped cross section. The bent workpiece is then cut in a plurality of pieces by a cutter 108. The cut pieces are arranged in a cavity defined in a metal mold such that the pieces are separate from one another while inclined relative to one another by predetermined angles. EPDM sponge rubber is then injected in the cavity and connects the cut pieces with one another. A complete OT weather strip is thus obtained.
In the above conventional-type procedure, the rubber material and TPO may be shaped as one body through co-extrusion molding, instead of shaping TPO separately. In this case, the second die 107 is unnecessary. However, since the vulcanizing temperature of the rubber is normally 180xc2x0 C. to 220xc2x0 C. TPO is re-molten in a vulcanizing device in which the rubber is vulcanized. The re-molten TPO affects the appearance of the weather strip. Accordingly, as described above, TPO and the rubber must be treated separately before the shaped TPO is press-fit on the vulcanized rubber material.
Furthermore, in the above procedure, the trim formed of vulcanized rubber may be placed in the second die 107. The molten TPO is then arranged on the trim in the second die 107 such that the trim is covered by the decorating layer. However, in this case, it is very difficult to supply the trim to the second die 107 at a predetermined position. As a result, the obtained TPO decorating layer does not have a uniform thickness. In addition, if the molten TPO needs to be provided only to a certain portion of the trim, the structure of the second die 107 becomes extremely complicated. The manufacturing costs of the OT weather strip is thus increased. Therefore, in order to reduce the manufacture costs, a second die 107 with a simple structure is used in the conventional-type procedure. However, if TPO is shaped like a sheet by the second die 107, the sheet-like TPO must be independently press-fit on the workpiece after the rubber vulcanization is completed. This press-fitting step complicates the procedure for manufacturing the OT weather strip. Accordingly, it is necessary to provide a procedure for manufacturing a weather strip capable of reducing costs and of simple performance.
A typical door glass run channel has a bottom wall, a pair of side walls, a pair of support lips, and a pair of lip seals. The support lips and the lip seals extend from the distal ends of the associated side walls. The support lips clamp an edge of a door frame that defines an opening in the door frame for receiving a door glass. Each lip seal comes in contact with an inner side of the door glass facing the passenger compartment or an outer side of the door glass facing the exterior of the vehicle. The lip seals are opposed to each other such that the lip seals guide the door glass to move smoothly along the door frame. When a door glass is closed, the lip seals come in contact with the inner and outer sides of the door glass for sealing the passenger compartment, or preventing rain, washing water, mud, noise and the like from entering the passenger compartment. Most of the door glass run channel is formed of a single type of material, such as EPDM solid rubber and TPO. A polyurethane layer is applied on the surfaces of the lip seals and other portions of the door glass run channel coming in contact with the door glass. The polyurethane resin layer allows the door glass to slide smoothly along the door glass run channel.
FIG. 12 shows a conventional-type procedure for manufacturing the door glass run channel. An EPDM extruder 101 supplies unvulcanized EPDM solid rubber to a die 110. The EPDM solid rubber is then shaped in a predetermined shape by the die 110 through extrusion molding. The shaped rubber is sent to a UHF vulcanizing device 103 and then to an air heating vulcanizing furnace 104 in which the rubber is vulcanized. The rubber is then cooled in the air such that a workpiece of the door glass run channel is obtained.
Next, the workpiece is sent to a polyurethane coating booth 111 in which a solution of polyurethane is applied and coated on the workpiece. The workpiece is then passed through a drying furnace 112 in which solvent contained in the solution is evaporated. Subsequently, the workpiece is sent to a solidifying furnace 113 and solidified in the furnace 113. The workpiece is then cooled and cut in a plurality of pieces by a cutter 108. The cut pieces are arranged in cavity defined in a metal mold such that the pieces are separate from one another and inclined relative to one another by predetermined angles. The pieces are then connected with one another by EPDM solid rubber or TPO injected in the cavity. A complete door glass run channel is thus obtained.
