Method and apparatus are provided for accomplishing improved separation and purification of an analyte by mass transfer between immiscible phases employing microporous hollow-fiber membranes. The invention eliminates several problems of the prior art. A number of possible modes of separation by mass transfer are possible according to the invention, including liquid-liquid extraction, back extraction, simultaneous forward and back extraction, gas absorption into a liquid, gas stripping from a liquid and simultaneous gas absorption and stripping.

The present invention provides method and apparatus for accomplishing mass transfer of a dissolved component from a first fluid phase to another, second fluid phase immiscible with the first phase (e.g. by liquid-liquid extraction or gas absorption) using microporous hollow-fiber membranes. This invention is especially useful for the purpose of preparation of analytical samples for subsequent assay by instrumental methods, including methods employing antibodies or antigens.. It has been found that the present invention provides improved and more convenient analytical sample preparation by mass transfer purification (e.g. liquid extraction or gas absorption) of an analyte and overcomes a number of problems of the prior art. The invention, although generally applicable to using mass transfer between fluid phases for analytical sample preparation, will be described mainly in terms of liquid-liquid extraction.
Liquid-liquid extraction (herein sometimes referred to as LLE) is a general and widely used method of preparing samples for later assay by liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, spectrophotometry and other analytical instrumental methods. LLE is particularly useful when the compound to be assayed is lipophilic as in the case of a fat soluble drug. In such a case, the solute (i.e. the drug) would be extracted from the analyte (e.g., a serum or urine sample) into a liquid solvent (often an organic or hydrocarbon solvent). It could then be back-extracted (or stripped) from the solvent into another liquid, often aqueous and referred to herein as the stripping phase, the product liquid or the product phase. LLE helps to free the soute (e.g. a drug) from interfering substances and can concentrate the solute as well. During forward extraction LLE will tend to concentrate a solute compound in an organic solvent liquid, if the compound is more soluble in the organic solvent liquid than in an aqueous analyte sample. The equilibrium condition of two immiscible phases in contact is often expressed in terms of a distribution coefficient, D, herein defined as:
______________________________________ D = (equilibrium concentration of solute (1) in organic solvent phase)/(equilibrium concentration of solute in aqueous phase) ______________________________________
A value of D greater than unity states that the organic phase is favored over the aqueous phase by the solute of interest. A "forward" extraction of a solute from an aqueous feed liquid phase to an organic solvent liquid phase is favored by a distribution coefficient greater than unity as defined by the foregoing equation (1). Back extraction or stripping of a compound from organic solvent liquid to aqueous stripping liquid is favored by a distribution coefficient smaller than unity as defined by the foregoing equation. It is often possible to adjust the distribution coefficient to a favorable value by choosing suitable conditions of pH, temperature and other conditions.
For ease of notation and uniformity, the analyte or liquid sample-to-be-analyzed will often be referred to herein as the feed, feed liquid, feed sample or feed phase, the solvent as solvent liquid or solvent phase (the solvent liquid will often be a hydrocarbon or organic solvent, including organic solvents containing reverse micelles) and the stripping liquid as product, product phase, product liquid or stripping phase. The use of LLE for preparation of analytical samples is further discussed in the following references: D. N. Bailey and M. Kleiner, J. Anal. Toxicology, 8, 26 (1984): E. H. Forester and M. F. Mason, J. Foren. Sci, 19, 155 (1974); I. Sunshine (ed), Handbook of Analytical Toxicology, CRC Press, Cleveland (1969).
In addition to being a traditional method of analytical sample preparation, LLE is also a unit operation of chemical engineering used for stage-wise and continuous operations on a larger scale. The smaller-scale use of LLE for analytical sample preparation is generally a batch process, whereas the traditional use of LLE as a larger-scale unit operation is generally a continuous-flow operation. The latter use of LLE is described generally in McCabe, W. L. and Smith, J. C., Unit Operations of Chemical Engineering, 3rd Ed., McGraw-Hill, N.Y., 1976, pp. 465-800.
Traditional LLE applied to analytical sample preparation requires the handling of several different liquids, is labor intensive requiring considerable manual manipulation, employs considerable volumes of solvents that are often toxic and suffers from problems such as formation of emulsions which are slow and difficult to separate. For such reasons a new approach has gained favor in recent years in which an organic solvent phase is bonded to a solid support such as silica. This modern innovation is often called solid phase extraction or SPE. SPE is described further by the following references: Tibbins, B.: Nature, 334, pp. 273-274, 21 Jul. 1988; Amer. Biotech. Lab, 5, (1), pp. 25-31 (1987); Amer. Labor News, p. 8, June, 1987; Majors, R. E., LC-GC, 4 (10), pp. 972-9844 (1986); McDowell, R. D., et al: J. Pharm. Biomed. Anal., 4 (1), pp. 3-21 (1986).

Purification of samples by interphase mass transfer using microporous hollow-fiber membranes


A plasma doping apparatus includes a hollow cathode to increase throughput and uniformity of ion implantations in a target. The hollow cathode is located adjacent an anode and a target cathode on which a target is placed. An ionizable gas is provided in a space between the anode and the target cathode. The space in which the ionizable gas is provided is surrounded by the hollow cathode. The hollow cathode has either a circular or rectangular cross-section.

This invention relates to plasma doping systems used for ion implantation of workpieces and, more particularly, to a cathode geometry for plasma doping systems.
Ion implantation is a standard technique for introducing conductivity-altering impurities into semiconductor wafers. In a conventional ion implantation system, a desired impurity material is ionized in an ion source, the ions are accelerated to form an ion beam of prescribed energy, and the ion beam is directed at the surface of the wafer. The energetic ions in the beam penetrate into the bulk of the semiconductor material and are embedded into the crystalline lattice of the semiconductor material to form a region of desired conductivity.
Exacting requirements are placed on semiconductor fabrication processes involving ion implantation with respect to the cumulative ion dose implanted into the wafer, implant depth, dose uniformity across the wafer surface, surface damage and undesirable contamination. The implanted dose and depth determine the electrical activity of the implanted region, while dose uniformity is required to ensure that all devices on the semiconductor wafer have operating characteristics within specified limits. Excessive surface damage, particularly chemical etch, or contamination of the surface can destroy previously fabricated structures on the wafer.
In some applications, it is necessary to form shallow junctions in a semiconductor wafer, where the impurity material is confined to a region near the surface of the wafer. In these applications, the high energy acceleration and the related beam forming hardware of conventional ion implanters are unnecessary. Accordingly, it has been proposed to use Plasma Doping (PLAD) systems for forming shallow junctions in semiconductor wafers.
In a PLAD system, a semiconductor wafer is placed on a conductive platen located in a chamber, and the platen functions as a cathode. An ionizable gas containing the desired dopant material is introduced into the chamber, and a high voltage pulse is applied between the platen and an anode (or the chamber walls), causing the formation of a plasma having a plasma sheath in the vicinity of the wafer. The applied voltage causes ions in the plasma to cross the plasma sheath and to be implanted into the wafer. The depth of implantation is related to the voltage applied between the wafer and the anode. A plasma doping system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,381 issued Oct. 11, 1994 to Sheng.
In the PLAD system described above, the high voltage pulse generates the plasma and accelerates positive ions from the plasma toward the wafer. In other types of plasma implantation systems, known as Plasma-Source Ion Implantation, PSII, systems, a separate plasma source is used to provide a continuous plasma. (These implantation systems are also known by several other acronyms, the most common being Plasma-Immersion Ion implantation, PIII.) In such systems, the platen and the wafer are immersed in this continuous plasma and at intervals, a high voltage pulse is applied between the platen and the anode, causing positive ions in the plasma to be accelerated toward the wafer. An example of such a system is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,764,394, issued Aug. 16, 1988 to Conrad.
An advantage of a PLAD system over a PSII system is that the plasma is on only when the target object is being implanted. This results in a reduction of chemically active species that are produced by the continuous plasma of the PSII system and hence a reduction in chemical damage to the wafer surface. In addition, the continuous plasma can also cause high levels of implanted contaminants and high levels of particulate formation. The PLAD system improves on the PSII system by turning the plasma off except when the target object is biased to implant ions. This reduces the level of contaminants, particulates and surface etching damage.
PLAD systems have a minimum breakdown voltage Vbd at which the plasma ignites and ions can be implanted. This breakdown voltage Vbd is defined by the physical characteristics of the system, including the cathode surface material, the type of gas present in the system, the pressure P of the gas in the system and the distance d from the cathode to the anode. For a given surface material and gas type, the breakdown voltage curve Vbd is a function of Pxc3x97d and is known as the Paschen curve. The process is well described in plasma physics texts. Typically, the minimum value for the breakdown voltage Vbd is near Pd≈500 millitorr-cm. For BF3, a common feed gas used for PLAD of Si, the minimum breakdown voltage Vbd≈xe2x88x92530 V. Other dopant feed-gas/substrate combinations will have similar minimum breakdown voltages Vbd. The implant energy of the ions in the plasma is directly proportional to the cathode to anode voltage in prior art PLAD systems.
In PLAD systems, the ion current to the cathode is a function of the applied voltage, gas pressure and surface conditions. For voltages near Vbd, the current is low. As the voltage or the pressure is increased, the current increases. In order to increase current and thereby reduce implant times, it is desirable to operate at higher pressures and voltages above Vbd. Local surface conditions, surface temperature, material, material structure (crystal vs. amorphous), etc., also play a role in the local ion current.
In order to increase production rates, i.e., increase the throughput of target wafers through the doping process, the time it takes to process each wafer needs to be decreased. As is known, the cycle time for a target wafer includes the time needed to evacuate the chamber, the time needed to introduce the dopant feed-gas and bring the chamber to the desired pressure, as well as the duration of time needed to bombard the target wafer with ion current to accomplish the desired level of dopant density. Thus, a way to improve production rates and uniformity using a PLAD system is needed.
According to a first aspect of the invention, a pulsed plasma processing system is provided. The system comprises an anode; a target cathode on which a first target is to be placed, the target cathode spaced apart from the anode and positioned substantially parallel thereto; and a hollow cathode disposed adjacent to each of the anode and the target cathode. The hollow cathode surrounds a portion of a space between the anode and the target cathode.
The system further comprises a first high voltage pulse source having an output, wherein the anode is coupled to a reference voltage; and the target cathode and the hollow cathode are each connected to the output of the first high voltage pulse source.
In another aspect of the invention, the system includes a first high voltage pulse source having a first output and a second high voltage pulse source having a second output. The anode is coupled to a reference voltage; the target cathode is coupled to the second output; and the hollow cathode is coupled to the first output.
In another aspect of the invention, a pulsed plasma processing system is provided. The system comprises an enclosure; an anode provided within the enclosure, the anode and enclosure coupled to a reference voltage; a target cathode on which a first target is to be placed, the target cathode provided within the enclosure, spaced apart from the anode and positioned substantially parallel thereto; a hollow cathode disposed within the enclosure and adjacent to each of the anode and the target cathode, the hollow cathode to surround a portion of a space between the anode and the target cathode; and a high voltage pulse source connected to the target cathode and the hollow cathode.
In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method of implanting ions in a first target in a pulsed plasma processing system is provided. The method comprises providing an anode; positioning a cathode spaced apart from and substantially parallel to the anode; providing the first target on the cathode; positioning a hollow cathode adjacent to, and between, the anode and the cathode; and applying a first high voltage pulse to the hollow cathode, wherein the hollow cathode surrounds a portion of a space between the anode and the cathode.
In still another aspect of the present invention, a pulsed plasma processing system, is provided including a first anode; a second anode spaced apart from and opposite to the first anode; a hollow cathode disposed adjacent to the first and second anodes, the hollow cathode to surround a space between the first and second anodes; and a first high voltage pulse source to supply a positive voltage pulse, relative to a reference voltage, to each of the first and second anodes; wherein the hollow cathode is coupled to the reference voltage.

