A visual display device is constructed which uses the “persistence of vision” effect of human vision and responds to kinetic motions of the user as the device is held and swung by an operator. Displays may consist of alphanumeric and graphic data with image symmetry not required. A microcontroller adjusts the display to conform to the speed and width of the users swing, synchronizing the display to the users motions. Both the user and viewers of the device are enabled to see the displayed images correctly oriented and stable within the path of the swinging device. The user is provided with visual and or audio feedback, which helps in coordinating a steady swing, and gives an indication of the orientation of the displayed data. The device is fabricated in such a way that costs are at a minimum, allowing this technology to be used in widespread disposable or reusable applications. The technology is expanded to displays in which the viewer provides the kinetic motion and the device is held stationary.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to visual displays, which are generated by relying on the observer's "persistence of vision" or the "after image effect" of human vision.
2. Description of Prior Art
The "after image effect" or the "persistence of vision" of the human eye is well known as a viable means of delivering readable displays to the brain. Devices, which have been used to produce such displays, will display small portions of an image at different times and locations, relying on the human brain to retain the momentary images and combine them into a whole picture. Such displays are visibly pleasing and seem to appear and hang in mid-air. Motion is an integral part of the production of an "after image" display. The device, which produces the display, may be moved through space or the observer may be moved. Either way, the phenomenon is effective and visual displays become perceptible by the brain.
Bell U.S. Pat. No. 4,470,044 teaches that saccadic eye movements can produce visual displays without moving the display device, but this is only effective when viewed at a distance, since minute eye movements cannot scan the required space when viewed in close proximity.
The "after image effect" relies on partial images delivered to the brain in rapid succession.
The human brain must retain the partial images long enough to construct a meaningful image out of them. The faster the partial images are presented to the eye/brain, the faster the brain can make sense of the image and perceive a visual display.
This phenomenon has been illustrated in various displays at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, Calif. and at other Exploratorium sites. The following internet sites are instructive on persistence of vision and the "after image effect".
http://www.exploratorium.edu/exhibit_services/exhibits/p/persistenceofvision.html
http://www.exploratorium.edu/exhibit_services/exhibits/t/tripleeyelightstick.html
Highly complicated and costly apparatus has been employed as in Belcher et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,302,965 and in Sokol U.S. Pat. No. 4,689,604 to deliver precisely timed displays in order to attempt a stable display. Not only are the apparatus costly, but if they are not precisely synchronized with the motion of the display device, the display will not be stable and pleasing.
Some have attempted to synchronize the display to the motion of the device using an accelerometer, such as in Tokimoto et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,406,300. This technique has proved to be too complicated and expensive for a low cost device.
Jim Phillips and Rich Ottosen demonstrated the after image effect with their Whirlessgig but it was hard to see the message displayed. They also suggest using an accelerometer to detect the swing of the device but this would make it prohibitively expensive as well as requiring periodic calibration and adjustment of the accelerometer. Their work is documented on the internet at http://www.brouhaha.com/˜eric/pic/whirlessgig.html.
Users of prior art displays have been unable to see the display when it is directed away from them while demonstrating the device to others. This makes use of the display unreliable, since the user is never sure if the correct display is visible, or if this swing is producing a pleasing display.
Ohta et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,456 attempts to remedy this lack of positive feedback problem, by using light guides to direct the display in two directions at once. This allows both the user and the viewer to see a display, but the user will always see a mirror image of what is being displayed for the viewer. Only symmetrical objects can be displayed correctly on both sides of the device. This limitation of only being able to display symmetrical objects is manifest in "The Picture Stick" by Scott Edwards. Published in Electronics Now, October 1994 v65 n10 p35. This device also lacked any method of synchronizing the display with the motion of the picture stick. The result is unstable, unpredictable displays. Prior art that is swung in a rotational manner has a similar problem of reversal since the display is visible through 360 degrees of rotation, most of which is displayed backwards.
If the kinetic motion of the swing or rotational device is not properly sensed, portions of the display may be reversed, bunched, shifted, jittery, too narrow, too wide, or not centered, rendering the display unusable.
Prior art has been heavy, cumbersome, and limited to a vertical row of light emitting elements, which limits the size and shape of the device.
Prior art has not be able to display large displays, or communicate large phrases, since they are limited to what can be displayed in one swing.
Determining what is to be displayed by prior art is complicated and time consuming. Data selection has been accomplished with complicated push button selection schemes without user feedback to verify correct programming. Users of the devices quickly become frustrated with the complicated device and lose interest in using it. Some devices have provided means for users to enter user defined display data. These means all suffer from highly complicated methods and means, which confuse and discourage users.
Sensors for synchronizing the display with the motion of the display device have been mounted at either end of the light-emitting array in prior art. This tends to distort the display since it was not sensed within the space of the visual image.
Prior art has only a single display mode, or method of display which severely limits the uses and applications of the device.
Prior art has stored display data as bit maps, which severely limits the number of characters that can be displayed and requires large amounts of expensive memory.

Kinetic device and method for producing visual displays


One embodiment of the invention includes a method and system to obtain data for fees and surcharges charged by multiple providers for multiple services based on prior interactions with the service providers, and provide an estimate for fees and surcharges to be charged by one of the service providers for one of the services based on the prior interactions with the service providers. In one embodiment, the fee data is extracted from one of electronic publishing of fees, billings for services rendered, and employee expense reports. In one embodiment, the estimated fees and surcharges include restricted access to a first subset of data to a first predetermined group.

In the usual course of doing business, service providers, particularly travel service providers, frequently add numerous and varied fees and surcharges to the basic cost of a service. In some cases the total of the extra fees may approach or even surpass the cost of the base services. Therefore, it is important for customers of such service provider to track those fees. Moreover, fees among different providers are not always comparable, and many service providers purposely do not list or otherwise bring to light those fees, because hiding the fees and surcharges allows them to protect some high margin revenues.
What is clearly needed is a system and method for breaking out and estimating the various fees and surcharges charged by each service provider to an organization or to individuals in general that uses the services of competing providers, rather than listing just a basic negotiated service fee, thus allowing a true comparison of the overall cost of the purchased services.

Apparatus and method to provide community pricing


A system for treating a feedstock for the purposes of waste destruction, energy generation, or the production of useful chemicals is disclosed and includes a reactor vessel. A heating lance is configured to outflow the products of a partial oxidation reaction into a reaction chamber in the vessel. The hot reaction products heat and pyrolyze the feedstock in the chamber generating a process effluent which typically includes gases (e.g. syn-gas) and carbon solids. Glasses and metals in the feedstock accumulate in the chamber in a molten state. The molten materials store thermal energy and provide thermal stability to the treatment system. A recycle loop uses carbon solids from the process effluent as an input to the lance for reaction with an oxidant therein.

The long-term storage of waste in landfills can be problematic for several reasons. First, landfill space is limited. On the other hand, the production of waste materials seems to be increasing at an ever-incredible pace. Moreover, conventional landfills can pose serious environmental problems including the contamination of nearby groundwater and the generation of air pollutants. Unfortunately, the treatment and recycling of most conventional forms of waste remains a serious challenge. As a minimum, an effective treatment/recycling solution must be energy efficient and present minimal environmental risks.
In general, conventional treatment/recycling schemes have been somewhat limited when applied to mixed wastestreams and wastestreams that include bulk solids. For example, consider a continuous feed, high pressure system for processing waste. The pressurized nature of these processes typically requires that bulk solids be ground to a fine particle size to allow the pumping of the particularized solids into a high pressure reactor. Both grinding and pumping can require specialty equipment. In particular, a different device is generally required for different materials such as wood, plastic, or friable solids. Once the material has been ground, introduction into a pressurized reactor usually requires slurrying the material at a high concentration to minimize the size of the reactor and associated process equipment. Thus, expensive, high pressure slurry pumps for viscous streams are typically required. For other solids such as metals, glass or ceramics, suitable size-reduction for introduction into a pressurized reactor vessel is generally impractical.
In addition to conventional wastestreams, a large amount of waste is generated each year that is hazardous and cannot be placed in a conventional landfill unless it is pre-treated. Among this hazardous waste is a large amount of mixed waste consisting of non-hazardous solids that are contaminated with hazardous constituents. Examples of such mixed wastes include soils, inorganic adsorbents and other solids that are contaminated with hazardous organic materials. Another such mixed waste consists of conventional and chemical munitions as well as munition dunnage. Protective suits, munition bodies and equipment contaminated with energetics, biological or chemical warfare agents is another mixed waste that cannot be safely placed in a conventional landfill without pretreatment. Similarly, PCB contaminated transformers, pesticide contaminated bags and containers, medical/biohazard waste such as contaminated needles and glass containers, and computer waste that can include lead and other hazardous materials are all mixed wastes that cannot be safely placed in a conventional landfill.
Another factor that must be considered when contemplating the treatment/recycling of materials is the generation of treatment by-products that can present handling difficulties and in some cases interfere with the treatment process. For example, when supercritical water oxidation (SCWO) type processes are used to treat wastestreams, sticky solids are often generated that can plug a reactor vessel, absent special precautions. In a similar manner, when low and moderate temperatures are used as part of a treatment process, organics that are present in a wastestream often generate tars which are difficult to handle and process. Similarly, partial oxidation gasification systems typically generate dirty process effluents and can be difficult to control because of variations in the heat capacity, water content, and reactivity of the wastes.
Perhaps the most important consideration when considering the treatment/recycling of waste is the energy required to process the waste. Depending on the process, significant amounts of energy may be required to heat the waste, pressurize or depressurize a reactor vessel, and/or mix and transport the waste. Heretofore, processes such as plasma arc pyrolysis and other electrically heated systems have typically required large amounts of power to heat and vaporize the waste. For this reason, these processes typically cannot generate net power and as a consequence have not been widely adopted.
In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide systems and methods suitable for the purposes of efficiently treating feedstocks such as wastestreams which do not generate sticky solids or tars. It is another object of the present invention to provide systems and methods for treating feedstocks for the purpose of waste destruction, energy generation, or the production of useful chemicals. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide systems and methods for chemically converting feedstocks which are energy efficient, simple, and economical.

