A projector (10) with enhanced security camcorder defeat including a copy protection illumination system (1) for illuminating a spatial light modulator (30) comprises: a polychromatic light source (20); uniformizing optics (22) for homogenizing light from the polychromatic light source to provide a uniform illumination field; relay optics; dichroic optics; an interference modulation element (5) located at a plane in an optical path located between the polychromatic light source and the spatial light modulator; and a detection means for determining the absence of the interference modulation element.

In order to be considered as suitable replacements for conventional film projectors, digital projection systems must meet demanding requirements for image quality. This is particularly true for multicolor cinematic projection systems. In order to provide a competitive alternative to conventional cinematic-quality projectors, digital projection apparatus must meet high standards of performance, providing high resolution, wide color gamut, high brightness, and frame-sequential contrast ratios exceeding 1,000:1. In addition to these requirements, steps need to be taken to insure the security of the data path and projected images.
The most promising solutions for multicolor digital cinema projection employ, as image forming devices, one of two basic types of spatial light modulators. The first type of spatial light modulator is the digital micromirror device (DMD), developed by Texas Instruments, Inc., Dallas, Tex. DMD devices are described in a number of patents, for example U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,441,791; 5,535,047; 5,600,383 (all to Hornbeck); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,719,695 (Heimbuch). Optical designs for projection apparatus employing DMDs are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,914,818 (Tejada et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,930,050 (Dewald); U.S. Pat. No. 6,008,951 (Anderson); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,089,717 (Iwai). Although DMD-based projectors demonstrate some capability to provide the necessary light throughput, contrast ratio, and color gamut; inherent resolution limitations (with current devices providing only 1024×768 pixels) and high component and system costs have restricted DMD acceptability for high-quality digital cinema projection.
The second type of spatial light modulator used for digital projection is the liquid crystal device (LCD). The LCD forms an image as an array of pixels by selectively modulating the polarization state of incident light for each corresponding pixel. LCDs appear to have advantages as spatial light modulators for high-quality digital cinema projection systems. These advantages include relatively large device size and favorable device yields. Among examples of electronic projection apparatus that utilize LCD spatial light modulators are those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,808,795 (Shimomura et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,798,819 (Hattori et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,961 (Ueda); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,694 (Oikawa et al.).
In an electronic projection apparatus using spatial light modulators, individual colors, conventionally red, green, and blue, are separately modulated in a corresponding red, green, or blue portion of the optical path. The modulated light of each color is then combined in order to form a composite, multicolor RGB color image.
This invention generally relates to an apparatus for displaying a copy protected image while projecting a digital motion picture, where the copy protected image is not significantly degraded as compared to a normally projected image. On the other hand, the copy protected image has a distinguishing attribute that is visible in a recording of the motion picture made using a video capture device such as a video camera.
Whether produced from film or digital sources, images, when projected to a screen for viewing, are subject to illicit duplication. Many techniques have been proposed for a means to prevent off the screen piracy of motion pictures through the use of video recording devices. Illegally copied motion pictures, filmed during projection with video cameras or camcorders and similar devices, are of significant concern to producers of the motion pictures. Even the questionable quality of copies pirated in this fashion does not prevent them from broad distribution. The packaging of these illegal copies can mimic the legitimately distributed media, thus defrauding both the producers and the end users. As video cameras improve in imaging quality and become smaller and more capable, the threat of illegal copying activity becomes more menacing to motion picture providers. While it may not be possible to completely eliminate theft by copying, it can be advantageous to provide display delivery techniques that frustrate anyone who attempts to copy a motion picture using a portable video camera device.
It is known to provide a distinct symbol or watermark to an original still image as a means of image or copy identification, such as in order to authenticate a copy. As examples, U.S. Pat No. 5,875,249 (Mintzer et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,031,914 (Tewfik et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,972 (Barton); and U.S. Pat. No. 5,949,885 (Leighton) disclose methods of applying a perceptually invisible watermark to image data as verification of authorship or ownership or as evidence that an image has not been altered.
The above examples for still-frame images illustrate a key problem: an invisible watermark identifies but does not adversely affect the quality of an illegal copy, while a visible watermark can be distracting and degrades the viewing experience of the intended audience. With video and motion picture images, there can be yet other problems with conventional image watermarking. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,960,081 (Vynne et al.) discloses applying a hidden watermark to MPEG data using motion vector data. This method identifies and authenticates the original compressed data stream but would not provide identification for a motion picture that was copied using a camcorder. Other patents, such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,139 (Girod et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,069,914 (Cox); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,037,984 (Isnardi et al.) disclose adding an imperceptible watermark directly to the discrete cosine transform (DCT) coefficients of a MPEG-compressed video signal. If such watermarked images are subsequently recompressed using a lossy compression method (such as by a camcorder, for example) or are modified by some other image processing operation, the watermark may no longer be detectable.
The watermarking schemes noted above are directed to copy identification, ownership, or authentication. However, even if a watermarking approach is robust, provides copy control management, and succeeds in identifying the source of a motion picture, an invisible watermark may not be a sufficient deterrent for illegal copying. These schemes do not prevent on screen copies to be made, and in addition, require that the watermarking or copy protection be applied to the data stream to the projector.
As an alternative to watermarking, some copy deterrent schemes used in arts other than video or movie display operate by modifying a signal or inserting a different signal to degrade the quality of any illegal copies. The modified or inserted signal does not affect playback of a legally obtained manufactured copy, but adversely impacts the quality of an illegally produced copy. As one example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,883,959 (Kori) discloses deliberate modification of a burst signal to foil copying of a video. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,158 (Sato) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,663,927 (Ryan) disclose modification of expected video signals in order to degrade the quality of an illegal copy.
As a variation of the general method where a signal is inserted that does not impact viewability, but degrades copy quality, U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,374 (Wrobleski) discloses the use of a second projector in video and motion picture presentation. This second projector is used to project an infrared (IR) message onto the display screen, where the infrared message can contain, for example, a date/time stamp, theater identifying text, or other information. The infrared message is not visible to the human eye. However, because the typical video camera has broader spectral sensitivity that includes the IR range, the message can be clearly visible in any video camera copy made from the display screen. The same technique can be used to distort a recorded image with an "overlaid" infrared image. While the method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,018,374 can be effective for frustrating casual camcorder recording, the method has some drawbacks. A video camera operator could minimize the effect of a projected infrared watermark by applying a commonly available spectral filter designed to block infrared light to the capture lens of his/her camcorder. Video cameras are normally provided with some amount of IR filtering to compensate for silicon sensitivity to IR. Alternately, with a focused watermark image, such as a text message projected using infrared light, retouching techniques could be applied to alter or remove a watermark, especially if the infrared signal can be located within frame coordinates and is consistent, frame to frame.
Motion picture display and video recording standards have well-known frame-to-frame refresh rates. In standard motion picture projection, for example, each film frame is typically displayed for a time duration of 1/24 second. Respective refresh rates for interlaced NTSC and PAL video recording standards are 1/60 second and 1/50 second.
Video camera capabilities such as variable shutter speeds allow close synchronization of a video camera with film projection, making it easier for illegal copies to be filmed within a theater. Attempts to degrade the quality of such a copy include that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,454 (Mead). U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,454, which discloses use of a pseudo-random variation in frame rate, causing successive motion picture frames to be displayed at slightly different rates than nominal. Using this method, for example, frame display periods would randomly change between 1/23 and 1/25 second for a nominal 1/24 second display period. Timing shifts within this range would be imperceptible to the human viewer, but significantly degrade the quality of any copy filmed using a video camera.
Randomization, as used in the method of U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,454, would prevent resynchronization of the video camera to a changed display frequency. While the method of U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,454 may degrade the image quality of a copy made by video camera, this method does have limitations. As noted in the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,454, the range of frame rate variability is constrained, since the overall frame rate must track reasonably closely with accompanying audio. Also, such a method provides no spatial or color disturbance in the illegal copies.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,717 (Chaum) also discloses a method and apparatus for copy prevention of a displayed motion picture work. The apparatus of U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,717 includes a film projector along with a separate video projector. The video projector can be used, for example, to display an identifying or cautionary message or an obscuring pattern that is imperceptible to human viewers but can be recorded using a video camera. Alternately, the video camera may even display part of the motion picture content itself. By controlling the timing of the video projector relative to film projector timing, a message or pattern can be made that will be recorded when using a video camera, but will be imperceptible to a viewing audience. The method of U.S. Pat. No. 5,959,717, however, has some drawbacks. Notably, this method requires distribution of a motion picture in multiple parts, which greatly complicates film replication and distribution. Separate projectors are required for the film-based and video-based image components, adding cost and complexity to the system and to its operation. Image quality, particularly for large-screen environments, may not be optimal for video projection and alignment of both projectors to each other and to the display surface must be precisely maintained.
WO 01/33846 A2 (Burstyn) discloses a method and apparatus for anti-piracy that describes an electronic projection apparatus with an interfering source, but it fails to consider the image planes necessary to accomplish the desired interference. The method disclosed by Burstyn does not permit the interference to occur at a plane that is conjugate to the spatial light modulator which is required for projecting an in focus, sharp copy protected image to a screen. As Burstyn is vague concerning the location and design of the interfering means within an electronic projection apparatus, Burstyn does not anticipate either the problems or opportunities related to designing an interfering means into an actual projection apparatus.
Methods such as those described above could be adapted to provide some measure of copy deterrence or watermarking for digital motion pictures. However, none of the methods noted above is wholly satisfactory for the reasons stated. Therefore, there is a need for copy-deterrence techniques that are enabled by internal image digital projector technology. An internal image projection system is ideally suited to the application of interference elements placed at strategic locations in the illumination and imaging optical paths.
The use of an intermediate imaging optical system is known in the design of electronic projection systems. Exemplary prior art systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,649 (Ledebuhr et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,357,289 (Konno et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 5,907,437 (Sprotberry et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 6,247,816 (Cipolla et al.); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,439,725 (Na). As a particular example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,222 (Doany et al.) discloses, for use in a digital projector, an optical relay lens system that is intended to aid in optical tolerance problems and projection lens working requirements. The system of U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,222 provides a single optical relay lens system to create a full color RGB image at unity magnification. This system fails to anticipate many of the advantages a three intermediate image relay optical systems (one per color), each operating at a nominal 2× magnification, provide internal images that are combined prior to a common projection lens. Although the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,597,222 lacks many of the advantages of the an internal image projection systems, the projection system of Doany et al. '222 does inherently provides an image plane where the methods disclosed in this application can be applied.
In summary, there is a need for a system to prevent off the screen piracy of motion images which:                Does not degrade the as viewed image        Degrades illicit copies of the viewed image        Is efficient with regard to light throughput        Is easily implemented        Does not require alterations to the motion picture data stream
A system which can be easily implemented on digital projection designs and which permit physical access to key planes along the optical axis for incorporation of interference elements is desirable. An example of a desirable plane along the optical axis would be a plane conjugate to the imaging device, for example film or spatial light modulator.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a copy-deterrent projection apparatus for projecting a digital motion picture onto a display screen, a disturbance generator capable of obscuring a color, or colors, of illumination temporally or spatially.
Another object of the present invention is to modulate the color channel which has excess illumination to further optimize the projection system.
Yet another object of the present invention to include a method for preventing the removal of the copy protection apparatus.
Thus, it can be seen that there is a need for improvement in illumination and modulation path optics for digital projection that alleviates the inherent angular limitations of lower cost dichroic coatings while providing maximum brightness and color gamut, as well as access to critical points in the system suited to camcorder defeat methods.

