A distributed peripheral device control method for controlling the interaction between an information device and a peripheral device in communication with the information device, comprising requesting the peripheral device to perform a specified task, sending device identification information identifying the peripheral device to a server, selecting a device driver corresponding to the peripheral device in dependence upon the device identification information, establishing a virtual port at the server to form part of a communications link between the server and the information device and associating the virtual port with the selected device driver, employing the server to perform, using the selected device driver, peripheral device-dependent processing operations relating to the performance of the task to produce device-dependent data, and sending the device-dependent data to the virtual port for onward transmission to the peripheral device via the information device to enable the peripheral device to perform the specified task.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a distributed peripheral device control system and method.
2. Description of the Related Art
A device having the capability to print a document typically requires access to the following information and software: (a) the document data; (b) application software capable of loading and processing the document, together with other data, such as fonts, required to render the document; (c) operating system graphical and printing software, used by the application software to produce output in a displayable form; and (d) device drivers, which are the software modules used by a printing system to produce output suitable to a given type (make and model) of printer; each type of printer may require a different device driver.
These programs and data generally consume large amounts of computer memory and disk space, and preparing the document for printing can require a considerable amount of processing.
A typical mobile information device, such as a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or mobile phone, is much more limited in resources and processing speed than a desktop machine, and therefore not capable of locally supporting fully functional printing of most document types. Furthermore, with increased availability of wireless connection technologies, such as IrDA, Bluetooth and wireless LANs, the user of a mobile device potentially has access to a wider range of printers, on an ad-hoc basis.
Hand-held PDAs typically have cut-down document processing and printing capabilities, with limited document-viewer applications and system software using generic, "lowest common denominator" printer drivers. Smaller devices, such as mobile phones, normally have no printing or document processing ability at all.
FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings shows a typical arrangement for printing from a personal computer (PC) 2 to a locally-connected printer 12. The following description of a typical printing process using the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is based on the Microsoft® Windows® operating system.
The application program 4 issues graphical commands known as Graphical Device Interface (GDI) commands to the operating system. When sufficient GDI commands have been received by the operating system 6 to render a complete page, the data is converted into Device Driver Interface (DDI) commands that are sent to the device driver 8. The device driver 8 converts these DDI commands into raw device commands (printer commands). The raw device commands (printer commands) are returned to the operating system 6, which sends the data through the printer port 10 to the printer 12 for printing.
With this arrangement, all the software required for printing is located on the PC 2. Before printing can take place, the system must be set up by installing the device driver 8 for the particular printer 12 attached to the PC 2 and configuring the printer port 10 to which the printer 12 is connected.
FIG. 2 of the accompanying drawings shows an arrangement for printing from a PC 2 on a network to a printer 12 connected to a server 14 on the network. The arrangement enables the PC 2 to print to any one of a number of printers connected to servers on the network. U.S. Pat. No. 5,699,495, entitled "Point-and-print in a distributed environment", describes a system using this arrangement.
The arrangement of FIG. 2 differs in two key respects from that described with reference to FIG. 1. Firstly, the device driver 8 is initially stored on the server 14 and is transferred over the network by the operating system 16 of the server 14 only when required by the client (i.e. the PC 2). Secondly, the raw device commands (printer commands) output by the device driver 8 are transferred over the network to the server 14, which sends the commands through the printer port 10 to which the printer 12 is connected.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,201,611, entitled "Providing local printing on a thin client", describes a system for printing to a locally-connected printer, but using resources located on a server to provide much of the processing. Application software running on the client issues graphical commands to the client operating system. Rather than calling a local device driver to produce raw print data, the commands are converted to a device-independent print file. The device-independent data are then sent over the network to the server, which converts the device-independent data to device-dependent data, using device drivers located on the server. The device-dependent data are then transferred from the server to the printer via the client. Local spooling of print data on the client is avoided by controlling the flow of device-dependent data from server to client. The printer may be connected to a client other than that to which the application is running. No method of ad-hoc printer configuration is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,201,611. It is assumed that the server (or another server on the network) has been configured with the driver for the given printer.
US-A-2002/0018234, entitled "Printer driver system for remote printing", describes a system in which print jobs are processed on a server, using a "universal" printer driver installed on the server, to produce a universal print file, which is a generic type of file that can be sent directly to the printer.
EP-A-1291786, GB-A-2365599, WO 01/042894, WO 02/041107 and JP-2003-114773 can each be considered to disclose a distributed peripheral device control method for controlling the interaction between an information device and a peripheral device in communication with the information device, comprising requesting the peripheral device to perform a specified task, sending device identification information identifying the peripheral device to a server in communication with the information device, the server having access to at least one peripheral device driver, selecting a device driver corresponding to the peripheral device in dependence upon on the device identification information, employing the server to perform, on behalf of the information device and using the selected device driver, peripheral device-dependent processing operations relating to the performance of the task to produce device-dependent data.
US 2002/0196478 discloses a system comprising a mobile computing device, a scanner or multi-function printer and a server. The scanner scans a paper document into an electronic document which is sent to the server. No device-dependent processing is required by the server, which acts as a temporary store before the electronic document is retrieved by the mobile computing device. The mobile computing device does not act as a gateway between the scanner and the server.

Distributed peripheral device control system and method


Systems and methods are provided for directionally filtering signals by projecting a received signal onto a subspace substantially orthogonal to selected interfering signals. The received signal typically comprises at least one signal of interest, at least one selected interfering signal, and noise. The received signal may further comprise other signals, including non-selected interfering signals. The projection of the received signal results in substantially no contribution from the selected interference signals on the signal of interest. For example, substantially no residual energy of the selected interference signals remains as an influence on the signal of interest. In one embodiment, a system generates a converted matrix having a substantially orthogonal set of vectors. Each vector may represent one or more selected interfering signals. The vectors may comprise code characteristics of the selected interfering signals. A directional filter uses the matrix to perform the projection. As such, the filter may be configured to selectively “filter out” the interfering signals by suppressing the effects of the signals based on their code characteristics.

1. Field of the invention
The invention generally relates to the field of signal processing. More specifically the invention is related to efficient mathematical projection of signals for the purpose of signal filtering.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
Signal processing is the process of altering the characteristics of a signal in a desired way or deriving desired parameters from a signal. It is often used in the recovery of transmitted signals. While various forms of analog and digital signal processing exist, digital signal processing has become increasingly popular due to advances in digital processor technologies and the relative ease in operating with quantized representations of signals. Digital signal filtering, in particular, provides a means to mitigate the effects of undesired signals (e.g., noise and/or interference) to more accurately recover a signal.
Digital signal filtering has long been used to separate desired components of a digital signal from undesired signal components. For example, a digital filter may be used to allow frequency components of a desired signal to pass while substantially blocking the frequency components of an undesired signal. In order to efficiently utilize time and frequency in a communication system, multiple access schemes are used to specify how multiple users or multiple signals may share a specified time and frequency allocation. Spread spectrum techniques may be used to allow multiple users and/or signals to share the same frequency band and time simultaneously. Code division multiple access ("CDMA") is an example of spread spectrum that assigns a unique code to differentiate each signal and/or user. The codes are typically designed to have minimal cross-correlation to mitigate interference. However, even with a small cross-correlation between codes, CDMA is an interference-limited system. Digital signal filters that only pass or block selected frequency bands of a signal to filter out unwanted frequency bands are not applicable since CDMA signals share the same frequency band.
Examples of CDMA communication system include global positioning systems ("GPS") and CDMA wireless telephony. The multiple access coding schemes specified by standards thereby provide "channelization," or channel separability, for the system. In a typical CDMA wireless telephony system, a transmitter may transmit a plurality of signals in the same frequency band by using a combination of spreading codes and/or covering codes. For example, each transmitter may be identified by a unique spreading code or spreading code offset. Moreover, a single transmitter may transmit a plurality of signals sharing the same spreading code, but may distinguish between signals with a unique covering code. Covering codes further encode the signal and provide channelization of the signal. Spreading codes and covering codes are known to those skilled in the art.
While certain signaling implementations such as the coding schemes of CDMA have been useful in efficiently utilizing a given frequency band, these coded signals may still interfere with one another. For example, coded signals may interfere due to similarities in codes and associated signal energy. Lack of orthogonality between these signals results in "leakage" from one signal into another. Examples of this leakage include "co-channel" and "cross-channel" interference. Co-channel interference may include multipath interference from the same transmitter, wherein a transmitted signal takes unique paths that causes one path (e.g., an interfering signal path) and another path (e.g., a selected signal path) to differentially arrive at a receiver, thereby hindering reception of the selected signal path. Cross-channel interference may include interference caused by signal paths of other transmitters hindering the reception of the selected signal path.
Interference can degrade communications because interference may cause a receiver to incorrectly recover transmitted data. Interference may also have other deleterious effects on communications. For example, interference may diminish capacity of a communication system, decrease the region of coverage and/or decrease maximum data rates. For these reasons, a reduction in interference may improve signal processing of selected signals while addressing the aforementioned limitations due to interference.
Certain types of projection techniques have been developed which project a received signal onto a subspace orthogonal to a Signal Of Interest ("SOI") lies. The signal may be decomposed into a component that lies in the subspace containing the interference and an orthogonal subspace. This projection operation determines the amount of the signal that lies in the direction of the SOI. However, residual energy of the interfering components may lie in the direction of the SOI since the interfering signal and the SOI may not be orthogonal. This residual energy may degrade the recovery of the SOI. Projective methods for interference cancellation of a plurality of signals may include a matrix inverse containing non-independent vectors. In software and hardware implementations, a full matrix inverse may be computationally expensive.

