A method of magnetic resonance analysis of at least one type of molecules present in a solvent, the method comprises (a) applying a first radiofrequency pulse sequence selected so as to initially select a coherence of an order n for the at least one type of molecules in the solvent, wherein n is zero, a positive or a negative integer other than ±1, and thereafter to select an exclusive excitation of the at least one type of molecules in the solvent; (b) measuring at least one magnetic resonance parameter of the solvent; and (c) using the at least one magnetic resonance parameter of the solvent for calculating at least one magnetic resonance parameter of the at least one molecule.

The present invention relates to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and, more particularly, to a method of selective excitation so as to improve contrast in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of, for example, connective and other tissues.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a method to obtain an image representing the chemical and physical microscopic properties of materials, by utilizing a quantum mechanical phenomenon, named Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), in which a system of spins, placed in a magnetic field resonantly absorb energy, when applied with a certain frequency.
A nucleus can experience NMR only if its nuclear spin I does not vanish, i.e., the nucleus has at least one unpaired nucleon. Examples of non-zero spin nuclei frequently used in MRI include 1H (I=½), 2H (I=1), 23Na (I= 3/2), etc. When placed in a magnetic field, a nucleus having a spin I is allowed to be in a discrete set of energy levels, the number of which is determined by I, and the separation of which is determined by the gyromagnetic ratio of the nucleus and by the magnetic field. Under the influence of a small perturbation, manifested as a radiofrequency magnetic field, which rotates about the direction of a primary static magnetic field, the nucleus has a time dependent probability to experience a transition from one energy level to another. With a specific frequency of the rotating magnetic field, the transition probability may reach the value of unity. Hence at certain times, a transition is forced on the nucleus, even though the rotating magnetic field may be of small magnitude relative to the primary magnetic field. For an ensemble of spin I nuclei the transitions are realized through a change in the overall magnetization.
Once a change in the magnetization occurs, a system of spins tends to restore its magnetization longitudinal equilibrium value, by the thermodynamic principle of minimal energy. The time constant which control the elapsed time for the system to return to the equilibrium value is called "spin-lattice relaxation time" or "longitudinal relaxation time" and is denoted T1. An additional time constant, T2 (≦T1), called "spin-spin relaxation time" or "transverse relaxation time", controls the elapsed time in which the transverse magnetization diminishes, by the principle of maximal entropy. However, inter-molecule interactions and local variations in the value of the static magnetic field, alter the value of T2, to an actual value denoted T2*.
In MRI, a static magnetic field having a predetermined gradient is applied on an object, thereby creating, at each region of the object, a unique magnetic field. By detecting the NMR signal, knowing the magnetic field gradient, the position of each region of the object can be imaged.
In MRI, pulse sequences are applied to the object (e.g., a patient) to generate NMR signals and obtain information therefrom which is subsequently used to reconstruct images of the object. The above mentioned relaxation times and the density distribution of the nuclear spin are properties which vary from one normal tissue to the next, and from one diseased tissue to the next. These quantities are therefore responsible for contrast between tissues in various imaging techniques, hence permitting image segmentation.
A common characteristic for all of these techniques is that the properties of water molecules are measured, which properties are indirectly dependent on interaction with macromolecules such as proteins.
Connective tissues, such as ligaments, tendons and cartilage appear in standard magnetic resonance (MR) images with low signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio (SNR) due to the water long T2 relaxation times. Images performed with short echo time (TE), result in a significant loss of contrast. In addition to the need to enhance the NMR signal of connective tissues, it is also important to increase the contrast between the different compartments within a specific tissue and between adjacent tissues.
A more modern method is the Magnetization Transfer Contrast (MTC) method [T. D. Scholz, R. F. Hyot, J. R. DeLeonardis, T. L. Ceckler, R. S. Balaban, Water-macromolecular proton magnetization transfer in infracted myocardium: a method to enhance magnetic resonance image contrast, Magn. Reson. Med 1995; 33:178-184; M. L. Gray, D. Burstein, L. M. Lesperance, L. Gehrke, Magnetization transfer in cartilage and its constituent macromolecules, Magn. Reson. Med. 1995; 34: 319-325; R. M. Henkelman, X. Huang, Q.-S. Xiang, G. J. Staniz, S. D. Swanson, M. J. Bronskill, Quantitative interpretation of magnetization transfer, Magn. Reson. Med. 1993; 29:759-766]. According to the MTC method, the contrast between tissues is increased by physical means rather than chemical means. For this technique to be effective, there must be at least two spin systems in the imaged anatomy which are capable of exchanging energy between themselves and one of the systems must have a transverse relaxation time which is shorter than that of the other system. A typical example for such two spin systems is protein, with a short T2, and water with a long T2.
Due to the inverse relationship between T2 and the NMR spectral linewidth, a broad peak would be observed from the protein and a narrow peak would be observed from the water, had the two systems been imaged separately. However, when these systems are analyzed simultaneously, the signal from the protein spread out over the entire image and will not be visible. According to the MTC method, an appropriate pulse sequence is applied so as to saturate the protein spin system and not the water. Consequently, water molecules being in contact with the protein are capable of exchanging magnetization with the protein. Hence, saturating the protein ensures contrast between water being in contact with the protein and water being far from the protein.
Although MTC is a method which is more directly dependent on the nature of the proteins, it has two major drawbacks. First, in MTC signals indicating magnetization transfer from the protein to the water are entangled with signals indicating direct excitation of the water molecules. Secondly, the long time scale in MTC prevents independent measurement of the protein relaxation time T2, and of intramolecular processes within the proteins, such as spin diffusion.
Other methods developed to meet the above requirements of contrast increment, include heavily T1 weighted imaging [R. J. Scheck, A. Romagnolo, R. Hiemer, T. Pfluger, K. Wilhelm, K. Hahn, The carpal ligaments in MR arthrography of the wrist: correlation with standard MRI and wrist arthroscopy, J. Magn. Reson. Imag. 1999; 9:468-474], fat suppression [C. G. Peterfy, S. Majumdar, P. Lang, C. F. van Dijke, K. Sack, H. K. Ganant, MR Imaging of the arthritic knee: improved discrimination of cartilage, synovium, and effusion with pulsed saturation transfer and fat-suppressed T1-weighted sequences, Radiology 1994; 191:413-419], diffusion weighted imaging [Y. Xia, T. Farquhar, N. Burton-Wurster, E. Ray, L. Jelinski, Diffusion and relaxation mapping of cartilage-bone plugs and excised disk using micromagnetic resonance imaging, Magn. Reson. Med. 1994; 31:273-282] and projection reconstruction techniques that achieve much shorter echo time than conventional methods [G. E. Gold, J. M. Pauly, A. Macovsky, R. J. Herfkens, MR spectroscopic imaging of collagen: tendons and knee menisci, Magn. Reson. Med. 1995; 34:647-654].
Another way to obtain contrast, with specific enhancement for ordered tissues, such as articular cartilage and tendons, is Double Quantum Filter [Tsoref, H. Shinar, Y. Seo, U. Eliav, G. Navon, Proton Double Quantum Filtered MRI—A New Method for Imaging Ordered Tissues, Magn. Reson. Med. 1998; 40:720-726; U. Eliav and G. Navon, A Study of Dipolar Interactions and Dynamic Processes of Water Molecules in Tendon by 1H and 2H Homonuclear and Hetronuclear Multiple-Quantum-Filtered NMR Spectroscopy, J. Magn. Reson. 1999; 137:295-310. This method is based on the residual intramolecular dipolar interaction in water molecules whose motion is restricted by the anisotropy induced by ordered proteins such as collagen fibers. The contrast in DQF MRI stems from the fact that only water molecules associated with ordered structures are detected, and signals originating from molecules in isotropic tissues are suppressed.
While these approaches do increase the MR signal of connective tissues and the contrast between connective and adjacent tissues, the results are not yet optimal for diagnostic purposes.
There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a method of magnetic resonance imaging devoid of the above limitations, including the observed signal reflecting to the first order water solvent properties, rather than those of proteins.

Method of selective excitation for improving contrast in magnetic resonance imaging


A ceiling lamp is disclosed including a first lamp, a second lamp, and an angle adjusting and locking device. The first lamp and the second lamp are arranged at an interval, and the second lamp and the first lamp are rotatable with respect to each other. The angle adjusting and locking device is connected with the first lamp and the second lamp, and the angle adjusting and locking device is configured for locking the first lamp and the second lamp after they are rotated with respect to each other.

A ceiling lamp is, for example, a ceiling mount lamp or a lamp suspended from a ceiling. Generally, due to a relatively fixed mounting position of the lamp, the lamp with relatively strong power is generally selected to meet a required luminosity. However, in practical application, there are different layouts of indoor appliances, for example, different products for sale have different requirements for the height and placement of shelves in shops. In this case, mounting an ordinary lamp may lead to strong luminosity in some areas and weak luminosity in some areas, so that the lamp has weak applicability, and cannot meet users' demand for indoor illumination.