Material treatment systems for waste destruction, energy generation, or the production of useful chemicals


The present disclosure provides a sense amplification circuit and a method of reading out data, including: a first PMOS transistor; a first NMOS transistor; a second PMOS transistor; a second NMOS transistor; a first control MOS transistor configured to provide a bias voltage to the first PMOS transistor according to a control signal; a second control MOS transistor configured to provide the bias voltage to the second PMOS transistor according to the control signal; a first offset cancellation MOS transistor configured to electrically connect an initial bit line to a first complementary readout bit line according to an offset cancellation signal; and a second offset cancellation MOS transistor configured to electrically connect an initial complementary bit line to a first readout bit line according to the offset cancellation signal.

A dynamic random access memory (DRAM) writes data through electric charge in a cell capacitor; the cell capacitor is connected to a bit line and a complementary bit line. In the DRAM, when a read operation or a refresh operation is performed, a readout amplifier reads and amplifies a voltage difference between the bit line and the complementary bit line.
Semiconductor devices forming a readout amplifier may have different device characteristics (e.g., threshold voltage) due to factors such as a process change and temperature. Different device characteristics may cause an offset noise in the readout amplifier, while the offset noise reduces the effective readout margin of the readout amplifier and reduces the performance of the DRAM.
The applicant found that in the current process of eliminating the offset noise in the DRAM, the bit line is electrically connected to a complementary readout bit line, the complementary bit line is electrically connected to a readout bit line, and therefore, the offset noise is canceled through the voltage difference between the bit line and the complementary bit line. However, since a gate of a PMOS transistor in a sense amplification circuit is connected to the readout bit line and the complementary readout bit line, respectively, it is easy to cause voltage fluctuations of the readout bit line and the complementary readout bit line, thereby affecting the voltage of the bit line and the voltage of the complementary bit line, reducing the readout accuracy of the DRAM, and reducing the performance of the DRAM.

Sense amplification circuit and method of reading out data


A feed apparatus including two feedscrews for supporting flat articles as they are moved along a conveyor. The two feedscrews are mounted in parallel and are spaced apart so that each feedscrew supports the flat articles along a different edge of the articles. The flat articles are maintained in a substantially vertical alignment throughout the conveyance. A suction pickoff station removes the flat articles one at a time from the downstream end of the feed apparatus. The two feedscrews turn at equal speeds and have equal pitches which separate the flat articles into groups between consecutive projections of the helical threads of the feedscrews.

The present invention is directed to an automatic feed apparatus for transporting articles, particularly flat articles such as cartons, to a one-at-a-time pickoff station.
In a continuous production process for filling and sealing boxes with particulate matter, such as laundry soap, the beginning of the process is to load the cartons to be filled onto the automated apparatus. The cartons come boxed with the cartons being collapsed and flat against each other. The boxes of flattened cartons are opened and emptied onto a conveyor belt. The flattened cartons stand against each other on edge. The cartons must be moved along to a station where they can be removed one at a time for further processing such as opening, filling and sealing. Moving the cartons along in an upright position to the removed station has been complicated by the inclusion of handles attached to the cartons. The handles interfere with flat carton against carton surface contact that was possible without the handles. The slack in the line of cartons that necessarily develops between cartons with handles tends to make it more likely that the cartons will be flopped over when they arrive at the removal station.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a feed apparatus that will deliver flat articles such as cartons in a substantially upright position to permit easier and consistent removal.


A semiconductor laser device includes a semiconductor substrate on which a semiconductor thin film including an active layer is lamineted, a pair of electrodes respectively provided on opposite faces of the substrate, a light emitting surface defined on a side face of the substrate to which the active layer and an edge of at least one of the electrodes are exposed, and a protective film covering the light emitting surface. The protective film has a smaller thickness on the edge of the electrode than on the active layer. This arrangement makes it possible to suppress diffusion of an electrode material in the protective film and sufficiently protect the light emitting surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor laser device. More particularly, the invention relates to a structure of a protective film provided on a light emitting surface of a semiconductor laser device, a production method therefor, and a jig for use in the production method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Known as the prior art related to the present invention is a semiconductor laser device which has a protective film covering only a part of a light emitting surface including at least an active layer region but not entirely covering the light emitting surface.
Since the protective film covers only the part of the light emitting surface of the semiconductor laser device, a stress occurring in the protective film is reduced as compared with a case where the protective film entirely covers the light emitting surface. This reduces a damage to the active layer and prevents delamination of the protective film (see, for example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-97496 (1996)).
The light emitting surface of the semiconductor laser device is liable to be oxidized by a laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser device per se. The oxidation of the light emitting surface tends to adversely affect the reliability and service life of the semiconductor laser device.
For prevention of the oxidation of the light emitting surface, an oxide film such as of Al2O3 is formed as the protective film on the light emitting surface by vacuum vapor deposition.
In the formation of the Al2O3 protective film by the vapor deposition, however, the partial pressure of oxygen molecules generated by decomposition of the oxide material for the protective film is increased immediately after the start of the vapor deposition. The oxygen molecules generated by the decomposition during the vapor deposition impinge on the light emitting surface or are combined with the light emitting surface, thereby damaging the light emitting surface. Particularly, where the active layer of the semiconductor laser device and its peripheral layer contain aluminum, the damage is further exacerbated.
Therefore, it is a general practice to form an Si thin film on the light emitting surface by vapor deposition before the formation of the oxide protective film. The formation of the Si thin film has no possibility of generating oxygen due to the decomposition of the material in the vapor deposition.
Meanwhile, the semiconductor laser device includes a pair of gold electrodes provided on its front and back faces. In general, the front electrode is patterned into an asymmetric contour for discrimination between a major light emitting surface side and a rear side of the semiconductor laser device. On the other hand, the back electrode is generally provided on the entire back face of the semiconductor laser device in consideration of the labor and costs associated with the patterning.
In this case, an edge of the back electrode is exposed to the light emitting surface, so that the aforesaid Si thin film contacts the edge of the back electrode. With the Si thin film in contact with the back electrode, gold as the electrode material is diffused into the Si thin film by heat applied for the formation of the protective film by the vapor deposition. If gold is diffused into the Si thin film to reach the active layer region serving as a light emitting point of the semiconductor laser device, the maximum output of the semiconductor laser device is reduced to lower than half as compared with a case where the Si thin film is free from the diffusion of gold. This significantly reduces the reliability of the semiconductor laser device.
The diffusion of gold can be prevented, if the protective film is provided as partly covering the light emitting surface so as not to contact the edge of the back electrode. However, a protective film formation area limited to a part of the light emitting surface makes it difficult to sufficiently protect the light emitting surface.

Semiconductor laser device, production method therefor, and jig for use in the production method


Embodiments of the invention provide methods and apparatuses for enhancing electron flow within a battery, such as a lead-acid battery. In one embodiment, a battery separator may include a conductive surface or layer upon which electrons may flow. The battery separator may include a fiber mat that includes a plurality of electrically insulative fibers. The battery separator may be positioned between electrodes of the battery to electrically insulate the electrodes. The battery separator may also include a conductive material disposed on at least one surface of the fiber mat. The conductive material may contact an electrode of the battery and may have an electrical conductivity that enables electron flow on the surface of the fiber mat.

