A label for a blood pack comprising a microporous plastic film including a matrix of interconnected pores for allowing gas to flow into and out of the blood pack through a labeled area. The pores allow ink to be absorbed at least on an outer surface of the label allowing the label to be printed and/or written on. The labels of the present invention have breathability with respect to gas that is similar to paper. However, the label is more durable than a paper label in that it can tolerate moisture, abrasion, temperature extremes, dimensional changes, and the like. Accordingly, the labels do not crack or wrinkle as easily as paper labels.

The present invention relates to blood packs generally. More specifically, the present invention relates to labels for blood packs.
It is known to house blood components in flexible plastic containers. These containers referred to as either blood packs or blood bags can be used to receive a blood component, process the blood component, store the blood component, and assist in infusing the blood component into a recipient. Of course, it is necessary to provide some means for identifying certain information on the blood pack, e.g., the type of storage solution, anticoagulant, or blood component, the collection date, manufacturer's product code and lot number, etc.
To this end, it is known to provide labels for blood packs. Typically, these labels have heretofore comprised a paper substrate that is secured to the container. These paper labels provide many characteristics that are necessary and/or desirable for a blood pack label.
Blood packs must provide a container that allows gas transmission through the container in order to maintain the viability of the cells to be housed therein. In this regard, it is necessary that the bag allow carbon dioxide to flow out of the blood pack and oxygen to flow therein. Paper provides a substrate that allows for a flow of gas through the labeled area of the blood pack; a paper label does not decrease the effective area of the bag that allows gas transmission beyond acceptable limits.
Paper also provides a surface that can be written or printed on. Thus, a paper label provides a substrate that allows one to easily indicate necessary information on the blood pack. In this regard, the label typically will receive printed as well as handwritten information. It is also known to use bar codes on such labels.
Paper, however, does exhibit certain disadvantages when used as a label for a blood pack. Paper labels are not very durable to moisture, abrasion, temperature extreme, and are not elastic to allow for dimensional changes that occur to the blood pack. It is known to process the blood components stored within the blood packs by centrifuging the bag in addition to other processes. During such processes the labels can become wet and subjected to extreme temperatures. Paper labels can crack or wrinkle during such processes. The cracking or wrinkling of a label is especially detrimental to the use of bar codes on such labels. Unless a smooth uninterrupted surface is provided, the bar codes may be unreadable by a bar code reader. This forces manual entering of data into a computer thus increasing the chance for errors.
There are a number of other requirements that a blood pack label must meet. Some such requirements are set forth in the labeling requirements that have been instituted by the: American Blood Commission's Uniform Labeling Guidelines 1985; or NBTS "Spec for Uniform Labeling of Blood and Blood Products."
It is also desirable that blood pack labels be easily applied to the blood pack. Such labels must also endure the typical manufacturing processing conditions that are typically utilized. In this regard, the bag and label must be sterilizable. Further, the labels must be able to withstand the processing conditions that the containers may be subjected to by the customer, for example, centrifugation, liquid freezing, water bath thawing to name a few.


The application provides the anti-PD-L1 monoclonal antibodies, antigen binding portions thereof, therapeutic compositions thereof and/or nucleic acid encoding the same, and their use to upregulate the function of T-cells to enhance cell-mediated immune responses in the treatment of cancer and other T-cell dysfunctional disorders.

Cancer is a major health problem across the world. In the United States alone it is estimated that in 2016 there were 1,685,210 new cases of cancer diagnosed and 595,690 deaths from the disease (http://www.cancer.gov). As such, any pharmaceutical agent that can reduce the severity or mortality rate from cancer is desirable.
In the immune system, resting T-cells can be activated to respond to antigen through a primary signal delivered through the T-cell receptor (TCR) by foreign antigen peptides presented by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In addition to this primary signal, there are secondary positive and negative co-stimulatory signals which further influence the response of the T-cells. A secondary positive signal is required for full T-cell activation (Lafferty et al., Ausl. J. Exp. Biol. Med. Sci. 53: 27-42 (1975)). Negative secondary signals can result in T-cell suppression and tolerance.
Programmed death 1 (PD-1) is a member of the CD28 family of receptors and is expressed on T-cells and other cell types. PD-1 is one of the routes used by to transmit negative secondary signals into T-cells. PD-L1 is a cell-surface ligand glycoproteins for PD-1 which was shown to downregulate T-cell activation upon binding to PD-1 (Freeman et al. J. Exp. Med. 192: 1027-34 (2000)).
Cancerous tumors can adopt a variety of mechanisms to avoid detection and/or destruction by the host immune system. One method utilized by a variety of tumors is to suppress the immune T-cell response by the expression of PD-L1 on the surface of tumor cells. When the PD-L1 engages its receptor PD-1 on the surface of T-cells, a negative co-stimulatory signal is sent into the T-cell that results in the suppression of the T-cell. In this manner, tumor cells are able to avoid a T-cell mediated response of the host immune system.
PD-L1, also known as B7-H1 or CD274, is a 40 kDa type 1 transmembrane protein that has been shown to be expressed in several human cancers and is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness and an increased risk of death (Thomson et al. PNAS 101: 17174-9 (2004)). PD-L1 expression in cancers is thought to suppress the immune response to tumors via suppression of T-cells (Dong et al. Nat. Med. 8: 793-800 (2002)).
While pharmaceutical agents that are able to bind to PD-L1 and block the negative co-stimulatory signal from suppressing the T-cell response have been shown to increase the host immune response to cancerous tumors, the beneficial response for cancer patients varies (see Reiss et al. Immunotherapy. 6:459-75 (2014)). It remains unclear what is the optimal PD-L1 binding site(s) and relevant affinity for developing the most effective and tumor cell-specific anti-PD-L1 antibodies for cancer treatment.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Anti-PD-L1 antibodies and methods of making and using thereof

BAILI-BIO (CHENGDU) PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD.


Compositions for use as immersion fluids are described. In general, the immersion fluids can be utilized to perform lithography at short wavelengths (e.g., in a range from about 120 nm to about 260 nm). Some embodiments can be used in a range of actinic radiation between about 140 nm and about 160 nm (e.g., about 157 nm). Immersion fluids can exhibit any number of advantageous features including a relatively high index of refraction (e.g., greater than about 1, or greater than about 1.3, or about greater than about 1.4) and/or a relatively low absorbance (e.g., lower than about 2 μm−1, or lower than about 1 μm−1, or lower than about 0.5 μm−1). Some immersion fluids can include silicon-containing compounds and/or germanium containing compounds. Such compounds can include at least one Ge—O bond or at least one Si—O bond. Such compounds can also include one or more fluorinated moieties.

