Methods, systems and computer program products for tracking a client's usage of one or more services provided by one or more servers. A client generates and sends one or more metering packets to a census service. Each metering packet includes a time element indicating the client's usage of the one or more services. The time element may include a charged time portion and a free time portion. An authentication element may be included with each metering packet so that the census service can determine whether or not a given metering packet is genuine. A login service communicates to the client whether or not usage should be tracked and indicates a time interval to expire between subsequent metering packets. A session identifier in each metering packet allows multiple sessions to be tracked simultaneously. Upon receiving metering packets, the census service discards redundant metering packets and updates a usage database accordingly.

1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the usage of computer services. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods, systems and computer program products for tracking a client's usage of one or more services provided by one or more servers.
2. Background and Related Art
With the exception of certain educational institutions and governmental entities, most access to the Internet is indirect. That is, rather than being directly connected to the Internet, most access the Internet through some intermediary, known as an Internet Service Provider or ISP. An ISP may provide various levels of service depending on the particular needs of its customers. For example, individual customers may access the Internet through a dialup telephone line, a broadband cable, or perhaps a broadband wireless connection. Many individual customers typically share an ISP's connection resources, at least to some extent. In contrast, business users often prefer a dedicated ISP connection with a fairly constant bandwidth.
An ISP may provide various "points of presence" for connecting to the Internet. Depending on the ISP, these points of presence may include local telephone numbers, toll or toll free telephone access numbers, cable systems, microwave stations, etc. Cable systems and microwave systems are local by nature, but it is generally a significant advantage for an ISP to offer local telephone access to keep costs as low as possible, both for the ISP and its customers.
Although the number of computers with Internet access has grown tremendously, competition among ISPs can be quite fierce. As a result, ISPs often employ various service plans with aggressive pricing strategies to attract consumers, including businesses and individuals alike. Most service plans fall into one of two broad categories: (i) unlimited access for a fixed fee, and (ii) a certain number of hours for a fixed fee, with additional hours being billed as used. In either case, an ISP server is traditionally responsible for tracking a client's usage, if necessary.
However, traditional tracking suffers from at least two significant problems. First, tracking each client connected to an ISP may impose a considerable processing burden on a server. This burden may be especially pronounced where an ISP has offered only unlimited access for a fixed fee, but would like to begin providing a reduced service level that requires usage tracking. In such a case, tracking may require upgrading to more powerful servers in order to avoid an overall performance reduction. Given the rather competitive nature of the ISP market, much of the benefit gained in offering a variety of service levels may be substantially offset by the corresponding increased costs and/or diminished capacity.
The second problem is at least somewhat related to the first. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to distinguish between various types of access. More particularly, an ISP may wish to charge for access to one type of service, whereas access to another type of service may be without charge. Tracking this level of detail at the ISP, as compared to simply tracking raw connection time, imposes yet further performance loads on the ISP's computing resources. Here again, the tradeoffs, in terms of benefits versus associated costs, may be undesirable or even prohibitive.
In contrast to an ISP's computer resources, a client's computing resources may be comparatively underutilized. Furthermore, the overhead associated with having an individual client track its own usage of services is likely to represent a much less significant performance problem for the client. Whereas server-based tracking concerns the usage of each and every connected client, client-based tracking concerns the usage of an individual client, or perhaps a cluster of clients. As such, client-based tracking allows a substantial portion of the processing load to be borne by the client. While some type of centralized server tracking component may be useful in receiving and correlating usage information from individual clients, the server computer resources for implementing client-based tracking are likely to be significantly less than would be required in a comparable, substantially server-based, tracking implementation. Therefore, methods, systems and computer program products for tracking a client's usage of server services are desired.


Apparatus are provided including device memory, hardware entities, a sub-image cell value cache, and a cache write operator. At least some of the hardware entities perform actions involving access to and use of the device memory. The hardware entities include 3D graphics circuitry to process, for ready display, 3D images from primitive objects. The cache is separate from the device memory, and is provided to hold data, including buffered sub-image cell values. The cache is connected to the 3D graphics circuitry so that pixel processing portions of the 3D graphics circuitry access the buffered sub-image cell values in the cache, in lieu of the pixel processing portions directly accessing the sub-image cell values in the device memory. The write operator writes the buffered sub-image cell values to the device memory under direction of a priority scheme. The priority scheme preserves in the cache border cell values bordering one or more primitive objects.

The present disclosure is related to embedded systems having 3D graphics capabilities. In other respects, the present disclosure is related to a graphics pipeline, a mobile phone, and/or memory structures for the same.
Embedded systems, for example, have limited memory resources. A given embedded system may have a main memory and a system bus, both of which are shared by different system hardware entities, including a 3D graphics chip.
Meanwhile, the embedded system 3D graphics chip may require a large portion of bandwidth of the main memory via the system bus. Memory bandwidth demands can result in a memory access bottleneck, which could adversely affect the operation of the 3D graphics chip as well as of other hardware entities that use the same main memory and system bus.


A method and apparatus is disclosed which can reproduce multi-value data with high reproducibility from a hologram recording medium having data recorded in multi-values therein and can reduce the error rate of reproduction data. A reference gradation pattern is recorded in a medium, and luminance unevenness of a gradation pattern obtained by reproducing the gradation pattern is corrected. A gamma characteristic of the medium is determined based on the reproduction gradation pattern, and a modulation pattern produced using easily separable luminance values determined based on the gamma characteristic is displayed on a spatial light modulator to record data in multi-values into the medium. Thereupon, the data are oversampled and recorded, and a block of the reproduced data is decoded depending upon a sequence of relative luminance levels of pixels in the block to decode the entire reproduced multi-value data.

This invention relates to a hologram recording and reproduction apparatus, and more particularly to a hologram recording and reproduction method for recording and reproducing multi-value information into and from a hologram recording medium.
In recent years, increase in recording density of optical disks and so forth has been and is proceeding. However, since the increasing recording density is approaching a physical limit to high density recording, attention is paid to a hologram storage in order to further increase the recording capacity. The hologram storage adopts a recording method of the volume type and allows storage of a greater amount of information when compared with a medium of the planar recording type such as an optical disk. However, if the hologram storage allows multi-value (three- or more-value) recording, then the recording capacity of the hologram storage can be further increased. For such multi-value recording of the hologram storage, multi-value recording depending upon the light intensity is supposed as disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 6,512,733.
However, in reproduction of data recorded in a hologram, where the recorded data are, for example, three-value data, a middle gradation must be reproduced. However, the gradation reproducibility is low. According to hologram recording media used at present, an output luminance level characteristic with respect to an input luminance level is represented by a region having a certain extent. This does not decide an output luminance level uniquely with respect to an input luminance level but allows presence of a plurality of output luminance levels. Consequently, different input luminance levels are sometimes represented by the same output luminance level, and in this instance, the gradation reproducibility is low. Further, it is generally difficult to separate different values of data upon decoding of the data upon reproduction, and therefore, reproduction data exhibit a high error rate.

Hologram recording and reproduction method, hologram recording and reproduction apparatus, and hologram recording medium


