A power plug, comprising: a hollow housing, with a wire hole in the end. A limitative set is contained within the hollow housing. There are also at least two bases, placed in the limitative slot and revolvingly contacting to each slip ring, are insulated by the loop located within the limitative set, and at least two blades. The ring rim of each base extends upward to form a ring wall. The ring wall defines at least a notch through the lateral plane of the ring wall, and the inside of the ring wall contains a contact piece. The contact piece has a contact arm that is embedded in the notch. The tip of the contact arm bends to form a contact part and extends out of the notch to tightly contact the contact piece by the contact part. Each of the blades that is mounted in each base electrically contacts the contact piece.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a plug, particularly to a power plug.
2. The Related Art
U.S. Pat. No. 6,595,782 issued on Jul. 22, 2003 discloses a conventional power plug. The conventional power plug normally has a housing, at least two connecting blades, at least two disks securely received in the housing, at least two slip rings each mounted on one of the two disks and power relative to the corresponding disk, and at least two securing elements each received in the housing to securely engage with the corresponding slip ring. After the two slip rings are securely connected to the securing elements and the two connecting blades are electrically connected to the two disks, the plug is able to rotate regardless of the connection between the two connecting blades and a power socket firmly fixed at a location.
The rotation of the power plug in this patent is accomplished between the slip ring and the collector ring. The collector ring, the slip ring and the insulator bring about different friction effects. Since the contact area of the friction is too wide, it will reduce the life of a frequently used plug, and may compromise the quality of life.
To overcome these shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved plug which permits a reduction of friction between the collector ring and the slip ring to mitigate and obviate the aforementioned problems.


A novel member of the heregulin superfamily has been identified which is designated xe2x80x9cxcex3-HRGxe2x80x9d. This molecule, secreted by human breast cancer MDA-MB-175 cells, leads to the formation of a constitutive active receptor complex and stimulates the growth of these cells in an autocrine manner. xcex3-HRG polypeptide and nucleic acid are disclosed, together with various uses therefor (e.g. use of xcex3-HRG nucleic acid for the recombinant production of xcex3-HRG). xcex3-HRG antagonists (e.g. neutralizing antibodies and antisense nucleic acid molecules) as well as uses therefor are also described.