Projector with enhanced security camcorder defeat


The present invention provides a peritoneal dialysis solution that contains atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), a derivative of ANP, an analogue of ANP, a substance that binds ANP to clearance receptors or a substance that promotes ANP synthesis, which results in an increased net ultrafiltration and increased sodium clearance experienced in peritoneal dialysis patients.

The present invention relates generally to peritoneal dialysis and solutions for the same. More specifically, the present invention relates to the use of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) as an additive to peritoneal dialysis solutions to increase the adequacy thereof.
Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is a biological hormone. ANP has also been referred to as atrial natriuretic factor (ANF). Its sequence and structure are known and its synthetic equivalent is commercially available in the form of .alpha.-H-ANP. ANP is synthesized primarily in the atrium of the heart as a prehormone that is cleaved to a prohormone of 126 amino acids. The principal circulating form of ANP has been designated as ANP (99-126). The amino terminal (ANP (1-98) fragment is processed into ANP (1-30) and ANP (31-67) fragments, both of which possess biological activity.
ANP has been infused intravenously in treating hypertension, heart disease, acute renal failure and edema. ANP, when infused intravenously, has been shown to increase the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and filtration fraction. ANP has also been shown to reduce proximal tubule sodium ion concentration and water reabsorption. Further, ANP has been shown to inhibit net sodium ion reabsorption and water reabsorption in the collecting duct, lower plasma renin concentration and inhibit aldosterone secretion. Use of ANP intravenously has also resulted in mean arterial pressure reduction and has led to natriuresis and diuresis.
Dialysis provides a method for supplementing or replacing renal function in certain patients. Principally, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis are the two methods that are currently utilized.
In hemodialysis, the patient's blood is passed through an artificial kidney dialysis machine. A membrane in the machine acts as an artificial kidney for cleansing the blood. Because it is an extracorporeal treatment that requires special machinery, hemodialysis is fraught with certain inherent disadvantages such as the availability of dialysis machines and the possibility of infection and contamination.
To overcome the disadvantages associated with hemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis was developed. Peritoneal dialysis utilizes the patient's own peritoneum as a semi-permeable membrane. The peritoneum is a membranous lining of the abdominopelvic walls of the body. The peritoneum is capable of acting as a natural semi-permeable membrane because of its large number of blood vessels and capillaries.
In operation, a peritoneal dialysis solution is introduced into the peritoneal cavity utilizing a catheter. After a sufficient period of time, an exchange of solutes between the dialysate and blood is achieved. Fluid removal is achieved by providing a suitable osmotic gradient from the dialysate to the blood to permit water outflow from the blood. This allows the proper acid-base, electrolyte and fluid balance to be achieved in the blood. After an appropriate dwell period, the dialysis solution or dialysate is drained from the body through a catheter.
While peritoneal dialysis provides some advantages over hemodialysis, primary disadvantages of peritoneal dialysis include an insufficient net ultrafiltration and insufficient clearances of urea nitrogen and sodium. As a result, overall peritoneal dialysis adequacy can be insufficient. Therefore, there is a need for an improved peritoneal dialysis solution which provides a greater net ultrafiltration and increased clearances of components such as urea nitrogen.

Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) as an additive to peritoneal dialysis solutions


The present invention discloses an integrated circuit that is wired with a high-temperature superconductive material that is superconductive at temperatures of about 70.degree. K and above, and methods of making the integrated circuit. The front-end manufactured semiconductor structure is patterned with a preferred precursor metal or metal oxide and a complementary compound is superposed and reacted to form wiring lines of superconductor ceramics that complete integrated circuits within the front-end manufactured semiconductor structure. The front-end manufactured semiconductor structure is alternatively patterned first with the complementary compound and the precursor metal is thinly patterned by ion implantation. The front-end manufactured semiconductor structure is then treated to form wiring lines of superconductor ceramics that complete integrated circuits within structure. The conductive lines, if formed within an oxidized portion of the complementary compound, are self-insulating by the presence of the oxided complementary compound. Operation of the devices is accomplished at "high" superconductive temperatures that cause improved solid state operation of the device, minimizing molecular vibrations and dislocation effects, and cause the wiring to be superconductive.

THE FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to semiconductor devices upon a semiconductor substrate as they are electrically connected to each other to complete integrated circuits. More particularly, the invention relates to semiconductor devices upon a semiconductor substrate having electrical connections with the property of high-temperature (i.e. above about 70.degree. K) superconductivity.

Method making integrated circuit metallization with superconductor BEOL wiring


An antenna module in provided. The antenna module includes a metal housing, a radiator and a feed conductor. The metal housing includes a housing surface and a through hole. The radiator surrounds the metal housing. The feed conductor connects the radiator to an inner circuit inside the metal housing via the through hole.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antenna module, and in particular relates to an antenna module with improved transmission.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a planar inverted F antenna (PIFA) is widely utilized in various electronic devices, particularly portable electronic devices such as cell phones or tablet personal computers. However, with increased transmission requirement, portable electronic device need to transmit signals of GSM850/900/1800/1900/UMTS standards, wherein GSM means Global System for Mobile Communications and UMTS means Universal Mobil Telecommunications System.
A conventional planar inverted F antenna (PIFA) cannot satisfy more exacting transmission requirements.

Electronic device and antenna module thereof


Provided is a nitride semiconductor light emitting element having an improved carrier injection efficiency from a p-type nitride semiconductor layer to an active layer by simple means from a viewpoint utterly different from the prior art. A buffer layer 2, an undoped GaN layer 3, an n-type GaN contact layer 4, an InGaN/GaN superlattice layer 5, an active layer 6, a first undoped InGaN layer 7, a second undoped InGaN layer 8, and a p-type Gan-based contact layer 9 are stacked on a sapphire substrate 1. A p-electrode 10 is formed on the p-type Gan-based contact layer 9. An n-electrode 11 is formed on a surface where the n-type GaN contact layer 4 is exposed as a result of mesa-etching. The first undoped InGaN layer 7 is formed to contact a well layer closest to a p-side in the active layer having a quantum well structure, and subsequently the second undoped InGaN layer 8 is formed thereon. The carrier injection efficiency into the active layer 6 can be improved by making the total film thickness of the first and second undoped InGaN layers 20 nm or less.