A master information carrier for magnetic transfer to an in-plane magnetic recording medium includes a base sheet having an irregularity pattern representing information to be transferred to an in-plane magnetic recording medium and a magnetic layer formed along the irregularity pattern. The thickness da1 of the magnetic layer on the upper surface of a protruding portion of the irregularity pattern and the thickness da2 of the magnetic layer on each of the side surfaces of the protruding portion satisfy the following condition,0.05<da2/da1≦1.3.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a master information carrier carrying thereon an irregularity pattern representing the information to be transferred to a magnetic medium and a magnetic transfer method.
2. Description of the Related Art
With an increase in information quantity, there is a demand for a magnetic recording medium which is high in memory capacity, low in cost and preferably requires a short time to read out a necessary part of data (a magnetic recording medium which allows so-called high-speed access). As an example of such a magnetic recording medium, there has been known a high recording density magnetic medium such as a hard disc, a zip (Iomega) and the like. In such a high recording density magnetic medium, the recording area is formed by narrow data tracks. In order to cause a magnetic head to accurately trace such narrow data tracks and reproduce the data at a high S/N ratio, the so-called servo tracking technique has been employed.
In order to perform the servo tracking, it is necessary to write servo information such as servo tracking signals for positioning the data tracks, address signals for the data tracks and reproduction clock signals on the magnetic recording medium as a preformat upon production thereof. At the present, such preformat recording is performed by the use of a specialized servo recording apparatus (a servo track writer). However, the preformat recording by the conventional servo recording apparatus is disadvantageous in that it takes a long time since the servo information must be recorded on the magnetic recording medium one by one by the use of a magnetic head, which deteriorates the productivity.
As a method of recording the preformat accurately and efficiently, there has been proposed, for instance, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 63(1988)-183623, 10(1998)-40544 and 10(1998)-269566, a magnetic transfer method in which a pattern which is formed on a master information carrier and represents servo information is copied to a magnetic recording medium (a slave medium) by magnetic transfer.
In the magnetic transfer, the magnetization pattern representing the information (e.g., servo information) carried by a master information carrier is magnetically transferred from the master information carrier to a slave medium by applying a transfer magnetic field to the slave medium and the master information in close contact with each other, and accordingly, the information carried by the master information carrier can be statically recorded on the slave medium with the relative position between the master information carrier and the slave medium kept constant. Thus, according to the magnetic transfer, the preformat recording can be performed accurately and the time required for the preformat recording is very short.
However, the master information carrier employed in the magnetic transfer disclosed in above identified Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications comprises a base sheet having on the surface thereof an irregularity pattern representing the information to be transferred and a magnetic layer formed at least on the surface of the protruding portions of the base sheet and since the magnetic transfer is carried out with the master information carrier and the slave medium held in close contact with each other, the magnetic layer can be partly lost or peeled off the pattern while the master information carrier is repeatedly brought into contact with and moved away from a number of slave media.
Removal of the magnetic layer from the master information carrier deteriorates contact between the master information carrier and the slave medium, which can result in deterioration in quality of the transferred signal. Further when the magnetic layer is peeled off the master information carrier over a wide area thereof, it is necessary to change the maser information carrier. The master information carrier is expensive and how many slave media can be made per one master information carrier largely governs the production cost of a magnetic recording medium.
We observed master information carriers from which the magnetic layer had been peeled and found that the magnetic layer was most peeled off the master information carrier at edges of flat top surfaces of the protruding portions of the irregularity pattern on the master information carrier and that as the pressure under which the master information carrier and the slave medium were in contact with each other increased, the magnetic layer was peeled off the master information carrier at a higher frequency. That is, it was presumed that dynamic structural weakness of the master information carrier caused the magnetic layer to be peeled off. The dynamic structural strength of the master information carrier is governed by, for instance, the thickness of the magnetic layer and the bonding strength between the base sheet and the magnetic layer. Our further investigation has revealed that edges of flat top surfaces of the protruding portions of the irregularity pattern on the master information carrier were often cut where the side faces of the protruding portions were covered with a very thin magnetic layer or with no magnetic layer, that is, the thickness distribution of the magnetic layer generated a structural strength distribution, and stress was concentrated on the portions where structural strength was weak to generate peeling of the magnetic layer.
Further, our investigation has revealed that the thickness of the magnetic layer on the side faces of the protruding portions of the irregularity pattern on the master information carrier largely affects the quality of the signal transferred to the slave media.

Master information carrier for magnetic transfer and magnetic transfer method


The invention relates to a process of forming a compact bipolar junction transistor (BJT) that includes forming a self-aligned collector tap adjacent the emitter stack and an isolation structure. A base layer is formed from epitaxial silicon that is disposed in the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to integrated circuit fabrication, and, more specifically, the present invention relates to the fabrication of a super self-aligned collector for a bipolar junction transistor device design and process flow that allows for a compact bipolar junction transistor layout.
2. Description of Related Art
A bipolar junction transistor (BJT) exhibits significant resistance and substrate capacitance that raise performance issues. In high-performance bipolar complementary metal oxide semiconductor (BiCMOS) processing the process flow needs to be integrated. The addition of high energy, high dose implantation, the use of a heavily doped substrate layer, and the use of high temperature cycles all significantly degrade CMOS performance. Independent optimization of the deep collector plug (DCP) implant and the buried layer (BL) is difficult especially in the presence of CMOS devices.
FIG. 9 illustrates an existing BJT 10. The BJT 10 includes a substrate 12, a collector structure 14 disposed in substrate 12, a buried layer 16, and deep trench isolation (DTI) structures 18. BJT 10 also includes shallow trench isolation (STI) structures that include a collector-proximate STI (collector STI) 20, a middle- or emitter-proximate STI (emitter STI) 22, and a base-proximate STI (base STI) 24. Upon substrate 12, an epitaxial layer 26 is formed. An emitter stack 28 is disposed above the epitaxial layer 26. Additionally, a deep collector plug 30, a collector tap 32 and a base tap region 34 are part of BJT 10.
Total resistivity from the collector structure to the collector tap in a BJT has a significant effect on performance. In FIG. 9, three significant resistivity paths exist. Although each path is depicted schematically by a dashed line, it is understood that the resistivity paths are actually located in 3-dimensional solid space in substrate 12 that is approximated by the dashed lines. A downward vertical first resistivity path 36 passes from collector structure 14 into substrate 12 toward buried layer 16. First resistivity path 36 may amount to about 10% of the total resistivity between collector structure 14 and collector tap 32. A horizontal second resistivity path 38 passes from first resistivity path 36, under emitter STI 22 and toward deep collector plug 30. Second resistivity path 38 may amount to about 30% of the total resistivity between collector structure 14 and collector tap 32. An upward vertical third resistivity path 40 passes from second resistivity path 38 into collector plug 30. Third resistivity path 40 may amount to about 60% of the total resistivity between collector structure 14 and collector tap 32. For example first resistivity path 36 represents a range from about 300 ohm·cm−2 to about 700 ohm·cm−2, second resistivity path 38 represents a range from about 1,300 ohm·cm−2 to about 1,700 ohm·cm−2, and third resistivity path 40 represents a range from about 2,750 ohm·cm−2 to about 3,250 ohm·cm−2.
Direction changes in current flow also affect efficiency. Accordingly, because of the downward first, horizontal second, and upward third resistivity paths, efficient current flow also is detrimentally affected due to directional changes.
FIG. 10 is a top layout schematic view depicting selected structures of BJT 10 without depicting elevational differences. A BJT perimeter 42 measures the BJT 10 from the outer edges 44 (FIG. 9) of collector STI 20 and base STI 24. Emitter STI 22 and base STI 24 are part of a guard ring that is encompassed by BJT perimeter 42. An exptaxial base layer perimeter 46 is also depicted that relates to epitaxial base layer 26 in FIG. 9. Emitter stack 28 is depicted by its perimeter, and an intrinsic base region 48, is also depicted by its perimeter as it forms substantially above collector structure 14. Other selected structures include collector tap 32 and a base tap 50 portion of epitaxial layer 26 that is located within epitaxial base layer perimeter 46. It is noted that current flows through substrate, beneath emitter STI 22.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Super self-aligned collector device for mono-and hetero bipolar junction transistors, and method of making same


This invention relates to a method of achieving a solid-liquid separation of an oil-based mud comprising the step of contacting said oil-based mud with a water-in-oil emulsion comprising a polymer derived from at least one water-soluble monomer, where the polymer is not dissolved prior to contact with the oil-based mud, mixing the water-in-oil emulsion and the oil-based mud and separating the solid phase from the liquid phase in the oil-based mud. In addition, this invention also relates to a composition comprising an oil-based mud with a water-in-oil emulsion comprising a polymer derived from at least one water-soluble monomer, wherein the polymer is not dissolved prior to contact with the oil-based mud.

Oil-based muds form a general class of materials that minimally comprise a mixture of particulate solids in an oil-continuous phase. A subset of oil-based muds is oil-based drilling muds, which contain functional fluids used to improve drilling operations in several ways. These fluids are circulated through and around the drill bit to lubricate and cool the bit, provide flotation to help support the weight of the drill pipe and casing, coat the wellbore surface to prevent caving in and undesirable fluid flow, and to carry drill cuttings away from the bit to the surface. Such oil-based drilling fluids are oil-continuous compositions that may also contain an aqueous solution (e.g. calcium chloride brine) as a discontinuous phase (making the fluids water-in-oil inverse emulsions), emulsifiers to stabilize the inverse emulsion, rheology modifying agents (e.g. oleophilic clays), weighting agents (e.g. barium sulfate), fluid loss control agents (e.g. lignins), and other additives (e.g. lime). Used oil-based drilling muds will contain, in addition to the above components, drill cuttings and other dissolved or dispersed materials derived from the drilled medium or from other sources of contamination such as process and environmental waters. Waste oil-based muds are simply used or contaminated oil-based drilling muds containing a sufficient concentration of drill cuttings or other components to warrant either a disposal or a recycling of the mud.
Waste management of oil-based drilling muds, made with either diesel or synthetic oil, is a high priority for companies drilling both onshore and offshore wells. The current trend in managing these waste oil-based drilling muds (i.e. drilling fluids laden with cuttings) is moving towards reclamation and recycling of the muds. Much of this trend is a response to regulation. Reclamation and recycle of these fluids almost always requires a good separation of the oil phase and possibly the aqueous phase from the oil-based drilling muds.
The methods used for solid-liquid separation of oil-based drilling muds (OBDMs), have included mechanical, thermal and some chemical treatments. The chemical treatments include the use of: sodium silicates in U.S. Pat. No. 2,476,846; organic solvents in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 4,040,866; a neutralization-flocculation scheme in which a dissolved polymeric flocculant was employed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,482,459; polyethylene oxides to dewater OBDMs (Sharma, S. K. and A. G. Smelley (1991) "Use of flocculants in dewatering of drilling muds." Advances in Filtration and Separation Technology 3 (Pollution Control Technol. Oil Gas Drill. Prod. Oper.) pp 43-51); water and surfactants or oil washes in U.S. Pat. No.5,090,498; carboxylic acids in combination with pH cycling in U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,686; supercritical fluid extraction (Eldridge, R. B. (1996) "Oil Contaminant Removal from Drill Cuttings by Supercritical Extraction." Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 35(6): 1901-1905); surfactants with pH adjusters in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003056987 A1, and acid treatment followed by a dissolved water-soluble polymer in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003083532 A1.
In a thesis by Julio Oswaldo Bello Torres and Luis Hernando Pérez Cárdenas entitled "Analisis TecnicoEconomico de un Metodo FisicoQuimico Alternativo Para la Separacion de Agua y Solidos en Lodos Base Aceite", Fundacion Universidad de America, Santafé De Bogotá, D. C. (1999), both solid and water-in-oil emulsion polymer flocculants were diluted in water at about 3% by weight concentration and then mixed with OBDMs. None of the polymer flocculants were directly or neatly mixed with OBDMs prior to dilution with water.
While the above treatments may be used to some extent in the separation of particulate solids from OBDMs, they each have their own drawbacks, whether it be in terms of process inefficiency, the generation of additional volumes of waste to be treated, or lack of economic viability.
The inventors of the present invention have discovered that the direct use of neat or oil-diluted water-in-oil emulsions in which the discrete phase contains a polymer comprising at least one water-soluble monomer provides excellent separation of oil from oil-based drilling muds. This is rather surprising since there are some documents that have statements that indicate a lack of utility of water-soluble polymers in treating OBDMs (e.g., Field, S. D., A. Wojtanowicz, et al. (1987) "Deliquification of oilfield drilling slurries and production sludges." Proceedings of the Industrial Waste Conference, 41st: pp 481-7).

