A dual mode band-pass filter includes a metallic film for defining a resonator, disposed on the first main surface of a dielectric substrate having first and second main surfaces, or inside of the dielectric substrate. An opening is formed in the metallic film. At least one ground electrode is provided on the second main surface of the dielectric substrate or inside of the dielectric substrate, so as to be opposed to the metallic film through a dielectric layer. A pair of input-output coupling circuits is connected to the metallic film.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dual mode band-pass filter for use in, for example, communications equipment operating in the range of the microwave band to the milliwave band.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, different types of dual mode band-pass filters have been proposed as a band-pass filter for use in a high frequency band as described in "MINIATURE DUAL MODE MICROSTRIP FILTERS", J. A. Curtis and S. J. Fiedziuszko, 1991 IEE MTT-S Digest.
FIGS. 48 and 49 are schematic plan views illustrating conventional dual mode band-pass filters, respectively.
In a band-pass filter 200 shown in FIG. 48, a circular conductive film 201 is provided on a dielectric substrate (not shown). Input-output coupling circuits 202 and 203 are coupled to the conductive film 201 so as to define an angle of 90° relative to each other. A tip-open stub 204 is disposed on the conductive film 201 at a position that defines a central angle of 45° relative to the input-output coupling circuit 203. Thereby, two resonance modes with different resonance frequencies are coupled together. Thus, the band-pass filter 200 is configured so as to operate as a dual mode band-pass filter.
In a dual mode band-pass filter 210 shown in FIG. 49, a substantially square conductive film 211 is disposed on a dielectric substrate. Input-output coupling circuits 212 and 213 are connected to the conductive film 211 so as to define an angle of 90° relative to each other. The corner of the conductive film 211 in the position thereof defining an angle of 135° with respect to the input-output coupling circuit 213 is cut away. The resonance frequencies in two resonance modes are made different from each other by the cut portion 211a, so that the two resonance modes having different resonance frequencies are coupled to each other. Thus, the band-pass filter 210 can be operated as a dual mode band-pass filter.
On the other hand, there has been proposed a dual mode band-pass filter that contains a ring-shape conductive film instead of the circular conductive film (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 9-139612 and No. 9-162610). In particular, a dual mode filter is disclosed, in which a ring-shaped ring transmission line is used, input-output coupling circuits are arranged so as to define a central angle of about 90° similarly to the dual mode band-pass filter 200 shown in FIG. 48, and a tip-open stub is provided in a portion of the ring transmission line.
Moreover, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-112701 discloses a dual mode band-pass filter that uses a ring transmission line similar to the above-mentioned transmission line. As shown in FIG. 50, in the dual mode filter 221, a ring resonator includes a ring conductive film 222 disposed on a dielectric substrate. In this case, four terminals 223 to 226 are disposed on the ring conductive film 222 so as to define an angle of 90° relative to each other with respect to the center of the ring conductive film 222. Two of the four terminals arranged at the positions defining an angle of 90° relative to each other with respect to the center of the ring conductive film are connected to input-output coupling circuits 227 and 228, respectively. The remaining two terminals 225 and 226 are connected to each other via a feedback circuit 230.
Moreover, it is described that in the ring resonator including one strip line and having the above-described configuration, perpendicular resonance modes, which are not coupled to each other, are generated, and the coupling degree is controlled by the above-mentioned feedback circuit 230.
In the conventional dual mode band-pass filters shown in FIGS. 48 and 49, a two step band-pass filter can be formed by forming one conductive film pattern. Accordingly, the band-pass filter can be miniaturized.
However, the dual mode band-pass filters each have the configuration in which the input-output coupling circuits, which are separated from each other by a particular angle, are coupled to each other in the circular or square conductive film pattern. Therefore, the dual mode band-pass filters have the disadvantage that the coupling degree cannot be increased, and a wide pass band cannot be achieved.
In the band-pass filter shown in FIG. 48, the conductive film 201 is restricted to a circular shape. In the band-pass filter shown in FIG. 49, the conductive film 211 is also limited to a substantially square shape. Thus, there is the problem that the design flexibility is low.
Dual mode band-pass filters 221 using such a ring resonator as described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication Nos. 9-139612 and 9-162610 have the problem that it is difficult to improve the coupling degree, and the shape and size of the ring resonator are restricted.
On the other hand, in the dual mode band-pass filter 221 described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 6-112701, the coupling degree is controlled, and the band-width can be widened by use of the feedback circuit 230. However, in the conventional dual mode filter, the feedback circuit 230 is required. Thus, the circuit configuration becomes complicated. Furthermore, the shape and size of the ring resonator are limited to a ring-shape, so that the design flexibility is very low.


The invention may relate to a method of programming a programmable non-volatile device. The programmable non-volatile device may be programmed while coupled to a circuit in which the programmable non-volatile device is to be used. The method may include establishing a connection and communicating information. The connection may be established from an external device to a test interface of the circuit. The information may be communicated from the external device through the test interface, for programming the programmable non-volatile device.

In many electrical and electronic products, control software and/or control data is provided in an electrically programmable non-volatile memory, of which a FLASH memory (also called FLASH ROM) is typical. For example, the product may be a set-top box. During development or modification of the product, the FLASH memory often needs to be programmed or reprogrammed. During manufacture, the FLASH memory may need to be programmed once the FLASH memory is in the product. When the product is used in the field, the FLASH memory may also need to be reprogrammed with updated contents.
Sockets can be provided on a circuit board to enable the FLASH memory to be removed for programming or reprogramming. However, such sockets represent additional cost and size, and may also be a source of potential unreliability. A memory chip is also vulnerable to damage when being inserted in, and removed from a socket. A modern FLASH memory device is generally a surface mount device that is very fragile and can easily be damaged by insertion into and removal from a socket. Soldering the FLASH memory to a circuit board provides cost savings, a smaller size, and greater reliability. However, in order to facilitate reprogramming of a soldered-in FLASH memory, a small memory programming application program can be stored in a protected portion of the FLASH memory that cannot be erased. The resident application program can then be executed to program the rest of the FLASH memory. A main disadvantage is that the resident programming application permanently occupies a portion of the available memory, and thereby limits the amount of free memory available for the intended product software. Another disadvantage is a lack of flexibility because the software to be programmed into the FLASH memory has to be made in a way that is compatible with the resident programming application. Difficulties commonly arise updating the resident programming application itself, because the programming application has to be executed to load software into the FLASH memory. A further disadvantage is the work to pre-program the FLASH memory with the resident programming application before the FLASH memory can be installed on the circuit board.

Programmable device and method of programming


The present invention relates to a method for displaying content within an electronic device. The method including the steps of: displaying part of the content; displaying an ad comprising a video; and revealing at least part of the remainder of the content once the ad has played back at least a portion of the video. A device and system are also disclosed.

Electronic devices for users, such as smartphones, tablets, and computers, are used to display content to the users via electronic displays.
Display of the content is generally controlled by applications, such as native apps or browsers, and mediated via the operating system for output on the electronic displays.
There is a desire to control display of the content on electronic devices by providing a gatekeeper function. The gatekeeper function may force users to perform an action before certain content is displayed.
Traditional advertising on electronic devices, such as online advertising or in-app advertising, may be provided via banner advertisements, pop-up advertisements, or pre-roll video.
Pre-roll video requires a users to view all or part of a video ad before video content is screened. Typical pre-roll video is utilised on YouTube to monetise video content.
In this way, pre-roll video provides a form of gatekeeper function forcing users to view the pre-roll video before access to video content is provided.
There is a desire for improved video ad display methods and systems to provide a gatekeeper function for content which provide improved user visibility and interaction of/with the video ad.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method, device and system which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provides a useful alternative.

Method, device and system for controlling content display


The polypropylene resin composition of the present invention comprises specific proportions of a crystalline ethylene-propylene block copolymer, an hydrogenated block copolymer, an amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymer, surface-treated talc, fibrous magnesium oxysulfate of granular form and a metal soap. This resin composition is well balanced in rigidity and impact resistance, has good mar resistance, and can be preferably used in large-sized parts for automobiles, particularly instrument panels for automobiles.

