The present invention provides methods for expanding and increasing survival of hematopoietic cell populations, for prolonging viability of an organ for transplantation, and enhancing bioproduction, using interleukin-1.beta.-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family inhibitors. Exemplary compounds useful in the methods of the invention are provided herein.

The present invention relates generally to programmed cell death and specifically to methods for expansion of hematopoietic cells, for prolonging viability of an organ for transplantation, and maintaining viability of cell lines used in bioproduction using interleukin-1.beta.-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family inhibitors.
Necrosis and apoptosis are two basic processes by which cells may die. In necrosis cell death usually is a result of cell injury. The cells generally swell and lyse, and the cell contents ultimately spill into the extracellular space. By contrast, apoptosis is a mode of cell death in which single cells are deleted in the midst of living tissues. Apoptosis accounts for most of the programmed cell death in tissue remodeling and for the cell loss that accompanies atrophy of adult tissues following withdrawal of endocrine and other growth stimuli. In addition, apoptosis is believed to be responsible for the physiologic death of cells in the course of normal tissue turnover (i.e., tissue homeostasis) (Kerr, J. F., et al, 1972. Br. J. Cancer 26:239-257; Wyllie, A. H., et al. 1980. Int. Rev. Cytol. 68:251-306).
The effector mechanisms of apoptosis are not completely understood, but ultimately, certain nuclear changes occur that appear to be caused by the activation of endogenous nucleases that cleave chromatin between nucleosomes and reduce the content of intact DNA in apoptotic cells. A number of regulators of apoptosis have been identified. Some of these are already familiar as protooncogenes and oncosuppressor genes, including c-myc, bcl-2, p53, and ras. The protooncogene products and oncosuppressor proteins are believed to control cellular susceptibility to apoptosis (Isaacs, J. T. 1994. Curr. Opin. Oncol. 6:82-89). C-myc can determine whether cells continuously proliferate or enter apoptosis, depending on the availability of critical growth factors (Bisonnette, R. P., et al. 1994. In Apoptosis II: The Molecular Basis of Apoptosis in Disease. Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press). In cultured cells, proliferation is usually observed in the presence of c-myc and growth factors, whereas apoptosis is seen when c-myc is present but growth factors are absent. Certain other oncogenes (e.g., bcl-2) rescue cells from susceptibility to apoptosis. Specifically, members of the bcl-2 gene family can act to inhibit programmed cell death (e.g., bcl-2, bcl-xL, ced-9) or promote cell death (e.g., bax, bak, bcl-xS). Additionally, members of the ICE/CED-3 family can promote cell death (e.g., ICE, CPP32, Ich-1, CED3).
Interleukin 1 ("IL-1") is a major pro-inflammatory and immunoregulatory protein that stimulates fibroblast differentiation and proliferation, the production of prostaglandins, collagenase and phospholipase by synovial cells and chondrocytes, basophil and eosinophil degranulation and neutrophil activation. Oppenheim, J. H. et al., Immunology Today, 7:45-56 (1986). As such, it is involved in the pathogenesis of chronic and acute inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. IL-1 is predominantly produced by peripheral blood monocytes as part of the inflammatory response. Mosely, B. S. et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci., 84:4572-4576 (1987); Lonnemann, G. et al., Eur. I. Immunol., 19:1531-1536 (1989).
Mammalian IL-1.beta. is synthesized as a precursor polypeptide of about 31.5 kDa (Linjuco, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA, 83:3972, 1986). Precursor IL-1.beta. is unable to bind to IL-1 receptors and is biologically inactive (Mosley, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 262:2941, 1987). Biological activity appears dependent upon proteolytic processing which results in the conversion of the precursor 31.5 kDa form to the mature 17.5 kDa form.
Proteolytic maturation of human precursor IL-1.beta. to mature, 17 kDa IL-1.beta. results from cleavage between Asp.sup.116 and Ala.sup.117. An endoproteinase, termed Interleukin-1.beta. Converting Enzyme (ICE), has been identified in human monocytes that is capable of cleaving the IL-1.beta. precursor at Asp.sup.116 -Ala.sup.117, as well as at the site Asp.sup.27 -Gly.sup.28, and generating mature IL-1.beta. with the appropriate amino terminus at Ala.sup.117. The Asp at position 116 has been found to be essential for cleavage, since substitution of Ala (Kostura, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 86:5227, 1989) or other amino acids (Howard, et al., J. Immunol., 147:2964, 1991) for Asp inhibits this cleavage event.
The substrate specificity of human ICE has been defined with the use of peptides that span the cleavage site of the enzyme. Two features of peptide substrates are essential for catalytic recognition by the enzyme. First, there is a strong preference for aspartic acid adjacent to the cleavage site, in that any substitution of this residue in the IL-1.beta. precursor and peptide substrates leads to a substantial reduction in the rate of catalysis (Kostura, et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 86:5227, 1989; Sleath, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 265:14526, 1990; Howard, et al., J. Immunol., 147:2964, 1991). There is an equally stringent requirement for four amino acids to the left of the cleavage site, whereas methylamine is sufficient to the right. The minimal substrate for the enzyme, AC-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-NH-CH.sub.3, is a particularly good peptide substrate with a relative Vmax/Km similar to that of the IL-1.beta. precursor itself (Thomberry, et al., Nature 356:768, 1992).
ICE is a cysteinyl proteinase by the following criteria: (1) the diazomethylketone AC-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-COCHN.sub.2 is a potent, competitive, irreversible inhibitor of the enzyme, (2) inactivation of the enzyme by iodoacetate is competitive with substrate, and (3) the catalytically active Cys reacts selectively with [.sup.14 C] iodoacetate more than 10 times faster than do other cysteines or dithiothreitol (Thomberry, et al., Nature, 356:768, 1992).
ICE is related structurally and functionally to the CED-3 protease that functions as a cell death effector in the roundworm C. elegans (Yuan, et al., Cell, 75:641, 1993). ICE and CED-3 form part of a larger family of proteases (the ICE/CED-3 family) that includes CPP32, ICH-1, Mch-2, ICE.sub.rel II, ICE.sub.rel III, Mch-3, Mch4 and Mch-5. All of these enzymes are cysteine proteases that share significant homology at their active sites. They also share the specificity for substrate cleavage at asp-x bonds. Additionally, each of the ICE/CED-3 family members is synthesized as a pro-enzyme that is then proteolytically activated to form an active enzyme.
Thus, disease states in which inhibitors of the ICE/ced-3 family of cysteine proteases may be useful as therapeutic agents include: infectious diseases, such as meningitis and salpingitis; septic shock, respiratory diseases; inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis, cholangitis, colitis, encephalitis, endocerolitis, hepatitis, pancreatitis and reperfusion injury, ischemic diseases such as the myocardial infarction, stroke and ischemic kidney disease; immune-based diseases, such as hypersensitivity; auto-immune diseases, such as multiple sclerosis; bone diseases; and certain neurodegenerative diseases.
In various cell culture systems, it has been shown that inhibition of ICE/CED-3 family members can effectively inhibit apoptosis. For example, the compound acetyl-DEVD-aldehyde inhibited anti-Fas induced apoptosis in a T-lymphocyte cell line (Schlegel, et al., J. Biol. Chem., 271:1841, 1996; Enari, et al., Nature, 380:723, 1996). Similarly, acetyl-YVAD-aldehyde and acetyl-YVAD-chloromethylketone blocked the death of motoneurons in vitro and in vivo (Milligan, et al., Neuron, 15:385, 1995). In addition, the ICE/CED-3 family inhibitor Boc-D-(benzyl) chloromethylketone as well as crmA prevented the cell death of mammary epithelial cells that occurs in the absence of extracellular matrix (Boudreau, et al., Science, 267:891, 1995).
It is known that control of apoptosis may have utility in treating disease. Specifically, inhibitors of the ICE/CED-3 family may have therapeutic effects. For example, it has been suggested that inhibition of ICE may be useful in the treatment of inflammatory disorders (Dolle, et al., J. Med. Chem., 37:563, 1994; Thomberry, et al., Biochemistry, 33:3934, 1994). It is also known that inhibitors of ICE/CED-3 family members may have utility in treating degenerative diseases such as neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, Huntington's disease), ischemic disease of heart or central nervous system (i.e., myocardial infarction and stroke), and traumatic brain injury, as well as in alopecia, AIDS and toxin induced liver disease (Nicholson, Nature Biotechnology 14:297, 1996).
Peptide and peptidyl inhibitors of ICE have been described. However, such inhibitors have been typically characterized by undesirable pharmacologic properties, such as poor oral absorption, poor stability and rapid metabolism. Plattner, J. J. and D. W. Norbeck, in Drug Discovery Technologies, C. R. Clark and W. H. Moos, Eds. (Ellis Horwood, Chichester, England, 1990), pp. 92-126. These undesirable properties have hampered their development into effective drugs. The methods of this invention include either the use of conformationally constrained dipeptide mimetics or a N-substituted indolyl peptide replacement. These mimetics exhibit improved properties relative to their peptidic counterparts, for example, such as improved absorption and metabolic stability resulting in enhanced bioavailability.