Solid-liquid separation of oil-based muds


The present invention relates to a novel combination of fenofibrate and a vitamin E substance which comprises:. (a) a micronized mixture of fenofibrate with a solid surfactant, and PA1 (b) a vitamin E substance selected from the group consisting of tocopherols, their esters with organic acids, and mixtures thereof, PA1 (1) the micronized mixture contains 33 to 200 mg of fenofibrate and the amount of said vitamin E substance represents 100 to 600 IU, and PA1 (2) the ratio (Ra) of the amount of fenofibrate, expressed in mg, to the amount of vitamin E substance, expressed in IU, is between 0.33 and 2 mg/IU.. wherein:. It further relates to the method of use of this combination in therapeutic treatments.

The present invention relates to a novel combination of fenofibrate and vitamin E, which is useful as an antiatheromatous drug and exhibits a synergistic effect as regards protection of plasma low density lipoproteins (LDL) from oxidation.
The present invention further relates to a method of using this novel synergistic combination in therapeutic treatments.
Vitamin E, which has the nomenclature .alpha.-tocopherol or 3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetra-methyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2H-1-benzopy ran-6-ol and has the following structural formula: ##STR1## is a vitamin which has antioxidizing properties. Vitamin E is generally used either in the dl form (i.e. the so-called natural form), in the d form (i.e. the more active diastereoisomer), or in an esterified form, especially with acetic acid.
Vitamin E acetate, which is also known as .alpha.-tocopherol acetate or .alpha.-tocopheryl acetate, has the following structural formula: ##STR2## and is generally used in the dl form (i.e. the "standard" product) or the d form.
According to the Merck Index, (1989), 11th edition, pages 1579-1580, entries no. 9931 "Vitamin E" and no. 9932 "Vitamin E Acetate", the international unit (IU) for vitamin E is defined on the basis of dl-.alpha.-tocopherol acetate. This gives rise to the following relationships:
(1) 1 mg of dl-.alpha.-tocopherol acetate=1 IU PA0 (2) 1 mg of d-.alpha.-tocopherol acetate=1.36 IU PA0 (i) the fenofibrate forming part of said combination has previously been co-micronized with a solid surfactant; and PA0 (ii) the above-mentioned ratio Ra is between 0.33 and 2 mg/IU. PA0 (a) a micronized mixture of fenofibrate with a solid surfactant, and PA0 (b) a vitamin E substance selected from the group consisting of tocopherols, their esters with organic acids, and mixtures thereof, PA0 (1) said micronized mixture contains 33 to 200 mg of fenofibrate and the amount of said vitamin E substance represents 100 to 600 IU, and PA0 (2) the ratio (Ra) of the amount of fenofibrate, expressed in mg, to the amount of said vitamin E substance, expressed in IU, is between 0.33 and 2 mg/IU. PA0 (i) a substance belonging to the group consisting of .alpha.-, .beta.-, .gamma.-, .delta., .zeta..sub.1 -, .zeta..sub.2 - and .eta.-tocopherols, and their dl, d and l forms, where appropriate; PA0 (ii) the corresponding esters obtained with organic acids; and PA0 (iii) mixtures thereof. PA0 (.alpha.) the separate daily administration, in the form of gelatin capsules, of (a) 33 to 200 mg of fenofibrate co-micronized with sodium laurylsulfate in association with a physiologically acceptable excipient, and (b) 100 to 600 IU of vitamin E substance (preferably 100 to 600 mg of dl-.alpha.-tocopherol acetate) in association with a physiologically acceptable excipient; and PA0 (.beta.) the daily administration of a single form comprising fenofibrate co-micronized with LSNa, and the vitamin E substance, at the doses in point (.alpha.) above, in which form the vehicles of the two active ingredients are joined or placed side by side (this case is encountered especially when the single form comprises either a tablet of co-micronized fenofibrate and a tablet of vitamin E substance joined by a side or a face, or a gelatin capsule containing said co-micronized fenofibrate and said vitamin E substance together). PA0 (a) a micronized mixture of 33 to 200 mg of fenofibrate with 0.33 to 14 mg of LSNa, and PA0 (b) 100 to 600 mg (i.e. 100 to 600 IU) of dl-.alpha.-tocopherol acetate,
Additionally, as liposoluble antioxidants, vitamin E and vitamin E acetate protect the plasma lipoproteins, and in particular the low density lipoproteins (LDL), from oxidation by free radicals.
Fenobibrate, which has the systematic nomenclature isopropyl 2-4-(4-chlorobenzoyl)phenoxy!-2-methylpropionate or 2-4-(4-chlorobenzoyl)phenoxy!-2-methylpropionic acid 1-methylethyl ester (according to Chemical Abstracts) and has the following structural formula: ##STR3## is a hypolipidemic which also lowers cholesterolemia and triglyceridemia.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,726, counterpart of EP-A-0 330 532 discloses a solution for improving the bioavailability of fenofibrate, herein a unit dose of 200 mg of fenofibrate, which was previously co-micronized with a solid surfactant, is therapeutically equivalent to a dose of 300 mg of fenofibrate, which was micronized in the absence of a solid surfactant.
Finally, the capacity of fenofibrate to protect lipoproteins from oxidation has been studied in the article entitled "Antioxidant Therapy and Uptake of Human oxidized LDL by Macrophages" by J. C. FRUCHART et al., Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences, 1989, vol. 570, pp. 447-448. According to said article, the LDL of hypercholesterolemic patients who had received 300 mg/d of fenofibrate, 1000 mg/d of vitamin E (i.e. dl-.alpha.-tocopherol) or the combined treatment of 300 mg/d of fenofibrate and 1000 mg/d of vitamin E for two months were isolated and then oxidized by incubation (24 h) with copper, before being transferred and incubated (5 h) in a culture of mouse peritoneal macrophages in order to study the uptake of LDL.
The results given in said article indicate that (i) the uptake of LDL in the group of patients who had received fenofibrate is identical to that in the control group, meaning that said fenofibrate has no effect on the oxidation of the LDL, and (ii) the rate of uptake of LDL decreases by 19.9% for the group which had received vitamin E and by 22.4% for the group which had received the fenofibrate/vitamin E combination.
It was found according to the present invention, that the incubation period of 24 h for oxidizing LDL with copper (according to J. C. FRUCHART et al.) is too long and that the results obtained are consequently rather imprecise and unreliable.
Therefore, there is a need for a novel drug for the treatment and/or prevention of atheromatous diseases.
Accordingly, the present invention relates to a combination of fenofibrate and vitamin E which is genuinely effective in protecting plasma lipoproteins in particular, especially LDL and, if appropriate, the very low density lipoproteins (VLDL), from oxidation.
The solution which is recommended for this purpose utilizes a combination of fenofibrate and vitamin E wherein:
the fenofibrate has previously been co-micronized with a solid surfactant, and PA1 the ratio Ra of the amount of fenofibrate (expressed in mg) to the amount of vitamin E (expressed in IU) is greater than 0.3 mg/IU, in contrast to the teaching of the article by J. C. FRUCHART et al. cited above.
The present invention is based on two discoveries. The first is that, while fenofibrate which has not been co-micronized with a solid surfactant has practically no protective effect on LDL plasma lipoproteins with respect to oxidation according to J. C. FRUCHART et al., fenofibrate which has been co-micronized with a solid surfactant does protect said lipoproteins from oxidation.
The second discovery is that the fenofibrate/vitamin E substance combination exhibits a synergistic effect as regards protection of lipoproteins, such as LDL, from oxidation when the following two conditions are satisfied:
According to a first feature of the present invention, a novel combination of fenofibrate and a vitamin E substance is recommended which comprises:
with the following two conditions:
According to a second feature of the present invention, a novel method of using said co-micronized fenofibrate/vitamin E substance combination is recommended for the preparation of a drug intended for use in therapeutics for the treatment and prevention of atheromatous diseases.