The present invention relates to a polypropylene resin composition and more particularly to a polypropylene resin composition which is composed mainly of a crystalline ethylene-propylene copolymer, has excellent moldability and can provide a molded article of good balance particularly in rigidity and impact resistance, good mechanical properties and excellent appearance Said polypropylene resin composition can be utilized in large-sized parts for automobiles, particularly instrument panels for automobiles.
Crystalline polypropylene is in use in various molded articles in which physical properties such as rigidity, resistance to heat deformation and the like are required. However, having insufficient low temperature properties and being a non-polar highly-crystalline polymer, crystalline polypropylene has poor impact resistance and poor coatability and cannot be used in applications in which rigidity, resistance to heat deformation, impact resistance and coatability are required together
In order to improve the impact resistance and coatability of crystalline polypropylene, there have been proposed, for example, a polypropylene composition which is a blend of a crystalline ethylene-propylene block copolymer as a crystalline polypropylene with an amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymer, and a polypropylene composition which is a blend of crystalline ethylene-propylene block copolymer, an amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymer and various polyethylenes.
In these polypropylene compositions, however, the rigidity, resistance to heat deformation, and the like inherently possessed by crystalline ethylene-propylene block copolymers are reduced.
In order to improve the drawbacks of the above polypropylene compositions, Japanese Patent Application Kokai (Laid-Open) No.53-64257 describes an invention titled "Impact-resistant Resin Composition". The document discloses a resin composition with improved low temperature impact resistance, comprising a crystalline ethylene-propylene block copolymer, an amorphous ethylene-.alpha.-olefin copolymer and talc. The document describes that the resin composition, as compared with conventional crystalline ethylene-propylene block copolymers, is substantially improved in low temperature impact resistance, rigidity and coatability, and provides Examples for supporting the description. The above composition, however, is insufficient in rigidity-impact resistance, balance and appearance. Consequently, the molded article obtained from the composition is unsuitable for use in applications such as parts for automobiles, particularly instrument panels where mechanical properties and appearance are required, although the article can find limited applications where appearance is negligible.
There have also been disclosed various polypropylene compositions comprising, as a filler other than talc, a granular filler (e.g. calcium carbonate) or a fibrous filler (e.g. glass fiber). However, in the polypropylene compositions comprising a granular filler, the molded articles have in sufficient rigidity; and in the polypropylene compositions comprising a fibrous filler, although the rigidity is improved significantly, the impact resistance is low and the molded articles have poor surface appearance and give rise to warpage and, deformation. For example, Japanese Patent Application Kokai (Laid-Open) No. 62-91545 proposes a polyolefin resin composition comprising a polyolefin, a thermoplastic elastomer, a fibrous reinforcing agent, talc and calcium carbonate. This composition, however, tends to yield poor appearance (e.g. silver streaking) during injection molding and has a small improvement in rigidity because it contains calcium carbonate. Japanese Patent Application Kokai (Laid-Open) No. 61-69848 proposes a polypropylene resin composition comprising a polypropylene resin, a fibrous filler, talc and an elastomer. This composition, however, causes deformation when molded into large-sized parts for automobiles because it contains a large amount of a fibrous filler.
Japanese Patent Application No. 62-324396 proposes a polypropylene resin composition comprising a crystalline ethylene-propylene block copolymer, an amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymer, talc and fibrous magnesium oxysulfate. The composition has insufficient rigidity and is improper for use in large-sized parts for automobiles.
The technique of compounding an olefinic resin and a hydrogenated block copolymer as used in the present invention to obtain a composition was already proposed in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Kokai (Laid-Open) Nos. 58-206644, 58-215446, 59-223745, 60-166339, 61-28547, 61-28548, 61-34047 and 61-34048. All of the compositions proposed in these documents contain large amounts of a hydrogenated block copolymer and a softening agent and consequently have low rigidity. In these compositions, even if the amount of the hydrogenated block copolymer is reduced to increase the rigidity, the tensile elongation is decreased.
Japanese Patent Application Kokai (Laid-Open) No. 57-51735 proposes a composition comprising a crystalline ethylene-propylene block copolymer, a hydrogenated block copolymer and an amorphous ethylene-propylene copolymer as used in the present invention. This composition, however, contains no inorganic filler and has low resistance to heat deformation and low rigidity. Therefore, the composition cannot achieve the object of the present invention.
Thus, the hitherto known polypropylene resin compositions mentioned above have been unable to provide a molded article having good balance in rigidity and impact strength, good mechanical properties, excellent appearance and good moldability and have found no use in, for example, large-sized parts for automobiles, particularly instrument panels.


A radial latching mechanism for engaging a safety switch is described. The radial latching mechanism includes an actuator holder, and an actuator for engaging the safety switch, attached to the actuator holder in a predetermined orientation relative to the holder. The mechanism has a body for supporting the actuator holder, and a first radial member extending between and pivotally connected by respective pivot points to both the body and the actuator holder. The radial latching mechanism further includes a second radial member extending between and pivotally connected by respective pivot points to both the body and the actuator holder. Each pivot point has a pivot axis, all of the pivot axes being substantially parallel.

Known safety switch assemblies comprise a safety switch adapted to be fitted to an enclosure, and an actuator attached to a latching mechanism adapted to be fitted to a door, gate or protective cover of the enclosure. The actuator is insertable into the safety switch to turn on the electrical power supply when the enclosure is closed by the door, gate or protective cover.
Radial latching mechanisms for engaging safety switches are well known in the art. Such latching mechanisms include an actuator mounted on a pivotal member, thus allowing the actuator to be rotated in a plane defined by the pivot axis of the member. This rotational movement moves the actuator into and out of the safety switch.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,595,286 describes an improved radial latching mechanism, in which the actuator is pivotally mounted upon the pivotal member such that the actuator may be rotated about an axis perpendicular to the plane of the pivoting circle of the latching mechanism as the pivotal member is moved to an open or a closed position. This arrangement allows not only pivoting of the actuator about the pivot access, but also tilting relative to the pivot plane. As a result, tolerances arising in various parts during assembly of the safety switch and its latching mechanism can be compensated for.
However, the design is complex. Further, adjustment of the latching mechanism via setscrews within the mechanism are required to arrange for the actuator to be in the appropriate insertion position and insertion angle for the actuator to be received by the safety switch. Due to the limited range of movement provided by the design, problems can arise if, for instance, during the lifetime of the safety switch assembly, the door to which the latching mechanism is attached is moved relative to the enclosure to which the safety switch is attached e.g. if the door drops.
It is an aim of embodiments of the present invention to provide an improved radial latching mechanism that substantially addresses one or more of the problems of the prior art, whether referred to herein or otherwise.


A container support for holding and closing a container includes a base assembly, a connector, a handle assembly, and a plurality of arms. The base assembly has a first side and a second side. The connector connects the container support to a frame, and the connector is attached to the first side of the base assembly. The handle assembly has a first side and a second side. The arms are attached to the second side of the base assembly and to the first side of the handle assembly. The arms, the base assembly, and the handle assembly are movable between a closed configuration and an open configuration. The container is unsealed and open when the arms, the base assembly, and the handle assembly are in the open configuration, and the container is closed when the arms, the base assembly, and the handle assembly are in the closed configuration.

Construction projects typically generate waste that is disposed of during, or at the completion of, the project. For example, waste generated during demolition is typically placed in a waste container during the construction project and disposed of on a regular basis to allow work on the project to proceed. More specifically, material waste is typically placed in an open container, such as a trash can, as the waste is generated at the project site. Once the open container has been filled to capacity with waste, the waste is emptied from the open container to another larger container, such as a dumpster, and transported away from the project site for permanent disposal. However, at least some known types of waste generate vapors that may need to be contained while work is proceeding at the project site. The open containers typically used to collect waste at construction projects do not contain the vapors because the open containers are open to the atmosphere. Additionally, at least some known sealed containers are difficult to open, load with waste, and reseal. Furthermore, workers at construction projects typically wear personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves that can be bulky and may make opening, loading, and resealing a sealed container difficult. Accordingly, open containers do not contain vapors generated by waste; sealed containers may be difficult to open, load, and reseal; and PPE may make opening, loading, and resealing sealed containers difficult.
This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present disclosure, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.

System and method for a container support


Disclosed herein is a method of forming a reliable high performance capacitor using an isotropic etching process to optimize the surface area of the lower electrodes while preventing an electrical bridge from forming between the lower electrodes. This method includes multiple sacrificial oxide layers that are formed over a substrate, an insulating layer with contact plugs, and an etch stopping layer. The sacrificial oxide layers are patterned and additionally isotropically etched to form an expanded capacitor hole. An exposed portion of the etch stopping layer is then etched to form a final capacitor hole exposing an upper portion of the contact plug and a portion of the insulating layer adjacent thereto. The semiconductor substrate having the final capacitor hole is cleaned to remove a native oxide film on the exposed upper portion of the contact plug.