Optical lithography at UV wavelengths is the standard process for patterning 90-nm state-of-the-art devices in the semiconductor industry, and extensions to 45-nm and below are currently being explored. Advanced lithographic schemes are focused on the use of a short UV wavelength (e.g., 193 nm or 157 nm), coupled with immersion to further reduce the effective wavelength.
Mass-produced semiconductor manufacturing entered the era of nanopatterning with UV optical lithography when the smallest feature sizes crossed the 100-nm threshold. In the last two years advanced devices have had their half-pitch at 90 nm and, according to the international roadmap for semiconductors (ITRS), this trend will continue unabated for at least one more decade with expected resolution decreasing to 65 nm in 2007, 45 nm in 2010, and 32 nm in 2013.
Until the late 1980s, the radiation sources were high-power mercury lamps, first at 436 nm, followed by 365 nm, and finally 254 nm. Then, a transition took place to the krypton fluoride excimer lasers at 248 nm, and more recently to the argon fluoride excimer lasers at 193 nm, and eventually to molecular fluorine lasers at 157 nm. Today, both 193- and 157-nm lithography is the subject of intense development, and significant progress is being made towards implementation at these wavelengths.
Several years ago a new technology was proposed, that of liquid immersion lithography, which, when implemented at 193 nm, would provide similar resolutions as "dry" 157 nm, without the risks involved in 157-nm lithography. Since early 2003, 193-nm liquid immersion lithography has taken center stage as the next generation of optical lithography. It now appears that "dry" 157-nm lithography will become a backup technology to 193-nm liquid immersion while liquid immersion 157-nm lithography is a likely candidate to be the successor to the liquid 193-nm lithography.
Submicrometer-scale optical imaging typically utilizes close proximity (<1 cm) between the focal plane and the final element of the imaging optics. Whereas normally this small space between the focal plane and the final optical element is filled with air, when it is filled with a fluid possessing a refractive index appreciably higher than 1.0, smaller features can be resolved and hence the imaging system exhibits improved resolution. This phenomenon has been well recognized for many years and this type of optical imaging is generally referred to as "immersion lithography" because it requires the focal plane to be immersed in the high-index fluid.
Liquid immersion lithography involves the introduction of a fluid between the last optical element and the photoresist surface. The effective wavelength of the imaging system is reduced in proportion to the index of refraction of the liquid. Since the performance of projection optics is essentially limited by diffraction, the shorter effective wavelength (λeff=λo/nf in a fluid of index nf) enables a higher resolution when the vacuum wavelength λo and θ, the angle of propagation between the lens and the photoresist, remain constant. The second benefit of liquid immersion lithography is the increased depth of focus, even at dimensions that can be patterned in air. For a fixed feature size, θ in the fluid is smaller than in air, and consequently the aerial image is less sensitive to displacements of the photoresist surface along the optical axis. This reduced sensitivity is equivalent to a larger depth of focus. Thus, liquid immersion lithography allows for higher resolution or increased depth of focus relative to dry lithography.
In dry lithography, the largest NA possible is 1.0, which is defined in part by the refractive index of air being 1.0. In liquid immersion lithography, a fluid is introduced between the last optical element and the photoresist and in so doing, the NA of the projection optics is effectively increased to above 1.0. For example, the 193-nm refractive index of high-purity water is ˜1.44, and this is therefore the upper limit of the NA using water at 193 nm. Viewed another way, the vacuum wavelength of 193 nm is reduced by the refractive index of water to an effective wavelength of 134 nm in the image plane. This value is less than 157 nm, implying that a higher resolution is possible with 193 nm and water immersion than with dry 157 nm. A similar reduction in effective wavelength would be possible employing liquid immersion at 157 nm.
Manufacturing of integrated circuits has been enabled by high-performance spin-on organic polymeric photoresists. The development of polyhydroxystyrene based resists was necessary to overcome high novolac absorbance at 248 nm and enable the introduction of 248 nm lithography into IC manufacturing. In a similar manner, 193-nm lithography required the development of a new polymer system to overcome the high 193-nm absorbance of phenolic-based polymers. Two different classes of polymers, polyacrylate and polycyclic copolymer based resists have been developed, and now compete for predominance in 193-nm lithography. Due to the high absorbance at 157 nm of polyhydroxystyrene, polyacrylate, and polycyclic copolymer based resists, the use of any of these resists will only be possible if the coated resist thickness is under 100 nm. This has led to the development of fluorinated polymers as resist materials capable of high resolution. Liquid immersion lithography can utilize some of the same types of photoresists as employed in dry lithography although there are concerns about leaching of chemicals from the photoresists and the effect of that leaching on resist resolution and optical lens contamination.
One difficulty associated with developing high refractive index fluids for immersion lithography relates to solving the requirement for a fluid to have both high index and low absorbance. For example, the addition of fluorine to a liquid's molecular formula will reduce not only the molecule's absorbance but also its refractive index. Current liquids employed for 157-nm immersion lithography are fluorocarbon or fluorohydrocarbon based and have refractive indices at 157-nm of less than 1.35.
Hence, there is still a need for improved immersion liquids suitable for use in immersion lithography at very short wavelengths, e.g., at 157 nm. There is also a need for such liquids that exhibit not only a high refractive index but also a relatively low absorbance.


Apparatus and methods are provided for facilitating the funding of gaming and preferably the purchase of gaming vouchers with commercial bank cards and/or with casino and/or new credit accounts and/or the prompting of opening of a new credit account, including an automated kiosk located on a gaming floor proximate to gaming machines but separate from particular gaming machines, including reading and printing equipment in communication with a voucher host; also including a prompt to open new a gaming oriented line of credit in response to a refusal of an EFT transaction, including a preferred gaming oriented credit card account and card having cash advance limits commensurate with credit limits for gaming oriented transaction, the approval of the account preferably based on EFT gaming transaction history.

The gaming industry is rife with regulation and scrutiny: state, federal, and tribal. Fiscal security concerns are extraordinarily high due to the levels of money changing hands. Moral concerns are intense. Community groups monitor regulators with an intent to enforce a sense of social responsibility. Gaining is a political issue. Commercial efficiency jockeys with social responsibility for priority. Reluctance to change paralyzes decision making.
In such a context, casino operators nonetheless have migrated toward what is being called "cashless gaming," including automated "cashless gaming," in whole or in part. Handling cash is inefficient, time consuming and costly for a casino. Requiring cash is inefficient, unsanitary and to a certain extent unsafe for players, cash being the ultimate bearer instrument.
An early "cashless gaming" system for slot machines taught providing equipment, integrated into each slot machine, for inserting a commercial bank card (credit or debit) in order to directly receive playing credit at the machine. Use of the card at the machine was to be a convenience for the player, keeping the player from having to give up his/her seat in order to secure more funds for play. This system initially anticipated that a player would cash out winnings and/or remaining playing credit for cash at the machine. Subsequent proposals included the ability to "cash out" at a machine for in-house credit and/or for commercial card account credit.
A second "cashless gaming" system proposed that a commercial bank (credit/debit) card be inserted into equipment associated with a particular slot machine and that a "slot voucher" be printed at that machine in return. The voucher could then be read into that or any other slot machine, as by via its bill reader, to receive playing credit. The second system presumed the existence of machines that read vouchers (as with bill readers) and that provided playing credit in return. The second system anticipated cashing out at the machines in terms of vouchers. In fact, newer slot machines can accept and/or print vouchers in lieu of, or in addition to, accepting and/or dispensing cash. Thus, a voucher may be read to yield playing credit as well as printed to redeem winnings and/or remaining credits at a slot machine. This second system allowed patrons to directly access commercial bank account funds at a slot machine via a POS/debit type of transaction.
Both the first and second systems entailed the existence of accounting, communication and security hardware and software integrated into the machine.
The second system also envisioned being useable for a variety of entertainment tickets and that remote standalone kiosks might be utilized to issue vouchers or tickets.
In many jurisdictions, however, there is no regulatory approval for using a card at a slot machine. Regulatory approval has been withheld because it was feared that permitting players to obtain playing credit directly at a gaming machine by EFT would unnecessarily encourage compulsive gamblers, (even though there has been no documentation of this.)
A more common and basic form of "cashless gaming" has also existed. This system provides for securing cash at ATM devices located from place to place around a casino floor. The securing of cash may be followed by a subsequent purchase of a voucher for cash at a separate kiosk. Unfortunately, ATM machines are expensive to own and maintain. Dealing in cash as they do, they entail high security and handling costs. Only a relatively few ATM machines are justified for a casino floor. ATM machines cost in the order of $15,000 to $17,000 each, involving all of the expense and security and servicing concerns associated with handling cash. A 1,000 slot machine casino, for example, would typically only find it cost effective to maintain 3 to 4 ATMs on the gaming floor. And the latter system still involves handling cash, with its inconvenience and security concerns.
All of the above "cashless gaming" systems have problems. The first two systems entail what turns out to be the excessive cost of installing POS/EFT hardware and software on each and every gaming machine. This hardware and software must satisfy stringent security standards associated with any equipment that directly interfaces with slot machines, thereby further increasing the cost of the hardware software, and regulatory approval. And the equipment ends up being under-utilized. Most of the time it sits inactive while a player plays the game. Furthermore, promoting obtaining gaming funds from commercial card accounts directly at a gaming machine is viewed by some as exhibiting an insensitivity to a casino's social responsibility. Although it is not documented, it is perceived to be beneficial to interpose some interruption in play, such as requiring a player to at least physically leave a machine to access funds by EFT, in order to inhibit compulsive gambling.
In regard to the latter system discussed above, however, it is perceived as irritatingly inconvenient and inefficient, from the player's standpoint, to require a player to visit a few remote ATM machines, possibly standing in line. And cash must still be handled by the player in this system, even if the player subsequently exchanges the cash for a voucher.
Further, regard to gaming tables there has been little effort to automate or implement or streamline cashless gaming.


