An apparatus and method for generating a desired smell by processing smell information through a combination of a computer system and a perfume generating means. In order to generate a desired smell under control of a computer, preset perfume information concerning a smell classification table, kinds of preset perfume corresponding to the items of smell in the smell classification table, the amount of smell to be generated and the variation with time of the amount is registered, the item of a specific smell is selected from the smell classification table, and relevant pieces of the preset perfume information corresponding to the item of the specific smell is extracted. A deodorant may be combined or various smells may be combined with an image.

Visual information and acoustic information have been widely supplied or exchanged by combining a computer system with image display means and/or sound generating means.
Under such a situation, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 10-146385 has disclosed a concept of generating a desired smell by processing smell information by combination of the computer system and perfume generating means. However, this proposal does not contain a technical idea on what smell should be generated, and furthermore, if the generation of some kind of a smell is attempted, a smell which befits a given situation needs to be selected.

Method and apparatus for generating smell


In a camera having a line-of-sight detecting device for continuously detecting line-of-sight information which is information on a line of sight of a user of the camera, a predetermined action is performed when the user is determined on the basis of the detected line-of-sight information to be looking at a specific visual mark, wherein, until the line-of-sight information varies after the predetermined action is performed for the first time, the predetermined action for the second time is inhibited from being performed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an optical apparatus having a line-of-sight detecting device arranged to detect a line of sight of the user of the apparatus, and more particularly to an optical apparatus having the function of starting a predetermined action on the basis of data relative to the detected line of sight of the user.
2. Description of Related Art
Among optical apparatuses having such a kind of line-of-sight detecting device, there is a known one, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,145, which is arranged to time-serially detect the position of a line of sight of the user obtained within a viewfinder and, upon detecting that the line of sight has stayed at a specific index (visual mark) for a predetermined period of time or longer, start a function corresponding to the specific index.
Further, in an apparatus disclosed in WO 87/07479, the inside of a screen is divided into a plurality of areas, in which indexes corresponding to information of various kinds are respectively displayed in the form of symbols or words, and, upon detecting that a line of sight of the user has stayed at a specific index for a predetermined period of time or longer, a function which corresponds to the specific index is started. Thus, an index and a function are in a one-to-one correspondence.
During recent years, there have been proposed cameras capable of changing over the size of a photo-taking image plane by using a so-called line-of-sight input, i.e., an input indicating a stay of the line of sight of the user at a specific index. In such a camera, in response to the line-of-sight input to an index which is usually disposed on a liquid crystal display part within a viewfinder, the photo-taking image plane size is changed over, and the liquid crystal display part of the viewfinder is driven and controlled, according to the changed photo-taking image plane size, in such a way as to change also the size of an image plane display made on the liquid crystal display part of the viewfinder by masking and concealing all unnecessary parts of the image plane on the liquid crystal display part.
In cameras of the type using IX 240 film (Advanced Photo System.TM.), the size of a photo-taking image plane is selectable from among three different image plane sizes, i.e., an image plane size having an aperture area of 15.6 mm.times.22.3 mm and called a classic size (hereinafter referred to as the C image plane size), an image plane size having an aperture area of 15.6 mm.times.27.4 mm and called a high definition size (hereinafter referred to as the H image plane size), and an image plane size having an aperture area of 9.6 mm.times.27.4 mm and called a panorama size (hereinafter referred to as the P image plane size).
However, the conventional arrangement for time-serially detecting the position of the line of sight as mentioned above has presented the following problem. Even after the user has looked at an index disposed within a viewfinder and a predetermined action corresponding to the index has been performed, if the user further continues to look at the index, the same action corresponding to the index would unnecessary be performed once again.
For example, with the user wishing to have a change-over (or selecting) action on the C, H and P image plane sizes, in changing the image plane size by the user looking at a predetermined index disposed on the liquid crystal display part within the viewfinder, if the user happens to further continue to look or gaze at the predetermined index after the change-over (switching) of the image plane size is effected, the image plane size selected then would be switched to the next image plane size, since it is determined that the switching of the image plane size has been requested.
Therefore, since the switching of the image plane size is repeatedly performed if the user continues to gaze at the predetermined index, it would become impossible to switch the image plane size over to a size desired by the user.
In setting and canceling a photo-taking mode or photo-taking conditions of the camera by using the line-of-sight input, the process of setting and that of canceling likewise continuously change from one over to another. The mode and conditions are, therefore, also difficult to set and cancel as desired, like in selecting the image plane size.
Further, in a case where a line of sight of the user passes around an index, there arises another problem that a function corresponding to the index tends to be performed since it is determined by mistake that the user is looking at the index. More specifically, in changing over the image plane size by the user looking at an index provided on the liquid crystal display part within the viewfinder, if the line of sight of the user passes around the index, the image plane size would be changed over every time the line of sight is detected. Under such a condition, the image plane size tends to be changed over to a size which is not desired by the user.

Apparatus having line-of-sight detecting device


A method and apparatus for creating an image such as out of a nail lacquer, picking up the image and transferring the picked up image either by a non-linear motion or a linear motion to a person's nail where it is deposited. A multicolor image can be built up on a person's nail. Stops are provided for properly indexing the pick up and deposit of the image.

The desirability of creating images on finger or toe nails is widely recognized. Known techniques include transfers, decals, appliques and hand painting. A need exists for a more expedient way to do this and to readily create more complex multicolor images of high quality that one can have done or do on a do-it-yourself basis.

Method and apparatus for creating images on nails


A method for calibration of a working point (TCP) for tools on industrial robots with a calibration device includes the use of at least two light barriers with an azimuth angle (α) greater than zero at an angle to each other and intersecting at an intersection point. The method includes fixing set TCP positional coordinates for a set working point for the tool, relative to a tool reference point and a TCP coordinate system relative to the working point, moving the tool to the set working point with relation to the TCP coordinate system through the light barriers, such that the tool tip interrupts the light barriers, recording actual TCP positional coordinates determining the difference between the set TCP positional coordinates for the interruption of the light barriers for a set working point and the corresponding recorded actual TCP positional coordinates for the actual working point, calculating the actual working point from the set working point for the number of levels of light barriers from the differences and the known position and azimuth angles (a) of the light barriers.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for calibrating a tool center point of tools for industrial robots comprising a calibration apparatus that has at least two light barriers which are angled to one another with a vertex angle α greater than zero in each case and cross one another at a crossing point, exhibiting the steps of:                a) fixing ACTUAL TCP positional coordinates of a DESIRED tool center point of the tool with reference to a tool reference point of an industrial robot, and to a TCP coordinate system referred to the tool center point, and        b) moving the tool with reference to the TCP coordinate system through the light barriers such that the tip of the tool corresponding to the tool center point interrupts the light barriers.
2. Description of Related Art
In order to approach any desired points within a working space, industrial robots have a number of interconnected arms, a hand flange at the end of the last arm of the mutually concatenated arms, and a tool that is fitted on the hand flange. The tool can be, for example, a gripper, a welding head or the like.
The position and orientation of the hand flange or the tool center point of a tool fitted on the hand flange can be specified in a stationary robot-independent world coordinate system, or in a stationary base coordinate system referred to an anchor point of the industrial robot. By contrast, the description of the position of the degrees of freedom, that is to say axes and the hand orientation, is done in robot coordinates, wherein starting from the principal axis of the robot, that is to say of the base coordinate system, there is defined for each arm an robot axis coordinate system that describes the relative position of each axis with reference to its preceding axis. The relationship of the robot axis coordinate systems of an industrial robot is described by defined coordinate transformations. By prescribing the position and the orientation of the hand flange or of the center point of a tool in the world coordinate system, it is therefore possible by means of coordinate transformation to calculate the robot axis coordinates in order to be able to drive the individual axes of the industrial robot.
The position of a center point of a tool that is fitted on the hand flange of the industrial robot is described by means of so-called TCP positional coordinates. The programming of the industrial robot is performed on the basis of the hand flange and the fixed TCP positional coordinates. The TCP positional coordinates are supplied along with each tool and are known as tool center point (TCP). Just like the robot axis coordinates, the TCP positional coordinates are in each case a vector with six dimensions. The first three coordinates define the position of the tool center point relative to the tool reference point of the industrial robot, that is to say the fastening point on the tool on the hand flange. The other three coordinates define the orientation of the axis of the tool center point relative to the tool reference point.
The center point of the tool can be, for example, the tip of a welding head. The center point of the tool can be moved precisely only once the TCP positional coordinates are exactly known.
However, during operation the center point of the tool can change owing to tool wear, bending etc., and this leads to defective positioning of the center point of the tool.
There is thus a need to calibrate the center point of tools with high precision.
EP 0 417 320 A1 describes a method for calibrating the center point (TCP) of the tool of an industrial robot in the case of which a setting point is fixed on the hand flange of the robot arm, the position of the setting point relative to the hand flange being known. Furthermore, a reference tip is set up in the working space of the industrial robot. In order to calibrate the tool center point, the tip of the tool is placed on the reference tip, and the position and orientation of the tool tip is determined in a base coordinate system. The setting point of the hand flange is then placed on the reference tip, and the position and orientation of the setting point is determined in the coordinate system of the hand flange. In addition, the position and orientation of the reference tip is determined in the reference coordinate system, and a transformation matrix is calculated from three matrices for the purpose of designating the TCP positional coordinates of the tool center point of the tool.
The calibration requires a multistage movement operation as well as coordinate transformations.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,352,354 B1 describes a light point element for generating a light point signal at a tool center point of an industrial robot. It is possible thereby to describe the exact position of the tool during a learning phase.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,929,584 describes a method for calibrating a tool center point of tools with the aid of a calibration block that has vertical and horizontal surfaces. The TCP positional coordinates of the tool center point are calculated by moving the tool from a starting position up to a contact position of the tool on one of the surfaces, and moving the tool back to the starting point and repeating the operation for the other surface. This disadvantageously requires a complicated coordinate transformation from the reference coordinate system via the individual robot coordinates up to the hand flange, in order to determine the TCP positional coordinates in the TCP coordinate system from the reference coordinates.
DE 37 24 656 T2 describes a multidimensional measuring machine with fork light barriers which meet at a crossing point. Because of the plurality of light barriers, which all lie in the same plane, it is possible to scan the tool in a contactless fashion from different directions but in the same scanning plane.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,563 discloses a fork light barrier for calibrating a robot arm in which the tool tip is moved until the latter lies at the crossing point of the light barriers and two light barriers are triggered simultaneously. The TCP positional coordinates at this crossing point are compared with DESIRED TCP coordinates and a deviation is determined therefrom. However, searching for the crossing point is wearisome.