The present invention relates generally to battery separators, and more specifically to battery separators having a conductive layer or surface.
Batteries, such as lead-acid batteries, are commonly used for various purposes and in various equipment. For example, a common use of lead-acid batteries is in the automotive industry where the batteries are used to power a starter motor to rotate an internal combustion engine and initiate operation of an automobile. Other common applications of the lead-acid battery in automobiles includes powering various components or equipment, such as CD players, lights, power terminals, and the like. The use of and dependence on batteries is increasing in automobiles as such vehicles become less reliant on petroleum as a means for powering the vehicle and more reliant on alternative energies. Currently, many automobiles are produced that are either powered entirely on electricity or by a hybrid power, such as a combination of electricity and petroleum. These automobiles often have increased electrical current and battery discharge time requirements compared to other applications. Batteries are also commonly used for various other industrial or recreational purposes, such as to power industrial equipment, appliances, toys, and the like.
The use of and dependence on batteries will likely continue to increase in the future. As such, there is a continued need for improved means for providing batteries with expanded power output and/or increased battery life.

Mat made of glass fibers or polyolefin fibers used as a separator in a lead-acid battery


A forced thin film-type flow reactor is provided with a clearance adjustment mechanism that allows the clearance to be set and adjusted by an alternative means. The flow reactor processes a fluid to be processed by passing the fluid to be processed between a first processing surface and a second processing surface capable of moving towards and away from each other, and the flow reactor comprises a pressure balancing mechanism and a mechanical clearance mechanism. The pressure balancing mechanism forms a minute first clearance by providing pressure balance between the pressure applied by the fluid to be processed, which acts in the direction in which the first processing surface and the second processing surface move away from each other, and a force produced by a back pressure mechanism, which acts in the direction in which the first processing surface and the second processing surface move towards each other.

A microreactor is an apparatus for performing a chemical reaction, a stirring operation, or the like, in a space with a side length of 1 mm or less, uses a microchannel in many cases. It has been researched and developed in the field of microprocess engineering for about 20 years, and it has recently been also used as an actual producing machine. A microreactor is not a so-called batch type reactor using a large-scale tank and the like, but a continuous type reaction apparatus, and is excellent in energy efficiency, reaction rate, yield, safety, and so on as compared with the batch type apparatus performing a larger scale reaction (Patent Document 1).
However, it is difficult to scale up the microreactor, so that numbering up, that is, small-sized microreactors are connected with a necessary number and used for actual production. However, a general microreactor uses a microchannel, so that it is difficult to apply the general microreactor for a reaction accompanied with solid separation, a reaction which generates a gas, or a fluid processing for a material to be processed having a high viscosity, thus there is a problem that choices of the material to be processed are few (Patent Documents 2 and 3).
In order to solve these problems, apparatuses such as those disclosed in Patent Document 4 or Patent Document 5 have been recently used in many cases. This apparatus is provided with a space between at least two processing surfaces which rotate relative to the other, and the two processing surfaces are disposed so as to be capable of moving towards and apart from each other in the axial direction of the rotation. By maintaining a minute clearance between the two processing surfaces, introducing at least two or more of the fluids to be processed into between the two processing surfaces maintained the minute clearance to form a forced thin film, and thus mixing, stirring and reacting in the forced thin film, the apparatus can be used for reactions accompanied with solid separation or generation of gas, or a process of a material to be processed having high viscosity, and thus an objective uniform substance can be obtained.
As a characteristic feature of this apparatus, there may be mentioned a point that the processing is performed in a state that a fluid to be processed is made a thin film fluid with, for example, a film thickness of 1 mm or less by passing the fluid to be processed which is pressurized by a fluid pressure imparting mechanism through an circular flow path formed between processing surfaces arranged so as to be able to opposite to each other.
This apparatus is not only be able to be used for a fluid processing method such that the processing is performed by passing one kind of a fluid as a fluid to be processed from an inside to an outside of an circular flow path to form a thin film fluid with one kind of a fluid, but also for a fluid processing method such that the processing is performed by forming a thin film fluid with a plural kind of fluids. When the plural kind of fluids (for example, a first fluid and a second fluid) are used, the processing is performed in the state that a thin film fluid is formed by a first fluid by passing the first fluid from the inside to the outside of the circular flow path, and the second fluid is introduced from the middle of the circular flow path to join the second fluid to the thin film fluid of the first fluid, whereby the two kinds of the fluids are made a thin film fluid as the fluid to be processed.
Specifically, in Patent Document 5, it is said that with regard to an apparatus in which a surface-approaching pressure imparting mechanism for applying a surface-approaching pressure between both processing surfaces is provided, a minute clearance between the both processing surfaces is maintained by balancing a separating force acting in the direction of move away from the both processing surfaces to each other at the time of passing the fluid to be processed through between the both processing surfaces which rotate relative to the other and a surface-approaching pressure via the fluids to be processed inbetween the processing surfaces, the fluid to be processed introduced from an introduction part and the fluid to be processed introduced from a supply flow path are passed between the both processing surfaces as a fluid film thereby subjecting to the process to these fluid to be processed, the separating force is defined by at least one kind selected from the group consisting of a centrifugal force generated by relative rotation of a first processing surface and a second processing surface, a negative pressure when the negative pressure is applied as a surface-approaching pressure, property of the fluid to be processed, and a dynamic pressure which is a dynamic pressure generated in a groove-like depression formed in at least one of the both processing surfaces, wherein the dynamic pressure is generated by extending the groove-like depression from the upstream side of the end portion to the downstream side of the first processing surface or the second processing surface.
It is disclosed that the surface-approaching pressure is to apply a force in the direction of approaching the first processing surface and the second processing surface into close to each other and may be constituted by at least any one of a pressure device for fluid pressure (positive pressure) such as spring, air pressure and hydraulic pressure, and pressure-receiving surfaces for approaching which act in the direction of approaching the both processing surfaces into close by receiving predetermined pressure applied to the fluid to be processed.
However, in the apparatuses disclosed in Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 5, they are intended to be used as a reactor or various fluid processing apparatuses by setting a distance between processing surfaces to a minute distance such as 1 mm or less. Therefore, it has not been disclosed a means necessary for separating the both processing surfaces at a relatively large distance. Theoretically, when the pressure of the fluid to be passed between the both processing surfaces is increased, separating force becomes large and it is possible to make the distance between both processing surfaces large, but it is not expected to operate the apparatus with such a higher pressure and mechanical safety is not guaranteed.
In particular, even if it is investigated to adjust the clearance between the both processing surfaces by air or vacuum force in addition to the pressure of the fluid to be processed, for increasing the clearance between the both processing surfaces, in addition to increasing the strength of pressure resistant of the apparatus as a matter of course, it naturally requires equipment such as piping, regulating valves, and pressure monitoring, so that it is unavoidable to be a large and heavy equipment facility.
Thus, in Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 5, neither specific means nor technical idea to set a large clearance markedly exceeding a clearance which is set during the reaction as a reactor is disclosed.
On the other hand, when CIP (Cleaning in Place: fixed cleaning) or SIP (Sterilizing in Place: stationary sterilization) is performed, it is necessary to secure a flow amount of a cleaning liquid or pure steam for sterilization in each part of the apparatus. However, it is impossible to increase the pressure of the cleaning liquid or the pure steam for sterilization to infinity, and in the apparatuses according to Patent Document 4 and Patent Document 5 in which the clearance depends on the pressure of the fluid passing through the space between the both processing surfaces, there was a problem that the since clearance had to be narrow and the flow amount of the cleaning liquid or the pure steam for sterilization cannot be ensured, the temperature rise required for sterilization was difficult, and a time required for the cleaning takes markedly long.
In addition, when the processed material or reaction product in the fluid to be processed is adhered to the processing surface, it is necessary to disassemble the apparatus and remove the adhered materials from the processing surface, so it requires too much time and effort for disassemble and reassemble of the apparatus.

Forced thin film-type flow reactor and method for operating same


In one embodiment, the present invention includes a method to initiate updating of a second portion of a system if a value indicates that the system is in a trusted state. In such an embodiment, a first portion of the system may validate updated code before the second portion of the system is updated. In one such embodiment, the first portion may be an applications portion and the second portion may be a communications portion of a wireless device.

Typically updates for wireless devices, such as cellular telephone handsets, are done in a factory or at an authorized service center because of the risk of downloading corrupted or malicious code, which could impact handset functionality and network provider revenue. As handsets move from a closed architecture environment to rich media and services, a method to enable new features, remedy bugs, update protocol code, and the like, in wireless devices is desirable.
Typically, such updates occur by receiving data packets at the communications portion of the device and providing the packets to an applications portion of the device for manipulation into a file, and then sending the file back to the communications portion. Because remote updates not done in a factory or service center are exposed to viruses, hacking and other malicious actions, methods to verify that a file came from a trusted source and that the file is not corrupted exist for the applications portion. However, updating the communications portion of the device is problematic. The communications subsystem does not have the processing power, code or data space to download and verify a full update in an autonomous fashion. Further, it would not be practical for the communication subsystem to include flash management, file-system support, cryptographic and other security capabilities, as multiple such code portions would exist in the wireless device, potentially causing conflicts, compatibility, resource, and implementation issues. Thus a need exists for a communications subsystem to verify that an update is trusted autonomously from the applications subsystem. Further, to enable updates, upgrade a device, remedy bugs, or to upgrade a communications portion of a device outside of the service center or factory (e.g., over-the-air (OTA)), a non-spoofable method of verifying the trust state of the applications subsystem is required.