Inhibition of apoptosis using interleukin-1.beta.-converting enzyme (ICE)/CED-3 family inhibitors


The present invention provides a display panel and a display device; the display panel comprises a TFT substrate, a color filter substrate and a conductive polarizer; the conductive polarizer covers a light radiation surface of the color filter substrate, a side perpendicular to the light radiation surface, and a side of the TFT substrate. The display panel can avoid influence of outside electric fields, and has a certain tap or drop ability.

The present display panel classifies into display technologies such as Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED), and so on; a liquid crystal cell is arranged on LCD, and a voltage is applied to both side of the liquid crystal cell to control liquid crystal elements shift; organic materials is irritated by current in OLED to emit light, and two electrodes is also needed to imposed in the electric field.
Avoiding interferences of electric field around surroundings is needed as best as possible in order to increase accuracy and color effect of display panels, and that is like static electricity produced from rubbing in a biological electric field of human body. A current solution is inserting silver paste pad between a color filter substrate and a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate to form a loop, so that interferences caused from electric fields around surroundings can be shielded. Technical arts become more complex by this manner, and cost of the manufacture increases.

Display panel and display device thereof

Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd

Wuhan China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd


A chip resistor (A1) includes a chip-like resistor element (1), two electrodes (31) spaced from each other on the bottom surface (1a) of the resistor element, and an insulation film (21) between the two electrodes. Each electrode (31) has an overlapping portion (31c) which overlaps the insulation film (21) as viewed in the vertical direction.

FIG. 15 of the present application shows a chip resistor disclosed in Patent Document 1 below. The disclosed chip resistor B includes a metal resistor element 90 and a pair of electrodes 91 fixed to the bottom surface 90a of the resistor element. The electrodes 91 are spaced from each other by a predetermined distance s5. Each of the electrodes 91 has its lower surface formed with a solder layer 92.
Patent Document 1: JP-A-2002-57009
When the size of the resistor element 90 is unchanged, the resistance of the chip resistor B is in proportion to the distance s5 between the electrodes 91. Thus, the resistance of the chip resistor B is changed by varying the distance s5. As understood from FIG. 15, to increase the distance s5 decreases the width s6 of each electrode 91, and to decrease the distance s5 increases the width s6.
As described above, in the conventional chip resistor B, the change of the distance s5 affects the width s6, which gives rise to the following problem.
In use, the chip resistor B is soldered to a circuit board, for example. At this stage, each electrode 91 of the resistor B should be properly bonded, electrically and mechanically, to the relevant connection terminal formed on the circuit board. To achieve this, the size of the connection terminal matches the size of the electrode 91. With the conventional design described above, however, the size of the connection terminal needs to be changed every time the resistance of the chip resistor B is changed. Unfavorably, this lowers the productivity of circuit boards and increases the production costs.

Chip resistor and manufacturing method thereof


A method for fabricating metal interconnect structure is disclosed. The method includes the steps of: providing a substrate having a first inter-metal dielectric (IMD) layer thereon; forming a metal interconnection in the first IMD layer; removing part of the first IMD layer; forming a spacer adjacent to the metal interconnection; and using the spacer as mask to remove part of the first IMD layer for forming an opening in the first IMD layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for fabricating metal interconnect structure, and more particularly to a method of forming air gaps within metal interconnect structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As device dimensions continue to shrink, a reduction in interconnect line widths leads to increased line resistance (R) for signals. Further, reduced spacing between conducting lines creates more parasitic capacitance (C). The result is an increase in RC signal delay, which slows chip speed and lowers chip performance.
The line capacitance, C, is directly proportional to the dielectric constant, or k-value of a dielectric material. A low-k dielectric reduces the total interconnect capacitance of the chip, reduces the RC signal delay, and improves chip performance. Lowering the total capacitance also decreases power consumption. The use of a low-k dielectric material in conjunction with a low-resistance metal line provides an interconnect system with optimum performance for the ULSI technology. For this reason, prior art attempts to reduce the RC delays have focused on utilizing material with a low-k to fill the gaps between the metal lines.
Silicon dioxide (SiO2) has been conventionally preferred as a dielectric material even though it has a relatively high dielectric constant (relative to vacuum) of about 4.1 to 4.5 because it is a thermally and chemically stable material and conventional oxide etching techniques are available for high-aspect-ratio contacts and via holes. However, as device dimensions decrease and the packing density increases, it is necessary to reduce the spacing between conductive lines to effectively wire up the integrated circuits. Therefore, a large number of lower dielectric constant materials are currently being investigated to reduce the RC value of the chip further. These include among many others fluorinated SiO2, aerogels, and polymers. Another method being proposed to lower the dielectric constant even further is to form air gaps between the interconnect lines. While silicon dioxide has a dielectric constant of about 4 and greater, the dielectric constant of air is about 1.
Although air is the best dielectric material for lowering the RC value, unfortunately the use of air gap structures in integrated circuit fabrication has been hindered with problems. Overall mechanical strength of the device is reduced correspondingly and lead to structural deformation and a weakened structure can have serious effect in various aspects of subsequent integrated circuit fabrication. Accordingly, what is needed in the art is an air gap interconnect structure and method of manufacture thereof that addresses the above-discussed issues.

Metal interconnect structure and method for fabricating the same


The use of a compound of formula (I), is disclosed in treating and/or preventing 5 chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN). The invention includes pharmaceutical compositions wherein the compound of formula (I) is present in a mixture with anticancer agents. An improved anticancer treatment with reduced CIPN-related side effects is also provided.