This application relates to the discovery of a novel heregulin polypeptide called gamma-heregulin (xcex3-HRG) secreted by human breast cancer MDA-MB-175 cells, which has a unique N-terminal domain not present in hitherto-identified heregulins.
Transduction of signals that regulate cell growth and differentiation is regulated in part by phosphorylation of various cellular proteins. Protein tyrosine kinases are enzymes that catalyze this process. Receptor protein tyrosine kinases are believed to direct cellular growth via ligand-stimulated tyrosine phosphorylation of intracellular substrates. Growth factor receptor protein tyrosine kinases of the class I subfamily include the 170 kDa epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) encoded by the erbB1 gene. erbB1 has been causally implicated in human malignancy. In particular, increased expression of this gene has been observed in more aggressive carcinomas of the breast, bladder, lung and stomach.
The second member of the class I subfamily, p185neu, was originally identified as the product of the transforming gene from neuroblastomas of chemically treated rats. The neu gene (also called erbB2 and HER2) encodes a 185 kDa receptor protein tyrosine kinase. Amplification and/or overexpression of the human HER2 gene correlates with a poor prognosis in breast and ovarian cancers (Slamon et al., Science 235:177-182 (1987); and Slamon et al., Science 244:707-712 (1989)). Overexpression of HER2 has been correlated with other carcinomas including carcinomas of the stomach, endometrium, salivary gland, lung, kidney, colon and bladder. Accordingly, Slamon et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,603 describe and claim various diagnostic assays for determining HER2 gene amplification or expression in tumor cells. Slamon et al. discovered that the presence of multiple gene copies of HER2 oncogene in tumor cells indicates that the disease is more likely to spread beyond the primary tumor site, and that the disease may therefore require more aggressive treatment than might otherwise be indicated by other diagnostic factors. Slamon et al. conclude that the HER2 gene amplification test, together with the determination of lymph node status, provides greatly improved prognostic utility.
A further related gene, called erbB3 or HER3, has also been described. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,183,884; Kraus et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 86:9193-9197 (1989); EP Pat Appln No 444,961A1; and Kraus et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:2900-2904 (1993). Kraus et al. (1989) discovered that markedly elevated levels of erbB3 mRNA were present in certain human mammary tumor cell lines indicating that erbB3, like erbB1 and erbB2, may play a role in human malignancies. Also, Kraus et al. (1993) showed that EGF-dependent activation of the ErbB3 catalytic domain of a chimeric EGFR/ErbB3 receptor resulted in a proliferative response in transfected NIH-3T3 cells. Furthermore, these researchers demonstrated that some human mammary tumor cell lines display a significant elevation of steady-state ErbB3 tyrosine phosphorylation further indicating that this receptor may play a role in human malignancies. The role of erbB3 in cancer has been explored by others. It has been found to be overexpressed in breast (Lemoine et al., Br. J. Cancer 66:1116-1121 (1992)), gastrointestinal (Poller et al., J. Pathol. 168:275-280 (1992), Rajkumar et al., J. Pathol. 170:271-278 (1993), and Sanidas et al., Int. J. Cancer 54:935-940 (1993)), and pancreatic cancers (Lemoine et al., J. Pathol. 168:269-273 (1992), and Friess et al., Clinical Cancer Research 1:1413-1420 (1995)).
The class I subfamily of growth factor receptor protein tyrosine kinases has been further extended to include the HER4/Erb4 receptor. See EP Pat Appln No 599,274; Plowman et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:1746-1750 (1993); and Plowman et al., Nature 366:473-475 (1993). Plowman et al. found that increased HER4 expression closely correlated with certain carcinomas of epithelial origin, including breast adenocarcinomas. Diagnostic methods for detection of human neoplastic conditions (especially breast cancers) which evaluate HER4 expression are described in EP Pat Appln No. 599,274.
The quest for the activator of the HER2 oncogene has lead to the discovery of a family of heregulin polypeptides. These proteins appear to result from alternate splicing of a single gene which was mapped to the short arm of human chromosome 8 by Orr-Urtreger et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 90:1867-1871 (1993).
Holmes et al. isolated and cloned a family of polypeptide activators for the HER2 receptor which they called heregulin-xcex1 (HRG-xcex1), heregulin-xcex21 (HRG-xcex21), heregulin-xcex22 (HRG-xcex22), heregulin-xcex22-like (HRG-xcex22-like), and heregulin-xcex23 (HRG-xcex23). See Holmes et al., Science 256:1205-1210 (1992); WO 92/20798; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,367,060. The 45 kDa polypeptide, HRG-xcex1, was purified from the conditioned medium of the MDA-MB231 human breast cancer cell line. These researchers demonstrated the ability of the purified heregulin polypeptides to activate tyrosine phosphorylation of the HER2 receptor in MCF7 breast tumor cells. Furthermore, the mitogenic activity of the heregulin polypeptides on SK-SR-3 cells (which express high levels of the HER2 receptor) was illustrated. Like other growth factors which belong to the EGF family, soluble HRG polypeptides appear to be derived from a membrane bound precursor (called pro-HRG) which is proteolytically processed to release the 45 kDa soluble form. These pro-HRGs lack a N-terminal signal peptide.
While heregulins are substantially identical in the first 213 amino acid residues, they are classified into two major types, xcex1 and xcex2, based on two variant EGF-like domains which differ in their C-terminal portions. Nevertheless, these EGF-like domains are identical in the spacing of six cysteine residues contained therein. Based on an amino acid sequence comparison, Holmes et al. found that between the first and sixth cysteines in the EGF-like domain, HRGs were 45% similar to heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor (HB-EGF), 35% identical to amphiregulin (AR), 32% identical to TGF-xcex1, and 27% identical to EGF.
The 44 kDa neu differentiation factor (NDF), which is the rat equivalent of human HRG, was first described by Peles et al., Cell, 69:205-216 (1992); and Wen et al., Cell, 69:559-572 (1992). Like the HRG polypeptides, NDF has an immunoglobulin (Ig) homology domain followed by an EGF-like domain and lacks a N-terminal signal peptide. Subsequently, Wen et al., Mol. Cell. Biol., 14(3): 1909-20 1919 (1994) carried out xe2x80x9cexhaustive cloningxe2x80x9d to extend the family of NDFs. This work revealed six distinct fibroblastic pro-NDFs. Adopting the nomenclature of Holmes et al., the NDFs are classified as either xcex1 or xcex2 polypeptides based on the sequences of the EGF-like domains. Isoforms 1 to 4 are characterized on the basis of the variable justamembrane stretch (between the EGF-like domain and transmembrane domain). Also, isoforms a, b and c are described which have variable length cytoplasmic domains. These researchers conclude that different NDF isoforms are generated by alternative splicing and perform distinct tissue-specific functions. See also EP 505 148; WO 93/22424; and WO 94/28133 concerning NDF.
Falls et al., Cell, 72:801-815 (1993) describe another member of the heregulin family which they call acetylcholine receptor inducing activity (ARIA) polypeptide. The chicken-derived ARIA polypeptide stimulates synthesis of muscle acetylcholine receptors. See also WO 94/08007. ARIA is a xcex2-type heregulin and lacks the entire spacer region rich in glycosylation sites between the Ig-like domain and EGF-like domain of HRG-xcex1, and HRGxcex21-xcex23.
Marchionni et al., Nature, 362:312-318 (1993) identified several bovine-derived proteins which they call glial growth factors (GGFs). These GGFs share the Ig-like domain and EGF-like domain with the other heregulin proteins described above, but also have an amino-terminal kringle domain. GGFs generally do not have the complete glycosylated spacer region between the Ig-like domain and EGF-like domain. Only one of the GGFs, GGFII, possessed a N-terminal signal peptide. See also WO 92/18627; WO 94/00140; WO 94/04560; WO 94/26298; and WO 95/32724 which refer to GGFs and uses thereof.
Ho et al. in J. Biol Chem. 270 (24):14523-14532 (1995) describe another member of the heregulin family called sensory and motor neuron-derived factor (SMDF). This protein has an EGF-like domain characteristic of all other heregulin polypeptides but a distinct N-terminal domain. The major structural difference between SMDF and the other heregulin polypeptides is the lack in SMDF of the Ig-like domain and the xe2x80x9cglycoxe2x80x9d spacer characteristic of all the other heregulin polypeptides. Another feature of SMDF is the presence of two stretches of hydrophobic amino acids near the N-terminus.
While the heregulin polypeptides were first identified based on their ability to activate the HER2 receptor (see Holmes et al., supra), it was discovered that certain ovarian cells expressing neu and neu-transfected fibroblasts, did not bind or crosslink to NDF, nor did they respond to NDF to undergo tyrosine phosphorylation (Peles et al., EMBO J. 12:961-971 (1993)). This indicated another cellular component was necessary for conferring full heregulin responsiveness. Carraway et al. subsequently demonstrated that 125I-rHRGxcex21177-244 bound to NIH-3T3 fibroblasts stably transfected with bovine erbB3 but not to non-transfected parental cells. Accordingly, they conclude that ErbB3 is a receptor for HRG and mediates phosphorylation of intrinsic tyrosine residues as well as phosphorylation of ErbB2 receptor in cells which express both receptors. Carraway et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269(19):14303-14306 (1994). Sliwkowski et al., J. Biol. Chem. 269(20):14661-14665 (1994) found that cells transfected with HER3 alone show low affinities for heregulin, whereas cells transfected with both HER2 and HER3 show higher affinities.
This observation correlates with the xe2x80x9creceptor cross-talkingxe2x80x9d described previously by Kokai et al., Cell 58:287-292 (1989); Stem et al., EMBO J. 7:995-1001 (1988); and King et al. on cc gene 4:13-18 (1989). These researchers found that binding of EGF to the EGFR resulted in activation of the EGFR kinase domain and cross-phosphorylation of p185HER2. This is believed to be a result of ligand-induced receptor heterodimerization and the concomitant cross-phosphorylation of the receptors within the heterodimer (Wada et al., Cell 61:1339-1347 (1990)).
Plowman and his colleagues have similarly studied p185HER4/p185HER2 activation. They expressed p185HER2 alone, p185HER4 alone, or the two receptors together in human T lymphocytes and demonstrated that heregulin is capable of stimulating tyrosine phosphorylation of p185HER4, but could only stimulate p185HER2 phosphorylation in cells expressing both receptors. Plowman et al., Nature 366:473-475 (1993). Thus, heregulin is the only known example of a member of the EGF growth factor family that can interact with several receptors. Carraway and Cantley, Cell 78:5-8 (1994).
The biological role of heregulin has been investigated by several groups. For example, Falls et al., (discussed above) found that ARIA plays a role in myotube differentiation, namely affecting the synthesis and concentration of neurotransmitter receptors in the postsynaptic muscle cells of motor neurons. Corfas and Fischbach demonstrated that ARIA also increases the number of sodium channels in chick muscle. Corfas and Fischbach, J. Neuroscience, 13(5): 2118-2125 (1993). It has also been shown that GGFII is mitogenic, for subconfluent quiescent human myoblasts and that differentiation of clonal human myoblasts in the continuous presence of GGFII results in greater numbers of myotubes after six days of differentiation (Sklar et al., J. Cell Biochem., Abst. W462, 18D, 540 (1994)). See also WO 94/26298 published Nov. 24, 1994.
Holmes et al., supra, found that HRG exerted a mitogenic effect on mammary cell lines (such as SK-BR-3 and MCF-7). The mitogenic activity of GGFs on Schwann cells has also been reported. See, e.g., Brockes et al., J. Biol. Chem. 255(18):8374-8377 (1980); Lemke and Brockes, J. Neurosci. 4:75-83 (1984); Brockes et al., Ann. Neurol. 20(3):317-322 (1986); Brockes, J., Methods in Enzym., 147: 217-225 (1987) and Marchionni et al., supra. Schwann cells constitute important glial cells which provide myelin sheathing around the axons of neurons, thereby forming individual nerve fibers. Thus, it is apparent that Schwann cells play an important role in the development, function and regeneration of peripheral nerves. The implications of this from a therapeutic standpoint have been addressed by Levi et al., J. Neuroscience 14(3):1309-1319 (1994). Levi et al. discuss the potential for construction of a cellular prosthesis comprising human Schwann cells which could be transplanted into areas of damaged spinal cord. Methods for culturing Schwann cells ex vivo have been described. See WO 94/00140 and Li et al., J. Neuroscience 16(6):2012-2019 (1996).
Pinkas-Kramarski et al. found that NDF seems to be expressed in neurons and glial cells in embryonic and adult rat brain and primary cultures of rat brain cells, and suggested that it may act as a survival and maturation factor for astrocytes (Pinkas-Kramarski et al., PNAS, USA 91:9387-9391 (1994)). Meyer and Birchmeier, PNAS, USA 91:1064-1068 (1994) analyzed expression of heregulin during mouse embryogenesis and in the perinatal animal using in situ hybridization and RNase protection experiments. These authors conclude that, based on expression of this molecule, heregulin plays a role in vivo as a mesenchymal and neuronal factor. Also, their findings imply that heregulin functions in the development of epithelia. Similarly, Danilenko et al., Abstract 3101, FASEB 8(4-5):A535 (1994), found that the interaction of NDF and the HER2 receptor is important in directing epidermal migration and differentiation during wound repair.
The invention relates to the discovery of the novel xcex3-HRG polypeptide and nucleic acid. This molecule, secreted by human breast cancer MDA-MB-175 cells, leads to the formation of a constitutive active receptor complex and stimulates the growth of these cells in an autocrine manner.
Accordingly, the invention provides isolated xcex3-HRG polypeptide. This xcex3-HRG polypeptide is preferably substantially homogeneous and may be selected from the group consisting of a native sequence polypeptide (such as human xcex3-HRG of FIG. 1) and variant xcex3-HRG (e.g. chimeric xcex3-HRG). Additionally, the xcex3-HRG polypeptide may be selected from the group consisting of the polypeptide that is isolated from a mammal (e.g. a human), the polypeptide that is made by recombinant means, and the polypeptide that is made by synthetic means. Accordingly, the polypeptide may be unassociated with native glycosylation or may be completely unglycosylated. In preferred embodiments, the isolated xcex3-HRG possesses an effector function of human xcex3-HRG of SEQ ID NO:2 and comprises an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of: (a) the amino acid sequence for mature human xcex3-HRG in SEQ ID NO:2; (b) the naturally occurring amino acid sequence for mature xcex3-HRG from an animal species other than the sequence of (a); (c) naturally occurring allelic variants or isoforms of (a) or (b); and (d) the amino acid sequence of (a), (b) or (c) which has only one or two amino acid substitutions.
The invention further provides a composition (preferably one which is sterile) comprising xcex3-HRG and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. The composition may be used in a method for activating an ErbB receptor which comprises the step of contacting a cell which expresses an ErbB receptor (which may be the same or different from the ErbB receptor to be activated) with the xcex3-HRG polypeptide. This method may be an in vitro one, e.g. where the cell is in cell culture or an in vivo method where the cell is present in a mammal (e.g. a human patient who could benefit from ErbB receptor activation). In another embodiment, the invention provides an in vitro or in vivo method for enhancing proliferation, differentiation or survival of a cell (especially where the cell expresses an ErbB receptor at its cell surface) comprising the step of contacting the cell with the xcex3-HRG polypeptide. The cell may, for example, be a glial cell or muscle cell. Furthermore, the invention provides a method for detecting an ErbB receptor which comprises the step of contacting a sample suspected of containing the ErbB receptor with the xcex3-HRG polypeptide (e.g. labelled xcex3-HRG) and. detecting if binding has occurred. In this manner, an assay for determining a prognosis in patients suffering from carcinoma (e.g. breast or ovarian carcinoma) is provided.
xcex3-HRG has a unique N-terminal domain (NTD) which is not present in other heregulins. This NTD and fragments thereof (as well the nucleic acid encoding NTD or fragments thereof) is thought to be particularly useful for the production of xcex3-HRG-specific reagents, e.g. anti-NTD antibodies for detecting and purifying xcex3-HRG as well as nucleic acid probes. Accordingly, the invention provides an isolated polypeptide comprising a consecutive sequence of at least thirty amino acids of the xcex3-HRG N-terminal domain (NTD) of SEQ ID NO:4 or one which comprises the amino acid sequence for mature xcex3-HRG N-terminal domain (NTD) in SEQ ID NO:4.
The NTD-specific antibodies may be used, among other things, in a method for detecting xcex3-HRG which comprises the step of contacting a sample suspected of containing xcex3-HRG with the antibody (which is optionally labelled) and detecting if binding has occurred. The antibody may also be used in a method for purifying xcex3-HRG which comprises the step of passing a mixture containing xcex3-HRG over a solid phase to which is bound the antibody and recovering the fraction containing xcex3-HRG.
The nucleic acid encoding the NTD of xcex3-HRG may be used to determine the presence of a nucleic acid molecule encoding xcex3-HRG in a test sample (e.g. from a mammal suspected of having, or being predisposed to cancer), comprising contacting the test sample with the isolated nucleic acid and determining whether the isolated nucleic acid hybridizes to a nucleic acid molecule in the test sample. Nucleic acid encoding the NTD of xcex3-HRG may also be used in hybridization assays to identify and isolate nucleic acids sharing substantial sequence identity to xcex3-HRG. In further embodiments, this NTD-encoding nucleic acid can be used as a primer in a polymerase chain reaction for amplifying a nucleic acid molecule encoding xcex3-HRG in a test sample.
The invention also provides xcex3-HRG-specific antagonists for use in methods where it is desirable to block xcex3-HRG production and/or biological activity either in vitro or in vivo. One type of antagonist is a neutralizing antibody which binds specifically to the NTD of xcex3-HRG. Another type of antagonist is an antisense nucleic acid molecule, e.g. one which is complementary to the nucleic acid sequence encoding the NTD and which is able to reduce production of xcex3-HRG polypeptide by MDA-MB-175 cells.
In other aspects, the invention provides an isolated nucleic acid molecule encoding xcex3-HRG (and isolated antisense nucleic acid molecules; see above). For example, the nucleic acid molecule may be selected from the group consisting of: (a) nucleic acid comprising the nucleotide sequence of the coding region of the mature xcex3-HRG gene in SEQ ID NO:1; (b) nucleic acid corresponding to the sequence of (a) within the scope of degeneracy of the genetic code; and (c) nucleic acid which hybridizes to DNA complementary to DNA encoding the N-terminal domain (NTD) of human xcex3-HRG of SEQ ID NO:2 under moderately stringent conditions and which encodes a polypeptide possessing an effector function of human xcex3-HRG of SEQ ID NO:2. The isolated nucleic acid molecule optionally further comprises a promoter operably linked thereto.
In other embodiments, the invention provides a vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule (e.g. an expression vector comprising the nucleic acid molecule operably linked to control sequences recognized by a host cell transformed With the vector); a host cell comprising the nucleic acid molecule; and a method of using a nucleic acid molecule encoding xcex3-HRG to effect production of xcex3-HRG which comprises the step of culturing the host cell and recovering xcex3-HRG from the cell culture.
The isolated nucleic acid may also be used for in vivo or ex vivo gene therapy,
As an alternative to production of the xcex3-HRG in a transformed host cell, the invention provides a method for producing xcex3-HRG comprising: (a) transforming a cell containing an endogenous xcex3-HRG gene with a homologous DNA comprising an amplificable gene and a flanking sequence of at least about 150 base pairs that is homologous with a DNA sequence within or in proximity to the endogenous xcex3-HRG gene, whereby the homologous DNA integrates into the cell genome by recombination; (b) culturing the cell under conditions that select for amplification of the amplifiable gene, whereby the xcex3-HRG gene is also amplified; and thereafter (c) recovering xcex3-HRG from the cell.
The invention further provides a method for treating a mammal comprising administering a therapeutically effective amount of xcex3-HRG to the mammal. For example, the mammal may be suffering from a neurological or muscular disorder. Conversely, the invention provides a method for treating a mammal comprising administering to a therapeutically effective amount of a xcex3-HRG antagonist to the mammal. The mammal in this latter case is one which could benefit from a reduction in xcex3-HRG levels/biological activity (e.g. in cancer).
These and other aspects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description.


