An apparatus and method of improving impedance matching between a RF signal and a multi-segmented electrode in a plasma reactor powered by the RF signal. The apparatus and method phase shifts the RF signal driving one or more electrode segment of the multi-segmented electrode, amplifies the RF signal, and matches an impedance of the RF signal with an impedance of the electrode segment, where the RF signal is modulated prior to matching of the impedance of the RF signal. The apparatus and method directionally couples an output of the matching of the impedance of the RF signal and the electrode segment, and adjusts the output of the matching of the impedance of the RF signal such that a directionally coupled output signal and a reference signal representing the RF signal at the output of the master RF oscillator produces a demodulated signal of minimal amplitude.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method of improving impedance matching between an RF signal and a multi-segmented electrode in a plasma reactor powered by the RF signal.
2. Discussion of the Background
Manufacturers of semiconductor integrated circuits (IC) are faced with severe competitive pressure to improve their products. This pressure in turn is driving the manufacturers of the equipment used by IC manufacturers to improve the performance of their equipment. One particular type of tool that is widely used, and that is therefore particularly susceptible to these competitive pressures, is the plasma reactor. These reactors can be used to remove material, or, with modifications, the reactors can be used to deposit material. The mechanisms for either deposition or removal are complex, but in either case, it is essential to control the physical processes at the surface of the wafer. Control of these processes is the focus of significant technological development.
One of the key factors that determine the yield and overall quality of an IC is the uniformity of processes, such as etching, at the surface of the wafer. In plasma reactors, uniformity is governed by the design of the overall system, and in particular by the design of the RF feed electronics and the associated control circuitry.

Apparatus and method of improving impedance matching between an RF signal and a multi- segmented electrode


Malonic acid and alkylmalonic acids are prepared by a process of acid-catalyzed saponification of malonic acid esters, which comprises:. contacting an aqueous mixture of the ester II with an acid ion exchanger containing sulfonic acid groups at from 30.degree.-100.degree. C. and from 40-1000 mbar according to the following scheme: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 =H, CH.sub.3, PA1 R.sup.2 =H, CH.sub.3 or PA1 R.sup.1 +R.sup.2 =--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --and PA1 R.sup.3 =CH.sub.3, C.sub.2 H.sub.5, C.sub.3 H.sub.7, C(CH.sub.3).sub.3 ; PA1 separating the water, with the aid of organic solvents, from the malonic acid or alkylmalonic acid product; and then PA1 isolating the product by crystallization.. distilling off the alcohol R.sup.3 OH which is formed;

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for preparing malonic acid and alkylmalonic acids of formula I ##STR2## where R.sup.1 =H, CH.sub.3,
R.sup.2 =H, CH.sub.3 or PA1 R.sup.1 +R.sup.2 =--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --,
by acid catalyzed saponification of the corresponding methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl or tert-butyl esters.
2. Description of the Background
Malonic and alkylmalonic acids are important intermediates in the synthesis of agrochemicals and pharmaceutically active ingredients. They are used, for example, for the preparation of Meldrum's acids, barbiturates, fragrances and vitamins.
The preparation of malonic acid and alkylmalonic acids is described, in general terms, in Kirk-Othmer, Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology, 3rd Edition (1981), Vol. 14, 794-810. Acid or alkaline saponification of esters, nitrites or amides of carboxylic acids can be used. One problem often encountered in the process is that the products are obtained as mixtures with alkali metal salts, e.g. sodium chloride.
Complicating factors in the preparation of malonic acid and alkylmalonic acids are their excellent solubility in water and their ready decarboxylation, which, in the case of malonic acid, begins at temperatures as low as 70.degree. C.
The best-known preparation of malonic acid and also methylmalonic acid starts from chloroacetic acid and .alpha.-chloropropionic acid, respectively, which are reacted with sodium cyanide to give the corresponding nitriles, which nitriles are then saponified with sodium hydroxide solution, NH.sub.3 being eliminated. According to Organic Syntheses, Vol. II (1943), 376, this procedure is followed by laborious isolation via the Ca salts.
If, after the alkaline saponification of a malonic ester, the malonic acid is present as the alkali metal salt, dissolved in water, the alkali metal cations can be removed, as described in DE 41 20 704, via acid ion exchangers, followed by isolation of the free acid. Since alkaline saponifications always require the use of at least stoichiometric amounts of alkali, which are neutralized again with strong acids in the course of malonic acid work-up, this process produces at least stoichiometric amounts of salt, which often have to be disposed of at considerable expense. This is a major drawback of this method of alkaline saponification.
In acidic saponification of derivatives of malonic acid, inorganic acids are added in catalytic amounts. For example, the saponification of diethyl malonate with sulfuric acid can proceed at 70.degree. C. to give malonic acid, the malonic acid being obtainable from concentrated aqueous solution by crystallization. The drawbacks of the process of acidic saponification are unsatisfactory yields, because of the decomposition of the malonic acids in a strongly acidic environment, and corrosion problems in scaling up of the process.
According to Org. Syntheses, Vol. 60 (1981), 66, cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylic acid can be prepared in a yield of about 70% from diethyl malonate, 1,2-dibromoethane, sodium hydroxide solution and stoichiometric amounts of a phase transfer catalyst by simultaneous saponification of the diethyl cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylate formed as an intermediate. In addition to the large quantity of phase transfer catalyst, 2.5 times the amount based on the cyclopropane-1,1-dicarboxylic acid obtained, considerable quantities of sodium chloride are also produced which, dissolved in water, require disposal.
Dimethylmalonic acid has likewise been known for a long time and can be prepared by alkaline saponification of the corresponding diethyl ester. Saponification of the dimethyl ester with potassium hydroxide solution to give the acid is mentioned by W. Schauzer, K. Clusius, Z. Physik. Chemie A 190 (1941), 243, without the yield and purity being stated. According to other processes, the acid is obtained by oxidation, employing KMnO.sub.4 or HNO.sub.3, of methyl precursors. A need, therefore, continues to exist for a method of hydrolyzing malonic ester to prepare malonic acid or malonic acid compounds in good yields with less contamination with salts.

Process for preparing malonic acid and alkylmalonic acids


A clot and foreign body removal device is described which comprises a catheter with at least one lumen. Located within the catheter is a clot capture coil that is connected to an insertion mandrel. In one embodiment, the clot capture coil is made out of a solid elastic or superelastic material which has shape memory, preferably nitinol. The elasticity or superelasticity of the coil allows it to be deformed within the catheter and to then reform its original coil configuration when the coil is moved outside of the catheter lumen. In another embodiment the coil is a biphasic coil which changes shape upon heating or passing an electric current. Once the coil configuration has been established, the coil can be used to ensnare and corkscrew a clot in a vessel. A clot is extracted from the vessel by moving the clot capture coil and catheter proximally until the clot can be removed or released into a different vessel that does not perfuse a critical organ. Foreign bodies are similarly captured by deploying the coil distal to the foreign body and moving the clot capture coil proximally until the foreign body is trapped within the coil. By removing the device from the body, the foreign material is also removed.

Thromboembolic disorders, such as stroke, pulmonary embolism, peripheral thrombosis, atherosclerosis, and the like, affect many people. These disorders are a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States.
Thromboembolic events are characterized by an occlusion of a blood vessel. The occlusion is caused by a clot which is viscoelastic (jelly like) and is comprised of platelets, fibrinogen and other clotting proteins.
When an artery is occluded by a clot, tissue ischemia (lack of oxygen and nutrients) develops. The ischemia will progress to tissue infarction (cell death) if the occlusion persists. Infarction does not develop or is greatly limited if the flow of blood is reestablished rapidly. Failure to reestablish blood-flow can lead to the loss of limb, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, stroke or even death.
Occlusion of the venous circulation by thrombi leads to blood stasis which can cause numerous problems. The majority of pulmonary embolisms are caused by emboli that originate in the peripheral venous system. Reestablishing blood flow and removal of the thrombus is highly desirable.
There are many existing techniques employed to reestablish blood flow in an occluded vessel. One common surgical technique, an embolectomy, involves incising a blood vessel and introducing a balloon-tipped device (such as the Fogarty catheter) to the location of the occlusion. The balloon is then inflated at a point beyond the clot and used to translate the obstructing material back to the point of incision. The obstructing material is then removed by the surgeon. While such surgical techniques have been useful, exposing a patient to surgery may be traumatic and best avoided when possible. Additionally, the use of a Fogarty catheter is problematic because of the great risk of damaging the interior lining of the vessel as the catheter is being withdrawn.
Percutaneous methods are also utilized for reestablishing blood flow. A common percutaneous technique is referred to as balloon angioplasty where a balloon-tipped catheter is introduced to a blood vessel, typically through an introducing catheter. The balloon-tipped catheter is then advanced to the point of the occlusion and inflated in order to dilate the stenosis. Balloon angioplasty is appropriate for treating vessel stenosis but is not effective for treating acute thromboembolisms.
Another percutaneous technique is to place a microcatheter near the clot and infuse streptokinase, urokinase or other thrombolytic agents to dissolve the clot. Unfortunately, thrombolysis typically takes hours to days to be successful. Additionally, thrombolytic agents can cause severe hemorrhage and in many patients the agents cannot be used at all.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,706,671 and 5,011,488 both describe the use of a coiled section for the removal of thromboembolic material. However, neither patent describes a device that is marketed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,706,671 teaches the use of a hollow flexible elastomeric material to form the shape of the coiled section. The coiled section is hollow to allow for the insertion of a liquid into the hollow center such that the coils become stiff. U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,488 teaches the use of a coiled section that is fixed on both the proximal and distal ends such that the operator of the device can change the shape and size of the coils. However, this device may be impossible to manufacture and is impossible to use in small vessels.
Another problematic area is the removal of foreign bodies. Foreign bodies introduced into the circulation can be fragments of catheters, pace-maker electrodes, guide wires, and erroneously placed embolic material such as thrombogenic coils. The only available retrieval devices for the removal of foreign bodies are devices which form a loop that can ensnare the foreign material by decreasing the size of the diameter of the loop around the foreign body. The use of such removal devices is difficult and sometimes unsuccessful.
Thus, there exists a need for the development of a device that can be easily deployed into the circulatory system for the removal of viscoelastic clots and foreign bodies. There is also a need for a device which could be used as a temporary arterial or venous filter to capture and remove thromboemboli formed during endovascular procedures.