Orthogonalization and directional filtering


The present invention provides a droplet ejection device that includes a head, a storage component and an alteration component. At the head, a plurality of nozzles, which eject droplets in accordance with image data representing an image, are arrayed over a width in a main scanning direction which is longer than a recording region width. The head forms a main scanning line with the droplets ejected from the nozzles. At the storage component, inclination information relating to an inclination of the main scanning line formed by the head with respect to a main scanning line that should ideally be formed is pre-stored. The alteration component, in accordance with the inclination information stored at the storage component, alters which nozzles are to eject droplets in accordance with the image data.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a droplet ejection device, a method of controlling the droplet ejection device, and a storage medium at which a droplet ejection device control program is stored.
2. Related Art
As droplet ejection devices which eject liquid droplets, for example, inkjet printers which eject ink droplets as liquid droplets from nozzles are widely known.
A common inkjet printer is provided with a recording head featuring numerous nozzles for ejecting ink drops. For example, main scanning direction dot rows (main scanning lines) are recorded on a recording medium by a recording head at which nozzles are arrayed over a predetermined length in a recording medium width direction (for example, a length of at least the width of a recording region corresponding to the recording medium width), sub-scanning is implemented by the recording medium relatively moving with respect to the recording head in a direction perpendicular to the recording medium width direction, and thus an image is formed on the recording medium.
In such an inkjet printer, if a mounting position of the recording head is misaligned, the main scanning lines will become inclined relative to the intended main scanning lines.
Accordingly, a technology has been proposed in which, in order to compensate for a printing misalignment in a direction of relative movement of a recording head and a recording medium (i.e., the sub-scanning direction) without altering the position of the recording head, ink ejection timings are altered and thus the printing misalignment in the direction of relative movement of the recording head and the recording medium due to inclination of the recording head is corrected for.

Droplet ejection device, droplet ejection device control method and storage medium storing droplet ejection device control program


Systems and methods to pump fracturing fluid into a wellhead may include a gas turbine engine including a compressor turbine shaft connected to a compressor, and a power turbine output shaft connected to a power turbine. The compressor turbine shaft and the power turbine output shaft may be rotatable at different rotational speeds. The systems may also include a transmission including a transmission input shaft connected to the power turbine output shaft and a transmission output shaft connected to a hydraulic fracturing pump. The systems may also include a fracturing unit controller configured to control one or more of the rotational speeds of the compressor turbine shaft, the power turbine output shaft, or the transmission output shaft based at least in part on target signals and fluid flow signals indicative of one or more of pressure or flow rate associated with fracturing fluid pumped into the wellhead.

Hydraulic fracturing is an oilfield operation that stimulates production of hydrocarbons, such that the hydrocarbons may more easily or readily flow from a subsurface formation to a well. For example, a hydraulic fracturing system may fracture a formation by pumping a fracturing fluid into a well at high pressure and high flow rates. Some fracturing fluids may take the form of a slurry including water, proppants, and/or other additives, such as thickening agents and/or gels. The slurry may be forced via one or more pumps into the formation at rates faster than can be accepted by the existing pores, fractures, faults, or other spaces within the formation. As a result, pressure may build rapidly to the point where the formation may fail and may begin to fracture. By continuing to pump the fracturing fluid into the formation, existing fractures in the formation are caused to expand and extend in directions farther away from a well bore, thereby creating additional flow paths for hydrocarbons to flow to the well bore. The proppants may serve to prevent the expanded fractures from closing or may reduce the extent to which the expanded fractures contract when pumping of the fracturing fluid is ceased. Once the formation is fractured, large quantities of the injected fracturing fluid are allowed to flow out of the well, and the production stream of hydrocarbons may be obtained from the formation.
Prime movers may be used to supply power to hydraulic fracturing pumps for pumping the fracturing fluid into the formation. For example, internal combustion engines may each be mechanically connected to a corresponding hydraulic fracturing pump and operated to drive the hydraulic fracturing pump. The prime mover, hydraulic fracturing pump, and auxiliary components associated with the prime mover and hydraulic fracturing pump may be connected to a common platform or trailer for transportation and set-up as a hydraulic fracturing unit at the site of a fracturing operation, which may include up to a dozen or more of such hydraulic fracturing units operating together to perform the fracturing operation.
Hydraulic fracturing units have traditionally used diesel engines as the prime movers to drive the hydraulic fracturing pumps. In order to reduce the consumption of diesel fuel, a recent trend has developed for using electrically-powered fracturing pumps. For example, a gas turbine engine may be used to drive an electric generator, which supplies power to electric motors used to drive the hydraulic fracturing pumps. Such systems may result in the production of power using cleaner energy sources relative to the combustion of diesel fuel, thereby reducing undesirable emissions. However, the deployment and use of electrically-powered fracturing units may suffer from possible drawbacks.
For example, in order to supply electric power in an amount sufficient to operate the large number of hydraulic fracturing pumps that may often be required to successfully complete a fracturing operation, the gas turbine engine may need to be extremely large. Because fracturing equipment must often be transported to a relatively remote wellsite and be assembled on-site, the assembly and preparation of a sufficiently large gas turbine engine may be cumbersome and complex, for example, often requiring the assembly of large components, such as the exhaust and intake systems, as well as connection of numerous and complex electrical components across the fracturing site. Moreover, using a single gas turbine engine to generate electrical power and transfer of the electrical power to each of the hydraulic fracturing units may be relatively inefficient, for example, depending on ambient conditions. For example, in high temperature climates and high altitude environments, the gas turbine engine may produce relatively less power. In addition, the efficiency of electrical power generation and transfer of the electrical power to the fracturing units may be relatively lower at high temperatures. In addition, in high-temperature environments, additional cooling for the gas turbine engine, electrical components, and the hydraulic fracturing pumps may be needed, which may result in additional inefficiencies. When combined, such inefficiencies may result in reducing the amount of power available for performing the fracturing operation. In addition, electrically-powered fracturing operations may still require a large foot-print at the wellsite, which may be magnified by the need of supplemental electric power generation and conditioning trailers, as well as large and complex cable assemblies for supplying power to the electric motors of the hydraulic fracturing units. For example, an electrically-powered fracturing operation may include electrical transfer and conditioning equipment, such as drive trailers and transformer systems, which may be connected to one another by relatively large and complex interconnecting cable assemblies.
Accordingly, Applicant has recognized a need for systems and methods that reduce undesirable emissions common to diesel-powered fracturing operations, while still providing a relatively efficient set-up and a fracturing operation that provides sufficient power for the multiple hydraulic fracturing pumps of a fracturing operation. The present disclosure may address one or more of the above-referenced drawbacks, as well as other possible drawbacks.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Systems and methods to operate a dual-shaft gas turbine engine for hydraulic fracturing


Implementations of the present specification provide an interaction behavior detection method, apparatus, system, and device. The method includes the following: obtaining a to-be-detected depth image photographed by a depth photographing device, extracting a foreground image used to represent a moving object from the to-be-detected depth image, obtaining spatial coordinate information of the moving object based on the foreground image, comparing the spatial coordinate information of the moving object with spatial coordinate information of a shelf in a rack, and determining an article touched by the moving object based on a comparison result and one or more articles on the shelf.

With the rapid development of the social economy, various articles (also referred to as goods, products, etc.) are a feast for the eyes. Articles can be displayed in many ways. Articles can be displayed online by using pictures of the articles, for example. In brick-and-mortar places such as supermarkets and shopping malls, articles can be placed on a rack for display. In a brick-and-mortar place, when a moving object touches an article, it can not only reflect an interest of the moving object in the article, but can also remind a merchant that the article may be taken away by the moving object, so that the merchant decides whether to replenish articles, improve the placement of articles, etc. The moving object can be a customer, or can be an object such as a robot controlled by the customer. Therefore, it is particularly important to provide a solution for reliably determining whether a moving object touches an article.

Interaction behavior detection method, apparatus, system, and device


A stationarily-mounted seating structure consists of a pair of spaced supports, a seat pivotably mounted between the spaced supports and a back fixed to the spaced supports. Each spaced support includes forward and rearward vertical support members and the seat is mounted to the forward vertical support member while the back is mounted to the rearward vertical support member. A pivot mechanism for pivotably mounting the seat between the supports includes a shaft extending between and connecting the forward vertical support members. A stop element is fixed on the shaft for limiting the range of pivotable movement of the seat. A bushing is secured to the seat and is formed with an inner bearing surface for rotatably supporting the shaft, and outer bearing surfaces for engaging the stop element as well as a shroud which conceals the stop element, the bushing and a portion of the shaft. A foot bracket is mounted to each end of the shaft, and a platform bracket is mounted to the forward vertical support member. A threaded fastener secures the foot bracket to the platform bracket, and a slot in the foot bracket enables adjacent foot brackets to be placed at an angle to each other for use in a radiused installation.