Varian Semiconductor Equipment Associates, Inc.


A display panel includes: a plurality of pixels arranged in a display region, the pixels each including an organic EL element; and a plurality of electrically-conductive wiring layers each arranged between the pixels. The organic EL element includes a plurality of layers including a hole injection layer and a light emitting layer, the light emitting layer emitting light by recombination of an electron and a hole. The hole injection layer of the plurality of layers is common to the pixels in the display region and is electrically connected to the electrically-conductive wiring layers.

The present technology relates to a display panel that includes an organic Electro Luminescence (EL) element for each pixel, and to a display unit that includes the display panel. The present technology also relates to an electronic apparatus that includes the display unit.
Recently, in a field of a display unit that displays an image, a display unit that uses a current-driven optical device as a light emitting device of a pixel is developed and is in commercialization. The current-driven optical device has light emission luminance that varies according to a value of a current flowing therethrough. Examples of the current-driven optical device include an organic EL device. The organic EL device is a self-light-emitting device unlike devices such as a liquid crystal device. Therefore, it is not necessary to provide a light source (backlight) in a display unit (organic EL display unit) that uses an organic EL device. Hence, the organic EL display unit is thinner and has higher luminance compared to a liquid crystal display unit that needs a light source. In particular, when an active matrix scheme is used as a drive scheme, each pixel is allowed to be held in a light emitting state and power consumption is thereby decreased. Therefore, the organic EL display unit is expected to be the mainstream of flat panel displays in the next generation.
In the active-matrix type display unit, a current flowing through an organic EL element, of the organic EL device, provided for each pixel is controlled by a thin film transistor (TFT) that is provided in a pixel circuit provided for each organic EL element (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-33193).

Display panel, display unit, and electronic apparatus


This invention relates to a food and beverage cooler for use in conjunction with a golf bag. The cooler is easily attached to and detached from a standard golf bag. Additionally, the cooler is equipped with a cooling medium which allows for uniform cooling throughout the interior of the golf bag cooler.

The availability of cold food and beverages on most golf courses is extremely limited. Therefore, it has been desirable for people to carry their own food and beverages while golfing. This poses certain problems because carrying extra coolers can be an enormous burden while using a pull cart or carrying a golf bag and clubs for nine or eighteen holes. Therefore, the present invention is directed towards a small, lightweight cooler which can be attached to a golf bag, and carried easily while playing golf.
Various types of food and beverage coolers are known in the prior art. Indeed, several beverages containers for attachment to a golf bag or a golf bag cart have been proposed in the prior art. However, none of the prior art references known to the applicant suggest the unique apparatus of the present invention which is easily attachable and detachable to a golf bag, and which provides a means for uniformly cooling food and beverages located within the cooler.
The prior art contains several examples of devices directed towards carrying beverages for use during a game of golf. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,899,098 issued to Hutchins on Aug. 12, 1975 discloses a portable insulated carrier for containers. This patent discloses the use of a cylindrical beverage container which is attachable to a golf bag through the use of a projection that engages the umbrella holder of a golf bag, and a clip that may be clipped or strapped onto the golf bag.
Several other patents have described devices for carrying beverages attached either to a golf cart or a golf bag. Examples of such patents are U.S. Pat. No. 3,938,869, U.S. Pat. No. 4,383,563, U.S. Pat. No. 4,844,399 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,105,958.
Several other references disclose the use of coolers which may be attached to a golf bag or golf cart for use while golfing. U.S. Pat. No. 4,459,827 issued to Rhodes on Jul. 17, 1984 discloses a golf bag cooler kit which uses a belt and mounting plate assembly to attach a small cooler to the upper portion of a golf bag.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,889,267 issued to Bolton on Dec. 26, 1989 discloses a cooler caddy used for mounting a beverage cooler to a pull-type golf cart. The cooler caddy provides a structure for holding a separate cooler.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,924,682 issued to Penner on May 15, 1990 discloses a golf bag beverage cooler. This cooler is secured to a golf bag through the use of upper and lower straps. Additionally, the cooler has a sliding means for dispersing cooled beverages.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,989,767 issued to Buschbom on Feb. 5, 1991 discloses a releasably mounted cooler for the front end of a motorized golf cart.
While several references disclose beverage containers or coolers for use in conjunction with a golf bag, golf cart or motorized golf cart, none of the references currently known to the applicant disclose applicant's simple apparatus for mounting a cooler onto a golf bag and providing a uniform cooling means for the contained food or beverages, as is disclosed by the present invention.


A bar code reader includes an image capture means for storing a two dimensional image in memory, which stored image may include a bar code symbol within the field of view of said image. The present bar code reader further includes method and apparatus for determining the location and orientation of said bar code symbol within the field of view of said image, and then filtering said located and oriented bar code symbol along an axis perpendicular to said detected orientation. Thereafter, the filtered bar code symbol is scanned and applied to a decoder to produce a decoded bar code output.