Treatment with different chemotherapeutic agents, such as vincristine, taxol or oxaliplatin, causes in most cases the development of dose-limiting chronic neurotoxicity. The toxic damage is made evident by ensuing neural dysfunctions such as mechanical and cold allodynia, ongoing burning pain, myalgias, tingling, numbness, etc. (Cavaliere R. and Schiff D. 2006, Curr. Neurol. Neurosci. Rep. 6:218-26). The resulting pathological condition is also known as chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN). CIPN often represents the most important cause of discomfort and suffering in patients undergoing chemotherapy, which strongly limits the practical applicability of the latter. In patients with CIPN symptoms, the interruption of chemotherapy is no valid solution: this exposes to tumour worsening, whereas neurotoxicity is not necessarily removed, as it may persist or even develop after discontinuation of medication. The degree of severity of CIPN depends not only from the drug, time and dose used but also from the total cumulative dose applied.
Depending on the substance used, a pure sensory syndrome (with cisplatin, oxaliplatin, carboplatin) or a mixed sensorimotor neurotoxicity with or without involvement of the autonomic nervous system (vincristine, taxol) can ensue. In addition, the previous administration or co-treatment with two or more neurotoxic agents further increases the incidence and severity of neurotoxic effects. For example, cisplatin alone induced neurotoxic effects in 49% of patients (Bacon M. and et al. 2003, Int. J. Gynecol. Cancer 13:428-34), whereas when co-administered with paclitaxel, sensory neurotoxicity was observed in 91% of patients. These effects may lead to disability and worsening of life quality in the absence of tumor progression and it represents a serious dose-limiting side effect.
In addition, the development of the neurotoxic syndrome can interfere with optimal drug dosing, delay sequencing of therapy, or necessitate the discontinuation of treatment.
Little is known about the mechanism responsible for the development of CIPN and to date no satisfactory therapies are available (Quasthoff S. and Hartung H. P. 2002, J. Neurol. 249:9-17).
Attempts have been made to address the symptoms with drugs efficacious on pain of various origins. For example the tricyclic antidepressant nortriptyline, known to be efficacious in treating pain of different origins and diabetic associated neuropathies, was tested in a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to establish its ability to treat a cisplatin-induced pain syndrome (Hammack J. E. et al. 2002 Pain 98:195-203). The study included 51 patients and the nortriptyline maximum dose was 100 mg/day. Global statistical analysis of the trial results pointed out the lack of nortriptyline efficacy over placebo. Lamotrigine, a drug that reduces neuronal hyper-excitability, failed to reduce CIPN in phase III clinical trials (Renno S. I. et al. 2006, J. Clin. Oncol. 2006, ASCO Annual Meeting Proceeding Part I Vol 24, No. 18S:8530). All the patients showed severe neurotoxic symptoms induced by treatment with vinca alkaloids (30%), taxanes (25%), platinum-agents (7%), chemotherapy combinations (34%), and others (3%). After 10 weeks of therapy, the average scores were similar between the lamotrigine and placebo treated groups. Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant used for various neuropathies and neuralgias; (Rowbotham M. et al. 1998, JAMA 280:1837-1842; Backonja M. et al. 1998, JAMA 280:1831-1836). This compound, tested on cancer patients with CIPN (Wong G. Y. 2005, J. Clin. Oncol. 2005, ASCO Annual Meeting Proceeding Part I Vol 23, No. 16S:8001), failed to reduce pain intensity (NRS score), sensory neuropathy (ECOG rating), and other adverse events. In addition, patients treated with gabapentin reported significant more adverse side effects such as nystagmus and dizziness. Imidazole derivatives with general nootropic activity have been described in WO 2004/085438; these compounds were not used in association with chemotherapeutic agents and no neuroprotection or other beneficial effect in CIPN has been disclosed.
As summarised above, no effective therapy is currently available for chemotherapy-induced neurotoxicity. The need is thus felt for effective therapies in the treatment of CIPN. A particular need is that of a curative treatment, i.e. capable to treat the underlying cause, as the mere symptomatic treatment has so far failed to obtain appreciable results. The need is also felt for agents capable to improve the tolerability of chemotherapeutic therapy, thereby increasing the clinical acceptance of the latter. A further need is that of suitable co-therapies capable to positively synergise in the effective treatment of cancer, whereby the neurotoxic side-effects of chemotherapeutic agents are inhibited. It is also desired to dispose of pharmaceutical compositions suitable for co-therapy, whereby one agent inhibits the neurotoxic effect of the chemotherapeutic agent. A further need is that of agents capable to block neurotoxic effects of CIPN developing even after discontinuation of the chemotherapeutic agent.

Pyrrolo[1,2-A]imidazoledione effective in the treatment of peripheral neurotoxicity induced by chemotherapeutic agents


At a truck loading dock, a flexible draft shield helps seal a lower inner corner of a dock shelter. Instead of a foam core, the draft shield includes a resiliently flexible frame that supports a pliable cover. In some embodiments, the frame includes a spring steel loop that is able to flex upon being squeezed between two members of the dock shelter. In some cases, the draft shield is hollow and open at the bottom.

1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention generally pertains to loading dock shelters, and more specifically to a device that helps seal a lower corner of the dock shelter.
2. Description of Related Art
When an exterior doorway of a building is used for loading and unloading trucks, the doorway often includes a dock shelter to help shield against weather. The dock shelter seals off gaps that might otherwise exist between the exterior face of the building and the back end of the truck. Dock shelters often have projecting members that protrude outwardly from the face of the building and run generally along the top and lateral sides of the doorway. From a protruding edge of the projecting members, a top extending member and two laterally extending members may extend inward and generally parallel to the building face to help seal against the truck's top and sides, respectively. The laterally extending members can be made of fabric, hinged panels, or flexible foam. Portions of the truck's rear bottom edge are often partially sealed off by dock bumpers and the lip extension of a dock leveler. The remaining gaps are two inner bottom corners of the dock shelter at the lower back sides of the truck. These gaps are often partially sealed by draft pads attached to the lower ends of the projecting members.
Examples of draft pads can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,885,881; 3,792,559 and 6,014,844. In these examples, the draft pads comprise a compressible foam core covered with pliable fabric. The foam core enables the pad to be compressed by a truck backing into the dock shelter and provides the pad with compliance for filling certain air gaps within the shelter. The fabric cover helps protect the foam core from dirt, wear and weather.
To help prevent the draft pad from sagging, the foam core includes a certain amount of bulk for structural support. Except for the added expense, such bulk may not be a problem with today's conventional dock shelters. However, newer dock shelters may be best served by a draft seal having a sleeker, more lightweight design.


Various embodiments described herein are directed to surgical instruments with visual feedback. In one embodiment, a surgical instrument with visual feedback comprises an end effector. The end effector has a first jaw member and a second jaw member. At least one sensor is coupled to the end effector. The at least one sensor is configured convert at least one state of the end effector to a feedback signal. The feedback signal is corresponding to the at least one state of the end effector. The feedback signal may be transmitted to a display to render a visual representation of the at least one state of the end effector. The surgical instrument may further comprise an instrument mounting portion to mount to a robotic surgical system. The instrument mounting portion comprises an interface to mechanically and electrically interface to the surgical instrument.