Parallel circuit of power supplies, the output voltage of each power supply, in the event of the nominal current being exceeded during simultaneous operation of all the power supplies, becoming less by a predetermined amount which is greater than the tolerance of the output voltages at the nominal current.

1. Field of the Invention
The method relates to the parallel connection of power supplies.
2. Description of the Related Art
In order to achieve a tolerance to power drop, it has been found that parallel connection of a plurality of identically designed power supplies is expedient in power supply units. In order to achieve a longer life, it is necessary in this case to ensure that, in normal operation, the two power supplies contribute approximately the same proportion and are thus also loaded with only half the load (in the case of two power supplies).
To this end, a method is disclosed in German Patent Specification DE 33 20 885 C2, in which an additional cable is used, by means of which the power supply units regulate their output voltage to a small extent, so that the proportions are approximately equal.
However, this additional cable is not always available, particularly when parallel connection is intended to be carried out in existing wiring.

Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme Aktiengesellschaft


An EMP/HEMP protection device for protecting equipment from electromagnetic pulses. The protection device includes a housing defining a cavity therein and separated into two chambers, a dirty chamber for propagation of signals before filtering of electromagnetic interference, and a clean chamber, isolated from the dirty chamber, for propagation of signals after filtering. A rigid-flex printed circuit board (PCB) is disposed in the cavity for facilitating electrical connections between the chambers. Surface mount electrical components for EMP/HEMP protection are coupled with the rigid-flex PCB. Power and/or data signals are transferred from the dirty chamber to the clean chamber though a wave guide below cutoff (WBC). The WBC is formed from opposing electrical ground planes within a center PCB of the rigid-flex PCB. An electrically conductive and weather sealing gasket is disposed in the cavity of the housing for further EMI isolation.

1. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to protection circuits or devices for electrical equipment and improvements thereof. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to electromagnetic or high altitude electromagnetic pulse protection circuits or devices for electrical systems or equipment and improvements thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
Communications equipment, computer systems and a variety of other electronic devices are vulnerable to damage or operational interference from electromagnetic pulses ("EMP") or high altitude electromagnetic pulses ("HEMP"). These vulnerabilities can threaten proper operation for a wide variety of both military and commercial applications. Electronic devices impacted by such electrical pulses can be expensive to repair or replace and, therefore, a cost effective way to protect these devices and components is needed. One such effort for reducing or eliminating these problems involves connection of an EMP/HEMP protection device to the equipment, systems or other devices sought to be protected. By filtering or otherwise manipulating one or more electrical signals that propagate to the protected equipment, systems or devices via the EMP/HEMP protection device, the harmful electrical pulses may be diminished before they have an opportunity to interfere with system operations.
Unfortunately, conventional EMP/HEMP protection designs suffer from a variety of undesirable problems. Traditional design and manufacturing methods for EMP/HEMP protection devices involves the use of a feed-through capacitor or other circuit components assembled onto printed circuit boards ("PCBs") via conductive pins that extend into and are received via receptacles on the PCBs. Due to this manufacturing design, electrical connections between the PCBs and the capacitive or other circuit components needed for pulse protection results in increased failure rates at these unstable connection points. These problems are often exacerbated by blind mating during the manufacturing process where the mating of components with the PCBs cannot be seen or felt prior or during securement in order to ensure correct alignment of the various parts. Use of pin and receptacle coupling methods, particularly as electrical parts are further reduced in size and sturdiness, results in increased susceptibility for failure at these connection points due to shock and/or vibration. This is of particular concern in military-grade applications which are commonly required to withstand harsher environmental conditions than their consumer-grade counterparts. Furthermore, feed-through capacitance construction additionally limits the available space of the protection device for housing or accommodating other protection circuitry components.
Therefore, an EMP/HEMP protection device or apparatus that is easier to manufacture and utilizes fewer or more stable connections is desired for increasing the mean time between failures ("MTBF") of the device or apparatus. An ideal EMP/HEMP protection device would have increased reliability due to improved manufacturability or assembly design and encounter lower manufacturing costs, both in initial construction and in repair or replacement as a result of lessened return merchandise authorization ("RMA") requests. The ideal EMP/HEMP protection device or apparatus would be capable of electrically isolating electromagnetic interference ("EMI") from signals input or transmitted to the device.

Rigid flex electromagnetic pulse protection device


A power module having a power circuit board free of mounting holes and more usable surface area for disposition of copper traces is shown. The power module includes a power shell that snaps onto the underside of the power circuit board. The power shell has embedded therein a thermally conductive substrate. One or a plurality of power semiconductor devices are disposed over one side of the thermally conductive substrate. A heatsink is mounted to the underside of the power shell in thermal contact with the thermally conductive substrate. The heatsink is mounted to the underside of the power shell by a heatsink retainer which biases the heatsink against the substrate. The heatsink retainer is mounted on retainer posts which extend from the underside of the power shell.