A stationarily-mounted seating structure is typically mounted to the floor or other supporting surface of an auditorium, theater or the like, and generally includes a support located on each side of the structure, with a seat and a back disposed between and mounted to the supports. In some applications, the back is fixedly connected to the supports, and the seat is pivotably mounted to the supports for movement between a lowered, operative position and a raised, storage position.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a stationarily-mounted seating structure which is relatively simple in its construction and assembly, and which provides a unique design for the mounting of the seat thereto. It is a further object of the invention to provide a fixed position seating structure which is readily installed in a desired straight or curved row alignment and which is sturdy and long-lasting throughout continuous use. It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved mechanism for pivotably mounting the seat between supports for repeated movement between its lowered, operative position and its raised, storage position, as when the seat occupant rises to allow others to pass by. A still further object of the invention is to provide a compact and easily assembled, permanently located seating structure having a high degree of comfort for the seat occupant. Yet another object of the invention is to provide an auditorium or theater-type seating system displaying a distinctive, aesthetically appealing appearance.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a stationarily-mounted seating structure includes a pair of spaced supports, each of which includes a forward vertical support member and a rearward vertical support member, the supports being fixed to a support surface. A cross-member, preferably in the form of a shaft having a pair of opposed ends, extends between and connects the forward vertical support members. A seat is pivotably mounted on the cross-member for movement between a lowered, operative position and a raised, storage position. A back is mounted to and between the rearward vertical support members. The seating structure includes a pivot arrangement mounted adjacent each outermost edge of the seat for pivotably mounting the seat to the cross-member and limiting the range of pivoting movement of the seat. The pivot arrangement includes a stop element fixed on the cross-member and engageable with the seat, and a bushing mounted to the seat. The cross-member extends through the bushing so that the seat is pivotable about a pivot axis defined by the cross-member. The pivot arrangement also includes a bracket arrangement joining each of the ends of the shaft to one of the forward vertical support members. The bushing is a split member having an upper segment and a lower segment and is disposed between the stop element and the bracket arrangement. The bushing has a bottom wall fixed to the seat and a pair of non-parallel sidewalls, and a first one of the sidewalls is engageable against the stop element. A pivot brace is interposed between the sidewalls of the bushing, and a shroud is mounted to the seat for enclosing a portion of the cross-member, the stop element and the bushing. A second one of the sidewalls of the bushing is engageable with the shroud.
In another aspect of the invention, a seating structure has a pair of spaced supports fixed to a support surface and a seat pivotably disposed between the supports. Each of the supports includes a forward vertical support member and a rearward vertical support member. An assembly for pivotably mounting the seat to each of the forward vertical support members includes a shaft extending between and connecting the forward vertical support members, the shaft defining an axis about which the seat is pivoted. A bushing is fixedly mounted to the seat for rotation about the shaft, and a stop element is fixedly connected to the shaft against the bushing. A cushioning arrangement is mounted to the seat and is selectively engageable with the stop member to limit movement of the seat in the first direction and the second direction of pivoting movement of the seat. The stop element includes a curved engagement surface having an upper portion and a lower portion. The cushioning arrangement includes a first cushion limiting the pivoting of the seat to a lowered, operative seat position, and a second cushion spaced from the first cushion and limiting the pivoting of the seat in the second direction to a raised, inoperative position. The first cushion is engageable with the upper portion of the stop element and the second cushion is engageable with the lower portion of the stop element. The shaft has a pair of opposed ends, each of the ends being joined to one of the forward vertical support members by a bracket arrangement. The bracket arrangement includes a platform bracket fixedly secured to the forward vertical support member, a mounting tab extending from the platform bracket, and a foot bracket joined to one of the ends of the shaft between the platform bracket and the mounting tab. The assembly includes a pivot brace having a substantially horizontally disposed section fixedly attached to the seat and a substantially vertically extending section having an opening for accommodating the bushing. The cushioning arrangement is located on the substantially horizontally disposed section of the pivot brace, and the bushing is supported on the substantially vertically extending section of the pivot brace. The assembly includes a shroud secured to the seat and enclosing the bushing, the stop element and at least a portion of the shaft. The bushing has a thrust surface engageable against the stop member and a flared surface engageable and contoured with the shroud. A counterweight is mounted to the seat for urging the seat to pivot in the second direction. The bushing, the stop element and the cushioning arrangement are all located externally of the seat. The bushing has an upper segment and a lower segment, each of the segments being arcuately recessed to rotatably receive the shaft.
In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a seating assembly has a pair of spaced support members and a seat located between the support members, the seat defining a pair of sides and a lower surface extending therebetween. A seat mounting mechanism for pivotally mounting the seat between the support members includes a shaft extending between and connecting the support members, the shaft having a pair of opposed ends. A stop element is fixed on the shaft and is engageable with the seat for limiting the range of pivotal movement of the seat. A bushing is secured to the lower surface of the seat along each of the sides thereof and has an inner bearing surface for pivotably supporting the seat on the shaft and an outer bearing surface engageable with the stop element. The mechanism includes a pivot brace secured to the seat and supporting the bushing. A shroud is secured to the seat for concealing the stop element, the bushing and a portion of the shaft. The bushing has another outer bearing surface engageable with the shroud. The mechanism also includes a bracket arrangement for mounting each of the opposed ends of the shaft to one of the support members. The bracket arrangement includes a platform bracket fixedly connected to one of the support members, the platform bracket being formed with a hole therethrough. A mounting tab is joined to the platform bracket, and a foot bracket is fixed to one of the ends of the shaft and positioned between the mounting tab and the platform bracket. The foot bracket is formed with a slot and is movable throughout a range of positions in which the slot is aligned with the hole in the platform bracket to accommodate a curved or straight alignment in a row of seating assemblies. A fastener is passed through the hole and the slot for securing the platform bracket to the foot bracket after the seat is in its desired position relative to the support member.
Various other features, objects and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following description taken together with the drawings.


A soluble coffee beverage powder which, upon the addition of water, is capable of forming a coffee beverage having a foamed upper surface. The soluble beverage powder is made up of a soluble whitener powder containing gas and a soluble coffee powder of delayed water solubility. Upon addition of water, the soluble whitener powder dissolves first and hence it is possible to obtain whiter, stable foams.

Soluble coffee beverage products of the instant "cappuccino" type are well known and are commercially available. Usually these products are a dry mix of a soluble coffee powder and a soluble whitener powder. The soluble whitener powder contains pockets of gas which, upon dissolution of the powder, produce foam. Therefore, upon the addition of water (usually hot), a whitened coffee beverage, which has a foam on its upper surface, is formed; the beverage resembling, to a greater or lesser extent, traditional Italian cappuccino.
Of the two main components of the soluble coffee beverage product, the soluble whitener powder has shown to be the most problematic. In order to produce an acceptable beverage, little or no lumps should form upon dissolution. Unfortunately, dairy proteins are susceptible to flocculation in the presence of raised temperatures and acidic conditions; both of which are present upon dissolution of the soluble beverage powder. However, flocculation is one of the causes of the formation of lumps. Further, to closely resemble a traditional Italian cappuccino, a white, stable foam should form on the surface of the beverage. However, quite often the foam produced by soluble "cappuccino" powders is not white; instead it has a brownish color.
A soluble whitener powder of excellent stability and ability to foam is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,527. The soluble whitener powder described in this patent is made up of fats, lactic proteins, lactose and a stabilizer system. The ratio of lactic proteins to lactose must be in the range of 1:3.5 to 1:5 and the stabilizer system consists of a citrate salt and a phosphate salt. Carbohydrates other than lactose may also be present. To ensure foaming, the soluble whitener powder is subjected to gassing during spray drying so that the soluble whitener powder contains gas.
The soluble whitener powder described in this patent has been extremely successful commercially in that it produces an excellent, stable foam. However the foam produced may have a slight brownish color and consequently may not be as white as the foams of traditional Italian cappuccino.
Another soluble whitener powder intended for "cappuccino" products is described in European patent 0458310. The soluble whitener powder described in this patent is made up of dry skimmed milk solids, lactose, fats, caseinates and alkali phosphate. These components are mixed with water, pasteurized, homogenized, gassed with carbon dioxide or nitrogen and spray-dried. The powder is described to produce a good foam. It is also mentioned that, due to the use of skimmed milk concentrates, a whiter foam is produced. However, since hot water is added to a dry mix of the soluble coffee powder and the soluble whitener powder to form the beverage, some coffee solids will color the milk proteins forming the foam and give them a brown color. Consequently the beverage produced will have a brownish foam. Also flocculation of the dairy proteins and the formation of lumps may occur.
Therefore there is still a need for a soluble coffee beverage product which provides a stable, white foam upon a beverage formed by the addition of water.