Various embodiments are directed to surgical devices including various display systems for rendering one or more visual representations of one or more end effector functions.
Ultrasonic surgical devices, such as ultrasonic scalpels, are used in many applications in surgical procedures by virtue of their unique performance characteristics. Depending upon specific device configurations and operational parameters, ultrasonic surgical devices can provide substantially simultaneous transection of tissue and homeostasis by coagulation, desirably minimizing patient trauma. An ultrasonic surgical device comprises a proximally-positioned ultrasonic transducer and an instrument coupled to the ultrasonic transducer having a distally-mounted end effector comprising an ultrasonic blade to cut and seal tissue. The end effector is typically coupled either to a handle and/or a robotic surgical implement via a shaft. The blade is acoustically coupled to the transducer via a waveguide extending through the shaft. Ultrasonic surgical devices of this nature can be configured for open surgical use, laparoscopic, or endoscopic surgical procedures including robotic-assisted procedures.
Ultrasonic energy cuts and coagulates tissue using temperatures lower than those used in electrosurgical procedures. Vibrating at high frequencies (e.g., 55,500 times per second), the ultrasonic blade denatures protein in the tissue to form a sticky coagulum. Pressure exerted on tissue by the blade surface collapses blood vessels and allows the coagulum to form a hemostatic seal. A surgeon can control the cutting speed and coagulation by the force applied to the tissue by the end effector, the time over which the force is applied and the selected excursion level of the end effector.
Also used in many surgical applications are electrosurgical devices. Electrosurgical devices apply electrical energy to tissue in order to treat tissue. An electrosurgical device may comprise an instrument having a distally-mounted end effector comprising one or more electrodes. The end effector can be positioned against tissue such that electrical current is introduced into the tissue. Electrosurgical devices can be configured for bipolar or monopolar operation. During bipolar operation, current is introduced into and returned from the tissue by active and return electrodes, respectively, of the end effector. During monopolar operation, current is introduced into the tissue by an active electrode of the end effector and returned through a return electrode (e.g., a grounding pad) separately located on a patient's body. Heat generated by the current flow through the tissue may form haemostatic seals within the tissue and/or between tissues and thus may be particularly useful for sealing blood vessels, for example. The end effector of an electrosurgical device sometimes also comprises a cutting member that is movable relative to the tissue and the electrodes to transect the tissue.
Electrical energy applied by an electrosurgical device can be transmitted to the instrument by a generator. The electrical energy may be in the form of radio frequency ("RF") energy. RF energy is a form of electrical energy that may be in the frequency range of 300 kHz to 1 MHz. During its operation, an electrosurgical device can transmit low frequency RF energy through tissue, which causes ionic agitation, or friction, in effect resistive heating, thereby increasing the temperature of the tissue. Because a sharp boundary may be created between the affected tissue and the surrounding tissue, surgeons can operate with a high level of precision and control, without sacrificing un-targeted adjacent tissue. The low operating temperatures of RF energy may be useful for removing, shrinking, or sculpting soft tissue while simultaneously sealing blood vessels. RF energy may work particularly well on connective tissue, which is primarily comprised of collagen and shrinks when contacted by heat.
In endoscopic, laparoscopic, or robotic surgeries, a user is often not able to see the treatment site directly. In these situations, it may be desirable to provide a visual representation of various end effector functions to a user.

Surgeon feedback sensing and display methods


A belt receptor module for a color printer isolates disturbances such as impulsive and high-frequency force disturbances caused by entrance of a recording medium into a transfer nip of a transfer station. The belt receptor module includes a belt receptor positioned about a plurality of spaced rollers. A transfer station is located adjacent an area of the belt receptor. A tension roller is located adjacent the belt receptor on either side of the transfer station. The tension rollers each articulate about an appropriate axis to enable the belt receptor to enter a subsequent roller at angle of approximately 90.degree. to its axis without generating lateral forces. Each tension roller is movable along a different line to create a tension level therein, each tension level being different from the other tension level. The tension levels generated by the tension rollers do not substantially change with the position of said rollers and, thus, provide relief from the impulsive and high-frequency force disturbance caused by the entrance of a recording medium into a transfer nip of the transfer station. The isolation of the disturbance enables proper registration of the color separations while avoiding motion-induced artifacts.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a belt receptor for use in a color printer and, more particularly, to an apparatus for isolating disturbances in a belt receptor of a color printer.
2. Description of the Related Art
In color printing, a plurality of images are recorded and developed on a member such as an electroreceptor belt. Each image corresponds to one of a plurality of colors. For example, red, green and blue images can be recorded and developed on an electroreceptor belt to form three color separations, the three color separations being superimposed to form a single color image.
In a multiple-pass color printer, each of the red, green and blue color separations is transferred from the electroreceptor belt to a recording medium. The transfer is performed such that the three color separations are positioned in superimposed relationship to one another to form the color image.
In single-pass color printers, the red, green and blue color separations are superimposed on the electroreceptor belt prior to transfer to the recording medium. The color separations are superimposed on the electroreceptor belt by successive imaging stations located adjacent the electroreceptor belt. Each imaging station records an image corresponding to one of the colors. The single color image is developed with toner particles of a color complementary thereto prior to transfer to the recording medium. Various recording mediums can be used in conjunction with these color printers such as a sheet of paper, a transparency, etc.
To achieve a quality image which is not blurred in appearance and which does not contain unwanted artifacts, the color separations must be accurately provided in superimposed relationship while avoiding any motion-induced image degradation. Accordingly, the motion of the electroreceptor belt must be finely controlled, particularly in the span of the electroreceptor belt which encompasses the imaging and developing stations forming the images.
The transfer of an image to a recording medium is performed at a transfer station having a transfer nip. Often, as the recording medium enters the transfer nip, an impulsive and high-frequency force disturbance occurs which is commonly called "thumping". This disturbance impairs the fine control of the motion of the electroreceptor belt which is required to achieve proper tone uniformity and relative registration of the color separations. Because of frequency bandwidth limitations, this disturbance cannot be corrected by known servo mechanism technology. Such servo mechanism technology enables correction only of slowly and smoothly varying force disturbances introduced by other process components such as cleaners, etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,656,674 to Morse discloses a web tension isolator for isolating a web within a particular area of a web advancing mechanism from tension forces acting on the web in other regions of the web advancing mechanism. On each side of the isolated portion of the web, a freely rotatable pulley mounted on a pivoted arm interacts with a driver pulley to keep the ratio of the tensions in the web on each side of the pulleys substantially constant. The region of the web between the pairs of pulleys is thus isolated from web tension fluctuations.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,732,402 to Boyer discloses an electromechanical device for a tape winding mechanism wherein vibrations and pulley arrangements are reduced to a maximum extent possible. In the tape winding mechanism, a shock absorber and tensioning device are disposed on each side of a tape reading area to prevent harmful vibration. The shock absorber devices comprise a pair of coil springs connected between a pair of actuating solenoids and a pivot arm. Each pivot arm supports a roller which bears against the tape.
The above references do not disclose belt receptor modules which can achieve the fine control required to obtain proper relative registration of color separations as a recording medium enters the transfer nip.