The Regents of the University of California


The invention relates to an electronic image pickup system that enables a wide image-pickup, and ensures that even when an image is printed, sufficient image quality and clearness are obtained from the center to as far as the margin of the image and the image of a subject is depicted with a sense of extension. The electronic image pickup system comprises an image-formation optical system 10 for forming an image of a subject and an electronic image pickup device 20 located on an image side of the image-formation optical system for obtaining image information on the image. The angle between the farthest-off-axis chief ray incident on the farthest off-axis site on an image pickup plane of the electronic image pickup device and an axial chief ray incident on the center of the image pickup plane satisfies condition (1) for determining the angle of view suitable to obtain the sense to extension demanded for landscape photography and sharpness all over the image and condition (2) for allowing a light bundle incident on the image pickup device to be substantially vertically incident on the image pickup plane. The image pickup device 20 satisfies condition (3) for determining the effective number of pixels on the image pickup device or the maximum number of recording pixels by signal processing.

The present invention relates to an image pickup system using an electronic image pickup device for obtaining electronic images.
There are available digital cameras or other like image pickup systems wherein an image obtained through an image-formation optical system is converted by an electronic image pickup device such as a CCD into image information, and the image is reproduced for observation on a monitor or printer on the basis of that image information. Currently available digital cameras are of various types from the inexpensive low-end type to the high-end type equipped with sophisticated functions.
Of these, the low-end types are designed to be compatible with a human's general range of field of view, and have a zoom type image-formation optical system capable of covering as far as a medium or telephoto range.
In models corresponding to the high-end types, on the other hand, making use of interchangeable lenses designed for silver-salt cameras is now in vogue, with CCDs located at image positions.
A high-end digital camera of the type with a zoom lens of high magnification incorporated as an image-formation optical system is also available with an image pickup range where a human's general range of field of view is defined as the wide-angle end.
With a digital camera of the low-end type or the type using a zoom lens of high magnification, however, any ample field of view is not obtained even at the wide-angle end in the photographable angle of view. Thus, such a digital camera is not suitable for photographing extensive, profound subjects such as landscapes.
If a wide-conversion lens to obtain a focal length shorter than that at the wide-angle end is mounted on a taking lens, it may be possible to photograph a wide-angle range. However, this leads to severe degradation of the image-formation capability of an optical system. When a low-end digital camera is used to photograph a wide range of landscapes or the like having high spatial frequencies, it is impossible to provide any satisfactory reproduction of such spatial frequencies because a CCD mounted on the digital camera is insufficient in respect of the number of pixels. In addition, when the image is enlarged and printed to general appreciation size, the resulting image quality is unsuitable for appreciation purposes.
With a high-end digital camera capable of interchanging lenses, a wide extent of subjects may be prima facie photographed when a so-called wide-angle lens or ultra-wide-angle lens is selected from interchangeable lenses. However, these lenses are designed on the premise that they are used with silver-salt films; the angle of incidence of light on the periphery of a CCD is large, ending up with degradation of images.
Thus, when existing digital cameras are used to photograph subjects of high spatial frequencies such as landscapes, it is difficult to obtain clear-cut images all over the range to be photographed. In addition, not only is definition less than satisfactory but also no sufficient image quality is obtained on the periphery of the image-pickup plane. Especially when the image is enlarged and printed to appreciation size, the unclearness of the image becomes noticeable; the quality of the image does not reach that of a silver-salt photograph at all.
JP-A 05-347730 discloses a method for subjecting an image to so-called edge enhancement processing, thereby giving apparent sharpness to the image. Most of image pickup systems now on the consumer-oriented market, too, make use of such edge enhancement processing and so appear to succeed in achieving sharp images. As far as electrical processing is concerning, edge enhancement may be applied to an image with no substantial restrictions. However, an image subjected to unreasonable enhancement processing undergoes too much degradation upon some considerable enlargement. Accordingly, the level of edge enhancement should preferably be reduced as much as possible so as to achieve high-definition images. In this regard, too, the image quality achieved with existing consumer-oriented image pickup systems is still quite inferior to that of silver-salt photographs at all.


A method for initializing a generator may include sending a field reference voltage to an exciter that may provide a direct current (DC) current and a DC voltage to a rotor of a generator based on a current set point that corresponds to the field reference voltage. The method may then include receiving a voltage feedback signal output by the generator, determining one or more locations of one or more poles of the generator based on the voltage feedback signal, and sending one or more firing signals to one or more switches of a starter after determining the locations of the poles, such that the switches couple the voltage to a stator of the generator.

The subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to initializing a generator. In particular, the subject matter disclosed herein relates to reducing an amount of time for a starter component to accelerate a generator and a turbine up to a speed that the turbine can drive the generator.
When a generator is not in use, a shaft of the generator may be rotated by a turning gear motor at a relatively slow speed (e.g., 6 rpm). After the generator receives a command to initialize and output power, the starter component may take several minutes to accelerate the generator and the turbine up to a speed at which the generator may output power to an electric grid. In certain systems, generators may be requested to provide power during peak usage times. As the demand for power increases during peak usage times, the demand to place generators online more quickly increases. Accordingly, systems and methods that decrease an amount of time used initialize generators are desirable.

Systems and methods for initializing a generator


A memory rewriting system for a vehicle controller is provided. The system comprises a vehicle controller and an external rewriting device. A vehicle controller comprises a rewritable memory storing first security data. The first security data is used to determine whether rewriting to the rewritable memory is permitted. The rewriting device transfers new security data to the vehicle controller. The vehicle controller deletes the first security data and writes the new security data into the rewritable memory. Rewriting the new security data is performed by a program stored in a non-rewritable memory. Thus, the security data that is used to determine whether rewriting to the rewitable memory is permitted is rewritten with the new security data. Therefore, if the existing security data stored in the vehicle controller is invalidated, the security feature of the vehicle can be recovered. The vehicle may includes an anti-theft system. In this case, rewriting to the rewritable memory is permitted if the anti-theft system permits an operation as to the vehicle.

Vehicles are subjected to various types of control by an electronic control unit (hereafter referred to as "ECU") Such control includes engine-related control for an air fuel ratio, fuel injection amount, and emission as well as body-related control for a power window, an air bag, and an ABS. The ECU provides various types of control for the vehicle based on current conditions and traveling status of the vehicle sensed by various sensors mounted on the vehicle.
On the other hand, the vehicle may include an anti-theft system. In general, the anti-theft system electronically checks if an ignition key used by a driver to start the engine is authentic. If it is determined that the key is authentic, the anti-theft system transfers a signal for permitting vehicle operation to the ECU. On the other hand, if it is determined that the ignition key is not authentic, the driver is judged to be not an authorized person and cannot operate the vehicle. Thus, until the permission signal is received, the ECU does not allow the engine to start by, for example, stopping fuel injection.
The ECU comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores programs and data to be executed, a RAM (Random Access Memory) which provides a work area for execution and which stores results of computation, and an I/O interface for receiving signals from various sensors and transmitting control signals to various parts of the engine.
The ROM often includes a rewritable memory such as a flash memory, an EEPROM, or an EPROM to allow a program or data therein to be rewritten. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-223901 describes a method for changing a program stored in the EEPROM of the ECU in response to a request from an external device with the ECU being mounted on the vehicle.
Such a function of changing a program or data stored in a ROM of the ECU makes it necessary to protect them from access from an external device, thus preventing a user or other third parties from rewriting a program or data stored in the ROM without proper authorization. Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 3-238541 describes a vehicle controller for determining that a program or data in a ROM of the ECU is tampered using a check data mechanism. According to the mechanism, check data based on data stored in the ROM are stored beforehand. After shipment of the vehicle, the ECU creates new check data based on the data stored in the ROM. The ECU then compares the new check data with the previously stored check data, determines that the data have been tampered if they are unequal and turns on the alarm light.
A key for releasing the above-mentioned security feature is known only to a manufacturer of a rewriting device under contract to the automobile manufacturer. Thus, only the rewriting device authorized by the automobile manufacturer can use the "key" and change the data stored in the ROM of the ECU of that automobile.
A typical procedure for changing a program in the ROM will be described in brief. The above-mentioned key is typically expressed by a certain function, which is provided both in the rewriting device and in the ECU. The rewriting device is connected to the ECU and then uses its own function (i.e., key) to calculate a function value for an arbitrary numerical value transmitted from the ECU. The rewriting device then transfers the function value to the ECU. At the same time, the ECU uses its own function (i.e.,key) to calculate a function value for the same numerical value. The ECU compares the function value received from the rewriting device with the function value determined by itself. If they are equal, the ECU releases the security feature. Thus, the rewriting device is permitted to rewrite data stored in the ROM. If they are unequal, then the rewriting device is judged to be not authentic because the rewriting device and the ECU have different functions (keys). Consequently, the security feature is not released and the rewriting device cannot rewrite the data stored in the ROM.
The key for releasing the security feature, however, is conventionally stored in a non-rewritable area of the ROM in the ECU, so that it is impossible to use the rewriting device to change the key after the vehicle has been shipped. Thus, if the key is accidentally divulged to a user or another third party who is not authorized, a rewriting device other than the authorized one can rewrite the key in the ROM, thereby breaking the security feature.
On the other hand, if the vehicle includes an anti-theft system and if a program used to operate the anti-theft system is rewritten, then the anti-theft system would be invalidated. Accordingly, a system for rewriting a program or data stored in the ROM requires higher security than that for the anti-theft system.