A ligature and suture device for medical application that ligatures or sutures biomedical tissue that has been suctioned by a suction device using a suturing member. The ligature and suture device includes an insertion portion having a lumen into which an endoscope can be inserted, and a distal end portion that is connected to the lumen and in which at least one side aperture is provided, at least one hollow needle that is able to support inside itself the suturing member, and that is placed inside the insertion portion such that a tip of the hollow needle is able to move between a first position, which is on a base end side of the side aperture, and a second position, which is on a distal end side of the side aperture, an operating section that performs an operation to move the needle, and at least one pledget that can be penetrated by the needle, and that is placed in a vicinity of the distal end of the side aperture so as to be freely removable from the distal end portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a ligature and suture device for medical applications, to a ligature and suture system for medical applications, and to a ligaturing and suturing method for medical applications.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, various instruments have been proposed to suture body tissue using peroral endoscopy. For example, when treating gastroesophageal regurgitation, a ligature and suture device is known that is used to prevent the regurgitation of gastric acid by suturing the biomedical tissue so as to cause it to bulge and thereby forming an artificial valve (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).
The instrument described in Patent Document 1 is formed such that a suturing member in the form of a hollow needle body, that has a suture thread inserted inside it and that has a T-bar attached to a distal end thereof, performs suturing by being made to penetrate biomedical tissue from one direction, and then being pulled back so that the suture thread is inserted through the biomedical tissue, and the T-bar is anchored in the biomedical tissue.
According to this ligature and suture device for medical applications, because the distal end portion where the ligature treatment is carried out is connected by an elongated, narrow sheath to the operation portion by the hand of an expert operator, instead of sensing by hand the amount of force that is being applied to the tissue when the suture thread is being tightened by the operation section at the operator's hand in order to make the tissue bulge out, the expert operator performs the suturing while verifying the condition of the bulging tissue using an endoscope image.
Moreover, the instrument described in Patent Document 2 is formed such that needles that are penetrated by pledgets are made to approach each other from two directions so as to sandwich biomedical tissue, and the suture thread is inserted through the biomedical tissue.
Furthermore, in order to prevent the suture thread during a ligaturing treatment from biting into the tissue, a suturing member that is provided with a receiving plate member between a T-bar and a stopper that penetrates the suture thread on the operator's side of the T-bar, and also a suturing member that uses a flat T-bar have been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 3).
(Patent Document 1) Japanese Unexamined Patent Application, First Publication No. 2003-159254
(Patent Document 2) US Patent Application, Publication No. 2002/0040226A1
(Patent Document 3) US Patent Application, Publication No. 2003/0236535A1

Ligature and suture device for medical application, ligature and suture system for medical application, and ligaturing and suturing method for medical application


Provided are a centrifugal microfluidic device having a sample distribution structure and a centrifugal microfluidic system including the centrifugal microfluidic device. The centrifugal microfluidic device includes: a rotatable platform; a sample chamber which is disposed in the rotatable platform and houses a fluid sample; a distribution channel connected to an outlet of the sample chamber; a valve which is disposed in the outlet of the sample chamber; a plurality of non-vented reaction chambers which are disposed in the rotatable platform outside of the distribution channel in the radial direction; and a plurality of inlet channels connecting the distribution channel with the reaction chambers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a centrifugal microfluidic device and a centrifugal microfluidic system including the centrifugal microfluidic device, and more particularly, to a centrifugal microfluidic device that can distribute a sample to a plurality of non-vented chambers using one moving operation of the sample, and a centrifugal microfluidic system including the centrifugal microfluidic device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Generally, a microfluidic device has a structure including a chamber storing a minute amount of fluid, a channel through which the fluid flows, a valve for controlling the fluid flow, and various functional units receiving the fluid to perform predetermined operations. The functional units also have a basic structure including a chamber, a channel, or a valve, and can be configured in different combinations. A biochip is obtained by arranging such microfluidic device on a chip-type substrate and is used to analyze the performance of various assays including biologic reactions. In particular, a device that is designed to perform multiple step processes and manipulations using a single chip is referred to as a lab-on-a chip.
A driving pressure is generally required to transfer a fluid within a microfluidic device. A capillary pressure or a pressure generated by a specifically designed pump is used as the driving pressure. A lab compact disk (CD) or a lab-on a disk, based on the use of centrifugal force, has been recently developed as a microfluidic device by arranging microfluidic structures on a compact disk-shaped platform. However, in this case, a microfluidic structure is not fixed to a rotating frame, compared to the case of a lab-on-a chip where microfluidic structure is fixed to a bottom part. Additionally, fluid pumping using the centrifugal force is easy, however, an operation for controlling the fluid (e.g., individual driving of a valve or distribution of the fluid) is difficult.
In biochemical, biological, or medical applications where microfluidic devices are mainly used, it is necessary to distribute a sample (fluid) to a plurality of reaction chambers in order to simultaneously examine the reaction of the sample with respect to various reaction liquids. Such centrifugal microfluidic devices have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,591,643 and 5,518,930. However, there is still a need for a microfluidic device having a structure in which a sample can be effectively distributed as soon as possible without waiting for a movement of a fluid sample due to a capillary phenomenon or adding a resistance to the movement of the fluid.

Centrifugal microfluidic device having sample distribution structure and centrifugal microfluidic system including the centrifugal microfluidic device


A connecting mechanism for connecting an electronic device to a docking station includes a first socket, a first magnet, a fixing member, a first magnetic induction member, a first engaging member and a first driving member. The first socket is movably disposed in the electronic device and a first engaging recess is formed on a side of the first socket. The first magnet is disposed in the first socket. The fixing member is disposed on the docking station. The first magnetic induction member is disposed on the fixing member and corresponding to the first magnet. The first engaging member is movably disposed on the fixing member and has a first engaging portion. The first driving member is disposed between the fixing member and the first engaging member.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an electronic system and a connecting mechanism thereof and, more particularly, to a connecting mechanism capable of attaching/detaching an electronic device to/from a docking station rapidly and an electronic system equipped with the connecting mechanism.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As technology advances and develops, various electronic devices, such as a tablet computer, a mobile phone, a personal digital assistant, an electronic book, etc. have been considered a necessity by a lot of people in daily life. Furthermore, with development of touch technology, a touch panel has become a main tool for data input in the aforesaid electronic devices. However, if a user needs to input a larger number of letters, symbols and/or numerals (e.g. to keep account or trial balance) in a short time, the touch panel is more inconvenient than a keyboard for operation. So far a connecting port is installed on a bottom of an electronic device and used for connecting an external keyboard for the user to input letters, symbols and/or numerals. However, the aforesaid connecting manner is unstable, such that the external keyboard may come off the electronic device easily due to collision or pull-drag effect, and then that will persecute the user.

Electronic system and connecting mechanism thereof


A method of forming a field effect transistor relative to a monocrystalline silicon substrate, where the transistor has an elevated source and an elevated drain, includes: a) providing a transistor gate over the monocrystalline silicon substrate, the gate being encapsulated fin electrically insulative material; b) providing outer exposed monocrystalline silicon substrate surfaces adjacent the transistor gate; c) cleaning the outer exposed substrate surfaces to remove oxide and impurities therefrom; d) within a rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition reactor and after the cleaning step, chemical vapor depositing conductively doped non-polycrystalline silicon layer over the cleaned substrate surfaces adjacent the transistor gate, the non-polycrystalline silicon layer having an outer surface, the substrate not being exposed to oxidizing or contaminating conditions between the time of cleaning and the chemical vapor depositing; and e) after chemical vapor depositing, exposing the doped non-polycrystalline silicon layer to high temperature annealing conditions effective to, i) produce doped monocrystalline silicon extending outwardly from the substrate surface, and ii) produce doped polycrystalline silicon extending inwardly from the outer surface; the doped monocrystalline silicon and doped polycrystalline silicon joining at an interface which is displaced elevationally outward of the substrate surfaces. A field effect transistor is also claimed.