The above procedure includes an independent step of applying a polyurethane coating on the lip seals and another independent step of solidifying the polyurethane. These steps prolong the time required for performing the procedure for manufacturing the door glass run channel. Furthermore, the steps for forming the polyurethane layer complicate the procedure and thus increase the cost for manufacturing the door glass run channel.
Furthermore, since most part of the door glass run channel is formed of EPDM solid rubber, the door glass run channel becomes heavier. Since it is required to provide lighter automobiles, lighter automobile parts need be manufactured. In order to meet this need, for example, the volume of each section in the door glass run channel may be reduced. However, it is difficult to reduce the volume of each section in the door glass run channel without hampering its clamping of the door frame and sealing of the passenger compartment. In addition, if most of the door glass run channel is formed of TPO, the door glass run channel becomes lighter. However, the lip seals of the glass run channel become solidity at a low temperature, thus decreasing its elastic property.
A typical door weather strip includes a base and a hollow seal formed integrally with the base. The base is supported by a retainer fixed on an outer edge of a door frame. The door weather strip is formed of a singe material, such as EPDM rubber and TPO. Normally, the base and the seal are formed of EPDM sponge rubber as one body.
Since the entire door weather strip is formed of EPDM sponge rubber, it is difficult to attach the base to the retainer of the door frame in a stable manner. Thus, the door weather strip may be attached to the door frame by a synthetic resin clamp inserted through a hole defined in the base. In this case, the base may be damaged due to its insufficient rigidity, thus causing the door weather strip to fall from the door frame. However, if the door weather strip is formed of TPO such that the rigidity of the base is increased, the elastic property including permanent compression set of the hollow seal is extremely lowered as compared with a seal formed of sponge rubber. Furthermore, the elastic property of the seal formed of TPO is decreased when exposed to a low temperature. The door weather strip formed of TPO is thus not yet in use.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a relatively light and inexpensive seal used in a vehicle without degrading the sealing and anti-wear characteristics of the entire seal.
To achieve the foregoing and other objectives and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, a seal for a vehicle is provided. The vehicle includes an opening of a body and a movable member movably disposed in the opening to selectively close and open the opening. The movable member has an outer edge and the opening is defined by a peripheral inner edge of a flange of the body. The seal is mounted to one of the outer edge of the movable member and the inner edge of the body conforming to each other. The seal has a first portion subject to an elastic deformation when being pressed against one of the movable member and the body. The first portion is made of a vulcanizable rubber. The seal includes a second portion made of a thermoplastic elastomer. The first portion and at least a part of the second portion are integrated by coextrusion. The rubber of the first portion is vulcanized when passing through a vulcanizer.
The present invention is also applied to a method for manufacturing seal for a vehicle. The vehicle has an opening and a movable member movably disposed in the opening to selectively close and open the opening. The movable member has an outer edge and the body has the opening defined by an inner edge of a flange. The seal is attached to one of the outer edge of the movable member and the flange of the body conforming to each other. The seal has a first portion subject to a plastic deformation when being pressed against the movable member or the body. The method includes extruding a rubber for forming the first portion; extruding a thermoplastic elastomer for forming at least a part of a second portion different from the first portion; coextruding the rubber and the thermoplastic elastomer which were formed as one body to a predetermined shape in a single die; and vulcanizing the rubber in a vulcanizer that is heated to a predetermined temperature.