Memory rewriting system for vehicle controller


An improved method for accessing memory in a computer system using standard fast paged mode memory access for a second memory access where the second memory access is pending at the completion of a first memory access. However, if at the completion of a first memory access there is no pending memory request, the RAS line of the memory is deactivated allowing precharge during an idle state on the bus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to write protocols for memory accesses and, more specifically, to an optimized protocol for writing to memories having a fast paged mode memory access capability.
2. Description of the Related Art
Computer architects have long struggled to over come the data transfer bottleneck which has plagued von Neumann architectures. For example, cache memories have been utilized to store information in high speed memories allowing faster access to such information by a processor. Also, DRAM memory devices have improved technologically in density, in speed, and by offering additional modes for accessing data.
In a typical instruction stream the ratio of read accesses to write accesses is on the order of 4:1. Thus, a main memory subsystem must optimize the read transfer rate to provide for optimal performance. However, in a system utilizing a write-through cache memory, the ratio of read accesses to write accesses from main memory has decreased and in such systems, it is important to consider optimal performance of write accesses as well as read accesses. One known method of providing for optimal write accesses is through "posting" of write accesses. This is a process in which a write access is initiated on a system bus by a processor and then the processor is freed to execute other instructions without the need to wait for the completion of the write access to main memory.
The present invention relates to systems utilizing known standard RAS/CAS memory access methods. These methods are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art and essentially may be described as a memory access method in which a row address is provided on a bus to a memory device and a row address strobe (RAS) line is activated when the row address is available for the memory. Similarly, a column address is provided on the bus and a column address strobe is activated when the column address is available for the memory. At completion of the memory access, the RAS and CAS lines are deactivated. At this time the row address lines and column address lines may be precharged in preparation for the next memory access. As is understood, if there is a pending access request, overhead is incurred while waiting for precharge of the RAS and CAS lines. Standard RAS/CAS memory accesses are described in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 2.
One known variation of the standard RAS/CAS memory access scheme is termed "fast paged mode". In fast paged mode, the RAS line is deactivated only when a subsequent memory access is to a different memory page (i.e., row address) than the first memory access or when a memory refresh cycle occurs. Fast paged mode avoids overhead associated with precharging RAS lines prior to accessing the memory device where the subsequent access is to the same row address. Fast paged mode is described in greater detail with reference to FIG. 3.
In most applications, the RAS line, once activated, remains activated even if the bus is idle in anticipation of a DRAM page hit from a subsequent access. As will be appreciated from the Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment, the present invention utilizes an improved protocol to access DRAM memory in which the RAS line is held active only if another access is pending and the access is a hit to the same DRAM page as the immediately previous access. In all other cases the RAS line is deactivated.
This application also relates to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/292,476 filed Dec. 30, 1988, titled Request/Response Protocol which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention (the '476 reference) now abandoned. The present application further relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/292,566 filed Dec. 30, 1988, titled Self-identification of Memory which is assigned to the assignee of the present application (the '566 reference) now abandoned. Finally, the present application relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/403,174 filed Sep. 5, 1989, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,239,638 titled Two Strobed Memory Access which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention (the '174 reference) and which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/292,476. The teachings of the '476 reference, the '566 reference, and the '174 reference are all incorporated herein by reference.

Optimized write protocol for memory accesses utilizing row and column strobes


Gratings for windows/doors, and more particularly window/door gratings which are structured with a plurality of integrally formed top members and a plurality of integrally formed bottom members. The top members each has a plurality of lower notches or cuts which can engage with corresponding upper notches or cuts on the bottom members and thereby enable the top members to easily, quickly, and firmly intersect with the bottom members to provide different patterns. The sections on the top and the bottom members between two notches or cuts may be of different shapes, such as, for example, a convexo-convex body with two concave horizontal surfaces.

Conventional steel or stainless steel gratings for windows/doors as shown in FIG. 1 usually consists of a plurality of crossed steel or stainless steel strips. Such strips are first twisted at predetermined points and are then joined by drilling a small hole at desired intersection to allow a rivet to pass therethrough and fastens the intersected strips together. To twist and drill the strips, marks for this purpose are required. The strips are twisted so that they are turned 90 degrees between two holes. To rivet together the strips, hammer and anvil as well as other tools are possibly required to help the riveting. Therefore, the fabrication and manufacture of conventional steel or stainless steel gratings for windows/doors as shown in FIG. 1 is laborious and time-consuming. Moreover, the strips are not twisted and drilled so precisely that the fabricated strips may not be fitly and successfully riveted together through the holes drilled.
FIG. 2 illustrates another type of conventional stainless steel gratings for windows/doors, in which stainless steel flat strips for horizontal members and round bars for vertical members are combined. Small holes have to be drilled on the flat strips for the round bars to fitly pass through. Again, any deviation in position of the drilled holes or any crook of the strips will easily hinder the successful engagement of the round bars with the flat strips through the holes. The manufacture and assembly of such Gratings is inconvenient (time-consuming and labor-consuming). Moreover, the drilled flat strips shall have narrowed margins and accordingly, reduced strength and are easily broken from outcoming forces. The assembled flat strips and round bars tend to loosen at the joints. The appearance of such conventional gratings for windows/doors are monotonous which decreases the utility of the windows/doors. Therefore, it is desirable to develop gratings for windows/doors consisting of integrally formed and durable members that can be easily assembled and can give the windows/doors changeful appearance.


Provided is a device that persistently distributes connectionless traffic across different simultaneously executing server instances in a manner that allows a first set of server instances of the device to commence a new first set of connectionless data streams during a first interval, and a different second set of server instances of the device to commence a different second set of connectionless data streams as the first set of server instances respond to ongoing connectionless data streams of the first set of connectionless data streams during a subsequent second interval. The persistent distribution further supports virtual connection migration by distributing, to the same server instance, data packets that are directed to the same connectionless data stream even when the sending user equipment changes addressing during the connectionless data stream.

The Transmission Control Protocol ("TCP") is a networking protocol for reliable transfer of data packets over a digital network (e.g., the Internet). TCP trades off performance for reliability. The tradeoff is due in part to the overhead for establishing connections between messaging endpoints, and various legacy flow control mechanisms initially conceived for high latency, low bandwidth, and unreliable network links. For instance, a three-way handshake is conducted to establish a connection between TCP messaging endpoints, then a slow start mechanism is used to restrict the initial rate at which data packets are passed over the established connection.
The User Datagram Protocol ("UDP") is a different networking protocol that trades off reliability for performance. UDP removes much of the TCP overhead associated with reliable transport to maximize transfer rates. UDP is commonly used for time-sensitive applications including video streaming, audio streaming, and gaming as some examples.
Quick Internet UDP Connections (QUIC) is a connectionless protocol developed to preserve the performance advantages of UDP and the reliability of TCP. Generally, QUIC transmits data packets using UDP with client-side and server-side adaptations of various TCP reliability features including acknowledgement of received packets.
QUIC is, however, poorly suited for implementation in a multi-server environment. In such environments, a device (e.g., load balancer) or process may distribute data packets across two or more servers. The device or process may provide a persistent distribution so that data packets related to a common session, flow, or stream are distributed to the same server and not different servers. The persistent distribution is simplified in TCP as packets of an ongoing communication relate to the same established connection (e.g., a unique combination of one or more of the source address, source port, destination address, and destination port).
QUIC, like UDP, is connectionless. Accordingly, no connections are established with which to track data packets that are part of the same ongoing communication. Without connection state, a first packet from a client directed to an ongoing communication may be passed to a first server, while a subsequent second packet from the client directed to the same ongoing communication may be passed to a second server.