Field effect transistors are comprised of a pair of diffusion regions, referred to as a source and a drain, spaced apart within a semiconductive substrate. Such include a gate provided adjacent the separation region and between the diffusion regions for imparting an electric field to enable current to flow between the diffusion regions. The substrate material adjacent the gate and between the diffusion regions is referred to as the channel. The semiconductive substrate typically comprises a bulk monocrystalline silicon substrate having a light conductivity dopant impurity concentration. Alternately, the substrate can be provided in the form of a thin layer of lightly doped semiconductive material over an underlying insulating layer. Such are commonly referred to as semiconductor-on-insulator (SOI) constructions.
Integrated circuitry fabrication technology continues to strive to increase circuit density, and thereby minimize the size and channel lengths of field effect transistors. Improvements in technology have resulted in reduction of field effect transistor size from long-channel devices (i.e., channel lengths typically greater than 2 microns) to short-channel devices (i.e., channel lengths typically less than 2 microns).
As field effect transistor channel lengths (i.e., gate widths) became smaller than about 3 microns, so-called short channel effects began to become increasingly significant As a result, device design and consequently process technology had to be modified to take these effects into account so that optimum device performance could continue to be obtained. For example, as device dimensions are reduced and the supply voltage remains constant, the lateral electric field generated within the substrate increases. If the field becomes strong enough, it can give rise to so-called hot carrier effects. This becomes a significant problem with channel lengths smaller than 1.5 microns. Hot-carrier effects cause unacceptable performance degradation in n-type transistor devices built with conventional drain structures if their channel lengths are less than 2 microns.
A preferred method of overcoming this problem is to provide lightly doped drain (LDD) regions within the substrate relative to the channel region in advance of the source and drain regions. The LDD regions are provided to be lighter conductively doped (i.e., less concentration) than the source and drain regions. This facilitates sharing of the voltage drop by the drain in the channel, as opposed to the stark voltage drop at the channel occurring in non-LDD n-type transistors. The LDD regions absorb some of the voltage drop potential into the drain, thus reducing hot carrier effects. As a result, the stability of the device is increased.
However, further shrinking of the gate width (i.e., shorter channel length) makes the LDD region of a conventional transistor less effective. For example, shorter channel lengths require the LDD length to be reduced to ensure sufficient semiconductive material between the diffusion regions to prevent conductance when the gate voltage is off. One way of attending to such problems is to displace the predominant portion of the source and drain regions outwardly away from the substrate by elevating them. For example, a thin (e.g., 200 nm) epitaxial layer of monocrystalline silicon can be selectively grown from exposed monocrystalline source and drain substrate areas within an epi reactor, and provided with sufficiently high conductivity doping to effectively provide source and drain regions. The lighter doped LDD regions can be provided within the substrate immediately below the elevated source and drain. Thus, a channel of sufficient length is effectively provided despite the smaller width gate. The resulting transistor has significantly reduced short channel effects.
Epitaxial monocrystalline silicon in the prior art is provided by chemical vapor deposition in a reactor specifically designed for epitaxial silicon deposition, in a slow, costly and complicated process. It would be desirable to develop improved and alternate methods of providing monocrystalline silicon without using such specifically dedicated reactors.

Semiconductor constructions comprising electrically conductive plugs having monocrystalline and polycrystalline silicon


There is provided a film measuring device capable of accurately and easily measuring the thickness of a microporous film formed on a battery electrode plate over the entire area of the film. A color CCD sensor 8 shoots the microporous film. A video board 11 converts a color tone of a color image signal obtained by the image pickup into gradation data of respective color components of RGB. After the data conversion, an image processing board 12 extracts line images of the respective color components. A calculator 14 obtains the thickness of the microporous film by referring to pre-measured film thickness reference values corresponding to the gradation data of the green or blue color component, which are stored in a table storage 13 as reference thickness table data, using the gradation data of the line image of the green color component or the blue color component as lookup data.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device and a method for measuring a thickness and a weight per unit area of a microporous film formed on an electrode plate for a battery, as well as a coater equipped with the film measuring device, and a coating method using the film measuring method.
2. Description of the Related Art
Heretofore, there has been used a technique of measuring the weight per unit area of a microporous film formed on an electrode plate for a battery, as disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H8(1996)-96806 (D1), for instance. In D1, a β-ray emitter and a detector are arranged as opposed to each other, with an electrode material being fed in a certain direction between the β-ray emitter and the detector. The β-ray emitter and the detector are moved in cooperation with each other in a width direction of a film to be measured, i.e. in a direction orthogonal to the feeding direction of the electrode material. During the movements of the β-ray emitter and the detector, the β-ray emitter emits β-rays, and the detector detects the amount of the β-rays transmitted through the electrode material. The weight per unit area of the microporous film is measured by comparing a detection result on the β-ray transmission with a reference transmission amount.
In the above arrangement, the measurement sites are only the positions where the β-ray emitter and the detector are moved, and accordingly, it is impossible to conduct the measurement for the entire area of the electrode material. Also, it is hazardous to handle β-rays. The installation condition for the β-ray emitter is constrained because a radioactive ray is used. Further, a qualified staff is required to operate the p-ray emitter, which hinders usability of the β-ray emitter. In addition, the β-ray emitter is expensive. Furthermore, since the microporous film is thin, a variation in β-ray transmission amount due to a thickness variation of the microporous film is significantly small. Also, the variation in β-ray transmission amount is smaller than a variation in β-ray transmission amount due to thickness variations of a metal sheet as a base member, and an active material layer, which makes the weight detection difficult. Further, even if a fluorescent X-ray is used in place of the β-ray, a variation in fluorescent X-ray transmission amount is significantly small, and an attenuation of the fluorescent X-ray in the air is significantly large, which also makes the weight detection difficult.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H8(1996)-309262 (D2) proposes a film thickness measuring device constructed such that: a UV ray is irradiated onto a surface of a golf ball coated with a clear coat made of a clear coating material containing a fluorescent brightening agent; secondary emission rays obtained by the UV ray irradiation are captured by a CCD camera; a contrast image is obtained by multilevel-processing the acquired image data; and the thickness of the coat is measured based on the contrast image.
It is, however, impossible to measure the film thickness, unless the film has a property responsive to a specific wavelength, even by modifying the art recited in D2 so as to measure the thickness of the film formed on the film-like or sheet-like base member.

Device and method for measuring microporous film on battery electrode plate, coater equipped with film measuring device, and coating method using film measuring method


A method for making a micro tip of an FED device includes the steps converting impurity layer regions into porous semiconductor layer regions by performing an anodic reaction using an HF aqueous solution as an electrolytic solution, oxidizing the porous silicon layer regions, and removing the oxidation layer by etching with HF aqueous solution. The shape of the fabricated micro tip is regular and precise, since the size and height of the micro tip are easily controlled. Hence, the size and direction of an electron beam emitted from the micro tip is regular, and a reliability of the FED device is enhanced.

Conventionally, an FED device is operated by a vacuum microelectronic technique which is based on an electron transmission in a vacuum condition. Since the FED device employs an FED phenomenon by a quantum dynamic tunneling, less electricity is consumed. The emitted current, which flows in a vacuum from a cathode, reaches up to tens of cm.sup.2, and the size of the FED device is only several .mu.m. Such a relationship allows a mass production using a semiconductor fabrication process and an integration with an electronic circuit.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view showing a cell, which is a main unit in a general FED device. As shown in this view, a plurality of columns of cathodes 2, which emits electrons, are arranged on a glass substrate 1. At the upper part of each cathode 2, micro tips 2a, each having a conical shape, are formed at a regular interval. When the cathode 2 is supplied with power, an electron beam is emitted upwardly from the points of each micro tip 2a in the vertical direction.
Gates 3 are arranged in an array to intersect with the cathodes 2 between each micro tip 2a of the cathodes 2. Insulating layers 4 are disposed between the cathodes 2 and the gates 3 at the intersecting sections thereof so that the cathodes 2 and the gates 3 are separated from each other. The gate 3 formed on the insulating layer 4 prevents an electron beam emitted from the point of the micro tip 2a from being diffused or being curved, and allows a regular and constant electron beam to go in the upper vertical direction. On the upper part of the gate 3, a spacer 5 is formed to surround a cell area, and has an opening in its center.
A fluorescent body 6, having a planar construction and a fluorescent material, is formed on the spacer 5 so as to cover the opening part of the spacer 5. An electron beam emitted from the micro tip 2a collides with the fluorescent body 6, causing the fluorescent material to become excited and emit light by fluorescence. On the fluorescent body 6 is formed a transparent anode 7 having a planar construction, which is capable of transmitting light and inducing electrons to flow to the fluorescent body 6 by generating an electric field. The anode 7 is entirely covered with a glass substrate 8.
FIGS. 2A through 2C are cross-sectional views showing the fabrication method for a micro tip according to a conventional art. First, as shown in FIG. 2A, an oxide film 13 is formed by a oxidation process on an n-type or a p-type silicon substrate 11. Next, as shown in FIG. 2B, an oxide film pattern related to the region for the formation of the micro tip 12 is formed on the oxide film by a photo etching process, and the substrate 11 is etched using the oxide film pattern as a mask.
The wet-etching of the substrate 11 is carried out with a solution including Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) as a base, and Hydrogen Peroxide (H.sub.2 O.sub.2) and Isopropyl Alcohol (CH.sub.3 CHOHCH.sub.3) mixed therewith. In this wet-etching process, the conical shape of the micro tip 12 is fabricated by using as a mask the oxide film 13 patterned by the photo etching process, employing an anisotropic etching characteristic of the above etching solutions, and controlling a concentration of the etching solutions and an etching time. The fabrication process is completed by stripping the oxide film 13 which remains on the points of the micro tips 12, by an etching process using Hydrogen Fluoride (HF).
The above-mentioned fabrication method of the conventional micro tip 12 includes forming the oxide film 13 on the silicon substrate 11, forming a pattern on the oxide film 13 by a photo etching process, forming a shape of the micro tip 12 by etching the silicon substrate 11 on which the oxide film 13 is formed with an etching solution having an anisotropic etching characteristic, and stripping the oxide film 13 which remains on the points of the micro tips 12.
The conventional micro tip fabricated by the above described steps is disadvantageous since the micro tip cannot be formed with a desired conical shape. For example, a central axis of a conical-shaped tip is not formed as a straight line, or a shape of the tip is formed as a polygon, not as a precise conical shape. In addition, since the height of each tip is formed irregularly and the distribution of the electric field is not regular, a screen image, in which an FED device is employed, is not formed clearly. As a result, the durability of the FED device is shortened, and it is difficult to control an etching ratio for forming a desirable shape of a micro tip.