1. Field of the Invention
This disclosure relates to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device, and more particularly to a method of forming a reliable high performance capacitor using an isotropic etching process.
2. Description of Related Art
Memory devices such as DRAM devices require a high performance cell capacitor with sufficient capacitance in order to increase both its refresh period and its tolerance to alpha particles. However, to implement this high performance cell capacitor, it is necessary to either increase the area between an upper electrode (plate electrode) and a lower electrode (storage node electrode) that overlaps, or reduce the thickness of a dielectric film interposed between the upper and lower electrodes. In addition, this second option requires that the dielectric film between the electrodes be made of a material having a high dielectric constant.
Recently, a method of increasing the height of the storage node electrode has been widely used in order to implement this desired high performance capacitor. In this method, a surface area of the storage node electrode is increased, whereby the capacitance of the capacitor is increased.
This method of forming the cell capacitor is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,112 to Tsuboi et al. entitled "Semiconductor device and process for fabricating the same." FIGS. 1A through 1C are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of forming a capacitor as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,112.
Referring to FIG. 1A, an insulating layer 20 is formed on a semiconductor substrate 10. The insulating layer 20 is patterned, using a photolithography technique and an etching technique, to form node contact holes which expose predetermined regions of the semiconductor substrate 10. The node contact holes are filled with a conductive material to form contact plugs 25.
Referring to FIG. 1B, an etch stopping layer 30 and a sacrificial oxide layer 40 are sequentially formed over the surface of the semiconductor substrate having the contact plugs 25. The sacrificial oxide layer 40 is patterned to form capacitor holes exposing predetermined regions of the etch stopping layer 30. The exposed portion of the etch stopping layer 30 is then dry-etched to form final capacitor holes which expose the top surfaces of the contact plugs 25 and neighboring portions of the insulating layer 20 around the top surface of the contact plugs 25. Here, the etch stopping layer 30 is over-etched, so that the exposed portions of the contact plugs 25 and the neighboring portions of the insulating layer 20 are etched by a predetermined depth.
An oxide layer cleaning process is performed using a hydrofluoric acid as a cleaning solution to isotropically etch a portion of the insulating layer 20 under the etch stopping layer 30 and the sacrificial oxide layer 40, thereby forming cleaned capacitor holes 45.
Referring to FIG. 1C, a polysilicon layer is formed over the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate having the cleaned capacitor holes 45. A portion of the polysilicon layer above the sacrificial oxide layer 40 is selectively removed, and then the sacrificial oxide layer 40 is selectively removed, thereby forming lower electrodes 50 of the capacitor.
According to U.S. Pat. No. 6,459,112, polymers and native oxide films in the final capacitor holes are removed by a single step of cleaning process before forming the polysilicon layer in the cleaned capacitor holes 45. Therefore, a lengthy cleaning process is required in order to maximize the diameters of the cleaned capacitor holes 45. Such a long cleaning process time may lead to the formation of through holes in the portion of the insulating layer 20 between the final capacitor holes. This, in turn, causes a problem where the lower electrodes are electrically connected to each other.
However, if the cleaning process is performed in a shorter time interval to prevent the through hole from being formed, it is difficult to maximize the diameters of the final capacitor holes. Consequently, it is difficult to optimize the cleaning process.

Method of forming a reliable high performance capacitor using an isotropic etching process


A method for displaying axial images that comprises receiving a reconstructed axial image. The reconstructed axial image includes a pre-selected number of completed reconstructed slices, a slice thickness and an interval value. A reformatted axial image is created in response to the reconstructed axial image. The creation of a reformatted axial image includes modifying the slice thickness in response to user slice thickness input and updating the interval value in response to user interval value input. The reformatted axial image is displayed in response to user display input.

The present disclosure relates generally to a method for displaying axial images and in particular, to a method for displaying axial images at varying slice thicknesses and interval values.
A medical imaging configuration, such as a computed tomography (CT) system can include an x-ray source that projects a fan-shaped beam which is collimated to lie within an X-Y plane of a Cartesian coordinate system and generally referred to as the "imaging plane." The x-ray beam passes through the object being imaged, such as a patient. The beam, after being attenuated by the object, impinges upon an array of radiation detectors. The intensity of the attenuated beam radiation received at the detector array is dependent upon the attenuation of the x-ray beam by the object. Each detector element of the array produces a separate electrical signal that is a measurement of the beam attenuation at the detector location. The attenuation measurements are acquired separately to produce a transmission profile.
CT systems can also include the x-ray source and the detector array being rotated with a gantry within the imaging plane and around the object to be imaged so that the angle at which the x-ray beam intersects the object constantly changes. A group of x-ray attenuation measurements i.e., projection data, from the detector array at one gantry angle is referred to as a "view". A "scan" of the object comprises a set of views made at different gantry angles during one revolution of the x-ray source and detector.
In an axial scan, projection data is processed to construct an image that corresponds to a two dimensional slice taken through the object. One method for reconstructing an image from a set of projection data is referred to as the filtered back projection technique. This process converts the attenuation numbers from a scan into integers called "computed tomography numbers" or "Hounsfield units", which are used to control the brightness of a corresponding pixel on a cathode ray tube display.
Slice thickness directly affects image resolution and scan efficiency. Typically, the optimal slice thickness will vary depending upon a variety of factors including the type of procedure being performed. Smaller slice thicknesses provide a more detailed image resolution than larger slice thicknesses. However, larger slice thicknesses are more efficient than small slice thicknesses since more of the region is scanned with a large slice thickness in a shorter period of time and larger slice thicknesses are easier to page through in order to find the slice that contains the area of interest. Typically, an operator selects a slice thickness prior to a scan to optimize scan efficiency and image quality based on a variety of factors including the type of procedure being performed.

Method, system and computer product for displaying axial images

GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC


A device for facilitating comprehension by a hearing impaired person of a telephone conversation includes a cord coupling to a telephone line a circuit which can convert the received audio speech signal into a series of phonemes. The circuit also includes an arrangement which correlates the series of phonemes to respective human lip shapes and displays on a display device a succession of images of the respective lip shapes. This permits the hearing impaired person to carry out lip reading of the displayed lip shapes while listening to the telephone conversation, which improves the person's level of comprehension of the conversation.

Persons who are not totally deaf often hear certain frequencies, usually the low pitch tones, better than other frequencies. Since audible speech is made up of many different frequencies, a person with impaired hearing will typically only hear parts of words, and will therefore have difficulty comprehending what is being said. The problem is further complicated when there is noise in the background, as the frequency of background noise is often in the low end of the hearing range, where the hearing loss is usually the least. Consequently, many persons with impaired hearing rely on lip reading in association with what they are hearing in order to provide an increased level of comprehension, particularly in a noisy listening environment.
One particular situation in which lip reading cannot be used to obtain increased comprehension is where a person with impaired hearing is attempting to carry on a telephone conversation, because the standard telephone transmits only the audible sound.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device which can increase the ability of a hearing-impaired person to comprehend a telephone conversation, especially in a high background noise situation.

Apparatus for generating from an audio signal a moving visual lip image from which a speech content of the signal can be comprehended by a lipreader


A communication device and method are provided for audibly outputting a received text message to a user, the text message being received from a sender. A text message to present audibly is received. An output voice to present the text message is retrieved, wherein the output voice is synthesized using predefined voice characteristic information to represent the sender's voice. The output voice is used to audibly present the text message to the user.

Text-to-voice synthesis technology provides the ability to convert arbitrary text into audible speech. Accordingly, this technology may be used to provide textual information to people via voice messages. These voice messages can prove especially useful in applications where audible output is a preferable form of user feedback when interacting with a communication device. For example, this feature is extremely useful when receiving text messages on the communication device while the user is driving.
With the proliferation of wireless communication devices, including personal digital assistants, smart cellular telephones, portable computers, two-way pagers and the like, the need is growing for providing the user of a wireless communication device with a means for providing textual information to people via voice messages.
However, current systems generally use a single pre-selected voice to present the voice messages for presenting all incoming text messages in an audible format. This limitation may present several issues, which are described as follows.
Presenting all incoming text messages using a single voice will likely result in a monotonous tone for the voice message. Accordingly, it may be difficult for the user of the device user (referred to as "the user") to properly interpret the message the first time it is heard. Further, it may be difficult for the device user to focus on the message, which may cause the device user to subconsciously ignore portions of the message. Therefore, the purpose or idea behind the message may not be properly interpreted.
Additionally, the device user may confuse content from different messages. Since a single voice presents different voice messages, there is no easy way for the device user to distinguish between different messages.
Also, the sender's personality is not represented vocally. For example, an email from a quick and anxious person is typically presented in the monotonous and is not distinguishable from a message received from a person who is soft and calm.
All of the above issues affect the way the user responds to the incoming message. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages.

System and method for personalized text-to-voice synthesis


A high-frequency module has an antenna configured by integrally connecting a slot plate laid out with radiation slots to a plate having plural thin plates formed with a waveguide for supplying power to the slot plate, using a diffusion bonding. The waveguide of the antenna is connected to a dielectric waveguide of a high-frequency package via a waveguide provided on a resin substrate, thereby configuring a slot antenna at low cost, and connecting a power-supply slot of the slot antenna to a waveguide terminal of the high-frequency package with low loss.