Combination of fenofibrate and vitamin E, and method of use of same in therapeutic treatments


The object is to provide a mixing valve and a mixing device which can more easily control the flow rates of one fluid and another fluid or fluids in comparison with a conventional mixing valve. In a mixing valve 10A in which a main passage 13 through which one fluid f1 passes and at least one subsidiary passage 14 (14A, 14B) through which the other fluids f2, f3 pass are connected via opening/closing valve portions 20A, 20B to open/close communicating openings 18A, 18B, pressure sensors 31, 32, 33 (34) are disposed in the main passage and the subsidiary passages, respectively, to detect the pressures of the fluids passing through the main passage and the subsidiary passages.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mixing valve in which a main passage through which one fluid passes and one or plural subsidiary passages through which the other fluids pass are connected; and a mixing device using the mixing valve.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In manufacturing fields of, for example, semiconductor devices or chemicals, pure water may be supplied to a predetermined work site through a pipe. In this respect, a mixing valve 110 shown in FIG. 8, such as a manifold valve or the like, is used to mix the pure water and other fluids, such as chemical or the like, appropriately selected in accordance with the operation to be conducted or the product to be manufactured (see, for example, Japanese Patent No. 3207782).
As shown in FIG. 8, in the mixing valve 110, a main passage 113 through which one fluid, e.g., the above pure water (first fluid f1) passes and subsidiary passages 114A, 114B, 114C through which the other fluids, e.g., various chemicals (second fluid f2, third fluid f3, fourth fluid f4) pass are connected via opening/closing valve portions 120A, 120B, 120C to open/close communicating openings 116A, 116B, 116C. Numeral 111 designates a main body block, and numeral 112 designates a valve block.
The subsidiary passages 114A, 114B, 114C are formed beneath the main passage 113. The upper ends thereof open as the communicating openings 116A, 116B, 116C in the main passage 113, and the second, third, fourth fluids f2, f3, f4 passing through the subsidiary passages 114A, 114B, 114C are upwardly supplied to the main passage 113. The communicating openings 116A, 116B, 116C can be opened/closed by the corresponding opening/closing valve portions 120A, 120B, 120C provided in the valve block 112, separately.
The opening/closing valve portions 120A, 120B, 120C are disposed on the communicating openings 116A, 116B, 116C in the main passage 113. Valve bodies 124 are forwardly or backwardly moved across the main passage 113 by air or the like controlled by a controller (not shown), so that the corresponding communicating openings 116A, 116B, 116C are opened/closed inside the main passage 113, to supply or stop supplying the second, third, fourth fluids f2, f3, f4 from the subsidiary passages 114A, 114B, 114C into the main passage 113. Numeral 122 designates pistons of the opening/closing valve portions 120A, 120B, 120C. Numeral 126 designates a diaphragm. Numeral "S" designates a spring to always bias the valve body 124 in the forward direction.
Conventionally, in the mixing valve 110, it is necessary to control the flow rates of the fluids passing through the main passage 113 and the subsidiary passages 114A, 114B, 114C, using outside detecting means such as a flow sensor connected to a pipe of the mixing valve 110.
However, in the above mixing valve, it is inconvenient to dispose detection means in outside passages for a plurality of fluids, and a complicated layout of pipes, wires or the like may cause a trouble. Recently, in such a mixing valve, a more simple structure to control the flow rates of various fluids has been required.


In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method of inserting at least one Z-pin into a composite laminate for providing Z direction reinforcement thereto. The method comprises the initial step of positioning at least one Z-pin upon the composite laminate. Thereafter, an insertion force is applied to the Z-pin at a first level which is sufficient to commence an insertion process wherein the Z-pin is driven into the composite laminate at a first insertion speed. The insertion force applied to the Z-pin is continuously monitored, with the first insertion speed being reduced to a second insertion speed in response to a monitored increase in the insertion force from a first level to a second level.

The present invention relates generally to reinforced composites, and more particularly, to a two-speed insertion process for Z-pinning/joining uncured composite laminates to each other.
The use of composites as primary structures in aerospace applications is becoming increasingly widespread in the aerospace industry. Traditional composite materials are made up of a resin matrix material and a quantity of two-dimensional fibers, continuous in the X-Y axis direction, but laminated in layers to produce a material thickness. Composite material construction, wherein a fiber material such as a glass fiber, carbon fiber, or aramid fiber is combined with a matrix material, such as thermoplastic or thermoset resins, is an example of a traditional two-dimensional structure.
Many structural composites, such as structural composite air frames, usually include multiple stiffeners. The stiffeners supply rigidity and stiffness that is required under certain flight load conditions. One typical stiffener is referred to as a hat stiffener. Hat stiffeners, named for their shape, are typically applied to aerospace structural composite components via their skin.
Historically, composite hat stiffeners were attached to composite skins with conventional mechanical fasteners. In another attachment process sometimes employed, the hat stiffeners were co-cured to the skin of the structural composite material concurrently with the curing with the structural composite material itself. However, in both this process and that wherein the hat stiffeners were mechanically bolted and/or adhesively bonded to the skin, the failure mode typically occurred at the inner hat stiffener to skin surface.
In order to resolve the occurrences of failure using the aforementioned attachment processes, Z-pinning is now frequently used in the aerospace industry to facilitate the attachment of one or more stiffeners to a composite skin. In this regard, with the development of Z-pins, methods for supporting the Z-pins in a carrier, and methods for inserting the Z-pins into uncured composite materials, the hat stiffeners and skin are able to be joined to each other prior to being cured. Joining composite parts together with Z-pins offers several advantages over conventional mechanical fasteners, such as lighter weight, more even distribution of the load, lowers costs, and co-curing of the two parts. In one currently employed Z-pinning process used in conjunction with hat stiffeners, a Z-pin carrier pre-form is disposed on that surface of the hat stiffener which is to be secured to the skin of the underlying structural composite material or laminate. The pre-form typically comprises contiguous layers of low and high density foam having a multiplicity of Z-pins embedded therein. The Z-pins are forced from the carrier pre-form through the hat stiffener and into the underlying laminate using a device such as a hydraulic press or an ultrasonic device (e.g., an ultrasonically excited horn) which uses high frequency energy to vibrate the Z-pins within the carrier pre-form to force them through the stiffener and into the underlying laminate.
For purposes of achieving greater efficiencies and economies in the Z-pinning process, it is highly desirable to facilitate the insertion of the Z-pins automatically through the use of a robot. However, attempts at automating the Z-pinning process have proven challenging due to the need for special techniques to accommodate the many variables involved with the Z-pinning process. More particularly, the key variables for automated insertion are insertion speed, insertion force, material age, material thickness, amount of laminate hot debulking, amplitude of the excitation of the horn (when an ultrasonic horn is used), the load bearing capability of the Z-pins, and insertion time. Inserting the Z-pins too fast results in excessive force being applied to the pins, thereby crushing them, or causing them not to penetrate completely through the parts being joined. Inserting the Z-pins too slowly takes excessive time thereby not achieving a reasonable return on investment, or causes the pre-form to overheat which creates a potential for a fire hazard. When an ultrasonic horn is used, increasing the amplitude of the horn oscillation allows for faster insertion, but increases the risk for transferring too much energy into the pre-form causing over-insertion of the Z-pins and melting of the pre-form. Moreover, one set of conditions may be fine for a new material and a thin total thickness, but not optimal for an aged material (e.g., a thirty day age material) that is of a maximum thickness. Indeed, since many of the aforementioned variables interact in a non-linear fashion, it is extremely difficult to predict insertion success with any given combination. As an additional restriction, the insertion time is required to be fast enough to generate a good return on investment for the process. Thus, for automated Z-pin insertion in a production environment, there exists a need in the art for a single set of insertion parameters (universal parameters) which accommodate all the variations likely to be encountered within the specifications. The present invention addresses this need in a manner which will be described in more detail below.

Automated Z-pin insertion technique using universal insertion parameters


In a fishing rod having a hand grip and a reel clamped to and held above the rod, the improvement wherein there is provided between the rod and the clamp on the underside of the rod a unitary piece having an elongate central section free of lateral protuberances which is laterally curved to essentially match the curvature of the fishing rod, aligned with the elongate central section at one end and integral therewith a curved finger grip terminating in a free distal end, and also aligned with the elongate central section at its opposite end and integral therewith a projection having an opening therein adapted to receive the hook portion of fishing hook.