Method for calibrating a tool center point of tools for industrial robots


The invention utilizes a multiple frequency ultrasound generator driving a multiple frequency harmonic transducer array to improve cleaning and processing effects while eliminating damage to parts being cleaned. An AC switch and circuitry to modify the output of an ultrasound generator in combination with techniques such as random AM and FM signals are used to produce ultrasound waves that have no single frequency components which eliminates exciting parts being cleaned into resonance. Generator signals that increase cavitation efficiency and that have successive time periods with predominately stable cavitation and predominantly transient cavitation further improve the performance of the cleaning or processing systems.

The present invention relates to ultrasound cleaning systems, and more particularly, to systems, generators, transducers, circuitry, signals and methods that clean and/or process by coupling sound waves into a liquid. Prior art ultrasound systems lack the ability to remove a wide range of particle types and sizes without doing damage to the part being cleaned or processed. This invention improves the performance of an ultrasound system while eliminating the damage causing mechanisms.

Apparatus, circuitry, signals and methods for cleaning and/or processing with sound


An apparatus including a first circuit, a second circuit and a third circuit. The first circuit may be configured to collect color statistics. The second circuit may be configured to sort colors based upon the color statistics collected by the first circuit. The third circuit may be configured to generate a mapping function between the sorted colors and a color space of a receiving standard.

Broadcasted overlay graphics are used for a wide variety of purposes. Among them, the most popular one is subtitling. Various methods exist to encode subtitles: text strings or compressed bitmaps. The number of colors used can vary by the type of application or the standard used. There is a growing need for transcoding between different audio/video standards: for archiving, transmitting or converting to a different physical media. However, different standards do not always offer the same features. In particular, in the context of subpicture elements, standards vary by the maximum color bit depth allowed.
Transmitted subtitles are quite often encoded using more bits than a destination standard can support. For example, a common broadcast standard uses 4 bits per pixel for subtitle, whereas a common storage standard uses only 2 bits per pixel. Another problem is that often destination colors cannot be chosen from a complete color space (usually, 3 components with range 0˜255). Instead, a fixed color palette is used, restricting possibilities for obtaining a good approximation of the original colors.
A DVD recorder can have a tuner capable of decoding a DVB broadcasted signal. The DVB program can include video, audio and subtitles. The DVB program is decoded, transcoded and then recorded on a DVD-VR disc. Focusing on the subtitling system, the Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB) standard for subtitling systems (ETSI EN 300 743 v1.2.1(2002-10)) allows subtitle displays with different regions. Each region can have different colors from each other region. For example, a single display can have up to 256 colors. Moreover, the colors in a particular display can be totally different from a previous display and a next display.
In contrast to the DVB standard, the DVD-VR (DVD Video Recording) standard (DVD specification for Rewritable/Re-recordable Discs, Part 3, VIDEO RECORDING, Version 1.0, September 1999) allows subpicture elements to have up to four colors, chosen from a sixteen color palette. Although the sixteen color palette can be selected from a complete color space, the sixteen color palette is fixed when recording begins.
It would be desirable to have an efficient, fast and reliable method of reducing a color space for transcoding subpicture elements to match criteria of a particular standard.

Method and/or apparatus for color space reduction for transcoding subpicture elements


A startup cooling steam generator (36) is disclosed. The generator provides cooling steam (40) to a combustion turbine (2) shortly after the combustion turbine begins to operate. Cooling steam is generated in a once-through system by passing hot exhaust gases generated by the combustion turbine over an immediately adjacent metal tubing apparatus filled with liquid. The startup steam generator (35) is operable in parallel with the main heat recovery steam generator (6).

In a combined cycle generator system, exhaust heat from a first system, referred to as the top cycle, is used to generate power in a second system, referred to as the bottom cycle. Such combined cycle systems typically employ a combustion turbine in the top cycle, and a steam turbine in the bottom cycle. A heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) uses the hot exhaust gas from the combustion turbine to produce steam which drives one or more steam turbines.
Cooling the combustion turbine is critically important. The combustors and transitions of a combustion turbine are exposed to extreme heat and require substantial cooling. For example, the combustion turbine inlet gas which travels through the combustion turbine transition pieces may reach temperatures of 1425.degree. C.
Recent combustor and transition cooling designs employ closed systems in which a coolant circulates within the component, thus allowing an increase in turbine inlet temperature without raising flame temperature. The coolant may comprise steam or air. Where steam is the selected coolant, it is often removed from the steam turbine, and used to cool components in the combustion turbine. After cooling the combustor and transition, the steam is re-routed to the steam turbine where useful energy is recovered.
A prior art two cycle generating system as described above is pictured in FIG. 1. As shown, a combustion turbine 2 is coupled to a heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) 6 via an exhaust duct 4. The HRSG 6 has access to a supply of water which is pumped 16 from a condenser 14 located in the bottom cycle of the two cycle system. The hot gas exhaust exiting the combustion turbine 2 heats the water flowing through the HRSG internal tubing 7 and thereby generates steam. That steam, after being routed through a valve 10 and duct 8 apparatus, powers the steam turbine 12.
A portion of the steam from the high pressure section of the steam turbine 12 is routed via a duct 20 to the combustion turbine 2. The steam enters the cooling channels of the combustors, transitions, and blading. The steam thereby cools the combustion turbine walls and blading by absorbing heat. The steam is then commonly returned via a duct 5 to the steam turbine.
When the steam turbine is operating stably at normal operating speeds and temperatures, obtaining steam for cooling the combustion turbine 2 is easily accomplished. However, during startup, or that time when the system is just beginning to operate, sufficient steam is not available to cool the combustion turbine 2. Typically, the HRSG 6 employed in a two cycle system must be large in order that it be able to generate large quantities of steam to power the steam turbine 12. However, a large HRSG 6 does not react quickly to the heat of the combustion turbine exhaust. The HRSG 6 does not become warm sufficiently quickly to generate steam which can be used in cooling the combustion turbine 2 during startup. Without sufficient steam, the danger exists that components of the combustion turbine 2 could be damaged by excessive heat.
One possible method of providing cooling steam during startup would be to employ a conventional auxiliary steam generator. However, this would prove to be an inefficient solution. If an auxiliary steam generator were employed, a separate source of fuel would be required to operate the auxiliary steam generator. Also, during the periods when the auxiliary steam generator would be in use, the HRSG most probably would remain idle and as a consequence the heat generated by the combustion turbine would not be put to productive use. Furthermore, once the combustion turbine reached a normal operating temperature and the HRSG began to operate, the auxiliary steam generator would no longer be required and most likely would remain idle. Thus, employing a conventional auxiliary steam generator would require excess fuel and would be an inefficient use of resources.
Applicant has recognized that sufficient steam to cool the combustion turbine 2 cannot be generated during startup by the HRSG. The equipment currently used to generate steam is too massive and therefore unreactive at the early stages of system operation. Further, conventional auxiliary steam generators do not provide an efficient solution to the problem.
It is therefore desirable to provide an efficient system which supplements the normal steam generating apparatus so as to provide adequate and efficient cooling to the combustion turbine 2 during startup.

Startup cooling steam generator for combustion turbine


One embodiment provides a method, including: receiving, at an information handling device, an indication to display content at a first size on a display screen, wherein only a portion of the content is viewable at the first size on the display screen; detecting, at the information handling device, a resize gesture; and adjusting, responsive to the resize gesture, a size of the content from the first size to a second size, wherein more than the portion of the content is viewable at the second size on the display screen. Other aspects are described and claimed.