A bi-directional optical scanning system includes a spring-stiffened, taut-band mechanical subsystem that translates rotational motion of a servo-controlled actuator to translational (scan line or "fast axis") motion of a sample relative to a stationary objective lens. A first taut steel band attaches to a first end of a shuttle that moves the sample over the fast axis. The band then wraps partially in one direction around a light-weight wheel that is rotated by the servo-controlled actuator. The second end of the band attaches to a pre-loaded spring that is, in turn, attached to the wheel. A second taut steel band wraps partially around the wheel in the opposite direction, with one end of the band attached to the wheel and the other end attached to a second end of the shuttle. When the wheel rotates in one direction, the first band pulls the shuttle, and thus, the sample, in the forward scan direction. When the wheel rotates in the opposite direction, the second band pulls the shuttle and the sample in the backward scan direction. As the wheel rotates, the first band fits into a slit in the second band where the two bands would otherwise overlap. Each band thus remains tightly wrapped around the wheel. The wrap angle associated with the overlay of the first band on the wheel is carefully chosen to ensure that the band does not slip relative to the wheel in response to forces associated with the acceleration of the sample or differences in thermal expansion of the wheel and the band. There is thus a known relationship between the rotational movement of the wheel and the translational movement of the sample even under varying environmental conditions.

There are essentially two types of optical scanners, namely, scanners that move scan heads and/or associated optics over stationary samples and scanners that move the samples relative to stationary scan heads and/or optics. What both types of scanners have in common is the need to accurately determine and/or predict the position of the moving part relative to the stationary part. We discuss scanners in the context of scanning laser microscopes below. The inventive system is not, however, limited to use as part of a scanning laser microscope.
A scanning laser microscope is an optical scanner that is used to examine fine details of small objects. For example, the scanning laser microscopes are used to examine fluorescence from chemically-tagged biological samples such as cells, proteins, genes and DNA sequences. The microscope collects data from successive "pixels," which are dimensioned in microns. The applications of interest here are best performed with microscopes with relatively wide fields.
Known wide-field scanning microscopes typically scan a laser beam over a stationary sample in a predetermined pattern that is commonly referred to as a raster scan. These microscopes must precisely align the optics in a moving scan head with the beam from a stationary laser or, alternatively, carry the laser on the moving scan. A stationary laser can be aligned with a moving scan head only at relatively low speeds, and thus, the scan speed of the system is essentially limited. The alternative system requires a relatively large scan head to carry the laser, and the size and weight of the scan head effectively limit the scan speed.
The known wide-field systems typically collect data when the laser beam is scanned in one direction (the forward direction) over the sample. As the beam moves across the sample in the forward scan direction, data is collected at selected pixel locations that span a target image. The beam is then swept over the sample in the backward direction, in what is commonly referred to as a "flyback" scan, during which data is not collected. The laser beam is then advanced and directed along a next forward scan, during which data is collected at the same selected pixel locations. The locations at which data is collected in each scan must align to well within a pixel, in order to avoid a skewing of the image data.
A uni-directional system has a short duty cycle, since data collection is restricted to less than one-half of the total scan travel. Certainly one way to decrease the sample scanning time is to collect data in both scan directions. However, to do this a system must compensate for the differences in the movement of the system between the two scan directions down to the sub-pixel level. One known bi-directional scanning system uses different grating, or position encoding, geometries for the forward and backward scans. This increases the complexity and the cost of the system. Further, such a system does not compensate for environmental factors such as differences in the thermal expansion of system parts, which may affect the movements in the two scan directions differently. These factors are important when the system must coordinate, in each direction, pixel locations that have a resolution of a small number of microns.
Another way to increase the system scan speed is to increase the rate at which the system moves the sample relative to the optics or vice versa. If bi-directional data collection is performed, compensation for the differences between the movements of the system in the two scan directions must be done quickly and accurately, to ensure that data is collected at corresponding pixel locations in each direction.

Bi-directional scanning system with a pixel clock system


A television telephone apparatus is coupled with a home-use large-screen TV receiver and a home-use telephone, and is connectable to another television telephone apparatus of a counter party via the home-use telephone and the public telephone network. The telephone television apparatus is equipped with a camera unit, so that both of an image produced by the camera unit, and an image transmitted from the television telephone apparatus of the counter party can be simultaneously displayed on the home-use large-screen TV receiver. While the handset of the home-use telephone is used to send/receive voice of operators, voice may be reproduced from the speaker of the home-use TV receiver. Both of an intermittent moving image having a standard image density and a still image having a relatively fine image density can be transmitted/received, so that the intermittent moving image and the still image can be simultaneously displayed on the screen of the home-use large-screen TV receiver.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a television telephone apparatus (so-called "TV phone") capable of transmitting/receiving an image via a telephone line. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a TV phone capable of transmitting voice data and image data related to a color intermittent still image.
2. Description of the Related Art
According to the recent development of highly information-oriented society, there is an increasing demand for communication media by which a vast amount of various types of information are transmitted quickly. To fulfill such a demand in Japan, the "analog telephone band still picture video communication system" was established in 1988 as a standard communication system to allow for communication of a monochromatic image between parties over a communication line. The standard was amended in 1989 to enable a color image as well as a monochromatic image can be exchanged. Various television telephone apparatuses (TV phones) which conform to those standards have been developed so far. The TV telephone apparatuses are expected to become popular because they enable visual information to be sent to cover voice-based information or explain what would otherwise be difficult to understand or visualize and because telephone communication is made possible while watching the caller's or receiver's expressions.
TV telephone apparatuses are classified by types of communication networks to be linked and the types of image and voice transmission functions. For example, some TV telephone apparatuses are connected to an analog public telephone line to transmit a monochromatic still picture or a color still picture, or to transmit a color dynamic image. The still-picture TV telephone apparatus, which is connected to an analog public telephone line to send a monochromatic still picture, employs a system for directly transmitting image data without compression. For monochromatic image data of 64 gray scales (6 bits) with one screen consisting of 100.times.160 pixels, for example, data of about 100.times.160.times.6=96000 bits (12 Kbytes) has been transmitted at a transfer rate of about 8740 bps (bit per second). This takes about 11 seconds to send one screen of image data.
Image data carries a large amount of information so that direct processing of image data is not practical in view of memory capacity, communication speed and so forth. As a solution, there has been proposed a color dynamic-image TV telephone apparatus which compresses image data and voice data to about 1/20 to 1/100 before transmission to thereby ensure transmission and reception of a dynamic image at a rate of two to ten frames per second using an analog telephone band.
As the compressed transmission of image data will transfer a considerable amount of data, a slight transmission delay will not affect the progression of telephone communication so much. Therefore, variable length coding (e.g., variable length coding system which conforms to H. 261 of the CCITT (Comite Consultatif International Telegraphique et Telephonique) regulations) is typically employed.
In compressed transmission of voice data, digitalization of voice data can compress the length of the average produced bits. Generally speaking, if entropy compression (e.g., Hoffman coding) which does not guarantee the maximum bit length is adapted for voice signals, a large transmission delay of voice signals occurs when voice signals are converted to a long bit length by the entropy compression. This would greatly affect the progression of telephone communication. In this respect, voice data is encoded with a fixed bit length before transmission.
TV telephone apparatuses which are connected to an analog communication network have a communication function to transmit/receive image data and voice data in multiplexed form. A communication protocol corresponding to the communication networks to be linked and a coding system for image data and voice data, which are affixed to a protocol-based communication signal for transmission/reception, are specified for each type of communication network by the CCITT regulations, etc.
The conventional TV telephone apparatuses generally are arranged with telephones, cameras, and display units in an integral form, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,784. Accordingly, since the size of the display unit should be made small, when a plurality of images are simultaneously displayed on the plural subdivided screens, respectively, these displayed images are not easily visible.
On the other hand, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,985,911, the television telephone apparatus is connectable to the presently existing telephone is the detachable manner. In this type of conventional television telephone apparatus, since the display area of the display unit would be small, when a plurality of images are simultaneously displayed on the relevant subdivided display areas, these displayed images cannot be easily observed.