Recently, short-wavelength semiconductor lasers have been intensively developed for the application of the semiconductor lasers in high density optical disk recording and the like. Hexagonal compound semiconductors including nitrogen (hereinafter, simply called nitride semiconductors) such as GaN, AlGaN, InGaN, InGaAlN and GaPN are used for short wavelength semiconductor lasers. In addition, LEDs using nitride semiconductors also have been developed.
As the nitride semiconductor light emitting elements, light emitting elements of the MIS structure have been used in some cases. However, such a light emitting element has a high-resistance i-type GaN-based semiconductor stacked thereon, and accordingly has a problem of generally very low emission output. To solve such a problem, the i-type GaN-based semiconductor layer is irradiated with electrons or is annealed.
Additionally, even for a nitride semiconductor light emitting element having a p-type GaN-based semiconductor layer formed therein, efforts are made to increase the emission output. For example, in order to improve the luminous efficiency, it is proposed, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, that the forward voltage Vf be reduced by forming an ohmic contact between a p-electrode and a p-type GaN contact layer or by making smaller the film thickness of a p-type GaN contact layer.
Moreover, in order to improve the luminous efficiency, Patent Document 1 also proposes that Mg be used as a p-type dopant to obtain the p-type characteristics of a p-type AlGaN cladding layer, or that the film thickness and the Al composition of the p-type AlGaN cladding layer be specified to improve the crystallinity.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 2778405

Nitride semiconductor light emitting element


This invention relates to accumulator injectors for a gas and/or liquid fueled diesel engine fuel injection system. Such structures of this type, generally, allows for variable injection timing and duration while providing a multiple fuel capability by changing the fuel distribution/atomization nozzle.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to accumulator injectors for a gas and/or liquid fueled diesel engine fuel injection system. Such structures of this type, generally, allow for variable injection timing and duration while providing a multiple fuel capability by changing the fuel distribution/atomization nozzle.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known in fuel injectors to make use of a pressure actuated, dual fuel-type injector which employs a mechanical spring to provide the proper needle seating force. The nozzle valve of the fuel injector is a pintle type, which typically has sealing difficulties due to exposure to the combustion chamber and the relatively large sealing surface required in the pintle type nozzle valve. Also, it is known in fuel injectors to employ a pressure actuated injector which utilizes a combination of a mechanical spring and fluid pressure for proper needle closing and sealing. However, with this type of pressure actuated injector, the fluid used in the injector is the same fluid that is used for preventing gas flow past the injector needle, which limits the operating pressure range. Therefore, a more advantageous fuel injection system, then, would be presented if the fuel injector pressure could be more independently controlled.
Finally, it is known, in fuel injectors, to employ an electronically controlled fuel injector which uses a direct acting solenoid to lift the needle valve. However, this injector utilizes a mechanical spring and requires a reduction of the fuel pressure to produce a timely closing of the needle. Consequently, further electronic controls of the fuel injector pressure while maintaining a relatively constant fuel injector pressure would be advantageous.
It is apparent from the above that there exists a need in the art for an accumulator injector which allows for variable injection timing and duration, and which at least equal the fuel injection characteristics of the known fuel injectors, but which at the same time is capable of injecting gaseous or liquid fuels over a broad range of fuel pressures. 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.

Electronically controlled accumulator injector


A heating pad is disclosed. The heating pad has a heating line received in a bag, wherein a plurality of heat preservation elements are slipped over the heating line; when the heating pad is electrified, a controller controls the temperature of the heating line for heat applying on a human body; when a electric source is turned off, the heating line stops being heated up, the heat preservation elements keeps on scattering heat outwards to extend the time of heat applying. The heat preservation elements can be ceramic pipes able to emit far infrared ray, so that during heat applying, the ceramic pipes can emit far infrared ray to get an effect of health care.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to a heat compress device for human body, and especially to a heating pad with a plurality of ceramic pipes slipped over a heating line to absorb heat generated by the heating line for continuously keeping warm to prolong the effect of heat applying for human body.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Referring to FIG. 3 showing a kind of structure of heating pad quite widely sold in the markets presently, wherein mainly an upper and a lower electric conducting board a1 compose an electric conducting board set, the two electric conducting boards a1 have a plurality of ceramic electric resistance elements a2 sandwiched therebetween, and a soft heat durable insulating gel portion a3 enveloping the two electric conducting boards a1 and the ceramic electric resistance elements a2 to form a heat compress sheet "a". When in electric conducting, the two electric conducting boards a1 can generate heat to raise temperature and get the effect of applying heat on a human body, while the resistance in the ceramic electric resistance elements a2 is increased when the temperature of the heat compress sheet "a" is raised gradually, thus the degree of electric conducting between the two electric conducting boards a1 can be controlled, so that the heat compress sheet "a" will not induce danger in use by continuous heating.
As shown in FIG. 4 showing another kind of conventional structure of heating pad, the structure comprises mainly a bottom cushion "b" and a surface layer "c" connected with each other by stacking. The bottom cushion "b" is composed of two aluminum foil sandwiching layers b1, b2 sandwiching therebetween a woven cloth layer b3, the surface layer "c" includes a woven cloth surface layer c1 and an aluminum foil surface layer c2, the aluminum foil surface layer c2 is connected with a lower woven cloth strip "d" spaced away from it, the woven cloth strip "d" and the aluminum foil surface layer c2 are formed therebetween a plurality of heat conducting spaces "e" for receiving an electric heating line "f" and ceramic heat conducting blocks "g". When the electric heating line "f" is electrified, heat is transmitted to the two aluminum foil sandwiching layers b1, b2 and the aluminum foil surface layer c2 to afford heat applying on a human body; by the function of heat preservation of the ceramic heat conducting blocks "g", heat can be stored and is not subjected to losing, thereby the time for heat applying can be prolonged.
The above mentioned two kinds of heating pads both use ceramic material; the ceramic electric resisters in the first kind of conventional structure of heating pad are used for temperature controlling to avoid danger, while the ceramic heat conducting blocks in the second kind of conventional structure of heating pad are used for getting the effect of heat preservation. However, the electric heating line and the ceramic heat conducting blocks in the second kind of conventional structure of heating pad are received in the heat conducting spaces, heat generated by the electric heating line must be transmitted to the ceramic heat conducting blocks through the aluminum foil surface layer; and the heat conducting spaces are formed by connecting of the woven cloth strip with the aluminum foil surface layer, this looks complicated in the entire structure and increases the costs of material and work of processing.
In view of the above stated, the motivation of the present invention is to simplify the structure of heating pads to lower its cost, and improve the effect of heat applying and heat preservation.


Disclosed herein are electrolytes comprising a cationic-functionalized polymer and a polyacid dopant. Also disclosed herein are methods of making and using the disclosed doped polymer electrolytes.

Current fuel cells that use commercially available sulfonated polymers or phosphoric acid-doped polymers (e.g., automotive fuel cells) cannot operate in the temperature range of 80° C. to 150° C. without humidification. Industrial standard automotive fuel cells employing perfluorosulfonic acid, Nafion®, operate at ˜80° C. and require humidified inlet streams and large radiators to dissipate waste heat. Other fuel cells used in the art that comprise polymer electrolytes can operate at 140° C. to 180° C., but they are unsuitable for automotive applications. In particular, such polymers comprise a phosphoric acid dopant, which is leached out under water condensation from frequent cold start-ups and oxygen reduction reaction at the fuel cell cathode at lower operating temperatures. New polymer electrolytes that resist leaching and that can operate at high temperatures are needed in the art.

Doped polymer electrolytes and methods of making and using the same


A fast light off flow-through ceramic substrate is provided that is particularly adapted for use as a catalytic converter. The substrate is formed from a body of ceramic material having axially opposing inlet and outlet ends for receiving and expelling the flow of automotive exhaust gas, respectively. The body contains a network of walls coated with a catalyst that define axially-oriented flow-through cell channels. The average thermal mass (ATM1) of a first axial region of the walls adjacent to the inlet end is at least 20% less than the average thermal mass (ATMTOT) of all of the walls. The lower average thermal mass of the walls in the first region advantageously shortens the light off time for the catalyst within the substrate to effectively neutralize automotive pollutants. The reduction of the average thermal mass in only the first axial region of the walls advantageously maintains the strength of the resulting body of ceramic material, and further increases the cool down time of the body.