Advances in technology have enabled many of the features and capabilities of conventional information handling devices (e.g., laptop and personal computers, smart phones, tablets, etc.) to be embodied on smaller, accessory devices such as smart watches, fitness trackers, and the like. For example, many of these accessory devices are capable of engaging in audio and visual communications, providing event notifications, performing GPS navigation, accessing social media, monitoring biometric and fitness data, and the like. As a result of their smaller size, any visual information provided is displayed on a correspondingly small display screen.


In a communication network, a sending node transmits a message with a multisegment preamble and data to a receiving node. The receiving node calculates characteristics of the sending unit, channel, or transmitted signal by processing preamble segments. Once an unknown characteristic is determined, a segment of the preamble can be eliminated or reduced in length for subsequent messages, which increases efficiency of the message transmissions.

1. Field of Invention
The invention relates to broadband communication networks.
2. Prior Art
Data packet transmission uses a known preamble field at the beginning of each packet to allow a receiver to determine certain characteristics of the signal or channel. The preamble does not communicate any user information and is overhead that reduces the bandwidth efficiency of the system. Among the characteristics determined through processing of the preamble are: start of packet time, carrier frequency offset, bit timing, channel response, and signal amplitude. A longer preamble enables the determination of unknown parameters with greater precision, but at the expense of reducing user data capacity.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,363,107 issued to Scott entitled "Preamble code structure and detection method and apparatus", incorporated herein by reference, describes a preamble structure and method of processing the preamble for burst communication. This reference uses a combination of a pulse, a dead time, and a Baker sequence for the preamble.
It is desirable to minimize the length of the preamble to increase the utilization efficiency of the communication channel.

Packet data transmission with optimum preamble length


In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, an apparatus, comprising a processor configured to receive an input operation related to selecting at least a part of information related to a first user identity and at least a part of information related to a second user identity, utilize information related to the first user identity based at least in part on the input operation, and utilize information related to second user identity based at least in part on the input operation is disclosed.

There has been a recent surge in the use of networking devices. The growth of networking devices has been accompanied by a surge in programs utilizing networks to send and receive data. For example, a program may use a network to send and/or retrieve an image, a video, a message, text, and/or the like. Utilization of a network may be associated with a user identity. A user who utilizes more than one network may utilize more than one user identity.

Method and apparatus for utilizing user identity


The storage system includes a housing which is fittable into a bed of a pickup truck or utility vehicle, wherein the top member of the housing extends forwardly beyond the bottom member. Two pullout drawers are arranged side-by-side within the housing and extend so that a front surface thereof is substantially flush with the forward edge of the top member. The exposed surfaces of the housing have a protective polyurethane coating, providing protection against extreme weather. Connecting members extend from the sides of the housing to the sides of the pickup truck bed or utility vehicle.

Storage units for use with vehicles such as pickup trucks, usually including a housing and drawers, are well known generally, but have not heretofore been designed to be protected against extreme weather conditions, particularly heavy rainfall. Moisture thus can get into these conventional storage units during severe weather. This is particularly true when the storage unit is directly exposed to the weather, such as in a bed of the pickup truck. Also, such storage units are often designed such that they are unable to support much weight without damage to the storage units, which can be a disadvantage, particularly when there is a desire to haul small motorized vehicles, such as a motorcycle, or other heavy objects, such as construction equipment and supplies.
Hence, there is a need for storage units which can be conveniently positioned in a pickup truck or other utility vehicle, and provide a good, flexible storage capability, but also have a structure which is protective against extreme weather conditions, and further is strong enough to reliably and safely support items such as off-road motorcycles and the like, including various heavy equipment items and supplies, on top of the storage unit in the pickup truck.

Water-resistant storage system for pickup trucks and utility vehicles


A method for applying frequency resonance to electric power generation implemented by using the kinetic energy of a vehicle includes, a sprung vehicle body, through a free vibration at an inherent frequency thereof, exciting a hollow heavy-object supporting plate to have frequency resonance or effective vibration, in which the sprung vehicle body is provided with a vertical elastic system, the hollow heavy-object supporting plate is supported by the sprung vehicle body, also provided with a vertical elastic system, and equipped with a kinetic energy generator, and the inherent frequency of the hollow heavy-object supporting plate is same as or similar to that of the sprung vehicle body; the sprung vehicle body transfers the kinetic energy of vibration to the hollow heavy-object supporting plate and the hollow heavy-object supporting plate resonated by being excited drives the kinetic energy generator arranged on the hollow heavy-object supporting plate to generate electric power.

At present, well-known methods for generating electric power by using the kinetic energy of vehicles are implemented through the recovery of kinetic energy in the process of braking, and the produced electric energy efficiency thereof is extremely low. The kinetic energy generated when a vehicle is travelling, i.e. the kinetic energy generated by vertical velocity components of vehicle vibration formed by pavement fluctuation in gentle or bumpy pavement environments, is basically not recycled currently, and the generation of heat by friction, caused by an auto shock absorber or a vibration-attenuating leaf spring arranged for avoiding possible adverse effects of vibration on vehicle travelling, just consumes a small amount of the kinetic energy of vibration, but due to the deformation caused by a vibration-attenuating effect achieved by a balloon tire in the process of vehicle traveling, the friction area and frictional resistance between a tread and a pavement are increased, therefore, the price of vibration attenuation of the tire is not only shown in doing work through the frictional resistance so as to consume a large number of kinetic energy of vibration produced in the process of vehicle traveling, but also shown in the important consumption of vehicle driving energy. Existing generators implemented by using vertical kinetic energy in the process of vehicle traveling are fundamentally not enough to drive a mechanical transmission mechanism to continuously do work for enabling the generator to generate electric energy, therefore, the kinetic energy of vibration is consumed and wasted actually. Meanwhile, for existing vehicles, in the aspect of motor drive, directly taking an energy storage battery as a drive is always taken as a main considered direction. But the inconveniences in the carrying, replacing and the like of batteries restrict the development of electric vehicles.
Therefore, if the kinetic energy of vibration generated in the process of vehicle travelling can be effectively used, converted into electric energy which can be recycled in the process of smooth vehicle travelling, and provided for vehicles as a driving energy, the kinetic energy of vehicle vibration can be innovatively used so as to promote the recovery and utilization of energy, and a bran-new energy drive mode can be provided for gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles or blade electric vehicles.

Method and structure for applying frequency resonance in automobile kinetic power generation


An oil level detecting device for detecting an oil level in an oil storing chamber formed in a crankcase of an engine includes a fan, a power generator and an oil level determination unit. The fan is rotated by an oil flow produced by dipping up oil for lubricating the engine. In response to rotation of the fan, the generator generates a corresponding amount of electric power on the basis of which the oil level determination unit determines the oil level.

Among the conventionally-known engine oil level detecting devices are ones wherein a float moves up or down in response to variation in an oil level, one example of which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2003-184530.
According to the disclosure of the 2003-184530 publication, a float guide rod extends between upper and lower lids closing the upper and lower ends of an outer cylinder, and a float is mounted on the guide rod so that it moves up or down along the guide rod in response to oil level variation.
If applied to an engine of a type where oil stored in a lower portion of the engine is compulsorily taken up or dipped up to lubricate various component parts of the engine, the disclosed oil level detecting device would present the problem that a surface position of the oil does not stabilize so that it is difficult to accurately detect the oil level using the float.


A projection screen apparatus is disclosed for displaying an image projected by a projector. The projection screen apparatus includes a frame and a screen. The frame includes a plurality of frame members and corner members.

The present invention relates to projection screens. More particularly, the present invention relates to tensioned projection screens.
According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a projection screen apparatus for use with a projector is provided that is configured to project an image to be watched by a viewer. The projection screen apparatus includes a screen displaying the image and a perimeter frame supporting the screen. The perimeter frame includes a plurality of corner members and a plurality of frame members extending between the corner members. The plurality of frame members and the plurality of corner members slide together to secure the plurality of frame members and the plurality of corner members together.
According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a projection screen apparatus for use with a projector is provided that is configured to project an image to be watched by a viewer. The projection screen apparatus includes a screen displaying the image and a frame supporting the screen. The frame includes a plurality of corner members defining at least a portion of the frame and a plurality of frame members extending between the corner members. The corner members cooperate with the frame members to define a perimeter of the frame.
According to yet another aspect of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a projection screen apparatus for use with a projector is provided that is configured to project an image to be watched by a viewer. The projection screen apparatus includes a screen displaying the image and a perimeter frame coupled to the screen. The perimeter frame includes a plurality of corner members and a plurality of frame members extending between the corner members. At least one of the plurality of frame members and at least one of the plurality of corner members cooperate to define a junction. At least one of the plurality of corner members is visible to the viewer of the image.
Additional features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of an illustrated embodiment exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the invention as presently perceived.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Fine abrasive powders can be made more free-flowing and better adapted to electrostatic upward projection deposition in the production of coated abrasives by the control of the volume resistivity of the powder to a level that is not greater than 1014 ohms.cm by incorporation of a silica powder.