A system is provided for recording information relating to the condition of electrodes in an electric arc furnace. An imaging apparatus is provided in a consistent position relative to an imaging station. Periodically, the electrode columns are removed from the furnace and moved to a position such that the electrode column is placed at the imaging station. Then an image of the electrode column is created with the imaging apparatus, and the images are stored in a memory of a computer for subsequent analysis.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to systems for observing and recording data relating to an article, and more particularly, but not necessarily by way of limitation, to a system for recording images, such as digital photographs, of at least a portion of an electrode utilized in an electric arc furnace, such as the stub end of the electrode, in order to record characteristics of the electrode.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One technique currently used for steel making is the use of an electric arc furnace that operates as a batch melting process producing batches of molten steel known as heats. The electric arc furnace operates on a cycle that includes the steps of furnace charging, melting, refining, de-slagging, tapping and furnace turn around. Modern electric arc furnace operations have a tap-to-tap time of approximately 60 minutes or less.
One of the most important elements in the electric circuit that provides the energy to melt the scrap steel in the electric arc furnace, is the electrode or electrodes. These electrodes deliver the electric power to the furnace in the form of an electric arc between the electrodes and the scrap steel and other materials making up the furnace charge that is to be melted. Electrodes come in two forms: amorphous and graphitic carbon, or graphite. Graphite electrodes are typically used in modern steel making.
The graphite electrodes are continuously consumed during the heating process in the electric arc furnace. Historically, electrode consumption has been as high as 12 to 14 pounds of graphite per ton of steel.
The electrodes are typically provided in cylindrical sections having threaded connections formed in each end thereof. The threaded sections are joined together to form a column of several electrode sections, which electrode column is adjustably placed within the furnace by a movable electrode holder arm that can raise and lower the electrode column, and can pivot to move the electrode column away from the furnace.
Electrodes are commonly available in sizes from 15 to 30 inches in diameter and in varying lengths up to about 10 feet.
In an AC electric arc furnace, there will be three electrode columns. In a DC electric arc furnace, there are one or two electrode columns.
During the steel making operation, the electrode column or columns are typically removed from the furnace at the end of each heat, and they may also be removed from the furnace during a heat in order to add additional charge materials to the furnace.
Historically, the performance of the electrode columns has been measured only in a gross fashion, such as cumulative monthly totals, so as to provide numbers such as the pounds of graphite required per ton of steel during the long term operation of the steel mill.
The physical condition of the electrode column has been visually observed during those instances when the electrode column is removed from the furnace, and from time to time anecdotal data may be observed and recorded in a manual fashion to describe the observed condition of the electrode column.
Furthermore, no attempt has been made to trace the identity of a given electrode section so that its observed performance can be correlated to various historical data such as operational parameters of the furnace, or manufacturing processes, raw materials employed, etc.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for systems capable of viably monitoring and recording the condition or characteristics of the electrode column so as to permit subsequent analysis of and optimization of various operating parameters for the furnace and manufacturing processes associated with quality control.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A wagering game simulates competitive events and terminology. The game is played by:

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of wagering games, particularly casino table wagering games and most particular casino table wagering games using dice as the generators of random events.
2. Background of the Art
Dice games have been used for gambling and entertainment for centuries. Dice games are well known in the art. Craps is probably the best-known dice gambling game. Craps is representative of multiple roll dice games in which some types of bets are not resolved for two, three or more rolls of the dice. Some types of bets in Craps known as proposition wagers are resolved on one roll. The biggest problem with Craps, from the point of view of the player, is that the rules appear to be complex. Thus, it takes considerable study and/or playing time to learn to play with a level of comfort. These limitations are also the major problem with Craps from the point of view of the game operator (e.g., the casino). The apparent complexity of Craps intimidates some potential players who choose not to play or to play at minimum wagers and therefore lower the revenue of the casino.
Single roll dice games, such as those shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,806,847 (White, et al.) are inherently simpler than multiple roll games such as Craps. However, the single roll dice games have fewer betting choices available to the players. Players tend to lose interest more easily in a game that has relatively few betting choices.
Some dice games increase the number of possible bets by using more than one or even more than two dice, such as the use of three dice of the same color (e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,006, Bowling). The game disclosed by Bowling also involves multiple rolls for some types of bets and complex rules to be learned by the player.
Another three dice game is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,874 (Jones). This game uses three dice, each a different color. The bets are resolved in one roll, which is simpler to learn than a multiple roll game. However, the use of three different color dice and bets involving the relative relationships of the outcome of the individual dice still results in a complex game that is likely to inhibit some potential players.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,685 (Robbins) describes a three dice wagering game using a playing surface that includes seven rows which are so demarcated by a line directed from the top to the bottom of the surface as to render each row into two sections. The area now at the left is identified by indicia explaining in detail the co-related area's purpose immediately to its right which is the betting area. Five such betting areas on the right side are further divided into a plurality of betting stalls, each stall having two components. One component, at the upper part thereof has indicia showing the betting 'number' and the other component at the lower part thereof has indicia showing the odds offered thereon. The remaining two betting areas on the right side are not divided but are emblazoned with indicia showing the type of bet therein and flanked on each side of the emblazonment with the odds offered therein. The combinations and permutations probability of the simultaneous ONE THROW OF THREE DICE (two WHITE dies and one RED die) which immediately completes each game has an indirect bearing on the odds shown in the plurality of betting areas. Various colors of betting chips are adapted to be selectively placed on the various betting units. However, each player must have a different identifying colored stack of chips from each of the other players and must be 'paid-off ' in the same like-colored chip the bet was made with, which of course, coincides with the color of the stack of chips presently in front of the player.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,938 (Gray) describes a dice game using three dice of tetrahedron type. Two of the dice are colored white and the third die has four colors on separate surfaces, each colored surface having a differing numerical value as well. The play is commenced by first rolling the two white dice to obtain a numerical value of one of ten possibilities upon which first bets have been placed. The second roll utilizes the third colored die to determine the remainder of the wagering which include: odd/even, hard three, six, nine, and twelve; the total numerical value of the three dice, the listed numbers shown on each die, and the color and number of the third die.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,025 (Gramera) teaches a three dice game in which each of the two hundred sixteen possible numerical combinations of three six-sided dice is visually differentiated, one from the other, by retaining the six differently numbered faces on a conventional first neutral die; coding each of the six differently numbered faces on a second die with separate figure symbols; and coding each of the six numbered faces on a third die with separate colors and five different numbers. One of the faces of the third die repeats the number on one of the other faces of that die. Rolling the set of three dice over an extended period of time will display each of the expected fifteen numerical sums, ranging in values from three through seventeen, in two-hundred-sixteen separate and visually differentiated combinations, each turning up with equal odds of 1 in 216. Development of this coding technique, to separate and expand the normally expected fifteen numerical sums to two-hundred-sixteen numerical scores, by visually differentiating each of two-hundred-sixteen possible combinations of three six-sided dice, rolled with equal odds, affords a simplified but practical application to create a variety of new dice related games incorporating game boards, playing cards or a combination thereof.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,559 (Page) describes a gaming system in which a set of six dice provides two groups of intransitive dice, each group containing three dice (10, 20 and 30). The dice of one group are sized larger than those of the other group. Each die is one of three colors and each group of three intransitive dice includes a die of each color. The six dice are used in a casino game wherein all dice are rolled and then twelve possible bets are resolved. These bets fall into three catagories: contests between two dice of the same size but different colors, contests between two dice of one color and two dice of another color, and contests matching two dice, each of a different color and different size versus another two dice, each of a different color and different size. Game apparatus includes a layout (40) providing twelve betting areas (A-L) and chips (50) for placing wagers on twelve possible bets.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,351 (Franklin) describes a dice game involving wagering on the outcome of a toss of three dies. A player places a first bet means. If the dealer throws a preselected winning combination, such as a 4-5-6, triple, or pair and a 6, the dealer wins. If the dealer throws a preselected losing combination, such as a 1-2-3 or a pair and a one, the dealer loses. If the dealer throws a third combination, such as a pair and a 2-3-4 or 5, then the player throws in an attempt to beat the dealer. If the player throws a preselected combination, such as a 4-5-6, or a pair and single die having a value higher than that of the dealer, the player wins. If the player throws a preselected loser, such as a 1-2-3, or a pair and single die having a value less than that of the dealer, the player loses. If the player or dealer does not throw one of above stated winning or losing combinations, then the dealer or player must throw again. Each player may place a second bet that the outcome of the game will result in predetermined winning die combination yielding a predetermined winning payout. A player may also place bonus bet means, wherein if that particular throw results in a preselected combination, such as triple sixes, the player is entitled to a throw. If the player throws another preselected combination, such as a triple six, the player is entitled to a large winning payout.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,505,457 (Boylan) describes a method of playing a wagering game simulating the sport of bowling where an outcome is determined by a random value symbol generator actuatable by a player. The method of play simulates the game of bowling. First and second predetermined range of values are selected by a house, and a round of the game is played by the player beginning with the wagering of a wager that a first generation of the value symbol will be within the first predetermined range of values or that a second generation of the value symbol when added to the first generated value symbol will be within the second predetermined range of values. The player then activates the random value symbol generator to produce a first value symbol, and then activates the random value symbol generator to produce a second value symbol where the first value symbol is not within the first predetermined range of values. Where the second value symbol is generated, the value of the first value symbol and the second value symbol are added together to generate a sum. Finally, settling of the wager occurs. Preferably, the wagering game further includes continuing a turn of the player by playing another round where the first value symbol is within the first range or the sum of the first and second value symbols is within the second range and the wagering that the player will play a predetermined number of consecutive rounds and/or will generate a first value symbol in the first range for a predetermined number of consecutive rounds.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,183 (Skratulia) describes a game in which a set of dice (20, 120) produces a range of numerical values including a plurality of diced each having a representation of a selected number disposed on each of its six sides. In one embodiment the set of dice 20 includes first die 22, second die 24, and third die 26, and the range of numerical values produced is one through eight. In a second embodiment the set of dice 120 includes first die 122 and second die 124, and the range of numerical values produced is one through nine. A method for randomly generating one of the numbers one through eight or one through nine, with each number one through eight having an equal 0.125 probability of being generated, comprising the steps of: providing first, second, and third six-sided dice, said first die having a representation of the number zero disposed on three sides and a representation of the number two disposed on three sides; said second die having a representation of the number one disposed on three sides and a representation of the number two disposed on three sides; and, said third die having a representation of the number zero disposed on three sides and a representation of the number four disposed on three sides; rolling said first, second, and third six-sided dice, after rolling said first, second, and third six-sided dice, each die having an uppermost side; and, numerically totaling said uppermost sides of said first, second, and third six-sided dice.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,893,019 (Gaygen teaches a casino-type table betting game using one die of one color, or otherwise singularly marked, and two matching dice of another color, or otherwise marked as a pair. Players make wagers on the outcome of a single roll of the three dice. Wagers are made by placing bet markers on various areas of a game board that define bet types. One group of wagers is on the outcome of the singular die. A second group of wagers is on the pair of dice. A third group of wagers is on the total of all three dice. When the outcome of the singular die is a predetermined number (e.g., 1), the house wins all bets on the game board regardless of the outcome of the other two dice. A method of playing a dice game has a dealer, who is an agent or employee of a game operator or house, and a plurality of players comprises the steps of: a) providing one of said players with two dice of one color, or otherwise identified as a pair, and one die of another color, or otherwise identified as a singleton, or electronic or other representations thereof, said dice being hexahedral and each side of each die marked with a different indicia representing a number from one to six inclusive; b) providing a game surface, or electronic or other representation thereof, having a betting area where said players make bets by placing a betting marker or markers, said betting area having one section for placing bets on the outcome of said single die including only outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, one section for placing bets on the outcome of said pair of dice including outcomes 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, one section for placing bets on the total of all three said dice including only outcomes 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, and 18, one section for ancillary bets related to the outcome of said single die, one section for ancillary bets related to the outcome of said pair of dice, one section for ancillary bets related to the outcome of all three said dice, said game surface having no section for placing bets on said single die having an outcome of 1, wherein the dice game does not allow for the placing of bets on the single die outcome of 1; c) providing payout odds for a winning bet for each bet on the game surface; d) said players placing bets on said game surface; e) said shooter rolling all three said dice together completing one play of said game; f) said dealer determining winning bets by determining which bets match the outcome of the roll of the dice when the outcome of said single die is 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; g) said dealer taking possession of said betting markers on losing bets and paying said players making winning bets according to payout odds; h) said dealer taking possession of any and all said betting markers anywhere on said game surface when the outcome of said single die is 1.
Various three-dice board games and wagering games also include U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,651 (Bryant); U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,006 (Bowling); and U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,869 (Hedge et al.). In spite of the options available for dice games, the only game that has established a following at casinos is traditional craps games. It is believed that a novel game with simplicity of play and ancillary topical interest can be a novel game that attracts new players and can maintain interest.