An improved delivery track construction for use with known coolers and dispensing devices for bottled beverages. The construction includes a series of inclined tracks having first and second adjacent terminal ends, the tracks having a one-hundred eighty degree loop between the ends. The track permits the introduction of replacement stock at an upper end for feeding under gravity to a lower end, and assures that bottles are dispensed on a first in, first out basis.

This invention relaters generally to the field of refrigerated coolers for serially dispensing packaged beverages, such as carbonated sodas, fruit juices, and the like. More particularly, it relates to an improved track arrangement for serially moving containers to a point of disengagement by a user.
The present state of the art is highly developed, and diverse attempts have been made to cope with the long-standing problems involved with such structures. Among the most prominent are those related to maximum utilization of available space within the cooler, trouble-free operation, and the need to provide for dispensing older stock in preference to newer stock. It is also desirable that inlet and outlet locations be substantially adjacent, to permit front loading where the cooler is installed against a vertical wall, as is commonly the case.
The need for dispensing on a first in, first out basis is recognized in U.S. Pat. No. 3,501,016 to Eaton, dated Mar. 17, 1970. This patent describes a U-shaped channel of relatively short length in which the containers are supported at a bottom surface, and the channel has no provision for gravity feeding of the containers.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,586,665 discloses a U-shaped storage channel for supporting necked bottles within a channel which engages the transfer ring on the neck of the bottle. The channel is supported at an angle for gravity feed. However, both rectilinear segments of the channel are angled in the same direction, so that both free ends serve as both a feeding inlet and a dispensing outlet. Thus, unless care is taken to consistently use only one of the ends for loading, old stock can accumulate in the area of the U-shaped segment of the channel.


Disclosed herein is a non real-time broadcast receiving system. The system includes: a non real-time service decoder dividing received non real-time service content into a transmission block according to a protocol; a service content manager monitoring whether the receive of the non real-time service content stops and acknowledging a schedule regarding whether a portion with errors in the non real-time service content is retransmitted; a memory storing a portion without errors in the non real-time service content; a file checker checking whether errors are produced during the receive of the non real-time service contents and determining whether the portion with errors in the non real-time service content is retransmitted; a retransmission request signal generator generating a retransmission request signal; a return channel transmitter transmitting the retransmission request signal; and a return channel receiver receiving data corresponding the portion with error.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to digital broadcast, and more particularly, to non real-time broadcast services in digital broadcast.
2. Related Art
As one of the digital broadcast standards, an advanced television system committee (ATSC) prepares non real-time (NRT) services capable of providing application data services at any time after previously downloading various content files to a terminal while providing real-time broadcast using an existing broadcast standard. The ATSC uses File Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (FLUTE) (see Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) RFC 3926) standard so as to download beforehand the content files to the terminal through an internet protocol (IP) stream.
Meanwhile, unlike typical broadcast, such as a terrestrial wave, a cable, a satellite network, or the like, that distributes contents to broadcasting, a two-way broadcast service through a broadcast network capable of implementing two-way communication represented by an internet protocol TV (IPTV) in an Internet network has newly appeared. The two-way broadcast service commonly uses multicasting or unicasting transferring contents to a terminal having a specific IP address regardless of an open network or a private network managed by a business. However, the multicasting or unicasting scheme is small in the maximum number of users that may be accessed simultaneously and coverage, as compared with the broadcasting scheme. In addition, since the multicasting or unicasting scheme does not have an independent channel that is directly managed and shares resources with multiple users in a single network, the data rate is degraded. Therefore, it is difficult to ensure quality of service (QoS) for a high definition video. On the other hand, using the two-way communication may retransmit a portion with errors and recover the portion and may provide other contents to a user or provide (for example, a video on demand (VOD) service) services only at the time of the request of the user even with the same contents.
However, a general digital broadcast is basically a broadcast scheme and is a uni-direction. When there are errors in the received broadcast contents, all the contents are not used or the contents needs to be reproduced in the state in which errors are present. These errors may occur due to a change in a physical channel of a broadcast network. In particular, the broadcast contents may be received only through a specific broadcast channel, the broadcast content cannot be received any more when the user randomly changes the channel. In addition, various services provide through a limited frequency band in the broadcast network and therefore, broadcasting through the repetition of the same contents is also limited. Therefore, there are errors in a portion of the broadcast content, there is a strong possibility that the broadcast content is not received.

Method and apparatus for performing non real time service in digital broadcast system

Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute


A method and apparatus for the administration of a user registry in a distributed computing environment (DCE). User administration is achieved by encapsulating the DCE principal, extended registry attributes, and account entities into a single object called an account object. The single account object is a subclass of an abstract object called the registry object, which in turn is a subclass of the DCE extended registry attribute object. The invention provides a single object to which requests are made, thus providing a simplified user interface for accessing the contents of the object-oriented account object.