This invention relates to a process for the deposition of abrasive materials by an electrostatic technique and to formulations that greatly facilitate such a technique.
In the production of coated abrasives by a process in which an abrasive grain is deposited on an uncured or partially cured binder material the most common deposition technique involves electrostatic deposition in which the grain is projected upwards under the influence of an electrostatic field into contact with the binder. These are usually described as UP (for upward projection) processes. The grain is fed from a hopper to a moving belt which is passed through a deposition location, defined by a charged plate located below the moving belt and directly opposite and parallel to a grounded plate located above the moving belt. The substrate on to which the grain is to be deposited follows a path parallel to and above the moving belt as they both pass through the deposition location. The electrostatic field between the charged plate and the grounded plate causes the grain to be projected upwards towards the down-facing surface of the substrate where it adheres to an uncured or partially cured binder coated thereon. Providing the particle size is uniform this usually results in a very uniform deposition of the grain. However if the grain has a tendency to form clumps or if the flow to the surface from which it is projected is uneven, the uniformity of the deposition can be seriously impaired. This problem is particularly serious when very fine particle sizes are involved.
The present invention provides a process for the electrostatic deposition of abrasive particles, even when their size is extremely small. The invention can be used in the feed mechanisms for an UP abrasive grain deposition process or it can be used to deposit a functional powder comprising abrasive grain on the surface of a formulation comprising abrasive grain dispersed within a curable binder in a process such as is described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,724.
The present invention provides a process for the production of a coated abrasive in which abrasive particles with a grit size smaller than 320 grit are electrostatically deposited on a substrate which comprises treating the abrasive particles prior to deposition with silica powder in an amount sufficient to raise the volume resistivity and the surface resistivity of the abrasive particles by at least fifty percent but to not more than a surface resistivity of 1014 ohms/square and/or a volume resistivity of 1014 ohms.cm. Preferably these maximum resistivity values are less than 1012 ohms/square and ohms.cm respectively.
The surface and volume resistivities are measured using ASTM D4496 which is the standard test method for measuring the xe2x80x9cDC Resistance of Conductance of Moderately Conductive Materialsxe2x80x9d and ASTM D2557 which is the standard test method for measuring the xe2x80x9cDC Resistance of Insulating Materialsxe2x80x9d. Achieving an acceptable level according to the invention in one of the parameters, (volume and surface resistivities), will imply that an acceptable level has also been attained in the other such that measurement of either parameter alone is sufficient in practical terms.
It is found that resistivity values can becontrolled to ensure that the treated powder is more readily adapted to UP deposition in coated abrasive applications. However resistivities that are too low or too high are both undesirable. It is therefore necessary to control the resistivity to secure optimum results. Addition of a silica powder is effective to increase the resistivity of the abrasive particles but too large a resistivity creates projectability problems. A salient characteristic of the powder formulations of the invention in which this is achieved is that they are electrostatically projectable while retaining enhanced flowability.
The desired resistivity values can be obtained for example by adding to the abrasive particles a suitable silica powder additive the amount of which will vary with the additive. In general however it is possible to secure target resistivity properties for the powders of the invention by the addition of from 0.02 to 5% by weight based on the weight of the formulation. The preferred amount of silica is from 0.05 to 3%, such as from 0.1 to 2%, based on the formulation weight.
The silica powder preferably has a particle size no greater than that of the abrasive particles.
The silica can be any of the available powdered silica products such as fumed or precipitated silicas. While silica is inherently somewhat resistant to charge-driven clumping, some silicas such as fumed silica have highly porous particle structures leading to exaggerated surface areas and with such silicas a tendency to form clumps is sometimes encountered. Where such problems are encountered with fumed silica, it can be used effectively after treatment with an additive such as hexamethyldisilazane to increase the hydrophobicity of the silica surface and minimize the tendency to agglomerate. Such treatment is frequently used by commercial suppliers of fumed silica. Even if some agglomeration of commercial fumed silica powder does occur, the forces involved are much attenuated and can readily be broken down by shear stress.
Suitable silicas which can be used with advantage include:
FG-SP FLOW-GARD(copyright) with particle size of 25 microns and a BET surface area of 220 m2/gm;
FG-AB(copyright) with particle size of 20 microns and a BET surface area of 130 m2/gm;
HI-SIL(copyright) T-600 with particle size of 2.0 microns and a BET surface area of 170 m2/gm; and
HI-SIL(copyright) T-152 with particle size of 1.4 micron and a BET surface area of 150 m2/gm; (all these are available from PPG Corporation); and
CAB-O-SIL(copyright) TS-530 which has a particle size of 0.2 micron, a surface area of 220 m2/gm and has been given a surface treatment of hexamethyldisilazane. This product is available from Cabot Corporation.
The abrasive particles can be for example fused or sintered alumina, silicon carbide, cubic boron nitride, diamond or fused alumina/zirconia. The most commonly used abrasives are however based on alumina or silicon carbide. The abrasive particle size that can be used corresponds to 320 grit or finer but the problem is usually encountered in greatest severity at grit sizes of P1200 and finer. This corresponds to average particle sizes of about 25 microns and finer.
The formulation can also comprise, in addition to the abrasive particles and silica powder, functional additives that convey specific properties to the abrasive product such as surface lubrication, anti-static properties, enhanced grinding capabilities and so on. Such additives are included along with and in intimate mixture with the abrasive particles. These too preferably have particle sizes equal to or smaller than the abrasive particle with which they are mixed. The amount of functional additive that can be present can be for example from 5 to 75%, and preferably from 25 to 60% and most preferably from 30 to 50% of the total weight of abrasive plus additive.
Besides having resistivity levels consistent with the invention it is also found that the abrasive powders of the invention are in general much less susceptible to variations in moisture in the atmosphere or on the grain. With some grains, notably alumina-based grains, the relative humidity surrounding the UP deposition apparatus very significantly affects the efficiency by which the abrasive particles are projected. The abrasive particle powders of the invention are however much more resistant to humidity variations, thereby providing a significant extra benefit from the practice of the invention.
When referring to the abrasive particles the size expressed in terms of a CAMI grading process defines an average particle size which corresponds to a specific number of microns. When referring to silica or other powdered additives the particle size is expressed in microns and refers to a volume average particle size as determined by, for example, a Horiba particle size analyzer.

Saint-Gobain Abrasives Technology Company


A method for forming an interlayer insulating film of semiconductor device is disclosed. A first interlayer insulating film is deposited on the entire top surface of a semiconductor device comprising a high step cell area and lower step periphery area, followed by the thermal treatment thereof. A second interlayer insulating film which is more resistant to etch than the first interlayer insulating film is deposited. Again, a third interlayer insulating film is deposited over the second interlayer insulating film, followed by the heat treatment thereof. These interlayer insulating films are planarized by a CMP process. Upon the CMP process, the first interlayer insulating film is rapidly etched out while the second interlayer insulating film is slowly removed and this difference in etching rate allows the polishing end point to be readily detected without an additional detector. Thus, the lower step periphery area can be prevented from being over-polished, so that a wholly planar structure free of the dishing problem can be obtained, thus facilitating the subsequent processes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates, in general, to a method for forming an interlayer insulating film of a semiconductor device and, more particularly, to the use of a high density plasma oxide film as a polishing retarder upon chemical mechanical polishing for the planarization of the interlayer insulating film.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The high step of semiconductor device, which is primarily created by the result of highly integrated semiconductor elements, probably causes so-called notching, a pattern defective problem resulting from the diffused reflection in the lithography process. It makes it difficult to progress to the subsequent process.
In order to solve this problem, planarizing techniques of burying the high step coverage with an insulating material have been suggested. These planarizing techniques are now considered to be a very important process in the high integration of a semiconductor device because they facilitate the subsequent processes.
Typically, in order to planarize a semiconductor device with high step coverage, a borophospho silicate glass (hereinafter referred to as "BPSG") film doped with high density boron (B) and phosphorous (P) is used, followed by treating it at high temperature.
However, this planarization process employing BPSG film still causes the notching problem in fabricating semiconductor devices with high integration degree, such as 256M DRAM or more, in which the step coverage between the cell area and the periphery area is maintained at a height of 0.8-1.0 .mu.m.
In addition, as metal wires are required to be narrower in semiconductor devices, a stepper employing shorter wave, such as deep UV, as a light source, is used for the photolithography thereof. However, the focus depth of such stepper becomes as small as about 0.4 .mu.m, which makes it impossible to form a photoresist pattern for metal wires. Although the photoresist pattern is formed, when it is used as a mask in a metal wiring process, either the resultant metal wires are likely to be intermitted or a bridge problem occurs. Here, the focus depth is defined as follows in order to forming a pattern on a wafer through an optical lens by use of an exposure mask. When a focus is brought into the wafer, virtual images appear on the upper and lower loci of the wafer based on the center of the lens. That is, the focus depth is twice of the length between the lens and the image nearest the lens.
A different method has been developed to overcome the above-mentioned difficulties in highly integrating semiconductor elements. A chemical mechanical polishing (hereinafter referred to as "CMP") technique using chemical slurry is currently used to polish and planarize the high step coverage.
A description of a conventional CMP technique with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 will be given, in order to better understand the background of the invention.
First, as shown in FIG. 1, a semiconductor substrate 1 is prepared on which an infrastructure 3 is fabricated. It is obtained by forming a field oxidation film to separate semiconductor elements, forming a gate electrode, providing a source/drain electrode and forming a bit line and a capacitor. These are omitted in FIGS. 1 and 2 for convenience.
Then, a BPSG film 5 having about 1000 Angstrom thick, which is thicker than the step coverage between a cell area 100 and a periphery area 200, is deposited on the infrastructure 3, followed by the heat treatment of the BPSG film 5 at 800.degree. C. or higher.
Next, as shown in FIG. 2, a CMP process is executed to etch the BPSG film 5 for the planarization of the upper structure. At this time, the etching is effected on the periphery area 200 as well as the cell area 100. Therefore, although the step coverage denoted by "B" in FIG. 2 is smaller than the step denoted by "A" in FIG. 1, it still exists after the CMP process.
As described above, the CMP process allows the step coverage to be reduced by thickly depositing the BPSG film and mechanically polishing it with chemical reagent. However, owing to the CMP process's dishing effect that the cell area is polished along with the periphery area, it is difficult to obtain whole planarization and thus, the subsequent steps can not be processed smoothly. As a result, many problems arise, including difficulty in the high integration of a semiconductor device and degradation in the properties and the reliability of the semiconductor device thus obtained.
Since only a certain thickness of the BPSG film is polished, the conventional CMP additionally requires an end point detector, such as a detector for sensing the current change with motor speed or a detector of optical type. The point detects a factor in increasing the process cost of a semiconductor device. Moreover, the protocol to operate the detector adds complexity to the overall manufacture processing of a semiconductor device, resulting in a decrease in productivity.