The typical fishing rod has a reel containing the fishing line. The fishing reel is attached to the top of the fishing rod, usually by a clamp. A hand grip is provided at the end of the fishing rod to the rear of the reel. In ocean fishing for large fish such as yellowtail tuna (40 to 80 pounds), the fisherman casts the hook and line and often has to wait for a protracted period for a bite. If the fisherman becomes distracted or otherwise loses concentration, he may cease holding the hand grip firmly so that when a large fish suddenly takes the hook, the line along with the entire rod and reel is suddenly jerked out of the fisherman's hand, resulting in the loss of the rod and reel to the ocean depths at a cost of hundreds of dollars.
In U.S. Pat. No. 756,364 to Hermance, there is disclosed an attached trigger shaped element for restraining the fisherman's finger and located behind the reel. Bishop U.S. Pat. No. 802,027, describes a trigger-shaped finger restraining structure attached to the fishing rod with the restraining structure located behind the reel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,377 to Martin shows a finger hole structure attached to a fishing rod and located behind the reel. U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,884 relates to a reel clamp and grip assembly which is attached by bolts to a reel plate to hold the reel and clamp to the fishing rod. The grip assembly has two laterally, outwardly opposed members each having bolt holes which are aligned with the bolts extending from the reel plate to permit attachment to the rod. Other patents of possible relevance include U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,620,590 and 7,191,559.


A multimedia keepsake is created containing multimedia content created by a customer and stored online as content information. After the customer selects the type of keepsake, the content information is converted to keepsake information having a format appropriate for storage in the selected type of keepsake. The keepsake information is stored online so as to be accessible via an access code, and it is downloaded to a vendor providing the access code.

In my U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,425,078, 5,490,206 and 5,570,414, I disclosed a voice message keepsake and a method and system for its recordation. The keepsake provided a message recorded by a keepsake provider, often a gift giver, which message might be part of a personalized greeting card or a personalization of a gift (e.g., flowers or a stuffed animal) sent by the gift giver to a remote recipient via a remote fulfillment vendor. The system permitted the gift giver to record his message remotely at a central location in association with a purchase code. The remote fulfillment vendor could then contact the central location remotely and, making use of the purchase code, download the recorded message and store it in a keepsake to be delivered to the recipient.
Although my original invention provided an unprecedented degree of personalization in the gift giving commerce of the time, it did require the central location to be specially equipped with communication links and equipment, not to mention the equipment to record the gift giver's voice. Moreover, each vendor had to have special equipment to store the gift giver's recorded message in the keepsake.
In later patents and patent applications, I disclosed keepsakes which enhanced a book, were part on an audio book or provided a video presentation. In time, keepsakes found use as devices to offer commercial presentations to an individual, as in promoting a pharmaceutical, a concert or movie, a real estate offering or financial services. Indeed, a keepsake is an ideal medium for customized offerings to an individual.
While voice message keepsakes are still very popular, today's technology makes it possible for a keepsake to be multimedia, including image and video displays. Moreover, modern technology makes it possible for a gift giver to have full control over the creation of content for the multimedia keepsake, either via a personal computer or a smart phone. It is an object of the present invention to provide a multimedia keepsake creation system which offers a gift giver essentially complete control over the content of the keepsake.
Moreover, modern online social media technology and platforms make it possible for a keepsake giver to easily access content for the multimedia keepsake that has been shared by or collaboratively created with friends or amateur artists wishing to share their creative content. Users of social media platforms post and share high volumes of user generated content (UGC) some of which is simply content such as music, images or video which the user curates or combines in a creative manner.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a multimedia keepsake creation system which offers a keepsake giver the ability to incorporate content from social media platforms and other sources into the content of the keepsake.
It is another object of the present invention to enable a keepsake giver to create content for a multimedia keepsake without regard to the particular type of keepsake he will be purchasing or the vendor who will be fulfilling the final purchase, whereby the gift giver will be able to create the content before choosing a keepsake product or fulfillment vendor.
In accordance with the present invention, a multimedia keepsake is created containing multimedia content created by a customer and stored online as content information. After the customer selects the type of keepsake, the content information is converted to keepsake information having a format appropriate for storage in the selected type of keepsake. The keepsake information is stored online so as to be accessible via an access code, and it is downloaded to a vendor providing the access code.


Embodiments disclosed herein include a lithographic patterning system and methods of using such a system to form a microelectronic device. In an embodiment, the lithographic patterning system includes an actinic radiation source, a stage where a major surface of the stage is for supporting a substrate with a resist layer, and a first prism over the stage, where the first prism comprises a first face that is substantially parallel to the major surface of the stage. In an embodiment, the lithographic patterning system further comprises a second prism, where the second prism comprises a first surface that is substantially parallel to a second surface of the first prism, and where a second surface of the second prism has a reflective coating.

Traditional photolithography assumes a vertical projection of the actinic radiation used to expose a resist layer. As such, the exposure image field is projected into the resist vertically and the resulting features patterned into the resist layer will stand substantially perpendicular to the surface of the resist layer. Devices (e.g., transistor devices, packaging layers, micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), and the like) designed or fabricated with such vertical projection lithography will have horizontal lines and perpendicular vias.

Method to achieve tilted patterning with a through resist thickness


A method is provided to remediate defects in first computer program code that can be used to configure a computer to produce code for use by the same or a different computer configured using second computer program code to use the produced code to produce output information, the method comprising: configuring a computer to perform static analysis of the first program to produce an information structure in a non-transitory computer readable storage device that associates a respective code statement of the first program code with a respective context, wherein the context associates a parser state with a potential defect in the produced code; identify a defect in the first computer program code that is associated with the respective code statement; and determining a remediation for the identified defect.

A computer program such as a browser, for example, configures a computer to generate user interface information based at least in part upon code such as HTML, CSS and javascript downloaded from another computer such as a web server, for example. Defects and/or vulnerabilities in the downloaded code can be harmful to the operation of a computer configured to use such code, such as a computer configured to implement a browser, for example. Defects in a program running on a web server, for example, that produces the downloaded code can result in the defects or vulnerabilities in the downloaded code that put at risk a computer configured to use such code.


When the wall and bottom of a steel casting and handling ladle are provided at the same time with a refractory monolithic lining, the lining in the lower area of the wall is often damaged during intermediate repairs of the bottom. According to a new process, wall and bottom are lined one after the other. A hose-like inflatable sealing body is secured to the bottom part of the template 4 when beginning to introduce the casting mass in the wall area and is inflated so that it seals the template 4 up to the height that corresponds to the desired thickness of the bottom. As soon as the casting mass in the lower wall area is sufficiently set, the sealing body 2 is deflated and removed, then the refractory casting mass is introduced into the bottom area up to the desired height. This process is suitable for steel casting and handling ladles and for similar metallurgical vessels.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention generally relates to a process for the manufacture of a refractory monolithic lining of the wall and bottom of a ladle for casting and treating steel or for similar metallurgical vessels, as well as a device for the performance of the process. The invention also generally relates to a process for the partial reconstruction of the refractory lining in the upper zone of the wall area of a metallurgical vessel.
2. Background Information
Similar refractory linings of the prior art for metallurgical vessels generally include a permanent lining and a working lining. Fireclays or insulating bricks are conventionally used to construct the permanent lining, and are applied on the inside of the steel shell of the vessel. The working lining is applied on top of the permanent lining, and as it subsequently comes into contact with the molten steel, it is worn away by erosion, in particular as a result of the movement of the metal bath, and by chemical attack or erosion which is caused in particular by the slags which float on top of the molten metal.
The working lining can be constructed using refractory bricks or it can be installed in the form of a castable refractory mix which solidifies to form a monolithic layer. Combinations of these two types of linings are also possible.
In terms of the return on investment, taking into consideration both the cost of materials and useful life of the lining, as well as the time and human resources required to install the lining, a monolithic lining frequently turns out to be more economical than a lining which consists of refractory bricks. Since, as a rule, the amount of wear differs in different areas of the wall and bottom of the ladle, the lining is frequently divided into zones which have different thicknesses of the working lining and/or various grades of refractory materials which have different strengths or characteristics such as wear resistances.
Changes in modern methods of manufacturing steel have placed particularly stringent requirements on the refractory lining of casting and treatment ladles. In particular, after the transition to continuous casting, the higher tapping temperatures and the longer hold times of the molten steel in the ladle result in increased wear to the refractory lining.
After the ladle has been filled with molten steel and emptied numerous times, the working lining is either completely removed and replaced when it has reached the end of its useful life or, in the event of premature wear, it is repaired only in the damaged zones. The bottom frequently exhibits signs of wear sooner than the wall, in particular in the impact area of the casting stream and in the vicinity of the gas purging sets or ladle gates. In that case, the bottom lining must typically be removed and replaced several times during the life of the ladle. If, in the upper portion of the ladle, approximately 1 meter from the upper edge, the working lining is exposed to chemically corrosive slags, the lining in this slag zone must typically bq removed and replaced, or at least repaired, several times during the life of the ladle.
In accordance with a known lining method, the working lining of a steel casting ladle is constructed using refractory castables. This method requires a template which matches the internal contour of the finished, cast working lining. The castable refractory mix is poured into the space between the permanent lining and the template. To save installation time and increase the availability of the ladles, the bottom and the wall lining can be poured in a single process. In this manner, the bottom and the wall form a single, monolithic lining.
If only the wall lining is to be repaired, this method requires a template which matches the internal contour of the finished, cast working lining. The castable refractory mix is poured into the space between the permanent lining and the template.
Mixers, pumps and internal vibrators are generally used to perform the casting process. The casting should be performed continuously, over a period of about three hours for example, to prevent any hardening in the surface area. The vibrators are used to prevent the formation of cavities and voids and to achieve good densification. When the mix has set, e.g. after approximately 24 hours, the template can be removed.
When the wall and bottom are lined with a monolithic lining, and if premature wear occurs on the bottom, it has been found to be disadvantageous that, when the damaged portion of the bottom lining is removed, damage generally occurs to the rest of the bottom lining. Generally, the lower portion of the otherwise intact wall lining is damaged during the removal of the bottom lining, because the lining of the wall and of the bottom is a monolith. Consequently, that can mean that it is necessary to remove a major part of the wall lining prematurely.
To avoid problems in removing the bottom, the lining installation process can be performed so that a template is used which extends to the permanent lining of the bottom, and as a first step, only the wall lining is poured. After the castable refractory mix has set and the template has been removed, the bottom is poured in a second step. The result, when the bottom is later removed, is a design breaking point which prevents damage to the wall area of the lining. One disadvantage, however, is that additional time is required to allow the lining on the bottom to set before the ladle can be returned to operation, which means that the time it takes to line the vessel is almost doubled.
When a monolithic lining of the entire vessel wall is installed, one disadvantage is that if premature wear occurs in the area exposed to the slag, interim repairs to this area are so difficult that this area must continue to be lined with refractory bricks, as described in Stahl u. Eisen Special, October 1992, pp. 117-120, which is incorporated by reference herein.