Television telephone which displays image data having a first precision degree and image data having a second precision degree on a respective display region of a display screen


In one embodiment, a level in a process technology for an integrated circuit that has dummy metal patterns is represented as a level in a process model. The level of the process model may comprise a high-k dielectric to represent the dummy metal patterns. In the level of the process model, each metal line may be surrounded by a normal dielectric. If the process technology has voids or pockets of air in between the metal lines, then each void or air pocket may be placed in a normal dielectric in the process model. Among other advantages, this allows the process model to take into account the effects of the dummy metal patterns.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to electronic circuits, and more particularly but not exclusively to the design and manufacture of integrated circuits.
2. Description of the Background Art
In recent years, integrated circuits have been increasing in complexity and in the degree of integration with each generation. Integrated circuits generally include multiple patterned conducting, semiconducting, and dielectric layers formed on a substrate or wafer by a combination of photolithographic, etching and deposition techniques. The increased complexity of latest generation of devices require finer and more accurately formed wiring and interconnects or vias. Thus, before each successive layer is formed, the underlying surface or present layer is planarized by, for example, chemical-mechanical polishing or planarization (CMP). CMP produces a substantially flat surface across the layer provided the layer has a substantially uniform density in a distribution or spacing of elements or features across the surface.
Although CMP can flatten small imperfections relatively well, differences in the size and spacing of various elements in a patterned layer can often yield significant differences in density of the layer, resulting in non-uniform planarization across the surface of the substrate. This problem is illustrated with reference to the schematic cross-sectional views of FIGS. 1A and 1B. In FIG. 1A, an interlevel dielectric (ILD) layer 135 is formed over a metal level 130. Metal level 130 includes patterned metal lines 110 (i.e., 110-1, 110-2) separated by a dielectric 132. Depending on the spacing between metal lines 110, chemical-mechanical polishing of the surface of interlevel dielectric layer 135 may result in an indentation 131 in regions between metal lines 110.
To address the aforementioned planarization problem, designers may incorporate dummy metal patterns in metal levels. The number of dummy metal patterns to be added to a metal level may depend on pattern density requirements. Dummy metal patterns, which are also referred to as "waffles" or "dummy fill patterns," allow the thickness of an interlevel dielectric to remain consistent during CMP. Other than to provide structural support, dummy metal patterns have no electrical function in the integrated circuit. That is, current is not flown through dummy metal patterns. In FIG. 1B, a dummy metal pattern 120 is added between metal lines 110. Dummy metal pattern 120 has no electrical function and is accordingly left electrically floating.
Computer aided design programs may be employed to create a process model that describes the behavior of an integrated circuit. Process models allow designers to simulate the integrated circuit for testing, optimization, and other purposes. In a typical design flow, the dummy metal patterns may be added or drawn to the circuit layout just prior to tape out after the timing closure step is complete. Although there is no current flow through a dummy metal pattern, it may interact with other nets affecting the parasitic capacitance, which impacts circuit timing.
One way to account for the effects of dummy metal patterns is to add them to the circuit layout prior to circuit extraction for timing. However, conventional high capacity parasitic extraction tools, such as the Assura™ and QX™ software from Cadence Design systems and the Caliber™ software from Mentor Graphics, cannot accurately account for floating geometries. The extraction may result in pessimistic capacitance values, which can be up to 15% error in some cases. Adding dummy metal patterns to the circuit layout before extraction may reduce the capacity of the extraction software as well. Furthermore, in a number of cases, simulation/timing analysis tools are not capable of handling capacitors to floating nets, requiring a reduction step to eliminate the floating capacitors. Simply removing floating capacitors may cause the circuit timing results to be incorrect. An alternative solution to this problem may be to decouple capacitors prior to eliminating the floating capacitors. However, In this case, the capability to simulate the effect of coupling noise is lost.
Some pattern density simulation tools, such as the Champgeo™ software from UbiTech, Inc., accept process parameters and a layout to simulate for oxide variation across the die. However, the resulting process model is specific to particular layouts and must be derived every time the layout is changed.
The use of high-density plasma or new polishing techniques in the manufacture of integrated circuits can reduce the metal density requirements for CMP, thus lessening the need for dummy metal patterns in the first place. However, this approach may necessitate relatively expensive process changes. Conventional field solver tools can accurately account for floating parasitic effects due to dummy metal patterns. However, these field solver tools have limited capacity, and are not usually practical for use on large circuits. Manually adding dummy metal patterns or generating them during extraction increases the run time.

Accounting for the effects of dummy metal patterns in integrated circuits


A “super-fast” polling method for electrical meters for outage detection. In response to a query, a large group of electric meters (M) all simultaneously transmit reply signals over an electrical distribution network using TWACS®. The signals are separated by an inbound detector (IB) at a receiving end of the network. This allows a very large number of meters to be polled in a very short period of time to determine whether or not an outage has occurred at the location of each meter. Each meter transmits a bit pattern, and bit patterns are designed so a group of meter units can transmit their patterns simultaneously over a power line (L) to the inbound detector. The presence or absence of a bit pattern in the received signal conveys the presence or absence of the associated meter in the system. The ability to transmit multiple bit patterns in parallel requires that they be orthogonal to each other. The Hadamard matrices are a class of matrices whose rows could be used as a set of bit patterns.

This invention is directed to communications over an electrical distribution network or the like, employing a communications system known as TWACS®, and more particularly, to a very rapid polling system for use in the detection and mapping of power outages.
Efficient outage detection and mapping is an important concern of electric utilities. In situations where a power outage occurs, the utility needs to quickly find out a) that an outage has occurred, b) where the outage has occurred, and c) the extent of the outage. This enables the utility to then marshal and direct the resources necessary to correct the outage and restore power in the shortest possible time.
Using current TWACS protocols to determine the presence or absence of an individual meter on the network requires both an outbound command and an inbound response which currently includes a minimum of 3 bytes of information. While a reasonable level of outage mapping is obtainable at this relatively slow polling rate (by carefully selecting a subset of meters on different buses, feeders, and phases), it would be beneficial to have an alternate means of polling all the units on a substation, in order to locate even very small outages (i.e., a single meter) in a very short period of time. It would be particularly helpful, given the size of many distribution networks, to be able to poll a group of which included thousand of meters on the order of 1-2 minutes.
One possible solution to this problem would be to have each meter in a group sequentially respond to a poll command. This would require a message length of only one or two pulses per meter to achieve a desired polling rate. By having a very large group of meters sequentially respond to a single outbound command, this would minimize the overhead of outbound commands, and meters could be polled at a rate of approximately nearly 1 pulse for each half-cycle of the 60 Hz waveform.
A problem with this approach is the reliable detection of the pulse(s) in the high noise environment of a power line. One way to overcome this difficulty would be to increase the power of the pulses transmitted by each meter. But this would mean overriding the pre-set firing angle established within the TWACS to generate the much stronger current pulse. This, in turn, creates the additional problem of increasing the stress on the electronics in the meter. It is also unclear as to how large a current pulse could be generated before reaching the saturation point in a service transformer, and the other effects this would have on the power line local to that transformer.

Extremely fast polling method for determining the presence of individual electric meters on a power line

Abstract: In addition to super-fast polling for outage detection, the method of the invention can also be used to poll meters for the presence of an alarm condition, as well as for both outage detection and an alarm condition.


The invention discloses a patch antenna structure in which a full transmission line is replaced by a set of transmission lines connected between two slots or radiative elements. Components can be inserted in the space between the transmission lines. In a second embodiment, the transmission lines are cranked or bended for a more compact dimension of transmission lines. The cranked or bended transmission lines can also be loaded by inductive elements. In a third embodiment, a patch antenna is constructed with n sets of transmission lines between the two slots, where each set of transmission line produces a different electrical length in accordance with a particular frequency. In a fourth embodiment, a set of intermediate filters is added within the transmission lines for differentiating the frequencies.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of wireless communications, and more particularly to patch antennas.
2. Description of Related Art
Wireless devices have become an integral life style among mobile professionals and consumers worldwide. Users of wireless devices demand a more compact, yet powerful cellular phones, mobile devices, and personal digital assistants (PDAs). One approach to reduce the overall size of a wireless device is to reduce the dimension of a patch antenna. FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional patch antenna 10 having a first slot 11 and a second slot 13 interconnected with each other by a full transmission line 12. The first slot 11 and the second slot 13 operate as the two primary radiators in the mechanism of the patch antenna 10. The full transmission line 12, typically implemented as a half wavelength, is placed between the first slot 11 and the second slot 13, ensuring that the first slot 11 and the second slot 13 will be fed by a xcexg/2 decay in order to extract the maximum efficiency from the patch antenna structure 10.
An equivalent circuit 20 representing the patch antenna 10 is shown in FIG. 2. The equivalent circuit 20 is constructed with capacitors 21 and 22, resistors 23 and 24, and inductors 25 and 26. The capacitors 21 and 22 denote the fringing capacitance, the resistors 23 and 24 denoting the radiative resistance, and the elements 25 and 26 denoting a decay representing a transmission line.
A typical delay of xcexg/2 is often necessary to attain maximum efficiency. A way to reduce the dimension of a patch is to make decay in less space by a fictive xcexg/2. One conventional approach to increase the amount of delay in a given space of a transmission line is by loading the transmission line either capacitively or inductively, as described, for example, in S. Reed, L. Desclos, C. Terret, S. Toutain, xe2x80x9cPatch Antenna Size Reduction by Inductive Loadingxe2x80x9d, in Microwave Optical Technology Letters April 2001.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have structures and methods of an antenna that is compact in size while attaining maximum efficiency.
The invention discloses a full transmission line replaced by a set of transmission lines connected between two slots or radiative elements. Components can be inserted in the space between the transmission lines. In an alternative embodiment, the transmission fines are cranked or bended for a more compact dimension of transmission lines. The cranked or bended transmission lines can also be loaded by inductive elements. In another embodiment, a patch antenna is constructed with n sets of transmission lines between the two slots, where each set of transmission line produces a different electrical length in accordance with a particular frequency. In a further embodiment, a set of intermediate filters is added within the transmission lines for differentiating the frequencies. The function of a filter is to pass through a predetermined frequency but rejecting other frequencies, which potentially can destroy the radiation effect.
Advantageously, the present invention reduces the overall dimension of a patch antenna, thereby decreases the overall size of a wireless device. Other structures and methods are disclosed in the detailed description below. This summary does not purport to define the invention. The invention is defined by the claims.