A printed circuit board for a BGA semiconductor package provided at one corner thereof with a degating opening serving as a mold runner gate during a process of molding a resin seal adapted to protect the semiconductor chip and serving as a region for degating a surplus resin formed after the molding process and a method for molding a BGA semiconductor using the printed circuit board. The degating opening has an inverted triangular shape having curved lateral sides and a vertex, at which the lateral sides join together, disposed in a region for forming the resin seal, or an inverted trapezoidal shape having one end disposed in the resin seal region. The invention can eliminate the peeling or damage of the upper surface of the printed circuit board occurring upon degating a surplus resin, the damage of the printed circuit board due to a torsion thereof, the damage of conductive traces on the printed circuit board, the exposure of the conductive traces caused by the damage of a solder mask, and the damage of a resin seal on the printed circuit board. Therefore, an improvement in productivity and reliability is achieved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printed circuit board for a ball grid array (BGA) semiconductor package and a method for molding a BGA semiconductor package using the printed circuit board. More particularly, the present invention relates to a printed circuit board for a BGA semiconductor package provided at one corner thereof with a degating opening serving as a mold runner gate and as a degating region and a method for molding a BGA semiconductor package using the printed circuit board.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Typically, BGA semiconductor packages have a configuration including a printed circuit board, at least one semiconductor chip mounted on one surface of the printed circuit board, and an array of solder balls attached to the other surface of the printed circuit board and adapted to electrically connect the semiconductor chip to a mother board. Such BGA semiconductor packages have been widely used as multi-pin devices having 200 pins or more, integrated circuits of very large scale integration (VLSI) and microprocessors.
Referring to FIG. 1, a typical BGA semiconductor package is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 11 the BGA semiconductor package, which is denoted by the reference numeral 100, includes a printed circuit board 130 having a die pad 132 at the central portion of its upper surface. A semiconductor chip 150 is mounted on the die pad 132 of the printed circuit board 130 by means of an epoxy adhesive. The semiconductor chip 150 is provided with bond pads (not shown) electrically connected to conductive traces 133 of the printed circuit board 130 by bonding wires 140. A resin seal 120 is molded on the printed circuit board 130 to protect the semiconductor chip 150 and wires 140 from the external environment. Conductive traces 135 are provided on the printed circuit board 130, and electrically connected to the solder ball pads 136 which are formed at opposite side surface thereof, through via holes 134. Solder balls 160 are fused on the solder ball pads 136 as input/output terminals, respectively.
Such a BGA semiconductor package is fabricated in accordance with the above-mentioned process steps, namely, the semiconductor chip mounting step, wire bonding step, seal molding step and solder ball fusing step.
Now, a conventional seal molding method used in the fabrication of a BGA semiconductor package will be described in conjunction with FIG. 5.
In accordance with this method, a mold 201 is used which includes an upper mold 202 and a lower mold 203. The mold 201 has a cavity 202a in which a printed circuit board 206 to be molded is disposed. The mold 201 also has a mold runner consisting of passages 202b and 202e. In the mold 201, a pot 203b is also defined in which a melt resin is received. The mold runner has a gate defined by a groove formed on the lower surface of the upper mold 202 and a corresponding upper surface portion of the printed circuit board 206 disposed in a recess 203a of the lower mold 203. The melt resin in the pot 203b is injected into the cavity 202a through the mold runner as it is pushed by a resin feed ram 204. At this time, the melted resin comes into contact with the upper surface portion of the printed circuit board 206 defining the mold runner gate. As a result, a surplus of resin is left on the upper surface portion of the printed circuit board 206 while being connected to a resin seal molded on the printed circuit board 206 after the curing of the resin seal. Accordingly, it is required to remove such a surplus resin. However, the printed circuit board 206 may be peeled off or damaged at its surface during the removal of the surplus resin. The damage of a solder mask may also occur. This may result in an exposure of the conductive traces.
In order to solve these problems, various methods have been proposed. This method is illustrated in FIG. 2. In accordance with this method, a printed circuit board 30', which is a constituting element of a BGA semiconductor package 10', is coated at one corner of its upper surface with a metal, such as platinum, palladium, nickel or silver, exhibiting a bonding strength lower than the upper surface of the printed circuit board 30'. Alternatively, the same corner of the upper surface of the printed circuit board 30' may be attached with a tape. By the coating or tape, a degating region 50 is defined on the printed circuit board 30'. Here, the degating region means a region for easily removing a cured surplus resin left at a mold runner gate which serves as a resin injection passage in a molding process, without any damage of the upper surface of the printed circuit board 30'.
Where a molding process is carried out using a mold shown in FIG. 5 after processing a printed circuit board, to be molded, in accordance with the above-mentioned method, it is possible to easily remove a cured surplus resin left at the degating region 50. In this case, accordingly, it is possible to considerably reduce the above-mentioned problems, namely, the peeling or damage of the upper surface of the printed circuit board or the exposure of the conductive traces caused by the damage of the solder mask.
However, these problems, namely, the peeling or damage of the upper surface of the printed circuit board or the exposure of the conductive traces caused by the damage of the solder mask, are still involved in the above method, even though they are reduced. This is because the degating region 50 defined at one corner of the upper surface of the printed circuit board is relatively large and because the method is only based on the provision of the degating region 50 exhibiting a bonding strength lower than the surface of the printed circuit board. In particular, where the degating region is formed by a tape attached to the printed circuit board, the tape may be melted during a molding process carried out at a high temperature, thereby degrading a stability of the molding process. Consequently, it is difficult to practically use the above-mentioned method.

Printed circuit board for ball grid array semiconductor package


The inventive work load manager (WLM) dynamically responds to changes in workload characteristics. The WLM bases response on performance goals set by the administrator, and manipulates the resources to achieve these goals. The WLM receives performance information from performance monitors. The WLM examines the information from the performance monitors and compares the information with the goals using a Proportional Integral and Derivative controller. Based on the comparison, the WLM may increase, decrease, or leave unchanged, the resources devoted to an application. If the performance of an application is performance is lagging, e.g., if transactions are taking longer than the goal, then the WLM increases the entitlement. If an application is over-achieving, then the WLM will decrease its entitlement and allocate it to another application. The WLM uses an arbiter which allocates the resources between the different applications, based on the priorities of the applications. Consequently, the WLM creates a feedback loop between application performance and CPU entitlements.

Computer systems inherently have limited resources, particularly CPU resources. These limited resources must be allocated among the different applications operating within the system. A prior allocation mechanism for allocating system resources to applications is a system known as Process Resource Manager (PRM) 10 as shown in FIG. 1A. It is used to partition the CPU resource 11 and various other resources among the different applications 12, 13, 14. The PRM partitions the resources into fractions of the whole, which are expressed as percentages in PRM configuration, as shown in FIG. 1B. The fractions or pieces are then assigned to groups of processes, which comprise applications. Each application would then receive some portion of the available resources, particularly the CPU.
The PRM is a static mechanism, meaning that the allocation configuration is fixed by an administrator, and can only be changed by an administrator. In other words, the administrator specifies where the partitions should lie, i.e., what percent of the machine goes to application 12, application 13, and application 14. This information is fixed, so what it cannot do is respond to changes in the needs of the different applications. For example, one application may be mostly idle, but occasionally has a large amount of work to do. Under the static mechanism with fixed entitlements, this application would be allocated a smaller fraction of the CPU resources, as a larger fraction can not be justified because of the large amount of idle time. Consequently, when the large amount of work is received, then the application's performance will suffer because of its low entitlement. Therefore, the transactions will take longer to process. Another example is where a transaction requires large amounts of resources for extended periods of time, but also has periods of idle time. Under the static mechanism with fixed entitlements, this application would be allocated a larger fraction of the CPU resources. Consequently, when this application is idle, other applications' performances will suffer, as this application is assigned a large amount of resources that are not being used, and thus are not available for other applications. Therefore, the other transactions will take longer to process. Thus, this mechanism cannot handle changes in the requirements of the different applications.
Another problem is the partitioning the resources by the administrator. The administrator has to think in terms of the actual machine resources and the requirements of the different applications. This is problematic because the resources and applications are operating at a lower level than what a person typically views. Moreover, the administrator has to have a great deal of knowledge of the application's characteristics and its resource requirements in order to determine where to set the partitions. Lack of knowledge is typically made up with guesswork. For example, an administrator may choose to set application 13 at 20% of the CPU resources. If the users of the system complain, the administrator may change the value later on.
An alternative mechanism is taught in patent by IBM, U.S. Pat. No. 5,675,739, which is hereby incorporated by reference. The IBM mechanism uses a priority-based model to process application. In other words, high priority applications are serviced from a queue before lower priority application. This mechanism can change the priorities to adjust processing performance.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a non-static system that does not suffer from the problems discussed above, but allows for partitioning of the resources among the different applications.

Dynamic management of computer workloads through service level optimization

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


Briefly described, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to isolated polypeptides useful for treatment of respiratory syncytial virus, and to methods and compositions for treating respiratory syncytial virus.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes the majority of cases of bronchiolitis and acute lower respiratory tract infection in infants and young children and is also a serious threat to immunocompromised individuals and the elderly.1-5 Hospitalization in the U.S. for RSV-associated infection in pediatric patients costs over 300 million dollars annually,6 and no effective vaccine is currently available. Furthermore, the commercial vaccine palivizumab, only used for high-risk infants, is very expensive and its accessibility is problematic in third world countries.9 The lack of both a vaccine and a cost-effective antiviral treatment for children, the elderly, and immunocompromised patients has created an urgent need for the development of new methodologies for RSV treatment worldwide.
Since the market approval of Palivizumab9-11 (a prophylaxis given to high risk individuals that utilizes a monoclonal antibody that binds to the antigenic site of the RSV F protein and blocks virus entry at the initial stage of infection), several independent studies have focused on the design of inhibitors of the RSV F fusion protein.7,8 Research is also being done to test small-molecule inhibitors3 and RSV F inhibitor peptides12 targeting heptad repeat (HR) domains within the fusion protein combined with biocompatible nanomaterials such as chitosan for targeted delivery.1 Recent structural studies have demonstrated how small synthesized peptides can bind to a site on the F protein where the six-helix bundles are formed by the interaction of HR1 and HR213,14 and block this interaction.3 These peptides contain a sequence of amino acids that are part of the heptad repeat sequence that specifically binds to the HR2 domain of the F protein through coiled-coiled interactions; such binding prevents fusion of the virus with the host cell membrane.2,3 A major drawback of this antiviral strategy, however, is that the peptides are rapidly degraded by proteases in the body, thus requiring high doses to reduce infection. Moreover, the short half-life of peptides in the cells makes therapeutic use difficult. Therefore, prolonging the activity of such peptides using a delivery platform that delays the interaction of proteases with the peptides is desired.