Conventionally, there has been known a waveguide slot array antenna including a combination of plural waveguide subarrays (for example, see Patent Document 1). This type of waveguide slot array antenna is assembled by adhering plural individually-molded waveguide subarrays to each other in the nature of its structure. Therefore, productivity has been extremely poor.
On the other hand, as a method of manufacturing a slot antenna, there is known a technique of integrally connecting a slot plate to a substrate formed with waveguide trenches, by diffusion bonding (for example, see Patent Document 2).    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2000-236213    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. H10-313214


An insulated gate field effect transistor is manufactured according to a process in which an insulated gate structure is formed along a semiconductor chip. Dopant is introduced into the chip to form a body region, semiconductor material outside the body region forming a drain region. Dopant is introduced into the chip at the location of part of the body region to form a source region spaced apart from the drain region by a channel region. Dopant of the same conductivity type as the body-region dopant is introduced through a dopant-introducing section of the chip's upper surface and into the chip at the location of part of the body region to form a sub-surface peaked portion of the body region, the dopant-introducing section being spaced laterally apart from the channel and source regions. The sub-surface peaked portion reaches a peak net dopant concentration below the chip's upper surface so as to improve the transistor's ruggedness under drain avalanche conditions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to insulated gate field effect semiconductor devices and more specifically to insulated gate field effect transistors (IGFETs), silicon controlled rectifiers (SCRS), insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBTs) and the like. More particularly, the invention relates to vertical planar and non-planar devices of the double-diffused MOS (DMOS) variety, and still more particularly to the class of such devices adapted for use in applications requiring high power handling capabilities.
2. Description of the Background Art
Vertical insulated gate field effect semiconductor devices such as IGFETs, IGBTs and SCRs are commonly used to perform high power switching functions in power supply, automotive and other applications. Insulated gate field effect devices are generally characterized by very high input impedance, low turn-on or threshold voltages, and resistance to thermal effects, which are desirable in such applications, and which generally distinguish them from bipolar devices.
In designing such devices for high power switching applications, it is desirable to maximize the current carrying capacity in the forward conductance ("on") mode while simultaneously maximizing the breakdown voltage level in the blocking ("off") mode.
To achieve the first objective, it is important to maximize the number of discrete current-conducting cells comprising the device. At the same time, it is desirable to shrink the cell dimensions as much as possible in order to reduce the size of the silicon chip in which they are formed and hence reduce the cost per device. Today's IGFETs, for example, commonly contain as many as 100,000-250,000 discrete current-conducting transistor cells operating in parallel to carry currents as high as 50-100 amperes in dice ranging from about 50-300 square mils in size.
The second objective is generally achieved by suitable selection of the resistivity and thickness dimension of the drift or drain region, which in vertical devices is typically epitaxially grown on a low resistivity substrate. In addition, it is desirable to design cell structures which distribute or shape the concentration of the electric field in the blocking mode so that under drain avalanche conditions problems such as activation of parasitic devices and damage to dielectric layers are avoided.
Drain avalanche breakdown typically occurs under conditions of high reverse drain-source voltage. Under such conditions, impact ionization generates avalanche current carriers, i.e., holes or electrons, in the device. The avalanche current flow is concentrated in areas of high electrical field intensity. Although the drain avalanche condition may occur under the application of steady state drain-source voltages, it most commonly occurs as a result of very high transient voltages, for example in switching applications involving unclamped inductive loads.
IGFETs in particular are generally subject to two major failure mechanisms under avalanche breakdown conditions. The first failure mechanism is a result of avalanche initialization around the peripheral areas of the device, which ultimately leads to localized thermal failure around the periphery or termination regions. This mechanism has been addressed by special structural designs which redistribute the electric field and determine the avalanche initialization away from the periphery and into the active cell region of the device. For example, it has been common to employ one or more field rings or field plates in the vicinity of the periphery.
The second major failure mechanism results from avalanche current generation in the active cell region and its effect on the parasitic bipolar transistor which is inherent in IGFETs, and particularly in metal oxide silicon FETs (MOSFETs). All MOSFETs have a parasitic bipolar transistor which comprises the adjacent source, body, and drain regions of the MOSFET. Under drain avalanche conditions, impactionization generated carriers may be injected laterally into the base region of the parasitic bipolar, i.e., the body region of the MOSFET beneath the source. This portion of the body region is typically relatively lightly doped and thus has relatively high resistivity. The lateral flow of avalanche current through the region thus produces a voltage drop across the parasitic bipolar base-emitter junction. When the base current reaches a point where the base-emitter voltage drop exceeds the turn-on voltage of the junction (about 0.7 volts in silicon), the parasitic bipolar turns "on" and begins to conduct current between its collector (the MOSFET drain) and its emitter (the MOSFET source). If not prevented or limited, this leads to a "latch-up" condition in which current flows directly between the MOSFET source and drain. Operationally this is an undesirable result because gate control of the MOSFET is lost.
In addition to maximizing the breakdown voltage of the device, it is also highly desirable to maximize the "ruggedness" of the device, i.e., its ability to withstand avalanche breakdown conditions without being damaged or destroyed. Heretofore, semiconductor device designers have attempted to achieve this feature by designing cell structures to redistribute the electric field and redirect the avalanche current flow within the active cell region, and to resist activation of the parasitic bipolar transistor, while maintaining relatively small cell dimensions. The attempts of which applicants are aware have been less than completely successful in providing devices which are rugged and which simultaneously retain the other desirable electrical characteristics of this class of devices.
For example, vertical DMOS FET cell designs have been proposed in which the body in the central region of the cell, away from the gate-channel region, is characterized by a deep, heavily-doped portion, whereas the region of the body underlying and adjacent to the source, channel and gate is more lightly doped. The so-called "deep-body" cell design, which is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,642,666 and 4,705,759 to Lidow et al., is intended to redirect avalanche breakdown current to the deep body portion and away from the source, gate and channel regions.
The "deep-body" cell design has certain short-comings. The deep-body dopant is introduced relatively early in the fabrication process and it is difficult to control the lateral diffusion of the heavily doped central body region during subsequent fabrication steps. Lateral diffusion of the deep-body dopant into the channel region can easily occur, resulting in an attendant and undesirable increase in the turn-on threshold of the device. This consequence can be avoided if the lateral dimensions of the cell are maintained relatively large. However, this in turn reduces the number of cells which can be fabricated on a die of a given size and therefore reduces the forward current carrying capacity of the device for a given die size. Moreover, the "deep-body" cell design generally requires a relatively thick drain to accommodate the relatively deep vertical diffusion of the deep-body dopant. Thus, the "deep-body" design is essentially limited to use in relatively large devices rated for very high breakdown voltages.
It has also been proposed to use a highly-doped "shallow-body" in the central cell region of the body. The so-called "shallow-body" cell design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,059 issued to Kinzer et al. In this design, the highly-doped shallow-body region extends from the central cell region and beneath the source region. It is intended to inhibit turn-on of the parasitic bipolar transistor by increasing the doping concentration of the base region and thus reducing its resistivity. This in turn requires the base current to be higher to forward bias the base-emitter junction and turn-on the parasitic bipolar. While the shallow-body cell design improves upon the deep-body design in certain respect, it too has certain short-comings. Because the shallow-body is shallow, its periphery exhibits a relatively sharp curvature beneath the source. This relatively sharp curvature tends to intensify the electric field in that region. Thus, under avalanche breakdown conditions, avalanche current will tend to flow heavily in that region because the electric field is most intense there. Simulations have shown that the shallow-body design is not effective in preventing avalanche current flow into the base of the parasitic bipolar, but only requires a greater current flow to turn-on the parasitic bipolar. Therefore, when the parasitic bipolar does turn on, it turns on at a higher avalanche current. The so-called "shallow-body" design has thus been shown to improve device ruggedness, but not to completely eliminate turn-on of the parasitic bipolar.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to overcome these and other short-comings of prior art cell designs by means of a cell design strategy for insulated gate semiconductor devices which employs strategically placed, highly-doped implant regions, which significantly improve device ruggedness.
It is a further object of the invention to improve upon the prior art cell designs by strategically locating and tailoring highly-doped implant regions to effectively reshape the electric field structure and to redirect avalanche breakdown current flow toward the central cell region and away from the insulated gate, channel and source regions.
It is still a further object of the invention to employ strategically placed and tailored highly-doped implant regions to redirect avalanche current flow away from the base of the parasitic bipolar transistor inherent in MOSFETs and to thereby prevent activation of the parasitic bipolar under an avalanche breakdown condition.
It is another object of the invention to provide the foregoing improvements in a way that is consistent with shrinkage of cell dimensions in order to allow packing more cells per unit area of semiconductor die and to thus improve the current per area carrying capacities of insulated gate semiconductor devices employing the invention.
It is still a further object of the invention to provide the foregoing improvements with little or no impact on critical electrical characteristics of existing devices, such as breakdown voltage and turn-on threshold, and with minimal impact on conventional fabrication processes.

Method of manufacturing insulated gate semiconductor device to improve ruggedness


A process providing a method to create 3D scaffolds using nano-scale fibers, comprising: deposition and alignment of a plurality of electrospun fiber layers on a substrate; application of a photosensitive biomedical polymer liquid to each fiber layer deposited on said substrate; deposition and cross-alignment of a plurality of electrospun fiber layers on said substrate; retaining said polymer liquid in place using said cross-aligned fiber layers; curing said polymer liquid on top of each fiber layer using UV light.