Compact patch antenna employing transmission lines with insertable components spacing


The disclosure relates to a mass memory with very large-scale integration as well as to a method for the manufacture of such a memory.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of the invention is that of high-density mass memories or mass storage units that are essential for high-performance computation systems and for data storage systems.
2. Description of the Prior Art
At present, increasingly miniaturized packages containing one or more chips have been developed for these applications and enable the amount of space occupied on an interconnection card to be reduced. The fact of bringing together the memories and the control circuits has the further effect of improving the electrical performance characteristics and, in particular, of reducing the propagation time of the signals.
Thus, rather than organizing the chips side by side on a plane interconnection substrate, it has already been proposed to stack a number of bare chips, one on top of the other, in order to further increase the integration density and obtain optimum interconnection lengths. The memory circuits are well suited to this type of assembly for they dissipate little power and have a relatively small number of inputs/outputs. Most of them can be connected to signal buses common to many chips. Assemblies of this kind are presently being made by Texas Instruments, Irvine Sensors or again THOMSON-CSF (see C-VAL, 9th European ISHM Conference, Nice, 1993, Conference Report, page 304 and R. T. CROWLEY and E. J. VARDAMAN in MCM'94 Proceedings). A factor of the order of 100 in terms of volume density may thus be obtained as compared with conventional packages.
The technologies used initially require a method to reconfigure the inputs/outputs of the chips on one or more sides in order to obtain access thereto once the stack is made. This may be done on the silicon wafer or else on the cut-out chip. FIG. 1 shows one of these methods where a thin printed circuit 1 is mounted by bonding or wiring on the surface of the chip 2. This printed circuit has the role of mounting the inputs/outputs located in the plane of the chip (for example on its two small sides) by means of tracks located above this plane and reaching beyond the edge of the chip (for example on one of its large sides). The chip can be bonded to the printed circuit by means of an adhesive element 3. The wiring is done with wires 4 inserted into windows 5 made in the printed circuit 1.
After reconfiguration in this manner, a number of chips (for example 8) are stacked and held together by means of adhesive films or films of encapsulating liquid resin. FIG. 2 shows a stack of reconfigured chips of this kind. In the case of the example referred to, the thin printed circuits also have centering holes 6 located beyond the border of the chip. These centering holes 6 can be used to position the chips with respect to one another during the stacking. The chips and the printed circuits are superimposed by means of positioning rods 7 and shims used to set the pitch of a stack. This assembly is then coated with a thermo-hardening liquid resin that will fill all the interstices and hold the unit mechanically.
The three-dimensional block 8 thus made is prepared on the face providing access to the inputs/outputs of the chip, to enable these chips to be connected. For this purpose, the resin may be machined on the side containing the tracks that go beyond the edge of the chips so as to obtain a plane resin face comprising metal zones corresponding to the sections of said tracks as illustrated in FIG. 3.
These inputs/outputs are then interconnected either by metallization and etching to form conductive tracks or by being mounted, by soldering, on an interconnection substrate. FIG. 4 illustrates the mounting of a memory block 8, comprising several chips, on an interconnection substrate 9. Through this mounting operation, it is generally possible to increase the pitch between contiguous inputs/outputs to give inputs/outputs that can easily be attached to a standard printed circuit 11 comprising an interconnection 12 used to connect the memory block 8 to a control circuit 10 also mounted on the printed circuit 11.
The connection of a block 8 to the substrate 9 may typically be made by wiring, bonding with conductive resin, lugs or metal beads.
The unit formed by the block 8 and the control circuit 10 mounted on the printed circuit 11 gives a functional mass memory.

Mass memory and method for the manufacture of mass memories


A connection verification system that provides substantially non-intrusive connection verification for an optical switch, achieved by correlating the low-frequency contents of the input and switched signals. The results of the correlation process are compared against a connection map to determine whether the switch has operated correctly and to identify, if possible, which mis-connections have taken place. The system includes a selection unit for controllably admitting individual ones of the input signals and individual ones of the switched signals and a verification unit connected to the selection unit, for controlling operation of the selection unit as a function of a connection map and performing relative-delay-dependent signal processing operations on the signals admitted by the selection unit so as to identify connections established through the switching unit and determine their consistency with the connection map. The relative-delay-dependent signal processing operations may be based on correlation or anti-correlation, depending on the operational requirements of the invention.

As the density of emerging high-capacity WDM systems increases, so too does the probability with which errors can be made when switching individual optical signals. Examples of what may cause an erroneous or lost connection include stuck or failed switch elements in the switching core of an optical switch, hardware or software failures causing incorrect switch path instructions to be received by the switching core from a switch controller, and human error (e.g., a mis-connected fiber interconnect into or between bays of switching equipment).
Given the high line rates currently used in WDM networks and the even higher line rates contemplated for use in the foreseeable future, it is clear that erroneous or lost connections can and will have a very severe negative impact on quality of service by causing the loss of large amounts of information. It is therefore of prime importance to check not only whether connections established by the switching core correspond to the connections specified by the connection map stored in the switch controller, but also to check which mis-connections may have taken place.
At the same time, it is important to make the connection verification process as generic and non-intrusive as possible so that constraints are not placed on the traffic bit rates and protocols, so that the effect that the connection verification procedure has on the quality and strength of the optical signals leaving the switch is limited and so that traffic security is not compromised. Moreover, it would be of interest if the connection verification system were to permit the use of simple, low-cost electronics and electro-optics for the verification function in order to limit the cost and component count of the additional hardware and software required to verify the connections. However, these requirements have yet to be met by existing connection verification techniques.

Connection verification for optical switches


A data preserving method and a data accessing method for a non-volatile memory are provided. In the data preserving method, a data is checked according to an error correcting code (ECC) to obtain an error bit number of the data. When the error bit number is greater than a threshold, the data is moved from a first memory unit to a second memory unit and is corrected according to the ECC. Thereby, the data stability of the non-volatile memory is improved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a non-volatile memory, in particular, to a data preserving method and a data accessing method for a non-volatile memory.
2. Description of Related Art
Generally speaking, non-volatile memories (for example, a flash memory) are always faced with the problem of data instability caused by, for example, bad blocks, write disturb, and read disturb. The problem of read disturb will be explained in detail below.
FIG. 1 is a diagram of memory units in a non-volatile memory. Referring to FIG. 1, read disturb is produced because of the physical characteristic of the non-volatile memory. The address lines 101a, 102a, 101b, 102b, 103b . . . are used for transmitting data voltages or for addressing a data. In other words, if a data in memory unit 101 is to be read, the data in the memory unit 101 is addressed and read through the address lines 101a and 101b, and accordingly a residual voltage is left on the address lines 101a and 101b. Since the address line 101a is shared by the memory units 101, 102, and 103, the residual voltage on the address line 101a may affect the data in the memory units 102 and 103 and may even cause errors to the data in the memory units 102 and 103. Similarly, since the address line 101b is shared by the memory units 101 and 104, the residual voltage on the address line 101b may also affect the data in the memory unit 104 and may even cause error to the data in the memory unit 104.

Data preserving method and data accessing method for non-volatile memory


There is provided an object recognizing apparatus capable of recognizing a shape of an object in a stable manner with a small amount of calculation, even when data of non-target object is mixedly contained.

As an example of such apparatus as above, there is known an obstacle detecting apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 identified below. This apparatus is configured to detect an obstacle present around a vehicle (movable body) and then issue an alert. An apparatus prior to the invention of Patent Document 1 was configured to determine only a distance between a vehicle and an obstacle and issue an alert only when the determined distance is shorter than a predetermined distance. Therefore, this apparatus suffered the problem that with the alert based on the distance alone, it was difficult for a driver to determine which object around the vehicle was the obstacle. Whereas, the apparatus disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of obstacle detecting sensors mounted on the vehicle for calculating the distance to the obstacle. And, based on the result of these calculations, the apparatus estimates whether the shape of the obstacle is linear (planar shape) or circular (convex shape) and displays the estimated shape.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application "Kokai" No. 2003-194938A (see P.2-3, FIGS. 1-7).

Object recognizing apparatus including profile shape determining section

Abstract: The object recognizing apparatus includes an object detecting section, a shape model setting section 3, a conformance degree calculating section 4 and a profile shape determining section 5. The shape model setting section 3 extract arbitrarily samples of a group of samples detected by the object detecting section 1 and constituting surface shape information and then sets shape models. The conformance degree calculating section 4 calculates the conformance degree of each shape model. The setting of the shape model and calculation of conformance degree are effected up to a predetermined maximum number of times. The profile shape determining section 5 is configured such that if a conformance degree exceeding a first reference value exists, then, the shape model having this conformance degree exceeding the first reference value is determined at once as the profile shape.