Casino wagering game of three-dice football

Abstract: a player placing at least one wager to play in the wagering game;

Abstract: casting three dice to generate a random event, the three dice consisting of two dice whose exposed numbers are used to define a numeric result, and the third die used to characterize that numeric result in event result tables or paytables;

Abstract: comparing the random event of the casting of the three dice with the paytables to determine wagering or game events from the random event; and

Abstract: resolving wins or losses based upon the random event; moving a game piece in a continuing of the wagering game; or both resolving wins or losses based upon the random event and moving a game piece in a continuing of the wagering game.


This invention provides a method of inhibiting aromatase and treating of estrogen-dependent diseases in a patient by administering azole derivatives as nonsteroidal inhibitors. The azole derivative has the formula ##STR1## where R.sub.1 a is hydrogen or a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) alkyl; R.sub.2 is a hydrogen or a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5) alkyl; R.sub.3 is any of a halogen, a (C.sub.1 -C.sub.5)alkyl, a haloalkyl, a phenyl, a cyano, or nitro; n is 0 to 5; and Y is a nitrogen atom or CH.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for inhibiting aromatase in a patient by administering certain azole derivative compounds functioning as nonsteroidal inhibitors to the patient.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is known that androgenic steroids can be converted to estrogens. In the biosynthetic pathway for estrogen formation from an androgenic steroid, aromatization, an essential step, is catalyzed by a small amount of an aromatase enzyme.
It is generally believed that, if the aromatase enzyme could be effectively inhibited, one could obtain a useful treatment for estrogen-dependent diseases. See Cancer Research, Vol. 42, Suppl. 8, 3261s (1982).
4-Hydroxyandrostenedione is well-known as an aromatase inhibitor (Biochem. Pharmacol 31(5), 701-705 (1982)). However, the potency, selectivity, and side-effect properties of 4-hydroxyandrostenedione are such that the compound is not readily useful in treating patients.
The present inventors have studied compounds useful for inhibiting the aromatase enzyme in a patient and discovered that azole derivatives of formula (I) herein have an inhibitory effect on the aromatase enzyme.


A wall supported scaffolding device (10) for suspension and attachment to the upper portion of a wall panel (100) wherein the device (10) includes an inverted T-shaped vertical support member (20) provided with a plurality of generally C-shaped brackets (22) dimensioned to pivotally receive the inboard ends of a cross piece member (30) and an angled brace member (40). The outboard ends of the cross piece member (30) and the brace member (40) support a railing support unit (14) and wherein the intermediate portion of the cross piece member (30) is provided with a locking bolt (37) for preventing the lateral displacement of a scaffold plank (200) long the longitudinal axis and/or transverse to the longitudinal axis of the cross piece member (30).

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of wall supported scaffold devices in general, and in particular to a collapsible and detachable scaffold device.
2. Description of Related Art
As can be seen by reference to the following U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,259,477; 5,503,358; 5,524,727; and 5,615,751, the prior art is replete with myriad and diverse wall supported scaffolding constructions.
While all of the aforementioned prior art constructions are more than adequate for the basic purpose and function for which they have been specifically designed, they are uniformly deficient with respect to their failure to provide a simple, efficient, and practical ruggedly constructed scaffold device that can easily and quickly be assembled and disassembled on site to assist roofers and framers in the performance of this appointed tasks.
As most individuals in the construction trades are all too well aware, the need for stable ruggedly constructed scaffolding is an absolute necessity both for the safety and welfare of the workers, but also to facilitate the performance and completion of a variety of different tasks.
As a consequence of the foregoing situation, there has existed a longstanding need for a new and improved type of wall supported scaffolding device having a structurally reinforced main vertical support member and various other stability enhancing features, and the provision of such a construction is a stated objective of the present invention.


A strip-form touch fastener component includes a resin base having a front surface from which an array of molded plastic fastener elements project, and a reinforcing knit fabric directly laminated to a side of the resin base opposite the fastener elements, the fabric having float filament sections extending generally along an outer surface of a back side of the fastener component. The float sections are connected to the back side of the fastener component only at their ends, and otherwise lie against the back side of the fastener component to reinforce the resin base against tearing.