This invention relates to power modules and more particularly to a heatsink retainer for fastening a heatsink to a power module.
Power modules all include power electronic devices such as MOSFETs, power diodes, IGBTs, power bipolar transistors, etc. These devices generate heat during their operation which adversely affects their performance. Therefore, in every module design extraction and dissipation of generated heat is an important design concern.
In many power modules, the power electronic devices are mounted on a thermally conductive substrate such as an insulated metal substrate (IMS). The devices are thermally coupled to the substrate so that their generated heat may be transferred to the substrate during operation. The substrate is then placed in intimate contact with a heatsink. The heatsink through its intimate contact with the substrate draws heat that is transferred from the power electronic devices to the substrate away from the substrate and dissipates it to the ambient. Thereby, heat is extracted from the power electronic devices and dissipated and thus the power electronic devices are kept relatively cool during operation.
Typically, a heatsink is an extruded plate of thermally conductive material such as a thermally conductive metal, for example, aluminum. Some heatsinks are extruded with fins that are integral with and extend away from one surface of the heatsink base, i.e. the portion of the heatsink that makes contact with the substrate. The fins provide for additional surface area which improves the cooling performance of the heatsink. In some heatsink designs narrow slots are cut through the fins in order to increase the area on the edges of the fins to provide for air flow across the fins, which also increases cooling performance of the heatsink. The slots in these heatsinks may be deep enough to reach the base of the heatsink.
Many conventional methods are used to place a heatsink in intimate contact with a heat producing electronic device. For example, in the construction of Pentium(copyright) chip cooler assemblies, it is standard practice to fasten an extruded heatsink to the Pentium(copyright) chip using a light force spring metal stamping or a clip. The clip is designed to pass between extruded fins to contact and pressure the bottom surface of the heatsink base to the Pentium(copyright) chip. Such clips include arms which extend roughly perpendicular to the heatsink base and engage corresponding hooks on the plastic casing of the Pentium(copyright) chip. In some cases, the mounting hardware (e.g. clip) is perpendicular to (across) the direction of the extrusion of the fins. Where it is necessary to mount the clip perpendicular to the fins of the heatsink, it is common practice to remove fin material from all fins to create the necessary clearance for the clip. Thus, a typical clip used to place a heatsink to a Pentium(copyright) chip consumes space on either side of the extrusion which may be needed for other components.
In many power module designs, the substrate and the heatsink are disposed below a power circuit board (PCB). The PCB typically has disposed thereon electronic control elements which control the power electronic devices. The electronic control elements are interconnected via, for example, copper traces that lay atop the PCB. In some modules, an opening is provided in the PCB, and the control elements and the power electronic devices are connected together via wire bonds that reach the power electronic devices through the opening. For example, in some designs the copper traces terminate at bond wire posts which are provided atop the PCB and disposed at or near the opening in the PCB. The bond wires are then connected to the bond wire posts at one end and connected to an electrical contact on a respective power electronic device on the substrate at the other end. Other means, for example vias, can be used to electrically connect the control elements on the PCB and the power electronic devices without providing an opening in the PCB.
To ensure that the heat is properly transferred, the substrate and the heatsink are held closely together. Where the substrate and the heatsink are disposed below the PCB, the heatsink is assembled on the PCB with fasteners. To accommodate the fasteners, the PCB typically includes mounting holes which extend through the body of the PCB. These holes take away space on the PCB. Moreover, since the fasteners are typically grounded, the copper traces on the PCB must be placed far from the site of the fasteners due to creepage and strike concerns. This is a drawback in module design. This drawback is particularly amplified in modules that employ a PCB that has an opening therein for bond wires in that areas around the opening have considerably less surface area. Therefore where the fasteners are located near the opening (as they typically are) the proper positioning of copper traces on the PCB is difficult.
It is therefore desirable to have a module that does not suffer from the drawbacks of these conventional arrangements.
A power module according to the present invention includes a heatsink retainer for assembling a heatsink onto the module. A heatsink retainer according to the present invention mounts a heatsink without the necessity of providing mounting holes or mounting notches on the PCB which results in conserving board space that can be used for current carrying copper traces.
A power module having a retainer according to the present invention includes a power shell which has embedded therein a thermally conductive power substrate such as an IMS. The power shell includes snaps on two opposing edges thereof. The snaps fit onto corresponding protrusions on a PCB so as to mount the power shell to the underside of the PCB. In a preferred embodiment, the power shell includes at least one flange that fits into a corresponding slot in the body of the PCB to prevent the power shell from moving along the edges of the PCB.
The power shell also includes two heatsink retainer posts which extend from the underside of the power shell. The heatsink retainer is mounted onto the underside of the power shell by the heatsink retainer posts to bias a heatsink to the thermally conductive substrate.
A heatsink retainer according to the present invention includes two blade portions each having a free edge for making contact with a heatsink, and two U-shaped brackets each being connected to an end of one of the blades. According to another aspect of the invention, the edges of the heatsink retainer that make contact with the heatsink are arcuate.
According to one embodiment of the invention, the power shell includes two heats ink retainer posts, each being disposed on an opposing edge of the thermally conductive substrate. One of the retainer posts is U-shaped, and the other is bar-shaped. The U-Shaped retainer post provides an opening that receives one of the brackets of the heatsink retainer while the other bracket of the heatsink retainer fits over the top of the bar-shaped retainer post. In a preferred embodiment, the bar-shaped retainer post includes a blind mounting hole for receiving a mounting fastener that is placed through the bracket on the heatsink retainer. Preferably, one or more snaps may be provided on either side of the bar-shaped retainer post to snap into corresponding openings on the bracket that is placed over the bar-shaped retainer post.
According to another embodiment, there are two heatsink retainer posts that extend from the underside of the power shell and are disposed on the opposing edges of the thermally conductive substrate. Each one of the heat sink retainer posts in this embodiment receives a bracket on the heatsink retainer in an identical manner.
According to an aspect of the present invention, the heatsink, includes a plurality of laterally positioned fins extending from a heatsink base, and a plurality of laterally spaced slots each extending orthogonal to the direction of elongation of the fins. The blades of the heat sink retainer fit inside of at least two laterally spaced slots and are placed in contact with the heatsink base.
According to another aspect of the present invention the blades of heatsink retainer may include several openings so as to not interfere with the passage of cooling air between the fins of the heatsink.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.


A device which can lock a sash to and unlock a sash from a door or window frame has a composite housing which is partially recessed into the frame and receives a portion of a reciprocable plate member which is coupled to one or more motion receiving elements serving to actually lock or unlock the sash. The housing further carries a handle which is pivotable in the plane of the plate member about an axis extending at right angles to such plane, preferably through an angle of approximately 180.degree.. The plate member has one or more sliders which are reciprocable in one or more elongated grooves provided in one or more internal surfaces of the housing. The motion transmitting connection between the handle and the plate member can include a single part, such as a crank, which is non-rotatably connected to the handle and is pivoted to the plate member. Alternatively, the motion transmitting connection can comprise a crank which is non-rotatably connected with the handle and a link which is articulately connected to and forms with the crank a toggle joint. An end portion of the link is articulately connected to the plate member.

The present invention relates to mechanisms for locking movable parts to and for permitting movements of such parts relative to second parts which may but need not be stationary. More particularly, the invention relates to improvements in devices for actuating such mechanisms. Still more particularly, the invention relates to improvements in devices for actuating mechanisms which can releasably secure mobile first frames (e.g., sashes) to second frames, e.g., for actuating mechanisms which can releasably secure sashes to window- or door frames.
Mechanisms of the above outlined character are installed in one of the two frames (e.g., in a stationary door- or window frame, and can receive motion in response to proper manipulation of a knob, lever or a like handle to thereby terminate the locking connection between the two frames (so that the mobile frame can be moved to a partly open or to a fully open position relative to the second frame and thereupon back to the position for releasably locking the two frames to each other). In many instances, the connection between a handle and the locking- or unlocking mechanism will comprise one or more reciprocable motion receiving elements which are mounted in one of the frames and are set in motion in response to manipulation (e.g., pivoting or turning) of the handle. The handle can be pivotably mounted in a housing which is affixed to one of the frames and enables the handle to turn about an axis which is normal to the adjacent side of the frame serving to support the housing. The handle can transmit motion to a plate-like member which, in turn, transmits motion to the motion receiving element or elements of the mechanism.
German Utility Model No. 1 745 936 of Aluminium-Walzwerke Singen GmbH (published Mar. 20, 1957) discloses a device which can releasably lock a sash to a door- or window frame and wherein the handle constitutes one arm and a plate member constitutes another arm of a two-armed lever. The plate member is bifurcated and extends from a housing which contains the pivot for the two-armed lever. The bifurcated portion of the plate member can receive a pin which transmits motion to the motion receiving element or elements in response to pivoting of the two-armed lever relative to the housing. The lever can be pivoted to any one of several positions in each of which the mechanism assumes a different condition (e.g., a locking and an unlocking state). The extent of movability of the motion receiving element or elements in the device which is disclosed in the German Utility Model is limited, primarily because the dimensions of the bifurcated portion of the plate member must be increased if such element or elements are to be moved through greater distances. On the other hand, the dimensions of the two-armed lever cannot be increased at will because this would detract from the appearance of the device and would prevent installation of such device in an available frame. Moreover, the plate member cannot be pivoted to any desired number of satisfactory angular positions because a large force would be required to pivot the handle in order to lock the mobile frame to or to unlock the mobile frame from the other frame. As a rule, the force which is required to pivot the handle and the associated plate member will increase if the extent of angular displacement of the handle is increased. Such angular displacement takes place in a plane normal to the plane of the adjacent side of that frame which carries the housing for the pivot member supporting the two-armed lever. The mechanism is likely to block if the angular displacement of the lever is increased beyond a certain value. Therefore, the device which is disclosed in the German Utility Model is useful only when the extent of angular displacement of the two-armed lever between its end positions is relatively small, i.e., if the extent of linear or other displacement of the motion receiving element or elements is also small. This is unacceptable in many types of locking-unlocking mechanisms for door- or window sashes. The two-armed lever wherein the plate member is compelled to share all angular movements of the handle contributes to the bulk of the aforedescribed conventional device.
German Utility Model No. 1 822 045 of Grossmeyer (published Aug. 30, 1960) discloses a locking device for window sashes which are made of aluminum. A handle is pivotable about an axis defined by a pivot member in a housing which is outwardly adjacent a frame. The handle constitutes one arm of a two-armed lever which further includes a bifurcated plate-like second arm in engagement with a profiled motion transmitting part which is shiftable in the frame in response to pivoting of the handle to thereby displace a motion receiving element in the frame. The second arm of the lever is confined in the housing which latter further receives a major part of the profiled motion transmitting member. All this contributes to the bulk of the device of Grossmeyer. The drawbacks of the just described device are similar to those outlined hereinbefore in connection with the device of Aluminium-Walzwerke Singen GmbH.
German Utility Model No. 71 07 673 of Friedrich Hahn GmbH (published Jun. 24, 1971) discloses a device wherein the handle is pivotable in a plane which is parallel to the adjacent exposed side of a frame. Such frame supports a rather large and bulky housing which confines all or nearly all parts serving to displace a motion receiving element in response to pivoting of the handle. Furthermore, it is necessary to exert a large force in order to move the motion receiving element to certain positions relative to the frame.