Persistent distribution of connectionless traffic supporting virtual connection migration


The disclosure relates to a radio frequency (RF) and/or microwave power amplification device which is intended, for example, for a radio communication terminal, comprising means for shielding the device and means for controlling the power delivered as output from said device, said power-control means comprising a power servo loop having power-amplification means, reference means, detection means and comparison means. The aforementioned control means also comprise at least one sensor to detect the energy radiated inside the device.

In cellular telephones, such power amplifiers are intended to generate and supply the antenna with an operating power adequate for the terminal to be capable of communicating with the nearest base station. According to the GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard, for example, the power amplifier generates the power needed by the antenna per 2-dB step.
FIG. 1 shows the general operation of such a power amplifier 11 in the general diagram of a cellular telephone. As shown in FIG. 1, the power amplifier 11 generates the power needed by the antenna 10, via an antenna switch 110, which makes it possible to select the frequency band and the operating mode (transmission or reception). Without describing this figure in greater detail, it can be noted that the power amplifier 11 interacts with a block 12 performing filtering and matching operations, and a block 14 performing transmission/reception functions. The baseband portion 13 was not detailed in FIG. 13. The blocks 12 to 14 of FIG. 1 are not an integral part of this invention, and are not therefore described in greater detail. For additional information, reference can be made to the conventional diagrams of radiocommunication terminals, as recommended, for example, by GSM or UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication System) standards.
As shown in FIG. 1, such a power amplification device 11 includes a module 111 for controlling the power amplifier 112.
Such a control module 111 serves to control the power supplied at the output of the power amplification device 11, in particular according to the operating temperature, the supply voltage of the cellular telephone battery, the load impedance, and so on.
Today, a number of techniques for producing such a control module 111 are known, and are shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C.
The first of these techniques, shown in FIG. 2A, consists of producing a system for closed-loop control of the power supplied.
The power amplification device of FIG. 2A includes an amplifier 21, which, in a specific embodiment of the invention, can be preceded and followed by optional coupling capacitors 20, 22. The control loop of the power supplied at the output 30, intended for the antenna of the radiocommunication terminal, includes:                a coupler 23;        a module 24 for detecting the RF power, also including a comparator, also called a "detector/comparator";        a polarisation controller 25.
The ramp 26 supplies the detector/comparator 24 with a reference voltage, coming from the baseband 13. The coupler 23 samples some of the power (RF or microwave) supplied by the amplifier 21, and transmits it to the detector/comparator 24, which generates a voltage based on this measured power. The latter then compares the voltage that it has generated with the reference voltage supplied by the baseband 26. If the power supplied differs from the reference power (associated with the reference voltage supplied by the baseband 26), the polarisation controller 25 then modifies the voltage supplied to the amplifier 21, so as to adjust the power supplied at the output 30.
Two so-called "open-loop" techniques for controlling the power supplied at the output of such a power amplifier are also known, and are shown in FIGS. 2B and 2C.
The assembly of FIG. 2B provides control of the current power amplifier 21. Again, in the specific alternative of FIG. 2B, such an amplifier 21 is preceded and followed by two optional coupling capacitors 20, 22. The assembly of FIG. 2B includes, as above, a ramp 26 providing a reference from the baseband 13, a comparator 27 and a polarisation controller 25. The voltages Vbat and Vcc correspond respectively to the voltage supplied by the battery of the radiocommunication terminal and the voltage supplying the power amplifier 21.
Knowing the value of the resistance 28, the intensity of the current I passing therethrough can be deduced. After a comparison 24 of this intensity with the reference intensity 26, the polarisation controller 25 corrects the power amplifier set value 21, so as to adjust the power supplied at the output 30.
The assembly of FIG. 2C shows the final known technique, consisting of controlling the supply voltage of the amplifier 21 in an open loop. Again, in the specific embodiment of FIG. 2C, a first optional coupling capacitor 20 precedes the amplifier 21, and a second optional coupling capacitor 22 follows it. A MOSFET transistor 29 is used to control the supply voltage Vcc of the amplifier 21. This control is achieved by means of a comparator 27, of which the set value is given by a ramp 26 connected to the baseband 13. The voltage Vcc is controlled so that the power RF or microwave supplied at the output 30 of the amplifier is equal to the reference power associated with the reference voltage given by the ramp 26.
These various techniques of the prior art have a number of disadvantages.
Although the closed-loop control technique of FIG. 2A provides excellent control of the output power, while having a satisfactory current consumption, has the disadvantage of inducing RF losses on the order of 0.2 to 0.3 dB. However, such a system performs very well when the load varies, i.e. when the antenna is of mediocre quality.
The closed-loop control of FIG. 2A is therefore the highest-performing technique of the three prior art techniques described above, but it is also the most expensive technique. Moreover, the technologies used for the design of the couplers are different from those used for the design of amplifier chips 21 or controller chips 25 (conventionally AsGa or CMOS), which leads to major integration problems.
The open-loop voltage control of FIG. 2C has mediocre performance, in terms of both power control and current consumption, when the power supplied is low. Although it would be easier to integrate such a device in the case of FIG. 2A, this technique also has the disadvantage of a voltage drop through the MOSFET transistor, due to the existence of a parasitic resistance, which leads to reduced efficiency.
Finally, the open-loop current control technique of FIG. 2B has improved performances compared to the technique of FIG. 2C in terms of integrability, current consumption and power loss. However, it does not allow for power control as effective as that of the closed-loop technique of FIG. 2A.

Radiofrequency (RF) and/or microwave power amplification device and corresponding radiocommunication terminal


Activation of a tungsten-containing catalyst using water in a PEM-type fuel cell is described as well as cathode operation of the tungsten-containing catalyst.

Fuel cells produce electricity by converting reactants such as hydrogen, hydrocarbons, and oxygen into products such as water and carbon dioxide, and electrical energy. In general, a typical low-temperature fuel cell comprises an anode and cathode separated by an electrolyte. The anode and cathode consist of a conductive support having a thin layer of a catalyst uniformly dispersed over the surface of the support. During operation, a continuous flow of fuel is fed to the anode while, simultaneously, a continuous flow of oxidant is supplied to the cathode.
In a conventional low temperature H2/O2 fuel cell, a hydrogen gas fuel is oxidized with the aid of a platinum catalyst at the anode to generate electrons and protons which travel by separate paths to the cathode. The electrons are conducted through an external circuit and the protons are conducted through the electrolyte. At the cathode, oxygen gas combines with the electrons and protons to produce water, again with the aid of a platinum catalyst. The current generated by the electrons flowing through the external circuit can be used for work.
A fuel cell configuration of particular importance is the proton-exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell. In a typical PEM fuel cell, the electrolyte is a solid polymeric material capable of conducting protons, e.g., a perfluorosulfonic acid polymer (e.g., Nafion® by DuPont). The proton-conducting polymer membrane is sandwiched between membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) formed from platinum catalysts dispersed on carbon black. Examples of these devices are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,030,718, 6,040,007 and 5,945,231 which are incorporated herein by reference.
Platinum catalysts are preferred for fuel cells because of their high electrochemical activity. However, platinum is expensive and easily poisoned by the trace amounts of carbon monoxide typically found in hydrogen fuels. Numerous attempts have been made to find less expensive electrocatalysts or reduce the sensitivity of platinum catalysts to carbon monoxide. Several of these attempts have focused on tungsten and molybdenum compounds, and in particular their carbides and oxides. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,922,488 describes a CO-tolerant anode catalyst which uses a carbon-supported, platinum-dispersed, non-stoichiometric hydrogen tungsten bronze having the formula Pt—HxWO3 wherein x ranges from about 0.05 to about 0.36. U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,343describes a polycomponent electrocatalyst comprised preferably of platinum or palladium and a chemical component selected from the group consisting of tungstic acid, molybdic acid, ammonium tungstate, ammonium molybdate, sodium tungstate and sodium molybdate. U.S. Pat. No. 5,945,231 contemplates combining tungsten carbide with ruthenium oxide or ruthenium to form a catalysts for a direct liquid-feed fuel cell. Unfortunately, these tungsten and molybdenum-based catalysts have not been shown to exhibit an acceptable level of electrochemical activity for practical fuel cell application without the additional presence of an expensive co-catalyst. Therefore, it would be an advantage to have a tungsten-containing fuel cell catalyst which exhibits a high electrochemical activity without an expensive co-catalyst.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method of making tungsten-containing fuel cell catalysts


Medical devices having one or more cutting elements are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical device includes an elongated catheter configured to be inserted into a body, and a cutting element carried by the catheter. The cutting element has an alloy including from about 12% to about 16% by weight of chromium, from about 0.5% to about 5% by weight of molybdenum, and iron. The alloy has a martensitic phase.

Balloon catheters can be used for a variety of medical procedures such as, for example, to widen a body vessel occluded by a tumor or restricted by plaque (as in angioplasty), to position a medical device (such as a stent or a graft), or to selectively block a passageway. A balloon catheter may include an inflatable and deflatable balloon positioned on a long and narrow catheter body. Initially, the balloon is folded around the catheter body to reduce the radial profile of the balloon for easy insertion into the body.
During use, for example, in angioplasty, the folded balloon can be positioned at a location in a vessel occluded by a stenosis by threading the balloon catheter through a guide wire emplaced in the body. The balloon is then inflated, e.g., by introducing a fluid into the interior of the balloon. Inflating the balloon can radially expand the stenosis so that the vessel can permit an increased rate of blood flow. After use, the balloon is deflated and withdrawn from the body.
In some cases, it is desirable to use a balloon catheter carrying one or more cutting elements to incise at least a portion of the stenosis. Incising the stenosis can further widen the body vessel and increase the rate of blood flow.