Compositions and methods for treating respiratory syncytial virus infection


The dynamics of a disk drive actuator are enhanced by redistributing the mass and stiffness of the structure. The two nodal points of the second primary bending mode of the actuator are relocated to positions that are both radially outboard of their original positions. One nodal point is positioned as close to the read-write head as possible at one end of the actuator, and the other nodal point is positioned at the center of the active legs of the VCM coil at the other end of the actuator. This is done to reduce the off-track displacement associated with this fundamental resonance to near zero, allowing higher track densities to be supported.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates in general to improved performance for a disk drive actuator and, in particular, to an improved system, method, and apparatus for reducing off-track gain for the second primary resonance of a disk drive actuator in the off-track direction.
2. Description of the Related Art
Data access and storage systems generally comprise one or more storage devices that store data on magnetic or optical storage media. For example, a magnetic storage device is known as a direct access storage device (DASD) or a hard disk drive (HDD) and includes one or more disks and a disk controller to manage local operations concerning the disks. The hard disks themselves are usually made of aluminum alloy or a mixture of glass and ceramic, and are covered with a magnetic coating. Typically, one to five disks are stacked vertically on a common spindle that is turned by a disk drive motor at several thousand revolutions per minute (rpm). Hard disk drives have several different typical standard sizes or formats, including server, desktop, mobile (2.5 and 1.8 inches) and microdrive.
A typical HDD also uses an actuator assembly to move magnetic read/write heads to the desired location on the rotating disk so as to write information to or read data from that location. Within most HDDs, the magnetic read/write head is mounted on a slider. A slider generally serves to mechanically support the head and any electrical connections between the head and the rest of the disk drive system. The slider is aerodynamically shaped to glide over moving air in order to maintain a uniform distance from the surface of the rotating disk, thereby preventing the head from undesirably contacting the disk.
A slider is typically formed with an aerodynamic pattern of protrusions on its air bearing surface (ABS) that enables the slider to fly at a constant height close to the disk during operation of the disk drive. A slider is associated with each side of each disk and flies just over the disk's surface. Each slider is mounted on a suspension to form a head gimbal assembly (HGA). The HGA is then attached to a semi-rigid actuator arm that supports the entire head flying unit. Several semi-rigid arms may be combined to form a single movable unit having a rotary pivotal bearing system.
The head and arm assembly is pivotally moved utilizing a magnet/coil structure that is often called a voice coil motor (VCM). The stator of a VCM is mounted to a base plate or casting on which the spindle is also mounted. The base casting with its spindle, actuator VCM, and internal filtration system is then enclosed with a cover and seal assembly to ensure that no contaminants can enter and adversely affect the reliability of the slider flying over the disk. When current is fed to the motor, the VCM develops force or torque that is substantially proportional to the applied current. The arm acceleration is therefore substantially proportional to the magnitude of the current. As the read/write head approaches a desired track, a reverse polarity signal is applied to the actuator, causing the signal to act as a brake, and ideally causing the read/write head to stop and settle directly over the desired track.
The motor used to rotate the disk is typically a brushless DC motor. The disk is mounted and clamped to a hub of the motor. The hub provides a disk mounting surface and a means to attach an additional part or parts to clamp the disk to the hub. In most typical motor configurations of HDDs, the rotating part of the motor (the rotor) is attached to or is an integral part of the hub. The rotor includes a ring-shaped magnet with alternating north/south poles arranged radially and a ferrous metal backing. The magnet interacts with the motor's stator by means of magnetic forces. Magnetic fields and resulting magnetic forces are induced via the electric current in the coiled wire of the motor stator. The ferrous metal backing of the rotor acts as a magnetic return path. For smooth and proper operation of the motor, the rotor magnet magnetic pole pattern should not be substantially altered after it is magnetically charged during the motor's manufacturing process.
The storage capacity of HDD's continues to increase at a dramatic pace. Increasing the track density on the disk surface is a key method of achieving this, and it is expected that this trend will continue in the future. In order to support increases in track density, the mechanical bandwidth of the HDD's actuator system must be continually improved. This means that the inherent mechanical resonances present in actuator structures, which create off-track disturbances, must be continually increased in frequency, reduced in amplitude, or completely eliminated. There is a need for a solution that will reduce off-track gain for the second primary resonance of an HDD actuator in the off-track direction.
One of the key technologies commonly proposed for very high track density HDD's is the use of two-stage actuators. This technology splits the traditional single stage actuator in use today into two devices, one of which can be very small and light. The second stage of a two-stage actuator can achieve very high mechanical bandwidths, thereby supporting high track densities. Unfortunately, the implementation of two-stage actuators significantly increases system cost. The component count is typically more than doubled when two-stage actuators are used in disk drives. Moreover, the complexity of controlling a two-stage system increases significantly as well. This leads to reductions in system reliability and production yields. Thus, an improved solution that reduces off-track gain for the second primary resonance of an HDD actuator in the off-track direction is needed.

System and apparatus for reducing off-track gain for a disk drive actuator

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


Locations that include supply, manufacturing, demand locations, and channels are defined. A demand is computed for each part at each location. An availability lead-time is estimated for each part at each location and for each part at each channel. A total landed cost is calculated for each part at each location and each channel. A lead-time demand is computed for each part at each location using the availability lead-times for the part. A demand over lead-time is computed for each part at each location using the availability lead-times for the part. A completely filled demand is determined from the lead-time demands and the stock levels, and a partially filled demand is determined from the lead-time demands and the stock levels. A coverage function is generated for the parts at the locations and the channels from the completely filled demand and the partially filled demand.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of inventory distribution across supply networks and more specifically to optimized deployment of parts in a supply chain network.
2. Background of the Invention
A supply chain network may include one or more locations that receive parts from a vendor and distribute the parts within the supply chain network in order to provide a customer with a product. The parts may be, for example, manufactured into a product within the supply chain network. The supply chain network may include locations that both supply parts to and receive parts from other locations. Performance at each location is thus affected by the performance at its suppliers. As a result, maintaining an optimal inventory of parts at each location that best serves the customer while minimizing inventory costs poses a challenge for inventory managers.

Optimized deployment of parts in a supply chain network


A method for manufacturing a screw is disclosed where a blank is rolled between two rolling dies. In each rolling die a rolling profile has been formed that comprises a host of elongated depressions. The rolling die has a first and a second end which are spaced apart from each other in the direction of rolling. During rolling, the blank is moved relative to the die from the first end in the direction of the second end. The mean pitch of the center lines of the depressions, which pitch is defined as the quotient of the changes in the positions of the center line in the direction across or parallel to the direction of rolling, in a region of the first end of the rolling die differs from the mean pitch in a region of the second end of the rolling die.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a screw and to a rolling die. In a known method for manufacturing a screw a blank is rolled between two rolling dies for the purpose of forming the screw thread. In this arrangement there is a rolling profile in each rolling die, which rolling profile comprises a host of elongated depressions intended for forming the thread convolutions. Each rolling die comprises a first end and a second end spaced apart from each other in the direction of rolling, wherein a blank during rolling is moved relative to the rolling die from the first end towards the second end.
Conventionally, blanks are used that comprise at least one cylindrical portion that is formed to become the thread. Since during the rolling process as a result of transverse pressure a flow in longitudinal direction of the thread occurs, it is common practice to select the rolling diameter dw0, i.e. the diameter of the blank used, in such a manner that the volume per unit of length in the blank is somewhat greater or equal to that of the finished thread. Thus the following applies to the rolling diameter dw0:dw0=dG0+ddV,wherein dG0 denotes a "cylindrical substitute diameter" of the finish-rolled thread, namely the diameter of an imaginary substitute cylinder whose volume per unit of length corresponds to that of the finish-rolled thread. ddV is an addition to the rolling diameter, which addition is intended to compensate for the axial thrust; typically it is less than 5% of dw0.
If a screw with a desired thread form is to be manufactured in the rolling process, dG0 is determined by this thread form, and ddV results automatically in the rolling process. This means that in order to manufacture a particular thread form in the rolling process, a very specific rolling diameter dw0 needs to be selected; in other words there is no degree of freedom in terms of the selection of the diameter dw0 of the section of the blank on which the thread is to be formed.
In general, an effort will be made to use a simple cylindrical blank because it can be manufactured most simply and cost-effectively; in the present case the diameter of the blank is determined by dw0. However, in practical application this often leads to problems. For example, if a screw head is to be manufactured by pressing a corresponding thread-free section of the blank, the predetermined diameter dw0 is often simply too small for this. In this case it is unavoidable to use a blank with a variable diameter, with a first, slimmer, section for forming the thread, and a second, thicker, section for forming the head. A similar situation occurs in the manufacture of hanger screws, i.e. screws that comprise two different threads that are separate from each other, typically a metric thread and a self-tapping wood-screw thread. For both threads an associated required rolling diameter dw0(1) or dw0(2) results, which diameters, as a rule, will, however, not be identical. In this case, too, it is unavoidable to provide a blank with two sections of different diameters, which leads, however, to a significant increase in the cost of manufacture.

Method and rolling die for manufacturing a screw


A bait loading arrangement including a yoke member in which an extensible loop is drawn tightly over the head end of a bait fish consisting of an eel that is being held in a bait container to enclose the neck of an eel to effectively provide for immobilizing the bait fish, typically by remotely holding the bait by a yoke member to allow the handler to manipulate the eel for loading onto a conventional curved barb fish hook, thereafter to be released, all without manually handling the slimy skin of the eel.