Ceramic honeycomb structures of the type used in vehicular exhaust systems are known in the prior art. Such structures generally comprise a network of interconnected walls (webs) that form a matrix of elongated, gas-conducting cells which are typically square or hexagonal in shape. The cell matrix is surrounded by a cylindrical outer skin to form a can-shaped structure having opposing inlet and outlet ends for receiving and expelling exhaust gases through the matrix of cells. Such ceramic honeycomb structures find particular application as catalyst-supporting substrates for automobile exhaust systems.
When such ceramic honeycomb structures are used as automotive catalytic converters, the cell walls are coated with a precious metal catalyst containing platinum, rhodium or palladium, for example. Such structures have a cell density of approximately 400 to 900 cells per square inch in order to maximize the area contact between the automotive exhaust gases which blow through the gas conducting cells, and the catalyst present on the walls. To reduce the pressure drop that the exhaust gases experience when flowing through the honeycomb structure, the walls are typically manufactured between 3.0 and 5.0 mils thick. The use of walls of such thickness also results in a reasonably short light off time of about 24 seconds (i.e., the time it takes before the webs reach the required 250° C. before the catalyst impregnated over the walls begins to oxidize CO to CO2, and to effectively disassociate NOx into N2 and O2). A short light off time is important, as most of the automotive pollutants generated by an automobile with a catalytic converter are produced in the time between the automobile is first started until when the walls reach the required activation temperature of about 250° C.
In order to reduce the light off time even further, ceramic substrates having very thin walls, on the order of 2 mils or less, have been manufactured. However, the applicants have observed two major shortcomings associated with such thin-walled substrates. First, such substrates are structurally weaker than more conventional, thicker walled substrates. Hence, they are more prone to crack or to break during both the manufacturing process and the "canning" process when they are locked into a metal enclosure that forms part of the automotive exhaust system. Secondly, in operation, the thin walls may be prone to erosion along the face of the inlet end of the substrate due to the impingement of the particulate material entrained in the stream of exhaust gases. The resulting "sand blast" effect may weaken the already fragile structure, but may also render the inlet portion of the substrate ineffective in catalyzing pollutants by eroding away the catalytic coating on the cell walls, or even the walls themselves. In lieu of providing thinner walls to reduce the light off time of such ceramic substrates, substrates having the same thickness but a higher porosity have also been manufactured. However, the applicants have observed that these substrates suffer from the same deficiencies as thin-walled substrates do, i.e., insufficient mechanical strength, and excessive erosion near the inlet end.
Clearly, what is needed is an improved catalytic flow-through ceramic substrate having a shorter light off time without a significant reduction in the mechanical strength of the resulting substrate. Ideally, such a substrate would also have an erosion resistance at its inlet end that was at least comparable to the erosion-resistance of prior art ceramic substrates employing web walls between 3.0 and 5.0 mils thick. It would be desirable if such a fast light off substrate further had slower cool down properties to reduce the thermal gradient between the centroid and the outer skin of the substrate that can sometimes cause cracking due to differences in thermal expansion in these regions. Finally, it would be desirable if such a fast light off substrate were relatively easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

Catalytic flow-through fast light off ceramic substrate and method of manufacture


The present invention is an apparatus and a method for delivery of mitomycin through an eluting biocompatible implantable medical device. A biocompatible drug release matrix comprises a biocompatible drug release matrix and a drug incorporated into the biocompatible drug release matrix. The drug has antibiotic and anti-proliferative properties and is an analogue related to the quinone-containing alkylating agents of a mitomycin family. The drug is initially released from the biocompatible drug release matrix at a faster rate followed by a release at a slower rate. The drug release rate maintains tissue level concentrations of the drug for at least two weeks after implantation of the medical device. The present invention provides a coating for a vascular prosthesis that elutes the drug at a controlled rate to inhibit proliferation of smooth muscle cells causing restenosis.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the leading cause of death in the western world. In the United States, more than 13 million people are diagnosed with CAD every year. Since its introduction in the late 1970's, Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty (PTCA), also known as balloon angioplasty, emerged as the principal, less invasive alternative to Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG). A limitation of PTCA is a high rate of restenosis, a condition in which the vasculature renarrows within six months of a revascularization treatment to less than 50% of its original size. Restenosis is caused by the activation and growth of vascular smooth muscle cells that make the vessel more susceptible to complete blockage. Studies have shown restenosis affects between about 25% to about 45% of PTCA patients within six months after the procedure.
Coronary stents lower restenosis rates by decreasing the vascular recoil after balloon angioplasty. A stent is a mesh-like tubular device resembling a spring that is capable of propping open a clogged artery when placed within the vessel using a specialized delivery device such as the balloon catheter used in angioplasty procedures. The stent serves as a permanent scaffolding for the newly widened vessel. Stents are percutaneous non-surgical treatments that lower the restenosis rate of PTCA by achieving a larger final luminal area. To date, stents have reduced the likelihood of acute closure after coronary revascularization procedures.
Immediately after the implantation of a stent, the healing process within the vasculature causes an overgrowth of cells and substances within and around the stent, increasing the potential for a recurrence of the blockage. The healing process leads to neointima formation which is initiated by activation of vascular smooth muscle cells, followed by emigration and proliferation with subsequent elaboration of the abundant extracellular matrix by the smooth muscle cells. As the smooth muscle cells grow on and around the stent, the vasculature renarrows and restenosis continues. Inhibition of smooth muscle cell proliferation appears to prevent the development of subsequent blockages within the vasculature as the diameter of the passageway through the vasculature is reduced by the smooth muscle cell proliferation.
Several therapeutic agents have been used in combination with stents to inhibit restenosis in the prior art. U.S. Pat. No. 6,569,195 to Yang et al. discloses a stent having a polymeric coating for controllably releasing an included active agent. The Yang et al. coating includes a blend of a first co-polymer having a first, high release rate and a second co-polymer having a second, lower release rate relative to the first release rate. U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,609 to Kunz discloses a therapeutic inhibitor of vascular smooth muscle cells. The Kunz device utilizes a cytoskeletal inhibitor and an amount of a cytostatic therapeutic agent to inhibit stenosis or reduce restenosis.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,035 to Chudzik et al. discloses a coating composition for use with medical devices to improve the ability of the device to release a bioactive agent in vivo. The coating composition includes the bioactive agent with a mixture of a first polymer component such as poly(butyl methacrylate) and a second polymer component such as poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate). The Chudzik et al. device requires the mixture of a first polymer component such as poly(butyl methacrylate) and a second polymer component such as poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate). In addition, the Chudzik et al. device is limited by the ability of titrating the release rate of the bioactive agent.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,788,979 to Alt et al. discloses a biodegradable coating with inhibitory properties for application to biocompatible materials. The Alt et al. device comprises a coating material comprising an anticoagulant drug wherein the coating material is adhesively applied to a surface of the biocompatible material in a substantially continuous overlying layer having a formulation, pattern and thickness selected according to a period of time in which the coating material exhibits the inhibitory action. The Alt et al. coating has shown a potential of triggering a severe vessel inflammation by activating cells after the polymer of the biodegradable coating is broken down in the vessel.
The prior art is ineffective at inhibiting restenosis and subjects patients to undesirable health risks. The prior art is limited to mixtures of specific polymer components and does not provide adequate control of the drug elution to treat a lesion. In addition, the prior art has shown a potential of triggering a severe vessel inflammation by activating cells after the polymer is broken down in the vessel. Therefore, there remains a need in the art for a method of treating a localized area of a diseased vessel after delivery of a biocompatible implantable medical device that can control the elution of the drug and is does not harm the patient.

Apparatus and method for delivery of mitomycin through an eluting biocompatible implantable medical device


A wind energy plant having at least one rotor blade with a pitch angle, the pitch angle being adjustable by means of a pitch controller, and a generator converter unit, at least one electrical quantity of the generator converter unit being adjustable by means of a converter controller, wherein the wind energy plant has a power train with a rotor having the at least one rotor blade, the rotor being disposed at a front end of the power train and the power train leading to the generator converter unit, wherein a first rotation speed detection unit is provided at the power train near the front end of the power train and a second rotation speed detection unit is provided at the power train near the generator converter unit, wherein the measured rotation speed nrot of the first rotation speed detection unit is applied as an input variable to the pitch controller and the measured rotation speed of the second rotation speed detection unit is applied as an input variable to the converter controller.

The present invention relates to a wind energy plant having at least one rotor blade with a pitch angle, the pitch angle being adjustable by means of a pitch controller. Further, the wind energy plant has a generator converter unit, at least one electrical quantity of the generator converter unit being adjustable by means of a converter controller. The wind energy plant has a power train beginning with a rotor carrying the at least one rotor blade. The power train continues with a rotor shaft connected to the rotor. The rotor shaft is coupled to a gear, the output shaft of the gear leads into the generator.
The technical term pitch angle of a rotor blade is also called "blade angle", so that the pitch controller may also be called "blade angle controller".
The power output of the wind energy plant in the rated power range is mainly controlled by means of the rotation speed set point. In this case, the regulation is performed by a converter controller, sometimes also being called main converter controller. The regulation approach currently used in wind energy plants takes into account the rotation speed of the generator as a signal source for the converter controller. The precision of the rotation speed of the generator is highly dependent on different influencing factors, because the measured rotation speed of the generator as a rule interferes with oscillations of the power train, resiliences of the gear, oscillations of the machine carrier and tolerances in a clutch means, if provided. Up to now, in order to suppress theses influencing factors in the rotation speed of the generator, a strong filtering and damping of the measured values was performed. In particular, the measured values of the rotation speed of the generator were smoothed and in certain frequency bands partly eliminated. In the past, the so-filtered values of the rotation speed of the generator were applied also to a pitch controller, in order to adjust the pitch angle in dependency on the rotation speed of the generator. In particular in wind energy plants with large rotor diameter, the filtered values of the rotation speed of the generator led to a slow, sluggish behaviour of the pitch angle regulation.
The invention is based on the technical problem to provide a wind energy plant with a regulation of the pitch angle allowing for a dynamic regulation of the pitch angle, without interfering with the regulation of the converter more often than necessary.