There is explained a fabrication method of a liquid crystal display panel capable of simplifying a substrate structure and a fabrication process. The fabrication method comprises the steps of: forming a thin film transistor formed at every region arranged by the intersection structure of a gate line and a data line formed on a substrate, a pixel electrode, and a substrate including a plurality of thin film transistor array substrate having a gate pad part including a gate pad connected to the gate line and a data pad part including a data pad connected to the data line; arranging a cutting-off plate on a rest region of the substrate except for the pad part; and exposing the gate pad of the pad part and the data pad protection electrode by a etching process using the cutting-off plate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a fabrication method of a liquid crystal display panel, and more particularly to the fabrication method of the liquid crystal display panel capable of simplifying a substrate structure and a fabrication process.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a liquid crystal display represents an image by means of adjusting a transmittance of the liquid crystal by use of an electric field. For this purpose, the liquid crystal display comprises a liquid crystal display panel where the liquid crystal cells are arranged in a matrix pattern, and a driving circuit for driving the liquid crystal display panel.
The liquid crystal display panel comprises the thin film transistor array substrate and a color filter array substrate facing each other, a spacer located for maintaining a fixed cell gap between two substrates and a liquid crystal stuffed to the cell gap.
The thin film transistor array substrate includes gate lines and data lines, a thin film transistor formed as a switching device at every intersection of the gate lines and the data lines, a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor formed by the liquid crystal cell unit, and an alignment film applied on them and so on. The gate lines and the data lines are supplied with signal from driving circuits through each of the pad part. The thin film transistor responds to a scan signal supplied to the gate line, and supplies to pixel electrode a pixel voltage signal supplied to the data line.
The color filter array substrate includes a color filter formed by the liquid crystal cell unit, a black matrix for reflecting external light and separating between the color filters, a common electrode supplying a reference voltage commonly to the liquid crystal cells, and an alignment film applied on them.
The liquid crystal display panel combines the thin film transistor array substrate and the color filter array substrate. Liquid crystal is injected beteween substrates and the panel and is then sealed. This liquid crystal panel includes, a thin film transistor array substrate, whose manufacture requires a semiconductor process and a plurality of masking processes.
Accordingly, the manufacturing process is complicated, increasing the cost of the liquid crystal display panel. In order to solve this problem, the manufacture of the thin film transistor array substrate is improved so as to reduce the number of masking process number. The benefit is that in one masking process, there are many sub-processes such as an evaporation process, a cleaning process, a photolithography process, an etching process, a photoresist strip process and an inspection process. Recently, instead of the 5-step masking process which is the common masking process for thin film transistor array substrates, a 4-step masking process reducing one of the masking sub-processes has been developed.
FIG. 1 is a plane view illustrating the thin film transistor array substrate formed using a masking process, and FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line I-I′ of FIG. 1 illustrating the thin film transistor array substrate as shown in FIG. 1.
The thin film transistor array substrate, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, comprises gate lines 2 and data lines 4 crossed with each other and having a gate insulation film therebetween on a lower substrate 42, a thin film transistor 6 formed at every intersection, and a pixel electrode 18 formed in the cell region arranged in the crossed pattern. And the thin film transistor array substrate comprises a storage capacitor 20 formed at overlapped part of the pixel electrode 18 and a prior stage gate line 2, a gate pad part 26 connected to the gate line 2 and a data pad part 34 connected to the data line 4.
The thin film transistor 6 comprises a gate electrode 8 connected to the gate line 2, a source electrode 10 connected to the data line 4, a drain electrode 12 connected to a pixel electrode 18, an active layer 14 defining a channel between the source electrode 10 and the drain electrode 12 and overlapped with the gate electrode 8. The active layer 14 overlaps with the data pad 36, the storage electrode 22, the data line 4, the source electrode 10 and the drain electrode 12, and further comprises a channel part defined between the source electrode 10 and the drain electrode 12. On the active layer 14, the data pad 36, the storage electrode 22, the data line 4, the source electrode 10, the drain electrode 12 and an ohmic contact layer 48 for making an ohmic contact are further formed. The thin film transistor 6 responds to the gate signal supplied to the gate line 2 and supplies a pixel voltage signal from the data line 4 to the pixel electrode 18.
The pixel electrode 18 is connected to the drain electrode 12 of the thin film transistor 6 through a first contact hole 16 penetrating a protection film 50. The pixel electrode 18 generates a voltage difference from the common electrode formed on the upper substrate (not shown). By this voltage difference, the liquid crystal located between the thin film transistor substrate and the upper substrate rotates due to a dielectric anisotropy, and transmits incident light through the pixel electrode 18 from the light source (not shown) transmit to the upper substrate.
The storage capacitor 20 comprises a prior stage gate line 2, a storage electrode overlapped with the gate line 2 having the gate insulation film 44, the active layer 14 and the ohmic contact layer 48 therebetween, and the pixel electrode 18 connected through the second contact hole 24 formed at the protection film 50 and overlapped with the storage electrode 22 having the protection film 50 therebetween. The storage capacitor 20 maintains the pixel voltage charged to the pixel electrode 18 constant until the next pixel voltage is charged.
The gate line 2 is connected to the gate driver (not shown) through the gate pad part 26. The gate pad part 26 comprises the gate pad 28 extending from the gate line 2 and the gate pad protection electrode 32 connected to the gate pad 28 through the third contact hole 30 penetrating both of the gate insulation film 44 and the protection film 50.
The data line 4 is connected to the data driver (not shown) through the data pad part 34. The data pad part 34 comprises the data pad 36 extending from the data line 4 and the data pad protection electrode 40 connected to the data pad 36 through the fourth contact hole 38 penetrating the protection film 50.
The fabrication method of the thin film transistor substrate having this constitution is explained in full detail in FIGS. 3a to 3d using a 4-step masking process.
Referring to FIG. 3a, the gate patterns are formed on the lower substrate 42.
On the lower substrate 42, the gate metal layer is formed by an evaporation method such as sputtering. Subsequently, the gate metal layer is patterned by the photolithography process using the first mask and the etching process. In addition, the gate patterns, including the gate line 2, the gate electrode 8, and the gate pad 28 are formed. As a gate metal, a chrome (Cr), molybdenum (Mo), aluminum (Al), and so on are used in a single layer or a double layer structure.
Referring to FIG. 3b, on the lower substrate 42 where the gate pattern is formed, the gate insulation film 44, the active layer 14, the ohmic contact layer 48 and source/drain patterns are subsequently formed.
On the lower substrate 42 having the gate pattern, the gate insulation film 44, an amorphous silicon layer, a n+ amorphous silicon layer and the source/drain metal layer are subsequently formed by the evaporation method such as a PECVD, a sputtering and so on.
The photoresist pattern is formed on the source/drain metal layer by a photolithography process by the use of the second mask. In this case, by using a diffraction photo mask as a second mask having the diffraction photo part over the channel part of the thin film transistor, the photoresist pattern of the channel part has lower height than the other source/drain pattern part.
Subsequently, the source/drain metal layer is patterned by a wet etching process using the photoresist pattern and therefore the source/drain patterns including the data line 4, the source electrode 10, the drain electrode 12 combined as one body with the source electrode 10 and the storage electrode 22 are formed.
In addition, by a dry etching process using the same photoresist pattern, the n+ amorphous silicon layer and the amorphous silicon layer are patterned at the same time and therefore the ohmic contact layer 48 and the active layer 14 are formed.
The photoresist pattern with a relatively low height is removed from the channel part by an ashing process, and then the source/drain pattern of the channel part and the ohmic contact layer 48 are etched by the dry etching process. Hereby, the active layer 14 in the channel part is exposed and the source electrode 10 and the drain electrode 12 are separated.
Subsequently, the photoresist pattern existing on the source/drain pattern part is removed by a strip process.
For the material of the gate insulation film 44, an inorganic insulation material such as a silicon oxide (SiOx) or a silicon nitride (SiNx) is used. As a source/drain metal, molybdenum (Mo), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), a molybdenum alloy, and so on can be used.
Referring to FIG. 3c, on the gate insulation film 44 where the source/drain patterns are formed, the protection film 50 including the first to the fourth contact holes (16, 24, 30, 38) is formed.
On the gate insulation film 44 where the source/drain patterns are formed, the protection film 50 is wholly formed by an evaporation method such as PECVD. The protection film 50 is patterned by a photolithography process and then etched using a third mask, thereby forming the first to the fourth contact holes (16, 24, 30, 38). The first contact hole 16 penetrates the protection film 50 and is formed so as to expose the drain electrode 12. The second contact hole 24 penetrates the protection film 50 and is formed so as to expose the storage electrode 22. The third contact hole 30 penetrates the protection film 50 and the gate insulation film 44 and is formed so as to expose the gate pad 28. The fourth contact hole 38 penetrates the protection layer 50 and is formed so as to expose the data pad 6.
For the protection film 50, an inorganic insulation material such as the gate insulation film 94 or an organic insulation material such as an acryl organic compound, BCB or PFCB having a low dielectric coefficient is used.
Referring to FIG. 3d, the transparent electrode patterns are formed on the protection film 50.
The transparent electrode material is wholly evaporated on the protection film 50 by the evaporation method such as the sputtering. Subsequently, by the photolithography process and the etching process using the fourth mask, the transparent electrode material is patterned, forming the transparent electrode pattern including the pixel electrode 18, the gate pad protection electrode 32, and the data pad protection electrode 40. The pixel electrode 18 is electrically connected to the drain electrode 12 through the first contact hole 16 and is electrically connected to the storage electrode overlapped with a prior stage gate line 2 through the second contact hole 24. The gate pad protection electrode 32 is electrically connected to the gate pad 28 through the third contact hole 30. The data pad protection electrode 40 is electrically connected to the data pad 36 through the fourth contact hole 38.
A transparent electrode material, such as an Indium Tin Oxide (ITO), Tin Oxide (TO), or Indium Zinc Oxide (IZO) is used. The thin film transistor substrate and the manufacturing method described above can decrease the number of steps in the manufacture process by adopting a 4-mask process rather than a 5-mask process. In addition, it can decrease the manufacturing cost proportionately. But since the manufacture process of the 4-mask process is complicated and possible cost reduction is limited, the thin film transistor substrate and a manufacturing method thereof is required that is further reduces the manufacture cost by further of simplifying the manufacture process.
Moreover, the pad part open process of the related art thin film transistor array substrate is carried out by the photolithography process. Accordingly, there is a problem in that the fabrication process is complicated and the material cost is high.