Many sheet-form products are economically produced in large volume by continuous molding or calendaring of plastic resins. In the touch fastener industry, molded plastic hook tape has displaced traditional woven fabric fasteners for many applications, simply because of lower production costs. However, molded, rolled or extruded resin fastener tapes are generally found to be more susceptible to tearing than are fastener tapes with woven or knit ground fabrics, particularly when notched such as by sewing the fastener tape to an underlying garment or other product.
Furthermore, the chain-like molecules of the resin forming the strip-form bases of products manufactured in continuous lengths can be found to become somewhat oriented toward the machine, or processing, direction by elongation or drawing of the material while still somewhat molten, further reducing the ability of the final product to resist tears propagating along the length of the tape.
Unfortunately, for many applications the fastener tape is ultimately sewn in place with at least one row of stitches extending along the length of the tape, forming a closely-spaced row of punctures or perforations extending along a direction most susceptible to tearing. It is along this weakened perforation line that load is transferred from the closure to the underlying substrate, through the thread passing through the punctures. Tears frequently result, extending along the stitch line and separating the fastener component from the rest of the product. This tearing may be readily evident, or result in a premature failure in use.
Various improvements have been suggested for increasing the longitudinal tear resistance of molded hook fastener tape. For example, surface features have been molded onto the surface of the base of the tape, between adjacent fastener elements, to help to impede tears propagating along the tape between rows of fastener elements. Strings, screens, yarns, paper and other materials have been laminated to, or embedded in, resin fastener tape bases. Resins of improved material properties have been considered, although for many applications the base resin is the same resin from which the fastener elements are formed, and so resin properties must be selected for fastener element formation and function as well as base tear resistance.
Further improvements in reinforcing plastic fastener tape, and other sheet-form or strip-form resin products, are desired, particularly for increasing tear resistance. Preferably, such improvements can be obtained without substantial increase in overall thickness, stiffness or cost of the final product.


An implantable medical device (IMD) communicates with an external processing unit by transmitting device data and configuration information that describes the device data. The external processing unit processes the device data for display based on the configuration information. The IMD notifies the external processing unit of a change to characteristics of the device data by transmitting the changed device data and updated configuration information.

The present invention relates to a system for communicating data between an implantable medical device (IMD) and an external processing unit.
Since the introduction of the first implantable pacemakers in the 1960s, there have been considerable advancements in both the field of electronics and medicine, such that there is presently a wide assortment of commercially available body-implantable electronic medical devices. The class of IMDs now includes pacemakers, implantable cardioverters, defibrillators, neural stimulators, and drug administering devices, among others. Today's state-of-the-art IMDs are vastly more sophisticated and complex than early ones, and are capable of performing significantly more complex tasks. The therapeutic benefits of such devices have been well proven.
It has proven useful for IMDs to have the capability of communicating data with an external processing unit that in turn has the ability to process, store and/or display data provided by the device. The data provided by the device may be real-time or recorded data. The external unit may also transmit signals to the implanted medical device in order to provide some control over the device. This communication is achieved by wireless telemetry, the physical characteristics of which are known in the art.
Existing implantable medical device systems have relied on the external processing unit to initiate data communication with the IMD, at least in part due to processing limitations of the IMD. A typical scenario in such a system is as follows:
(1) "Wake up" implantable device, such as with wireless transmission, a magnet, or other initiating means.
(2) Implantable device transmits device identification information.
(3) External processing unit identifies device and loads appropriate application program.
(4) External processing unit interrogates implantable device to determine configuration of device, such as type or format of data that will be transmitted, etc.
(5) Implantable device transmits data to external processing unit according to format and configuration established.
(6) External processing unit initiates change in data type or format to be transmitted by implantable device by transmitting command to device.
(7) Implantable device adjusts the type or format of the data transmission.
This communication scenario illustrates the necessity, in existing systems, of a specific application program for each type of device and for each data characteristic (data type, structure or format) supported by the device, so that proper manipulation of the raw data transmitted by the implantable device can be done according to the configuration determined by the external processing unit by interrogation. While these systems have provided excellent results in situations where application programs and IMDs are specifically designed to work together, it would be useful to provide a system in which at least some level of data communication and cooperation is available even when the application program is not specifically designed for a particular IMD or data characteristic.

Self-describing real-time device data communication system


An electrical connector assembly may include a plurality of signal isolating barriers. Each of the plurality of signal isolating barriers may be positioned around a group of board contacts proximate to a board connecting interface. Each of the plurality of signal isolating barriers isolates the group of the plurality of board contacts from other groups of the plurality of board contacts.

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to electrical connector assemblies.
Various communication or computing systems use electrical connectors to transmit data signals between different components of the systems. An electrical connector may mechanically and electrically connect to a printed circuit board, for example. Often, differential pair signaling is used with respect to electrical systems. Typically, a differential pair includes a positive signal component and a negative signal component. Known connector assemblies may locate differential pairs in close proximity to one another. In doing so, however, the high speed signals transmitted by one differential pair may cross-talk or otherwise interfere with signals received by an adjacent differential pair, thereby degrading the performance of the connector assemblies and/or the systems in which the connector assemblies are used.
Known connector assemblies may be susceptible to cross-talk and interference between differential pairs at or near contact interfaces on a printed circuit board. High speed signals passing between a printed circuit board and a connector assembly may cross-talk or otherwise interfere with one another, which may degrade performance.
In general, as data rates continue to increase, there is a need to control electrical noise through electrical connector assemblies in order to achieve desired performance.

High speed signal-isolating electrical connector assembly


The present invention provides a connector which can take an EMI measure for the first and second housings and can move the second housing with respect to the first housing. The connector comprises a plug which is provided so as to be movable with respect to the socket; a plurality of socket terminals which are resiliently deformed with a movement of the plug; a first socket side shield member which covers an outer circumference surface in the width direction of the socket; a plurality of plug terminals which are in contact with each of the socket terminals when the plug is mated with the socket; a plug side shield member which covers an outer circumference surface in the width direction of the plug; and first and second shield conductive portions which are in contact with each of the shield members and are resiliently deformed as the plug is moved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a connector which is attached to a printed-circuit board or the like and is used to electrically connect a plurality of printed-circuit boards to each other.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, as such a connector, there has been known a connector provided with a first housing which is provided at one connection object side; a second housing which is provided at the other connection object side and is formed so as to be matable with the first housing; a plurality of first terminals which are held by the first housing; a first shield member which is provided in the first housing and is formed so as to extend in the direction of arrangement of the first terminals; a plurality of second terminals which are held by the second housing and each of which is formed so as to be in contact with each of the first terminals when the second housing is mated with the first housing; and a second shield member which is provided in the second housing and which is formed so as to extend in the direction of arrangement of the second terminals (for example, see Patent Document 1).
This connector provides each of the first and second housings with a shield member to take an electromagnetic interference (EMI) measure for each of the housings.
However, the connector has a problem in that when the second housing is mated with the first housing, the second shield member is formed so as to be engaged in a predetermined position of the first shield member and thus the second housing cannot be moved in a state where the second housing is mated with the first housing and if a positional offset occurs between one connection object and the other connection object, it is difficult to absorb the positional offset.
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-298983

Electric connector with shields on mating housings


A method and apparatus for configuring a routing path in a wireless communication system are provided. The method includes measuring a first distance between the terminal and a target terminal, transmitting information of the measured first distance to at least one neighboring terminal, receiving a second distance measured for the target terminal with respect to the terminal from the at least one neighboring terminal, and determining a neighboring terminal of which the second distance is the longest as a next terminal of the routing path.

An ad-hoc wireless network is a type of a peer-to-peer mode for performing direct communication among a plurality of radio stations without the aid of an access point or other wired network connections. The ad-hoc wireless network is useful since a wireless network can be configured rapidly and easily in a place where a wireless infrastructure does not exist.
In the ad-hoc wireless network, a routing path is configured by selecting an intermediary node (or an intermediary terminal) between a source terminal and a target terminal (or a destination terminal) on the basis of a routing algorithm. Most of well-known routing algorithms aim to select a minimum number of intermediary nodes between the source terminal and the target terminal. However, a routing path having the minimum number of intermediary nodes is not necessarily an optimal routing path. For example, if the intermediary node between the source terminal and the target terminal is located at an edge of a coverage region of the source terminal, there is a disadvantage in that the routing path, which transmits data, may be broken due to a movement of the source terminal or the intermediary node. However, a routing path formed with a relatively large number of intermediary nodes between the source terminal and the target terminal disadvantageously leads to an increase in an amount of power consumed among the plurality of intermediary nodes.
For example, a Location-Aided Routing (LAR) algorithm is a representative routing algorithm which uses location information selected from among well-known routing algorithms. The LAR is an algorithm for determining an expected zone in which the target terminal can move at an average speed during a unit time and a request zone in which the source terminal must transmit a message according to the expected zone, and for selecting an intermediary terminal within the request zone. The LAR disadvantageously delivers many messages unnecessarily since the source terminal transmits and receives a message for configuring a routing path with respect to all terminals in the request zone. Also, since an average speed of the target terminal is used, an error may occur when the expected zone is determined when there is a significant change in a movement speed of the target terminal since such a change may have an effect on a calculation used to determine the request zone. That is, there is a disadvantage in that the conventional LAR unnecessarily consumes the computation and transmission power of all terminals included in the request zone.
Therefore, a need exists to provide a routing algorithm which takes into consideration both an amount of transmission power consumed by a terminal and a broken routing path phenomenon.
The above information is presented as background information only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with regard to the present disclosure.