Various machine readable symbols have been developed for many applications. For example, the Universal Product Code (UPC) is a bar code symbology widely used in the U.S. retail industry to identify products at the point of sale, or for inventory control purposes. In the industrial area, other bar code symbologies have been used for package identification systems. Common bar code symbologies include CODABAR, Code 39, Interleaved 2 of 5, and Code 49. In general, machine readable codes provide significant advantages in the efficiency of material handling and data gathering.
A bar code is a particular type of machine readable symbol. A typical bar code includes parallel solid lines, or bars, of varying width and spacing. The alternating light and dark areas defined by the bars and the spaces between the bars, represent a digital code which serves to identify the content of the bar code symbol. After being read, the digital code is then directly translated to a sequence of alphanumeric characters and then by means of a data base, may be further translated to the common language description of the item bearing the subject bar code label, along with other pertinent data, such as for example the current price of the item.
A bar code may be read by scanning. Typically, a small spot of light is directed from a source of illumination to the surface of the bar code. The reflected light is sensed by a photosensitive element. The small illuminated spot of light is then swept across the bar code surface, all the while sensing the intensity of the resulting reflected light. Since light areas reflect more light than dark areas, the reflected light intensity represents the digital code which serves to identify the content of the bar code symbol.
In one type of bar code reader, a hand held laser or LED is used as the source of illumination, and the reader is manually swept across the bar code surface. In a scanning type of bar code reader, the light source is stationary while the light beam is moved in a scanning pattern. A typical scan pattern may be a linear bidirectional sweep. In the latter type of scanner, the bar code symbol and the bar code reader must still be manually oriented so that the scan pattern traverses all the bars of the bar code in order for the bar code to be properly scanned and read.
In another type of bar code scanner, a laser beam is swept through a complex series of repetitive geometric patterns in order to provide for some degree of omnidirectional scanning. All omnidirectional laser based scanners tend to be expensive due to the initial cost and limited lifetime of the laser light source, and the associated complex optical elements which typically include rapidly rotating polygonal mirrors. Also, laser based scanners use an intense concentrated light source which can be an eye hazard, and which requires special precautions in manufacturing and use.
Finally, omnidirectional laser scanners tend to perform poorly with bar code symbols which have been damaged b abrasion, dirt, printing defects, and the like. This latter limitation is caused by scan patterns which are likely to sweep through the bar code label only once as it passes under the scanner. If the laser sweep cuts through a damaged area of the bar code label, a misread (or no read) will occur. Additionally, omnidirectional laser scanners do not read low aspect ratio bar codes because of the limited number of scanning angles in the scan pattern. Also, omnidirectional laser scanners cannot read stacked bar codes such as code 49.
In another type of bar code reader, an image of a bar code is formed over a one dimensional array of photosensitive elements. The one line photosensitive array is subsequently serially read out to simulate a scan line through the bar code. In yet another type of bar code reader, two dimensional image of a bar code is formed on a two dimensional array of photosensitive elements, and subsequently stored in a memory for further processing. However, in such prior art bar code readers, it has still been necessary to position and orient the bar code to the reader.
In general, in the prior art, it is typically necessary for the operator to either orient the bar code, or otherwise position the bar code and/or the reader manually in order to achieve proper operation. Also, prior art bar code readers have difficulty reading damaged labels, and stacked or multiple bar codes. The common result of these limitations, is misread bar codes or unread bar codes, even after repeated attempts. If unable to successfully scan the bar code, the data must be read and entered manually. In some cases, the bar code symbol will pass the scanning station completely undetected and unread. In any event, due to the limitations of the prior art bar code readers, the benefits of marking products with machine readable symbols is reduced or lost.

System for locating and determining the orientation of bar codes in a two-dimensional image


A method for providing a liftoff process using a single layer resist and chemical mechanical polishing and sensor formed therewith are disclosed. Chemical mechanical polishing is combined with liftoff using only a single resist layer to allow the removal of leftover fencing on the side of a lifted resist pattern.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates in general to the manufacture of magnetic sensors, and more particularly to method for providing a liftoff process using a single layer resist and chemical mechanical polishing and sensor formed therewith.
2. Description of Related Art
Magnetoresistive (MR) read transducers are employed extensively for reading magnetically recorded data, typically recorded in parallel tracks on magnetic disk or on magnetic tape. Anistropic magnetoresistive (AMR) heads are one type of magnetoresistive head and include an AMR sensor contacted by longitudinal bias and conductor leads films. Typically, the AMR sensor and bias and conductor films are sandwiched between inductive write films, or between an inductive write film and a shield.
The AMR sensor typically includes a ferromagnetic sense layer separated by a nonmagnetic spacer layer from a ferromagnetic reference layer. The reference layer generates a transverse bias reference field, either by activation from the current supplied to the sensor for sensing the resistance of the sense layer, or by being pinned in a transverse direction through exchange coupling between the reference layer and an underlying ferromagnetic pinning layer. The transverse bias is conventionally used to maintain the sensor in its most linear operating range.
Longitudinal bias is conventionally required to reduce Barkhausen noise for the stabilization of MR sensors. Two major types of longitudinal bias are currently utilized, the overlaid longitudinal bias wherein separate longitudinal bias layers overlay the sense layer in each of the end regions, and the abutting longitudinal bias wherein the sense layer is only in the center region and the bias layers abut and are adjacent the sense layer in the end regions.
Another magnetoresistive head gaining in usage is the giant magnetoresistive sensor (GMR), which employs pinned and free ferromagnetic layers separated by a thin film layer of nonmagnetic material. The voltage across the GMR sensor is related to the rotation of the magnetization in the free ferromagnetic layer as a function of the magnetic field being sensed. Although the mechanism for sensing the magnetic field of the data being sensed is different from the magnetoresistive effect of the AMR sensor, the GMR sensor must also be stabilized by a longitudinal bias field. Typically, the GMR sensor is stabilized by overlaid longitudinal bias layers at each end of the sensor, although abutting longitudinal bias is also employed.
Magnetic head assemblies are typically made of multiple thin film layers, which are patterned to form various shaped layers in the head. Some of the layers are plated while other layers are sputter deposited on a wafer substrate. The read head portion of a magnetic head assembly includes multiple layers that are typically sputter deposited. For example, the multiple layers of a read sensor, hard bias and lead layers connected to the sensor and first and second read gap layers below and on top of the sensor are typically sputter deposited.
The longitudinal bias layers are conventionally overlaid with conductors, which comprise the conductor, leads at each end of the sensor. A current is supplied between the conductors which is conducted by the longitudinal bias layers to each end of the sense layer(s) and the voltage generated by the current across a central region of the sense layer(s) between the bias layers is the sense signal representative of the sensed recorded data. Thus, the active width of sense layer is defined by the central region between the longitudinal bias layers at each end of the sense layer central region.
A key dimension for MR transducers is the width of the active sense region, which defines the trackwidth of the recorded data that is read. If the active sense region width is narrower and more precisely defined, the data tracks of recorded data may be narrower and closer together, thereby allowing more tracks on the same dimensioned recording media and thereby increasing the data capacity of the recording media.
The read head portion of a magnetic head assembly, which includes multiple layers, is typically formed using sputter deposition techniques. For example, the multiple layers of a read sensor, hard bias and lead layers connected to the sensor and first and second read gap layers below and on top of the sensor are typically sputter deposited. For example, a full film layer of the required material may be sputter deposited on a wafer substrate. A patterned photoresist layer is formed on the layer and the exposed portion of the layer is ion-milled away. Then, the photoresist layer is removed leaving the desired shaped layer that was protected therebelow.
This method of shaping sputter deposited layers has been generally superseded by a bilayer lift-off mask scheme. The bilayer lift-off mask is employed for the purpose of making contiguous junctions of the first and second lead layers with first and second side edges respectively of the read sensor. Multiple read sensor layers are sputter deposited in full film on the wafer substrate followed by formation of the bilayer lift-off mask covering a read sensor site. Ion milling is then employed to remove all of the read sensor material except that below the mask. Full films of hard bias and lead layer materials are then sputter deposited which cover the top of the lift-off mask and an area surrounding the lift-off mask.
It is important that the height of the undercuts be greater than the thickness of the hard bias and lead layers. This is so a photoresist stripper can reach the bottom release layer. The stripper is then introduced which dissolves the bottom release layer causing the bilayer lift-off mask and the hard bias and lead materials deposited thereon to be released from the wafer substrate leaving the aforementioned contiguous junctions between the first and second lead layers and the first and second side edges respectively of the read sensor.
The bilayer lift-off mask scheme has significantly improved the making of read heads by forming contiguous junctions between the lead layers and the read sensor. Less processing steps are required and the profile of the lead and hard bias layers above the read sensor has been reduced. Unfortunately, bilayer lift-off masks limit the track width of read heads. The more narrow the track width the greater the tracks per inch (TPI) that can be read by the read head from a rotating magnetic disk. Accordingly, the greater the tracks per inch the greater the storage capacity of a disk drive employing such a read head.
Theoretical drawings of MR heads indicate that the edges of the longitudinal bias layers and the leads are perfectly aligned and perfectly vertical, either in the overlaid longitudinal bias or the abutting longitudinal bias. However, current processing control of the length and height of the undercut has not been precise enough for current track widths goals. Conventional manufacturing produces edges that are less than perfectly aligned and less than perfectly vertical. Long first and second undercuts leave insufficient release layer material which can cause the bilayer lift-off mask to be separated from the substrate or topple over during subsequent processing steps of ion milling and sputter deposition. If the undercut is too short fencing can occur. Fencing is deposition of the sputtered material across the height of the undercut.
In a mass production environment, the design of the disk file must accommodate the various active areas of MR read transducers. Therefore, the more difficult it is to align the edges, the more difficult it is to define the width of the active sense region, and the parallel tracks of recorded data must be located further apart to accommodate the various widths of the active sense region of the manufactured transducers. Also, the ion-milling process required with bilayer liftoff mask attacks the tip photoresist layer and thereby reduces its width.
It can be seen that there is a need for a method for providing a liftoff process using a single layer resist and chemical mechanical polishing and sensor formed therewith.

Method for providing a liftoff process using a single layer resist and chemical mechanical polishing and sensor formed therewith

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies Netherlands B.V.


A hoof shoe formed in situ and a method for building a hoof shoe, such as a horseshoe, of an intended shape in situ are disclosed, including cleaning the surface of the shoe area of the horse hoof of debris, depositing a malleable mass of resin onto the cleaned hoof surface, supporting the resin mass until no longer malleable and shaped into an intended horseshoe shape.