A method and apparatus for provisioning a physical link to a service provider is disclosed whereby physical link information in a carrier network is store, in one embodiment, in a database within the carrier network or, in another embodiment, in a database shared by a carrier and a service provider. In response to a request from the service provider for the use of the physical link, physical link information and network management information associated is retrieved from that database. In one embodiment, this information is sent directly from the carrier via in-band signaling. In another embodiment, the information is retrieved from the shared database and is transmitted via out-of-band signaling. In accordance with yet another embodiment, messages exchanged between service providers and carriers comprise digital certificates that are used to verify the identity of the providers and carriers.

The present invention relates generally to the ordering and provisioning of physical layer links in telecommunication networks and, more particularly, to the service provider ordering of such links.
In providing telecommunication service to customers different service providers may use different carriers to provide the physical links between different nodes in a network. These carriers typically maintain separate physical network infrastructures/links for carrying voice and data communications traffic. Such physical links are typically capable of being interconnected in order to provide seamless service to customers of a service provider. Thus, for example, a communication session originating from one carrier's infrastructure may traverse one or more other carriers' networks along the path from a source to a destination. In order to create these paths, service providers must provision physical links between and across the various networks.
For example, many corporate networks span a wide geographic area and, as a result, frequently require different carriers to operate together to achieve the necessary physical connectivity between various locations. Prior methods of establishing these interconnections are typically inefficient and require a relatively long period of time to complete. This is due, in part, to the fact that each carrier typically manages administrative and technical information related to the links within the physical network it controls using different, usually proprietary, methods and formats. Accordingly, whenever a service provider or one carrier requires the use of resources, such as the physical lines owned and operated by another carrier, manual negotiations via, for example, telephone, e-mail or postal service mail between the network management entities of the carriers and service providers must take place to establish the specific terms of the use of those lines. Additionally, once an agreement is reached over the use of these lines, there is typically some delay incurred during which the owner of the lines physically builds or logically establishes the necessary connections.
Once the physical connections are created and service is initiated between the links of different carriers, other inefficiencies and delays can arise due to the manual nature of managing the interconnected network. For example, frequent manual information exchanges (via, once again, telephone, or postal mail) between the service provider and/or carrier network management entities, such as information related to the status, maintenance and lifetime management of the links, are necessary to utilize and manage the bandwidth of the links. However, such manual information exchanges are subject to mistakes and/or misunderstandings that may lead to a misallocation of resources and/or actions that delay establishing a link or otherwise detract from the service to the customer.
Various automated network management tools have been implemented to monitor network status and performance and to eliminate the need for unnecessary manual exchanges of information. However, these tools are limited in their ability to monitor the physical links of various interconnected networks. For example, many such tools were designed primarily to monitor events and control traffic in the network layer and data link layer (i.e., layers 2 and 3) of the networks. As is well understood, these layers are layers within the Open System Interconnection (OSI) model of networks that generally defines 7 different layers in the network. Layer 1 in the OSI model, also known as the physical layer, is the layer that actually conveys a bit stream (i.e., electrical impulse, light or radio signals) through the network at the electrical and mechanical level. This layer consists of the hardware necessary to send and receive data on a carrier signal. Layer 2, also known as the data link layer, is the layer at which the physical medium is shared and where data link and media access to various devices is controlled. For example, in Ethernet networks, layer 2 is the layer at which network routing between media access control (MAC) addresses of individual hardware components is performed. Finally, layer 3 of a network, also known as the network layer, provides switching and routing technologies to create logical paths, known as virtual circuits for transmitting data from one network node to another. Routing and forwarding of communications traffic are performed at this layer, as are addressing, internetworking, error handling, congestion control and packet sequencing functions. Many network management tools used to monitor and control traffic at the network and data link layers of the network do not consider the physical layer (layer 1) and, as a result, management of this layer across interconnected carrier networks is difficult.

Method and apparatus for the ordering of carrier links


During an encoding operation, one of the R, G, B components of a pixel in the image are eliminated. In a first pixel, the B component is eliminated, and then in a second pixel which is to the right of the first pixel, the R component is eliminated. Further, in a third pixel to the right of the second pixel, the G component is eliminated. In the same manner, R, G, B components are thereafter eliminated in a three-pixel cycle. During a decoding operation, an estimated value of a color component that was eliminated in the pixel is determined on the basis of the color components of adjacent pixels. A correction value is then computed based on the color components of the adjacent pixels. As a result, the estimated value of the eliminated color component is adjusted using the computed correction value to produce a good quality image.

The present invention relates to image encoding and decoding apparatus and method and recording media, and in particular, to image encoding and decoding apparatus and method, and an image recording medium for obtaining a decoded image of relatively good quality while preventing an increase in the amount of data.
It is well known that images have a large amount of data. Accordingly, in general, the images are encoded (compressed) before being transmitted or recorded. When the encoding (color compression) of an image having a plurality of color components (a red-green-blue (RGB) 4:4:4 image, for example) is performed, there may be a case where one pixel (24 bits) is vector-quantized to form 8 bits where each of the R, G and B components has 8 bits. In this case, at a decoding section, a decoded image having only up to 256 (28=28) colors is obtained. This is because the average number of bits assigned to one color component is 8/3 bits. Accordingly, by increasing the number of bits assigned to one color component, deterioration in the quality of the decoded image can be suppressed. However, the amount of data also, increases in correspondence with the increase in the number of bits.
The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing circumstance, and provides a decoded image with high quality without the increase in the amount of data.
In a method for encoding image data including a plurality of pixels wherein each pixel comprises N color components, one color component is eliminated in the N color components to select Nxe2x88x921 color components. The selected Nxe2x88x921 color components are then encoded.
According to one aspect of the present invention, each of the N color components is eliminated periodically.
In a method for producing a decoded image from encoded data generated by encoding image picture that includes a plurality of pixels wherein each pixel comprises N color components and the encoded data is generated by encoding Nxe2x88x921 color components selected by eliminating one color component from the N color components, the encoded data is decoded to generate the Nxe2x88x921 color components for each pixel. The eliminated one color component is generated based on the generated Nxe2x88x921 color components that are adjacent the eliminated one color component. A pixel is produced based on the generated Nxe2x88x921 color components and the eliminated one color component that has been generated.

Image encoding/decoding by eliminating color components in pixels


A tower packing element for randomly dumped beds includes a straight leg portion attached at one end to an arcuate portion. The length of the straight leg portion is substantially equal to the length of a cord that extends between the ends of the arcuate portion. The arcuate portion and the straight leg portion have at least one slot therein. A tongue depends from each slot and points away from the packing element.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a randomly dumped tower packing element for use in gas or vapor-liquid mass transfer towers and, more particularly, to a tower packing element that accommodates distillation, gas absorption, stripping, and other related operations.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Randomly dumped beds of packing elements are typically employed in towers with gas or vapor phase entering the packed bed from the bottom of the tower and rising upwardly for a vertical tower. Liquid is administered to the top of the packed bed and runs through the packed bed down to the bottom.
The packing elements which make up the packed bed function to provide a "skeleton" in the tower over the surface of which liquor is passed in the form of a thin film and preferably turbulent films. The skeleton is open to allow the gas or vapor to rise upwardly. As the vapor passes over the thin film of liquid present on the packing elements, mass transfer occurs between the gas or vapor phases and the liquid phase.
It is well known in the art that the efficiency and the rate of mass transfer per unit volume of the packed bed is dependent upon the surface area which the packing bed can provide.
Different configurations of packing elements are known to increase the surface area of the packing bed in a consistent manner. U.S. Pat. No. 4,376,081 discloses a randomly dumped tower packing element formed from strip material having the shape of a two dimensional continuously progressing curve (e.g. a sine or cosine curve) which is rotated between 10.degree. and 180.degree. to form a partial ring. The packing element configuration provides a longitudinal curvature as a result of its rotation, but the resulting shape also displays the characteristic curve of the continuously progressing curve itself. The packing element includes slots with tongues depending from the slots to provide more accessibility to the available surface area. The tongues point in any direction and from any portion of the surface.
Another important feature in the efficiency of tower packing elements is the extent to which their surfaces come into direct contact with each other. Direct contact between elements provides convenient flow paths along which the descending liquid can pass, instead of falling all the way through the packed bed.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,327,043 discloses randomly dumped tower packing elements formed of strip material having an open-ended bent configuration made up of three interconnected curved zones. An intermediate, concave curved portion is flanked on either side by oppositely curved convex end portions. Each of these portions has slots formed therein and tongues which depend from each slot. The tongues all point toward the inside of the intermediate curved portion. This unsymmetrical configuration provides a highly randomized packed bed which enhances internal liquid distribution and mass transfer performance.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,200,119 discloses a packing element formed of at least two substantially straight legs tangentially attached to the ends of an arcuately bent surface. The straight leg portions of the element contain slots. Depending from these slots are tongues which project transversely away from the surface of the element. The arcuately bent surface does not contain slots or tongues in order to maximize the beneficial turbulence obtained when the fluid contacts the smooth surface of the bend.
The prior art packing elements suffer a number of deficiencies mostly due to the lack of consistent uniformity in which the elements form the packed bed and the way in which these elements settle over time. The geometric shape of the elements not only effects the available surface area and the direct contact each element has with adjoining elements, but also the stability of the packed bed and the consistency with which the desired characteristics are obtained. Due to non-accessibility of certain regions of packed beds to gas-liquid flows, fluid maldistributions result. Thus certain portions of the packing are rendered less accessible to efficient liquid gas contact than other portions with the result that the overall mass transfer efficiency of the packing is impaired.
While a number of geometric configurations have been proposed for increasing the efficiency of tower packing elements, there is a need for a randomly dumped packing element having a geometric configuration which increases the statistical uniformity of the randomly dumped layers. The tower packing element should have a substantially increased surface area available for liquid film formation and enhancing the probability of direct contact between adjacent packing elements in the tower.