Tissue engineering (TE) holds great promise for cultivation of patient-specific tissues for restoring organ functions and/or curing various diseases. TE techniques involve seeding or implantation of cells into scaffolds, which are biodegradable and capable of supporting three-dimensional (3D) cell growth. The need for in vitro 3D TE scaffolds that can substitute for specific tissues is becoming increasingly prevalent in TE applications ranging from fundamental scientific studies, cancer metastases, stem cell biology, drug discovery, and the replacement of organs. Current bone substitutes designed for filling bone voids caused by diseases and injuries, lack the microstructure required for successful bone growth in 3D. This is the reason for the constantly growing interest in the bone grafting research topic. Global bone grafts and substitutes market was valued at over USD 2.3 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach over USD 3.6 billion, growing at a compound annual growth rate of 5.2% during the forecast period of 2016 to 2024. An increasing number of surgeries performed on young people (at the age of 19-40 years old), as well as an aging society force scientists from the field of material engineering to develop new bone substitutes with superior properties, that will be able to enhance the healing process and allow for the reconstruction and regeneration of bone.
Photolithography hydrogels can be used to create in vitro 3D scaffolds that have many TE applications such as bone repair. Photolithography is a process that is commonly used in micro-fabrication to produce the desired scaffold with specific shape and size using a mold. Polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) is an important class of photosensitive polymer with many tissue engineering applications. Despite intensive research, PEGDA scaffolds are unable to meet the functional requirements for bone repair in the musculoskeletal system. The ability to control the porosity of photosensitive hydrogel such as polyethylene Glycol Diacrylate (PEGDA) to elicit altered cell behaviors, including cell adhesion, has raised heightened interest in the scaffold materials for various biomedical applications, including orthopedic repair and regeneration. Several PEGDA hydrogel scaffolds have been developed for the in vitro tissue reconstruction, although the in vivo performances to evaluate the feasibility of using PEGDA at physiological conditions have not been reported yet.
PEGDA scaffolds having thickness higher than 1 mm have only limited applications as a three-dimensional (3D) cell culture device due to the inability of cells to survive within the scaffolds. Cells that are placed deep inside the PEGDA scaffold with a thickness higher than 1 mm die out because of not having access to adequate nutrients. Lack of porosity in the PEGDA scaffold leads the cells to non-uniform tissue regeneration. PEGDA scaffolds need to be designed with intricate architecture, porosity, pore size and shape, and interconnectivity in order to provide the required structural strength, nutrient transport, and micro-environment for cell and tissue in-growth. There is a significant need for operable methods that can overcome the limitations exhibited by thick PEGDA for TE applications. Various PEGDA-based scaffolds have been researched, however none of them fulfill all the requirements for TE applications. Overcoming the functional deficits of PEGDA for TE applications motivates the present invention.

Process to create 3D tissue scaffold using electrospun nanofiber matrix and photosensitive hydrogel


The present invention provides a respirator hood assembly that has a bag, half mask and a respirator assembly. The assembly includes a filtration unit and at least one inlet pipe containing a filter. The assembly of the invention allows for flexible filter design and also defines a rigid external structure that supports the hood and allows the user to quickly don the hood.

Respirator hoods are known in the art and take many shapes and forms. The hoods generally contain an air impermeable enclosure that surrounds the user's head and neck and a filter system that clears the incoming air of any toxic contaminants.
Some hood designs provide an air impermeable enclosure that forms a tent-like structure around the head of the user and the filter system is enclosed within the enclosure. Other hoods known in the art have externally located filter systems.
Respirator hoods generally include a filter canister, for filtering the ambient air, that is in the shape of a can. U.S. Pat. No. 6,041,778 includes such a canister that is used in combination with a hood. These types of units can be awkward for a user and provide a bulky device that may be unevenly weighted by the canister, causing the hood to slip or move which may allow non-filtered air to enter the hood.
Many prior art hoods include several pieces that require precise placement when a user is donning the hood. Such devices may not be appropriate for emergency use since a user will be required to quickly and precisely place the hood over their head with the minimum amount of adjustment and rearrangement possible.


A drive device includes a first member including a first shoulder, and a second member positioned in close proximity to the first member and including a second shoulder. The device also includes a coupling arrangement including a strut having a first edge for direct engagement with the first shoulder, a second edge for engagement with the second shoulder and supported for pivotal movement between engaged and overrun positions, based on relative rotation of the first and second members such that the first member drives the second member in a drive mode with the strut in the engaged position and the first and second members can overrun with respect to one another with the strut in the overrun position. The coupling arrangement also includes a cushioning member disposed between the second edge and the second shoulder for cushioning each initial engagement of the strut in the drive mode.

The present invention relates generally to one-way drive devices and methods of operating such devices and, more specifically, to one-way drive devices in which the engagement impact in the transition from the overrunning mode to the locked mode is reduced.
One-way drive devices join two shafts in such a way that the first shaft drives the second shaft when driven in one direction, but the first shaft disconnects from the second shaft when driven in the opposite direction. An example of a one-way clutch is the type known as a MECHANICAL DIODE® (hereafter referred to as MD) manufactured under license given by Epilogics, Inc. The MD achieves this one-way drive behavior using a high resolution, planar ratchet mechanism. Such a device is disclosed, for instance, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,978 issued to Paul B. Pires (hereafter referred to as the Pires patent and incorporated herein by reference).
Turning now to the drawings, wherein like components are indicated by like reference numbers throughout the various figures, attention is immediately directed to FIGS. 1A and 1B, which illustrate the major components of a typical MD of the type disclosed in the Pires patent. FIG. 1A illustrates one face of a pocket plate 10 of an MD mechanism. Pocket plate 10 includes a plurality of indentations 12 for coupling out or in of torque to or from an external shaft (not shown). Pocket plate 10 also includes a plurality of pockets 14, which are configured for housing a plurality of struts 16 therein. Each strut 16 also includes a pair of ears 17 along one edge. Ears 17 are designed to cooperate with a pair of strut locating shoulders 18 of pocket 14 such that strut 16 remains within pocket 14 during the operation of the MD. Another component of a typical MD mechanism is a notch plate 20, illustrated in FIG. 1B, which includes a plurality of notches 22 on one face. When notch plate 20 is positioned in a face-to-face relationship with pocket plate 10 of FIG. 1A, notches 22 are designed cooperate with struts 16 such that one of struts 16 engages one of notches 22 to transfer torque therebetween. It should be noted that torque can be transferred from pocket plate 10 to notch plate 20 via one of struts 16 such that pocket plate 10 drives notch plate 20 or, just as readily, torque can be transferred from notch plate 20 to pocket plate 10 via one of struts 16 such that notch plate 20 drives pocket plate 20.
The details of the operation of the typical MD is further illustrated in FIGS. 2A and 2B, which illustrate partial cross-sectional views of the MD with pocket plate 10 and notch plate 20 arranged in face-to-face relationship. As can be seen in FIGS. 2A and 2B, pocket 14 of pocket plate 10 includes a well 32, which is configured to accommodate a bias spring 32. Bias spring 32 is configured to bias a first edge 34 of strut 16 toward notch plate 20. A second edge 36 of strut 16 is designed such that, as first edge 34 rotates toward notch plate 20, second edge 36 rotates into pocket 14 such that second edge 36 engages a load bearing surface 38 of pocket 14. Each of notches 22 of notch plate 20 includes a slanted surface 40 and a shoulder 42.
The MD in driving mode is shown in FIG. 2A. As can be seen in FIG. 2A, shoulder 42 is configured to cooperate with first edge 34 of strut 16 such that when, for example, notch plate 20 rotates in a driving direction as indicated by arrow 50A, first edge 34 of strut 16 is biased into engagement with shoulder 42. Consequently, torque is transferred from shoulder 42 through first edge 34 and second edge 36 of strut 16 to pocket plate 10 through load bearing surface 38 such that pocket plate 10 is driven in a driven direction indicated by an arrow 52. The direct imposing of strut 16 between notch plate 20 and pocket plate 10 forms a very strong connection between the two plates, thus allowing the transfer of large torques and loads therebetween.
In contrast, the MD in overrunning mode is shown in FIG. 2B. In this case, notch plate 20 rotates in an overrunning direction as indicated by an arrow 50B. Slanted surface 40 of each notch 22 serves to rotate strut 16 toward pocket plate 10 and thus out of engagement with shoulder 42. As a result, notch plate 20 no longer drives pocket plate 10 and the two plates are rotationally disconnected. In other words, in the overrunning mode, pocket plate 10 and notch plate 20 each moves freely with respect to the other plate. Also, ears 17 on strut 16 cooperate with strut locating shoulders to keep strut 16 substantially within pocket 14 during overrunning mode.
Continuing to refer to FIGS. 2A and 2B in conjunction with FIGS. 1A and 1B, one possible problem with the MD type of one-way drive device is a noise or abrupt shock caused during the transition from the overrunning mode to the drive mode. There are thought to be two reasons for the shock or noise present during this operating mode change. The first reason is the positive, surface to surface contact of the strut and plates when in the drive mode, as shown in FIG. 2A. That is, the impact of first edge 34 of strut 16 hitting shoulder 42 of notch plate 20 can result in a noise or shock. A second reason is the angular distance between engagement opportunities (i.e., the angular distance between the opportunities for one of the struts in the pocket plate to engage a shoulder of one of the notches in the notch plate) afforded by the MD design. As most readily seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, this angular distance can vary from as little as 1- or 2-degrees to as much as 10- to 20-degrees depending on the number and position of struts/pockets and the number of notches used in a specific clutch arrangement. Regardless of this angular distance, the actual reversal of driving direction in the transition from the overrunning mode to the drive mode, if the transition occurs in a random fashion, can occur anywhere within the space between engagement opportunities. On those occasions when the reversal occurs just before an engagement opportunity, i.e., just before a strut is able to engage a shoulder in a notch, the notch plate accelerates in the drive direction from the instant of reversal until the strut becomes fully seated in the previously encountered notch. That is, the notch plate accelerates in the drive direction until the instant of engagement such that, when engagement does occur, the notch plate must be decelerated almost instantaneously to match the speed of the pocket plate or the pocket plate must be almost instantaneously accelerated to match the speed of the notch plate. This very rapid change in speed occurring at the instant of engagement can, under some conditions, be perceived as an audible click or perturbation of the motion of the shafts attached to the MD. This occasional click occurring at the instant of engagement can be especially objectionable when one of the plates of the MD is attached to a stationary drive line element, such as an automotive transmission case.
The present invention provides one-way drive devices which are intended to reduce or eliminate the foregoing problems in a heretofore unseen way and which provides still further advantages.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