1. Field of the Invention (Technical Field)
The present invention relates to live bait apparatus having an extensible loop device. More specifically the present invention is directed to the inventive combination of a bait loading arrangement in which an extensible loop is drawn tightly over the head end of an eel that is being held in a bait container. The loop draws close to the handle to allow the handle to manipulate the eel for loading onto a conventional curved barb fish hook, thereafter to be released, all without manually handling the slippery skin of the eel.
2. Background Prior Art
Applicant is aware of prior loop arrangements. For example U.S. Pat. No. 3,949,514 to Ramsey shows a rounded head section 15, FIG. 1, having curved surfaces that are pressed against the body of an animal. A snake is shown in the drawing.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,704,052 to Wood shows a cable 12, FIG. 1, that has a free end which is used to manually tighten a loop 11. (A locking mechanism having a ball ramp arrangement locks the cable into a desired position.)
U.S. Pat. No. 3,967,408 to Aberg shows an animal trap comprising a tubular body with a protective material casing having a spring located in the body which is attached to a snare located outside of the body. The contraction of the spring is controlled by a trap setting mechanism including a release arm and the spring is released to contract and move the snare towards the body when the animal treads on the release arm.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,616,123 to Armstrong shows an elongated barrel, a plunger reciprocally mounted in said barrel, a handle affixed to said plunger at its outer end, said barrel having a lateral opening adjacent its inner end, a plate having a pair of outwardly extending diametrically opposed ears affixed to and surrounding the barrel adjacent the inner end thereof, a bracket removably attached to said ears and having a slot centrally disposed therein, a blade affixed to said bracket and extending outwardly in the same direction as the longitudinal axes of said barrel and said plunger, a snare loop extending through the lateral opening in the barrel and having a stop head outwardly of said opening and attached at its other end to the inner end of said plunger, said loop adapted to extend through said slot in said bracket in parallel relation and adjacent to said blade when the same is affixed to said plate, and a latch for maintaining said plunger in selected positions relative to said barrel.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,653 to Davies shows a humane animal trap having a snare with a formed loop having ends which pass through a hollow telescoping system. The telescoping means is comprised of a main barrel connected to the loop, a slave barrel within the main barrel, and a working barrel within the slave barrel. The barrels are biased in an extended position by a spring which is connected between the main barrel and working barrel. A trigger prevents extension of the barrels and is selectively held in position by a trip.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,765,119 to Hare et al. shows a snare comprised of an elongated two-part stiff shank or stem member to be manually grasped single-handedly at the proximate end and having a flexible extension portion at the distal end. A traveler member carrying latch means slides along the stiff portion between the distal end and the handle portion. At the extreme or outer end of the flexible portion is a snaring strand having a ring-like member adapted to encircle and slidably move along both the flexible and rigid portions of the snare. The ring-like member may engage and be retained by the latch means on the traveler member. When the flexible snaring strand is tensed as when the ring-like member is drawn toward the proximate end of the shank or stem portion, the flexible portion of the shank is bowed and energy is stored to be employed when a snaring operation is to be performed. When the ring-like member is released or and cast outward and around an object such as a fish or snake or animal about which the snare is placed.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,402,959 to Harris discloses a snare for attachment to a floating object, such as a torpedo, comprising a cable loop urged toward closed position by an extensible spring, and a removable pole having abutments for retaining the spring compressed until the loop is disposed around the object.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,527 to Wicklund discloses an animal trap and ball detent trigger means. The trap is of shaft and block construction with the cable carrying block spring biased toward one end of the shaft. The plunger and a trigger member are spring biased in a home set position. The disturbance of the trigger member from its home position causes the trigger to rock in its conical recess and thereby apply a reciprocating lateral force to the plunger releasing the detaining force of the balls from the cable block.
A review of the prior art indicates use of spring loading or loops that tighten onto the loop itself. Contrary to the teachings of the prior art, all of which rely on mechanical biasing which could be harmful to bait fish by crushing their necks, the current invention avoids spring loading and its tendency to apply too much pressure onto the eel used as the live bait.
A common problem of fishing with live bait is immobilizing the bait fish, typically by physically holding the bait by hand, while loading it on a barbed hook. This problem becomes acute when using a live eel, typically having a length of 6" to 8", as bait, due to the slimy film typically encountered on its skin. This slimy film renders it often nearly impossible to immobilize the eel by hand, not to mention the unpleasant aspect of grappling with a wriggling eel. Notwithstanding this, eels have long been prized as bait, particularly for large striped bass. The problem with using eels for bait is that, in their natural condition, their skin is coated with slime, permitting them to wiggle free from most attempts to hold them for baiting a hook. Not only is it difficult to handle them, but for many fishermen and particularly fisher women, it is also repulsive. To many fishermen, the prospect of grappling with a slimy serpentine eel is decidedly unpleasant, so much so that too often an artificial eel is employed for the ease of use, with the result that no fish is caught.
Accordingly, there is a need in the live bait art for a new and improved arrangement for live bait loading in which an extensible loop is drawn tightly over the head end of a bait fish to provide for immobilizing the bait fish, typically by remotely holding the bait by a yoke member, while loading it on a barbed hook, which overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of prior art.


A portable construction material stand is provided with a flanged support portion and a base portion. The portable construction material stand is adapted for use with a single support portion unattached to another support portion and does not use any cross-supports. The portable construction material stand may be used in conjunction with two or more portable material stands.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to material stands. More specifically, the invention relates to a stand that is portable and adapted to hold heavy objects.
2. Description of the Related Art
Construction job sites frequently have use for heavy objects that must be "staged" prior to placement at the desired site. All construction materials are delivered to the job site. Upon delivery to the job site, the material is removed from the truck, and placed in a temporary location. Frequently, material must be moved from its initial temporary location to another temporary location. Moving material is time consuming, and creates unnecessary work.
For example, many building sites use drywall in building walls. Drywall is also known as sheetrock. Drywall is very bulky and is frequently delivered in pieces that may be 12 feet long and 10 feet tall. Furthermore, each piece of drywall may weigh over 50–75 pounds.
In the past, drywall has tended to be staged by leaning against a previously constructed wall. At other times, drywall has been placed on the floor. While these methods are effective to remove the drywall from a certain work area, in practice, the drywall must frequently be staged in several locations. Each movement of the drywall requires heavy lifting and time.
Previous solutions to this problem have taken a variety of approaches. For example, Dunchock, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,326,726 issued Apr. 27, 1982 discloses a storage rack adapted for storing an automobile top. The Dunchock storage rack features a frame with four wheels on the corners, and beams connecting the side members, both longitudinally and along the sides. However, this rack is bulky, and would require frequent disassembly at a construction site. Furthermore, Dunchock does not appear to disclose a rack that is sufficiently sturdy to hold drywall. Additionally, the rack of Dunchock is configured to be only a certain width—moving objects wider than the rack would result in part of the object being moved being unsupported.
Rowley et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,014,435 issued Mar. 29, 1977 disclose a collapsible rack for shipping and/or storing glass sheets. The Rowley rack requires two support portions, connected by struts. Thus, the Rowley rack is also bulky and would require frequent disassembly at a construction site. Additionally, the rack of Rowley is configured to be only a certain width—moving objects wider than the rack would result in part of the object being unsupported.
Anderson discloses a collapsible hand truck in U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,434 issued May 15, 1984. However, the hand truck in Anderson would be unwieldy at a construction site, as it would be quite difficult to move several sheets of drywall, weighing several hundred pounds, with a hand truck. Furthermore, a hand truck is ill adapted to stage construction materials.
Teachout discloses a foldable dolly in U.S. Pat. No. 4,537,421 issued Aug. 27, 1985. Teachout has many of the same problems as Anderson. The wheels disclosed in Teachout make the hand dolly ill adapted to stage drywall, and using a dolly to move drywall at a construction site is ill advised. Additionally, the dolly of Teachout is configured to be only a certain width—moving objects wider than the dolly would result in part of the object being moved being unsupported.
Hoss, U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,280 issued Oct. 13, 1987, teaches a shipping rack that is convertible to first and second lengths. While Hoss overcomes the problem of limiting the width of the object, the rack is still limited to the maximum width allowable, and provides for two vertical spans which are connected by struts to each other.
Blake discloses a dolly apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 4,360,211 issued Nov. 23, 1982. Blake has many of the same problems as Anderson. The wheels disclosed in Blake make the hand dolly ill adapted to stage drywall, and using a dolly to move drywall at a construction site is ill advised.
Additionally, the dolly of Blake is configured to be only a certain width—moving objects wider than the dolly would result in part of the object being moved being unsupported.
Hershberger discloses a folding table caddie in U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,117 issued Aug. 6, 1991. Hershberger also provides for two support portions, attached to base portions, attached to casters. Casters are ill-adapted to hold drywall, and the requirement that the support portions be linked to each other increases the bulkiness of the storage means.
Crowell et al. disclose a sheeting support in U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,329 issued Feb. 4, 1982. While the sheeting support of Crowell is adapted to drywall, Crowell requires the use of a connecting arrangement. Although the connecting arrangement allows for the support portions to be releasably connected, each support portion is attached to a substantial base portion that features a retaining strip to resist sliding.
Mason et al. disclose a sheet material handling frame in U.S. Pat. No. 5,148,924 issued Sep. 22, 1992. Mason shares some of the shortcomings of Crowell, in that Mason requires that the support portions be connected. Mason further requires the use of a restraining strap, and the use of cross-bars to space the stanchions. Therefore, the support portions of Mason are spaced apart a fixed distance, and illsuited to support sheets shorter than that distance.
King discloses a space efficient versatile storage frame system in U.S. Pat. No. 5,584,399 issued Dec. 17, 1996. King requires the use of support portions that are connected to each other by cross-members. While King allows for multiple configurations to store items without a large storage device, the adjustments are accomplished with fixed attachments, and is not likely able to support heavy drywall.
Marenger discloses a dolly modifying apparatus in U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,887 issued Oct. 19, 1993. Marenger discloses an apparatus with a selectively detachable frame with a triangular portion, as well as two support portions that are connected with a cross-bar and uses a strap.
It would be desirable therefore, to provide an apparatus that is sturdy enough to support drywall, provides the flexibility to support objects of multiple lengths, and is easily moved.