Fabrication method of micro tip for field emission display device


A screw kneader for a plastic material in which a pair of longitudinal screws are rotatably mounted in respective bores for conveying plastic material through the kneader. The screws have spaced portions for advancing the plastic material from an inlet region to an outlet region and between the spaced portions is a section with reversed threads opposing plastic flow to effect mixing of the plastic material. The threads of the intermediate section are provided with openings to permit passage of up to 20% of said plastic material in the direction of advance. Transfer elements with helical threads connect opposite ends of the threads in the intermediate section with the threads of the inlet and outlet regions. The transfer elements of the two screws mutually engage one another to strip plastic material from one another and from the walls of the bores.

A screw kneader of this type is disclosed in DE-OS 15 54 761, wherein a cylindrical or spherical transfer segment is arranged between the threads in the mixing section and the threads in the inlet and outlet sections. The transfer segment has the disadvantage of producing build-up or accumulation of plastic material in the mixing section. The transfer of plastic material to and from the mixing section becomes discontinuous and consequently the residence time of the mixed material is non-uniform. The self-cleaning effect of the threads in the mixing section and the inlet and outlet sections is negated in the transfer segments and deposits of plastic material are formed which lead to a reduction in the quality of the mixed material. Mixing of additives with the basic plastic material is not provided.
Another multipurpose mixing and kneading apparatus, also operating continuously, is disclosed in DE OS 16 57 574 wherein the transfer segments have formed transfer surfaces arranged in a staggered manner with respect to the threads of the kneader so that a self-cleaning effect is also obtained in the transfer regions. This self-cleaning effect, however, has no effect on the walls of the bores in the housing, so that at least in this region so-called dead zones are formed. The transfer surfaces cooperate symmetrically in pairs and serve exclusively for the formation of kneading surfaces and thus for dispersive treatment of the mixed material by the introduction of shearing energy. Since flows of mixed material are not formed, any dispersion and distribution of the mixed material does not occur within the kneading apparatus. Hence, this apparatus is not suitable for the intermixing and homogeneous distribution of additive components.

Screw kneader for plastic material having a controlling mixing section


The present invention relates to a process for preparing piperidine derivative compounds of the formulae:

Terfenadine, 1-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-4-[4′-(α-hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1′-piperidinyl]-butanol is a non-sedating anti-histamine. It is reported to be a specific H1-receptor antagonist that is also devoid of any anticholingeric, anti-serotoninergic, and anti-adrenergic effects both in vitro and in vivo. See D. McTavish, K. L. Goa, M. Ferrill, Drugs, 1990, 39, 552; C. R. Kingsolving, N. L. Monroe, A. A. Carr, Pharmacologist, 1973, 15, 221; J. K. Woodward, N. L. Munro, Arzneim-Forsch, 1982, 32, 1154; K. V. Mann, K. J. Tietze, Clin. Pharm. 1989, 6, 331. A great deal of effort has been made investigating structure-activity relationships of terfenadine analogs, and this is reflected in the large number of U.S. patents disclosing this compound and related structures as follows:                U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,956 to Zivkovic        U.S. Pat. No. 3,806,526 to Carr, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 3,829,433 to Carr, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 3,862,173 to Carr, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 3,878,217 to Carr, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,276 to Duncan, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 3,931,197 to Carr, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 3,941,795 to Carr, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 3,946,022 to Carr, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 3,956,296 to Duncan, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,257 to Carr, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 4,742,175 to Fawcett, et. al.
In animal and human metabolic studies, terfenadine has been shown to undergo extensive hepatic first-pass metabolism, and after usual dosages it cannot be detected in plasma unless very sensitive assays are used. A specific hepatic cytochrome P-450 enzyme converts terfenadine to the major metabolite 4-[4-[4-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1-piperidinyl]-1-hydroxybutyl]-α-α-dimethylphenylacetic acid, also known as terfenadine carboxylic acid metabolite. This metabolite can be readily detected in plasma and is considered to be the active form of orally administered terfenadine.
Side effects reported with terfenadine are cardiac arrhythmias (ventricular tachyarrhythmias, torsades de points, ventricular fibrillation), sedation, GI distress, dry mouth, constipation and/or diarrhea. The most serious of these, and potentially life threatening, are cardiac arrhythmias, which are related to terfenadine's ability to prolong the cardiac QT interval, and are only reported in patients administered terfenadine with liver disease or who also take the antifungal drug ketoconazole or the antibiotic erythromycin. As a result of these adverse events, the FDA, in 1992, required terfenadine to include a warning label. Although OTC formulations of terfenadine are purportedly being developed, the potentially serious side effects seen in some patients will be a significant obstacle for regulatory approval.
Since cardiac side effects of terfenadine have been reported in patients with impaired liver function, as well as in patients also taking antibiotics known to suppress hepatic enzyme function, it was speculated that the cardiac side effects were due to accumulation of terfenadine and not due to accumulation of terfenadine carboxylic acid metabolite. Patch clamp studies in isolated feline ventricular myocytes support the contention that terfenadine, and not the carboxylic acid metabolite, is responsible for cardiac side effects. At a concentration of 1 μM, terfenadine caused a greater than 90% inhibition of the delayed rectifier potassium current. At concentrations up to 5 μM, the terfenadine carboxylic acid metabolite had no significant effect on the potassium current in this assay (See R. L. Woosley, Y. Chen, J. P. Frieman, and R. A. Gillis, JAMA 1993, 269, 1532). Since inhibition of ion transport has been linked to cardiac abnormalities such as arrhythmias, these results indicate that terfenadine carboxylic acid is likely not liable to cause cardiac arrhythmias, at dose levels at which there is a distinct risk of such a side effect being caused by terfenadine itself.
Carebastine, 4-[4-[4-(diphenylmethoxy)-1-piperidinyl]-1-oxobutyl]-α,α-dimethylphenylacetic acid, is the carboxylic acid metabolite of ebastine, 1-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-4-[4′-(α-diphenylmethoxy)-1′-piperidinyl]-butanol. Both compounds possess potent selective histamine H1-receptor blocking and calcium antagonist properties and should prove useful in the treatment of a variety of respiratory, allergic, and cardiovascular disease states.
These compounds relax bronchial and vascular smooth muscle in vitro and in vivo and inhibit the constrictor influence of noradrenaline, potassium ions, and various other agonist drugs. The compounds also inhibit responses of intestinal and tracheal preparations to histamine, acetylcholine, and barium chloride and block the bronchoconstriction induced by histamine aerosol in guinea pigs in doses less than 1 mg/kg animal body weight administered orally. They also possess antianaphylactin properties in the rat, inhibit the skin lesions to a variety of anaphylactic mediators (histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, bradykinin, LCD4, etc.), and antagonize the Schultz-Dale response in the sensitive guinea-pig.
Piperidine derivatives related to the terfenadine carboxylic acid metabolite are disclosed in the following U.S. patents:                U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,129 to Carr, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,130 to Carr, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,957 to Carr, et. al.        U.S. Pat. No. 4,285,958 to Carr, et. al.In these patents, 4-[4-[4-(hydroxydiphenylmethyl)-1-piperidinyl]-1-hydroxybutyl]-α,α-dimethylbenzeneacetic acid and related compounds are prepared by alkylation of a substituted piperidine derivative of the formula:
with an ω-haloalkyl substituted phenyl ketone of the formula:
wherein the substituents halo, R1, R2, n, Z, and R6 are described in column 6 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,130.
In similar fashion, U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,116 to Soto et al. describes preparation of piperidine derivatives related to carebastine by reacting the ω-haloalkyl substituted phenyl ketone with a substituted hydroxypiperidine derivative of the formula:

U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,130 indicates that ω-haloalkyl substituted phenyl ketones, wherein Z is hydrogen, are prepared by reacting an appropriate straight or branched lower alkyl C1-6 ester of α-α-dimethylphenylacetic acid with a compound of the following formula:
under the general conditions of a Friedel-Crafts acylation, wherein halo and m are described in column 11 of U.S. Pat. No. 4,254,129. The reaction is carried out in carbon disulfide as the preferred solvent.
Other procedures for producing terfenadine carboxylic acid metabolite are disclosed in PCT Application Nos. WO95/00482, WO94/03170, and WO95/00480.
The present invention is directed toward an improved process for preparation of terfenadine carboxylic acid metabolite and carebastine.

Process for production of piperidine derivatives

Abstract: wherein                    n is 0 or 1;            R1 is hydrogen or hydroxy;            R2 is hydrogen;            or, when n is 0, R1 and R2 taken together form a second bond between the carbon atoms bearing R1 and R2, provided that when n is 1, R1 and R2 are each hydrogen;            R3 is —COOH or —COOR4;            R4 is an alkyl or aryl moiety;            A, B, and D are the substituents of their rings, each of which may be different or the same, and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogens, alkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, and other substituents,The process comprises providing a regiosomer of the following formula:

Abstract: m is an integer from 1 to 6;        Q and Y are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of O, S, and NR5;        G1, G2, and G3 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of OR8, SR8, and NR8R9;        R6 and R7 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl moiety, an aryl moiety, OR8, SR8, and NR8R9; and        R5, R8, and R9 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, an alkyl moiety, and an aryl moietyand converting the regioisomer to the piperidine derivative compound with a piperidine compound.