Method for forming interlayer insulating film of a semiconductor device

Hyundai Electronics Industries Co., Ltd.


A film guide for a movie camera having an image window which is arranged in a recording beam path of the movie camera, a gripper platform which is supported on the image window, between whose mutually facing film planes a film channel is formed through which a movie film is moved by a film transport mechanism, and a spacing window which is connected to the gripper platform. The spacing window is supported on the image window in such a manner that the film channel narrows to form a film gap between the mutually facing film planes of the image window and the spacing window.

The invention relates to a film guide for a movie camera.
In order to provide a film guide for movie films in movie cameras, an image window section of an image window is arranged in the optical beam path of the recording objective of the movie camera. The image window section defines the size of the area of the individual images of the movie film to be exposed. Herein, the film plane of the image window section is opposite the film plane of a gripper platform and of a spacing window being integrated in the gripper platform in such a way that, between the two film planes, a film channel is formed between the image window and the gripper platform. In this way, a film gap is formed between the image window and the spacing window to guide the movie film. The film channel and film gap hold the movie film in one image plane, thus ensuring a constant level of contact with respect to the camera objective and thus a constant focusing plane for the movie film during the exposure of the individual images.
The film channel or film gap which is formed between the image window on the one hand and the gripper platform and the spacing window on the other hand is of such a size that, on the one hand, the focusing plane remains constant in the area of the image window section during exposure of the individual images of the movie film and, on the other hand, neither fluttering of the movie film nor increased friction between the movie film and the frame of the image window as well as of the film plane surface of the gripper platform and of the spacing window occurs, which would lead to noise, to damage to the movie film and to increased film transport resistance. In order to minimize the friction on the movie films during film transport through the film channel and film gap, the gripper platform has side sliding webs on which the normally perforated edge of the movie film slides, and the spacing window has so-called sliding webs which, for example, extend in the movement direction of the movie film and rest against the rear face of the movie film, so that the entire surface of the movie film does not make contact with the spacing window.
DE 85 31 946 U1 discloses a movie film recording camera having guide surfaces which form a film guide channel, via which the film is passed, such that it slides, in feed and take-up areas to and from an image window and in the area of the image window, to be precise between the image window and a film contact-pressure plate. In order to ensure minimal and uniform friction in the film guide channel, and thus easy sliding as well as a minimal load on and damage to the film during film transport, even in the event of major temperature fluctuations, the guide surfaces have a corrugated surface, with the corrugation peaks and corrugation troughs being arranged transversely with respect to the film running direction.
For intermittent film transport, a film transport mechanism is provided in a movie camera and has a gripper switching mechanism which is arranged in a drive module and has one or more gripper tips on a single-sided or double-sided gripper, which engage through elongated opening slots in the gripper platform in the film perforations which are arranged at the side of the film images to be exposed, and transports the movie film onwards by one film image in each case for each film transport step. When the film image is in the stationary phase, at least one blocking gripper engages through a hole in the gripper platform in the film perforation in the movie film, and ensures that the image is stationary while the film is being exposed.
In order to make it easier to insert the movie film into a movie camera, the drive module can be moved or pivoted with respect to the image window together with the spacing window which is supported on the gripper platform of the drive module, so that the film channel between the image window and the gripper platform and the film gap between the image window and the spacing window are enlarged in order to hold the movie film. The spacing window is connected to the gripper platform via adjusting screws, which support the spacing window on the gripper platform, with the spacing window being sprung with respect to the gripper platform via one or more contact-pressure levers. This results in the size and parallelity of the film gap being ensured via a plurality of moving parts, specifically via the adjusting screws, the springing and the gripper platform which moves with the drive module.
After movement or pivoting of the drive module for insertion of a movie film, this can lead, for example, to the size of the film channel and/or film gap being increased or decreased and to loss of parallelity between the opposite image planes of the image window and of the spacing window, so that the focusing plane is not ensured in all areas of the film channel and film gap, and/or excessive friction of the movie film occurs.