Disclosed is an electroplating method and products made therefrom, which in one embodiment includes using a current density J.sub.O, to form a conductive metal layer having a surface roughness no greater than the surface roughness of the underlying member. In another embodiment of electroplating a substrate surface having peaks and valleys, the method includes electroplating a conductive metal onto the peaks to cover the peaks with the conductive metal, and into the valleys to substantially fill the valleys with the conductive metal.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods of electroplating and to products made thereby. In another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of electroplating a conductive metal onto a substrate, and to products made thereby. In even another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of electroplating conductors onto a seed layer supported by a substrate, and to products made thereby. In still another aspect, the present invention relates to methods of electroplating conductors onto a seed layer supported by a diamond substrate, and to products made thereby.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is the physical and chemical properties of natural diamonds which render diamonds suitable for use in a wide range of applications. For example, natural diamonds are the hardest substance known and exhibit low friction and wear properties. Specifically, a natural diamond's thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity properties, electrical resistivity and microhardness invite its substitution in various applications.
Specifically with respect to electronic applications, diamond, with a thermal conductivity four times that of copper and a dielectric constant less than alumina or aluminum nitride, has long been recognized as a desirable material for electronic substrates.
It is likewise believed that diamond films would find utility in a broad range of electronic uses.
Unfortunately, diamond films are not naturally occurring, but rather must be manufactured using any of a host of techniques.
Fortunately, however, the physical and chemical properties of synthetic diamond films have been found to be comparable to those of bulk diamond.
For example, it has been reported that electron assisted chemical vapor deposition films have electrical resistivities greater than 10.sup.13 .OMEGA.-cm, microhardness of about 10,000 HV, thermal conductivity of about 1100 W m.sup.-1 K.sup.-1, and thermal diffusivity of 200 to 300 mm.sup.2 /s. These compare favorably to those properties of natural diamond, i.e, resistivities in the range of 10.sup.7 to 10.sup.20 .OMEGA.-cm, microhardness in the range of 8,000 to 10,400 HV, thermal conductivity in the range of 900 to 2100 W m.sup.-1 K.sup.-1, and thermal diffusivity of 490 to 1150 mm.sup.2 /s. Thermal gravimetric analysis demonstrates the oxidation rates of diamond films in air are lower than those of natural diamond. Additionally, it is reported that the starting temperature of oxidation for microwave-assisted chemical vapor deposition diamond film is about 800.degree. C., as evidenced by weight loss, while the morphology shows visible oxidation etching pits at temperatures as low as 600.degree. C.
Thus, diamond films also show promise for finding utility in a multitude of applications, including electrical applications.
Currently, chemical vapor deposition diamond film has experienced limited market entry primarily as heat sinks for laser diodes. However, there are many other industrial uses planned for diamond film, virtually all of which require metallization.
For example, diamond film substrates have been hailed as the only solution to many of the thermal management problems currently encountered in the electronic and optoelectronics packaging area. As the packing density of electronic systems increases, this thermal management problem is only going to exacerbate. Metallization of diamond film substrates with highly conducting metals such as gold and copper is essential for these applications. Some of the applications which are in dire need of the development of a tenaciously adhering conducting metal film on a diamond substrate include laser diodes and diode arrays for telecommunications, power modules for on-board satellites, high powered microwave modules, MCMs, and especially 3-D MCMs.
However, while the industry is in dire need of a tenaciously adhering (>1 Kpsi on peel test) electroplated conducting metal film on a diamond substrate, the chemical inertness of diamond resists the formation of adherent coatings on it. This is especially true for large area (>1 mm.times.1 mm) diamond film substrates and thick metal films (>2 microns).
Presently, metallization is accomplished through some form of physical vapor deposition. While this produces a high quality film, it also produces high material cost due to its extreme waste of metal. Electroplating is preferable because is allows metal to be deposited selectively, which would cut waste by over 90% from what is consumed in a physical vapor deposition process.
Physical vapor deposition processes are currently the industry standard because films deposited by such processes tend not to blister or peel at high temperatures. In a physical vapor deposition process, the substrate is mounted inside a high vacuum chamber. The chamber is evacuated, and metal is either evaporated or sputtered to form a coating on the substrate. The inefficiency of the technique is due to the metal coating that is deposited onto the rest of the vacuum chamber at the same time. Only a small percentage of the metal that is consumed by the process lands on the substrate, with the rest being lost.
Electroplating would seem to be the proper candidate for metallizing diamond film with gold. With electroplating, the plated metal is applied directly to the target, resulting in much less waste as compared to physical vapor deposition. However, even though electroplating has established itself as a workhorse technology for cost effective thin film and foil fabrication in the electronics industry, only sputtering and evaporation of gold and copper have so far been commercially successfully utilized in metallizing diamond film substrates (and only on small substrates and only to small thicknesses).
"Metallizing CVD Diamond For Electronic Applications", Iacovangelo et al. International Journal of Microelectronics And Electronics Packaging, Vol. 17, No. 3, at 252-258 (1994), discloses a physical vapor deposition technique for depositing a gold layer onto a diamond film. As disclosed by Iacovangelo et al., thin gold films are applied to metal seed layers on diamond films by either a sputtering process or a chemical vapor deposition process.
As shown for coat numbers 11-13, the gold layers applied by the teachings of Iacovangelo et al. exhibit adhesion to the diamond substrate on the order of 4 to 10 Kpsi. Unfortunately, the gold layers produced by Iacovangelo et al were on the order of 0.5 microns thin, too thin for use in most applications.
Iacovangelo et al., further disclose the electroplating of a triple layer of copper, nickel and then gold onto a patterned thin film. However, as shown in FIG. 4 of Iacovangelo et al., this electroplated layer is on the order of 200 .mu.m wide, far too narrow for many applications. Electroplating onto diamond film substrates on the order of 1 cm.times.1 cm or larger requires that the problems induced by thermal stress be solved.
Iacovangelo et al. do not disclose or teach how to electroplate onto larger diamond film substrates in a manner sufficient to overcome the problems induced by thermal stress. Biaxial stresses increase with increasing diamond film size.
Additional problems with applying metal layers to diamond films include blistering, peeling and delamination.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for a process for metallizing diamond and other types of substrates which does not suffer from one or more of the prior art limitations.
There is another need in the art for an electroplating process for metallizing diamond and other types of substrates which does not suffer from one or more of the prior art limitations.
There is even another need in the art for an electroplating process for metallizing diamond and other types of substrates which provides a product with suitable adhesion between the gold layer and the diamond film.
There is still another need in the art for an electroplating process for metallizing diamond and other types of substrates which provides a product with suitable surface roughness.
There is yet another a need in the art for metallized diamond and other types of substrates which do not suffer from the prior art limitations.
There is even still another need in the art for a metallized diamond and other types of substrates with suitable adhesion between the gold layer and the diamond film.
There is even yet another need in the art for a metallized diamond and other types of substrates with suitable surface roughness.
These and other needs in the art will become apparent to those of skill in the art upon review of this specification.

Method of electroplating a substrate, and products made thereby

The Board of Trustees of the University of Arkansas


This disclosure is directed to methods and systems for managing difficulty of use and security for a transaction. A transaction manager operating on a computing device may determining a range of possible steps for a transaction comprising security measures available for the transaction. The transaction manager may identify a threshold for a security metric to be exceeded for authorizing the transaction, the security metric to be determined based on performance of steps selected for the transaction. The transaction manager may select for the transaction at least one step from the range of possible steps, based on optimizing between (i) a difficulty of use quotient of the transaction from subjecting a user to the at least one step, and (ii) the security metric relative to the determined threshold.

The diversity and number of computing devices is increasing exponentially. For example, there are hand-held devices such as smart-phones and tablets, reading devices that can also be used for web purchases, and also traditional desk-bound computing platforms. Each of these platforms may have different hardware and software capabilities, that can be used to perform transactions. Some of these capabilities may provide s security measure for preventing fraud, for example. However, these capabilities and features can change rapidly from product release to product release. Some of these features may not be available all the time for any given transaction. For example, GPS (Global Positioning System) features of a device may not be available indoors. It is therefore difficult to rely on a single feature as a security measure for protecting the integrity of every transaction, or even a subset of transactions.