A device determines the weight of a hydraulic accumulator (10) during its operation in a hydraulic facility. A pressurised liquid is introduced into a pressure vessel at least partially filled with a gas. The pressurised liquid compresses the gas and is stored in such a way that when it leaves the accumulator (10) hydraulic energy is emitted to the facility. The respective current weight of the hydraulic accumulator (10) is detected by a weighing device (14) applied to the hydraulic accumulator (10).

With hydropneumatic accumulators or hydraulic accumulators it has so far been necessary to check the pressure level of the gas required for the correct operation of such accumulators at certain time intervals since, depending on the operating mode of the respective hydraulic accumulator, gas losses are likely to occur. To this end it is possible to fully release the pressure from the hydraulic plant on the liquid side or oil side, at least from that part of the plant to which the hydraulic accumulator is connected, to be able to check, in that pressure-free state, the pre-load pressure of the gas inside the hydraulic accumulator, often in form of nitrogen gas, and to replenish any missing quantities on the gas-side of the accumulator if necessary. This process is, however, time-consuming, and the hydraulic accumulator plant is not operational for the duration of the test.
To overcome these disadvantages, DE 43 20 383 C2 discloses a device for measuring the actual gas pre-load pressure of a gas in a hydropneumatic accumulator, which provides a gas connection between the accumulator and a measuring chamber that is a fraction of the size of the accumulator volume. The measuring chamber may be shut off. A measuring sensor is disposed between the accumulator and the shut-off device, permits measuring the gas pressure inside the accumulator when the connection is shut off and measures the resulting change in pressure when the connection is opened. The actual gas pre-load pressure may then be calculated from the pair of measuring values obtained in this manner. This arrangement allows determining the actual gas pre-load pressure using a simple design and a single measuring process, which in turn allows for a judgement concerning the operational state of the accumulator. If the actual gas pre-load pressure that was determined through the measurement is either less or greater with respect to a target gas pre-load pressure, the accumulator has to be charged or discharged respectively at its gas end with a predeterminable quantity of gas via a corresponding dosing device to ensure the operational reliability of the hydraulic accumulator. However, since in the known solution the operating gas or stored gas in the hydraulic accumulator necessarily expands when flowing into the connected measuring chamber for a measuring operation, temperature differences occur between the stored gas and the gas to be measured, which has a negative effect on the measuring quality.
DE 42 27 657 A1 discloses an ultrasonic measuring device for a hydraulic accumulator in form of a piston accumulator, which serves to ascertain the predeterminable target position of the piston that is displaceable inside the accumulator housing. The piston serves as the separating element between the gas side and the liquid side of the accumulator. The piston is provided with at least one measuring element that is detectable by the measuring device. A visible marker is assigned to the measuring element that indicates the target position of the piston on the outside of the accumulator housing. With respect to the accumulator housing marker, an ultrasonic measuring device, which is provided for the respective measuring element on the piston, may be placed onto the accumulator or pressure vessel housing, which permits measuring a plurality of different accumulators of a certain size. The markings with a single measuring device limit the instrumentation requirements for the measurements.
Since the position of the piston inside the piston accumulator can be equated with a certain, predeterminable filling volume at the gas side of the hydraulic accumulator, it is possible to check a plurality of accumulators concerning compliance with a predeterminable target gas pressure by using a single, hand-held unit as measuring device. The target gas pressure corresponds to the original gas pre-load pressure of the accumulator when it was first supplied or taken into operation. If the actual gas pressure value deviates from the target value, that is, the actual value is less than the target value, the separating piston of the piston accumulator is displaced towards the reduced gas volume due to the increased amount of liquid streaming in, placing the piston outside the marker. This displacement is detected by the ultrasonic measuring device and thereby provides the opportunity to replenish the accumulator at its gas side until the piston is back in its predeterminable target position that is indicated by the respective marker so that the full functionality of the hydraulic accumulator is restored again in this manner.
Since the above-described measuring device must be operated manually, and possibly a large number of hydraulic accumulators may need to be checked, this causes a significant manual measuring effort, reflected in high expenses.

Device and method for determining the weight of a hydraulic accumulator


According to an embodiment of the invention, a data transmission device that includes a communicator and a controller is provided. The communicator is connected to a network and communicates with another device via the network. The controller transmits, from the communicator to the other device, a data set including data of at least one item in the case where the data of the at least one item has changed from the state of previous interval; and the transmitted data set includes the data having the changed state. The controller acquires the data of the at least one item at a first interval, and performs the transmitting of the data set to the other device at a second interval or at a frequency less than the second interval by updating the data of the at least one item at the second interval; and the second interval is slower than the first interval.

There is a data transmission device that is mutually connected with another device via a network and automatically transmits a signal to the other device when an event occurs in designated data. For example, devices provided in a transformer substation mutually exchange data based on a protocol conforming to the international standard IEC 61850.
In IEC 61850, it is defined to transmit a GOOSE (Generic Object Oriented Substation Event) signal automatically when a state change (an event) occurs in data included in the GOOSE signal.
Therefore, for a system performing communication using the GOOSE communication function of IEC 61850, the GOOSE signal is transmitted each time the data changes in the case where a signal (e.g., the control value calculated by each device) in which the state constantly changes is included in the GOOSE signal for a device in which the data of the GOOSE signal is updated at an interval shorter than the communication interval required by the system. As a result, the GOOSE signal is transmitted at a higher frequency than necessary; and there is a possibility that the communication load inside the network and/or the signal reception processing in the receiving-side devices may be excessive.
Thus, for example, in a data transmission device automatically transmitting a signal according to an event of designated data such as a device using the GOOSE communication function of IEC 61850, etc., it is desirable for the transmission of the data (the signal) at a higher frequency than necessary to be suppressed.

Data transmission device and data transmission method

TOSHIBA MITSUBISHI-ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION


An optically-enabled integrated circuit (IC) package for connecting an electrical circuit board to an optical fiber is presented. The IC package comprises an OSA having a laser which is pre-aligned with the optical fiber. The OSA further comprises a standard electrical interface for the connection to the microchip and a standard optical interface for the connection to the optical fiber. A set of mechanical concepts for connecting optical connectors and cables to integrated circuit packages is also presented and can be applied for any type of optical connector such as single optical fiber ferrules, MT-RJ type optical ferrules and 2-D MT-type optical ferrules.