Not applicable.
Not Applicable.
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to revolutionizing the art of horses hoeing. More particularly, the invention relates to forming horseshoes in place, i.e. in situ, rather than fabricating the shoe away from the animal and tacking it to the hoof. More broadly, the invention relates to the addition to hoofs of various animals needing hoof protection. More particularly, the invention provides the benefits of shoeing to horses and other animals in an especially convenient and effective manner. The invention provides, for example, with respect to horseshoes, for the shoeing of horses with a resin composition that sets up instantly in situ on the horse""s hoof in the near form of a horseshoe and is then trimmed to a perfect shape. The invention enables the periodic renewal of horseshoes with a minimum of effort, readily affords local variation in shoe thickness to compensate for hoof irregularities, and ensures an effective protection for the horse""s hoof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Horseshoes have been fabricated of metals for centuries and more recently from synthetic materials, but always by prefabricating the shoe and then applying the prefabricated shoe onto the horse""s hoof. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,861 to Sigafos where a kit for horses hoeing is described. The problems of prefabricated horseshoes, whether of metal or plastic is that the shape of the hoof to be shod varies making the application of a prefabricated shoe a process of trial and error, and a highly skilled and expensive to obtain art. Also, some hoofs need a thicker section in one place than in another. It is economically infeasible to market or inventory all the possibilities that may be encountered.
What is needed is a more flexible approach, one that allows customizing of the shoes to the hoof on site without onerous or costly effort. It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide an in situ shoeing method and product. It is a further object to provide a system for the creation on the hoof itself of the shoe. It is a further object to reduce inventory requirement to merely a variously applicable resin system that is applied to the hoof in custom fashion without custom inventory. A further object of the invention is to deposit onto a prepared hoof shoeing surface a resin mass, that may comprise an intimate admixture of reactive resin components, in a profile approximating the intended shoe, that is malleable albeit non-flowing when applied, and modifiable to the desired exact contour to achieve any thickness, any thickness variation along the extent of the shoe, and of course a precise registration of the deposited resin system with the hoof contour without difficult bending of strong, prefabricated materials. It is a still further object to provide a mass resin system typically comprising A and B sides of a resin in the form of reactive thermosetting resin precursors, e.g. comprising urethane resin precursors, that is thixatroped to have a consistency allowing the resin during reaction to a formed, cured or hardened to a state to stand on the hoof shoeing surface without excessive flow off the surface. A further object is the provision of an animal or horse shoe of an intended profile comprising the resin mass in substantially the intended profile in situ on a horse hoof surface, more particularly a synthetic organic resin horseshoe formed in situ on a horse hoof surface, and the combination of a horse having a hoof, and a synthetic organic resin horseshoe attached to said hoof, the horseshoe having been formed in situ from the resin mass on the horse hoof. Other objects include: forming while shoeing a moisture barrier on the hoof surface, through the adhesion of the applied resin mass to the hoof surface material; providing a repair system for shoed hooves by addition of more resin mass where wear has occurred, which is effective because the resin mass in many embodiments will adhere to its previously cured self; preventing the horse from pulling a shoe, i.e. removing a shoe on an adjacent hoof with another hoof through a purchase gained at the so-called lip protruding rearwardly from the conventional horseshoe by eliminating the lip protrusion altogether with careful tailoring of the shoe so as to be narrow on the hoof; equalizing pressure on the hoof all about the hoof surface as an improvement over the use of nails which become as many as seven or more points of pressure; enabling shoeing of horses whose hooves are worn too much to tolerate nailing, but will accept a shoe formed in situ; adding spring to the horse""s step through the resiliency of the in-situ-formed horseshoe, the profile of which can be modified to add a spring function; improving traction by customizing the shoe bottom surface to the anticipated terrain; adding color at the shoe, bodily or in accents, or other optical effects including patterns and glitter to reflect the stable that trained the horse, or a cause or event; and to have or provide a layer of resiliency at the hoof for comfort and longevity of the horse.
These and other objects of the invention to become apparent hereinafter are realized in the method for building a horseshoe of an intended shape in situ, including cleaning the surface of the shoe area of horse hoof of debris, shaping a temporarily generally malleable mass of resin on the cleaned hoof surface into generally a horseshoe-shape, and locally modifying the exposed surfaces of the horseshoe mass to conform to the final intended horseshoe shape on the shoe area surface after general malleability in the resin is lost, and the horseshoe product of the method.
In this and like embodiments, typically, the resin selected is one that self-adheres to the shoe area surface, and there is included also precoating the shoe area surface under the mass with a thin layer of the mass or similar resin having less than 25% of the depth of the intended horseshoe shape, selecting as the resin a reaction product of thermosetting resin precursors, selecting as the resin precursors thermosetting urethane resin precursors.
In a further embodiment, the invention provides a method for building a horseshoe of an intended shape in situ, including cleaning the surface of the shoe area of horse hoof of debris, applying a preshaped mass of resin on the cleaned hoof surface in generally a horseshoe-shape, and precoating the surface with a resin acting to bond the shaped mass to the surface before application of the shaped mass, and the product of the method.
In this and like embodiments, typically, the method further includes locally reshaping the horseshoe mass to conform to the intended horseshoe shape on the shoe area surface, selecting as the precoating resin the same resin as the shaped mass resin.
The invention further provides in combination, the indicated preshaped mass a resin adhesive adhering the mass of resin to the surface, the resin adhesive being distributed on the surface.
In a further embodiment, the invention provides a method for building a horseshoe of an intended shape in situ, including cleaning the surface of the shoe area of a horse hoof of debris, collecting an unconfined malleable resin mass beyond the shoe area surface, applying the mass onto the cleaned hoof surface in a generally horseshoe-shaped form, and then locally modifying the exposed surfaces of the horseshoe mass to conform to the final intended horseshoe shape on the shoe area surface.
In this and like embodiments, typically, the method further includes selecting as the resin mass a mass that self-adheres to the shoe area surface, and selecting as the resin mass a mass comprising a mixture of thermosetting resin precursors, such as thermosetting urethane resin precursors.
In a further embodiment, the invention provides a method for building an animal shoe of an intended shape in situ, including cleaning the surface of the shoe area of debris, depositing onto the cleaned hoof surface a flowable shoe preform comprising a resin mass having a depth and width of profile generally conforming to the intended shoe shape in the shoe area surface adhering relation, reducing the mass to a non-flowable state to retain substantially all the mixture on the shoe area surface, and then locally mechanically modifying the mass to modify its profile to conform to the final intended shoe shape on the shoe area surface.
As in previous embodiments, in this and like embodiments, typically, the method includes selecting as the mass a mass that self-adheres to the shoe area surface, selecting as the mass a mass that comprises reactive resin precursors in intimate admixture in a common vessel, the mass being reduced to a nonflowable state by reaction of the precursors, such as thermosetting resin precursors, e.g. thermosetting urethane resin precursors such as diphenylmethane diisocyanate, polyol, a thixatroping amine, such as a thixatroping primary or secondary amine, like meta xylene diamine.
The invention further includes the products of the foregoing methods.
In a further embodiment, there is provided a method for building a horseshoe in situ including cleaning the surface of the shoe area of horse hoof of debris, depositing onto the cleaned hoof surface a flowable horseshoe perform comprising an intimate curable mixture of urethane resin precursors comprising diphenylmethane diisocyanate and a polyoxyproplyene oxide polyol and meta xylene diamine at a depth and width profile greater than the intended horseshoe shape at a viscosity to remain on the surface, curing the mixture to a non-flowable mass in less than one minute, and shaping the horseshoe preform to reduce its profile to a final intended horseshoe shape on the surface, and the product thereof.
Other products of the invention include a horseshoe of an intended profile, the horseshoe comprising a resin mass formed in substantially the intended profile in situ on a horse hoof surface, suitably formed of a synthetic organic resin, the combination of a horse having a hoof, and a synthetic organic resin horseshoe attached to the hoof, the horseshoe having been formed in situ on the horse hoof, and the combination of: a horse having a hoof, and a synthetic organic resin horseshoe attached to the hoof, the horseshoe having been formed in situ on the horse hoof from a resin mass deposited on the hoof at a depth and width profile approximating the intended horseshoe shape.
In another aspect the invention provides a moisture-proofing of the shoed hoof surface, the method including protecting a horse hoof from moisture accumulation between shoe and hoof, including cleaning the hoof surface of debris and forming on the cleaned hoof an adherent resin mass that adheres to the hoof surface in moisture excluding relation.
In other aspects the invention provides the method of protecting a horse hoof from uneven pressure on the hoof from horseshoe, including clearing from the hoof all nails and previous shoe, and forming on the cleaned hoof an adherent resin mass that adheres to the hoof surface in shoe-forming relation, the method of maintaining a horse hoof shoe against wearing from an intended shape, including cleaning the shoe surface of debris, and restoring the intended shape to the shoe through the added application of an adherent resin mass that adheres to the hoof surface, the method of increasing the stepping comfort of a horse, including providing and maintaining as the horse hoof shoe a shoe comprising a resin having a resilience to be reduced temporarily in vertical profile when the horse puts its weight upon the shoe, and a synthetic organic resin hoof shoe hardened in situ on a hoof, the hoof-shaped resin exhibiting an optical effect other than its natural appearance.