The development of application and system software for data processing systems has traditionally been a time consuming task. The field of software engineering has attempted to overcome the limitations of traditional techniques by proposing new, more efficient software development models. Object oriented programming has emerged as a promising technology that will allow rapid development, implementation and customization of objects. Each new object has certain data attributes and processes or methods that operate on that data. Data is said to be "encapsulated" by an object, and can only be modified by the object methods, invoked by sending a message to an object identifying the method supplying any needed arguments.
Object oriented systems have two important properties in addition to encapsulation. "Inheritance" is the ability to derive a new object from an existing object and inherit all properties, including methods and data structure, from the existing object. The new object may have certain unique features which are supplied as overrides or modifications to the existing class. For example, a new subclass needs to specify only the functions and data that distinguish that class from the existing more general class.
The ability to override an existing method description enables polymorphism, the ability to have a single message received by an object be processed in different ways depending on the object itself. Inheritance and polymorphism create a powerful structure for implementing new software systems. The software developers does not have to develop each piece of a system, they need only specify the unique features of the system. One object oriented programming system is the System Object Model (SOM). More information on SOM can be found in the SOM objects Developer Toolkit User's Guide, Version 2.0, 1993, available from the International Business Machine Corporation.
In today's computer software environment, code is developed using a modular approach whenever possible. Future software environments will continue to use a modular approach, yielding the concept of reusable software components. This reusability spans many competing layers starting with the operating system, moving up through network transports, distributed computing layers, and finally into application components like spell checkers, search engines, and databases.
In the Distributed Computing Environment (DCE), various software components may be located on more than one physical system, such as a number of computers in a distributed data processing system. Examples of such services include security, directory, and time services. The various components use each other's services by making internal calls to one another (in the form of messages sent from one object to another object) as a way of satisfying a request for a particular service. For example, when an application invokes a security component requesting the addition of a new user to the security registry database, the message requesting an addition of a new user results in other messages being made to other parts of the security component to check that the component making this request is authorized to add users in the databases, which in turn uses a remote procedure call (RPC) component to transmit those requests to the appropriate service.
Such modular software component environments provide programmers with clean, well-defined interfaces for requesting services needed by an application. A problem exist, however, when a system administrator must preform user administration procedures to enable a user to logon or access resources within the distributed computing environment (DCE). The problem emanates from the fact that in the distributed computing environment, the concept of a user of network resources is exposed at a low-level which is not familiar to the system administrators. While mechanisms exist within the DCE environment for creating and manipulating the low-level components of a DCE user, there is not a set of high-level standard administrative and system management definitions.
It is desirable to have an improved method and apparatus for a distributed computing environment, where a set of standard administrative and system management objects are provided, which are readily customizable and easily extendable to satisfy future requirements.

Method and apparatus for an account managed object class model in a distributed computing environment

International Business Machines Corporation


An information processing apparatus includes: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory and configured to: down-convert a moving image in units of structure of pictures (SOPs) divided in a time direction and precedingly execute encoding processing; calculate a target code amount of each processing unit included in the moving image in units of SOPs based on a result of the preceding encoding processing and calculate a temporal buffer position in a case where the encoding processing is executed on each processing unit based on the calculated target code amount; and calculate an error between an actual transmission buffer position and a temporal buffer position each time when the encoding processing is executed on each processing unit in the moving image in units of SOPs and correct a target code amount of each processing unit on which the encoding processing has not been executed yet.