The efficient transmission of data between the integrated circuit (or microchip) and the external world has been the focus of intense engineering for IC package manufacturers over the past several years as signal data rates as well as the number of signals are pushed to the physical limits of electrical technology.
Typical industry standard IC packages such as the ball grid array (BGA) package have been able to keep pace with the data rate and pin-out demands from leading edge microchip designers but are steadily facing an ever more challenging set of criteria for density and data rates in the face of growing power consumption concerns. This is exacerbated by the trend towards multi-processor microchip architectures that must draw ever more data from the external world.
The trend towards optical interconnects in the communications and network industries has been based on the trade-off between distance and data rate. As data rates have increased, optical fiber has replaced copper wire (given the same physical distance) so that the higher speed signals are not degraded. It is this trend that has inspired the concept of "fiber to the chip", where the ultra-high speed electrical signals between the microchip and the outside world are replaced with optical signals. Both the speed and the density issues can then be addressed into the next decade by allowing the microchip to remain as an all-electrical processing unit and have the optical fiber be the ultimate conduit of high speed data to and from the microchip.
There are many examples where light emitting devices have been coupled to and from optical fibers within electrical packages. Work done by the Photonic and Wireless Device Research Laboratories of the NEC Corporation and described by patents such as U.S. Pat. No. 6,901,185 show unique methods of directing and controlling light signals for compact optical modules. Alternative methods, such as those described by the Intel Corporation in patent applications such as US#2002/0196997 show highly integrated methods of incorporating lasers into microchips within the same packages. Other more aggressive means of directing light into the microchip itself have been demonstrated by Luxtera Inc. and part of their technique is illustrated in patent application US#2004/0156590. This technique uses a modulation effect within the silicon itself to produce optical pulses of light directly from the processing chip.
However, none of these technologies have properly addressed the issues of modularity and industry standard form-factor for the semiconductor market. Most of these competing technologies rely on highly vertically integrated assembly techniques where the optical interface is dependent on several layers of alignment steps including micro flip-chipping and precision pick-and-place alignment resulting in a final package that is very specific to the task of converting between electrical and optical signals. There is no provision for a user defined microchip, such as a microprocessor or a switch, to be placed directly along side an optical-to-electrical or electrical-to-optical converter module within the same package. These technologies also rely heavily on the technical sophistication of the integrated circuit package assembly house to provide optically enabled packages.
The ability to merge optics with the computing power of the microchip in the same package, and have the package conform to all the norms of other standard packages both in performance and assembly methodology will allow advances in computer inter-connectivity.
Additionally, a very significant amount of work in both the standardization and product development of optical fiber connectors has been carried over the past several decades. Numerous methods used for mechanical alignment of optical fibers with other optical fibers or optoelectronic modules for permanent and removable connections have been devised. This effort has culminated in various standard optical connector types and optical housings for standard multimode and single-mode optical fibers as well as plastic optical fibers and specialty optical fibers. It has also produced standard types of multi-fiber optical connectors for density improvements and alignment with 1 and 2 dimensional arrays of light emitting and receiving elements. Examples of standard optical connector housings are the LC, FC, SC, and MPO (among others). These connectors typically use at least one precision-machined or precision-molded part containing the optical fiber(s) such as a zirconia ferrule or micro-molded plastic ferrule. The precision part is typically polished on one end to ensure the tips of the optical fibers are flat (although sometimes rounded or at a tilt angle) and allow a maximum amount of light to be coupled into or out-of the optical fiber. The connector housing that surrounds this precision part usually has an attachment mechanism such as a threaded barrel, a plastic snap or clip, or a spring-loaded "floating" assembly to help direct the optical fiber into the ideal position. The mating housing on an optoelectronic module or a passive optical adapter that the connector is mated with will typically have a complementary set of features, such as a precision-machined hollow barrel or a set of precision-molded dowel pin holes. The housing or adapter will also have a complementary set of mechanical attachment features such as a threaded hole, a plastic notch or groove, or a plastic inner adapter to which the connector housing clasps or screws-on. This clasping mechanism is often spring loaded (in some way—either by actual coiled springs, spring steel or compressible plastic or rubber) and offers a positive mating force between the optical fiber and the optoelectronic module or other optical fiber. This force is used to maintain a constant optical coupling between the two optical fibers as well as offer a certain degree of protection from debris that might infiltrate the interface otherwise.
Most optical connectors include both the precision optical part (zirconia ferrule or micro-molded plastic ferrule) and the mechanical attachment mechanism as a single, complete connector assembly on the end of a fiber optical cable. However, there are some mechanical attachment mechanisms that are offered independently from the precision optical part. Examples of these "external" clips can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,721,798—by Kanda et al. entitled "Connection Structure for an Optical Waveguide Device and Method of Fabricating the Same"—as an example of a multi-fiber optical connecting mechanism, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,590—by Caron entitled "Fiber Optic Connector"—as an example of a single optical fiber connection mechanism.
Further to this, there are various examples of connector housings that allow optical fiber cables to be mated with optoelectronic modules such that the optical fibers are aligned with lasers or photodetectors. The most notable examples of such housings are the standard optical transceiver products such as the SFP, XFP and XANPAK transceiver form-factors—these parts align to dual-LC terminated optical fiber cables. Examples can be found as product offerings by companies such as Finisar Inc. (http://www.finisar.com), Bookham (http://www.bookham.com/), and Intel (http://www.intel.com/design/network/products/optlical/lc transceivers.htm).
The demand for higher data rates and greater aggregate bandwidths leads to the development of hybrid integrated circuit packages that include optical connector interfaces. This hybrid approach brings the optical signals directly to the silicon microchip inside the package thereby alleviating the considerable design and fabrication challenges of very high speed electrical signaling.
Although there have been many methods described that address the placement and alignment of the light-emitting or receiving optoelectronics within standard and non-standard integrated circuit packages, remarkably few optical connectors and connector housings have been suggested for integrated circuit packages. US Patent Application 2003/0031431—by Kunkel et al. entitled "Assembly for aligning an optical array with optical fibers"—describes a clip design that wraps around the package housing and holds on to the back of the package while pushing the optical connector towards the optical interface of the package. U.S. Pat. No. 6,511,233—by Steijer et al. entitled "Spring Clip"—is a similar concept for clasping an external clip to the package while using a spring clip design to push the optical connector on to the optical interface of the package.

Optically-enabled integrated circuit package


The microcavity is delineated by a cover, comprising a first layer, in which at least one hole is formed. A second layer hermetically seals the microcavity. A third layer is arranged between the first and the second layer. An additional microcavity, communicating with the hole, is arranged between the first and the third layer. At least one additional hole, adjacent to the additional microcavity, formed in the third layer and offset with respect to the hole, is sealed by the second layer, after sacrificial layers have been removed through the additional hole. The microcomponent includes at least one mechanically stressed layer arranged above the first layer.

The invention relates to a microcomponent comprising a hermetically-sealed microcavity delineated by a cover comprising a first layer, in which at least one hole is formed, and a second layer making the microcavity hermetic, microcomponent comprising a third layer arranged between the first and second layer, an additional microcavity, communicating with the hole and arranged between the first and third layer, and at least one additional hole, adjacent to the additional microcavity, formed in the third layer, offset with respect to the hole and sealed by the second layer.

Microcomponent comprising a hermetically-sealed microcavity and method for production of such a microcomponent


An information processor displays a slot game on a display and stores the detail of a bet in a flash memory in accordance with an input indicating the bet. When the slot game is finished, the information processor determines whether an item for automation is valid. When the item for automation is valid, the information processor starts the next execution of the slot game with the detail of the bet stored in the flash memory. When the item for automation is not valid, the information processor waits for an input of a bet on the next execution of the slot game.

There are slot games in which rotation of reels start and stop in order so that a game result is presented (e.g., Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2013-153870). In such slot games, after an input of a bet by a user, the bet is confirmed by a start input and the game starts. The slot game is typically in a standby state for waiting for an input of a bet on the next execution of the game, after the output of a game result.
Methods for eliminating a standby state in a game are recited in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2016-154707 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2014-217766. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2016-154707 discloses that whether to use an auto-play item is selected at the start of a game, and a character which is supposed to be controlled by a player is automatically controlled when the auto-play item is used. Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2014-217766 discloses that there is a recovery item for recovering a consumption parameter used for fighting with an enemy character, and plural fights are finished at once when plural recovery items corresponding to plural fights with the enemy character are consumed.