A semiconductor device for radio frequencies of more than 10 GHz having a semiconductor chip is disclosed. In one embodiment, the semiconductor chip, on its active top side, having a radio-frequency region and a low-frequency region and/or a region which is supplied with DC voltage. In one embodiment, the low-frequency region and/or the region which is supplied with DC voltage of the semiconductor chip is directly embedded in a plastic housing composition, the plastic housing composition is arranged such that it is spaced apart from the radio-frequency region on the active top side of the semiconductor chip.

The invention relates to a semiconductor device for radio frequencies of more than 10 GHz and to a method for producing the device.
In one embodiment, the semiconductor device has a semiconductor chip which, on its active top side, has a radio-frequency region and a low-frequency region and/or a region which is supplied with DC voltage. In this case, the low-frequency region and/or the region which is supplied with DC voltage of the semiconductor chip may be embedded without problems in a plastic housing composition having a relative permittivity of 3 to 5. In the case of electronic components to which radio frequencies are applied, such materials of a plastic housing composition in the direct surroundings of the conductor tracks influence the electrical properties of the radio-frequency device and considerably restrict the processability and integrity of radio-frequency signals.
In this case, the dielectric constant ε, where ε=εr·ε0, ε0 being the absolute permittivity in free space and εr being the relative permittivity, influences the signal propagation speed which is proportional to ε−1/2. Therefore, low values of the relative permittivity εr are strived for for radio-frequency semiconductor components in order to achieve fast propagation speeds and thus short delay times. In addition, the dielectric constant influences the impedances of the conductor tracks since the impedances increase approximately in proportion to ε. Another physical factor which is dependent on the surrounding material is the loss factor tanδ. The loss factor tanδ determines the dispersion or distortion of a signal. A high loss factor causes the signal to disperse, with the result that a square-wave pulse does not retain its shape. Therefore, there is also the need for a low loss factor for radio-frequency devices in this case since, for example, the square-wave pulses then retain their shape in virtually undistorted fashion during the propagation time over a prescribed distance.
The current plastic housing compositions including filled plastics such as duroplasts or thermoplasts have a typical value of the dielectric constant or the relative permittivity εr of approximately 3 to 5 and a loss factor tanδ of approximately 0.01. In this case, these values depend both on the temperature and on the frequency, the above values relating to radio frequencies of approximately 1 GHz and the interaction with the surrounding material and the effect on the electrical properties becoming ever more critical as the frequency increases. On the other hand, it is not possible to dispense with a plastic material for protecting the surface of the radio-frequency semiconductor chips and the integrated circuits on these semiconductor chips in order to ensure the reliability and lifetime of such semiconductor devices. The abovementioned material properties as regards the dielectric constant εr and the loss factor tanδ limit the applicability of conventional housing technologies to certain radio-frequency applications, the radio-frequency properties of the semiconductor components being greatly restricted and deteriorating as of a certain cut-off frequency.
These cut-off frequencies have hitherto been a few GHz, with the result that there is a need to push out these cut-off frequencies further into the range of several 10 GHz to a few 100 GHz. In order to push out these limits, use is preferably made of cavity housings in which the internal electrical connecting elements such as wire connections are now no longer encapsulated by plastic with the disadvantage that such exposed wire connections greatly reduce the reliability of the semiconductor components. Other solution approaches operate using flip-chip contacts in order to avoid the wires drifting and to shorten the length of the connecting elements. However, even these run into cut-off frequencies, depending on the size of the flip-chip contacts, if the signals are radio-frequency signals of more than 10 GHz.
The document U.S. Pat. No. 6,446,316 B1 discloses the encapsulation of SAW components, "surface acoustic wave" filters. In this case, during encapsulation, a cap is placed onto the semiconductor substrate in order to protect the radio-frequency components from contact with the plastic housing composition. The cap has the form of a cover and has cutouts in which the radio-frequency components of the SAW filter are arranged. In order to produce such a cover which has been patterned with cutouts, a layer which can be patterned by means of photolithography is applied to the cover and is then patterned by means of exposure and development and applied to the substrate including semiconductor material. A cover which has been patterned with cutouts in this manner requires a manufacturing method which is associated with high costs especially since the alignment of the cover on the substrate also gives rise to problems.
For these and other reasons, there is a need for the present invention.

Semiconductor device for radio frequencies of more than 10 GHz and method for producing the device