Device for locking and unlocking sashes in door- or window frames


A system has a Serial ATA device and a subsystem. The subsystem includes multiple hosts, and a communications medium which interconnects the hosts to the device. The hosts are configured to share control of the device through the communications medium. First and second hosts, when transitioning control of the device, are configured to (i) send a sleep command from the first host to the device, the sleep command directing the device to transition from a normal operating mode to a sleep mode, (ii) provide a notification signal from the first host to the second host, the notification signal indicating that the first host has released control of the device to the second host, and (iii) send a wake command from the second host to the device in response to the notification signal, the wake command directing the device to transition from the sleep mode to the normal operating mode.

A typical Serial ATA system includes a host, a device and a communications medium that connects the host to the device. The host typically includes processing circuitry, volatile high-speed memory, and a host-side controller or concentrator. The device is typically a data storage unit (e.g., a disk drive). The communications medium (e.g., Serial ATA communications cabling) connects the host-side controller to the device and carries signals between the host and the device in accordance with the Serial ATA interface specification. In some Serial ATA systems, the host-side controller (e.g., a host bus adapter, a RAID controller, etc.) is configured to communicate with more than one device.
For a host and a device to properly exchange information, the host-side controller establishes a communication link (i.e., Physical Layer (PHY) communication) with the device through the communications medium. Once the host-side controller establishes this communication link, the host and the device are capable of exchanging commands, status and data in accordance with a normal operating mode as specified by the Serial ATA interface specification.
To establish the communication link between the host and the device (i.e., for successful PHY initialization), the host and the device perform a Serial ATA startup sequence by exchanging a set of Out-of-Band (OOB) signals through the communications medium, i.e., a Serial ATA communications cable. These OOB signals include a COMRESET signal, a COMINIT signal, a COMWAKE signal, and ALIGN primitives. To this end, the host issues and releases the COMRESET signal on the Serial ATA communications cable. When the device detects issuance and release of the COMRESET signal, the device issues the COMINIT signal. Next, the host calibrates and issues the COMWAKE signal. The device then similarly calibrates and issues the COMWAKE signal. Following the exchange of COMWAKE signals, the host and the device output and lock onto each others ALIGN sequences. At this point, the communications link is established between the host and the device and normal communications may begin. Further details of this initialization sequence is available in a document entitled "Serial ATA: High Speed Serialized AT Attachment", Revision 1.0a, Jan. 7, 2003, the teachings of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Some Serial ATA systems include two hosts for fault tolerance purposes, i.e., a first host which is configured to perform normal operations and a second host which is configured to become active in place of the first host if the first host should fail. Here, the first host establishes a communications link with a device using the above-described Serial ATA startup sequence, and performs data storage operations with the device. If the first host subsequently fails, the communications link between the first host and the device is destroyed. The second host then establishes a new communications link with the device using the above-described Serial ATA startup sequence, and performs data storage operations with the device thus enabling the system as a whole to continue operation. Although the amount of time which passes between transition of control from the first host to the second host may be on the order of several hundred milliseconds to a few seconds, this amount of time is typically deemed satisfactory since the benefit of continued system operation outweighs the loss of system availability during this amount of time.

Techniques for transitioning control of a serial ATA device among multiple hosts using sleep and wake commands


A system for providing temporary visual privacy across an interval in a modular open plan furniture arrangement. A horizontally retractable panel is situated at one side of the interval. The retractable panel is provided with means for drawing the panel closed across the interval, and is also provided with means for securing the panel in the closed position. In the preferred form of the invention, the panel comprises a flexible material coiled about a vertically oriented, spring loaded roller lodged within a housing.

This invention relates to modular open plan furniture arrangements, and in particular to a system for providing temporary visual privacy across an interval provided in the open plan furniture arrangement.
Modular open plan furniture arrangements are generally composed of a series of vertical panels that may be joined together to define a work space for an office worker or series of workers. The panels may be used in conjunction with desks and other furniture elements that stand upon the floor or are hung from the panels.
While such systems are in worldwide use and account for a substantial percentage of the total sales of office furniture, in spite of their wide popularity, probably the most common complaint from workers using modular open plan furniture is a lack of privacy. In response to this shortcoming, some of the dozens of manufacturers of these systems have offered a hinged door as an attempt to deal with the need. A conventional door, however, fails to recognize the real nature of the need and the structure to which the door is to be added, namely; portable, flexible, loosely-positioned furniture. Furthermore, openings to a work station or intervals in a modular open plan furniture arrangement can be any width from 22 inches to over 60 inches. Also, the panels normally are rarely leveled exactly plumb so that the width of the opening may vary from top to bottom. Doors currently provided are commonly supplied with a threshold that both engages adjacent panels and functions to try to control the width at the bottom to the exact width required by the door in order to properly close and latch. Most of such systems also supply a header member to control the width at the top. The header member must, of necessity, require that the door be of a conventional height so that an individual's head will cleanly clear the header.
The most common height employed in modular open plan furniture arrangements is approximately 60 inches, while a conventional door frame requires approximately 84 inches in height. Raising the panel system to meet the height of the door is highly undesirable as it is more expensive, blocks lateral lighting, and tends to make small work stations seem as if they are much smaller than actual. In addition, a hinged door requires clear floor space to allow it to open so that individuals may pass through the opening. With office rental costs reaching considerably high levels, it is imperative that every square foot of space be utilized, rather than becoming wasted space to accommodate the swing of a door. Furthermore, space planners are severely restricted in layouts of work stations if the layouts are limited to only one or two potential opening widths that can be covered by a conventional door.
Conventional door systems ignore the fact that the privacy complaint of office workers is not for physical privacy, but rather for visual privacy. The continual flow of office workers passing an opening provides not only a distraction, but also an invitation to intrude, interrupting the thought process and therefore reducing efficiency.
Therefore, the following are realistic requirements for an ideal system for providing visual privacy:
1. It should provide standing visual privacy. PA0 2. It should be capable of being made to any height that the modular open plan furniture arrangement employs. PA0 3. It should blend into the system, accomplishing its purpose with a minimum of visual and physical discord with the modular open plan furniture arrangement. PA0 4. It should be a physical barrier to entry. PA0 5. It should be able to span any conventional work station opening or interval between 22 inches and at least 60 inches, or more. PA0 6. It should require no modification to a conventional open plan furniture arrangement, and should be unaffected by shifts in position of either or both panels defining an opening or interval in the modular open plan furniture arrangement. PA0 7. A single unit should be able to cover the entire range of width, while accommodating the finishes and colors offered in the modular open plan furniture arrangement. PA0 8. The device should be inexpensive, yet not look cheap. It must maintain the quality image of the open plan furniture arrangement with which it is to be used. PA0 9. When not in use, the device should be as small and inconspicuous as possible. PA0 10. The device must be durable. PA0 11. The device must be quick and easy to use. PA0 12. The device must be easily and quickly installed and removed from the open plan furniture arrangement as such arrangements are intended to be frequently rearranged. PA0 13. The device must not waste space either inside or outside the work station as does a conventional swinging door. PA0 14. The device must not pose any safety hazards. PA0 15. The device must be capable of being easily packaged and shipped at low cost and without damage.

Visual privacy system for open plan furniture arrangement


A digital modulator according to the present disclosure includes a polar converter that generates a phase signal and an amplitude signal from a baseband signal, an RF phase signal generator that generates an RF phase signal on the basis of the phase signal, a rectangulating unit that generates a rectangular RF phase signal by converting the RF phase signal into a rectangular shape, a time interleaver that time interleaves the amplitude signal and outputs first and second time interleaved signals, a ΔΣ modulator that ΔΣ modulates the first and second time interleaved signals on the basis of the rectangular RF phase signal and outputs first and second ΔΣ modulated signals, and a selector that selects and outputs one of the first and second ΔΣ modulated signals on the basis of the rectangular RF phase signal.

FIG. 11 shows a configuration of a radio access system using an optical fiber according to a related art. In an access network of a mobile network, the radio access system using an optical fiber as shown in FIG. 11 is separately placed as a system that supplies radio waves at low cost in places where radio waves from an outdoor base station are hard to reach, such as in an underground mall and inside a building, for example. In this system, a digital radio signal generated in a center unit is converted from parallel to serial and then transmitted through an optical fiber to a remote unit located in an area with weak signal. After that, in this remote unit, the signal is converted from serial to parallel, converted into an analog signal by a DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter), and further converted into a high-frequency signal, and then emitted from an antenna.
FIG. 12 shows another configuration of a radio access system using an optical fiber according to a related art. The system shown in FIG. 12 converts a high-frequency radio signal into a 1-bit rectangular signal and transmits it to an extension unit (remote unit) directly through an optical fiber, and therefore a DAC is not needed in the extension unit. This can reduce the cost of the extension unit and enhance the efficiency, and can also facilitate installation. As a 1-bit transmission scheme configured at low cost, a phase-locked EDSM (Envelope Delta-Sigma Modulation), which is a phase-locked digital modulation scheme capable of generating rectangular waveforms at low rate, is effective.