A slicing apparatus comprises a housing and at least one filament with a first and second end. The at least one filament is pullable by a user. The housing is defined by perimeter walls and has a bottom with an opening, a top, and a vertical member. The vertical member has a longitudinal axis and extends from the top of the housing towards the bottom. The at least one filament mechanically connects to the vertical member and the remainder of it passes through the perimeter walls. Once passed through, the second end of the at least one filament terminates external to the housing. With the second end of the at least one filament now external to the housing, the user can move the at least one filament. When the at least one filament is moved by a user, the at least one filament may effect slices into a volume of matter.

One problem with conventional slicing means is that they can be unsafe. Whether slicing bread, cake, cheese or any other volume of matter, traditional knives or other cutting implements fall short because their use requires that the user be both careful and skilled. One slight mistake with the knife can leave the user injured. Accordingly, a need exists for a device that allows users to slice these sorts of foods without fear of injury and with little experience.
A related problem is that conventional slicing means produce uneven cuts. Similar to safety, one slight mistake leaves a user with an uneven slice or layer. This is problematic for the presentation as well as the functionality of the food. For instance, if a user is baking a layer cake that requires some sort of filling, when the user slices the cake to create the layers, one uneven horizontal slice can ruin the entire cake. If bad enough, this can force a user to start the layer cake from scratch which leads to substantial wastes of time and resources.
In commercial settings, it is typical for users to create layer cakes by using large knives. Using this technique, a user takes a frozen cake and uses a large knife to slice the frozen cake to create horizontal slices (i.e. layers). However, this is problematic for several reasons. First, it requires much more time to bake a cake and then freeze it to the extent necessary to slice layers using this method. Second, when using large knives of any kind, let alone slicing frozen blocks of cake, a user must be certain to employ a fairly high standard of care in order to avoid injuries. Additionally, a certain amount of skill and strength is involved in slicing frozen cake. This places much stress and responsibility on the user. Accordingly, a safer method and device is necessary to ensure commercial kitchens cease wasting time baking and freezing cakes as well as avoiding further unnecessary injuries in the workplace.
As for presentation, where certain foods require multiple layers, there is a need to ensure that multiple layers are easily achievable. In the modern age of ubiquitous consumer restaurant reviews, favorable ratings can spell the difference as to whether a restaurant survives, meaning that presentations leading to higher ratings are of the utmost concern to restaurants. As to layer cakes, a user must slice the cake into precise, uniform, and often thin layers. Because issues are often encountered when slicing thin, fragile food volumes even by skilled users, there is a need for a slicing apparatus that allows a user to produce foods such as a presentable layer cake, irrespective of skill or experience.
Elaborate and large machines have been designed to effect uniform slices as described above. However, these machines lack mobility and can be prohibitively expensive. Furthermore, these machines typically only slice in one direction (i.e. sliced bread). Accordingly, a need exists for a device that is relatively inexpensive, mobile, and has the ability to slice in more than one direction.
A related problem is that conventional slicing means are difficult to use for horizontal slices, vertical slices, and some combination thereof. Humans have consistently searched for a unique device that provides the ability to slice food or other volumes horizontally and vertically, with the same tool and the same slicing movement. For example, in the context of presentation, users often need to create cakes or other types of food with intricate shapes that are not uniformly horizontal or vertical but instead some combination thereof. Normally, if a user requires slices in multiple directions and planes, using a slicing machine is onerous due to time costs in setting up each slice. With a knife, all of the safety and care issues described above become a concern. Accordingly, a need exists for a device that provides users with the ability to effect slices in multiple directions and planes without having to waste time rearranging machinery or carefully moving a knife between slices.
Another related problem is sanitation. Whether using a knife or a cutting filament such as a cheese slicer, once a user has sliced one type of food (e.g. cheese), the user must then clean the cutting means in order to proceed to another medium. If at that time the user is not situated near a water source, soap, or other cleaning means, this can present an unnecessary obstacle in terms of time and energy costs before the user may proceed with slicing.
As society has become increasingly mobile, an emphasis on compact, mobile goods has become important with most products. Knives large enough to slice horizontal layers are impractical to easily carry around on one's person. The same issue to larger degree applies to slicing machines. Devices that employ cutting filaments (such as a wire cheese slicer) fall short in terms of mobility since they are incapable of fitting into a single storable mobile container. Accordingly, a need exists to provide a highly mobile and compact slicing apparatus.
To solve the various problems outlined above, many solutions have been proposed. For example, certain devices have been disclosed that include a blade and a single filament in order to slice a granular cake. These devices contain a cutter that adjustably fixes to abuse assembly for use on a flat surface. These devices use a cutting filament that is embedded in the sliceable matter to encircle the sliceable material after a cut has been made (see for example, PCT/AU87/00009). While this device is known, it has its drawbacks. First, if the user does not maintain complete control over the cake during cutting, the cake is cut unevenly or not at all if the cake moves. Second, the method of cutting involves several steps that place considerable responsibility on the user. In order to cut, the user must first form a marginal cut with the blade and then, insert the filament into the cut. Moreover, a user must use a locking screw to fix the vertical height before she can slice horizontal layers. In essence, there are three separate steps the user must get right before she can simply move the filament through a slice. Finally, the device requires the use of both a filament and a blade to effect slices.
Accordingly, a need exists for a device that can slice in one single step and more specifically, a device without much setup where the user can focus on simply maneuvering the filament for slices in the direction and plane the user desires. Further, a need exists for a device that allows a user to slice along multiple planes without having to utilize a locking mechanism. Finally, a need exists for a device that allows a user to slice in both the vertical and horizontal planes with only at least one single filament instead of additional cutting parts such as a serrated blade.
Another significant problem with other filament cutters is that typically the filament is spaced a fixed distance, meaning, span that the filament can cut is not easily adjustable, either horizontally or vertically (See U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,706). Essentially, the device contains one filament that can be drawn through a cake to insert a slice. However, vertical slices are not easily achievable and require a user to complete the horizontal slice before moving onto slices in a different plane. Further spacing between the filament and the member(s) to which it is affixed place a limit on the depth of the slice. For instance, the device disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,425,706 suffers from this limitation and consequently can only cut rectangular sections of limited depths.
Another significant problem with other devices that have used cutting filaments is with the sleeves that are intended to be used in tandem. In this approach, the cake is placed internal to the sleeve and the filament is attached at a guide fixed at a vertical position. To effect horizontal layers, the user moves the filament through the cake thereby providing a horizontal slice since the guide restricts the filament for going beneath that particular horizontal plane. This concept is limited to providing only horizontal slices as opposed to being able to slice horizontally, vertically, or some combination thereof. Further, the type of matter that can be sliced is dependent upon the form factor of the sleeve (i.e. it must fit within the given envelope). It should be noted that the shape of the sleeve is not easily adjustable.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous for an apparatus that can precisely slice multiple-shaped sections depending on the geometry of the volume and the user's needs. It would also be advantageous to provide an apparatus that allows a user to slice layers or sections irrespective of spacing constraints so that a user without experience or fear of injury can precisely and efficiently slice many different sized volumes. Moreover, there is a need for an apparatus that removes the need for use of any blades or is not dependent upon the pre-set tension of a filament. Finally, it would be advantageous to provide a slicer with a high degree of mobility that satisfies the foregoing needs and can be made relatively inexpensively.

Slicing apparatus and method of use thereof


In the image forming apparatus, upon reception of a job containing a file to be printed, it is determined whether or not the job contains a template indicating that a plurality of files are to be merged. If it is determined that the job contains the template, then the job is stored in a storage section. Based on the template, it is analyzed whether or not all jobs containing files to be merged have been stored in the storage section. If it is determined that all the jobs have been stored in the storage section, then control is exerted based on the template so as to merge and print the files contained in all the jobs. Thus, a plurality of files can be automatically merged and printed, and therefore the workload on the user can be reduced.

The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus and an image forming method for receiving and executing a plurality of print jobs. The present invention also relates to an image forming system for performing such an image forming method on a network.
For printing of a plurality of files with a printing apparatus, in general, a user prints each file separately. Therefore, when double-sided printing or intensive printing is executed, a blank page or space may be generated at the end of each file depending on the print page number. Particularly, in the case where for creation of a report or the like, texts are prepared with a word processor software while experimental results are prepared with a spread sheet software, merging separately printed files would involve intervenient occurrence of blank pages, damaging the integrity of the report. It would also be a waste of paper.
In this connection, for example in JP2000-301799A, there has been proposed a technique of applying appropriate scaling to varied page sizes in one job so that these pages are laid out within output pages.
However, in the case where a plurality of files are different in file form from one another, users may find it difficult or, in some cases, impossible to merge those files together before printing.

Image forming apparatus, image forming method and image forming system for receiving and executing plurality of print jobs

Konica Minolta Business Technologies, Inc.