A semiconductor device formed by an automated wire bonding system. The semiconductor device comprises a lead frame having a plurality of lead fingers and a die paddle, and a semiconductor die mounted to the die paddle. The die paddle comprises a plurality of eyepoint features that extend from the die. The die comprises a first plurality of bonding pads and the lead fingers comprise a second plurality of bonding pads. The first and second bonding pads are interconnected by a plurality of connecting wires which are installed by the automated wire bonding system. The wire bonding system obtains an image of the lead frame and identifies the eyepoint features of the die paddle within the image so as to more accurately determine the positions of the second wire bonding pads of the lead frame with respect to the wire bonding system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to semiconductor devices and, in particular, relates to a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor die having a first plurality of bonding pads, and a lead frame having a second plurality of bonding pads, wherein the first bonding pads are connected to the second bonding pads by an automated wire bonding system.
2. Description of the Related Art
Advances in semiconductor processing methods continually provide modular semiconductor devices with increased circuit density and, thus, increased functionality. As a result, such devices are formed with reduced packaging sizes having increased numbers of conducting paths extending therefrom. Consequently, the problems associated with providing electrical connection to such devices are becoming increasingly apparent as will now be described in greater detail.
The typical semiconductor device comprises an extremely small semiconductor die encapsulated within a protective packaging material. In particular, the semiconductor die comprises electronic circuitry formed in a high density configuration. Such semiconductor dice include a plurality of circuit elements, such as transistors, diodes, resistors and capacitors, having sub-micron level dimensions. Furthermore, the circuit elements are electrically interconnected within the die in a preferred manner so as to provide the semiconductor die with a desired set of performance characteristics.
The typical semiconductor die is usually provided with a first plurality of wire bonding surfaces, otherwise referred to hereinbelow as bonding pads. In particular, the bonding pads are adapted to bond with first ends of a plurality of interconnecting conducting wires so that the first ends of the conducting wires are mechanically and electrically coupled to the first bonding pads. Additionally, the first bonding pads are arranged in a high density configuration on a surface of the die such that the pads are electrically coupled to specific circuit nodes within the die.
The typical semiconductor device further comprises a lead frame that provides the device with exposed leads that extend outside of the packaging material and that electrically couple with the circuit nodes of the encapsulated die. In particular, the lead frame usually includes a die mounting platform, otherwise known as a die paddle, which is adapted to fixedly support the die with respect to the lead frame. The lead frame of the typical semiconductor device further comprises a plurality of lead fingers which are disposed in a generally radial pattern around the die paddle so that the die mounted on the die paddle and the lead fingers are initially disposed in a generally common plane. Moreover, the lead fingers outwardly extend from first ends positioned at the interior of the packaging material adjacent the die paddle to second ends positioned at the exterior of the packaging material. Furthermore, a second plurality of bonding pads akin to the first bonding pads are usually located at the first ends of the lead fingers. Moreover, as will be described in greater detail below, the conducting wires are attached between the first and second bonding pads in a wire bonding process so as to electrically couple the first pads with the second pads.
Following the wire bonding process, the die is encapsulated within the packaging material which is typically formed with a rectangular shape. Furthermore, in addition to encapsulating the die, the packaging material also encapsulates the die paddle and the first ends of the lead fingers of the lead frame. However, the second ends of the lead fingers are positioned outside of the packaging material so that they are the exposed leads of the semiconductor device. Moreover, the exposed leads are typically bent so that each lead is positioned adjacent an exterior surface of the packaging material in a flush manner and so that the leads do not contact each other. Thus, since the conducting wires electrically couple the first and second bonding pads, the exposed leads are electrically coupled with the circuit nodes of the die.
Usually, each of the interconnecting conducting wires extending between the lead frame and the die are sequentially installed by an automated wire bonding system prior to encapsulation of the die. In particular, the typical wire bonding system is adapted to position the first end of a particular conducting wires adjacent the corresponding first bonding pad of the die in a flush manner. The wire bonding system is also adapted to bond the first end of the conducting wire to the corresponding first bonding pad so that the first end is fixedly attached thereto. Furthermore, the wire bonding system is adapted to position the second end of the conducting wires adjacent the corresponding second bonding pad of the lead frame in a flush manner and subsequently bond the second end thereto.
To determine the relative positions of the first and second bonding pads with respect to the wire bonding system, the typical automated wire bonding system utilizes an imaging device to obtain a digitized image of the lead frame having the die mounted thereto. In particular, the image is scanned by a processor which attempts to identify particular features of the die and lead frame. More particularly, the relative positions of the first bonding pads are determined by locating the die within the image. Furthermore, the positions of the second bonding pads of the lead frame are usually determined by identifying and locating the first end of at least one of the lead fingers of the lead frame within the image as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,106 to Fogal. Moreover, since the first ends of the lead fingers are fixedly positioned with respect to each other in a predefined manner, the positions of the remaining second bonding pads are determined by referencing the position of the first end of the at least one identified lead finger.
However, with the advent of increased circuit density, lead frames are required to accommodate greater numbers of lead fingers in higher density configurations. In particular, the increased density of the lead fingers requires their first ends and, thus, the second bonding pads formed thereon to be formed with reduced dimensions. Consequently, since it is generally not practical to provide relatively small bonding pads with a distinctive shape, the first ends of the lead fingers are often formed with nearly identical geometries. Thus, it is becoming increasingly difficult to correctly distinguish the first ends of the lead fingers of the lead frame from each other. As a result, automated wire bonding systems are increasingly having difficulties in identifying the lead fingers to connect the appropriate wirebonds.
For example, while attempting to identify the first end of the first lead finger of a high density lead frame, it is possible that the typical wire bonding system could mistakenly identify the first end of a neighboring second lead finger having a geometry similar to that of the first lead finger. Thus, the position of the first end of the first lead finger will be incorrectly determined. Furthermore, since the wire bonding system uses the position of the first end of the first lead finger to determine the positions of the first ends of the remaining lead fingers, the wire bonding system will incorrectly determine the positions of the first ends of the remaining lead fingers. Consequently, since the wire bonding system is unable to properly connect the first and second bonding pads together, the semiconductor device will not provide the desired electrical characteristics.
Another shortcoming of prior art wire bonding systems is that they utilize lead frames that provide an insufficient indication of the orientation of the lead frame. In particular, it is possible for the lead frame to be mistakenly oriented within the wire bonding system in a rotated manner such that the lead frame is rotated by 180 degrees about an axis that extends perpendicularly from the plane of the lead frame. Since the lead frame is often formed in a symmetrical manner with respect to such a rotation, this problem may be overlooked by an observer responsible for visually inspecting the orientation of the lead frame. Moreover, since the typical lead frame comprises a symmetrical shape with respect to the 180 degree rotation, the wire bonding system may not identify the incorrect orientation of the lead frame. Consequently, since the first bonding pads are often disposed on the die in an asymmetrical manner and since the interconnecting wires are often installed with an asymmetrical configuration, it is likely that considerable time and materials will be wasted by the wire bonding system in a futile attempt to electrically couple the die with the lead frame. Thus, since semiconductor devices formed in this manner lack the appropriate conducting paths that extend from the exposed leads, this problem results in increased failure rates, reduced production yields and increased production costs.
From the foregoing, therefore, it will be appreciated that there is a need for an improved automated wire bonding system. In particular, there is a need for the improved system to more reliably provide a high density semiconductor device with correctly extending conducting paths between exposed leads of a lead frame of the device to appropriate circuit nodes within an encapsulated semiconductor die of the device. Furthermore, there is a need for the system to utilize a lead frame that allows a user to more easily identify whether the lead frame is correctly oriented within the wire bonding system.