Fabrication method of liquid crystal display panel


A system to harness energy from water waves, comprising a frame assembly, first and second hydraulic systems, at least one float assembly, and an electrical assembly. The float assembly comprises front, rear, bottom, top, and first and second lateral faces. The float assembly further comprises a trailing face. The trailing face and the rear face merge to define an edge. The float assembly is mounted onto the mounting plate. The float assembly is placed in a body of water that comprises wave forces. The electrical system comprises a generator. The generator produces electricity when driven by the hydraulic motor when hydraulic fluid is displaced and pressurized within a hydraulic system when the wave forces cause the float assembly to move when in the body of water.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to energy systems, and more particularly, to an energy system for harnessing energy from water waves.
2. Description of the Related Art
Mechanical waves are waves that propagate through a material medium (solid, liquid, or gas) at a wave speed, which depend on the elastic and inertial properties of that medium. There are two basic types of wave motion for mechanical waves: longitudinal waves and transverse waves. Water waves are an example of waves that involve a combination of both longitudinal and transverse motions. As a wave travels through the water, particles travel in clockwise circles. The radius of the circles decreases as the depth into the water increases.
Ocean waves are produced by an amount of energy transferred from wind speed over a sea surface, and are commonly mentioned as wave phenomena. Physicists and mathematicians prove a variety of intrinsic properties of waves. Such scientists divided and named a body of water waves to search, understand, and create exact models of them. Those parts include: the crest, which is the highest point of the wave; the trough, which is the lowest point of the wave; the height, which is the vertical distance between a crest and trough and where the energy is; the wave length, which is the horizontal distance between a crests or troughs of two consecutive waves; wave period, which is the time it takes for two consecutive crests or troughs to pass a fixed point; and the frequency, which is the number of waves that passed at a fixed point per unit of time.
Several machines to harness water wave energy have been considered in the past. Applicant believes that one of the closest references corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,925,800 issued to Hansen, et al. on Aug. 9, 2005 for Wave Power Machine. However, it differs from the present invention because Hansen, et al. teach a wave force machine that is capable of utilizing an upward force from waves with a force from a float and rocker arm via rocker arm pipe, wherein one or more lock bearings are provided, which transfer the upward force causing the driving force shaft to rotate in the same direction. On each driving force shaft may be one after the other of mounted float, rocker arm and rocker arm pipe with lock bearings after the other, and several driving force shafts may be interconnected both horizontally and vertically to a toothed wheel with four driving force shafts. The total force from the driving force shafts may be brought to a gearbox and electric generator, and may be used in electricity production. Three wave force machines may be interconnected to form a star, so that the force from the three wave force machines may be gathered in a star point, wherein a gearbox and electric generator are positioned. Alternatively, several star points are interconnected to from a hexagon. In addition, Hansen, et al. teaches use of an upward force only, whereas the present invention considers additional forces, not only upward. Specifically, the present invention teaches horizontal wave forces and vertical wave forces that cause each float assembly to move when in a body of water.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 597,833 issued to John M. Palmeron on Jan. 25, 1898 for Wave Power. However, it differs from the present invention because Palmer teaches a movable float that is employed to actuate a piston, which forces fluid through a suitable mechanism to a conduit or receiver. A hollow buffer piston rod carries pistons on its ends that are adapted to operate, respectively, in a pressure-cylinder and the buffer-cylinder. Fluid is forced by the pressure-piston through the hollow buffer-piston rod into the buffer-cylinder and from thence to the conduit or receiver.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 675,039 issued to Justin J. Graff on May 28, 1901 for Wave-Motor. However, it differs from the present invention because Graff teaches wave-motors, and more particularly to a type in which an oncoming motion of wave or surf furnishes a motive power as distinguished from those in which a float is lifted vertically. Graff employs a float, not to secure a lifting action, but to form a buoyant part of an oscillating device, which buoyant part is the resistance to the wave and is self-adjusting to the height of the latter by reason of its buoyancy.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 7,331,174 issued to Welch, Jr. on Feb. 19, 2008 for Buoyancy Pump Power System. However, it differs from the present invention because Welch, Jr. teaches a system for generating electricity that includes a pump operable to convert wave motion from a body of water into mechanical energy. The pump includes an input port through which an operating fluid can enter the pump and an output port through which the operating fluid can exit the pump. A first outlet line and a second outlet line are fluidly coupled to the output port of the pump. A first reservoir is fluidly connected to the first outlet line, and a second reservoir is fluidly connected to the second outlet line, both reservoirs being selectively capable of receiving operating fluid driven through the output port.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 7,305,823 issued to Stewart, et al. on Dec. 11, 2007 for Active Impedance Matching Systems and Methods for Wave Energy Converter. However, it differs from the present invention because Stewart, et al. teaches an active impedance matching systems (AIMS) and methods for increasing the efficiency of a wave energy converter (WEC) having a shaft and a shell intended to be placed in a body of water and to move relative to each other in response to forces applied to the WEC by the body of water. The system includes apparatus for: (a) extracting energy from the WEC and producing output electric energy as a function of the movement of the shell (shaft) relative to the shaft (shell); and (b) for selectively imparting energy to one of the shell and shaft for causing an increase in the displacement and velocity (or acceleration) of one of the shell and shaft relative to the other, whereby the net amount of output electrical energy produced is increased. The apparatus may be implemented using a single device capable of being operated bi-directionally, in terms of both direction and force, or may be implemented by different devices.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,857,266 issued to Dick on Feb. 22, 2005 for Wave Energy Converter. However, it differs from the present invention because Dick teaches a wave energy conversion apparatus. It comprises at least two devices, each comprising a surface float; at least one of the surface floats being rigidly attached to a submerged body. The movement of the two devices in response to a passing wave may be used to effect an energy transfer.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,747,363 issued to Sanchez Gomez on Jun. 8, 2004 for Floating Platform Harvesting Sea Wave Energy for Electric Power Generation. However, it differs from the present invention because Sanchez Gomez teaches a floating platform harvesting sea wave energy comprising a helix or a turbine arranged at the bottom of a containment tube on a horizontal plane and devices to maintain the platform on the valley of the waves when the tide raises the sea level.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,027 issued to Kelly on Nov. 11, 2003 for Apparatus for Protecting a Wave Energy Converter. However, it differs from the present invention because Kelly teaches an apparatus for converting the motion of sea waves to electrical energy. It comprises at least one vertically oriented linear generator, relatively reciprocating motion of the armature and stator of which is driven by a float immersed in the sea directly below the motor armature. To protect the generator against unfavorable sea conditions, on the onset or occurrence of same, the float is moved to and held in a position in which it is clear of, or submerged, in the sea. This movement may be achieved in whole or in part by operating the linear generator as a linear motor.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,539 issued to Hung on Dec. 11, 2001 for Hydraulic Device Powered by Wave. However, it differs from the present invention because Hung teaches a hydraulic device powered by a wave having one or more posts secured on a sea floor, a float buoyant on the wave, a housing secured to the posts and having a slidable piston for separating the interior of the housing into two chambers. Four pipes are coupled to the chambers of the housing with four check valves, for allowing the fluid to be drawn into the chambers from two of the pipes and to be forced out of the chambers into the other pipes step by step in order to generate a hydraulic power or energy and for powering or actuating the other facilities.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,339 issued to Berg on Apr. 4, 2000 for Wave Motor. However, it differs from the present invention because Berg teaches a wave energy harvesting apparatus of the type employing laterally spaced-apart floats arranged so that up and down movements of the floats in response to the wave motion are out of phase with each other and can be used to drive one or more pumps. It is configured to maintain a fixed orientation with respect to the direction of wave motion and is adapted, on the basis of local wave characteristics, to maximize the average power output. This adaptation may be provided by means including initial selection of the overall size of the apparatus and subsequent adjustments made to the pumping mechanism. The preferred pumping arrangement employs three pumps, each having a piston with one end removably pivotally attached to a pumping arm near one of the floats. Each piston reciprocates, with a stroke much longer than its diameter, within a respective neutrally buoyant cylinder that is pivotally attached to a body float.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,020,653 issued to Woodbridge, et al. on Feb. 1, 2000 for Submerged Reciprocating Electric Generator. However, it differs from the present invention because Woodbridge, et al. teaches a submerged reciprocating electric generator placed below the ocean surface and creates electric power from the surface ocean swells. The generator coil reciprocates linearly in response to an external force acting on a float by passing ocean swells. A cable connects the float on the ocean surface with the reciprocating coil of the submerged generator. A magnetic field is focused through the coil as it reciprocates, creating an electromotive force in the coil. The magnetic field is created in such a manner as to provide uniform field of a single magnetic orientation throughout the entire length of motion of the reciprocating coil. The generator includes a base formed on the ocean floor supporting magnetic core having a generator coil movably mounted therein and connected to a float with a cable passing through cable alignment bearings. Electromagnetic windings are mounted at the closed end of the generator magnetic flux core.