Digital modulator, communication device, and digital modulator control method


The invention supports the use of sound attributes generated in response to execution of a computer program to communicate information about program and data structure dynamics during computer program execution.

This invention relates to providing a discernable indication of execution of a computer program. More particularly, the invention relates to the use of sound to indicate the flow of control or data during program execution. More specifically still, the invention relates to the use of sound attributes to discriminate and localize software anomalies in the debug context. A reduction to practice has been made in a mixed-type procedural language (C) and an object-oriented language (SmallTalk/V).
Debugging is taken to be a measure of functional efficacy of a computer program as applied to segments of the program. Relatedly, the patent and technical literature shows debugging facilities which employ elaborate visual indications of software function. For example:
as where source code segments are mapped onto an execution progress displayed in graph constructs (Saito et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,315);
as where source code is executed in different versions and perceived differences are displayed (Kerr et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,003);
as where test case statements exercised by target software and executed results are displayed and self-checked (Bird, U.S. Pat. No. 4,464,655); and
as where source code is selectively traced at run time by means of command line arguments without recompiling (Ream, U.S. Pat. No. 4,802,165).
Audio evidence of computer program events is used in a number of automated contexts. In an article entitled "Infosound: An Audio Aid to Program Comprehension" by Sonenwald, et al, Proceedings of the Twenty-Third Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, Vol. II, 1990, pp. 541-546, description is given of a system which links musical sequences and special sound effects to application program events. Audio cues ("earcons") corresponding to visual cue ("icons") are provided in a computer interface described by Sumikawa, et al in "Design Guidelines for the Use of Audio Cues in Computer Interfaces", UCRL-92925, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory and University of California, Davis, Jul. 1, 1985. Peterson ("The Sound of Data", Science News, Vol. 127, Jun. 1, 1985, pp. 348-350) suggests that object attributes can be discerned from time-varying audio signatures mapped from patterns in numerical data, infrared spectra, chemical compounds, and the like. The prior art also teaches computer system audio outputs for entertainment, target illumination, alarm and threshold purposes. However, the inventor is aware of no reference which teaches the use of sound attributes to discriminate and localize software anomalies in the debug context.
Accordingly, the need exists for a method and a means employing sound in the software development environment. Preferably, sound would be employed to communicate global information about computer program execution and data structures. Advantageously, such a technique would provide an auditory indication of flow of program control and data flow in response to program execution. The unexpected result provided by use of non-speech sound in this manner would be enhancement of a programmer's debugging ability and understanding of program operation.

Method and means for using sound to indicate flow of control during computer program execution

International Business Machines Corporation


Provided is an imaging device, an image processing method, and an image processing system which obtains a sensing image and a viewing image by one imaging element. The imaging device includes a control unit that controls irradiation with invisible light, an imaging element that includes a first pixel that is capable of detecting the invisible light, and a second pixel that is capable of detecting visible light. The imaging device further includes an image generation unit that generates a first image including the invisible light component and a second image including a visible light component on the basis of a first pixel signal transmitted from the first pixel and a second pixel signal transmitted from the second pixel.

In the related art, there is suggested a configuration in which a coherent random spectacle pattern is projected to an object to capture an image, and a three-dimensional map of the object is constructed on the basis of a deviation between a pattern in an acquired image and a pattern in a reference image (for example, refer to Patent Literature 1).

Imaging device, image processing method, and image processing system

SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION


A seal board includes a circuit board with vias, conductor pins, and solder joints. The solder joints connect and seal each conductor pin to a single via, such that each conductor pin extends through the via and extends from a first side of the circuit board and a second side of the circuit board. The seal board is mounted to cover an opening in a bulkhead that separates a first compartment (such as a terminal block compartment) from a second compartment (such as an electronics or feature board compartment). The seal board provides electrical paths between the compartments while protecting components within one of the compartments from the surrounding environment.

The present invention relates generally to field devices for use in industrial processes. In particular, this invention relates to a seal board for a field device such as an industrial process pressure transmitter.
Pressure transmitters may be mounted near a process and may be used to measure a fluid pressure related to an industrial process. Pressure transmitters can also be used to indirectly measure other parameters, such as velocity, fluid height, altitude, and fluid flow. The measured process fluid pressure can be sent to a host computer, a controller or other devices to ensure that the industrial process is monitored and controlled.
Some pressure transmitters have enclosures that are divided into two compartments, a terminal block compartment for terminal block components and an electronics compartment for active electronic assemblies (feature boards) separated by a bulkhead. The terminal block compartment allows a user access to electrical connections at the terminal block, while the electronics compartment protects the feature board(s) from the surrounding environment. Signals from one compartment are passed through the bulkhead to the other compartment. There is a need to electrically isolate the signals and limit any outside electronic noise (EMI) from entering the electronics compartment while still providing an environmental seal between the two compartments. In particular, a cost effective method is desired to pass higher numbers (i.e., a higher density) of individual electrical signals through the bulkhead while still providing electrical isolation from one another and the housing seal. One current technique for reducing EMI noise uses a complex stamped brazed radio frequency interference (RFI) filter tub assembly using metal stamping, ceramic filter bodies, and epoxy potting. This stamped brazed RFI filter tub assembly is difficult and costly to manufacture. Another alternative uses individual screw-in filter assemblies.

Field device using a seal board assembly


The invention relates to a dual-modality imaging system and a method for dual-modality imaging of an imaged object, wherein a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus for acquiring MRI data and at least one optical imaging detector for acquiring optical imaging data are arranged to acquire the MRI data and the optical imaging data of the imaged object (10) simultaneously, the at least one optical imaging detector being a non-contact optical imaging detector.