An object displayed in a picture can be designated by the operator, without use of any additional device for inputting data other than position data. Position data of a pointer for designating any desired position in a picture are inputted by a pointer position input section (1). On the basis of the input data, a change of the pointer position relative to a specific region (13) set in relation to an object (12) in the picture is detected by a pointer region pass detecting section (2). On the basis of the output of the pointer region pass detecting section (2), the pointer positions obtained by the pointer position inputting section (1) are accumulated by a pointer position accumulating section (3). Further, the pointer locus data obtained by the pointer position accumulating section (3) are recognized by a gesture recognizing section (4) to detect a significant movement (a specific input operation) of the pointer in a specific region. The detected significant movement of the pointer is applied to a processing section (5) to receive the significant input operation corresponding to the significant movement of the pointer other than the position data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data input device and method, and more specifically to a data input device for controlling a pointer operation in a data displaying picture to operate an electronic apparatus such as a personal computer.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Conventionally, when an electronic apparatus such as a personal computer is operated, a pointer or a cursor displayed on a data displaying picture is moved by use of a pointing device such as mouse, track ball, etc. Further, an object displayed on the picture is pointed by the pointer, and then a button is additionally operated to start a specific work or to move an object. The method as described above is referred to a GUI (graphical user interface), which is widely used as a method of operating a personal computer.
However, since the electronic apparatus has been small-sized more and more so as to be portable, in the future it is easily predicted that the conventional pointing device is not usable satisfactorily. For instance, when a mouse is used, since a place having a certain area is required, the mouse is not suitable for a portable electronic apparatus. On the other hand, in the case of a track ball or a small-sized joy stick, since the movement of the operator's hand differs from the movement of the pointer, these devices are not suitable when a gesture for designating a specific work is inputted. Further, when a pen device is used, since the pen must be taken out whenever used and thereby there exists a possibility of loss of the pen, the pen cannot be considered as the best method.
Now, as the data input method, Japanese Patent Application No. 7-250418 filled by the same Inventors discloses a finger pointing interface (FPI) such that light is allowed to be incident upon the operator's hand; the light reflected from the hand is detected as an image; and the pointer position is obtained by processing the image data. In this method, since the pointer movement can be controlled on the basis of the movement of the finger's motion; that is, since a part of the operator's body can be detected without use of any specific tool, when a pointer is operated as described above to input data to an electronic apparatus, there exists such a merit that the operability can be improved markedly in particular in the case of the portable data electronic apparatus.
In the case of the FPI, however, when a picture is operated, since the pointer is not operated on the basis of only the finger motion, but since the pointer operation is decided in combination with the button switch, there exists a limit of improvement of the operability. In other words, when the portable data apparatus is supported by the left hand and further the pointer is moved by the right hand, for instance, since the button must be depressed by the left hand at the same time, there exists a problem in that when the button is depressed by the left hand, the apparatus body is moved, so that a desired object on a picture cannot be pointed or whenever the button is depressed, the picture is moved, thus causing a problem in that the pointing operation is not easy.
On the other hand, in the case of the pointing device, although the position data can be inputted on the basis of contact or non-contact with a tablet, in order to add a specific operation other than positional data, it is necessary to provide a switch attached at top of the pen so as to be turned on when the pen is pushed against the tablet, or to dispose another switch in the pen body, so that there exists a problem in that it is difficult to improve the operability thereof decisively.
The same problem as above is prominent when a spacial mouse is used (in which the pointer is moved by a remote controller having a gyroscope or an infrared light emitting section). That is, when a significant operation is added to an object pointed by the pointer, since an additional operation parts such as another button or switch is inevitably needed, this causes a factor which obstructs an improvement of the operability of the electronic apparatus.
As described above, in the prior art data input device, as the means for inputting a specific operation other than the position data, since the mouse button or an inputting section corresponding to the mouse button is provided. In addition, since the button operation and the position data are both processed in connection with each other, there exists a problem in that the operation is complicated, in particular in the case of the portable data apparatus, with the result that the data input device is not suitable according to the sort of operation.


A pair of wire strippers with a specially designed tip to allow stripping of type NM or NMC cable inside of electrical boxes is herein disclosed. The upper portion of the tip, is bent at a ninety degree (90°) angle to the main body of the stripper. This angled tip contains cutting blades designed to conform to the profile of type NM or NMC cable, commonly known as “Romex.” Due to this angled configuration, the wire stripper blades can easily fit into small electrical boxes and strip cable near the back of the box, as opposed to conventional wire strippers which cannot be used in such close quarters. To aid in proper positioning of the tip of the wire stripper, a “Z”-shaped parallel offset is provided. The wire strippers can also be used outside of boxes in an equally effective manner, thus an electrician is not required to carry two (2) pairs of wire strippers.

Anyone who performs laborious work will attest that nothing beats having the proper tool for a particular job. The proper tool can save time, save money, produce a higher quality job, reduces damage to equipment, and provides for the increased safety of a worker. Each field of the skilled trade has its own type of specialty tools, each performing a specialized task. Wire strippers are commonly used in the electrical field for stripping the outer sheath insulation off of type NM or NMC wire, commonly known as "Romex". Simple manual wire strippers operate using a pair of opposing blades much like wire cutter with a notch to cut the insulation without cutting the wire.
While these types of conventional wire strippers work great on wire when it is outside of electrical boxes or similar confined areas, the close confines on the interior of such boxes, coupled with the wire size, makes it difficult or impossible to strip the insulation form the electrical wire near the rear of the box. Electricians typically try using straight blade utility knives to cut the insulation and pull it from the wire. This action however subjects the internal conductors to possible damage and accidental shorting at a later date.
Various attempts have been made in the past to overcome these problems and provide a means of stripping insulation from electrical wires. Among the relevant attempts to address these problems are several U.S. patents, including U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,177,741; 3,221,576; 6,718,848.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,991, issued in the name of Kinkade, discloses a combination electrician's tool comprising a pair of pivotally connected pliers having a two (2) cutting jaws which are used for cutting items such as wire and act as a hammering tool when in a closed position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,395,928, issued in the name of Undin et al., discloses a hand tool for automatically stripping insulation from the end of a wire comprising a pair of gripping jaws which provide a means of holding the wire and pair of cutting and stripping jaws which remove the insulation utilizing an actuating member and a driving member which drives the cutting and stripping jaws away from the gripping jaws.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,079,296, issued in the name of Muromoto, discloses a wire cover peeling tool comprising a gripped body, an operation lever, and clamp arm which are pivotally coupled to a receiving clamp. Two (2) sliding blades extend inwardly from the tip of the receiving clamp and provide a means of cutting a portion of the wire covering and extracting the covering from the wire core.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objective, each of these references suffers from one or more of the following disadvantages: comprising a large wire gripping and cutting and insulation extraction mechanism; causing problems such as damage to the wire core or to adjacent components; or requiring the electric wire to be bent, moved, or pulled from its original position in order to remove the insulation; thus none disclosed a solution to the aforementioned problems.
Additionally, ornamental designs for hand held cutting and stripping tools exist, particularly, U.S. Pat. Nos. D 285,527 and D 458,827. However, none of these designs are similar to the present invention.
Accordingly, there exists a need for an apparatus which provides a means by which type NM or NMC wire can be easily and safely stripped inside of electrical boxes. The development of the present invention fulfills this need.


A coating apparatus and method of use wherein at least one capillary tube is in contact with a moving substrate during coating.

There is an ongoing need for an inexpensive and reliable coating apparatus which can be used to coat viscous fluids continuously and controllably on a wide web with excellent downweb and crossweb uniformity and controllable coating width. Coating die methods suffer from the drawback that it is difficult to fabricate a wide die with excellent crossweb thickness uniformity, and the cost and weight of the die become prohibitive as the width is increased. Rolling bank methods suffer from the drawbacks of being difficult to control in terms of both coating weight and coating width, and have a tendency toward coating thickness variability. The inability to precisely control coating width on a wide web leads to waste, e.g., in the form of uncoated web, material, spilled coating fluid, etc. Further, once such a coating process has been brought under control, changing any variable, such as the viscosity of the coating fluid, or the desired finished thickness of the coating, or the line speed, requires laborious trial-and-error changes to many of the other variables in order to regain control of the coating process.
The use of capillary tubes in a coating device is known. Many capillary tube coating methods involve providing a reservoir or rolling bank of coating fluid on the substrate being coated. This reservoir must be metered using an additional device, such as a nip roll. Control of such a system is difficult. U.S. Pat. No. 8,257,794 (Wang et al.) discloses another known capillary tube coating method which does not use a rolling bank wherein the capillary tube is first brought into contact with the substrate to be coated in order to commence the flow of the coating fluid, and then withdrawn to a precise distance from the surface in order to maintain the flow during coating. Such a system is also difficult to control. Other common drawbacks to known capillary tube coating methods is that they force a choice between droplet-wise dispensing of the coating fluid, or high-velocity high-volume jet flow, rather than permit continuous dispensing of a controlled flow.
The need exists for an inexpensive and reliable coating apparatus which can be used to coat viscous fluids continuously and controllably on a wide web with excellent downweb and crossweb uniformity and controllable coating width.