Arnold & Richter Cine Technik GmbH & Co. Betriebs KG


The present invention is a composition for and a method of shortstopping free radical emulsion polymerizations that inhibits the formation of nitrosamines. The composition comprised nitrosamine inhibitors in combination with conventional alkylhydroxylamine shortstoppers. Such nitrosamine inhibitors are based on primary amines, amine-containing polymers, pyrroles, hydroquinones, certain phenols, ascorbic acid, and other well-known nitrosation inhibitors; they may be used individually or as a blend. The compositions are targeted for applications in the emulsion processes for producing rubber latexes and the preparation of rubber products thereafter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is a composition for shortstopping free radical emulsion polymerizations and which inhibits the formation of nitrosamines, and a method using such compositions.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In summary, the prior art in this area discloses methods of reducing the level of nitrosamines in both rubber latexes and cured rubber products. For rubber latexes, efforts have focused on the use of alternative alkylhydroxylamine shortstoppers that do not contain and generate nitrosamine precursors (e.g., secondary or tertiary alkylamines). Such shortstoppers include N-isopropylhydroxylamine (NiPHA) or salts thereof, optionally mixed with polysulphide compounds. The use of NiPHA-based shortstoppers greatly reduces the level of nitrosamines in rubber latexes, but it presents new problems, typically, a lack of overhead popcorn (namely undesired polymer) protection. As for cured rubber compositions, alternative vulcanization accelerators have been proposed which result in reduced nitrosamine formation, and various nitrosamine inhibitors have been incorporated into the formulation of rubber vulcanizers. These previous inventions include the following:
Chasar, D. W.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,130 1991 (The B. F. Goodrich Company) disclosed the use of alkaline earth oxide or hydroxide to reduce nitrosamines level in cured rubber compositions.
Bao, T. B.; Loeppky, R. N.; Chem. Res. Toxicol. 4, 382-9, 1991 described the use of polymers that contain nitrosation-reactive functional groups to block the nitrosation of morpholine by nitrous acid. Examples of such polymers include polyethylenimine and its derivatives.
Eisenbrand, G.; DE Patent No. # 3,939,474 1991 (Fed. Rep. Ger.) disclosed the use of polyethyleneimine to inhibit the formation of nitrosamines such as N-nitrosodiethanolamine in hydraulic fluids, and cosmetic/lubricant formulations.
Schmieder, H.; Naundorf, D.; Huehn, G.; Bertram, M.; DD Patent # 295,646 1992 (Buna A.-G., Germany) described a method of preparing synthetic rubber with greatly reduced level of carcinogenic nitrosamines. Such rubber latexes were prepared by emulsion polymerization of butadiene and optionally acrylonitrile or styrene in the presence of a reducing sulfonyl compound.
Thoermer, J.; Scholl, T.; EP Patent # 0,482,470 1992 (Bayer A.-G., Germany) described a method of inhibiting nitrosamine formation during vulcanization of rubber. The method involved the use of half esters of maleic or fumaric acid or their salts as nitrosamine inhibitors.
De Vries, S. M.; Willemsen, J. A. M.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,164 1993 (Shell Oil Company) disclosed a process of shortstopping free radical polymerizations using alkali metal polysulphides. Such shortstoppers did not lead to the generation of carcinogenic nitrosamines in the polymeric product.
Lattime, R. R.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,384,372 1995 (The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company) disclosed a method of shortstopping free radical emulsion polymerizations that does not lead to the generation of volatile nitrosamines. The shortstopper was isopropylhydroxylamine or salts thereof. Specific claims were made for such shortstoppers in the emulsion process of preparing synthetic rubber latexes where the formation of nitrosamines was suppressed in the rubber latexes.
Maestri, P.; Presti, A. L.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,504,168 1996 (Enichem Elastomeri S.r.l.) described a method of shortstopping emulsion polymerizations of conjugated dienes and optionally vinyl aromatic compounds. The disclosed method used a composite of isopropylhydroxylamine (or salts thereof) and sodium polysulfide as shortstopper where such composites did not result in nitrosamines in the polymeric product.
Stein, G.; von Arndt, E.-M.; EP Patent # 0,727,458 1996 (Firma Carl Freudenberg, Germany)disclosed the use of mono- or polyisocyanate to suppress the generation of nitrosamines during rubber processing. Such isocyanate compounds inhibit the formation of amines and thus nitrosamines.
Gibbs, H. W.; Butcher, D. M. E.; Tate, P. E. R.; Sexton, G. P.; WO Patent # 9,732, 927 1997 (Rhone-Poulenc Chemicals Ltd., UK) described a process of inhibiting the formation of nitrosamines during vulcanization of rubber using an alkaline earth metal carboxylate or phenylate. Such compounds are incorporated into the rubber vulcanization formulation to suppress the nitrosamine formation.
Additionally in the prior art, for most emulsion processes, especially those of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) latexes, DEHA (often with a secondary shortstopper such as SDDC) has been widely used due to its unique shortstopping performance. A major problem associated with the use of DEHA is the possible generation of nitrosamines, as DEHA may contain (as an impurity) or generate secondary/tertiary amines that are nitrosamine precursors. In order to overcome this problem, some replacements such as NiPHA have been proposed which do not produce nitrosamines in rubber latexes. Such replacements, however, do not prevent popcorn formation in the vapor phase, and as a result, DEHA is often supplemented to enhance the vapor phase popcorn protection. The present shortstopping technology is novel in that nitrosamine inhibitors are formulated into shortstoppers so that conventional alkylhydroxylamines such as DEHA could be used to shortstop emulsion polymerizations without generating nitrosamines.
As DEHA and its like appear to be the most widely used shortstopper in the modern rubber industry, the possible generation of nitrosamines could be a severe problem with previous shortstopping compositions. The present invention represents an advance in shortstopping technology in that the presence of nitrosamine inhibitors allows the exploitation of many unique characteristics of DEHA and other shortstoppers without leading to nitrosamines in rubber latexes.
The objective of this invention is to develop improved shortstopping compositions which allow the use of traditional dialkylhydroxylamines such as DEHA but inhibit the formation of nitrosamines. Such compositions are based on the use of nitrosamine inhibitors that effectively remove nitrosating species from the polymerization system, and these inhibitors can be retained in the rubber latex to suppress the formation of nitrosamines not only in the emulsion but also in the subsequent operating phases.
The present invention discloses an advanced shortstopping technology where nitrosamine inhibitors are formulated into shortstopping compositions. Such inhibitors include compounds based on primary amines, amine-containing polymers, certain phenols, and other well-known nitrosation inhibitors; they allow the use of conventional shortstoppers such as DEHA without generating nitrosamines.
Examples of the disclosed inhibitors include mono-(C2-C16)alkylamine, polyethylenimine (PEI) and its derivatives, pyrrole (or indole) and its derivatives, hydroquinone (or catechol) and its derivatives, ascorbic acid and its derivatives, and polyoxymethylene and its derivatives.
The present invention distinguishes itself from previous disclosures in that nitrosamine inhibitors are incorporated into the shortstopping compositions, and these inhibitors are introduced to rubber latexes during polymerization, rather than to vulcanization formulations during rubber processing. The presence of nitrosamine inhibitors in the shortstopping compositions allows the use of conventional diethylhydroxylamine (DEHA) as well as some other shortstoppers that may contain or produce secondary or tertiary alkylamines without formation of nitrosamines; it presents a tremendous advance in shortstopping technology where many advantages of such shortstoppers can be exploited.
While not intending to limit the scope of invention, we believe that the underlying chemistry of these nitrosamine inhibitors could involve (1) conversion of nitrosating species into small molecules without nitrosation capability, (2) conversion of nitrosating species into heavy nitrosamines that are not carcinogenic, and (3) reduction in the level of nitrosamine precursors.
The developed compositions are targeted for applications in shortstopping free radical emulsion polymerizations of conjugated dienes (such as butadiene) and optionally vinyl monomers (such as styrene and acrylonitrile).
A particular benefit of the disclosed shortstopping technology is the exploitation of various advantages of conventional shortstoppers with inhibited nitrosamines. Conventionally used DEHA, for example, exhibits unique performance as shortstopper. Compared to the alternative NiPHA, DEHA is much more effective inhibiting popcorn formation in vapor phase, more stable and less corrosive. The solubility of DEHA in water (xcx9c85 wt. %) is greatly higher than that of NiPHA (xcx9c15 wt. %), which translates to a lower shipping cost for DEHA than NiPHA as these compounds are normally transported as aqueous solutions. The presence of nitrosamine inhibitors would also allow the use of other alkylhydroxylamines.
The alkylhydroxylamine shortstoppers have the following general formula:
wherein R1 and R2 may the same or different. R1 and R2 may be hydrogen, alkyl, hydroxyalkyl, alkoxyalkyl, and sulfonated alkyl groups, and wherein the alkyl group may contain C1-20 abd be linear m branced or cyclic. However R1 and R2 together may not be H, or a H and a methyl.
Another advantage of the present shortstopping strategy is that the incorporated nitrosamine inhibitors would suppress the formation of nitrosamines throughout rubber manufacturing, from rubber latex to cured rubber product.
Preferably, the nitrosamine inhibitor is incorporated into the shortstopper, and the formulated shortstopper, usually in a solvent medium, is introduced to the polymerization system at a targeted conversion. The nitrosamine inhibitor could include one or more than one compound, each being at a level of 0.01-2 parts per hundred (pph) of shortstopper. The shortstopper itself could be one or more alkylhydroxylamines and optionally one or more secondary shortstopping agents such as sodium dimethyldithiocarbamate (SDDC). Typically, the shortstopper is used between 0.02 and 0.5 pph of monomer initially charged into the polymerization system. The solvent medium is normally water and optionally one or more organic solvents such as methanol.
In a variant of the current invention, nitrosamine inhibitors could be introduced into the polymerization system separately from shortstoppers. The nitrosamine inhibitors could be charged in the beginning of the reaction, or they could be added during the course of polymerization before it reaches the desired conversion. In the case that a composite nitrosamine inhibitor is used, each component could also be added separately.
The present shortstopping technology is applicable to a variety of emulsion processes involving rubber latexes. The targeted emulsion processes include polymerizations of conjugated dienes, particularly, 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, chloroprene and the like, and copolymerizations of such dienes with monoolefin compounds, for example, styrene, acrylonitrile, acrylic acid, vinyl chloride and the like.
The disclosed shortstopping strategy can be extended to any polymerization systems where shortstoppers are used that may contain or produce nitrosamine precursors.
These alternatives are presented based on theory and analogy.

Nitrosamine-inhibiting compositions for shortstopping of free radical emulsion polymerizations


A technique is provided for pumping fluids from a wellbore. An electric submersible pumping system is deployed in a wellbore on a tubing. Free gas can potentially accumulate around the electric submersible pumping system, but a gas vent is positioned to remove free gas.

Well completions are used in a variety of well related applications involving, for example, the production of fluids. A wellbore is drilled into a geological formation, and a completion is deployed into the wellbore by tubing or other deployment mechanisms. Generally, the wellbore is drilled through one or more formations containing desirable production fluids, such as hydrocarbon based fluids.
In many of these applications, electric submersible pumping systems are used to pump fluid from the wellbore to a collection location. However, the formation of free gas at the pump intake of the electric submersible pumping system can severely degrade pumping system performance. In some environments, a gas lock condition can result in which the pump is unable to deliver enough pressure to keep the pumping action continuous.
When a packer is used above the electric submersible pumping system, free gas can accumulate below the packer and eventually create a gas pocket that reaches the pump intake and triggers the gas lock condition. Attempts have been made to evacuate the gas accumulated below the packer, but these attempts have met with limited success. Without sufficient removal of the accumulated gas, the submersible pump of the electric submersible pumping system can be exposed to free gas which reduces pumping efficiency and increases the possibility of reaching the gas lock condition.