Disturbance isolation in a belt receptor of a color printer


A self contained, self-powered, bright, typically visible, light source in a strong case having a transparent dome is thrown or fired into position by police as a non-injurious agent of coercive intervention. Light is emitted after a predetermined delay, typically ten seconds, from a unidirectional manual actuation, typically by act of pulling an insulating plastic strip from between electrical contacts within the case. Once activated, the light source may not be readily deactivated, and will shine sufficiently brightly so as to be temporarily blinding to the direct view of any human who is close enough to the light source so as to touch it. A spent light source may be discarded but is commonly recycled by being recharged.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally concerns non-injurious agents of coercive intervention usable by law enforcement and like personnel to manipulate the environment, including human actors within the environment.
The present invention particularly concerns a ruggedized portable bright light sources usable by policemen and firemen and the like to temporarily illuminate hazardous dark areas without substantial risk to themselves or persons present within the dark areas.
2. Background of the Invention
Criminals have always sought the obscuring cloak of darkness, and criminal activity peaks at night. Many forms of criminal activity that are currently, circa 1991, prevalent in the United States of America involve trade in illegal drugs, or criminals who have ingested illegal drugs. Because of the illegality of selling or consuming illegal drugs, both sales and consumption are commonly conducted during the hours of darkness, and in locations that are poorly illuminated.
Still other criminal activities such as theft are common at night, and are commonly conducted with no or minimal illumination. Indeed, in the common law burglary was defined as unauthorized entrance into a dwelling house at night with the intention of thievery--thereby recognizing the special severity, and the difficulty of preventing or interdicting, crime during the hours of darkness.
Meanwhile, in the U.S. the propensity for violent criminal response to any intervention by law enforcement personnel is currently very high. Criminals are not only willing to resist apprehension by use of deadly force, but are often extremely well armed with weapons of new types that were previously seldom previously encountered by the police. These weapons include semi-automatic sidearms and para-military weapons that hold, and that may rapidly fire, a considerable number, typically in excess of a dozen, large caliber rounds of considerable destructive force.
According to the concealment of darkness in which criminal activities frequently take place, the propensity of criminals to resist the discovery of these activities by the police, and the considerable armaments that criminals possess and seem willing to use in resisting discovery of their illegal activities, normal nocturnal criminal investigative activities have become increasingly hazardous to the police. One simple, and time-honored, scenario of police investigation during the hours of darkness, or in darkened locations, is to shine a flashlight beam upon a suspected scene of criminal activity and/or suspected criminals. In the past a mere inspection by the police infrequently precipitated hostilities, including gunfire. If gunfire did occur it was frequently ineffective, being only a few rounds fired from small caliber weapons.
Unfortunately, modern weapons in the hands of criminals who have scant regard for either human life or police power are serving to make this investigative scenario very risky to the police. The police now realize that even the most causal inspection by flashlight beam of a darkened area may be met with a lethal fusillade of bullets. The fear of personal injury makes the job of the police more difficult, and may even have a deleterious effect on the curiosity, and frequent observations, that are fundamental to investigative police work.
According to this state of affairs, certain technologies that serve to protect the police during their investigations of suspected criminal activities in dark areas are both useful, and widely accepted. One such technology is body armor, including the bulletproof vest. Another such technology is the investigative robot. The robot may be typically sent in harm's way under remote control without jeopardizing human life. Unfortunately, robots are expensive, time-consuming and cumbersome to deploy. Moreover, they generally lack the mobility and flexibility that is required in most investigative situations.
The most common tool--the flashlight--that the police use to illuminate dark areas has considerably improved during recent decades. Modern police flashlight cases are strong, and may be suitably used as clubs. The emitted light is considerably brighter, and is often longer-lasting, than was previously the case. The advent of quartz-halogen light sources has particularly benefitted the police flashlight, which is, in certain cases, desired to emit a very bright, nearly blinding, light beam.
An unavoidable problem with the existing police flashlight, even one emitting a very bright light, is that the policeman holding the flashlight must identify his location. There is usually a time delay between a policeman's energization of his/her flashlight and his/her visual fixation of a person or persons within the flashlight's illuminating beam. There is a further time delay while the policeman, who may be attempting to aim his/her flashlight with a one hand while protecting himself/herself with a loaded weapon in the other hand, interprets the illuminated scene. During these time delays, which may be only momentary, the policeman is in jeopardy of being shot without warning by the party(ies) illuminated, or even by other parties who are still concealed by darkness
Because of these obvious risks, and tensions, the police investigation of a scene of criminal activity, and the apprehension of a criminal suspect(s) under conditions of darkness, is an exciting moment much favored by dramatists. Unfortunately, the real-world police who all too commonly encounter this situation are not substantially comforted, nor rendered more secure, by the universal understanding, in which they share, that the literal shining of light on criminal activity is, in America circa 1991, a very hazardous activity.


A tray for use by both children and adults while traveling in an automobile has a box-like frame and is supported by hinged panel legs. The box-like frame has a food serving surface on one side, a smooth desk surface on the opposite side, and a storage compartment within the box-like frame. A hinged door provides access to the storage compartment. The tray is placed over the legs of a user and secured to the user's seat belt. The hinged panel legs may be rotated 180 degrees to allow the tray to be used as a food tray in the normal position and as a desk when the box frame is inverted. In an alternative embodiment, the tray includes a food serving surface supported by hinged legs which may fold under the food serving surface for storage. A storage bag, which may be attached to the back of a passenger seat, provides for convenient storage of the folded tray.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to seat-mounted food service trays and storage compartments.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When traveling in an automobile, especially on long trips, the occupants often need to be supplied with entertainment as well as refreshment. Children especially tend to become restless and irritable during long trips, and that adventure known as travelling with children becomes even more challenging when these restless blessings must eat and ride. The present invention is directed to the provision of a tray and desk which may be placed over the legs of a user sitting in either the front or back seat of a vehicle.
Various types of trays for use in vehicles are known in the prior art. Many of the prior art trays rest on the seat or floor of a vehicle, but cannot be placed over the leg of the user. These trays are not easily accessible by children secured in their seat belt, and consequently a great deal of spillage occurs. Other trays rest directly on the lap of a user, and can become very uncomfortable during long trips. In addition, articles on these lap trays are easily displaced by even slight movement of the user. Many of the prior art trays are also limited to use in the back seat of a car.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,939,989, issued to Joseph W. Pierro on Feb. 24, 1976, discloses an Adjustable Support Means for supporting a tray on the seat back or arm rest of a car. The device, however, does not provide a tray which may be comfortably placed in front of a user and used as either a food tray or a desk.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,453,788, issued to Jack M. Russel on Jan. 12, 1984, discloses a Portable Desk designed for use on a vehicle steering wheel. The Portable Desk includes a storage compartment but does not include legs which would allow comfortable placement of the device over the leg of a user.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,765,583, issued to Wanda C. Tenner on Aug. 23, 1988, discloses a Lap Desk for use by children while traveling in an automobile. The Lap Desk is not supported by legs, but instead rests directly on the lap of the user, and thus fails to provide the comfort of the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,770,107, issued to Deborah S. Miller on Sep. 13, 1988, discloses a Portable Travel Tray for mounting in conjunction with a conventional automobile seat positioned in the front of the user. Unlike the present invention, the Portable Travel Tray cannot be used in the front seat of a vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,210, issued to Lloyd E. Milat on Jan. 3, 1989, discloses a Portable Table For Use In Vehicles. The Portable Table may be placed on either the driver side or the passenger side of a two door vehicle but can not be used both as a food tray and a desk. In addition, the legs of the Portable Table may not be folded as in the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,940,003, issued to Susan L. Mayhew et al. on Jul. 10, 1990, discloses a Car Seat Table designed for securement on a horizontal seat portion of a rear vehicle seat utilizing a conventional central seat beat. The design of the Car Seat Table prevents placement of the invention over the legs of the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,433, issued to Randall Kramer et al. on Sep. 10, 1991, discloses an Adjustable Folding Tray Apparatus For Attachment To A Vehicle Seat Back. The Adjustable Tray Apparatus must be attached to the headrest of a vehicle and cannot be used in the front seat of a vehicle.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,170,720, issued to Robert S. Scheurer on Dec. 15, 1992, discloses an Adjustable Car Table for use in an automobile. The Adjustable Car Table is supported on one end by an automobile seat, and is supported on its opposite end by an adjustable height leg stand, but may not be placed over the legs of the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,188,421, issued to Barbara Arseneault on Feb. 23, 1993, discloses an Entertainment And Feeding Device For Use By Children In Automobiles. The Entertainment and Feeding Device includes an attached food tray which may be detached and inverted to act as a flat play surface. However, this device can be used only in the back seat of an automobile.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.