One aspect of the present invention is an apparatus and method for improved cursor control in a device which can operate both on a work surface and in air. Cursor resolution is reduced as the user engages with the device for clicking, leading to more precise movement closer to the target, as well as reduced parasitic and other unintentional motion of the cursor during clicking. Moreover, one aspect of the present invention is an apparatus and method for improved battery life in an in-air pointing device. In another aspect, the present invention is a method a system for improved user interface interaction, for UI controls such as sliders, pop-up boxes, menus, lists and button groups.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to input devices, and more particularly, to improving handling and battery life of a mouse which can also be used in-air.
2. Description of the Related Art
The personal computer (PC) is increasingly becoming a media center, which users use to store and play music, videos, pictures, etc. As a result, the PC is also increasingly seen in the living room. Users are often in more relaxed positions (e.g., lounging on a couch) when in the living room, or more generally, when interacting with media (such as when watching a video), than when using the PC for more traditional interactions. Apart from being in a more relaxed position, the user is often not close enough to a desk to rest a mouse on it.
Use of pointing devices such as mice or trackballs with a PC has become ubiquitous. At least for the reasons discussed above, such input devices which can only function when placed on a work surface (e.g., a desk or a mouse pad) are not optimal for use in such environments. Some attempts have been made at creating input devices which work freely in the air, and also work as more traditional input devices when placed on a surface. The most intuitive interface is to map the system orientation changes (e.g., yaw and pitch) into x and y cursor displacements. FIG. 1, from Logitech U.S. Pat. No. 6,069,594, illustrates yaw, pitch and roll. Some available "in-air" devices measure the changes in these orientations (yaw, pitch, and/or roll) when the user moves the device, and use these to change the position of a cursor appearing on a computer screen or media player screen. For example, the cursor on the screen moves by an amount that is a function of the yaw and pitch change. In its simplest form, the cursor position change is proportional to the orientation angle change, for example 20 pixels cursor movement results from a 1° angle change or increment. In some available devices, yaw controls the x-coordinate and pitch controls the y-coordinate. More elaborate methods, not described here, apply some non linear function on the estimated yaw, pitch, and/or roll.
Several patents and publications describe detection of movement in 3D and/or detection of movement in air, and using this detected movement to control cursor movement on an associated display. U.S. Pat. No. 5,543,758 describes a remote control that operates by detecting movement of the remote control in space including detecting circular motions and the like. U.S. Pat. No. 6,104,380 describes a control device for controlling the position of a pointer on a display based on motion detected by a movement sensor. U.S. Pat. No. 5,554,980 describes a mouse that detects 3D movement for controlling a cursor on a display. U.S. Pat. No. 5,363,120 claims a system and a method for a computer input device configured to sense angular orientation about a vertical axis. The detected orientation is used to control a cursor position on a screen. U.S. Pat. No. 4,578,674 shows a wireless (ultrasonic) pointer that can also be operated in 3 dimensions. Also, U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,019 shows a wireless handheld pointer to control a cursor by changing angular position using multiple radiation beams. IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin Vol. 34, No. 11 describes a Gyroscopic Mouse Device that includes a gyroscope that is configured to detect any movement of a mouse to control a cursor on a display. U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,421 describes a gyroscopic mouse method that includes sensing an inertial response associated with mouse movement in 3D-space. U.S. Pat. No. 5,440,326 describes a gyroscopic mouse configured to detect mouse movement in 3D-space, such as pitch and yaw. U.S. Pat. No. 5,825,350 describes a gyroscopic mouse configured to detect mouse movement in 3D-space. U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,261 describes a mouse configured to move in 3D space. U.S. Pat. No. 5,963,145, U.S. Pat. No. 6,147,677, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,721,831 also discuss remote control orientation. U.S. Pat. No. 6,069,594 shows a mouse that moves in 3 dimensions with 3 ultrasonic, triangulating sensors around the display. U.S. Published Application 20050078087 is directed to a device which acts as a mouse for a PC when on a surface, detects when it is lifted, then acts as a remote control for appliances. U.S. Published Application 20022040095317 also discloses a remote control that can be used to control a television and a computer system.
However, known pointing devices that work "in-air" present several challenges. For instance, clicking at a specific desired location (e.g., on an icon on a display associated with the computer) is difficult when maneuvering the pointing device in air. Further, since such devices work both when resting on a surface (e.g., like a conventional mouse) as well as in air there needs to be some way to figure out whether the device is operating on a surface or in air. Moreover, a device which operates in air may be subject to significant ongoing battery consumption in certain scenarios, such as if the user were to continually hold the device in his hand while watching a movie. Furthermore, easy and intuitive user interfaces are not available in in-air input devices for computers, such as for controlling volume and so on. Each of these is discussed in some detail below.
A fundamental requirement of a pointing device is the point-and-click mechanism—for example, clicking on an icon on a display associated with the computer. The cursor is moved until it reaches the icon and then the user clicks upon it to trigger some action. Other functionality typically associated with such pointing devices includes drag-and-drop. Here an object is selected by clicking a button on the pointing device while the cursor is positioned on the object, moved while the button is maintained pushed, and then dropped by releasing the button when the destination has been reached. Clicking at a precise location with an in-air device is problematic. To begin with, controlling the movement of the cursor accurately is difficult because holding the device in the air makes complete control of orientations difficult. Further, changes in the device orientation and/or location will, by design move the cursor, and so will the parasitic motion generated by the hand when clicking. Typically, such parasitic motion results in a missed click (the operating system suppresses click when the cursor is not steady over its target or when the cursor is no longer on the icon at button release). Moreover, there is an inherent trade-off in free-space devices—given the limited angle span of a human wrist, a large resolution is needed in order for the user to easily reach the entire screen with a single wrist movement; however having too large a resolution would result in random cursor movements attributable to normal tremor of human hands and parasitic clicking motion.
Moreover, as mentioned above, there needs to be some way for the pointing device to know whether it is working in air, or on a surface, since cursor control is generally implemented differently in these two modes.
Some existing solutions, such as the one from Thomson's Gyration Inc. (Saratoga, Calif.), require the user's to take a specific action each time when he wants the device to operate in air. For example, a specific button (trigger) may be used, the state of which can indicate whether to make the in-air tracking mechanism active. However, such solutions are cumbersome to the user, since they require continual added actions (pressing and releasing the trigger button) from the user. The user cannot just pick up the device from the table and seamlessly continue to use it.
The solutions mentioned above address the problem of clicking in a specific location by simply exiting the in-air cursor control mode when clicking any buttons. When a user wants to click in a specific location, he simply releases the trigger button mentioned above, so that the movement of the device in air no longer translates into cursor movement. He then clicks on the button, thus eliminating any parasitic motion problems. The user will then have to click on the trigger button again to enter in-air cursor control mode to continue moving the cursor in air. Such pre-existing solutions result in a cumbersome, complicated and non-intuitive interaction of the user with the user interface.
Existing devices also suffer from the reduced battery life that results from moving the device unintentionally over an extended period of time, for example by holding the device while watching a movie or listening to music. Once again, existing system address this problem by requiring a trigger button to be pressed for the device to enter the in-air mode. When the trigger button is not pressed battery power is not consumed even if the device is moved around unintentionally in air. However, such a trigger button makes the system less intuitive to use.
Easy and intuitive interactions with the user interface (UI) on the display associated with the computer are very important. In the case of pointing devices that operate only on a surface, some user interfaces exist which permit such interactions.
Some such user interfaces exist even in the case of devices operating in air. U.S. Pat. No. 6,603,420 describes using movement of a remote control to control volume or the channel. This patent describes movement of the remote control device in a first plane controlling a first controlled parameter, e.g., receiver volume, while movement of the remote control device in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane controls a second parameter, e.g., channel selection. U.S. Pat. No. 6,750,801, discloses a tilt sensor in a remote control by which, depending on the angle and orientation of the tilt, different electronic devices can be selected for control (for example, tilt left selects the TV, tilt right selects the VCR). U.S. Pat. No. 4,796,019 discusses basic gesture of moving up and down, side to side, and tilting. U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,261 discusses using the position of a remote control to control cursor position. To change channel, the cursor is put on a channel number in a two dimensional grid. To change volume, the cursor is placed on a volume bar and moved. U.S. Publication No. 2004-0090423 describes a remote control which has a pointing device (e.g., touchpad, trackball, joystick) which can detect movement up and down on the pointing device to select menu items on a screen, and side to side to select a value for an item. However, none of these patents or publications provides an air-scroller type of mechanism. Further, none of these patents or publications provides the user with feedback regarding the desired action being taken, without the user attentively looking to the screen until the desired position is reached.
US Published Application 2004-218104 describes a remote control with a user interface which permits the user to select channels and quickly navigate a dense menu of options. As mentioned above, this publication also does not discuss providing the user with feedback regarding the desired action being taken, without the user attentively looking to the screen until the desired position is reached. Given the device is also used for media application, where the user is in a lean-back posture, precise positioning using visual feedback is cumbersome. This applies to the user's interaction with sliders, list boxes, pop-up menus, button groups, etc. as well.
There is thus a need for an easy to use pointing device that can seamlessly transition from working on a surface to working in free-space. Further, there is need for an in-air pointing device which can facilitate clicking at a desired location in an easy and intuitive manner. Moreover, there is a need for a non-cumbersome in-air pointing device which conserves battery life. Furthermore, there is need for an in-air pointing device with improved user interface interaction.

Pointing device for use in air with improved cursor control and battery life


The invention relates to new alkoxyalkyl-substituted cyclic ketoenols of the formula (I)

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to new alkoxyalkyl-substituted cyclic ketoenols, to a number of processes for their preparation, and to their use as pesticides and/or herbicides and/or microbicides. Also subject matter of the invention are selectively herbicidal compositions which comprise alkoxyalkyl-substituted cyclic ketoenols on the one hand and a crop plant tolerance promoter compound on the other.
2. Description of Related Art
The present invention further relates to the boosting of the action of crop protection compositions comprising, in particular, alkoxyalkyl-substituted cyclic ketoenols, through the addition of ammonium salts or phosphonium salts and optionally penetrants, to the corresponding compositions, to processes for producing them and to their application in crop protection as insecticides and/or acaricides and/or for preventing unwanted plant growth.
For 3-acylpyrrolidine-2,4-diones pharmaceutical properties have been previously described (S. Suzuki et al. Chem. Pharm. Bull. 15 1120 (1967)). Furthermore, N-phenylpyrrolidine-2,4-diones have been synthesized by R. Schmierer and H. Mildenberger (Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1985, 1095). Biological activity of these compounds has not been described.
EP-A-0 262 399 and GB-A-2 266 888 disclose similarly structured compounds (3-arylpyrrolidine-2,4-diones) for which, however, no herbicidal, insecticidal or acaricidal action has been disclosed. Known compounds with herbicidal, insecticidal or acaricidal action are unsubstituted, bicyclic 3-arylpyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives (EP-A-355 599, EP-A-415 211 and JP-A-12-053 670) and also substituted monocyclic 3-arylpyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives (EP-A-377 893 and EP-A-442 077).
Additionally known are polycyclic 3-arylpyrrolidine-2,4-dione derivatives (EP-A-442 073) and also 1H-arylpyrrolidinedione derivatives (EP-A-456 063, EP-A-521 334, EP-A-596298, EP-A-613 884, EP-A-613 885, WO 94/01 997, WO 95/26 954, WO 95/20 572, EP-A-0 668 267, WO 96/25 395, WO 96/35 664, WO 97/01 535, WO 97/02 243, WO 97/36 868, WO 97/43275, WO 98/05638, WO 98/06721, WO 98/25928, WO 99/24437, WO 99/43649, WO 99/48869 and WO 99/55673, WO 01/17972, WO 01/23354, WO 01/74770, WO 03/013249, WO 03/062244, WO 2004/007448, WO 2004/024 688, WO 04/065366, WO 04/080962, WO 04/111042, WO 05/044791, WO 05/044796, WO 05/048710, WO 05/049596, WO 05/066125, WO 05/092897, WO 06/000355, WO 06/029799, WO 06/056281, WO 06/056282, WO 06/089633 and DE-A-05051325). Moreover, ketal-substituted 1-H-arylpyrrolidine-2,4-diones are known from WO 99/16748, and (spiro)ketal-substituted N-alkoxyalkoxy-substituted arylpyrrolidinediones are known from JP-A-14 205 984 and Ito M. et al., Bioscience, Biotechnology and Biochemistry 67, 1230-1238, (2003).