Process for producing steel casting ladle monolithic refractory lining


A semiconductor device is provided. The semiconductor device includes a substrate having a first conductivity type. An epitaxial layer having the first conductivity type is disposed on the substrate, and a trench is formed in the epitaxial layer. A polysilicon layer having the first conductivity type fills the trench, and a first doping region having a second conductivity type that is different from the first conductivity type is disposed in the epitaxial layer and on sidewalls of the trench. A method for forming the semiconductor device is also provided.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor devices, and in particular to trench metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistors (Trench MOSFETs) and methods for fabricating the same.
Description of the Related Art
Technology that includes high-voltage elements is implemented into integrated circuits with high voltages and high power. In order to achieve a high-withstand voltage and high current, the flow of the driving current in a conventional power transistor has been developed from a horizontal direction to a vertical direction. A metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) having a trench gate has been developed that is capable of effectively reducing on-resistance (Ron) and processing high currents.
In recent years, the Trench MOSFET has seen significant development in the field of computers and consumer electronics. Currently, the technology used in the Trench MOSFET has been widely accepted, and the Trench MOSFET has a high market share. However, there are still many improvements that are required in term of the Trench MOSFET's capability to exhibit a high-withstand voltage.
Therefore, it is necessary to search for Trench MOSFET devices and methods for fabricating the same that can improve upon or solve the above problems.

Semiconductor devices and methods for fabricating the same

Vanguard International Semiconductor Corporation


A memory device includes a first electrode including a spin-orbit material, a magnetic junction on a portion of the first electrode and a first structure including a dielectric on a portion of the first electrode. The first structure has a first sidewall and a second sidewall opposite to the first sidewall. The memory device further includes a second structure on a portion of the first electrode, where the second structure has a sidewall adjacent to the second sidewall of the first structure. The memory device further includes a first conductive interconnect above and coupled with each of the magnetic junction and the second structure and a second conductive interconnect below and coupled with the first electrode, where the second conductive interconnect is laterally distant from the magnetic junction and the second structure.

For the past several decades, the scaling of features in integrated circuits has been a driving force behind an ever-growing semiconductor industry. Scaling to smaller and smaller features enables increased densities of functional units on limited real estate of semiconductor chips. For example, shrinking transistor size allows for the incorporation of an increased number of memory devices on a chip, lending to the fabrication of products with increased functionality. The drive for ever-more functionality, however, is not without issue. It has become increasingly significant to rely on innovative devices such as spin orbit memory devices including a spin orbit electrode coupled with a compatible Magnetic Tunnel Junction (MTJ) device to overcome the requirements imposed by scaling.
Embedded memory including non-volatile memory devices, e.g., on-chip embedded memory with non-volatility can enable energy and computational efficiency. However, for efficiency, a high density of memory device is desirable. A non-volatile memory device such as magnetic tunnel junction (MTJ) memory may be coupled with a selector element on a spin orbit electrode to form a two terminal memory cell. A large collection of two terminal memory cells can increase density of a non-volatile embedded memory array.

Two terminal spin orbit memory devices and methods of fabrication


The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display, the method including; disposing a thin film transistor having an input terminal and an output terminal on a first substrate, connecting a pixel electrode to the output terminal, disposing an organic layer on the pixel electrode, forming a first alignment layer having at least two different alignment directions by disposing a mask on the organic layer and radiating an ion beam to the organic layer, disposing a common electrode on a second substrate corresponding to the first substrate, forming a second alignment layer having at least two different alignment directions on the common electrode, and disposing a liquid crystal layer between the first alignment layer and the second alignment layer.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to liquid crystal display device ("LCD") and a method of manufacturing the same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing an LCD using an ion beam alignment method.
(b) Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display ("LCD") is one of the most popular display devices. A typical LCD includes two display panels each having a substrate with a field generating electrode, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two display panels. The LCD controls an amount of light transmitted therethrough by controlling the alignment of liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer by applying a voltage to the field generating electrodes.
Although the LCD has a drawback of a narrow viewing angle due to the optical anisotropy of liquid crystal molecules, an optically compensated bend ("OCB") mode, an in-plane switching ("IPS") mode, and various vertical alignment modes using a plurality of domains have been introduced to realize a wide viewing angle. The plurality of domains may be formed by artificially distorting the electric field.
In order to form the plurality of domains, a protrusion or a cutout has been formed on the field generating electrode. In this method of domain formation the plurality of domains are formed by aligning liquid crystal molecules vertically to a flange field by the flange field that is formed between an edge of the protrusion or the cutout and a field generating electrode facing the edge. However, a process of forming the protrusion or the cutout is very complicated, and it increases the manufacturing cost of a display device. Also, the aperture ratio of the LCD is reduced. Further, a random motion is generated at liquid crystal molecules located at the center of a pixel, far away from the cutout, even though liquid crystal molecules adjacent to the protrusion or the cutout are easily aligned vertically to the flange field. Therefore, response speed is decreased, and an afterimage may be generated due to a reverse-direction domain.
As another method for forming a plurality of domains in one pixel, a photo-alignment method and an ion beam alignment method have been introduced. In the photo-alignment method and the ion beam alignment method, an alignment direction and an alignment angle of liquid crystal molecules are controlled by radiating light or ions to an alignment layer. Therefore, it is possible to increase the aperture ratio because it is not necessary to form a protrusion or a cutout on a field generating electrode in the photo-alignment method and the ion beam alignment method. It is also possible to improve the response time of liquid crystal molecules due to a pretilt angle that is generated when photo-alignment or ion beam alignment is performed. Furthermore, if a protrusion or cutout is additionally formed after performing the ion beam alignment, the response time of the liquid crystal may be further improved because friction defects caused by rubbing alignment, another form of alignment layer formation, are prevented and defects are not generated even though the liquid crystal molecules are not completely aligned.

Liquid crystal display device and method of manufacturing the same


A printed circuit board includes two differential signal traces, a layer of core material, a layer of filler material, and a ground plane. The filler material is replaced by an air core under the differential signal traces.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to printed circuit boards and more particularly, to printed circuit boards (PCBs) with coplanar waveguides and high frequency applications.
2. Related Art
Modern IC devices operate at increasingly higher frequencies. As frequencies of circuits placed on PCBs reach tens of gigahertz, the electrical characteristics of PCB traces resemble high-speed signal transmission lines, rather than DC electrical circuits. The higher frequencies and resultant shorter signal rise times expose PCB performance limitations that are manifested by signal integrity phenomena such as ringing, dielectric losses, reflections, ground bounce, and cross-talk.
Stripline, or microstrip transmission lines, are commonly used as a means of transmitting signals from one portion of the printed circuit board to another. Typically the impedance of the waveguide formed by the stripline or the microstrip structure is matched to 50 ohms.
The microstrip transmission line is a strip conductor that is separated from a ground conductor by a dielectric substrate. However, a problem with the microstrip line is that it has a high transmission loss at high frequencies.
Conventional art has attempted to deal with the problem of losses in the dielectric by turning to exotic materials with relative dielectric constant εr of down to approximately 2. However, these materials are typically very expensive, highly flammable, and exhibit poor peel characteristics. The capacitive effects that are created by the presence of the dielectrics, even low εr dielectrics, add to system losses, and degrade signal integrity.
As a result, there is a need for structures capable of transmitting high frequency signals, which minimize transmission losses, are of small size, allow for easy and inexpensive fabrication and integration, and still enable desired performance requirements to be met.

Semi-suspended coplanar waveguide on a printed circuit board


A method for preparing a fiber-reinforced composite article initially performs a trial molding by a molding machine to prepare a trial composite article of a composite molding material including a polymeric material having a plurality of fibers, wherein the trial composite article has a trial fiber orientation distribution. The method further generates a predicted fiber orientation distribution fitting with the trial fiber orientation distribution, wherein the predicted fiber orientation distribution is generated by performing a first molding simulation for the trial composite article by using physical rheology parameters and physical fiber orientation parameters. The method further performs a second molding simulation for a real composite article by using the physical rheology parameters and the physical fiber orientation parameters to obtain molding conditions for the molding machine, and performs a real molding process by the molding machine by using the molding conditions to prepare the real composite article.