Isolation regions are formed on a substrate to define an active region. A gate electrode is formed on the active region. A spacer structure is formed on a sidewall of the gate electrode. A gate silicide layer is formed on the gate electrode and a source/drain silicide layer is formed on the active region adjacent to the gate electrode. An upper portion of the gate silicide layer and a portion of the spacer structure are simultaneously removed to form a spacer structure pattern and a gate silicide layer pattern. A stress layer is formed to cover the gate electrode and spacer structure pattern.

1. Field
Example embodiments relate to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device. More particularly, example embodiments relate to a method of manufacturing a semiconductor device having a metal silicide layer.
2. Description of the Related Art
Semiconductor devices commonly employ switching devices such as a metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistors. As the degree of integration of semiconductor devices continues to increase, the size of MOS transistors continues to decrease. Accordingly, the channel length of the MOS transistor is reduced, and, as a result, the occurrence of the short channel effect is more likely. Also, the resulting width of a gate electrode may be reduced due to the reduction of the channel length of the MOS transistor. As a result, the electrical resistance of the gate electrode may be increased.
A silicidation process for decreasing the electrical resistance of semiconductor devices is widely employed. Generally, the silicidation process in which a metal silicide layer is selectively formed on a gate electrode and a source/drain region helps to offset increase in the electrical resistances of the gate electrode and the source/drain contacts. Recently, various metal materials such as cobalt, nickel, etc. have been used in the silicidation process. However, because cobalt and/or nickel are to be formed in a thin layer when used as a silicide layer, these configurations have encountered processing difficulties.
The electrical resistance of the gate electrode and the source/drain region can have an effect on the resulting transmission speed of electrical signals in semiconductor devices. The transmission speed also can be related to the mobility of electric charge in the gate channel region. In recent research, it has been determined that when stress is applied to the channel region, the transmission speed of the transistor can be increased. Accordingly, a method of applying stress to the channel region has been developed in which a structure that generates stress on the gate electrode or the active region is provided.
FIG. 1 is an electron microscope image of a conventional gate structure.
Generally, a gate spacer encloses sidewalls of a gate electrode. When the gate spacer encloses a sidewall of a gate electrode, stress is not concentrated on the channel region of the gate structure, but instead is also distributed to other regions. Thus, the gate spacer can be removed according to some methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device as shown in FIG. 1. However, when the gate spacer is removed by a dry etching process, the active region may be attacked by the etch, causing the source/drain region to become over-etched, which can result in junction leakage during operation, and therefore reducing device performance. Particularly, in a method in which a gate spacer on a sidewall of a gate electrode is sufficiently removed to obtain a stress layer effect, sufficient etching is required to remove the gate spacer. In this case, an active region can become over-etched during removal of the gate spacer, and device performance can be thereby limited.

Methods of manufacturing a semiconductor device


An illustrative embodiment of the invention provides an acoustic sensor for detecting stones and other hard foreign objects mixed within crop material in a harvesting machine susceptible to damage thereby. The acoustic sensor comprises a sensing surface disposed within an input path in the harvesting machine for impacting engagement with the flow of crop material therein and an acoustic sensing device coupled to the sensing surface for detecting acoustic vibrations induced within the sensing surface as a result of impact therewith by stones and other foreign objects mixed within the crop material. The sensor provides electrical signals in response to the acoustic vibrations indicative of the impact of the crop material and the foreign objects with the sensing surface and includes isolation means for obviating the effects of extraneous acoustical signals of the same character as the foreign object impacting signals to accentuate the foreign object impacting signals and thereby reduce the false alarm signals.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to agricultural machines and, more particularly, to means for detecting foreign objects, such as stones, collected along with the crop material being harvested.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Harvesting machines such as combine harvesters (hereinafter referred to as a combine) are susceptible to damage by foreign objects such as stones and other hard objects (hereinafter referred to simply as "stones") ingested therein during the harvesting process. Stone detecting and eliminating systems for protecting the combine are known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,675,660 and 3,805,798 entitled "Combine Stone Trap Door" and "Combine Harvester Protection System", respectively, both in the name of C. F. Girodat and both assigned to Massey, Ferguson Industries, disclose detector systems for eliminating rocks from a combine in which a piezoelectric element, attached to the bottom of the combine's header table assembly, generates output signals in response to acoustical vibrations induced therein. The electrical signals, moreover, are filtered and if of sufficient amplitude, indicative of a stone are applied to a trap door, a declutching mechanism or a combination thereof for eventual elimination of the object.
The known detection and elimination systems are subject to serious disadvantages, however. For example, directly coupling the piezoelectric element or stone detector system to the bottom of the combine's header table assembly subjects the system to spuriously induced vibrations or signals such as those due to the interaction of the moving mechanical members of the combine, to "stones" outside the combine which make contact therewith and due to the impact of the table assembly with the ground. These interactions involve relatively hard materials resulting in characteristic acoustical vibrations induced in the sensor similar to those vibrations created by the "stone"-sensor surface contact which the system is attempting to detect. Accordingly, the spurious or false signals or those acoustic vibrations of the same character as the "stone"-sensor surface contact will result in an increased false alarm rate resulting in, for example, unnecessarily activating the trap door mechanism. As spurious signals or an increased false alarm rate results in lost time and crop material, sensitivity of the system may be reduced to decrease the effect of the spurious signals. However, a reduced sensitivity increases the chances that some stones will not be detected resulting in machine damage.
The detector and eliminator systems of the prior art have several further limitations with respect to the sensor system and elimination means and lost crop material. Typically, each combine uses at least two headers, such as a direct-cut header and a corn header, for different crops. Additionally, the direct-cut headers may be adapted for particular crops by using a pick-up header attachment, a soybean pick-up reel, or a grain bat reel. If the piezoelectric element of the detector system is disposed within the table assembly of the header, a sensing device must be incorporated in each header of a single combine. For example, the table assembly of the header is typically 12 to 20 feet in width whereas the feeder housing or crop elevator which is fed by an auger in the header is generally about 40 inches in width. Accordingly, the flow of material in the table assembly is much slower than in the crop elevator. Moreover, as the eliminating system, conventionally a trap door, is generally disposed within the crop elevator, there is a substantial difference in the time of detection and elimination of the stone from one portion of the header as compared to the time of detection and elimination from another portion. Thus, in order to insure the elimination of the stones from the harvested crop, the trap door must remain open for a relatively long period of time permitting substantial amounts of crop to be lost.
In addition, it is apparent that unless virtually all of the "stones" gathered by the combine are insured of contacting the detector system, regardless of the size thereof, or the amount of crop material being harvested, a substantial number of non-contacting and, therefore, non-detected stones will be transported with the crop material into the threshing components of the combine where substantial damage may result.
Accordingly, there is a need for a "stone" detector system which will overcome or at least alleviate the problems associated with the prior art systems as described hereinabove and which insures the detection of virtually all of the stones entering the combine.