Method and apparatus for configuring routing path in wireless communication system


A bicycle bell has a finger actuated strike lever mounted on a rotating base. The rotating base can be rotated around the 360.degree. periphery of the ringer. Thus, the bell can be quickly adjusted for various riders or for switching from the right to the left handlebar. Additionally the present invention allows the user to choose which finger to use as well as to accommodate other equipment such as bicycle levers, etc.

One type of simple bell used on bicycles and tricycles uses a stationary ringer. The ringer is generally shaped like a downward facing hemisphere. A finger actuated strike lever projects outward from a mounting bracket beneath the ringer. A clapper is attached to the strike lever adjacent to the ringer. The operator need only snap the strike lever with his finger. This causes the strike lever and clapper assembly to hit the ringer, thereby sounding the bell. The disadvantage of this simple bell is that only one angle of the strike lever relative to the supporting handlebars is possible. Therefore, different riders having different finger lengths and/or different capabilities of finger movement cannot readily use the simple bell noted above. Additionally the present invention allows the user to choose which finger to use as well as to accommodate other equipment such as bicycle levers, etc. Furthermore, the same rider who sustains an injury to his usual bell finger cannot adjust the striker lever of the simple bell noted above. The same rider may also have difficulty obtaining the same comfortable operating angle of the striker lever when he moves the bell to a new bicycle.
Attempts have been made to improve the simple bell noted above. Japanese patent number 3-49110, patented Oct. 21, 1991 discloses two embodiments of an improved striker mechanism for a bicycle bell. The first embodiment teaches an outward projecting striker arm having a clapper inside the ringer. The striker arm can be activated in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction relative to the ringer. The second embodiment teaches a truly universal striker arm design. The striker arm is a rotating circular base which can be rotated 360.degree. in either the clockwise or counter-clockwise direction relative to the ringer. This second embodiment, however, cannot be activated with a simple downward flick of the thumb. It requires a slightly more coordinated push motion on the periphery of the striker arm rotating circular base to actuate the ringer. Thus, this second embodiment is not universally convenient for children or adults who have any number of coordination handicaps. Furthermore, rain could cause the rider's finger to inadvertently slip off the rotating cylinder base.
The present invention improves on the simple bell noted above whose striker arm is activated by a downward flick of the finger. The improvement provides a 360.degree. rotatable base for the outward projecting striker arm. The base can be manually adjusted to the desired angle by merely pushing it to any desired angle. This can be accomplished by a child even after the bell has been permanently secured to the handlebars. Thus, the simplest up-down striker arm/clapper design is now improved to immediately adapt to all riders.


A thin film transistor comprises a substrate; a gate electrode, a source electrode, a drain electrode and a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate; a gate insulating layer between the gate electrode and the semiconductor layer or between the gate electrode and the source and drain electrodes; an etching stop layer between the semiconductor layer and the source and drain electrodes having a source contact hole and a drain contact hole therein; and a source buffer layer between the source electrode and the semiconductor layer and a drain buffer layer between the drain electrode and the semiconductor layer. The source and drain electrodes are metal Cu electrodes, and the source and drain buffer layers are Cu alloy layer.

Thin Film Transistor Liquid Crystal Displays (TFT-LCDs) and Organic Light Emitting Displays (OLEDs) occupy an important position in the field of flat panel display technology for their advantages such as lightweight, thinness, low power consumption, high brightness, high image quality and so on. At present, flat panel display devices such as liquid crystal TVs that are of large size, high resolution and high image quality, and in particular, dominate in the current market of flat panel display devices.
Currently, delay of image signal has become one of the key factors that restrict the development of the flat panel display devices of large size, high resolution and high image quality. Decrease of the resistance of a source electrode, a drain electrode, a gate line and a data line can reduce delay of image signal and hence improve image quality. At present, a method for decreasing the resistance of gate lines and data lines is to fabricate source electrodes, drain electrodes, gate lines and data lines by using metal Cu that has low resistivity. However, the method has the following disadvantages.
The adhesion of metal Cu is poor, and although a buffer layer of Mo, Ti, Mo alloy, Ti alloy or the like is typically used for improving the adhesion of Cu, the resulted TFT has a poor performance and thus image quality is poor due to the poor adhesion of Cu.

Thin film transistor and method for manufacturing the same, array substrate and display device


A wafer cassette mapper detects the presence or absence of a wafer in a particular corresponding pair of slots in a wafer cassette, as well as a cross slotted condition in which a wafer is not aligned in a corresponding pair of slots. The wafer cassette mapper includes a base member for receiving a standard slotted wafer cassette, the base member supporting a transmitter/receiver module adjacent the rear of the wafer cassette. The transmitter/receiver module includes two vertical columns of light emitting apertures, coupled to an infrared transmitter array, and a single vertical column, between the two columns of light emitting apertures, of light receiving apertures coupled to an infrared receiver array. Corresponding light emitting apertures in each of the two columns are positioned to illuminate the rear edge of each of the wafers in the wafer cassette at an angle that will cause the diffused reflected light to enter an associated one of the light receiving apertures. Alternate ones of the light emitting apertures are positioned to illuminate the vertical space between each of the wafer slots of the cassette, and a corresponding alternate one of the light receiving apertures detects light reflected by a cross slotted wafer that is positioned in this otherwise unoccupied space. Control circuitry selectively interrogates the infrared receiver array during a period of time in which the infrared transmitter array is turned on in order to determine if a particular light receiving aperture has received light reflected by a particular wafer. Logic circuitry then processes this information for each wafer slot of the wafer cassette to determine if a wafer is present, absent or cross slotted.