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,082 issued to Berling on Jul. 13, 1999 for Magnetically Powered Hydro-Buoyant Electric Power Generating Plant. However, it differs from the present invention because Berling teaches a hydro-buoyant electrical power generating plant that generates electricity from a source of hydraulic pressure. The energy that pressurizes the hydraulic fluid is derived from movements of a crane-like class II lever that has its fulcrum fixed to a stationary land mass so that the fulcrum's position is fixed relative to the lever's opposite "movable" end where the applied load is established. The movable end of the lever is attached to an "applied force vessel" that alternatively can be filled with water (or other liquid) so as to sink due to gravity, and then can be evacuated of water so as to rise due to buoyancy. When the applied force vessel is at its position of greatest elevation, the interior chamber of the vessel initially would be filled with air, typically at atmospheric pressure. Valves mounted to the bottom and top of the vessel are then opened to allow liquid to enter the vessel from beneath the vessel, thereby allowing the vessel (and its attached lever) to sink to its point of least elevation. At its uppermost position, the vessel of the preferred embodiment is floating, and thereby displacing its own weight. While the vessel is sinking, the mechanical motion of the attached lever creates power that will be used to drive linear hydraulic actuators (e.g., double acting single ended actuators) that in turn will be used to displace and pressurize a hydraulic fluid. This hydraulic fluid can then be taken directly to a hydraulic motor, which can be used to drive an electrical generator, or the pressurized fluid can be stored indefinitely in hydraulic accumulators. Once the applied force vessel reaches its bottom-most position, the valves below and above the vessel are closed, and multiple submersible pumps attached around the vessel's bottom surface periphery begin to pump the liquid that is presently contained within the vessel out to the surrounding medium (i.e., the infinite liquid). As the liquid is pumped out of the vessel, the vessel becomes buoyant, and a buoyancy stroke can now be started and the entire lever and vessel structure begins to rise in the vertical direction. While the vessel is rising, the mechanical motion of the attached lever creates power that again will be used to drive the double acting linear hydraulic actuators.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,710,464 issued to Kao, et al. on Jan. 20, 1998 for Power Drive System for Converting Natural Potential Energy into a Driving Power to Drive a Power Generator. However, it differs from the present invention because Kao, et al. teaches a power drive system, which includes a water collecting barrel vertically fastened to the oceanic crust under the sea level and having a reduced top end connected to the power input port of a power generator; a plurality of water tubes radially connected to the water collecting barrel for guiding sea water to the power input port of the power generator to move it into operation; a plurality of rockers respectively pivoted to the water collecting barrel; a plurality of floating devices floating on the sea level; a plurality of connecting rods connected between the floating devices and the rocker; and water pump means driven by the rockers to pump water into the water tubes and the water collecting barrel to force the power generator into operation.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,672,222 issued to Ames on Jun. 9, 1987 for Ocean wave energy converter. However, it differs from the present invention because Ames teaches a self-stabilized and modularly expandable system of independently operative point absorbers with respective drive transmissions and electrical generators that produces electricity from wave motion on a body of water.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,461,862 issued to Ovadia on Oct. 31, 1995 for System for Conversion of Sea Wave Energy. However, it differs from the present invention because Ovadia teaches a system for the conversion of sea wave energy including a breakwater structure including a wave energy collector integrally formed within the breakwater structure. The energy collector collects and directs oncoming waves to an upwardly extending duct having hydraulic oil separated from seawater by a membrane for converting the wave energy into oil pressure. The wave energy collector incorporates a plurality of control valves, which are electronically coupled through a computerized control system, which regulate the control valves so that the optimum wave pressure is collected and transferred to the hydraulic oil. A piping system conducts the pressurized hydraulic oil to a pressure tank, which is connected to a hydraulic motor, which is mechanically coupled to an electric generator. The system may be combined with a solar distillation apparatus.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,213 issued to Paleologos on Dec. 14, 1982 for Combined Body and Power Generating System. However, it differs from the present invention because Paleologos teaches a system for converting a standard buoy design into an electrical power producing apparatus. The vertical arms slide in sleeves attached to the buoy body and terminate in feet in the form of flat discs. As the buoy bobs and pivots in the water, the resistance of the feet to motion causes the arms to reciprocate, operating pneumatic piston pumps within the buoy. These piston pumps power pneumatic turbines, which activate generators for producing electrical power. The moving parts of the linkages connecting the arms to the pumps are protected by a plastic casing, which keeps out seawater. The casing includes facets, which act as sails. Annular wipers are provided between the arms and sleeves within which the arms reciprocate, so as to prevent seawater from seeping therebetween.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,242,593 issued to Quilico, et al. on Dec. 30, 1980 for Device for Converting Sea Wave Energy into Electrical Energy. However, it differs from the present invention because Quilico, et al. teaches a device for converting sea wave energy into electrical energy that comprises a floating platform carrying a pulley, which is connected through a free-wheel coupling and a speed multiplier to a drive shaft of an electrical generator, on which a flywheel is mounted. An anchor cable passes over the pulley and suspends at its free end an immersed counterweight so that vertical motion of the platform in the sea causes rotation of the pulley and drives the generator continuously.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,230 issued to Ames on Nov. 4, 1980 for Ocean Wave Energy Converter. However, it differs from the present invention because Ames teaches a modular assembly of reciprocating electric generators with respective movable floats and a common submerged damper plate and buoyancy chamber that produces electricity from wave motion on a body of water.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,203,294 issued to Budal, et al. on May 20, 1980 for System for the Conversion of Sea Wave Energy. However, it differs from the present invention because Budal, et al. teaches a system for conversion of sea wave energy to useful energy comprising a water displacing member adapted to be at least in part submerged in the sea and mechanically secured to solid ground and provided with means to so control the movement of the water displacing member that it is locked relative to the ground during selected time periods of each cycle of such waves to which the water displacing member is subjected, for the purpose of thereby controlling the rotational movement of an electric generator through at least one fluid under controlled circulation within the water displacing member.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 4,078,871 issued to Perkins, Jr. on Mar. 14, 1978 for Sea Wave Energy Conversion. However, it differs from the present invention because Perkins, Jr. teaches a fixed structure that encloses a vertically spaced plurality of superimposed channels that are open at one end of the sea to receive deep sea waves approaching a shoreline. Each of the channels has an entrance ramp that slopes upwardly shorewardly to induce breaking of a wave at and over an apex of trailer service ramp that merges into a shorewardly downwardly sloping convergent conduit having fluid communication with a pressure chamber of the structure through a one-way valve controlled aperture at which the wave energy is concentrated. A portion of each ramp is overlain by a roof, which may comprise the underside of a superimposed ramp of another channel. Each of the ramps is of upwardly convex configuration, transversely to the wave direction, and at opposite sides is provided with re-entrant scuppers for draining backwash from a receding wave. Wave focusing vanes or walls diverge seawardly from the open end of the fixed structure along an axis bisecting a submerged transverse wall member embedded on the sea floor, of a lens configuration for bending and focusing a given linear wave length into the convergent walls. Water is directed from the pressure chamber of the structure into energy recovery devices utilizing the kinetic, hydrostatic and pneumatic energy contained in the pressure chamber, which acts as an accumulator.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 3,970,415 issued to Widecrantz, et al. on Jul. 20, 1976 for One Way Valve Pressure Pump Turbine Generator Station. However, it differs from the present invention because Widecrantz, et al. teaches a power generating plant that utilizes the motion of ocean waves to drive turbine generators in a power station; the plant including a series of underwater units each of which includes a hollow sphere that floats upon the water so that it rises and falls as waves move by, the ball being mounted on an end of a pivoting arm to which there is connected a piston slidable in a cylinder so to pump ocean water through a duct to the turbines in the power station.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 1,223,184 issued to Larson on Apr. 17, 1917 for Wave Motor. However, it differs from the present invention because Larson teaches a wave motor including a float having direct connection with a compressor and vertically adjustable means for pivotally supporting the pump and float.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to European Patent No. 1682776(A1) issued to Resen, et al. in July 2007 for a Wave Power Apparatus Comprising a Plurality of Arms Arranged to Pivot With a Mutual Phase Shift. However, it differs from the present invention because Resen, et al. teach a wave power apparatus that has at least one arm (122), the arm being rotationally supported at one end by a pair of pre-stressed, essentially slack-free bearings (142) and carrying a float (124) at its other end, so that a translational movement of the float caused by a wave results in rotation of the arm. Power conversion means convert power transmitted from the wave to the arms into useful power. The bearing may comprise a flexible material (149) of flat spring (342; 352; 362; 372; 374) allowing rotation or wriggling of the arm (122) around a supporting shaft (126). The apparatus may comprise a plurality of arms, which are supported by individual pairs of bearings.
Applicant believes that another reference corresponds to WIPO Publication No. WO/2006/100436 published to Aquamarine Power Limited, et al. on Sep. 28, 2006 for Apparatus and Control System for Generating Power From Wave Energy. However, it differs from the present invention because Aquamarine Power Limited, et al. teach a wave energy conversion device (1), for use in relatively shallow water, which has a base portion (2) for anchoring to the bed of a body of water (6) and an upstanding flap portion (8) pivotally connected (12) to the base portion. The flap portion is biased to the vertical and oscillates backwards and forwards about the vertical in response to wave motion acting on its faces. Power extraction means extract energy from the movement of the flap portion. When the base portion (2) is anchored to the bed of a body of water (6) with the flap portion (8) facing the wave motion, the base portion (2) and the flap portion (8) extend vertically through at least the entire depth of the water, to present a substantial. Other patents describing the closest subject matter provide for a number of more or less complicated features that fail to solve the problem in an efficient and economical way. None of these patents suggest the novel features of the present invention.