A cantilever type probe comprises a cantilever-shaped displacement element having electrodes for driving which displace two layers of piezoelectric material at the interface and first and second surfaces of the layers, respectively, and each of the electrodes being arranged separately within the same plane, and a tip for information input and output connected to electrodes for drawing out arranged separately from the electrodes for driving at the free end of either one of the first and second surfaces of the element. A scanning tunneling microscopy or an information processing device comprises the cantilever type probe, a driver for driving the displacement element of the cantilever type probe and a bias or pulse voltage applicator for applying a bias or pulse voltage between a sample and the probe.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a cantilever type probe to be used for scanning tunneling microscope (hereinafter abbreviated as STM) and so forth and a scanning tunnelling microscopy equipped with such probe.
Further, the present invention relates to a cantilever type probe which performs recording, reproduction and erasing, etc. of information according to the method of STM, and an information processing device equipped with the same.
2. Related Background Art
In recent years, scanning tunneling microscope (hereinafter abbreviated as STM) which can observe directly the electron structure of surface atoms of a conductor has been developed (G. Binnig et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 49 (1982) 57), whereby real space image can be measured with remarkably high resolving power (nanometer or less) irrespectively of whether it may be single crystal or amorphous. STM utilizes the phenomenon that a current flows when a voltage is applied between a metal tip and an electrically conductive substance and distance between the both approaches about 1 nm. Since the current is very sensitive to the distance change between the both and will change exponentially, the surface structure of the real space can be observed with a resolving power of the atomic order by scanning the tip so as to maintain constantly the tunnel current. Analysis by use of STM is limited to electrically conductive materials, but it has now begun to be applied to the structural analysis of the insulation film formed thinly on the surface of electrically conductive materials. Further, because such device and means utilize the method of detecting minute current, they have also the advantage that no damage is given to the medium, and also observation can be made with low power. Also, since actuation in the air is also possible, a wide scope of application of STM has been expected.
Particularly, as proposed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Applications Nos. 63-161552, 63-161553, practical application as high density recording and reproduction device has been positively progressed. This performs recording by varying the voltage applied between the probe and the recording medium by use of the same probe as STM, and as the recording medium, materials exhibiting switching characteristics having memory characteristic in voltage-current characteristics, for example, thin film layers of chalocogenides, .pi.-electron system organic compounds have been used. Reproduction is performed by the change in tunnel resistance between the region where recording is done and the region where no recording is done. As the recording medium for this recording system, recording and reproduction may be possible even on such medium with the surface shape of the recording medium being changed by the voltage applied on the probe.
When the operation of the STM or recording and reproduction applying STM are to be performed, important are the two points of controlling the distance between the probe and the sample or the recording medium on the .ANG. order, and, in recording and reproduction, controlling the two-dimensional scanning of the probe on the several 10.ANG. order for recording and reproducing the information arranged two-dimensionally on the medium. Further, from the standpoint of functional improvement of the recording and reproduction system, particularly acceleration of speed, it has been proposed to drive a large number of probes at the same time (multi-formation of probes). Shortly speaking, the relative position of the probe and the medium must be controlled three-dimensionally with the above precision within the area where a large number of probes are arranged.
In the prior art, for such control, lamination type piezoelectric elements, cylinder type piezoelectric elements, etc. mounted on the probe side or the medium side have been used. However, these elements, while they can take large displacement amounts, are not suitable for integration, and can be disadvantageously used for a multi-probe type recording and reproduction device. From this standpoint, the method of mounting the probe on a cantilever with a length of several 100 .mu.m and driving the cantilever with a piezoelectric material has been considered.
In the prior art, as the preparation method of such cantilever, there is the method of preparing a cantilever having a multi-layer structure of piezoelectric material thin films, metal films, etc. according to the working technique to make a fine structure on one substrate by use of the semiconductor preparation process technique (T. R. Albrecht et al. "Microfabrication of integrated Scanning Tunneling microscope", Proceedings Fourth International conference on scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy, 1989).
FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of the cantilever type probe of a prior art example. 101, 102 are piezoelectric material thin films, 103-107 are electrodes for driving piezoelectric materials, 108-111 dielectric material films, 112 a tip, and 113 an electrode for drawing out withdrawal. FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of the STM device by use of the cantilever type probe. 201 is a power source for bias application, 202 a tunnel current amplification circuit, 203 a driver for cantilever driving, 204 a cantilever, 205 a tip and 206 a sample. Here, by detecting the tunnel current I.sub.t flowing between the tip 205 and the sample 206, applying a feedback so that I.sub.t may be constant and driving the cantilever 204, the interval between the tip 205 and the sample 206 is maintained. FIG. 6 shows the equivalent circuit of the above STM device. I.sub.t is tunnel current, E bias power source, R.sub.i bias power internal resistance, R.sub.T tunnel resistance, V.sub.1 power source for cantilever driving, R.sub.i ' internal resistance, C.sub.1 floating capacitance existing between driving electrode and substrate, R.sub.1 substrate resistance, C.sub.2 capacitance according to the constitution having the piezoelectric material thin film sandwiched between driving electrodes, R.sub.2 resistance of the piezoelectric material, C.sub.3 floating capacity existing between the electrode for drawing out and the driving electrode, R.sub.3 its resistance, V.sub.2 the electromotive force due to the piezoelectric effect of the piezoelectric material displaced by V.sub.1, which may be considered to be V.sub.2 --V.sub.1. C.sub.4 is the capacitance according to the constitution having the piezoelectric material thin film sandwiched between the electrode for drawing out and the driving electrode, and R.sub.4 the resistance of that portion.
In the above prior art example, during tunnel current detection, the noise sources will be the current flowed in from C.sub.2, R.sub.2 portions and the current flowed in from V.sub.2, C.sub.4, R.sub.4 portions in FIG. 6. Generally speaking, C.sub.2 is not a lamination type so it has a small value, while R.sub.2 is large, and therefore V.sub.2, C.sub.4 are substantially problems. Particularly, they are problems when the thickness of the laminated body constituting the cantilever is made small. For example, when the driving frequency is made 1 kHz at V.sub.1 =.+-.5 V for driving the cantilever, and the cantilever length 1 mm, the piezoelectric material film thickness 1 .mu.m, the width of the electrode for drawing out probe 20 .mu.m, V.sub.2 becomes ca. .+-.5 V, 1 kHz, C.sub.4 ca. 1 pF, and the noise current I.sub.n becoming In=C.sub.4 .times.dV.sub.2 /dt ca. 20 nA. Ordinarily, since I.sub.t = about 10 pA to 10 nA in STM device, such I.sub.n makes detection of tunnel current based on the sample information difficult. Particularly, in the recording and reproduction device by use of a cantilever type probe, high speed driving is required and hence the influence from C.sub.4 is more serious.
Also, by use of the method of STM, there have been made studies about applications to various fields of observation evaluations, fine working of semiconductors or high molecular weight materials, etc. on the atomic order, molecular order (E. E. Ehrichs, 4th International Conference on Scanning Tunneling Microscopy/spectroscopy, '89, S13-3), and recording devices, etc.
Among them, in calculation information of computer or picture information, demands for recording devices having larger capacity are increasingly higher, and further because of calculation ability of the microprocessor which has been made smaller in size due to the progress of the semiconductor process technique, the recording device has been desired to be made smaller in size.
For the purpose of satisfying these demands, there has been proposed a recording and reproduction device with the minimum recording area of 10 nm square, which performs writing of a record by changing the work function of the recording medium surface by applying a voltage from a transducer comprising a probe for tunnel current generation existing on the driving means capable of fine control of the interval with the recording medium, and also performs reading of the information by detecting the change in tunnel current by the change in work function.
In such device, for improvement of transfer of information and recording speed, for example, it is required to increase the number of probes and permit them to run on the recording data series, while controlling the interval between the probes and the medium. However, the width of the data series recorded is very fine, and due to the influences of the drift by the temperature change of the device, or the vibration from the outside, etc., the probes will come off from the data series to make stable recording and reproduction impossible. Further, when one probe is scanned along the data series, other probes will come off from the data series.