One-way drive device with reduced engagement impact


In an agricultural chemicals formulation which is scattered by being thrown directly into a paddy field filled with water, it is an object to provide a composition having an excellent spreadability without stagnation of an agrochemically active ingredient at the point of throwing, and in particular to provide a labor-saving formulation for scattering (application) which contains a liquid agrochemically active ingredient at room temperature, and to provide an agricultural chemicals formulation containing a liquid agrochemically active ingredient at room temperature in high concentrations, which have been difficult to be realized. The agricultural chemicals formulation for a rice paddy field is produced by preparing a granular composition in a manner that a mixture of a liquid agrochemically active ingredient at room temperature, a surfactant, and a substance exhibiting a thickening function or a gelation function in the water, is held and carried by a granular nucleus, and packing it with a water-soluble film. The present invention also provides a method of scattering (applying) the agrochemically active ingredient, which is characterized by that the agricultural chemicals formulation is directly thrown into a paddy field filled with water at a rate of 2 to 20 bags per 10 a.

The present invention relates to an agricultural chemicals formulation for a rice paddy field, to scatter (apply) directly on the water surface, and more in detail, it relates to an agricultural chemicals formulation for a rice paddy field suitable for the agricultural chemicals being scattered (applied) uniformly by throwing a granular agricultural chemicals composition packed in a bag made of a water-soluble film and the like directly on the water surface of a rice paddy field filled with water, the preparation thereof and the method for scattering (applying) the same.
At present, as a major agricultural chemicals formulation, a granulated type, a powder type, emulsifiable type, wettable type, suspension type, granulated hydrate type and so on are known. However, in recent years, saving labor for scattering (applying) agricultural chemicals and cutting down of agricultural chemicals have become important and improvement of the formulation form of the agricultural chemicals is required.
Under these circumstances, recently, labor-saving formulations which can be scattered (applied) only by throwing the agricultural chemicals from a path between rice paddy fields without entering into the rice paddy has been studied. Such a formulation is premised on being scattered in a rice paddy field unevenly, and therefore it has been demanded to develop a formulation whose agrochemically active ingredients float and spread on the water surface to obtain a desirable spreadability of the components.
Various studies have been made for such a demand, but actually no agricultural chemicals formulation has been obtained, which are perfectly satisfactory for agrochemically active ingredients having various properties. For instance, a method to pack emulsion containing an agrochemical insecticide ingredient of a water-soluble film and to throw it into a paddy field filled with water is disclosed (Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 42-5240). However, the technology disclosed here has a disadvantage that a large quantity of the agricultural chemicals ingredients remain in the soil at the point of throwing after the treatment.
Various technologies have been disclosed, for instance, a formulation in which agrochemically active ingredients are impregnated into a foamed plastic material having particle sizes of 0.1 mm to 10 mm and packed with a water-soluble film (Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Sho 53-99327); an agricultural chemicals formulation for throwing into a paddy field in which water-floatable solid agricultural chemicals containing an agrochemically active ingredient, a water-floatable granular nucleus chosen from calcined vermiculite, foamed pearlite, foamed shirasu, and cork, a surfactant (acetylene alcohol) are packed with a water-soluble film (Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 6-336403); and a formulation in which agrochemically active ingredients of agricultural chemicals are coated on and carried by a granular nucleus such as pumice or calcined pearlite having apparent specific gravity of less than 1 and particle sizes of 0.3 mm to 1.4 mm and packed with a water-soluble film (Japanese Patent Laid-open No. Hei 9-183701). However, there may arise a problem in spreadability of the components because a portion of the formulation precipitates on the bottom at the point of the treatment, and a disadvantage that since much quantity of the agrochemically active ingredient still remain on the granular nucleus made of a foamed plastic material, pumice, calcined pearlite, or the like after the treatment, the desired effect of the agricultural chemicals can not be exhibited but, on the contrary, phytotoxicity may arise from bringing the agricultural chemicals gathered together by the wind.
Furthermore, a granular water-floatable insecticide in which an insecticide is coated on actatic polypropylene granules using a binder (Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 45-9560), a floatable granular formulation in which an insecticide component is firmly fixed on calcined pearlite with polybutene (Japanese Patent Publication No. Sho 47-1240) are known, however, since much quantity of the agrochemically active ingredients remain on the granular nucleus, as similarly as above, the result is not only that the desired effect of the agricultural chemicals can not be exhibited but phytotoxicity may arise because the agricultural chemicals are gathered together by the wind.
In addition, in the conventional art, it has been difficult to obtain a scattering type formulation enabling labor-saving application containing agrochemically active ingredients which are liquid at room temperature.
In an agricultural chemicals formulation to be thrown directly into a rice paddy field filled with water to be scattered, an object of the present invention is to provide a composition having an excellent spreadability without stagnation of agrochemically active ingredients at the point of treatment, and in particular, to realize a labor-saving scattering (application) type formulation in a liquid state at room temperature containing agrochemically active ingredients, which has been hitherto difficult to realize, and further to make the formulation contain a high concentration of the agrochemically active ingredients in a liquid state at room temperature.
As a result of assiduous study to obtain a labor-saving scattering (application) type formulation containing an agrochemically active ingredient, especially that in a liquid state at room temperature, as an effective component, the present inventors have found that when the agrochemically active ingredient is made into a liquid matter together with a surfactant and a substance having a thickening function or a gelation function in the water, which is then packed with a water-soluble film after it is carried by a granular nucleus, it becomes possible to be scattered (applied) on a rice paddy field only by being thrown from a path between the paddy fields without entering into the paddy fields and, in addition, it has excellent spreadability, and based upon this finding, the inventors have accomplished the present invention.
The present invention is to provide an agricultural chemicals formulation for a rice paddy field, which is characterized by that a granular composition in which an active ingredient of the agricultural chemicals in a liquid state at room temperature, a surfactant, and a substance exhibiting a thickening function or a gelation function in the water are carried by granular nucleuses is packed with a water-soluble film.
In addition, the present invention is to provide a method of producing an agricultural chemicals formulation for a rice paddy field, comprising the steps of preparing a granular composition by letting a granular nucleus hold and carry a liquid agrochemically active ingredient at room temperature, a surfactant, and a substance exhibiting a thickening function or a gelation function in the water and packing thus obtained granular composition in a water-soluble film.
Furthermore, the present invention is to provide a method of scattering (applying) an agrochemically active ingredient, comprising the steps of throwing directly the agricultural chemicals formulation for a rice paddy field in a paddy field filled with water at a rate of 2 to 20 bags per 10 a.

Agricultural chemicals formulation for rice paddy field, preparation thereof and the method for scattering the same


A prosthetic elbow for replacing an elbow of a dog or a human to restore normal, pain-free joint function. The elbow includes a humeral component for attachment to a humerus and a radioulnar component for attachment to an ulna. The humeral component includes a generally cylindric spool having a contoured external surface defining a first articular surface. The radioulnar component has a generally U-shaped contour with an inner peripheral surface defining a second articular surface sized and shaped for engagement with the first articular surface. Positional guides provide for implantation at precise locations.

This invention relates generally to artificial joints, and in particular to a prosthetic elbow and technique for its implantation. Its primary use is with dogs or other animals, although it may also be applied to human beings.
Degenerative joint disease of an elbow, such as osteoarthritis, trauma, or dysplasia, can debilitate a dog. When non-surgical treatments are no longer effective, a pet owner's only feasible options can be elbow arthrodesis (fusion of the joint), amputation, or euthanasia. Total elbow replacement for dogs is a promising alternative, but has not consistently resulted in an elbow retaining its normal, pain-free joint function over time. Moreover, the process of surgical implantation has been invasive, disrupting lateral collateral ligaments and requiring extensive soft tissue dissection. Consequently, function of the elbow is degraded and the duration of recovery is extended.

The Curators of the University of Missouri


A longitudinal laminate board of mineral wool and method of making the board are disclosed. The laminate board consists of adjacently disposed pieces at least some of which are shorter than the length of the board and whose fibre plane form an essentially right angle to the plane of the laminate board. The pieces are jointed within the laminate board.