A moving image encoding apparatus has been developed which divides an 8K-120 Hz moving image in a time direction and a spatial direction and executes encoding processing in real time by executing processing in parallel by using a plurality of encoders, and transmits a bit stream.    Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2008-085673, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2000-232644, and Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2002-232882 are disclosed as related art.    Non-Patent Document 1: "Development of 8K120 Hz Real-time Video Codec", 2018 ITE annual convention, no. 22C-1, August 2018,    Non-Patent Document 2: "Development of High Efficient and High Picture Quality Architecture for 8K 120 Hz Video Encoder with HEVC", 2018 ITE annual convention, no. 22C-2, August 2018, and    Non-Patent Document 3: "A Study on the Required Video Bit-rate for 8K 120-Hz HEVC/H.265 Temporal Scalable Coding," 2018 Picture Coding Symposium (PCS), San Francisco. Calif., pp. 106-110, 2018 are disclosed as related art.

Information processing apparatus, moving image encoding method, and computer-readable recording medium recording moving image encoding program


A belt fusing accessory, for a reproduction apparatus, the belt fusing accessory providing selectable image gloss. The belt fusing accessory, as disclosed, includes a heated fuser roller and a pressure roller in nip relation with the fuser roller. A steering roller is located downstream of the nip between the fuser roller and the pressure roller. A fusing belt is entrained about the fuser roller and the steering roller. Heat to the fuser roller is controlled dependent upon the desired gloss condition for the colorant image on the receiver member.

Typical commercial reproduction apparatus include electrostatographic process copier/duplicators or printers, inkjet printers, and thermal printers. With such reproduction apparatus, a colorant such as pigmented marking particles, ink, or dye material (hereinafter referred to commonly as marking particles) are utilized to develop an image, of information to be reproduced, on a support member for transfer to a receiver member, or directly onto a receiver member. The receiver member bearing the marking particle image is transported through a fuser device where the image is fixed (fused) to the receiver member, for example, by heat and pressure to form a permanent reproduction thereon. While the fuser device is typically integral with the reproduction apparatus, it may also be an independent piece of equipment, generally referred to as an off line fuser. Off line fusers, being a device devoted to a single task, have the ability to have their operating parameters optimized to perform the fusing function.
Certain reproduction apparatus have been designed to produce multi-color copies. In such reproduction apparatus, multiple color separation images are respectfully developed with complimentary colored marking particles, in superposition on a receiver member. It has been found that fixing of multi-color marking particle images to a receiver member requires substantially different operating parameters than fixing standard black marking particle images to a receiver member. Moreover, the respective operating parameters may in fact be in contradistinction. That is, multi-color images require a high degree of glossiness for a full, rich depth of color reproduction; on the other hand, since glossiness for black marking particle images may significantly impair legibility, a matte finish is preferred.
It is known that the glossiness of a marking particle image is, at least in part, dependent upon the marking particle melting characteristics in the fixing process. In general, the fixing apparatus serves to soften or at least partially melt the marking particles, enabling the marking particles to permeate into the fibers of the receiver member so that the marking particles are fixed to the receiver member to give a glossy image reproduction. For example, the fixing apparatus may include a heated roller which contacts the marking particles and the receiver member. With multi-color marking particle images, the multiple color marking particle images are respectively melted and fixed by the heated roller. If the color marking particle images are not sufficiently melted, light scattering cavities may occur in the copy which degrades the color reproduction. Moreover, if the marking particles on the receiver member do not have a mirror-like surface, incident light is reflected by diffusion from the marking particle surface and is not admitted into the marking particle layers, making the colors on the receiver member appear dark and cloudy. Therefore, low melting point marking particles are used. They yield few cavities and a hard flat surface so as to give glossy and vivid colors in the reproduction.
Low melting point marking particles are subject to increased image offset to the heating roller. This can produce undesirable defects in the reproduction or subsequent reproductions. Although image offset can be reduced by application of fuser oil to the heating roller, the use of such oil introduces further complications into the fusing system, such as handling of the oil and making sure that the layer of oil on the roller is uniform for uniform heat application. Alternatively, a mechanical arrangement for reducing image offset, without the need for fuser oil, has been found. Such mechanical arrangement, as shown for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,256,507 (issued Oct. 26, 1993, in the name of Aslam et al), provides an elongated web which is heated to melt the marking particles and then cooled to cool the particles and facilitate ready separation of the receiver member with the marking particle image fixed thereto from the elongated web. The nature of operation of the elongated web arrangement also serves to increase the glossiness of the fixed marking particle image. As a result, such arrangement is particularly useful for multi-color image fusing. However, there is still only a limited control available to select the degree of gloss to be provided for the image reproduction.