Higher fuel consumption standards are driving the progress and applications of automotive light-weight materials. Among them, fiber-reinforced thermoplastic (FRT) composites are favored due to excellent strength/weight properties. It is important to understand the fiber reinforcement microstructure.
FIG. 1 shows an FRT composite article with a fan-gated plaque geometry having a marked region C at the center, and FIG. 2 shows a well-known skin-shell-core structure found in an experimental flow-direction orientation component across the thickness of the molded FRT article along the thickness direction at the region C shown in FIG. 1. One of the important orientation descriptors is the flow direction orientation component (A11) corresponding to the flow direction, referring to the degree of orientation of fibers along the flow direction. In general, a high value of the flow direction orientation component (A11) would indicate a great deal of fibers laying in the flow direction
Those fibers found in the shell region (near the cavity wall with high shear rates) are strongly aligned in the flow direction, but the other fibers in the core region (near the cavity center with low shear rates) are transverse to the flow direction. The skin region indicates a decrease of fiber alignment since the fibers at the front is influenced by fountain flow and rapidly frozen close to the cold mold. In order to manufacture safer FRT products with higher strength, a trend to use higher fiber concentration or longer fiber length is recently attempted in automotive, aerospace and energy industries. In particular, a great core-width feature is found in such a condition. Unfortunately, the conventional fiber orientation simulation technique cannot predict such core width, because it predicts a much thinner core region as compared to the experimental orientation data.
To solve this shortage, Huynh proposed one possible mechanism in his master's thesis (Huynh H M. Improved fiber orientation predictions for injection molded composites. Master's Thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; 2001). In Huynh's work, a Yield-WLF-Cross viscosity model was produced by combining the standard WLF-Cross model and the Papanastasiou model (Papanastasiou T C. Flows of materials with yield. J Rheol 1987; 31:385). Furthermore, the Yield-WLF-Cross viscosity model was then implemented into an ORIENT program to predict the fiber orientation, wherein the ORIENT program uses a finite difference scheme based on the Hele-Shaw approximation and the Folgar-Tucker orientation equation (Bay R S, Tucker III C L. Fiber orientation in simple injection moldings. Part i: Theory and numerical methods. Polymer Composites 1992; 13:317-331 and Bay R S, Tucker III C L. Fiber orientation in simple injection moldings. Part ii: Experimental results. Polymer Composites 1992; 13:332).
FIG. 3 shows viscosity versus shear rate for WLF-Cross and Yield-WLF-Cross viscosity models according to the prior art (disclosed in Huynh's work). It appears that the Yield-WLF-Cross model involves two regions: the low-shear-rate yield stress region and the high-shear-rate shear thinning region, without an obvious Newtonian plateau, differing from the standard WLF-Cross model. In addition, the yield-stress viscosity at two different temperatures is the same; namely, the temperature-independent yield-stress viscosity is constant. However, in the real world, the yield-stress viscosity is different at different temperatures; in other words, the Huynh's work does not match the experimental data.
FIG. 4 shows the predicted flow direction orientation component (A11) with respect to the normalized thickness (z/h), using different viscosity models according to the prior art (disclosed in Huynh's work). The standard WLF-Cross viscosity model predicts a very narrow core as compared with the experimental data. The core region is widened by applying the Yield-WLF-Cross viscosity model; however, Huynh's work shows a flat orientation plateau/well over a core region, which does not match the experimental data. In conclusion, a yield stress does not provide adequate improvement to the orientation predictions.
In particular, over the last three decades, great effort has been made to describe the flow-induced variation of fiber orientation in fiber suspension rheology. The injection molding software has adopted several theoretical approaches, including the Folgar-Tucker IRD (Isotropic Rotary Diffusion) model, the Phelps-Tucker ARD (Anisotropic Rotary Diffusion) model, and the Wang-Tucker RSC (Reduced Strain Closure) model (Wang J. Improved fiber orientation predictions for injection molded composites. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; 2007 and Phelps J H. Processing-microstructure models for short-fiber and long-fiber thermoplastic composites. Ph.D. Thesis, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; 2009). Recently, Tseng et al. developed a fiber orientation model called the iARD-RPR model (Improved Anisotropic Rotary Diffusion model combined with Retarding Principal Rate model, Tseng H-C, Chang R-Y, Hsu C-H. Method and computer readable media for determining orientation of fibers in a fluid. U.S. Pat. No. 8,571,828; 2013 and Tseng H-C, Chang R-Y, Hsu C-H. Phenomenological improvements to predictive models of fiber orientation in concentrated suspensions. J Rheol 2013; 57:1597-1631).
However, using these conventional models, the predicted fiber core width is too narrow or not broad enough, as shown in FIG. 2. So far, the underlying cause of the inaccurate prediction of the core width is not clear to the orientation prediction area. More importantly, the anisotropic orientation prediction strongly influences the warpage and structure analyses of a final molded FRT article.
This "Discussion of the Background" section is provided for background information only. The statements in this "Discussion of the Background" are not an admission that the subject matter disclosed in this "Discussion of the Background" section constitutes prior art to the present disclosure, and no part of this "Discussion of the Background" section may be used as an admission that any part of this application, including this "Discussion of the Background" section, constitutes prior art to the present disclosure.

Method for preparing a fiber-reinforced composite article by using computer-aided engineering


A rotary input apparatus is disclosed. The rotary input apparatus comprising a wheel of circular shape having an insertion hole, a center key inserted into the insertion hole and having one or more securing grooves, a magnet joined to a surface of the wheel to co-operate with the wheel and magnetized to have alternating N- and S-poles, a detection element positioned to face the magnet for detecting the rotation of the magnet, a printed circuit board on which the detection element mounted, a base to which the printed circuit board is secured and which has one or more support protrusions that are inserted into the securing grooves, and a holder joined to the base and interposed between the wheel and the base to rotatably support the wheel, allows greater aesthetic value as the center key is not rotated and always maintains a constant orientation.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a rotary input apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a mobile terminal has the numbers 0-9 and the symbols * and # on a keypad of 12 keys. In addition to the numbers, there are also alphabet letters as well as consonants and vowels of Korean letters marked on such a keypad, to enable the input of information including numbers and letters. Recently, there are also navigation keys formed above the keypad equipped with a variety of functions such as phone number search, writing and managing text messages, and connecting to the Internet, etc. There are various forms of navigation keys, such as button types and rotary types, etc., but the use of rotary input apparatus is currently increasing, as they enable various functions such as menu browsing, etc.
Rotary input apparatus are used in televisions, camcorders, and PDA's (personal digital assistants), etc., as input apparatus in the form of rotary switches, rotary encoders, and rotary volume dials, etc.
In a conventional rotary input apparatus, several switches are formed on a base, and a rotational body having a center switch inserted in its center is inserted in and secured to the base. The center switch has a pressing protrusion and the rotational body has a plurality of protrusions, and the pressing protrusion and protrusions touch switches, whereby the center switch and rotational body are supported with a gap from the base.
Therefore, in such a rotary input apparatus using pressing protrusions and protrusions, the center switch and rotational body are supported entirely by the push resistance strength of the switches, so that not only is the structure weak, but also there are problems of malfunctioning due to the switches being activated even with a slight impact. Also, since the center switch is inserted in the rotational body in the conventional rotary input apparatus described above, the center switch is rotated in accordance with the rotation of the rotational body, so that if there is a text or a logo, etc., marked on the surface of the center switch, the orientation of the text or logo is changed, causing a reduction in the overall aesthetic value.
Further, another conventional rotary input apparatus is equipped with a rotating key, composed of an upper case and a lower case, and a securing button inserted in the center of the rotating key. On the reverse side of the securing button is formed a support portion, where this support portion supports the securing button while in contact with a second dome switch. Also, there is a base plate having three support portions protruding upwards, supporting the rotating key while pressing this support portion and a first dome switch attached to the reverse side of the rotating key.
However, in a rotary input apparatus comprised as above, the rotating key and securing button are supported by the push resistance strength of the first dome switch or second dome switch, respectively, so that not only is the structure unstable, but also its joining structure is weak, whereby there are problems of malfunctioning due to switches being activated even with a slight impact. In addition, since the securing button is inserted and secured in a mounting hole while being caught on a first engaging ledge of the upper case, in the conventional rotary input apparatus described above, the securing button is rotated simultaneously with the rotation of the rotating key. Therefore, if there is a text or a logo, etc., marked on the surface of the securing button, the orientation of the text or logo is changed, causing a reduction in the overall aesthetic value.
Also, a conventional rotary input apparatus is not equipped with a light emitting device, so that not only is it inconvenient to use at night, but also it is lacking in aesthetic value.