A film package comprises a film sheet having a series of images recorded on one side of the film sheet and a non-image area on the same side, an index print sheet having a series of pictures printed on one side of the index print sheet which match the series of images recorded on the film sheet and a non-picture area on the same side of the index print sheet in the same relative location as the non-image area on the film sheet and being sized to permit the film sheet to be placed over the non-picture area without covering any of the pictures, and a holder on the non-picture area of the index print sheet for releasably securing the film sheet to the index print sheet.

Generally, a photographic processing laboratory gives the customer a processed negative film and corresponding photographs which are enlarged and printed from the film. The negative film is usually cut into several equal length sections, each one containing the same number of negatives and inserted in an open-ended sheath or sleeve. Many customers store the photographs in an album apart from the negatives, making it difficult to later find a particular negative for which re-prints are desired.
Index print sheets have been proposed which make it easier to find the sought-after negative. An index print sheet has printed on it several rows of pictures that match the negatives. The pictures are considerably smaller than the photographs and are numbered in accordance with the numbering of the negatives as shown in prior art U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,263,579, issued Nov. 23, 1993 and No. 4,966,285, issued Oct. 30, 1990. Typically, the index print and the negatives are stored together in some fashion. For example, see prior art U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,431,449, issued Jul. 11, 1995, No. 5,402,881, issued Apr. 4, 1995, No. 5,314,066, issued May 24, 1994, and No. 5,301,803, issued Apr. 12, 1994.

Index print sheet capable of storing film medium


An optical amplifying device for amplification of an optical signal incident to a photo diode comprises a laser device and an electrical feeding circuit. The laser device is so formed that it comprises one single laser device comprising a number of active regions or laser structures electrically connected in series within one and the same optical cavity.

The present invention relates to an optical amplifying device for amplification of an optical signal incident towards a photo diode comprising a laser device and an electrical feeding circuit. The invention also relates to the use of such devices. Optical amplifying devices are used among others in optical transmission technology such as in optical transmission systems etc for amplification of optical signals. Among others they are used as repeater elements for regeneration of optical signals, for example within telecommunications etc. Such devices are however often complicated since amplifying electronics is required and therefore also noise may strongly influence the device. Furthermore often a considerable number of separate components are required which may result in the device being complicated and sensitive.
A number of different amplifying devices are known, for example laser amplifiers, among others semi-conductor amplifiers and erbium doped fibre amplifiers. These known devices however require advanced electronic equipments which as such make the devices complicated. Therefore the noise level often gets high. Furthermore a larger number of separate or non-integral components are required which among others make such devices expensive.
In "Low Noise Opto Electronic Amplifier using Sub Shot Noise Light" of P. J. Edwards in Electronics Letters 4th Feb. 1993, Vol 29, No. 3, a low noise opto electronic amplifier is described. This device is illustrated schematically in FIG. 1 and it comprises a number of (in the shown embodiment 4) diode lasers or light diodes (LEDs) connected in series. In this case four separate lasers are interconnected. When an optical signal is incident towards a photo diode four, as far as the output power is concerned, essentially exact replicas of the input signal are obtained. These replica or output signals are however optically incoherent which often leads to a number of limitations for the device practically as well as economically.


The present invention provides a method and an apparatus for mitigating/eliminating interference between adjacent cells by configuring a subframe subset, in which the downlink transmission/reception of a specific cell to be user equipment-specific is limited. According to the present invention, the transmission/reception of a downlink signal for a specific user equipment in the subframe in which the downlink transmission/reception of the specific cell is limited, thereby mitigating/eliminating interference from an uplink of a different cell with the downlink of the specific cell from a base station to the specific user equipment.

FIG. 1 illustrates a network including a plurality of cells. Specifically, FIG. 1(a) is a view illustrating a heterogeneous network wireless communications system including a macro Base Station (BS), BS A, and a micro BS, BS B, and FIG. 1(b) is a view illustrating a homogeneous network wireless communications system including macro BSs, BS A and BS B.
The heterogeneous network refers to a network where a macro BS and a micro BS co-exist even when the same Radio Access Technology (RAT) is used. The homogeneous network refers to a network comprised of macro BSs or a network comprised of micro BSs.
A macro BS represents a normal BS of a wireless communication system, having broad coverage (service area) and high transmission power. A geographic area in which a communication service is provided by a macro BS and BS A may be referred to as a macro cell. For example, a pico BS, a femto BS, or a relay may be the micro BS. A geographic area in which a communication service is provided by the micro BS, BS B, may be referred to as a micro cell, a pico cell, or a femto cell. The micro BS corresponds to a small-scale version of the macro BS. Accordingly, the micro BS may independently operate while performing most of the functions of the macro BS. The micro BS may be installed in an area covered by the macro BS (overlay type) or may be installed in a shadow area that cannot be covered by the macro BS (non-overlay type). As compared to the macro BS, the micro BS has a narrower coverage range and lower transmission power and may accommodate a smaller number of User Equipments (UEs).
Referring to FIG. 1(a), UEs, UE0 and UE1, may directly served by the macro BS A (hereinafter, such UEs are referred to as macro-UEs). A UE, UE2, may directly receive services from the micro BS (hereinafter such a UE is referred to as a micro-UE). In some cases, UE2 in the coverage area of the micro BS may receive services from the macro BS. In FIG. 1(a), it is assumed that UE2 is connected to the micro BS B.
Depending upon whether or not UE access is restricted, the micro BS may be categorized into two different types, the first type being a Closed Subscriber Group (CSG) micro BS and the second type being an Open Access (OA) or Open Subscriber Group (OSG) micro BS. The CSG micro BS may serve only specific UEs that are authorized and the OSG micro BS may serve all UEs without any particular access limitations.
As illustrated in FIG. 1(a), when UE2 served by the micro BS in a heterogeneous network receives a desired signal from the micro BS, UE2 may be subjected to interference by a strong signal transmitted from the macro BS. As another example, if UE1 served by the macro BS is adjacent to the micro BS as shown in FIG. 1(a), interference may be generated in a signal that UE1 receives from the macro BS by a strong signal from the micro BS. Such interference is referred to as inter-cell interference. While inter-cell interference generated on downlink (DL) from the BS to the UE has been described in the above examples, inter-cell interference may occur even on uplink (UL) from the UE to the BS.
Inter-cell interference may be generated in not only the heterogeneous network as shown in FIG. 1(a) but also the homogeneous network as shown in FIG. 1(b). Referring to FIG. 1(b), when UE2 which is served by the macro BS B and located at an edge of the cells A and B, which are served by the macro BSs, BS A and BS B, respectively receives a desired signal from the macro BS B, UE2 may be subjected to interference by a signal from the macro BS A. Alternatively, when UE1, which is located at a cell edge while being served by the macro BS A, receives a signal from the macro BS A, UE1 may be subjected to interference by a signal from the macro BS B adjacent to the macro BS A as shown in FIG. 1(b). A UL signal from the UE to the BS, as well as a DL signal from the BS to the UE, may also function as interference with respect to a neighboring cell.
Such mutual interference between cells causes deterioration of cell throughput. Furthermore, in the event of severe interference, network failure may occur.

Method for receiving and transmitting ACK/NACK information, user equipment, and base station


A creeper includes an inner framework having longitudinally extending, laterally spaced side rails interconnected by one or more cross members extending therebetween. A support plate is secured to the inner framework. A pad is positioned on the support plate and a cover encompasses the pad and at least a portion of the inner framework therein. A plurality of caster assemblies are secured to the inner framework.

Typical mechanic's creepers include a frame having parallel, longitudinally extending side rails that carry casters which render the creeper mobile. The side rails are interconnected at their ends and also usually connected by a plurality of laterally extending, longitudinally spaced crossmembers to form a support frame. A pad is secured to the top of the frame to support the body of the user of the creeper. The pad is usually provided with a thickened area which serves as a headrest.
This exterior framework type design does have its drawbacks. First, they are not particularly comfortable for a user. Users have come to expect greater comfort in creepers, and without an altogether new approach, the exterior framework creeper's capability for increased comfort is limited.
Besides comfort, prior art creepers are also susceptible to damage, particularly at the area of contact between the exterior frame and the pad. This is because the pad is typically secured to the exterior frame by mechanical fasteners, which are susceptible to tearing and displacement.
Thus, the need exists for a creeper which eliminates the problems discussed above, which is more comfortable, aesthetically pleasing and supportive.


A household apparatus for treating water has a water treatment reactor; a dispense water path extending from the water treatment reactor to a dispenser whereby treated water produced in the water treatment reactor exits the apparatus by the dispenser; a filter removably mounted in the dispense water path; and, a sensor, (which may be a timer, a flow rate sensor and/or a back pressure sensor) for monitoring the flow of a treated water through the filter, the apparatus issuing a signal advising a user to change the filter when the time for the treated water to flow through the filter exceeds a predetermined value.