Information processor, recording medium, and game control method


A dry etching method and apparatus improves the uniformity of etching a wafer in the manufacture of a semiconductor device. The dry etching apparatus has a susceptor supporting the wafer, a cooling system installed in the susceptor, an upper RF (radio frequency) electrode which may incorporate a gas diffuser for spraying reactive gas toward the wafer, and an RF power source for producing an electric field used to react the gas and generate plasma. The gap between the upper RF electrode and the susceptor is configured to accommodate for distortions in the wafer or other processing requirements. In addition, the nozzles of the gas diffuser can be configured to spray different amounts of gas to also enhance the etching uniformity. Finally, one of the electrodes may be divided into concentric sections. In this case, the RF power source can generate electric fields of different intensities at the sections. When the divided electrode is the susceptor, the cooling system cools the sections to different temperatures to in turn temperature-condition the wafer in a manner determined in advance to enhance the uniformity of the etching process.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dry etching method and apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a dry etching apparatus for enhancing the uniformity of etching a wafer used to manufacture a semiconductor device.
2. Description of the Related Art
As semiconductor devices become more highly integrated, more precise wafer engineering skills and methods are needed to manufacture a very highly-integrated semiconductor device. Accordingly, the etching process, which is an important semiconductor manufacturing process, must become more precise.
Efficient etching generally requires variable selection, a high etching rate, uniformity, stability, and resultant low damage to the semiconductor substrate. Also, precise etching involves accurately controlling the etching rate according to the way in which a wafer to be processed is situated.
Known etching processes are roughly divided into dry etching and wet etching, which are selectively employed because the characteristics of each process have their own particular advantages and disadvantages. Wet etching is widely used and has advantages of low cost, high selectivity, high etching rate, and high reliability. However, wet etching can not be used to precisely etch a narrow line width and it is subject to the problem of undercutting since the chemical etching process is isotropic.
Dry etching encompasses several different types of processes, including: physical etching, such as Ion Milling; physical and chemical etching such as Reactive Ion Etching (RIE); and chemical etching, such as plasma etching. Physical etching results in a more precise pattern transfer as it is an anisotropic process, but it has a low selectivity rate. On the contrary, high selectivity is a characteristic of plasma etching, but plasma etching is also an isotropic process subject to the problem of undercutting.
Many factors contribute to the quality and quantity of etching in a plasma etching process, including the types of cooling gas, the temperature and pressure of the processing chamber, the distribution and density of the plasma particles of the cooling gas, the energy level of the plasma and the like. These factors closely correlate with the energy applied to the etching equipment and its structure.
Etching equipment is divided into two categories; batch-type equipment, which processes a plurality of wafers at one time, and single-type equipment, which processes wafers one by one. Conventionally, a batch-type etching process is widely used for small-diameter wafers because the non-uniformity of etching within a wafer or between wafers is not a big problem for the small-diameter wafers.
On the other hand, the non-uniformity of etching within or between wafers having larger diameters, e.g., 8 inches or 12 inches, is a major concern. Therefore, single-type etching equipment is preferably used to etch such large wafers in order to provide more uniformly etched wafers.
However, the uniformity of the etching process is still problematic due to many other operational parameters of the equipment. This problem is especially serious when manufacturing highly-integrated semiconductor devices. Some of the factors having an impact on the etching uniformity are described as follows, referring to the attached drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an embodiment of a conventional etching apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises a susceptor 12 supporting a wafer 13 inside a processing chamber 10, a high frequency voltage power source 16 for the susceptor, and an electrode 11 facing the susceptor 12.
The susceptor 12 functions as a lower electrode. The RF power source 16 is connected to the susceptor 12 through a condenser to supply high frequency power thereto. In addition, helium is supplied to the backside of susceptor 12 through helium supply tubes 14 and 15. The former tube 14 is used for improving the etching uniformity by maintaining the temperature of the wafer at a uniform level, and the latter tube 15 is used for cooling the susceptor 12. The upper electrode 11 facing the susceptor 12 is usually made of a metal plate or coil and is grounded. Alternatively, the upper electrode 11 may have a high frequency power source connected thereto whereas the susceptor 12 is grounded. The upper electrode 11 includes a gas diffuser having a plurality of nozzle openings and an induction coil, both of which are integral parts of the upper electrode.
Whereas the upper electrode 11 has a flat shape, the lower electrode 12 has a convex shape in most cases due to the helium supplied to the wafer. The helium, which is used for improving the uniformity of the etching process, is diffused through tubes 14 onto the center of the backside of the wafer 13 at a pressure that is slightly higher than the pressure inside the processing chamber 10. Consequently, the wafer 13 is flexed convexly, or upward as shown in FIG. 1.
Also, the applied high frequency electric field is more intense at the middle of the wafer 13 than at its periphery such that the plasma particles become more highly concentrated at its middle even with the uniform cooling gas being supplied. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain uniformity in the etching process as well as maintaining the etching rate at a desired level.
FIG. 2 shows the distribution density of a plurality of nozzle openings of the conventional gas diffuser of the upper electrode. The round-plate shaped gas diffuser 21 has a plurality of gas nozzle openings 22 that are uniformly distributed over the surface of the gas diffuser 21.
The density of source gas is always slightly less at the edge of the wafer because the by-product reaction gas is discharged from the periphery of the wafer to the side-wall of the processing chamber. Therefore, it is usually necessary to increase the density of the source gas at the edge of the wafer to compensate for this.
FIG. 3 is another schematic view of the RF power source applied to the susceptor 12 on which a wafer 13 is mounted in a processing chamber (not shown). The RF power is a significant factor affecting the etching rate, but it is difficult to partially control the applied RF electric field in the etching apparatus as shown in FIG. 3. Furthermore, the etching rate varies within the wafer 13 according to the temperature differences therewithin. These temperature differences are difficult to control and compensate for using the conventional etching apparatus because the backside cooling helium is supplied in a uniform, continuous manner at a constant density.
Accordingly, these factors affecting the etching rate should be controlled to maintain the density of the activated plasma along the wafer surface at a constant level.

Dry etching method and apparatus for manufacturing a semiconductor device


Compositions obtained by mixing oxygen-containing phosphazenes with tertiary alcohols at a temperature of from 0.degree. C. to 70.degree. C. and a pressure of from 900 to 1100 hPa are useful in processes for equilibrating and/or condensing organosilicon compounds.

For the purposes of the present invention, the term organopolysiloxanes also encompasses oligomeric siloxanes.
The preparation of organopolysiloxanes by equilibration and/or condensation reactions in the presence of oxygen-containing phosphazenes is already known and described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,902 (Wacker-Chemie GmbH; published on Jan. 10, 1995). U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,909 (General Electric Co.; published on Apr. 4, 1995) and the corresponding DE-A 44 23 924 describe the reaction product of an oxygen-containing phosphazene catalyst with a compound containing at least one active proton having a pKa of less than 18, for example a primary or secondary alcohol, but this generally leads to elimination of hydrogen chloride, dark discoloration, precipitates and a decrease in activity.

Process for equilibrating and/or condensing organosilicon compounds


An apparatus for detecting an abnormality of a fuel transpiration prevention system which includes a canister with an absorbing device and a control valve provided in a passage between a fuel tank and an intake pipe of an internal combustion engine so that a fuel gas generated within the fuel tank is absorbed by the absorbing device of the canister and introduced into the intake pipe by opening and closing the control valve in accordance with an operating state of said internal combustion engine. The apparatus includes a pressure detecting device for detecting a pressure within the fuel tank and a deviation calculating unit responsive to the output of the pressure detecting device for calculating a deviation between the pressure detected when the control valve opens the passage and the pressure detected when the control valve closes the passage. The apparatus decides an abnormality of the fuel gas supply system on the basis of the deviation calculated by the deviation calculating unit. This arrangement allows accurate abnormality detection throughout the fuel transpiration prevention system.

The present invention relates to fuel transpiration prevention systems for preventing transpiration of fuel gases generated in a fuel supply system of a motor vehicle, and more particularly to an abnormality detecting apparatus for use in such a fuel transpiration prevention system for detecting an abnormality in terms of supply (purge) of a fuel gas to be fed into an intake pipe coupled to an internal combustion engine.
In systems for preventing discharge of fuel gas to the atmosphere, a fuel transpiration preventing system there is generally known whereby fuel gas generated in a fuel tank is absorbed by an absorbing device provided within a canister and, thereafter, introduced into an intake pipe in accordance with the engine operating condition, together with air sucked through an atmosphere-communicating opening of the canister in response to the negative pressure within the intake pipe. One major problems arising in the use of such a fuel transpiration system relates to a clogging accident of a passage between the canister and the intake pipe. The clogging accident causes the canister to be filled with the fuel gas so that the fuel gas is finally discharged through the atmosphere-communicating opening into the atmosphere due to its own pressure. Moreover, in case that the passage between the canister and the intake pipe is broken, there is the possibility that the fuel gas is discharged through the broken portion into the atmosphere. One possible solution is to provide a pressure sensor within the passage between the canister and the intake pipe so as to detect the abnormality in the supply of the fuel gas in the intake pipe on the basis of the detection result of the pressure sensor, as disclosed in the Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. 2-130255. However, this arrangement has a disadvantages in that it is impossible to detect the abnormalities such as clogging and damages of an intake passage between the canister and the fuel tank. In addition, there is a problem in that the detection value of the pressure sensor becomes larger as the amount of the fuel gas absorbed to the absorbing device is increased as a result, the detection result varies in accordance with the amount of the fuel gas absorbed to the absorbing device. This problem thereby makes it difficult to accurately detect the abnormalities on supply of the fuel gas.

Abnormality detecting apparatus for use in fuel transpiration prevention systems


Disclosed are amorphous solid dispersion formulations comprising 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to amorphous solid dispersions of 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide, a pharmacological agent possessing a high affinity for the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors.
This invention also relates to processes for the preparation of these amorphous solid dispersions, to pharmaceutical compositions including such dispersions, and to methods of use thereof for the prevention and treatment of diseases related to peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors.
2. Description of the Art
7-Chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide, which has the structure of Formula (I):
possesses a high affinity for the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors. The preparation, physical properties and beneficial pharmacological properties of 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide are described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,262,045 and, in particular, U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,729, both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety
The limited solubility of crystalline 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide, prepared according to Example 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,395,729, in both aqueous solutions and non-aqueous formulation solvents presents difficulties in the administration and storage of formulations containing this compound. Preliminary studies carried out with conventional formulations using this crystalline solid (such as formulations prepared by wet granulation or dry blend processes using standard excipients well known to those of skill in the art) have led to limited absorption of the drug.
Attempts to improve the solubility of the pure drug substance, such as by preparing and utilizing amorphous forms of 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide, resulted in drug substance with limited physical stability. For example, such drug substance crystallized over time.
It has now been found that certain polymers are useful for preparing dispersions of solid amorphous 7-chloro-N,N,5-trimethyl-4-oxo-3-phenyl-3,5-dihydro-4H-pyridazino[4,5-b]indole-1-acetamide having significant solubility improvements over conventional formulations and also possessing significant physical stability improvements over amorphous drug substance alone. Solid amorphous dispersions of poorly soluble drugs in polymers are known generally to improve the solubility of drug products. However, such dispersions are generally unstable over time. Amorphous dispersions of drugs in polymers tend to convert to crystalline forms over time, which can lead to improper dosing due to differences of the bioavailability and solubility of crystalline drug material compared to amorphous drug material. One skilled in the art cannot predict which polymers, if any, would be useful for preparing stable amorphous dispersions for a particular drug product. The present invention, however, provides such stable amorphous dispersions with improved solubility.