Electric submersible pumping system with gas vent


The tent chair includes a folding frame supporting a folding cover, with the frame attached to a folding or portable chair. The chair has a single rearward frame bow which is radially flexible but rigid orthogonal to the lateral bow pivot axis of the chair. A series of similar bows is pivotally attached at or toward the front of the chair. The axially orthogonal rigid rearward bow supports the cover and prevents the forward bows from collapsing the cover forwardly as it is pulled taut. One use of the device is as a hunting blind, with a quick release optionally allowing the cover to be rapidly opened. Other configurations provide for use as a photography blind, a privacy shelter for camping or beach use, ice fishing, as a wheelchair or beach lounge chair cover, etc., and may have sufficient room for more than one person.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to portable, collapsible shelters and the like. More specifically, the present invention comprises several embodiments of a small, folding tent or awning for one or more persons, with the tent being temporarily or permanently attached to a portable or mobile chair or seat. The present tent chair is useful as a blind for hunters or wildlife photographers, as a privacy enclosure while camping or at the beach, and/or for other purposes where a portable enclosure or shelter combined with seating means is desired or required.
2. Description of the Related Art
Tents and similar lightweight, portable enclosures have been known and used for a considerable period of time for protection from the elements. Typically, such conventional tents utilize one or more poles with a series of ropes or lines pulling the tent fabric taut outwardly from the pole(s). More recently, lightweight tents have been developed which utilize a series of omnidirectionally flexible rods to maintain the domed or other shape of the tent.
Hunters, campers, wildlife photographers, and others who enjoy the outdoors also often make use of portable, lightweight chairs and seating while in the field. This is particularly true of hunters and photographers, who have occasion to remain nearly motionless for long periods of time while awaiting the approach of game or other animals. Some form of reasonably comfortable seating is virtually essential in such an environment.
Heretofore, hunters and wildlife photographers typically carried a blind or some form of enclosure into the field, as well as a separate chair or other seating. In response to this requirement to carry two different and separate articles, a few combination chairs and enclosures or shelters have been developed. Some of these devices are directed for use by the outdoorsman, while others are directed to use by sports enthusiasts and the like to protect them from the elements while watching an event. In some instances, chair enclosures have been developed for use over strollers, wheelchairs, and similar wheeled conveyances to protect the occupant from the elements.
Most such devices tend to be relatively bulky, heavy, and/or cumbersome to erect and take down, due to their use of relatively rigid structural members and/or other complexities. Moreover, they tend not to be particularly versatile, being somewhat limited in their applications to certain specific environments of use.
Thus, a tent chair solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


A detecting section 21 detects a conceptual meaning of a respective operation performed upon the execution of a plurality of application programs 11, 12, . . . The result of each detection is stored as respective operation history information in a history information level 32.

In the management of the history of human input operations in a device with a plurality of built-in application programs, such as an application configured to search a Web page on a network through an operation by the operator and an application program configured to create an electronic document through an operation by an operator, it is common to collect the summary of the respective operations, for example, the name of the operation, the date and hour of the operation, etc.
However, the mere collection of the summary of these operations is inadequate to secure the management of the operation history.
Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 10-21192 for example discloses the idea of collecting, as a history, not only a superficial summary of respective operations, but also the mutual relation of dependency among a series of such operations.
In this example, however, the respective operations performed upon the execution of a plurality of application programs cannot be grasped as a common concept among the respective mutual programs.

Apparatus and method for performing the management of operation history


An information handling system includes instruction processing nodes in respective physical partitions. A communications bus couples two information processing nodes together. Each node includes hardware resources such as CPUs, memories and I/O adapters. Prior to a command to merge the physical partitions, the communication bus exhibits a disabled state such that the two information processing nodes are effectively disconnected. After receiving a command to merge the physical partitions, the system enables the communication bus to effectively hot-plug the two nodes together. A modified master hypervisor in one node stores data structures detailing the hardware resources of the two nodes. The modified master may assign resources from one node to a logical partition in another node.

The disclosures herein relate generally to information handling systems, and more specifically, to information handling systems that employ multiple processors.
Modern information handling systems (IHSs) frequently use multiple processors to handle the heavy workloads of today's complex and feature-rich application software. Contemporary IHSs may in fact handle several applications at the same time.
An IHS may include hardware resources such as multiple processors or central processing units (CPUs), multiple memories and multiple I/O adapters. The IHS may employ a hypervisor to allocate these CPU, memory and I/O hardware resources to a number of different logical partitions (LPARs). The hypervisor is a software abstraction layer between the hardware resources and the logical partitions. Each logical partition will execute or run a unique operating system that may only access to the resources that the hypervisor defines for that particular logical partition. Each operating system may execute multiple software applications. In this manner, the modern IHS may handle the heavy workload of several different software applications at the same time.

Information handling system including dynamically merged physical partitions

International Business Machines Corporation


The present invention includes methods for making and isolating N-acetylcysteine amide, (2R,2R′)-3,3′-disulfanediyl bis(2-acetamidopropanamide, diNACA), intermediates and derivatives thereof comprising: contacting cystine with an alcohol and a chlorinating reagent to form an organic solution containing L-cystine dimethylester dihydrochloride; combining dried or undried L-cystine dimethylester dihydrochloride with a triethylamine, an acetic anhydride, and an acetonitrile to form a di-N-acetylcystine dimethylester; mixing dried di-N-acetylcystine dimethylester with ammonium hydroxide to form a di-N-acetylcystine amide (diNACA); and separating dried di-N-acetylcystine dimethylester into N-acetylcysteine amide with dithiothreitol, triethylamine and an alcohol.

Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with synthesis of N-Acetyl Cysteine Amide and diNACA.
One such method is taught in U.S. Patent Publication No. 20170183302, filed by Warner, et al., entitled "Method for Preparation of N-Acetyl Cysteine Amide". Briefly, these inventors teach a process for the preparation of N-acetyl-L-cysteine amide (NACA) starting with N-acetyl-L-cysteine that involves contacting N-acetyl-L-cysteine with an organic alcohol and an inorganic acid to form an organic solution containing N-acetyl-L-cysteine ester; neutralizing the acid in the organic solution with an aqueous solution containing a base to form a neutralized mixture; separating an organic solution containing N-acetyl-L-cysteine ester from the neutralized mixture; removing the N-acetyl-L-cysteine ester from the organic solution under reduced pressure; and contacting the N-acetyl-L-cysteine ester with ammonia.
Another such method for the preparation of N-acetyl cysteine amide (NACA) was previously described by Martin, et al., entitled "Amides of N-Acylcysteines as Mucolytic Agents", J. Med. Chem. 1967, 10, 1172-1176.
However, a need remains for developing an efficient method for the effective, large-scale synthesis of N-acetyl cysteine amide that provides the product in high chemical yields and, in particular, high chemical and enantiomeric purity, without the need for chromatography.

Method for preparation of n-acetyl cysteine amide and derivatives thereof


Techniques to compensate for nonlinearity of a tuning function of an oscillator are described. The tuning nonlinearity of the oscillator may be modeled as a disturbance input to the oscillator and may be compensated with an equal but opposite disturbance. In one design, a nonlinearity correction signal to compensate for the tuning nonlinearity may be generated, e.g., based on a phase error signal in a phase-locked loop (PLL) and a scaling factor determined adaptively. The nonlinearity correction signal may compensate for the n-th (e.g., second) order tuning nonlinearity, and an n-th order (e.g., squared) modulating signal may be used to derive the scaling factor and the nonlinearity correction signal. A control signal for the oscillator may be generated based on the nonlinearity correction signal and possibly one or more other signals. The control signal may be applied to the oscillator to adjust the oscillation frequency of the oscillator.

I. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to electronics, and more specifically to techniques for controlling an oscillator.
II. Background
Oscillators are an integral part of many electronics circuits and are particularly important in communication circuits. For example, transmitters and receivers use local oscillator (LO) signals for frequency upconversion and downconversion, respectively. The LO signals are typically generated with oscillators.
An oscillator may have an oscillation frequency that may be varied with a control signal. The oscillator may be characterized by a tuning function, which is a function of the oscillation frequency versus the control signal. For a linear tuning function, the oscillation frequency varies linearly with the control signal. A linear tuning function may be desirable if a signal generated by the oscillator is modulated with data. However, the tuning function of the oscillator is typically not linear, and tuning nonlinearity refers to deviations of the tuning function from a linear function. The tuning nonlinearity may degrade the quality of a modulated signal and adversely impact performance.

Method and apparatus for compensating for tuning nonlinearity of an oscillator


A motor vehicle clutch disc includes a metal carrier sheet; an elastomer intermediate layer facing the metal carrier layer; a clutch lining facing the elastomer intermediate layer; and a composite binder bonding first surface regions of the elastomer intermediate layer to the metal carrier sheet and to the clutch lining by chemical sorption. Areas of the first surface regions are less than areas of the metal carrier sheet and the clutch lining facing the elastomer intermediate layer. The elastomer intermediate layer is of hydrated nitrile rubber or a fluoroelastomer. The elastomer intermediate layer has an elasticity of non-linear spring characteristics and is effective in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the clutch disc. The elastomer intermediate layer has unbonded, second surface regions facing the metal carrier sheet and the clutch lining. The elastomer intermediate layer is of such a configuration that in an absence of a compressive force applied to the clutch disc in a direction perpendicular to the clutch disc plane, the second surface regions are in their entirety spaced from the metal carrier sheet and upon applying such a compressive force to the clutch disc, at least parts of the second surface regions assume a contacting relationship with the metal carrier sheet and/or the clutch lining.