Laminate boards of this type are prior known and have been implemented for instance in naval industry as insulating walls of various spaces.
Sandwich elements of mineral wool have been utilized to some extent in naval industry. So far long supporting elements have not however, been available, neither as ceiling, floor nor wall elements.
Finished sandwich elements of mineral wool with the fibres oriented perpendicularly to the surface plane of the element would, owing to its resistance properties, be usable as supporting roof, floor and wall elements and would thus simplify building operations greatly.

Construction board and its manufacturing method


A method of manufacturing a nonvolatile organic memory device including a memory layer interposed between an upper electrode layer and a lower electrode layer, which includes dispersing ions of conductive nanoparticles in an organic material disposed between the two electrode layers and then reducing the ions of conductive nanoparticles into conductive nanoparticles in the organic material to form a desired memory layer. In addition, a nonvolatile organic memory device manufactured by the method of the current invention is also provided. The method allows the memory device to be manufactured using a rapid, simple, and environmentally friendly process, without the need for an encapsulation process. As well, the memory device has a low operating voltage, and hence, is suitable for application to various portable electronic devices that must have low power consumption.

This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) on Korean Patent Application No. 2004-111926 filed on Dec. 24, 2004, which is herein expressly incorporated by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate, generally, to a method of manufacturing a nonvolatile organic memory device and a nonvolatile organic memory device manufactured by the same. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a method of manufacturing a nonvolatile organic memory device, which is advantageous because it is environmentally friendly and has superior processability by dispersing ions of conductive nanoparticles in an organic material disposed between two electrode layers and reducing the ions of conductive nanoparticles into conductive nanoparticles in the organic material, and a nonvolatile organic memory device, having a low operating voltage, manufactured by such a method.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the rapid development of the information and communication industries, the demand for various memory devices has drastically increased. In particular, memory devices used for portable terminals, various smart cards, electronic money, digital cameras, games, MP3 players, etc. must be nonvolatile, so that the recorded information is not lost even when not consuming any power. A typical representative of the nonvolatile memory is flash memory, which is formed of a silicon material and has monopolized the memory market.
However, conventional flash memory is disadvantageous because it has a limited number of recording/erasing times and a slow recording speed. Further, in order to manufacture flash memory having a high memory capacity, line width per unit area should be decreased, which increases process costs resulting in high costs to manufacture memory chips. Moreover, due to difficulties in chip manufacturing techniques it is difficult to further miniaturize the chips. Due to technical limitations imposed on manufacturing the conventional silicon flash memory, attempts to develop next generation nonvolatile memory devices, which realize ultrahigh speeds, high capacities, low power consumption, and low prices while overcoming the physical limitations of the above memory devices, have been vigorously made.
The next-generation memory devices include, for example, ferroelectric RAM, magnetic RAM, phase change RAM, nanotube memory, holographic memory, organic memory, etc., depending on the kind of material constituting a unit cell in a semiconductor. Of these memory devices, organic memory achieves memory capability using bistable resistance values caused by applying voltage to an organic material layer positioned between upper and lower electrode layers. That is, the organic memory is a type of memory that is able to read and write data '0' and '1' while the resistance of the organic material present between the upper and lower electrode layers is reversibly changed in response to electrical signals. Thus, the organic memory functions to solve the problems of processability, manufacturing costs and integration, while exhibiting the nonvolatile characteristics of conventional flash memory, and is widely expected to be the next generation memory technology.
In this regard, Japanese Patent Laid-open Publication No. Sho. 62-95882 discloses an electrical memory device using CuTCNQ (7,7,8,8-tetracyano-p-quinodimethane) as a charge transfer complex containing an organic metal. U.S. Published Patent Application No. US 2002/0163057 discloses a semiconductor device including a middle layer made of a mixture of an ionic salt such as NaCl or CsCl and a conductive polymer, interposed between upper and lower electrode layers. Such a device manifests switching/memory properties by charge separation in an electrical field. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 6,055,180 discloses a memory device using ferroelectricity depending on a crystalline phase of a fluorine based polymer, such as poly(vinyldifluoroethylene).
On the other hand, the manufacturing method of the conventional organic memory device further includes an electroforming process, which applies high voltage to the manufactured memory device. As such, the electroforming process is used to pulverize a metal for an electrode to ones of nm size and then allow the pulverized metal to move between organic layers (J. Phys. D:Appl. Phys., 35, 802 (2002)). In the electroformed memory device, an NDR (Negative Differential Resistance) section is formed, thus manifesting memory properties. However, since the electroforming process cannot control the size or size distribution of metal particles, physical properties of the devices are inconsistent. At this time, memory behavior, as well as the operating voltage and operating current of the memory device, varies and contributes to inconsistent device properties, which reduces the reproducibility and results in severely defective products.
To solve the above problems, methods of dispersing nanoparticles in an organic insulating layer by synthesizing nanoparticles and blending the synthesized nanoparticles with a polymer have been proposed (IBM, MRS meeting, 2004 spring). As such, however, the nanoparticles may aggregate due to mutual attraction, losing the properties of nanoparticles. To prevent aggregation of nanoparticles, although a process of encapsulating the nanoparticles is additionally performed between the synthesizing of nanoparticles and the blending of the synthesized nanoparticles with the polymer, such an encapsulation process suffers from a shortcoming of requiring several days or more. In addition, the nanoparticles may aggregate again when being dispersed in the medium, and also, a large amount of solvent is used, thus causing environmental contamination problems.

Method of manufacturing nonvolatile organic memory device and nonvolatile organic memory device manufactured by the same


Systems and methods for generating a composite video based on a plurality of input streams are provided. A first video stream is received from a first device. A second video stream and coordination information are received from a second device. The coordination information includes instructions for combining the first video stream and the second video stream in a composite video. The first video stream and the second video stream are time aligned, and the instructions of the coordination information and the time-aligned first video stream and second video stream are used to generate the composite video.

When displaying a recorded video (e.g., video of a sporting event, academic lecture, or news story), it is often desirable to supplement the video with related text, images, audio, and/or other video. For example, it may be desirable to supplement a recorded video of a professor's lecture with presentation slides including related text, images, or video, such that the lecture video and presentation slides are displayed simultaneously in separate sub-regions of an overall display. However, creating a final video product containing the original recorded video and supplemental material may be a time-consuming and expensive process. Oftentimes, costly video editing hardware and software is used to splice together the original recorded video and the supplemental material to provide the final product, and generation of that final product using the video editing hardware and software may require many hours of work by one or more video editing personnel.

Systems and methods for generation of composite video


A computer system having at least two subsystems which generate video signals and which share the same video display terminal. Provision is made to allow disabling of the current output of each system and controlling line reflections.

This invention relates to a system for permitting multiple microprocessors to share the same video display, and, more particularly, for sharing the same display in such a way that video performance is not compromised.
Most conventional personal computer systems have a single microprocessor. In some circumstances, however, it may be advantageous to have one or more additional microprocessors additionally integrated into the system. For example, if the primary system processor is a 60x (e.g., 601, 603, 604) microprocessor, it may be desirable also to include a DOS-based microprocessor such as an Intel 486 or Pentium microprocessor as an auxiliary processor to enable the system to run DOS programs.
A conventional system for achieving this end is shown in FIG. 1. As shown, the system 10 of FIG. 1 includes a primary microprocessor 20 and an auxiliary microprocessor 30. The primary microprocessor 20 may be on a motherboard such as motherboard 25 and the auxiliary processor 30 on an expansion card 40, although other arrangements are possible. Either or both processors may be 60x series processors, x86 type processors, or any other suitable type of microprocessor.
It is advantageous in such a system for the microprocessors to share system resources such as power supplies, I/O devices such the keyboard and disk drives, and output devices such as a monitor and printer. In the system 10 shown the microprocessors share a monitor 50. To do this, each microprocessor generates its own set of digital video signals which are conveyed to a respective digital to analog converter (DAC), that is, a DAC1 60 for the primary microprocessor 20 and a DAC2 70 for the auxiliary microprocessor 30. The respective analog video outputs of the DAC1 60 and the DAC2 70 are connected to respective video out connectors 65 and 75, and then summed at a video summing junction B. The interconnection of the video out connectors 65 and 75 to the summing junction B, and the connection of the summing junction B to the monitor 50, is accomplished by an external wiring harness 90.
Conventionally, a DAC such as either DAC1 60 and DAC2 70 which converts digital video into analog video is placed close to the external video out connector 80. This has the disadvantage that conveying the digital video signal from the DAC to the connector across the PCB can cause electromagnetic interference (EMI). It also has the disadvantage that it necessitates running a parallel digital signal across the board, which can require 32 or even 64 traces.
In a system 10 such as that shown, it is also possible to have significant signal reflection in the lines carrying the analog video signal. In effect, each DAC launches a forward-going wave toward the connectors 65 and 75 and the monitor 50. The wave encounters an impedance discontinuity when it reaches these elements. At the discontinuity, part of the wave's energy will be transmitted, but another part will be reflected. In a line which is assumed to be lossless, the magnitude of the reflected signal or wave is determined by the magnitude of the incident signal multiplied by a reflection coefficient which depends in turn on the magnitude of the difference between the line impedance and the load impedance. Ideally, if the line impedance equals the load impedance, then the impedances are matched, the reflection coefficient is zero, and there is no reflected signal. In practice, however, there is an intrinsic mismatch, so that reflections are created.
These reflections or return waves if not controlled or eliminated will distort forward-going signals in the line. For example, the theoretical ideal primary color waveforms for a linescan of a standard color-bar chart are shown in FIG. 2. These waveforms are taken from J. Fisher et al., "Waveforms and Spectra of Composite Video Signals", Television Engineering Handbook, p. 5.24 (McGraw-Hill Book Co. 1986). These waveforms are for the line scan of a chart having colors in the order of red, yellow, green, cyan, gray, magenta, blue, white, and black. The amplitude of the signal in each channel (R'.sub.R, E'.sub.G, and E'.sub.B) of the composite video signal is determined by the amount of the corresponding color in the scanned image, and will in turn determine the amount of that color in a video reproduction of that image. Reflections cause spurious "structure" (deviations from true signal levels) in each channel in the composite video signal. This structure may take the form of a stepwise increase or decrease in a signal ("shelving") which should be increasing or decreasing nearly instantaneously. The signal at a given point is in effect the superposition of the forward-going wave and the reflected return signal. This superposition obscures the data in the forward-going signal, thus distorting the color in the video image.