The qualitative and quantitative acquisition of morphological, functional and biochemical parameters using imaging methods is the basis for a plurality of medical research and application areas. Two known imaging methods are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and optical imaging techniques.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)1 is an existing powerful non-invasive medical imaging technique for producing three-dimensional cross-sectional images to visualize the inside of living organisms. It is primarily used to demonstrate pathological or other physiological alterations of living tissues. In short, medical MRI relies on the relaxation properties of excited hydrogen nuclei in water. When the object to be imaged is placed in a strong (several Tesla) uniform magnetic field the spins of the atomic nuclei with non-zero spin quantum numbers align parallel or anti-parallel to the magnetic field. The imaged object is then briefly exposed to radio frequency (RF) pulses in a plane perpendicular to the magnetic field, causing the magnetization to leave its equilibrium state. The precessing magnetization creates an altering flux in a nearby coil, the magnitude and phase of which are the MRI signal. In order to selectively image different locations of the object (i.e. spatial encoding of the signal phase), orthogonal magnetic field gradients are applied, and this data represents the spatial frequencies of the imaged object. Tomographic images can be reconstructed from the acquired data using e.g. the discrete Fourier transform. 1NMR generally is referred to the investigation of natural occurring frequency differences within a sample of probe chemical environment whereas MRI refers to the application of externally controlled frequency differences within a sample to probe water (proton) distribution.
In clinical practice, MRI is used to distinguish between tissues (e.g. pathologic tissue such as a tumor from normal tissue) exploiting the different magnetic properties of tissue: decay times (transverse relaxation time, T2, caused by the intrinsic spin-spin interaction; longitudinal relaxation, T1, the spin-lattice relaxation time), and proton density. From these, physiological tissue parameters such as diffusion, perfusion, etc. can be derived.
Further imaging methods for in-vivo examination of biological processes known in the state-of-the-art are optical imaging techniques including fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging. Fluorescence is the result of a process that occurs in certain molecules called fluorophores or fluorescent dyes. A fluorescent probe is a fluorophore designed to localize within a specific region of a biological specimen or to respond to a specific stimulus. In order to perform fluorescence imaging, a photon of certain energy is supplied by an external source such as an incandescent lamp or a laser and absorbed by the fluorophore, creating an excited electronic singlet state. This process distinguishes fluorescence from bioluminescence. It follows that another photon of lower energy is emitted, returning the fluorophore to its ground state. Using an appropriate sensor device, the emitted photons can be detected. Bioluminescence refers to the visible light emission in living organisms that accompanies the oxidation of organic compounds (luciferins) mediated by an enzyme catalyst (luciferase). Unlike fluorescence approaches, the imaged object does not need to be exposed to the light of an external light source. Bioluminescence imaging is carried out by tagging cells with a luciferase gene. These genetically engineered, light emitting cells can be followed throughout the imaged object by means of an appropriate sensor device. At present, fluorescence appears to be more generalizable, compared with bioluminescence imaging. Bioluminescence is more limited to genes and proteins. Its advantage is the use of an inserted reporter gene that can be tailored to specific processes.
Optical imaging has evolved into a potentially valuable tool for assessing functional properties. Examples include protein-protein interactions with cells, gene regulation at the transcription level, protein degradation over time, enzymatic activity associated with tumor progression, and cell death. Examples of ongoing applications include cancer, inflammatory disease, neurodegenerative disease, gastrointestinal physiology, renal physiology, cell trafficking, stem cell research, transplant science, and muscle physiology.
Optical planar imaging and optical tomography (OT) are emerging as alternative molecular imaging modalities, that detect light propagated through tissue at single or multiple projections. In the near future, optical tomography techniques are expected to improve considerably in spatial resolution by employing higher-density measurements and advanced photon technologies, e.g. based upon modulated intensity light or very short photon pulses. Clinical optical imaging applications will require high efficient photon collection systems. Primary interest for using an optical imaging technique lies in the non-invasive and non-hazardous nature of optical photons used, its low cost, its straightforward technology and most significantly in the availability of activatable probes that produce a signal only when they interact with their targets—as compared to radiolabelled probes used in PET (positron emission tomography) and SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography), which produce a signal continuously, independent of interacting with their targets, through the decay of the radioisotope. In OT, images are influenced greatly by the spatially dependent absorption and scattering properties of tissue. Boundery measurements from one or several sources and detectors are used to recover the unknown parameters from a transport model described, for instance, by a partial differential equation. The contrast between the properties of diseased and healthy tissue can be used in clinical diagnosis.
In the state of the art optical imaging detectors are known either to employ photo detector devices, e.g. CCD cameras, which are placed at a certain distance from, but not in contact with the imaged object, or to employ fibre-optics which bring the detector in contact with the imaged object.
The majority of existing optical imaging approaches are using CCD cameras. CCDs (charge coupled devices) are charge coupled imaging sensors that serve for highly sensitive detection of photons. The CCD camera is divided into a multiplicity of small light-sensitive zones (pixels) which produce the individual pixels of a two-dimensional image. The number of electrons is measured in each pixel, with the result that an image can be reconstructed. CCDs should be cooled since otherwise more electrons would be read out which would not be liberated as a result of the light incidence but rather as a result of heating. In order to define an optical field-of view, the CCD detector is typically coupled to a lens.
Almost all of the commercially available CCD based imaging designs generate only planar images of the integrated light distribution emitted from the surface of the imaged object, e.g. an animal. Market leader in the small animal optical imaging instrumentation arena is Xenogen Corp. Alameda, USA. The principle design of known CCD based optical imaging systems as used for in vivo fluorescence and bioluminescence imaging comprises a CCD camera, which is arranged at a certain distance to the imaged object (non-contact measurement) and aimed at this object in order to detect photons emitted from the object. Since CCD detectors need to be equipped with a lens which does impose a minimal focal length CCD cameras tend to be rather bulky instruments yielding large imaging compartments. If eventually used for tomographic imaging, a CCD-based camera system needs to be rotated around the imaged object in order to collect projection views or a multitude of cameras needs to be used in parallel. In another potential application lens-based CCD camera systems of the prior art cannot be positioned within the field-of-view of another imaging modality with the purpose of dual-modality image acquisition such as positron emission tomography (PET) for simultaneous PET/optical imaging.
Known fibre optics based optical imaging designs are being used in a way that the fibre ending tips are placed in contact with the object to be imaged. One of the reasons is that a particular fibre ending tip does not have a distinct well-defined field-of-view which would allow for backtracking a photon's incoming direction. In order to be resolvable for imaging, the imaged object, such as a mouse, needs to be put into a preferably cylindrical compartment which is filled with an appropriate liquid having specific optical properties. This is considered a significant drawback because of animal handling issues, experimental complexity and study management.
In the two pending international applications PCT/EP2006/061474 and PCT/EP2006/061475, a novel micro-lens array based optical imaging detector and a dual-modality imaging concept with a combination of positron emission tomography (PET) and optical imaging are described.
In the state of the art MR imaging and optical imaging are two imaging techniques, which are usually applied separately, using two separate devices successively. Although optical tomography provides functional and molecular information with a very high sensitivity, a major problem in optical imaging is its low spatial resolution and, hence, a lack of anatomical information. This problem which is also known for PET and single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) imaging is amplified in optical tomography even more, when activatable probes are used that create no background. The generated signal has, if at all, only a weak correlation with surrounding morphological structure, especially in applications with novel, very specific tracers or cell trafficking studies. Thus, PET and SPECT scanners are nowadays often combined with CT, PET, and recently with MRI, to provide anatomical and functional information at the same time. While (at the current state of the art) CT provides excellent contrast for bone structures, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) yields excellent soft tissue contrast. Therefore and for its illustrated highly complementary use in medicine/research, it would be desirable to combine the diagnostic benefits of an optical imaging scanner with those of an MRI scanner. While morphological imaging procedures such as magnetic resonance imaging in general have difficulties differentiating viable tumor from tumor necrosis or scar tissue, functional/molecular data such as those provided by optical imaging typically support only limited anatomical information which makes it difficult to render the accurate localization of the lesion.
The co-registration of sequentially acquired optical and MR images is described e.g. in Masciotti, J; Abdoulaev, G et al., "Combined optical tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging of tumor bearing mice", Proc. SPIE, Vol. 5693, pp. 74-81, 2005; Springett H. Dehghani B W, et al. "Coregistration Of Dynamic Contrast Enhanced MRI and Broadband Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy for Characterizing Breast Cancer", Technology in Cancer Research & Treatment, vol. 4, pp. 549-558, 2005; Siegel A M, Culver JP et al. "Temporal comparison of functional brain imaging with diffuse optical tomography and FMRI during rat forepaw stimulation", Phys. Med. Biol., vol. 48, pp. 1391-1403, 2003, which illustrates the desire to achieve combined optical and MR images.
A comparison of the images obtained by the two sequentially applied imaging methods is possible only to a limited extent since they cannot be obtained simultaneously. The problems of excessive and prolonged burdening of the subject to be examined, the non-reproducibility of kinetic studies, the non-identical imaging geometries, animal and organ movement and the correct superposition of the images arise, when the two methods are carried out successively.
EP 1 559 363 A2 refers to an apparatus for providing optical and anatomical diagnostic imaging. The apparatus comprises an anatomical imaging unit for inserting into a body cavity, wherein the anatomical imaging unit acquires anatomical images of the body cavity and an optical imaging unit substantially enclosed within a substantially translucent portion of the anatomical imaging unit, wherein the optical imaging unit detects fluorescence in the body cavity. According to one embodiment, the anatomical imaging unit comprises a magnetic resonance imaging component for acquiring magnetic resonance images of the body cavity.
Paul D. Majors et al.: "A combined confocal and magnetic resonance microscope for biological studies", Review of Scientific Instruments, vol. 73, no. 12, pages 4329-4338 describes a novel microscope for studying live cells simultaneously with both confocal scanning laser fluorescence optical microscopy and magnetic resonance microscopy.
Combined optical/MR imaging systems, where the optical detector is in contact with the imaged object, have been described recently [Xu H, Springett, R et al., "Magnetic-resonance-imaging-coupled broadband near-infrared tomography system for small animal brain studies", Applied Optics, vol. 44, pp. 2177-2188, 2005; Ntziachristos V, Yodh AG, et al., "MRI-Guided Diffuse Optical Spectroscopy of Malignant and Benign Breast Lesions" Neoplasia, vol. 4, pp. 347-354, 2002]. While such setup is well suited for basic experimental (phantom) studies, contact imaging has significant limitations since fiber-based detection leads to insufficient spatial sampling and field-of-view, and further constraints on the reconstruction algorithm. Moreover, positioning and contact issues which mostly are coped with by using matching fluids complicate experimental procedures and contribute to unnecessary photon diffusion and light attenuation.

DKFZ Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Stiftung Des Offentlichen Rechts


A computer mouse providing the functionality of a vacuum cleaner comprises a main mouse body and a vacuum device. The vacuum device is substantially mounted inside the main mouse body so that the shape of the computer mouse having the functionality of a vacuum cleaner is substantially that of the main mouse body. A user can use it as a mouse or as a vacuum cleaner to, for example, clean a computer keyboard.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer mouse.
2. Description of the Related Art
Most inventions for the typical computer mouse deal with providing an input/output signal, such as a wireless mouse, an optical mouse, a roller mechanism in the mouse or page scrolling means.
However, no computer mouse provides a cleaning function, which may, for example, be used to clean a computer keyboard.
There are some vacuum cleaners that are designed for cleaning a computer keyboard, but since these are individual devices that have no physical connection to the computer host, users may sometimes have a hard time finding them.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide a computer mouse that provides the functionality of a vacuum cleaner to mitigate and/or obviate the aforementioned problems.


A golf swing instructional cage for teaching a quiet lower body swing, employs a minimum of three body constraints: a rear constraint, a forward upper leg lateral constraint and a constraint at the rear of the rearward knee area such that when the golfer is located in the proper initial swing position proximal the rear constraint and knee area restraint and a short laterally spaced distance from the forward upper leg lateral constraint, avoidance of contact with the spaced forward upper leg lateral constraint during the golf swing instructs in quiet lower body control. Optionally a laterally spaced rear upper leg lateral restraint is also provided which, by avoidance of contact during the golf swing further instructs in additional quiet lower body control.