Abstract: in which    A, B, D, G, W, X and Y have the definitions indicated above,    to processes and intermediates for their preparation, and to their use as pesticides and/or microbicides and/or herbicides. The invention further provides selectively herbicidal compositions which comprise alkoxyalkyl-substituted cyclic ketoenols on the one hand and a crop plant tolerance promoter compound on the other. The invention further relates to the boosting of the action of crop protection compositions comprising compounds of the formula (I) through the additions of ammonium salts or phosphonium salts and optionally penetration promoters.


When a shutter release button is pressed, a shutter drive member (8) moves downward in conjunction with the pressing action of the shutter release button. As a result, a lever (28) pivots clockwise, and a lever (26) whose lever piece (30) is connected at the front end to the lever (28) by a torsion spring (50) pivots counterclockwise. By means of a lever piece (34), an elongated hole (36), and a pin (24A), the light-shielding plate (12) moves to the lowermost position where pins (22, 23) come into contact with the lowermost ends of elongated holes (18, 20). As a result, the opening (14) of the base plate (10) and the finder eyepiece window (16) are closed by the light-shielding plate (12), whereby the optical path of the finder optical system is interrupted. Thereafter, a metering operation for automatic exposure purposes is performed.

The present invention relates to a device for automatically opening/closing an optical path of a finder optical system of a camera.
Many cameras are provided with TTL-photometry type automatic exposure mechanism in which a photometry light-receiving element is provided within the main body of the camera. The quantity of the light entered through an objective lens is metered by the photometry light-receiving element, and a diaphragm is automatically adjusted.
In the case of a camera, such as a single-lens reflex camera, in which there is a partial overlap between the optical path of a finder optical system and the optical path of an image pick-up optical system, if a shutter release button is pressed while the photographer's eye is remote from a finder eyepiece window, e.g. the shutter release button is remotely operated while the camera is fixed on a tripod, the light entered from the finder eyepiece window affects the light-receiving element, obstructing the metering of the quantity of light. As a result, the diaphragm is erroneously adjusted.
In the case of another type of camera which uses a pellicle mirror as the major mirror and does not cause the mirror to swing up, if the shutter release button is pressed while the photographer's eye is remote from the finder eyepiece window, a fog occurs (which is caused by the light inversely entered from the finder eyepiece window while a film is exposed to the light of an object with the shutter being released), resulting in overexposure in some cases.
To prevent these problems, an eyepiece shutter is provided for the finder eyepiece window to prevent light from entering into the camera through the finder eyepiece window.
To close the finder eyepiece window through use of the conventional eyepiece shutter, various manual operations are required. It is necessary to press the shutter release button as well as to manually close the eyepiece shutter, rendering the operation of the camera very inconvenient.


A composition for blood serum or plasma separation which has improved compatibility between a cyclopentadiene oligomer and a phthalic ester and generates no oily ingredient suspending in the blood serum or plasma after centrifugal separation regardless of the conditions for the centrifugal separation; and a vessel for blood examination which contains the composition. The composition for blood serum or plasma separation comprises: a polycyclic hydrocarbon compound having an unsaturated and/or saturated cyclic structure in the molecule and having a solidifying point or pour point of 0° C. or lower; a cyclopentadiene oligomer; and a phthalic ester.

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. Sho 51-83654 discloses a blood testing container wherein a thixotropic serum or plasma separator composition, such as a mixture of silicone and silica, has been accommodated at the bottom of a blood collection tube. Blood is collected in the blood collection tube, left to stand for an appropriate period of time and centrifuged. Then, the gel-like serum or plasma separator composition is rendered flowable by the action of a centrifugal force. Also, the gel-like serum or plasma separator composition has a specific gravity (1.03–1.07) intermediate between a serum or plasma component (specific gravity of about 1.02) and a blood clot or cell component (specific gravity of about 1.08). Accordingly, the separator composition gradually rises in the collected blood from the bottom of the tube and positions between the serum or plasma layer and the blood clot or cell layer to define a partition which successfully separates the serum or plasma component from the blood clot or cell component. The serum or plasma component now separated from the blood or cell component can be removed easily from the blood collection tube for submission to various testings. It can also be stored without transferring to another container.
Such a thixotropic serum or plasma separator composition may comprise main components other than those described above. For example, separator compositions have been proposed which, besides the aforementioned silicone, also contains an oligomer and an agent for adjustment of specific gravity, viscosity and/or thixotropic properties. Examples of oligomers include halogenated hydrocarbon oligomers (Japanese Patent Laying-Open Nos. Sho 55-43462 and Hei 09-124743), acrylate ester oligomers (Japanese Patent Laying-Open Nos. Sho 53-42283 and Hei 4-337458), ester oligomers (Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. Sho 58-137757 and Japanese Patent Kohyo No. Hei 9-501192), α olefin-maleate ester oligomers (Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. Sho 58-35463) and cyclic hydrocarbon oligomers (Japanese Patent Laying-Open Nos. Hei 02-95257 and Hei 09-15238). Examples of adjustment agents include inorganic particles such as of silica and kaolin and organic gelation agents such as benzylidene sorbitol.
However, the preceding silicone resins show markedly poor compatibility with the specific gravity and viscosity adjusting agents comprised of the inorganic particles and are highly susceptible to phase separation within a short period of time. Also, the silicone resins undergo a curing reaction when they are subjected to radiation (γ-ray, electron beam or the like) sterilization. Accordingly, the silicone reins are currently little used.
The halogenated hydrocarbon oligomers, when incinerated for disposal, produce halogenated hydrogen gas which possibly gives damage to incinerators or exerts a bad influence upon the environment.
The preceding acrylate ester oligomers, ester oligomers and α olefin-maleate ester oligomers each contains many polar groups in a molecule, which problematically increase the occurrence of drug adsorption when a drug concentration in blood is monitored.
The separator composition containing a phthalate ester and a cyclopentadiene resin as the cyclic hydrocarbon oligomer, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. Hei 09-15238, is excellent in two respects; drug adsorption is maintained at a low degree of occurrence and generation of toxic incineration gas is avoided. However, the composition contains components which are poorly compatible with each other. On rare occasions, a separated oily component is observed to float in blood serum or plasma after centrifugation.

Composition for blood serum or plasma separation and vessel for blood examination containing the same


An inward deformation of one side wall of a main body is corrected, since a shaft serving as a rotatable shaft of a door is in contact with ribs of a side wall. Additionally, an inward deformation of another side wall of the main body is corrected, since ribs of a side wall of door are in contact with side wall.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a case made of resin and a time recorder having the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
There has been known an electrical apparatus with a case formed into a bucket shape by injection molding and made of resin. As an example of a time recorder, a case thereof accommodates a print head, a consumable supply such as an ink ribbon, and a transporting mechanism for transporting a time card. When the consumable supply is replaced or the time card is jammed, it is necessary to open the case. For this reason, the case having such a broad opening is employed.
In such a case made of resin, an inward deformation arise as closer to the periphery of the opening from the back thereof, therefore, there is a need for a structure for correcting the inward deformation.
For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-46073 (hereinafter referred to as Document 1) discloses a case in which the inward deformation is corrected. Specifically, a cover having a projecting guide is employed in the above case, and the guide is brought into engagement with the opening, so that the opening is spread outward by the guide, whereby the inward deformation is corrected.
Additionally, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-309379 (hereinafter referred to as Document 2) discloses a case restraining deformation thereof. Specifically, a reinforcing rib is provided in the case so as to cross other two ribs which integrally formed in the case made of resin and which extend toward the back of an opening, thereby restraining the deformation of the case.
However, there is a problem that the case disclosed in Document 1 is not adapted to a case having a door in the opening. In other words, in order to bring the guide into contact with opposing side walls of the case, even if a rotatable shaft is provided near one of the side walls, and a cover, serving as a door which opens and closes in such a direction in alignment with the side walls, is attached to the case, this is impossible due to the interference of the guide with the side wall. Consequently, the case disclosed in Document 1 is unsuitable for a case of the time recorder requiring the door at the opening.
Additionally, there is a problem that the case disclosed in Document 2 increases the number of parts and man-hours because the reinforcing rib is attached to the case.


An impact absorbing device includes a plate and a panel having a panel thickness. An intermediate portion has a portion thickness and extends between the plate and the panel. The intermediate portion defines a chamber between the plate and the panel. A port is in communication with the chamber. The portion thickness is less than the panel thickness. The impact absorbing device is movable to a deployed position to contact an occupant during a collision. Since the portion thickness is less than the panel thickness, the intermediate portion expands more quickly, providing an impact surface for the occupant.

An interior of a vehicle, such as automobile, typically includes energy absorbers for absorbing energy from an occupant of the vehicle during an impact of the vehicle. For example, the vehicle may include an instrument panel positioned in a front of the interior of the vehicle, and an energy absorber supported by the instrument panel. Specifically, the instrument panel may include a rigid frame and a knee bolster positioned between the knees of the occupant and the rigid frame. The knee bolster may be configured to absorb energy and soften impact between the knees of the occupant and the rigid frame of the instrument panel.
Energy absorbers may be passive, e.g., not activated before impact, or may be active, e.g., deployed when impact is sensed. Active energy absorbers are desired for some applications in the interior of the vehicle. However, space within the interior of the vehicle is limited and, as such, it is desirable to design the instrument panel to be as small as possible. There remains an opportunity to design an active energy absorber with a reduced footprint before deployment.