Contact coating by use of a manifold provided with capillary tubes


Femtocell synchronization is disclosed, in which a femtocell transmits a request over an out-of-band (OOB) link to a proximate mobile device for synchronization assistance. In response to the request, the mobile device transmits an access probe to a serving macro base station. The femtocell detects the access probe and uses aiding information to decode the access probe to determine the timing and/or frequency information. The femtocell uses this timing and/or frequency information for its synchronization.

1. Field
Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to femtocell synchronization timing acquisition and maintenance.
2. Background
Wireless communication networks are widely deployed to provide various communication services such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and the like. These wireless networks may be multiple-access networks capable of supporting multiple users by sharing the available network resources. Such networks, which are usually multiple access networks, support communications for multiple users by sharing the available network resources. One example of such a network is the Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN). The UTRAN is the radio access network (RAN) defined as a part of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), a third generation (3G) mobile phone technology supported by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Examples of multiple-access network formats include Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) networks, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) networks, Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA) networks, Orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) networks, and Single-Carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) networks.
A wireless communication network may include a number of base stations or NodeBs that can support communication for a number of user equipments (UEs). A UE may communicate with a base station via downlink and uplink. The downlink (or forward link) refers to the communication link from the base station to the UE, and the uplink (or reverse link) refers to the communication link from the UE to the base station.
A base station may transmit data and control information on the downlink to a UE and/or may receive data and control information on the uplink from the UE. On the downlink, a transmission from the base station may encounter interference due to transmissions from neighbor base stations or from other wireless radio frequency (RF) transmitters. On the uplink, a transmission from the UE may encounter interference from uplink transmissions of other UEs communicating with the neighbor base stations or from other wireless RF transmitters. This interference may degrade performance on both the downlink and uplink.
As the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, the possibilities of interference and congested networks grows with more UEs accessing the long-range wireless communication networks and more short-range wireless systems being deployed in communities. Research and development continue to advance the UMTS technologies not only to meet the growing demand for mobile broadband access, but to advance and enhance the user experience with mobile communications.
In recent years, users have started to replace fixed line broadband communications with mobile broadband communications and have increasingly demanded great voice quality, reliable service, and low prices, especially at their home or office locations. In order to provide indoor services, network operators may deploy different solutions. For networks with moderate traffic, operators may rely on macro cellular base stations to transmit the signal into buildings. However, in areas where building penetration loss is high, it may be difficult to maintain acceptable signal quality, and thus other solutions are desired. New solutions are frequently desired to make the best of the limited radio resources such as space and spectrum. Some of these solutions include intelligent repeaters, remote radio heads, pico cells, and femtocells.
The Femto Forum, a non-profit membership organization focused on standardization and promotion of femtocell solutions, defines femto access points (FAPs), also referred to as femtocell units, to be low-powered wireless access points that operate in licensed spectrum and are controlled by the network operator, can be connected with existing handsets, and use a residential digital subscriber line (DSL) or cable connection for backhaul. In various standards or contexts, a FAP may be referred to as a home NodeB (HNB), home evolved NodeB (HeNB), access point base station, etc.
In order to keep the expenses low, it is desired for FAPs to require very little for installation and setup. This means that a FAP may be designed to auto-configure itself such that the user only needs to plug in the cables for the internet connection and electricity, and the timing and frequency synchronization of the FAP with the macro cell is taken care of automatically.

Femtocell synchronization enhancements using access probes from cooperating mobiles


A method for testing refresh operations of a memory array wherein subthreshold leakage current may be set to near worst-case conditions. The memory array includes a first row of memory cells having a first memory cell configured to store a first memory value, and a second row of memory cells having a second memory cell configured to store a second memory value. The method comprises storing a logic high value to the first memory cell as the first memory value, followed by storing a logic low value to the second memory cell as the second memory value. The method further comprises repeatedly driving a write bit line coupled to both the first and second memory cells at a logic low level for a period of a time equal to a refresh interval corresponding to the first memory cell. Additionally, the method includes subsequently reading the first memory value from the first memory cell. Finally, the method includes indicating that the first memory cell is operating correctly if the first memory value is still equal to a logic high value, or indicating that the first memory value is malfunctioning if the first memory value is equal to a logic low value. Driving the write bit line low may be accomplished by repetitively reading the second memory cell. The same effect may alternately be achieved by repetitively writing a logic low value to the second memory cell. By keeping the write bit line at a logic low level during testing of refresh operations, the subthreshold leakage current through the write transistor of the first memory cell may be increased. This accelerates the discharge of the first memory value, and insures testing is performed near worst-case conditions.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the field of digital electronic memory devices, and in particular to testing of memory refresh operations.
2. Description of the Related Art
Memory devices are used in digital computer systems to store and retrieve electronic data at high speeds. Each item of data in memory, called a bit, is stored in a separate circuit or device known as a cell. Since computers use binary format to represent data, each cell can store one of two possible values (on or off). A typical memory system contains millions of bits organized as an array consisting of horizontal rows and vertical columns. Each cell shares electrical connections with the other cells in its row and column. The horizontal lines connected to all cells in a row are called word lines, and the vertical lines (along which data flows into and out of the cell) are called data or bit lines. Cells are therefore accessed by proper selection of the word and bit lines.
Several different types of memory are found in digital computers, one of which is dynamic random access memory (DRAM). Random-access memory is flexible in that it allows both the retrieval and storage of data to be performed quickly (as compared to Read-only Memory, or ROM). Dynamic RAM differs from static RAM (SRAM) in that it stores a value in a memory cell by either charging or discharging a capacitor. The cell retains its value only as long as the capacitor remains charged (typically a few milliseconds). Therefore, the capacitor in the cell needs to be periodically recharged, or refreshed. SRAMs, on the other hand, retain a value in a cell until either another value is stored or the power supply is interrupted.
DRAMs, while typically slower than SRAMs, are less expensive and are generally used to implement large arrays in a computer system, such as main memory. DRAMs are less expensive than SRAMs because their memory cells are designed to be as simple as possible. Sacrificing circuitry for compactness, though, results in a less robust output signal from the cell. Peripheral logic such as sense amplifiers, memory registers, and output drivers is needed to properly restore the electrical characteristics of the cell's output to be compatible with the rest of the system. Reliability is also an issue when dealing with a dynamically stored value. Although the refresh operation is designed to periodically recharge a cell's storage element, some memory cells in the array may be weak in the sense of holding charge. If the storage element in a cell discharges too quickly, it will result in a loss of that data bit.
One implementation of a compact DRAM design is the three-transistor memory cell (3T cell). The 3T cell includes a storage transistor, which maintains the value of the cell, a read transistor for retrieving the value of the cell, and a write transistor, for storing a value into the cell. One type of transistor that can be used in this cell is the Metal-Oxide-Silicon Field-Effect Transistor (MOSFET). A MOSFET has a gate terminal separated from a silicon substrate by a thin layer of insulating material. Furthermore, the MOSFET has a channel extending between two diffused regions in the substrate, called the source terminal and the drain terminal. The fourth terminal, the substrate, is typically held at a non-conducting voltage. The source and drain are electrically disconnected unless a voltage potential from the transistor's gate to its source (V.sub.GS) surpasses a threshold voltage (V.sub.T) characteristic of the transistor. In this case, current begins to flow between the source and drain. When V.sub.GS is less than V.sub.T, the current flowing in the channel (known as the subthreshold leakage current) is considerably smaller than when V.sub.GS is greater than V.sub.T.
To understand the causes of subthreshold leakage current, the structure and operation of a MOSFET must be considered. The source and drain terminals of the transistor each form a reverse-biased junction with the substrate. At values of V.sub.GS below V.sub.T, these terminals are electrically disconnected from one another. At each of these junctions, one side of the junction has more positive charge carriers, and the other has more negative carriers. This heavy concentration of charge carriers is called doping. (In an n-channel transistor, the source and drain are negatively doped, and the substrate is positively doped). When these two regions come into contact, the differing charge concentrations cause a flow of negative carriers to the positively-charged region and a flow of positive carriers to negatively-charge region. As the carriers move about, an electric field is built up between the two regions. Eventually, an equilibrium is reached in which the electric field exactly balances the tendency of the charge carriers to migrate. A potential barrier is thus erected between the two types of materials that prevents current from flowing. Furthermore, a region is built up at the junction that is almost entirely devoid of any charge carriers. This area is known as the depletion region.
In large geometry MOSFETs, the potential barrier across the depletion region is great enough to restrict most leakage current. The electric fields created by the source-substrate junction and the drain-substrate junction are far enough part so that one field does not sufficiently lower the barrier enough to produce current injection. This is true even as drain voltage (V.sub.D) is increased, for in long-channel devices, the leakage current is substantially independent of the drain-source voltage V.sub.DS.
In short-channel transistors, however, an effect called drain-induced barrier lowering (DIBL) becomes important. DIBL results when the drain is sufficiently close to the source, such that the electric field caused by the drain-substrate junction lowers the source barrier enough so that current will flow. There are two components to DIBL. First, even if V.sub.DS is zero, the channel might be short enough such that there is overlap between the depletion regions of the drain and source terminals. This effect by itself may be enough to induce current flow. Secondly, as V.sub.DS is increased, the electric field of the drain junction may extend into the source region, again lowering the potential barrier. The subthreshold leakage current also has an exponential dependence on V.sub.G (and hence, V.sub.GS). As V.sub.GS increases, attracting more charge carriers to the channel, more current will flow.
In large geometry MOSFETs (channel lengths greater than one micron, the subthreshold leakage current is usually small enough to be ignored. For short-channel devices, however, this current flow may, in many instances, be significant. In the 3T cell, in which the write transistor is connected to the gate of the storage transistor, the subthreshold leakage current through the write transistor is a primary factor in the rate of discharge of the storage transistor. The greater the leakage current, the faster the cell discharges.
To prevent discharging to a degraded voltage level, the refresh operation is performed on each cell in a memory array at a fixed interval. The time between successive refresh operations is called the refresh interval, and is selected based on physical characteristics of the cell's transistors. The integrity of data in a memory system depends on each cell being able to hold its logic state throughout the duration of the refresh interval.
During manufacture of memory arrays, a test is conducted to insure that each cell meets the specification for the refresh interval. If this test is not performed with a comparatively large subthreshold leakage current, the memory cell could still be susceptible to failure under worst-case leakage conditions. To improve test coverage, it would therefore be desirable to increase the subthreshold leakage current during the refresh interval test of the 3T cell.