Alignment and orientation features for a semiconductor package


A wheel skid having an arcuate base for facilitating mobility of a vehicle on terrain where wheels ordinarily sink into the terrain, and/or otherwise become directed in a direction other than the desired direction of travel of such vehicles, and where wheeled transportation is otherwise difficult or impossible, and hazardous. The wheel skid has an arcuate base having a slot, a wheel assembly having a wheel, the slot having the wheel of the wheel assembly protruding therethrough, and a fastener fastening the wheel assembly thereto the wheel skid. The wheel skid may be supplied as a complete unit and/or as an accessory skid for retrofit installations.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wheels and more particularly to all terrain wheels and skids.
2. Background Art
Wheel chairs which are generally propelled by an occupant, and which may be pushed from behind, and other manually propelled vehicles and the like, such as strollers, shopping carts, and wheel barrows are often used on pavement, man made floors, and the like. Such pavement, man made floors, and the like are often constructed to facilitate wheeled transportation.
Once an attempt is made to propel and manipulate such vehicles on terrain where the vehicle's wheels sink into the terrain and/or on terrain other than that specifically designed and constructed for wheeled transportation, propulsion, manipulation, and maneuvering on such terrain becomes extremely difficult and hazardous, the wheels often becoming directed in a direction other than the desired direction of movement of such vehicles. Propulsion, manipulation, and maneuvering of a wheel chair by an occupant on such terrain as sand, snow, ice, and mud often becomes extremely difficult, and often virtually impossible requiring extreme strength and physical dexterity to propel the wheel chair, manipulate, maneuver, and prevent the wheel chair from tipping over. Such physical strength and manipulative ability may also be required to push and maneuver a stroller, shopping cart, wheel barrow and the like over sand, snow, ice, and mud and may be hazardous to an occupant, such as a small child, or items in such vehicles, and hazardous to the individual propelling such vehicle.
Snow and ice conditions, mud and sand, in particular, are often unavoidable in daily life situations for a disabled person having a wheel chair as his or her sole source of mobility and transportation, and to a parent or individual responsible for pushing a child in a stroller. Each of these situations is difficult and hazardous to the person propelling, manipulating, and maneuvering the vehicle, but likewise to the occupant, if they are not one in the same, and often to other individuals in the vicinity. The individual propelling and guiding such vehicle may not and often does not have the physical prowess, manipulative ability, and physical dexterity to successfully negotiate such vehicle safely, if at all, under such adverse conditions. Similar problems exist for users of shopping carts, wheel barrows, and the like, and motorized and engine driven vehicles, as well.
There is a need for a simple, easy to use, easy to install and remove, portable, light weight, low cost, safe, attractive, and durable device to facilitate mobility, propulsion, manipulation, and maneuvering of manually propelled vehicles and the like, such as wheel chairs, strollers, shopping carts, and wheel barrows, as well as motorized and engine driven vehicles on difficult terrain. Such a device should improve handling and personal safety for an individual propelling such vehicles, occupants of such vehicles, and individuals in the vicinity of such vehicles. The device should be capable of use on snow, sand, ice, mud and other terrain, and the like, where wheels ordinarily sink into the terrain, and/or otherwise become directed in a direction other than the desired direction of travel of such vehicles, and make wheeled transportation otherwise difficult or impossible, and hazardous, and be easy to use. The device should be of simple construction, easy to manufacture, and easily installable as a retrofit on existing vehicles or in new installations during construction and fabrication of such vehicles, adjustable and installable for different wheel sizes and on different types of vehicles.
Different wheels and skis have heretofore been known. However, none of the wheels and skis adequately satisfies these aforementioned needs.
Different wheel chair devices have been disclosed for use on difficult terrain.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,837 (Zuckerbrod) discloses a portable track device for a wheel chair for travel across difficult terrain, such as a sandy beach, which includes at least two track sections which can be coupled removably to each other. Each track section has a bottom channel between a right side wall and a left side wall, with a reinforcement rod in each side wall and with transverse supports located in a bottom channel. Each track section is equal to, or greater than, the length of the wheelchair.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,470 (Genaw et al) discloses a snow chain kit for drive wheels of a wheel chair having a number of pairs of attachment strips for each wheel and a traction strap for each pair of strips, each of the straps having a plurality of chains for providing traction on ice or snow and each pair of strips being mounted on opposite sides of the wheels, with the straps wrapped around a tire and being attached to one pair of strips.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,116,067 (Johnson) discloses a wheel chair having a support structure that can be adapted to attach standard wheel chair wheels for providing mobility and allowing interchangeability of accessories to change the support structure for sporting events, such as water and snow skiing. The wheel chair has a frame and sockets to replace attachable wheels with water and snow skis.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,141,566 (Banes et al) discloses a sled frame for releasable attachment of a wheel chair. The sled frame has a body portion supporting a pair of laterally spaced, horizontally disposed support members which, in turn, are sized to be disposed between the wheels of a wheel chair to support the frame of the wheel chair on the sled. The support members are each provided with a plurality of locking devices which releasably engage the frame of the wheel chair to securely lock the wheel chair to the sled.
French Patent No. FR 2655273 (Massarotti and Roux) discloses a wheel chair held on a pair of skis having raised tips at each end of the skis and U shaped fixtures to hold the wheel chair's wheels.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,390 (Haskins) discloses a wheel chair having a foldable frame with an interlinked system of parallelogram linkages which can be readily collapsed for travel and to provide access to otherwise restricted areas.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,253,825 (Christian) discloses an aircraft ski for attachment to an axle of a ground wheel of an aircraft having a pair of rams to move the ski upward and downward from a retracted position to a deployed position.
For the foregoing reasons, there is a need for a simple, easy to use, easy to install and remove, portable, light weight, low cost, safe, attractive, and durable device to facilitate mobility, propulsion, manipulation, and maneuvering of manually propelled vehicles and the like, such as wheel chairs, strollers, shopping carts, and wheel barrows, as well as motorized and engine driven vehicles on difficult terrain. Such a device should improve handling and personal safety for an individual propelling such vehicles, occupants of such vehicles, and individuals in the vicinity of such vehicles.
The device should be capable of use on snow, sand, ice, mud and other terrain, and the like, where wheels ordinarily sink into the terrain, and/or otherwise become directed in a direction other than the desired direction of travel of such vehicles, and make wheeled transportation otherwise difficult or impossible, and hazardous, and be easy to use. The device should be of simple construction, easy to manufacture, and easily installable as a retrofit on existing vehicles or in new installations during construction and fabrication of such vehicles, adjustable and installable for different wheel sizes and on different types of vehicles.


In an optical fiber ribbon 1 according to the present invention, four optical fibers 10, 20, 30 and 40 are arranged in parallel to each other in a plane, a part of the periphery of these four optical fibers is covered with a ribbon matrix 51, but no rest thereof is covered with the ribbon matrix. First areas covered with the ribbon matrix 51 and second areas uncovered with the ribbon matrix alternate with each other along the longitudinal direction thereof. Alternatively, the optical fiber ribbon 1 is covered with the ribbon matrix over its entire length. In the glass section of each optical fibers, the mode field diameter defined by the definition of Petermann-I at a wavelength of 1.55 μm is 8 μm or less, and the cable cutoff wavelength is 1.26 μm or less.

The optical fiber ribbon is comprised of a plurality of optical fibers, wherein the plurality of optical fibers are placed in parallel in juxtaposition with each other and covered with a ribbon matrix. When the optical fiber ribbon as described above is employed, the separation of a single optical fiber is performed at the end of the optical fiber ribbon, with respect to each optical fiber whereupon the front end of each optical fiber is connected to an optical connector. By means of the optical connector, there takes place input or output of a signal light for each optical fiber.
For example, in optical fiber ribbons disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. S61-185008 and Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication No. H4-75304, the periphery of a plurality of optical fibers arranged in parallel to each other is not entirely covered with a ribbon matrix, whereas only a part of the periphery is covered with a ribbon matrix and no rest thereof is covered with the ribbon matrix. Such an arrangement of the optical fiber ribbon as described above enables to facilitate performing the separation of a single optical fiber.
Meanwhile, there may happen to occur some situations that necessitate a separation of a single optical fiber at a midway portion instead of same separation at the end portion of the optical fiber ribbon. In this case, even in case of an optical fiber ribbon having the arrangement disclosed in the above publications, it is necessary to use a special tool for the sake of the separation of a single optical fiber at the midway portion.
However, there are some circumstances, under which there are already kept utilised one or more among the plurality of optical fibers incorporated in the optical fiber ribbon for communication purposes. Under such circumstances, supposing the separation of a single optical fiber is performed at a midway portion, fingers may touch an optical fiber in use, or an optical fiber in use may be sharply bent using a tool, whereby the loss pertaining to the optical fiber in use may temporarily increase. Such increase in the loss may exert any adverse influence upon the communication employing the optical fiber.


An apparatus for entering a flight plan into an aircraft navigation system, the apparatus comprising: an acoustic sampler adapted for sampling a microphone signal and generating an acoustic signal; a waypoint identifier adapted for generating an identified waypoint from the acoustic signal and the flight plan; and a navigation interface adapted for incorporating the identified waypoint into the flight plan and for transmitting and receiving navigation data to and from the aircraft navigation system.

The present invention relates generally to the field of speech recognition and more specifically to the use of speech recognition to enter a flight plan into an aircraft navigation system.
Recent advances in navigation devices for General Aviation (GA) aircraft have allowed these devices to convey a great deal of valuable information to the pilot. These devices share a common weakness, however, in their ability to accept detailed information back from the pilot. This weakness is particularly acute with regard to the entry of waypoints for a typical instrument flight plan.
In typical current designs, panel space restrictions have forced avionics designers to use concentric knobs for waypoint identifier entry. Current procedures for entering a flight plan entail rotating a knob through the entire alpha-numeric alphabet for each character in each waypoint. For complex flight plans, such procedures are cumbersome and time consuming and significantly interfere with the pilot's need to scan instrument gauges, maintain visual separation from other aircraft, and attend to other critical tasks.
Opportunities exist, therefore, to improve safety and efficiency in the piloting of GA aircraft by providing a speech recognition interface for entering a flight plan into the aircraft navigation system.

Method and apparatus for entering a flight plan into an aircraft navigation system