This invention relates of an apparatus for the production of water fit for human consumption from water contaminated by micro-organismns, chemicals, heavy metals and minerals.
The production of water fit for human consumption from water contaminated by micro-organisms, chemicals, heavy metals and minerals is a requirement throughout the world. Many different proposals have been made for the purification of contaminated water.
The most popular system in widespread domestic (household) use for the purification of contaminated water is a pitcher wherein contaminated water is passed through a filter made of a combination of a porous media filter, activated carbon, and an ion exchange resin and into a clean water reservoir within the pitcher. This type of system will reduce the levels of chlorine, lead, and pesticides. However, there are several disadvantages associated with this device. The first disadvantage of this water purification system is that the structure of the filter provides a breeding ground for micro-organisms thereby multiplying the dangers of micro-organisms which may be present in very low numbers. Another disadvantage of such a water purification system is that the filter life is not measured and it is possible for the user to employ the filter beyond its useful life. A further disadvantage of such a water purification system is that oils and fuels often present in water drawn from lakes and rivers are not readily removed and that these oils and fuels tend to coat the filters and damage their operational life and effectiveness. Other filters incorporate an iodine product to minimize the risk of microbiological hazards, however, these materials often impart undesirable tastes and many are potential carcinogens.
Another popular system in use for the purification of contaminated water is a system which employs an ultraviolet light for disinfection in series with a porous media and carbon filter. This type of system will reduce the levels of chlorine, lead, and pesticides and has some disinfection capability. However, there are several disadvantages associated with this device. A disadvantage of this water purification system is that the ultraviolet light""s disinfection efficacy is greatly diminished by turbidity or colour in the water which can cause the filter to become contaminated by micro-organisms which can readily live and breed therein thereby multiplying the danger from any micro-organisms which may be present.
The present invention provides several novel features for a water treatment apparatus and components which may be used therein including a novel control system for a water treatment apparatus, a novel construction for an ozone generator, a novel filter assembly for a water treatment apparatus, a novel method for monitoring the concentration of ozone produced by a corona discharge ozone generator, a novel method for monitoring the life of a filter based on the flow rate of gas through a venturi and a novel structure for an ozone generator to prevent water backing up into the a ozone generator.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is provided a household apparatus for treating water comprising a housing having an inlet for water to be treated in fluid flow communication with a water treatment reactor and a lid mounted to selectively cover the inlet; a filter removably mounted in the apparatus; and, a sensor for detecting the movement of the lid and providing a signal to a counter whereby after a predetermined number of movements of the lid, the apparatus issues a signal advising a user to change the filter.
In one embodiment, the sensor comprises a magnet and a reed switch.
In another embodiment, the sensor comprises a magnet associated with the lid and a reed switch provided on the housing proximate the magnet.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a household apparatus for treating water comprising a water treatment reactor; a dispense water path extending from the water treatment reactor to a dispenser whereby treated water produced in the water treatment reactor exits the apparatus by the dispenser; a filter removably mounted in the dispense water path; and, a timer for monitoring the flow of a treated water through the filter, the apparatus issuing a signal advising a user to change the filter when the time for the treated water to flow through the filter exceeds a predetermined value.
In one embodiment, the signal advises the user that the filter is approaching the end of the filter life.
In another embodiment, the signal advises the user that the filter has reached the end of the filter life.
In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a controller that is programmed with two predetermined values, the first predetermined value corresponds to the time required for the treated water to pass through the filter when the filter is approaching the end of its life and the second predetermined value corresponds to the time required for the treated water to pass through the filter when the filter has reached the end of its life.
In another embodiment, the controller prevents the apparatus from treating water when the filter has reached the end of its life.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a household apparatus for treating water comprising a water treatment reactor; a dispense water path extending from the water treatment reactor to a dispenser whereby treated water produced in the water treatment reactor exits the apparatus by the dispenser; a filter removably mounted in the dispense water path; and, a flow sensor for monitoring the flow produced by the flow of treated water through the filter, the apparatus issuing a signal advising a user to change the filter when the flow sensor issues a signal that is not within predetermined range.
In one embodiment, the flow sensor measures the back pressure produced by the flow of treated water through the filter and/or the flow rate of treated water through the filter.
In another embodiment, the signal advises the user that the filter is approaching the end of the filter life.
In another embodiment, the signal advises the user that the filter has reached the end of the filter life.
In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a controller that is programmed with two predetermined values, the first predetermined value corresponds to the back pressure produced by the treated water passing through the filter when the filter is approaching the end of its life and the second predetermined value corresponds to the back pressure produced by the treated water passing through the filter when the filter has reached the end of its life. Preferably, the controller prevents the apparatus from treating water when the filter has reached the end of its life.
In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a controller that is programmed with two predetermined values, the first predetermined value corresponds to the flow rate of treated water through the filter when the filter is approaching the end of its life and the second predetermined value corresponds to the flow rate of treated water through the filter when the filter has reached the end of its life. Preferably, the controller prevents the apparatus from treating water when the filter has reached the end of its life.
In accordance with the instant invention, there is also provided a household apparatus for treating water comprising a water pump which circulates at least a portion of the water to be treated through a fluid flow path; a filter removably mounted in the fluid flow path; a venturi provided in the fluid flow path and in fluid flow communication with an ozone generator in a gas flow path whereby the flow of water through the fluid flow path draws an oxygen bearing gas through the ozone generator so as to produce ozone that is drawn into the water travelling through the fluid flow path; a flow rate sensor which monitors the flow rate of gas through the gas flow path; and, a controller preprogrammed with at least one preset value whereby the controller prevents further treatment cycles of water if the flow rate of gas through the gas flow path vary from the at least one preset value.
In one embodiment, the preset value corresponds to the flow rate of gas through the gas flow path when the filter is removed from the fluid flow path.
In another embodiment, the preset value corresponds to the flow rate of gas through the gas flow path when the filter when the filter is approaching the end of its life.
In another embodiment, the preset value corresponds to the flow rate of gas through the gas flow path when the filter has reached the end of its life.


Curable silicone pressure sensitive adhesive compositions and films suitable for sealing and adhering substrates for optically clear electronic devices are described. The curable silicone pressure sensitive adhesive compositions are suitable as films or encapsulants for adhering electronic devices, e.g., LCD display, LED display, flexible display, touch screen, and flexible thin film photovoltaic module.

Electronic devices and circuits generally made of an active layer in between a cover front sheet and a substrate back sheet. At least one of the sheets is optically transparent. The substrate and cover sheets are adhered together with a laminating adhesive film that enhances light transmission and optical clarity. Desirably, the adhesive maintains adhesion for the substrates in a wide range of temperatures.
Adhesives in the form of laminating films improve handleability over liquid-based adhesive; however, there are several drawbacks to film-based adhesive. Films have poor substrate wet-out and poor void filling during the assembly process, and this problem is exacerbated for substrates that contain indentations and cavities created by components on substrates such as, electrodes, bus bars, ink steps, and integrated circuits.
WO2009148722 and WO2011062932 references describe polyisobutylene-based film adhesives with a relatively high viscosity. In order to obtain a better wet out, the film adhesive is applied onto the substrate under hot lamination. However, many active organic and electronic components are sensitive to heat above 60° C., and prolonged exposure to such high heat results in detrimental effects on the electronic components.
JP2012057065 reference discloses non-curable pressure sensitive adhesive films. In order to properly wet-out the substrates and to minimize void formations, the viscosity of the adhesive film is kept below 1,000,000 cps or below 200,000 g/mol viscosity average molecular weight (Mv) at 120° C.; however, the uncured thermal plastic adhesive exhibits cold flow under strain during the lifetime of the device. Similarly, CN104130740 reference teaches an organosilicone pressure sensitive adhesive film with high stripping force. Again, the film is not UV-curable, and exhibits cold flow under stain during the lifetime of the device.
CN 103820042 reference discloses the use of SIS and SBS block copolymer to make a film-based, heat-curable, hot melt adhesive for thermal-melt optical clear adhesive (TOCA). The unsaturated C═C functional bonds in the soft block of SIS and SBS block copolymer readily oxidizes in air under UV light or at elevated temperature, and the adhesive film discolors to yellow or brown over time, compromising optical clarity.
WO2013173976A1 reference discloses another challenge known as "Mura" for optical devices. Mura is defined as appearance of dark spots and patches on optical devices, caused by uneven screen uniformity or a localized stress. Any kind of stress, even at low levels, inside the adhesive layer can cause Mura and this is not a repairable defect for optical devices. Pressure sensitive adhesives with low modulus (soft) is desirable to overcome the Mura.
Hydrogels have also been used as adhesive film layer for electronic devices. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,559,165 and 6,448,303 references disclose soft adhesives that leave no oil residue upon removal from a hard substrate. EP175562 reference describes electron-beam curable hydrogel-like soft adhesives. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 5,262,468 reference describes the use of high viscosity rubbers (40,000 cp at 25 wt % in toluene) to obtain gelatinous thermoplastic compositions. While all of these compositions are soft and pliable, they lack adhesive adhesion and fail to adhere to substrates.
Pressure sensitive adhesives with a balanced low modulus and balanced peel adhesion are desirable to overcome the Mura problem and delamination problem. It is also desirable for the pressure sensitive adhesive to have a wide temperature use range.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for pressure sensitive adhesive film in electronic devices with high optical clarity over prolonged time, wide temperature usage, high peel adhesion and low modulus after cure. The current invention fulfills this need.

Curable and optically clear pressure sensitive adhesive and uses thereof