shared video display in a multiple processor computer system


Electrical connector comprises a housing member having a series of passages each of which receives a female electrical contact member having a profiled part which cooperates with a locking key mobile in a slot perpendicular to the passages and having a series of slots aligned with the passages, each female electrical contact member including a boss which cooperates with a guide slot of each passage and a retaining tongue cut out from a lateral wall and the free end of which is at the same end as the profiled part. The part of each passage between the insertion end and the slot includes a recess the depth of which increases in the direction towards the slot and wherein the retaining tongue is housed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns an electrical connector.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The invention relates to an electrical connector of the type comprising a housing member with passages each adapted to receive a female electrical contact member having at one end lugs for crimping it to an electrical conductor and at the other end a spring clamp adapted to grip a male strip.
The housing member has a transverse slot in which moves a locking key provided with slots the edges of which cooperate with a profiled part of each female electrical contact member so that once the members are fitted they cannot be removed without removing the key from the slot.
In this type of connector a retaining tongue is cut out from the lateral wall of the female electrical contact member on the same side as the spring clamp and directed towards the profiled part, this tongue constituting a detent for retaining the member in the corresponding passage.
As each member must occupy a particular angular position within the corresponding passage, the latter is provided with a longitudinal groove and each member is provided with a boss cooperating with the groove.
It has been found that, during fitting of the female electrical contact members, when they line up with the slot, the retaining tongues tend to move them out of alignment with the passages. The ends of the members having the spring clamp may then not engage in the corresponding end of the passages, or engage therein only with difficulty.
It has also been found that, on demounting the female electrical contact members, the free end of the retaining tongue may abut against the edge of the corresponding passage opening into the slot, so that there is a risk of the electrical contact members being impossible to remove.
One aim of the invention is to overcome these drawbacks.


A medical device comprises a catheter having a catheter shaft and a medical balloon positioned thereon, as well as a rotatable assembly disposed about the balloon. The balloon has a pre-expansion state and an expanded state. The rotatable assembly comprises a sheath, wherein the sheath is disposed about the balloon in both the pre-expansion state and in the expanded state. The sheath is rotatable about the balloon in the pre-expansion state. The sheath comprises an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner layer is in rotatable contact with the balloon and the outer layer is disposed about the inner layer. The inner layer is at least partially constructed of at least one material having a durometer value greater than that of the outer layer.

Catheter systems such as angioplasty catheters, and stent delivery systems, as well as the stents associated therewith, are widely used in the treatment of stenoses, aneurysms, lesions, and other abnormalities within blood vessels and other body lumens. Intravascular stents are used in coronary, renal, and carotid arteries, for example, to maintain an open passage through the artery. In patients whose coronary heart disease consists of focal lesions, stents have proven effective. For example, where only a single coronary artery is clogged or where there are short blockages in more than a single artery, stents have been used with a great amount of success. An intravascular stent may be positioned in a clogged artery by a catheter and is often set in place by inflating a balloon upon which the stent is mounted. This expands the diameter of the stent and opens the previously clogged artery. The balloon is then deflated and removed from the patient while the stent retains an open passage through the artery.
Treatment at bifurcation sites has been difficult. Although efforts have been made to use a stent at bifurcations, these sites have previously been problematic to treat. The specialty stents designed for bifurcations generally need specific alignment, radially as well as longitudinally. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,825 is representative of a catheter system that is intended to treat stenoses at an arterial bifurcation. The disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 5,749,825 is hereby incorporated by reference.
Often stent delivery systems are employed to deliver multiple stents to the primary and/or secondary vessels surrounding a vessel bifurcation. One or more catheters may be required to deploy each stent. Stents deployed by such systems generally have an opening or branch which allows for unimpeded blood flow into a side branch artery, and through which one or more branch stents may be subsequently delivered. However, problems are still encountered in orienting such stents relative to the branch openings at the bifurcation of the primary and secondary passages. Moreover, such bifurcated assemblies are typically specially manufactured at an increased cost over a more standard stent intended for single vessel deployment.
In delivering one or more stents to a vessel bifurcation, many devices have relied on the application of torque to the catheter shaft from outside of the patient to orient one or more medical devices within the vessel passage. The use of such active application of torque on a catheter within a vessel has several possible consequences including potential strain inadvertently applied to the contacted vessel, as well as control and precision issues. To avoid the need of having to actively apply torque to the catheter shaft, in order to orient the and/or stent, catheter assemblies have been developed which are equipped with a rotatable sheath, that is capable of rotating about the catheter shaft and/or balloon. A stent may be initially mounted to the sheath and a secondary guidewire engaged to the sheath directs the orientation of the sheath as the assembly is advanced through a body lumen. Some examples of such catheter assemblies have been shown and described in the following publications:
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/375,689, filed Feb. 27, 2003 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/657,472, filed Sep. 8, 2003 both of which are entitled Rotating Balloon Expandable Sheath Bifurcation Delivery; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/747,546, filed Dec. 29, 2003 and entitled Rotating Balloon Expandable Sheath Bifurcation Delivery System; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/757,646, filed Jan. 13, 2004 and entitled Bifurcated Stent Delivery System; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/784,337, filed Feb. 23, 2004 and entitled Apparatus and Method for Crimping a Stent Assembly; the entire content of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Upon a review of the above referenced publications it will be recognized that contact between the sheath and the balloon, and/or the catheter shaft, will affect the capability of the sheath to readily and freely rotate. Desirably the frictional interface between the sheath and balloon, and/or catheter shaft, should be minimized to encourage the free rotation of the sheath. In addition, it would be further desirable to provide such rotatable sheaths with one or more configurations that may provide a more directed or controlled delivery of the stent during balloon expansion.
All U.S. patents and applications and all other published documents mentioned anywhere in this application are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Without limiting the scope of the invention a brief summary of some of the claimed embodiments of the invention is set forth below. Additional details of the summarized embodiments of the invention and/or additional embodiments of the invention may be found in the Detailed Description of the Invention below.
A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification is provided as well only for the purposes of complying with 37 C.F.R. 1.72. The abstract is not intended to be used for interpreting the scope of the claims.

Rotatable sheath, assembly and method of manufacture of same


A golf club wherein the lie angle of the shaft with respect to the head may be adjusted such that the sole, toe and heel of the club may be parallel to the ground and configured for use by both left-handed and right-handed players. The attachment of the golf club head to the shaft also permits adjustment of the golf club head to either the open, standard, or closed configuration to compensate for a player's swing.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the game of golf and particularly to a unique golf club construction which may be used by left- and right-handed players wherein the club head can be adjusted to a variety of club head pitch and lie orientations to suit a particular player's needs.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Traditionally in the game of golf, clubs were designed either for a left-handed or right-handed player wherein the pitch of the playing face and the lie angle of the head was preconfigured and fixed with respect to the axis of the shaft. Similarly, the face of the club was also preconfigured to be a standard face or may be fixed in either an open or closed ("hooded") configuration to compensate for a player's swing. As a result, a set of clubs is expected to be suitable for substantially every playing condition. Accordingly, in certain situations the sole of the club is sometime not entirely parallel to the ground or does not compensate for particular swing habits. In such instances, the club face does not fully address the ball and may result in an errant shot.
It is the purpose of this invention to provide a golf club wherein the lie angle of the shaft with respect to the head may be adjusted such that the sole, toe and heel of the club may be parallel to the ground. The attachment method of the club head to the shaft also permits adjustment of the shaft for left- or right-handed players and can also be adjusted to adjust for open or closed angles of the head.