This invention relates generally to manufacturing processes in the hard disk, compact disk, liquid crystal display, solar cell, and semiconductor fabrication industries. Manufacturing processes for a wide variety of products utilize thin circular or square wafer media fabricated from metal, plastic, silicon or other materials. These and other applications require the use of cassettes to hold the wafers in exact positions, referred to as wafer planes. Several types of wafer cassettes are used to hold these wafers, depending on the particular process being performed. For example, teflon cassettes are typically employed to hold the wafers while they are in chemical processes; ABS plastic traveller cassettes are employed to transport wafers from one process to the next; and quartz cassettes are employed to retain wafers during high temperature processes. These manufacturing processes occur in carefully controlled clean rooms that must not be contaminated by the manufacturer's processes.
The largest of the above-mentioned industries in which semiconductor wafer cassettes are employed is the semiconductor processing industry. Standard wafer cassettes are employed to hold twenty-five standard silicon or gallium arsenide wafers of a certain diameter. The semiconductor industry uses these thin, very fragile silicon wafers that are typically 4, 5, 6 or 8 inches in diameter on which to fabricate integrated circuits. More than $100,000 worth of packaged integrated circuits may be fabricated on a single one of these wafers. It is therefore extremely important to prevent damage to the fragile wafers on which as many as 300 separate manufacturing processes may be performed before the wafer is cut into separate dies for final packaging. The processing equipment required to manufacture integrated circuits is very expensive, so any increase in manufacturing speed and yield is highly desirable.
In order to increase manufacturing speed and reliability, loading and unloading robots are used to transfer the wafers from one cassette to another. However, wafers are sometimes loaded into incoming cassettes by hand, typically from manual inspection stages. Manual loading of cassettes presents the opportunity for creating a disastrous condition known as cross slotting. This condition occurs when a wafer is not loaded into corresponding slots on each side of the cassette, resulting in one side of a loaded wafer being higher than the other side, rather than the wafer being in a perfectly horizontal position. When a cross slotted wafer is presented to the pickup arm of a robot, the arm jams the fragile wafer, thereby not only shattering that wafer but also contaminating the otherwise good wafers in the cassette and clean room with pieces of the shattered wafer that may be only microscopic in size.
An additional problem is presented in prior art cassette handling systems when a cassette coming into a robot stage is only partially filled with wafers. The robot assumes that every slot of a cassette contains a wafer and is therefore designed to traverse each of the twenty-five slot positions of the cassette in its attempts to pick a wafer from each slot position. In the case of wafer cassettes that are not completely filled, valuable time is wasted as the robot searches unfilled wafer positions.
Several attempts have been made in the prior art to provide wafer detection systems. One such prior art system is based on non-inductive proximity detection, since silicon, aluminum or plastic wafers are not ferromagnetic. In this type of system, an electrostatic field effect sensor is mounted on the robot arm to detect the presence or absence of a wafer in each slot position of a cassette. These wafer detection systems suffer from long traverse times and, more importantly, make no provision for detecting cross slotted wafers.
Another known wafer detection system employs a small video camera which is remotely mounted on the robot's arm. A video framegrabber and image analysis software are integrated with the robot controller. The images obtained by the remote head video camera are used to detect the presence or absence of a wafer in each slot position of a cassette. These video camera systems are expensive and, like the proximity detectors described above, have limited capability for detecting cross slotted wafers.
Yet another known wafer detection system is that described in the allowed U.S. patent application referenced above. This system involves separate transmitter and receiver modules mounted on opposite sides of a wafer cassette for transmitting and receiving light across the full width of the wafer cassette in order to detect the presence or absence of a wafer in a particular pair of slots of the wafer cassette and to also detect a cross slotted condition. The use of separate transmitter and receiver modules in this prior art system requires the use of interconnection cables between the two modules, thereby increasing the cost of the system. Since the separate transmitter and receiver modules must be positioned in close proximity to the wafer cassette that is inserted between them, the system must be tailored for use with wafer cassettes of different sizes.
It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to provide a wafer cassette mapper that may be used with wafer cassettes of different size and in which a single light transmitter/receiver module is employed to provide information indicating the presence or absence of a wafer in each slot of the wafer cassette, as well as information indicating a cross slotted condition.
This and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the illustrated preferred embodiment of the present invention by providing a base member for receiving a standard slotted wafer cassette, the base member supporting a transmitter/receiver module positioned adjacent the rear of the cassette. The transmitter/receiver module contains two vertical columns of light emitting apertures, coupled to an infrared transmitter array, and a single vertical column, positioned between the two columns of light emitting apertures, of light receiving apertures coupled to an infrared receiver array. The infrared transmitting array may be direct or diffused, modulated or on/off keyed. Corresponding light emitting apertures in each of the two columns are positioned to illuminate the rear edge of each of the wafers in the wafer cassette at an angle that will cause the diffused reflected light to enter an associated one of the light receiving apertures. Alternate ones of the light emitting apertures are positioned to illuminate the vertical space between each of the wafer slots of the cassette, and a corresponding alternate one of the light receiving apertures detects light reflected by a cross slotted wafer that is positioned in this otherwise unoccupied space. The infrared transmitter array is powered on for a predetemined period of time, while the infrared receiver array is interrogated during that period of time to determine which of the particular light receiving apertures are receiving light reflected by the wafers in the cassette. This information is then processed for each wafer slot of the cassette to determine if a wafer is present, absent or cross slotted.
Several wafer cassette mappers may be connected in a system configuration to serve a semiconductor fabrication process. In such a system configuration, an external host computer is employed to interrogate the various wafer cassette mappers. The user may thereby request cassette map information from selected ones of the wafer cassette mappers and use, store, transmit or make a hard copy of the requested cassette map information.

Semiconductor wafer cassette mapper having dual vertical column of light emitting apertures and a single vertical column of light receiving apertures


An apparatus for winding and storing a tape-like article in core-less form in a container is disclosed. The tape-like article is fed along a movable guide member, being inserted into a center of the container through an opening on a side wall of the container, and being caught by a grip of a spindle inserted via a through hole on a side of the container. When the tape-like article is wound around the spindle to a preset length, the tape-like article is cut, and the spindle is released from the container.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of storing, in wound form, a tape-like article, such as a surface fastener, a slide fastener tape, a slide fastener chain, a garment belt and a decoration tape, in a container, and an apparatus for winding and storing such tape-like article in the container.

Apparatus for winding and storing a tape-like article in a container


Methods, systems, and computer readable media for generating a three-dimensional reconstruction of an object with reduced distortion are described. In some aspects, a system includes at least two image sensors, at least two projectors, and a processor. Each image sensor is configured to capture one or more images of an object. Each projector is configured to illuminate the object with an associated optical pattern and from a different perspective. The processor is configured to perform the acts of receiving, from each image sensor, for each projector, images of the object illuminated with the associated optical pattern and generating, from the received images, a three-dimensional reconstruction of the object. The three-dimensional reconstruction has reduced distortion due to the received images of the object being generated when each projector illuminates the object with an associated optical pattern from the different perspective.

The use of advanced machine vision systems and their underlying software is increasingly employed in a variety of manufacturing and quality control processes. Machine vision enables quicker, more accurate and repeatable results to be obtained in the production of both mass-produced and custom products. Typical machine vision systems include one or more cameras directed at an area of interest, a frame grabber/image processing elements that capture and transmit images, a computer or onboard processing device, and a user interface for running the machine vision software application and manipulating the captured images, and appropriate illumination on the area of interest.
One form of 3D vision system is based upon stereo cameras employing at least two cameras arranged in a side-by-side relationship with a baseline of one-to-several inches between the cameras. Stereo-vision based systems in general are based on epipolar geometry and image rectification. They may use correlation-based methods or combine with relaxation techniques to find the correspondence in rectified images from two or more cameras. However, images of objects having low surface roughness and high specular reflection can lead to oversaturation in captured images. Conventional stereo vision systems are limited in their ability to create accurate three-dimensional reconstructions of objects from such captured images.

Methods and apparatus for generating a three-dimensional reconstruction of an object with reduced distortion


Lipids can be extracted from a microbial biomass that constitutes at least 20% lipids by weight and has a moisture content of less than 4% by weight by applying pressure to the biomass so as to release lipids therefrom, thereby leaving a biomass of reduced lipid content; and collecting the lipids.

Fossil fuel is a general term for combustible geologic deposits of organic materials formed from decayed plants and animals that have been converted to crude oil, coal, natural gas, or heavy oils by exposure to heat and pressure in the earth's crust over hundreds of millions of years.
Fossil fuels are a finite, non-renewable resource. With global modernization in the 20th and 21st centuries, the demand for energy from fossil fuels, especially gasoline derived from oil, is growing and has been the cause of major regional and global conflicts. Increased demand for energy has also increased the cost of hydrocarbon fuels. Aside from energy, many industries, including the plastics and chemical manufacturing industries, are dependent on the availability of hydrocarbons as a feedstock for manufacturing. Alternatives to current sources of supply would help mitigate the upward pressure on these raw material costs.
Lipids for use in biofuels can be produced in microorganisms, such as algae, fungi, and bacteria. Typically, manufacturing a lipid in a microorganism involves growing microorganisms, such as algae, fungi, or bacteria, which are capable of producing a desired lipid in a fermentor or bioreactor, isolating the microbial biomass, drying it, and extracting the intracellular lipids, which are a form of oil. However, these processes are generally considered to be inefficient and expensive, particularly when one considers the scale on which they must be conducted to produce meaningful supplies of fuel. One significant problem with these processes is the extraction of the lipid or oil from a microorganism.
There is a need for a process for extracting oil from microorganisms that mitigates the problems of low efficiency and high cost of current methods for lipid extraction from microorganisms. The present invention provides such a process.

Methods of microbial oil extraction and separation


A modular coating thickness gauge includes a probe which generates a signal representative of coating thickness, a PCMCIA card connected to the probe for converting the signal into a standard PCMCIA output format, and a portable computing unit for receiving the signal via the PCMCIA card. The gauge allows the on-site user to alternately record coating thickness measurement data and descriptive textual or graphical data relating to each coating thickness measurement.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to coating thickness gauges and more particularly to a novel method and apparatus for measuring and recording coating thickness data and associated descriptive data through a graphical user interface.
2. Description of the Related Art
The art of measuring the thickness of a coating on a substrate has produced a wide variety of coating thickness gauges for measuring a variety of materials. In general, coating thickness gauges include a probe which produces an electronical signal responsive to a measured physical quantity representative of a coating thickness. For example, when measuring the thickness of an electrically nonconductive coating on a conductive substrate, the probe can include an inductor which registers a change in impedance based on its proximity to the conductive substrate. The impedance change of the inductor is reflected by a change in frequency in an LC oscillator which can be mathematically related to the thickness of the coating.
Conventional coating thickness gauges have also provided the capability of transforming the electronic signal representative of coating thickness into digital data and of storing a number of data points for later downloading and analysis. Typically, the coating thickness measurements are later sequentially correlated to a written description of the article being measured. Such a procedure, however, requires the user to manually keep track of which data points correspond to which locations on the object being measured, and are thus time consuming and susceptible to recording errors.
Thus, although coating thickness gauges have been developed to provide very accurate digital readings, the industry has not yet produced a coating thickness gauge with a user interface which facilitates recording and analysis of data, despite the ongoing advances in computer technology. Prior to the present invention, there was a need in the art, therefore, for a method and apparatus for measuring and recording coating thickness data which is easy to use and which ensures accuracy and reliability in the recording of measurements.