The invention relates to a clutch disc for a motor vehicle clutch including a carrier plate connected with an elastomer intermediate layer that is connected with a clutch lining, with the elastomer intermediate layer being essentially composed, as taught by EP 0,351,447, of hydrated nitrile rubber (HNBR) and/or a fluoroelastomer (FPM). By way of a composite binder, the elastomer intermediate layer is connected with the adjacent layers by chemical sorption. The elastomer layer acts as a spring and imparts to the clutch disc an elasticity with a non-linear spring characteristic in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the clutch disc. The connecting faces between the elastomer intermediate layer and the adjacent layers are smaller than the faces of the adjacent layers facing the intermediate layer (partial congruence).
The basic characteristics of such a clutch disc are disclosed in EP 0,351,447. Compared with prior art clutch discs, this disc is particularly distinguished in that an elastomer intermediate layer is provided instead of the steel springs that are otherwise riveted to the friction linings, thus enabling the clutch linings to be made a few millimeters thinner since, due to the absence of rivets, they can be worn down completely. Nevertheless, this clutch disc is able to withstand all demands made on it during operation, particularly with respect to stressability also under heat, wetness, etc., because, according to the cited patent, the elastomer intermediate layer is connected with the adjacent layers by means of chemical sorption.
In this European patent it is also proposed to impart a defined non-linear spring characteristic to the elastomer intermediate layer in that the faces are only partially congruent. That means, the elastomer intermediate layer is made smaller than the two layers adjacent to it and connected with it.
An English-language translation of the entire specification of EP 0,351,447 is reproduced at the end of this "Background" section.
In connection with the prior art, reference is also made to U.S. Pat. No. 1,898,978 which already discloses a clutch disc whose friction coating is provided with notches that extend ray-like essentially in the radial direction of the lining. However, the clutch lining is here contiguous and the notches are provided to reduce the noise developed during engagement of the clutch. They are not intended to impart a defined non-linear spring characteristic to the clutch disc, and they are unable to do this since they are attached in an essentially non-elastic material, namely in the actual clutch lining.
Similar prior art is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,097,710 where the carrier sheets of the clutch discs disclosed there are corrugated in some embodiments and the clutch lining is provided with radially extending grooves. Here again, it is not possible nor intended to impart a predetermined spring characteristic to a clutch disc.

Textar Kupplungs- und Industriebelage GmbH


The present invention is to provide a method of producing a thermoelectric conversion device having a thermoelectric element layer with excellent shape controllability and capable of being highly integrated. The present invention relates to a method of producing a thermoelectric conversion device including a thermoelectric element layer formed of a thermoelectric semiconductor composition containing a thermoelectric semiconductor material on a substrate, the method including a step of providing a pattern frame having openings on a substrate; a step of filling the thermoelectric semiconductor composition in the openings; a step of drying the thermoelectric semiconductor composition filled in the openings, to form a thermoelectric element layer; and a step of releasing the pattern frame from the substrate.

As one of effective usage means of energy, there have hitherto been devices for undergoing direction interconversion between thermal energy and electric energy due to thermoelectric conversion module having a thermoelectric effect, such as the Seebeck effect and the Peltier effect.
Above all, use of a so-called π-type thermoelectric conversion device is known as the thermoelectric conversion device. The π-type is typically constituted in a manner that a pair of electrodes spaced apart from each other is provided on a substrate, and for example, a P-type thermoelectric element is provided on one of the electrodes, and an N-type thermoelectric element is provided on the other electrode, such that the elements are similarly spaced apart from each other, and the upper surfaces of the both thermoelectric elements are joined to an electrodes of an opposing substrate. In addition, use of a so-called in-plane type thermoelectric conversion device is known. The in-plane type is typically constituted in a manner that plural thermoelectric elements are arranged such that an N-type thermoelectric element and a P-type thermoelectric element are alternately disposed, and for example, lower electrodes of the thermoelectric elements are joined in series.
In recent years, there has been a demand for an improvement in thermoelectric performance including a reduction in thickness and high integration of thermoelectric conversion devices. PTL 1 discloses a method of forming a pattern of a thermoelectric element layer directly by the screen printing method or the like by using a thermoelectric semiconductor composition containing a resin and the like, including the viewpoint of thinning by film thinning, as a thermoelectric element layer.

Manufacturing method of thermoelectric conversion element


Compositions and methods for protecting neural tissue (e.g., neurons) from anoxia and spreading depression (SD) involve inhibiting the cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PKG) pathway. It was discovered that the PKG pathway plays a crucial role in regulating SD and tolerance to anoxia in the central nervous system (CNS). Inhibition of the PKG pathway greatly reduces SD and increases tolerance to anoxia (i.e., hypoxia), while activation of the pathway exacerbates SD pathology. The compositions and methods can be used to treat any condition associated with SD or anoxia, including stroke, spinal cord injury, neurogenerative disease, dizziness, headaches, and migraines.

K+ channels are structurally and functionally diverse families of K+-selective channel proteins which are ubiquitous in cells, indicating their central importance in regulating a number of key cell functions. K+ channels are important regulators of numerous biological processes, including secretory processes, muscle contraction, and post-ischemia cardioprotection. Electrophysiological studies have disclosed the existence of K+ channels in nearly all cell types.
Spreading depression is an abrupt rise in extracellular potassium ([K+]o) and depression of electrical activity in nervous tissue; it shares many characteristics of cortical spreading depression (CSD) (Leão, A. A. P., J. Neurophysiol. 7:359-390, 1944). In mammalian tissue, CSD has been associated with several important pathologies including stroke, seizures and migraine (Smith et al., Biol. Rev. Camb. Philos. Soc. 81:457-481, 2006; Somjen, G. G., Neuroscientist 8:254-267, 2002; Somjen, G. G., Physiol. Rev. 81:1065-1096, 2001). CSD is increasingly accepted as a primary causative agent for migraine, particularly migraine with aura.

Compositions and methods for treating neural anoxia and spreading depression


A filter including a filter housing with a horizontal partition wall dividing the filter housing into a dean-gas chamber and a dust chamber. The filter has an inlet part in open communication with the dust chamber. The inlet part is configured for supplying a dust-containing flow of gas to the dust chamber. The gas flow is conveyed through the filter elements and upwards into the dean-gas chamber where the filtered gas is discharged through a clean-gas outlet. In the filter housing, a cylindrical inner portion is arranged that encircles the filter elements. A round-going inlet part is opposed to the cylindrical inner part. The round-going inlet part has a larger diameter than at least a portion of the filter housing that adjoins the inlet part. Gas flow is divided into an upwardly and downwardly oriented gas flow controlled by arrangement of the cylindrical inner part.

Filters are generally known. Filter elements can be provided that are inserted into the filler such as in the form of filler bags. Typically, the filler bags each comprise a wire cage on which a bag of filter material is mounted. The filler bags are suspended from a horizontal partition wall and extend downwards into a dust chamber to which the dust-containing gas or air is supplied and conveyed upwards across the partition wall through the filler bags. Hereby the dust particles deposit on the filler bag and drop down to the bottom of the filter housing from where they can be removed.
The same applies when other types of filler elements are used, be it bag fillers, as mentioned, but other fillers may also be concerned where filler material is attached to a kind of holder means. For instance, they may be filter cartridges, but any suitable filter material can be used.
When the dust-containing gas is supplied to the dust chamber opposed to the filler elements, a certain wear occurs on the filler elements, in particular the filler elements that are located most proximate the inlet. It was attempted to solve the problem of wear in Danish patent No. 175107 B1 by arranging a number of diffuser elements in the inlet part outside the filler housing, see patent disclosure DK 175107 B1.
However, the solution has a limitation with respect to the amount of product taken through the filter. In case of large amounts of product wear will occur—even in case diffuser elements are used.
What is usually taken through the filler is a flow of gas. The flow of gas is often atmospheric air, but in some cases it may be a kind of gas or a mixture of kinds of gases containing particles that are separated off the flow of gas in the filler. Thus, a product may be entrained in a flow of gas, which product is separated off in the filler, or particles may be involved that are undesirable in a flow of gas and are hence separated off.
Thus, it may be the gas or gases in the flow of gas which constitute a final or partial product or it may be the product that is separated off.
It may thus also be purified air or purified gas from flue gas or the like it is desired to accomplish.
In the following the term gas flow is used to designate the flow and the term gas is used in general. The product most often being particulate, the product will, in the following, be referred to as particles; however, obviously, the term particles is to be construed in its widest sense. The problem of having large amounts of particles in the gas is that the particles cause relatively much wear on e.g. the filter elements. This is typically solved by use of a pre-separator, e.g. in the shape of a cyclone.
A technique is known wherein gas and product are conveyed into the filter underneath the filter elements. Hereby the effect is accomplished that the major part of the product is separated off underneath the filter elements and drop down to the outlet of the filter. Thereby it is avoided that the particles that are contained in the gas flow are conveyed directly onto the filter elements.
However, this solution is associated with the drawback that a relatively large, upwardly oriented flow of gas passes between the filter elements which makes it difficult to clean the filter elements, the dust having to settle against the gas flow to leave the filter. In practice this means that a much larger filter than usual is to be applied to provide an upwardly oriented gas rate between the filter elements which is so low that the dust is able to drop against the gas flow.