Belt fusing accessory with selectable fused image gloss


Holographic apparatus and methods are provided for generating high resolution telescopic images using low cost, small aperture lenses. Holographic media, such as photorefractive crystals, are used in conjunction with multiple and/or synthetic aperture techniques. In a multiple aperture system, a thin nonlinear holographic medium is used with a plurality of small optical lenses to compensate for the inherent piston and tilt errors of the lenses, thereby providing higher resolution. In another embodiment, synthetic aperture techniques are accomplished by illuminating a far field object with coherent light, deriving a reference beam from the coherent light, and changing the position of the reference beam in accordance with a computational formula. A hologram is formed from a sequence of image exposures in the holographic media, each made at different positions with respect to the image. The sequence of exposures is combined and phased in the holographic media to synthesize a high resolution image normally achievable only with a relatively larger aperture.

In far field imaging systems, such as telescopes, it is desirable to have diffraction limited lenses (i.e., devoid of aberrations) with very large apertures. It is well known that the resolution achievable with a diffraction limited lens is inversely proportional to the size of its aperture. Thus, larger lenses, which have larger apertures, produce finer resolution. Large optical lenses, however, are generally limited by their great weight and cost.
One method of avoiding large, high quality, expensive lenses is the use of an array of smaller, lower quality lenses. the use of an array of lenses increases the cross sectional area, and therefore the resolution of the system, but it also increases the aberration that must be corrected. Furthermore, the combination of multiple optical images at a common plane generates problems of angular resolution, piston error resulting from different lens distances from the object plane, and tilt error resulting from different lens angles. In previous optical imaging systems, the superposition of many individually produced images has not achieved the high resolution desired, especially at the small energy levels normally received. Thus, it has not been considered practical to use multiple apertures or synthetic imaging in most optical systems.
A need has therefore been recognized for an optical imaging system that employs multiple and/or synthetic aperture techniques to improve the resolution of low cost lenses. Furthermore, it is highly desirable that such a system provide automatic compensation for the optical errors inherent in a multiple or synthetic aperture system.

Holographic techniques for generating high resolution telescopic images


A cover configured to be attached to, and cover a portion of, a handheld electronic device. The cover includes a shell having a first side and a second side and a wireless charging receiver module connectable to the handheld electronic device. When attached to the handheld electronic device the first side of the shell faces the handheld electronic device. The wireless charging receiver module is positioned on the first side of the shell.

A cover of a handheld electronic device made of metallic materials becomes more and more popular because of the texture and character of metal. Along with development and popularization of wireless charging technology, a wireless charging receiver module can be placed in a cover of a handheld electronic device functions as a wireless charger.


The present invention is directed to systems and methods for opportunistically defragmenting a data storage device during garbage collection. During garbage collection, valid data is identified and cached in a buffer assigned to the garbage collection process. When the buffer has been filled or reached a threshold, the valid data in the buffer is then coalesced and rewritten back to the data storage medium. In addition, a translation table is reduced by updating its entries to indicate the new locations of the coalesced valid data.

Garbage collection is often performed in data storage devices that implement uni-directional write policies. For example, some non-volatile solid-state memory devices and shingled disk drives both program or write data to the media in one direction, whether the incoming data from the host has random or sequential logical addresses. Because data for logical addresses can be located at any physical location, garbage collection is needed to reclaim locations on the media that no longer contain valid data for future writes. For example, in a shingled disk drive, if a track stores both valid and invalid data, the valid data may be copied by the controller as part of garbage collection to a new location so that the entire track can be made available for future write operations.

Opportunistic defragmentation during garbage collection