Rotary input apparatus including a wheel and a center key with securing grooves to prevent rotation


A first contact, made of a spring-like material, extends into a housing through the bottom end thereof and adjacent the right end of the housing such that a first portion of the first contact extends into the housing and a second portion extends out of the housing, the first portion being bent back upon itself within the housing. A second contact, also made of a spring-like material, also extends into the housing through the bottom end and adjacent a left end of the housing, once again, such that a first portion of the first contact extends into the housing and a second portion of the second contact extends out of the housing, the first portion of the second contact also being bent back upon itself within the housing. Thus, the two contacts are substantially in the form of an M disconnected at the tip of the apex thereof. An opening extends into the housing from its top end communicating with the apex so that, when an electrical wire is inserted, through the opening, into the housing, it spreads apart the ends of the contacts forming the apex of the M against spring bias so that, when the wire has been inserted, the spring action of the contacts will pressingly engage the electrical wire. Finger operated means are provided for separating the contacts when a wire is held therebetween whereby to release the wire from removal from the electrical terminal.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a quick connect and disconnect electrical terminal. More specifically, the invention relates to such an electrical terminal which requires no tools or special attachments for the insertion or removal of electrical wires.
2. Description of Prior Art
Known in the art are many electrical terminals or connectors for electrical wires or the like which use spring-like materials for forming the contacts. Such connectors or terminals are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,336,916, Otay, Jan. 30, 1968, 4,428,635,Hamsher, Jr. et al, Jan. 31, 1984, 4,468,073, Machcinski, Aug. 28, 1984 and 4,981,432, Kikuchi, Jan. 1, 1991.
The '916 patent teaches a connector having fluid pressure relief. A conductor 28 is inserted in the gap between spring contacts 24 and 25. As seen in FIG. 3, the connector is grasped by the spring pressure of the two contacts. To receive the conductor, pressure is applied through the tube 26 whereby to extend the gap between connectors 24 and 25 as shown in FIG. 2. The gap is also extended to remove the conductor from the connector.
The arrangement taught in the '635 patent comprises a connector for daughter boards. As seen in FIGS. 2 to 5 of the patent, the daughter board is held between contacts 48 by the spring-like pressure between these contacts. In accordance with the teachings of the '635 patent cam, illustrated at 16 is needed to open and close the contacts.
The arrangement of the '073 patent is very similar to the arrangement of the '635 patent. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, contacts 16 are spring-biassed towards each other and receive an electrical component 12 between them against the pressure of the springs which then holds the electrical component. As described at column 2, lines 58, et seq. of the '073 patent, a lever arm 50 is needed to open and close the contact of this electrical connector.
The '432 patent teaches a connector wherein each contact 14 includes a closed shape interrupted by a gap, or wire receiving portion, 15. Once again, conductors are maintained in the connector by pressure of the two sides of the gap. A special attachment, comprising the cover 12, is needed for disengaging wires held by the electrical connector as described at column 2, lines 10 et seq. of the '432 patent.
It is sometimes awkward to have to operate special attachments when inserting or removing wires from an electrical connector or terminal.

Quick connect and disconnect electrical terminal


A video interfacing technique in an image forming device having video and engine control units, includes setting a timeout variable to repeatedly transmit status messages over a predetermined time period when a communications error has occurred, and transmitting reset signals from one control unit to the other control unit to reset it, when a predetermined message is not received while the video and engine control units transmit and receive the message to and from each other.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a technique device for forming an image, specifically, to a video interfacing technique in an image forming device having video and engine controllers.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, image forming devices, such as laser printers, plain paper facsimile machines, and inkjet printers, print images corresponding to data received from an external system, such as a host computer. These image forming devices have video and engine controllers. These devices print images corresponding to the encoded image sent to them according to the following process:
First, the video controller of the image forming device converts encoded information from the external system into image data that the image forming device can process, and then transmits the image data. The engine controller receives the image data from the video controller, and prints the image on paper. Referring to the structure of a laser printer having video and engine controllers, the input-output signal correlation between the video and engine controllers is set forth in the following description:
A laser printer, for example, includes a video control unit and an engine control unit and an operating panel equipment (OPE). The video control unit has a computer interface for interfacing with the host computer and a video controller connected to the computer interface and OPE and an engine interface connected to the video controller. The engine control unit includes a video interface connected to the engine interface for interfacing signals therebetween. The video control unit also includes an engine controller connected to the video interface and an input/output (I/O) interface connected to the engine controller for interfacing the engine controller with a sensor circuit, a machinery driving unit, and an electrophotography unit, these three elements also being contained in the engine control unit.
The video controller includes a control program stored in a read only memory (ROM) and a random access memory (RAM) needed for various purposes including buffering information transmitted between the host computer and the OPE. The video controller converts data received through the computer interface into image data and then transmits it to the engine control unit. The engine interface interfaces the engine control unit and the video controller so that input/output signals can be transferred under the control of the video controller. The OPE, which is controlled by the video control unit, has a display and multiple keys for entering various commands. The engine control unit is connected to the video control unit. The video interface allows for the transmission and reception of signals between the video control unit and the engine controller. The engine controller controls the machinery driving unit and electrophotography unit according to the instructions of the video control unit and prints the image corresponding to the image data received from the video control unit. It also senses the operating conditions of the engine control unit such that as the condition of the paper supply and transfer through the sensor circuit. The sensor circuit receives input from various sensors for monitoring the printing process, such as the state of the paper supply and transfer, the amount of developer, etc., and sends this information to the engine controller. The machinery driving unit operates various mechanisms for paper supply and transfer and printing according to the instructions of the engine controller. The electrophotography unit prints the image corresponding to the image data on paper using an electrophotographic developing process. Numerous signals are transferred between the video controller and the engine controller. Unfortunately, errors can occur because of internal or external factors such as abnormally high voltages, static electricity, and the reception of a wrong command message. In short, errors can occur which can interrupt the operation of the video controller and the engine controller. Under these conditions, the electrical power needs to be temporarily interrupted to completely reset the laser printer, thereby involving inconvenience and the problem of a delay for the warm-up of the printer after being reset.
The following patents each discloses features in common with the present invention but do not, however, teach or suggest the specifically recited technique of the present invention: U.S. Pat. No. 5,270,774 to Kikuchi, entitled Testing Device For Electrophotographic Imaging Apparatzis, U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,631 to Negishi et al., entitled Stopping Process Control Device, U.S. Pat. No. 5,243,380 to Pesar et al., entitled Board Fault Isolation Technique, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,398,100 to Ishizu et al., entitled Image Recording Apparatus Operable With A Vertical Scan Synchronization Signal.

Video interfacing technique for transmitting reset signals in an image forming device having video and engine controllers


Systems and methods for providing an extended battery system for a docking component such as a media slice. The extended battery system may be a high capacity battery system provided to power components of the docking component and to provide a relatively longer battery life than a conventional non-high capacity battery system. The docking component may be configured to be capable of charging the extended battery system, and/or the extended battery system may be configured so that it is also capable of use with a portable information handling system (e.g., notebook computer) that is configured for docking with the docking component. The extended battery may be configured as a frontal extending battery system for use with a docking component and/or portable information handling system.

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individuals and businesses seek additional ways to process and store information. One option available to users is information handling systems. An information handling system generally processes, compiles, stores, and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or other purposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of the information. Because technology and information handling needs and requirements vary between different users or applications, information handling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled, how the information is handled, how much information is processed, stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the information may be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in information handling systems allow for information handling systems to be general or configured for a specific user or specific use such as financial transaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage, or global communications. In addition, information handling systems may include a variety of hardware and software components that may be configured to process, store, and communicate information and may include one or more computer systems, data storage systems, and networking systems.
Information handling systems are often configured as portable devices. One popular type of portable information handling system is a notebook computer. Notebook computers operate from battery packs that are contained internally within the chassis of the notebook computer. These battery packs are typically replaceable, so that when discharged they may be removed and replaced with a freshly charged battery through a battery opening provided in the chassis of the notebook computer. Battery openings are typically defined in a side and/or bottom surface of the notebook computer for accepting the battery pack.
High capacity batteries are often provided for use with notebook computers. These high capacity batteries often occupy more space than standard capacity batteries. When the chassis of a notebook computer is too small to completely house a high capacity battery, the battery may be configured to extend outside the chassis. A workable extended high capacity battery solution for a notebook computer typically does not conflict with other features the notebook computer supports (e.g., heat exchanger, fan, hard drive, motherboard, daughter card) and provides an ergonomically pleasing extension of the notebook computer system chassis. Many conventional high capacity battery designs extend from the rear or bottom of a notebook computer chassis. However, a rear extending battery prevents rear docking to an Advanced Port Replicator (APR) and eliminates the rear wall space for input/output (I/O) connections to monitors, mouse, keyboard, local area network (LAN) and modem. A bottom extending battery design prevents bottom docking to an APR or media slice.
A media slice is a component that houses storage media devices (e.g., magnetic disk drives, optical drives, etc.) and that is designed to dock with a notebook computer so that the notebook computer may access the media devices when it is docked with the media slice. A notebook computer typically docks to a media slice using connectors provided on the bottom surface of the notebook computer that connect with corresponding connectors provided on a top surface of the media slice. A media slice may operate from a replaceable battery pack that is contained internally within the chassis of the media slice. The battery pack typically installs from the rear side of the media slice. A media slice may be provided with a chassis that accepts and charges battery packs that are also capable of use within the notebook computer.

Battery system configurations for docking components