This invention relates to a golf swing instructional device and a method of teaching a golf swing using such a device. More particularly, this invention relates to a device and method for teaching a golfer a swing which minimizes lower body lateral motion during the golf swing.
The game of golf has been played and refined by amateur and professional alike for decades. During this time the golf swing has been constantly evolving until currently, given the type of ball, equipment and course design now commonly provided, the modern golf swing consists of what is descriptively, and accurately referred to as employing a xe2x80x9cquiet lower bodyxe2x80x9d. Generally speaking this term means that in effecting a proper golf swing from an initial proper posture, whether a driver, a midiron or a wedge etc. is being used, lateral movement of the hips and upper legs should be minimized.
Minimizing lateral movement of the lower body normally must be taught because it is not a normal act performed by a beginner golfer who often sways and looses a portion of his balance when trying to hit the ball. While proper rotation of the hips, in this regard, is a central feature of a good golf swing, excessive lateral rearward sway upon club take-back at the beginning of the swing and/or excessive lateral forward sway of the hips during the downswing results in bad timing, loss of balance and finally a weakened, poor shot.
While several teaching professionals now manually instruct their students to employ a xe2x80x9cquiet lower bodyxe2x80x9d as described above, they are often less than fully successful due to the difficulty of the pupil carrying out such an oral instruction. Moreover, while numerous teaching aids for developing a golf swing have been invented and developed over the years, none is known to have successfully addressed the specific ability to improve the teaching professional""s ability to teach and have his pupil learn a proper xe2x80x9cquiet lower bodyxe2x80x9d golf swing; nor to address the ability of the golfer to learn and/or to practice such a xe2x80x9cquiet lower bodyxe2x80x9d swing on his/her own.
In view of the above it is apparent that there exists a need in the art for a device and method which effectively addresses the ability of the golfer to learn the modern xe2x80x9cquiet lower bodyxe2x80x9d golf swing, or stated another way, which teaches the golfer to minimize at least forward lateral sway and preferably both rearward and forward lateral sway.
Generally speaking this invention fulfills the above needs in the art by providing a golf swing instructional device comprising a frame member which includes at least three points of constraint for minimizing lateral movement of a golfer""s lower body within preselected limits during a golf swing when the golfer is located within the frame member and as the golfer progresses through the golf swing. The points of constraint employed include:
a) a rear point of constraint;
b) a lower point of constraint; and
c) a forward lateral point of constraint.
The points of constraint are located each with respect to the other such that when the golfer assumes a proper posture to initiate his golf swing, his buttocks is located proximal the rear point of constraint and simultaneously therewith the lower point of constraint is located proximal a rear area of the golfer""s rearward leg at a point located between his knee and upper calf and the forward lateral point of constraint is spaced a preselected lateral distance at a point located in a horizontal plane with the golfer""s upper forward leg. In such a position, when the golfer properly executes a golf swing when so positioned, no portion of the golfer""s upper forward leg between the golfer""s forward hip and forward knee will contact the forward lateral point of constraint.
In certain preferred embodiments the device further includes a rearward lateral point of constraint which is located with respect to the other points of constraint such that simultaneously with the golfer being in his/her proper swing posture (position) and located as aforesaid with respect to the other points of constraint, the rearward lateral point of constraint is spaced a preselected lateral distance at a point located in a horizontal plane from the golfer""s upper rearward leg; such that a properly executed golf swing by the golfer will cause no portion of his/her rearward upper leg between his/her rearward hip and rearward knee to contact the rearward lateral point of constraint.
This invention, in fulfilling the above needs in the art, also provides a method of instructing a golfer to perform a proper golf swing with minimized lower body lateral motion, the steps including:
a) providing at least three constraints for positioning a golfer""s body in relation thereto such that when so positioned the golfer assumes the proper posture for initiating a golf swing,
the constraints including a rear constraint, a lower constraint, and a forward lateral constraint;
b) positioning the golfer in the aforesaid proper posture such that his buttocks is located proximal the rear constraint, an area at the rear of his rearward leg between his knee and upper calf is located proximal the lower constraint and the forward lateral surface of his upper forward leg at a point between the knee and hip of the forward leg is spaced a preselected distance from the forward lateral constraint; and
c) performing a golf swing by the golfer when in the aforesaid proper posture without contacting the forward lateral constraint at any time throughout the swing thereby to have engaged in a golf swing with the aforesaid minimized lower body motion.
In certain preferred embodiments of this method, there is further provided a rearward lateral constraint and the method further includes positioning the golfer such that the rearward lateral surface of his rearward upper leg at a point between his hip and knee is spaced a preselected distance from the rearward lateral constraint. When, then, the golf swing is performed with the golfer so positioned, and in the proper posture, the upper rearward leg of the golfer does not contract the rearward lateral constraint at any time throughout the swing.
This invention will now be described with respect to certain embodiments thereof as illustrated in the following drawings wherein:

Golf swing instructional device and method


Methods process microelectronic workpieces with inverse extreme ultraviolet (EUV) patterning processes. In part, the inverse patterning techniques are applied to reduce or eliminate defects experienced with conventional EUV patterning processes. The inverse patterning techniques include additional process steps as compared to the conventional EUV patterning processes, such as an overcoat process, an etch back or planarization process, and a pattern removal process. In addition, further example embodiments combine inverse patterning techniques with line smoothing treatments to reduce pattern roughness and achieve a target level of line roughness. By using this additional technique, line pattern roughness can be significantly improved in addition to reducing or eliminating microbridge and/or other defects.

The present disclosure relates to methods for the manufacture of microelectronic workpieces including the formation of patterned structures on microelectronic workpieces.
Device formation within microelectronic workpieces typically involves a series of manufacturing techniques related to the formation, patterning, and removal of layers of material on a substrate. To meet the physical and electrical specifications of current and next generation semiconductor devices, process flows are being requested to reduce feature size while maintaining structure integrity for various patterning processes.
To achieve reduced feature sizes, patterning using extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography has been introduced in processing systems, and this EUV lithography typically uses light having a wavelength from 10 to 15 nanometers (nm) or below. For example, EUV patterning techniques have been introduced into production at sub-7 nm node advanced semiconductor device manufacturing. Although reduced feature sizes are achieved, pattern performance problems have occurred in EUV patterning. With respect to line and space patterns, for example, line roughness and pattern defects have occurred in EUV patterning. Post etch treatments after EUV patterning has provided no significant improvements to line roughness. Further, microbridge and broken line defects have been observed in resulting EUV patterns, and these types of defects are typically uncorrectable and cause fatal device failures.
FIG. 1A (Prior Art) is an example embodiment 100 including a cross-section view 105 and a related top view 115 after forming a patterned layer 110 over a multilayer structure using an EUV patterning process. As shown in cross-section view 105, the multilayer structure includes a hardmask layer 104, a protective layer 106, and an anti-reflective coating (ARC) layer 108 formed over an underlying layer 102. The underlying layer 102 can be a substrate for a microelectronic workpiece, such as a semiconductor substrate and/or another substrate material or combination of materials. The hardmask layer 104 can be SiN and/or other hardmask materials or combination of materials. The protective layer 106 can be a spin-on-carbon (SOC) layer of amorphous carbon, a planarization layer (e.g. organic planarization layer), and/or another planarization or protective material or combination of materials. The ARC layer 108 can be a silicon-based spin-on-glass (SOG) layer and/or another ARC material or combination of materials. The patterned layer 110 can be one or more photoresist materials or combination of photoresist materials that are suitable for use in EUV lithography. As shown in the top view 115, the pattern formed by the patterned layer 110 includes lines and adjacent spaces. The underlying ARC layer 108 is seen through the spaces in the top view 115. As shown in top view 115, the edges of the lines often have a high level of roughness as a result of the EUV patterning process.
FIG. 1B (Prior Art) is an example embodiment 120 including a cross-section view 125 and a related top view 130 after the line/space pattern of the patterned layer 110 in FIG. 1A (Prior Art) has been transferred to underlying layers using one or more etch processes. The etch processes can be implemented, for example, as one or more plasma etch process steps, although other etch processes could also be used. As shown in cross-section view 125, the pattern has been transferred to the hardmask layer 104. As shown in the top view 130, the hardmask layer 104 is now patterned to match the line/space pattern formed by patterned layer 110 shown in FIG. 1A (Prior Art). The underlying layer 102 is also seen in the top view 130. As further shown in top view 130, the edges of the lines have a high level of roughness that has also been transferred. Further, this roughness is not improved significantly by post-etch treatments.
FIGS. 2A-2B (Prior Art) provide example embodiments for broken line defects and microbridge defects that often occur with respect to line/space patterns formed using EUV patterning processes. FIG. 2A (Prior Art) provides an example embodiment 200 for a top view of a line/space pattern where a gap 202 within one line causes a broken line defect. FIG. 2B (Prior Art) provides an example embodiment 210 for a top view of a line/space pattern where material bridge 212 formed between two adjacent lines causes a microbridge defect. As indicated above, these broken line defects and microbridge defects are typically uncorrectable and cause fatal device failures in resulting devices formed in the microelectronic workpieces being processed.

Methods for EUV inverse patterning in processing of microelectronic workpieces


Three moments of inertia M1, M2, and M3 (g·cm 2) about three axes defined in a golf putter are defined in a manner to provide a weight balance satisfying the expressions{(M1−M2)<12000} and {M1>M2>M3}.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a golf putter club and a method of designing the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
The golf putter club (hereinafter, simply referred to as a golf putter or a putter) is a golf putter principally used for rolling a ball over a surface of a green into a cup. Focusing attention on weight distribution in a head, some of the conventional golf putters are so designed as to concentrate weight on a toe side and a heel side of the head, thereby suppressing the rotation of the head upon impact with the ball so as to provide a wider sweet area. This design concept is set forth in, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No.2613849.

Golf putter and method of designing the same