System to obtain energy from water waves


In general, a method includes determining metric values associated with data quality for one or more child nodes. Metric values are determined for a parent node based on the metric values of at least some of the child nodes, and relationships between one or more parent nodes and one or more child nodes define a hierarchy. The determination of the metric value for the parent node is repeated for multiple instances.

This description relates to data quality tracking.
Stored data sets often include data for which various characteristics are not known beforehand. For example, ranges of values or typical values for a data set, relationships between different fields within the data set, or functional dependencies among values in different fields, may be unknown. Data profiling can involve examining a source of a data set in order to determine such characteristics. One use of data profiling systems is to determine a measure of data quality for either a single data object, or for an entire dataset based on the results of data profiling.


A downhole tool is conveyed within a borehole extending into a subterranean formation. A void is created in a sidewall of the borehole by extending a rotating member from the downhole tool into the sidewall. A portion of the sidewall surrounding the void is mechanically compressed, and the viscosity of hydrocarbons in the subterranean formation proximate the void is reduced by injecting a fluid from the downhole tool into the formation via the void. Fluid comprising the reduced viscosity hydrocarbons and the injected fluid may then be drawn from the subterranean formation into the downhole tool.

Reservoirs containing heavy oil (e.g., oil having a viscosity above 1500 cP at reservoir temperature) sometimes have compositional gradients. Where such reservoirs are thick (e.g., having a vertical extent exceeding 25 meters), the effect of the compositional gradients may be amplified. For example, the compositional gradients may cause changes in viscosity as a function of depth, perhaps changes having several orders of magnitude. Therefore, modeling reservoir response to thermal stimulation, solvent flood, and/or other oil recovery mechanisms can be difficult without sufficient knowledge of the compositional gradients, including any breaks in the trend of compositional gradients that may indicate compartmentalization within the reservoir.


An alignment correcting method for an aligner is disclosed. A designated number of wafers are selected out of a single lot and have their alignment marks measured in terms of coordinates. Subsequently, a preselected number of wafers are selected out of the wafers undergone measurement in the descending order with respect to closeness to a mean value or a center value of scattering, exposed, and then developed. An alignment correction value is calculated on the basis of the developed wafers.

The present invention relates to a method of producing a semiconductor device and, more particularly, to an alignment correcting method for a projection aligner or similar aligner.
For the production of a semiconductor device, photolithography is repeated several tens of times with a wafer and followed by etching and doping until a desired circuit has been formed in the wafer. Every time photolithography is effected, the wafer is positioned on the basis of its alignment mark, and then exposed. The alignment mark is used to prevent the wafer from being misaligned with an underlying pattern.
On the other hand, light for alignment usually has a longer wavelength than light for exposure so as not to expose the resist (i.e., photoresist). This brings about a problem that the light for exposure and the light for alignment are each focused to a particular position at a resist film and an SiO.sub.2 film provided on a semiconductor substrate, resulting in an error in overlay accuracy. This problem occurs despite the use of the lens system of the same stepper and is aggravated due to the fact that the light for alignment is passed even through an exclusive optical system for alignment. More, from several films to more than ten films are formed above the alignment mark in consecutive layers and etched during the production of a semiconductor device. This renders the sectional shape of the alignment mark asymmetrical. The asymmetrical section of the alignment mark directly translates into an asymmetrical alignment signal. As a result, an alignment sensor fails to locate the alignment mark at the true position of the mark.
While a pilot wafer has customarily been used to correct a measurement error ascribable to the alignment sensor, it is difficult to correct the error with accuracy at all times. In addition, the conventional exposing procedure is not efficient.

Method of producing a semiconductor device


A communication switching system having a plurality of switch nodes with each of the switch nodes responsive to a failure of a communication link within a group of communication links to switch active calls from channels of the failed communication link to idle channels of other communication links within the group of communication links. If no idle channels are available within the group of communication links when the communication link fails, a predefined time is waited for a channel to become idle or a new communication link to be added to the group of communication links before the active channels are abandoned. Advantageously, the switching of the active calls to idle channels occurs quickly so that only a momentary interruption of the calls occurs. The group of communication links may advantageously be a non-facility access service (NFAS) group having a combination of ISDN BRI and PRI communication links. The calls can be either voice, video, or data calls.

In prior art telecommunications switching systems comprising a plurality of stored program controlled switch nodes, it is well known that when two switch nodes are interconnected by a plurality of communication links, to form these communication links into a common group that share a signaling channel. For example, ISDN PRI links are formed into a non-facility access service (NFAS) group. Within a NFAS group of PRI links, the D channels (which are normally used for signaling) in all but two of the PRI links are utilized as an additional B (bearer) channel. In the two remaining PRI links, one D channel is designated as the primary D channel, and the D channel of the second remaining PRI link is designated as the secondary D channel. In accordance with CCITT specifications, if the primary D channel is lost, then, the two switching nodes will utilize the secondary D channel for signaling. In accordance with the CCITT specification, if a PRI link is lost no attempt is made to preserve the calls on B channels of the failed PRI link by moving them to B channels of other PRI links within the NFAS group. This results in calls being lost even though there is spare capacity within the NFAS group to continue these calls.
There are a number of reasons why the primary PRI link may be disabled. One reason is that the primary PRI link is a wired link that has been cut accidentally. A second reason is that in a highly distributed system such as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,242 it is necessary to add and remove PRI links interconnecting switch nodes. At present, if calls are not to be terminated, it is necessary to wait until there are no calls being communicated on any of the links making up the NFAS group. This is often done by indicating that each of the links is out of service. In general, this requires field personnel to work during the early morning hours when there is little activity on the system.
In addition to wired PRI links, other links could be utilized such as wireless links. In the case of the wireless links, interruptions of the wireless path can occur which can cause the loss of one or more links of the NFAS group.
It is clear that a problem exists in the art with the present procedure of simply dropping calls on B channels of a failed link. As noted in the previous paragraph, there are a variety of conditions under which such failures can happen on a routine basis, and it is not desirable to lose routine calls.

Channel and data link automatic restoration


A shock absorbing seat is provided in a personal watercraft or boat. The seat has an elongated configuration and is mounted at the front end thereof to the hull or other structural member of the watercraft for limited pivoting motion relative to the hull or structural member. A shock absorber assembly which includes a fluid filled cylinder, a piston therein, and a coil spring externally mounted to the cylinder piston combination, is mounted for limited motion relative to the hull or other structural member of the watercraft, and to the seat so as to support at least a substantial portion of the weight of the seat and occupant thereof, and to absorb forces generated between the hull and the seat while the watercraft is in motion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to a personal watercraft, and particularly to a personal watercraft having a shock absorber mounted seat for the occupant. The present invention is also directed to shock absorber mounted seats usable in other type of watercrafts, such as speed boats.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Personal watercraft are well known in the art. Such craft typically employs a jet pump for generating a rearwardly directed stream of water which provides the forward thrust required to propel the craft and its occupant. The direction of propulsion is controlled by the positioning of a movable steering nozzle which receives the stream of water from the pump and directs the flow so as to divide the thrust into the desired directional components. The positioning of the nozzle is affected by a steering cable system which connects the nozzle to a handlebar controlled by the driver of the watercraft. The handlebar typically includes a throttle control and an electrical on and off switch. U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,260 describes a personal watercraft which has an adjustable flap on the bottom of the craft, so that the angle at which the flap meets the water can be controlled by the operator of the craft. The flap can also serve as a brake. As far as the arrangement for accommodating the driver/occupant of the personal watercraft is concerned, one type of personal watercraft requires the occupant to stand on the watercraft while riding. This type of watercraft is also commonly known as a "jet ski". Although jet skis of this type are popular, a related sit-down type of personal watercraft has also recently gained great popularity. Such "sit-down" models include a seat which the driver usually occupies in sitting reclined or semi-prone position to drive the watercraft. It is well known that "stand-up" jet skis, as well the related "sit-down" models tend to be driven fast on the water. Therefore, the occupants of such watercraft are subjected to substantial shocks and bumps as the rapidly traveling watercraft meets the waves. In order to improve the comfort of the occupant/driver of personal watercraft, the present invention provides a shock absorbing seat for the watercraft.

Shock-absorber mounted seat for personal watercraft and boats