Arrangements describe herein relate to updating an e-mail recipient list. A first version of an e-mail can be received, the first version comprising a message header identifying at least a first e-mail recipient. The first version of the e-mail can be sent to the first e-mail recipient indicated in the message header. A second version of the e-mail can be received, the second version of the e-mail indicating at least a second e-mail recipient. The second version can be sent to the at least second e-mail recipient indicated in the message header of the second version. An update request for the first version can be received, the update request configured to be processed to update the message header of the first version to add the at least second e-mail recipient to the message header. The update request can be sent to the at least first e-mail recipient.

Arrangements described herein relate to electronic communication and, more particularly, electronic mail (e-mail).
The use of email as a means of communication has become common place. E-mail is a means for exchanging digital messages (e-mails) from an author to one or more recipients. An e-mail typically includes a message body and a message header. The message body typically contains content of the e-mail, for example alphanumeric text. Images and other files also can be embedded in the message body, or sent with the e-mail as attachments.
The message header typically comprises a plurality of message header fields, for example "From" field that indicates who sent the e-mail, a "Date" field that indicates the time and date the e-mail is sent, a "To" field that indicates recipients (i.e., e-mail addresses and, optionally, names associated with recipients) of the e-mail, a "Cc" (carbon copy) field that indicates recipients being copied on the e-mail, a "Bcc" (blind carbon copy) field that indicates recipients being blind copied on the e-mail, and a "Subject" field. Such message fields are well known to those skilled in the art. The message headers also may include a number of other fields, as also is well known to those skilled in the art.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


A pump assembly constructed to allow unloaded starting of the pump. The assembly includes a pump body, a permanent magnet rotor, a rotor shaft, a pump cover, a shaft sleeve and an impeller. The impeller includes a holding chamber for holding the shaft sleeve which is arranged proximate a center of the impeller. A stopping rib extends inwardly from an internal wall of the holding chamber of the impeller. The shaft sleeve includes a tubular body with a starting rib extending laterally from the body. During operation of the pump, the starting rib interferes with the stopping rib. A number of shock absorbing pads are disposed between the starting rib and the stopping rib and maintained thereat by a notch and ridge association that extends along each rib and pad. The pump includes a space that allows rotation of the starting rib relative to the stopping rib which provides unloaded starting of the pump.

A centrifugal draining pump of that type is described in a U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/723,295 which published as publication number US2005/0111992. Pumps of the type generally disclosed in this publication were designed to solve the problem of the motor being easily burned out owing to heavy load during initial start-up of the pump. The major contribution of the invention is to improve the start-up coupling between a shaft sleeve and an impeller. As shown in the figures of the publication referred to above, a coupling formation of the rotor is set up on the drive body, and a coupling formation of the impeller is set up inside of the impeller. A pair of end portions that is constructed of resilient materials with intermediate connecting and retaining portions are molded onto two opposite surfaces of an appendage of the coupling formation of the drive body so as to reduce noise and absorb shock. However, such a configuration is quite complicated and suffers from higher costs of manufacture and maintenance.

Centrifugal drainage pump with shock absorbing coupling arrangment


A system for data acquisition providing dual monitoring of sensor data. Data is acquired from sensing devices by a primary data acquisition circuit and a secondary data acquisition circuit. Multiple sensors are used to sense a condition of the same operating parameters, in order to verify a process condition. Data acquired by first and second sensing devices are respectively processed by the primary and secondary data acquisition circuits. According to one aspect of the present invention, a process condition is verified by comparing data associated with the first sensing device and data associated with the second sensing device. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention data acquired by a single sensing device may be processed through both the primary data acquisition circuit and the secondary data acquisition circuit, in order to verify operation of the primary and secondary data acquisition circuits.

In some applications, certain process conditions must be verified during system operation. These process conditions typically relate to critical system operating parameters that must meet or exceed a specified standard. In some cases, the verification of process conditions is mandated by regulation.
Fluid microbial decontamination systems (e.g., a washer disinfector) are typically designed to cause microbes on an article to be removed or killed by a fluid anti-microbial agent. This is achieved in a variety of ways, including, but not limited to, bathing the article in an anti-microbial liquid, spraying the article with an anti-microbial liquid, surrounding the article with an anti-microbial vapor, and the like. The articles subject to treatment are typically re-usable devices used in connection with medical, dental, pharmaceutical and veterinary practices.
One type of fluid microbial decontamination system is an automated endoscope processor used for cleaning and disinfection or sterilization of lumened devices, such as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/115,847 filed Apr. 4, 2002, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/116,393 filed Apr. 4, 2002, both fully incorporated herein by reference.
In a fluid microbial decontamination system it may be necessary to verify process conditions relating to such items including, but not limited to, fluid pressure, fluid temperature, and fluid volume. Accordingly, there is a need to provide a microbial decontamination system with a data acquisition system for verifying critical process conditions.
The present invention provides a system for data acquisition that includes dual monitoring of sensor data for process verification.

Data acquisition system providing dual monitoring of sensor data


In a proxy device, an acquiring unit acquires one of outputting-device-identification data and instruction-device-identification data from a storing unit. The storing unit stores the outputting-device-identification data associated with the instruction-device-identification data. A first determining unit determines whether the acquired outputting-device-identification data is associated with the received instruction-device-identification data. A first transmitting unit transmits the received instruction data to the particular outputting device. A second receiving unit receives response data from the outputting device. A second transmitting unit transmits the received response data to the instruction device from which the received instruction data is transmitted. A third receiving unit receives specific data that is transmitted from the instruction device. The specific data is one of output data based on which the outputting device outputs an image and location data indicating a location of the output data. A third transmitting unit transmits the received specific data to the outputting device.

Japanese patent application publication No. 2001-101091 describes a system that includes a client, a proxy server, and a printer. In this system, the client transmits the URL for a file to be printed and a print command to the printer. The printer transfers the file URL to a proxy server. The proxy server acquires the file identified by the URL from a file server and returns this file to the printer. The printer then performs a printing operation based on the file received from the proxy server.

Proxy device receiving specific data from instruction device in response to transmitted response data and transmitting specific data to outputting device which outputs an image and location data indicating a location in which the output data is stored


A power supply for an electrodeless lamp having an exterior starting electrode and first and second magnetrons coupled to the lamp comprises first and second power sources for being connected to the respective first and second magnetrons; a switch having first and second positions, the first position for disconnecting the second power source from the second magnetron and connecting the output of the second power source to the output of the first power source such that they are added together for being connected to the first magnetron during starting of the lamp, the second position for disconnecting the second power source from the first magnetron and connecting the second power source to the second magnetron after the lamp has started; and a controller adapted to synchronize the starting of the first and second power sources and the starting electrode such that they are turned on at the same time during starting of the lamp.

The present application is related to a co-pending patent application, entitled "Method and Apparatus for Starting Difficult to Start Electrodeless Lamps," Ser. No. 08/696,706, which is hereby incorporated by reference.
Electrodeless lamps with quiescent fill pressures in excess of one atmosphere of pressure and/or electronegative fill constituents are typically difficult to start. Both high pressure and electronegative fill additives provide mechanisms that suppress the growth of the free electron population. A certain local density of these free electrons is crucial for a successful bulb ignition event. In order to overcome the ignition inhibition mechanisms, one typically increases the amplitude of whatever mode of excitation that one is using. In electrodeless lamps, the pitfall in this approach appears when the electric field strength required to ionize the bulb fill exceeds the Paschen parameter of the air and structure surrounding the bulb. In this case, all microwave or RF energy is delivered to an arc, which prevents the bulb from igniting and can destroy the lamp.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,571,439 discloses a variable power supply for a magnetron used in heating applications. The power supply includes two identical power units supplied from a three-phase AC main line. Each power unit is connected to a magnetron whose microwave output is coupled to an ultraviolet lamp through a wave-guide connected to a microwave cavity in which the lamp is secured. The lamp is used for curing purposes, such as in a printing application. In an electrodeless lamp, the microwave is coupled to a discharge forming fill disposed inside an envelope. The envelope contains a field or secondary electron emission substance disposed on a given region of the inside wall of the envelope. An exterior high voltage electrode is brought in contact with the envelope adjacent the given region containing the starting substance. The power sources and the electrode are energized to start the lamp. The electrode is then withdrawn away from the envelope after starting.
Applicants found that starting a hard to start lamp using the prior art power supply had been unreliable. At times, the lamp would start on a first attempt. At other times, several attempts would be required before the lamp would start. Applicants found that the high voltage impulse delivered to the field or secondary emission substance must be reliably applied near the peak of the magnetron current. Further, both magnetrons must be phased so that a period of high electric field is created of sufficient duration that the free electron population achieves the requisite local density for ignition. The extant state of the art power supplies did not satisfy these requirements resulting in unreliable lamp starting.

Power supply for a difficult to start electrodeless lamp