Method of testing memory refresh operations wherein subthreshold leakage current may be set to near worst-case conditions


Aspects of the invention relate to methods and compositions for characterizing or modulating the expression of metabolic mesenchymal genes. In some embodiments, methods for assessing the expression of metabolic mesenchymal genes and related gene signatures are provided that are useful for cancer classification, prognosis, diagnosis, or treatment selection.

The differentiation states of cancer cells influence their malignant properties. Carcinoma cells lie along a continuum of less- and more-differentiated states. When taken from the same tumor, cancer cells in distinct states can have very different functional properties. For instance, in comparison to other cells in the same tumor, cancer stem cells (CSCs) efficiently seed new tumors, invade host tissues, and survive without cell-to-cell or cell-to-matrix attachments. However, basis for intrinsic therapeutic resistance, invasiveness, and other properties CSCs remains minimally understood.

Metabolic gene mesenchymal signatures and uses thereof

Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research


A system is provided for remotely servicing medical diagnostic systems. The diagnostic systems may include a range of modalities and system types. A remote service facility may be contacted by the diagnostic systems, or may contact the diagnostic systems via a network link. Service requests, messages, protocols, data and log files, and so forth, may be transmitted between the diagnostic systems and the service facility. The service requests are handled by the service facility interactively with the medical diagnostic systems. The diagnostic systems are thereby apprised of the status of service requests, service reports, and so forth. A uniform interface and platform are provided for facilitating interactive communications of service requests and data between the diagnostic systems and the service facility.

Medical diagnostic and imaging systems are ubiquitous in modern health care facilities. Such systems provide valuable tools for identifying, diagnosing and treating physical conditions and greatly reduce the need for surgical diagnostic intervention. In many instances, final diagnosis and treatment proceed only after an attending physician or radiologist has complemented conventional examinations with detailed images of relevant areas and tissues via one or more imaging modalities.
Currently, a number of modalities exist for medical diagnostic and imaging systems. These include computed tomography (CT) systems, x-ray systems (including both conventional and digital or digitized imaging systems), magnetic resonance (MR) systems, positron emission tomography (PET) systems, ultrasound systems, nuclear medicine systems, and so forth. In many instances, these modalities complement one another and offer the physician a range of techniques for imaging particular types of tissue, organs, and physiological systems and phenomena. Health care institutions often dispose of several such imaging systems at a single or multiple facilities, permitting its physicians to draw upon such resources as required by particular patient needs.
Modern medical diagnostic systems typically include circuitry for acquiring image data and for transforming the data into a useable form which is then processed to create a reconstructed image of features of interest within the patient. The image data acquisition and processing circuitry is often referred to as a "scanner" regardless of the modality, because some sort of physical or electronic scanning often occurs in the imaging process. The particular components of the system and related circuitry, of course, differ greatly between modalities due to their particular physics and data processing requirements.
Medical diagnostic systems of the type described above are often called upon to produce reliable and understandable images within demanding schedules and over a considerable useful life. To ensure proper operation, the systems are serviced regularly by highly trained personnel who address imaging problems, configure and calibrate the systems, and perform periodic system checks and software updates. Moreover, service offerings have been supplemented in recent years by remote service centers capable of contacting scanners at subscribing institutions directly without the need for intervention on the part of the institution personnel. Such remote servicing is intended to maintain the diagnostic systems in good operational order without necessitating the attention of physicians or radiologists, and is often quite transparent to the institution.
While such service techniques have proven extremely valuable in maintaining diagnostic systems, further improvements are still needed. For example, in conventional service systems, contact between the scanners and a centralized service center most often originates with the service center. The scanners are provided with only limited functionality in the ability to identify and define service needs. Even where the scanners have permitted some limited ability to contact networked service providers, intermittent conditions indicative of a potentially serviceable problem may cease by the time the service provider is contacted or recontacts the scanner after a service call. Moreover, although the transparency of interactions between scanners and service centers avoids unnecessarily distracting medical personnel with service updates, it has become apparent that some degree of interaction between service centers and institutions would be highly desirable. In particular, an interactive service system would facilitate valuable exchanges of information, including reports of system performance, feedback on particular incidents requiring attention, updates of system licenses, software, imaging protocols, and so forth. Currently available service systems do not permit such interactive exchanges.
In addition to the foregoing drawbacks, conventional scanners are not suitably adapted to support user-friendly, scanner-based service exchanges. User interfaces in such scanners typically only permit limited access to service information, and do not provide a particularly useful interface for identifying and defining serviceable conditions as they occur. Moreover, software platforms and interfaces in conventional scanners are not suitable for interaction with service centers, and generally exclude the user from communications between the scanner and the service center or, conversely, impose unnecessarily on the user by requiring intervention for certain service functions such as software updates or downloads. Furthermore, platforms have yet to be developed that can serve as a basis for interactive servicing needs of different modalities. Rather, such platforms have traditionally been specifically designed for the needs of a particular modality or even a particular scanner with little cross utility between systems or modalities.
While improvements in diagnostic stations has been made for certain modalities, these are still insufficient to satisfy the current need. For example, graphical user interfaces are available for specific modality scanners, such as ultrasound scanners, which enable software downloads and remote access to images. The remote access features are, however, generally limited to transmitting image configurations and image data for reconstruction between remote physician workstations and the scanner. At present, available systems do not provide for exchanging information on possible service problems with the scanners, or information or data log files for the purpose of providing remote service of the scanner itself.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Medical diagnostic system service method and apparatus


A fastening device includes a base member having a plurality of apertures, wherein the apertures are spaced apart substantially the same distance; and a plurality of nut receiver coupled to the base member at the apertures, wherein the nut receiver includes an alignment member having an aperture corresponding to the aperture of the base member, and a side member, wherein the side member is coupled between the base member and the alignment member. The nut receiver includes an opening between the base member and alignment member to removably receive a nut therein. Once within the alignment member, the alignment member operates to retain the nut in a fixed orientation to allow the securing of a sealing member to the base by use of a bolt that engages the nut after extending through the sealing member and the aperture in the base member.

Technical Field
This invention relates generally to a fastening device and system and more particularly to a fastening device and system for securing a sealing member of a material handling equipment.
State of the Art
Conventional material handling equipment typically has a conveyor or other handling device that moves material. This conventional material handling equipment typically have a sealing member or a skirt that is bolted to the frame in order to better control the unwanted spreading/leaking of debris. The sealing member keeps the material/debris in the location that is desired.
These conventional, bolted on sealing members are difficult to change, requiring a lot of man hours to make repairs if damaged or completely replace the skirt. Further, conventional sealing members or skirts require two workers to perform the job.
Accordingly, there is a need for an improved fastening device and system for a coupling a sealing member to material handling equipment.


A display device is disclosed. In one embodiment, the display device includes i) a display panel configured to display an image, ii) a chassis base configured to support the display panel, iii) an auxiliary chassis disposed between the display panel and the chassis base, wherein one end of the auxiliary chassis covers and contacts an edge of the chassis base. The display device further includes i) a driving board disposed at the back of the chassis base and configured to drive the display panel and ii) at least one signal transmission member comprising at least one circuit device and configured to electrically connect the display panel and the driving board, wherein one side of the at least one signal transmission member is supported by the auxiliary chassis, and wherein the one side faces the edge of the chassis base.

1. Field of the Invention
Example embodiments relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device that includes an auxiliary chassis supporting a signal transmission member which connects a display panel and a driving board.
2. Description of the Related Technology
A plasma display device is a flat display device that includes an electrode on each of the surfaces of substrates that face each other. The plasma display device realizes an image by using light emitted due to ultraviolet radiation generated in a discharge space by applying a predetermined voltage between the substrates while discharge gas is filled in the discharge space. The plasma display device has come into the spotlight because it typically has a thickness of several centimeters or lower, and a large screen and large view angle.