Cantilever type probe, scanning tunneling microscope and information processing device equipped with said probe


This disclosure relates to methods, devices and systems for real-time recognition of restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in the cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) process. Recognition mechanisms in both time domain and frequency domain are provided for the ROSC recognition, where the time-domain recognition logic may detect the ROSC by recognizing envelope features of sampled signals in the time domain, and the frequency-domain recognition logic may detect the ROSC by recognizing spectral peaks at different frequency points continuously or significant variations of amplitude of spectral peaks in the frequency spectrum.

Cardiovascular disease, the major manifestation of which is sudden cardiac death (SCD), has become the top cause of death. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is universally acknowledged to be the most effective method to rescue patients from cardiac arrest. Given to the fact that evidence has accumulated that even short interruptions in CPR are harmful, the 2010 American Heart Association Guidelines for CPR and Emergency Cardiovascular Care puts an emphasis on immediately resuming CPR after shock delivery rather than evaluating the restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). However, this recommendation neglects the problem of interference between the spontaneous circulation and the chest compression in patients who had ROSC, which may disturb hemodynamics and exacerbate the damage to the heart that could cause heart arrest. There is thus a need to develop a rapid and exact recognition system of ROSC in the CPR process to avoid this problem.

Devices and systems for real-time recognition of restoration of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) in cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) process

SHENZHEN MINDRAY BIO-MEDICAL ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.


A spray tip assembly for airless fluid spraying includes the spray tip assembly and an adapter for mounting on a spray gun barrel. The spray tip assembly has a housing with a longitudinal through-running passage way in which a member carrying an orifice spray tip is mounted. The discharge end of the spray tip assembly includes a spray guard and the opposite end of the spray tip assembly is secured by the adapter to the barrel of a spray gun through which material to be sprayed is conducted to the spray tip assembly. In one embodiment of the invention the orifice of the spray tip assembly is carried in a cylindrical body which is rotatably mounted in the housing of the spray tip assembly so that the orifice can be reversed for cleaning purposes. In another embodiment the orifice is fixedly seated in the tip assembly and is not reversible. Components of the assembly are secured by at least one threaded locking element and sealing between components of the assembly is provided by annular polytetrafluorethylene resin sealing members having a compression ratio of between about 20% and about 40% to effect sealing between components simply by hand tightening the locking element.

Airless spray equipment includes the spray gun which has an orifice through which the liquid being sprayed, normally paint, is forced under high pressure. The spray gun further includes a trigger mechanism for initiating and terminating the spray operation. In view of the high pressure under which the liquid being sprayed exits the nozzle of the spray gun, the spray tip of the spray gun is provided with a guard to prevent contact with the spray pattern at close range, which contact could result in physical injury. The spray tip is normally designed so that the orifice at the nozzle end of the gun can be changed to vary the pattern of the spray and in many spray tip designs the orifice can also be rotated to reverse flow through the orifice for cleaning purposes. The components of the spray gun must be provided with sealing members such as "O" rings to maintain the components in a fluid tight relationship in order to avoid leakage of the high pressure fluid during operation of the gun.
During spraying operations it is often necessary to partially or completely disassemble the spray gun in order to change the orifice or to the rotate the spray guard to change the orientation of the spray pattern. The spray gun components are normally wrench tightened in order to obtain maximum compression sealing between the components and the sealing members. Consequently a substantial amount of time can be consumed in disassembling, either partially or completely, the spray gun to make the necessary changes and reassembling the components. In certain cases the components may not reseal properly and additional time must be utilized in reassembling the components to obtain the proper seal.


A memory for a computer system that includes a plurality of memory banks which provide an interleaved memory region as well as X and Y memory regions. Each memory access address includes a most significant set of bits indicating which of the interleaved, X, or Y memory regions is to be accessed. Each memory access address also includes a least significant set of bits indicating an address within the bank of the access region. At least one bit in the least significant set is a bank selector and one bit of the most significant set of bits is an X or Y region selector.

The invention relates to circuits and methods for accessing computer memory using X and Y memory addressing as well as interleaved memory addressing.
Computer memories are known in which the memory space available is mapped to provide separately addressable regions each of which may be provided by a plurality of memory banks. In the case of an interleaved memory system, data may be located in each of the banks using a common addressing system so that data is located in a new bank address only when each of the bank storage locations has been used for the preceding address. In an X-Y organisation, some of the memory banks form a Y memory region while other memory banks form an X memory region and the two regions are located at different mapped positions within the memory space. In this way, the storage location in the X bank are addressed quite independently of the storage locations within the Y bank.
In some applications, an interleaved organisation of the memory addressing may enable compilers to be more efficient in generating high performance code. On the other hand, some digital signal processing (DSP) applications require an X-Y organisation for specific algorithms.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer system in which both types of memory addressing can be employed.
The invention provides memory circuitry for a computer system having a plurality of memory banks forming at least part of the mapped memory space, a first part of said space providing an interleaved memory region formed by each of said memory banks so that data is stored in each of the banks within the interleaved region, a second part of said space providing an X memory region using only one or some of said memory banks and a third part of said space providing a Y memory region using the or each memory bank not used in the X memory region, each of said interleaved, X and Y memory regions being separately mapped within the memory space, together with circuitry to generate an access address and an indication of whether the access is an interleaved access or an X or Y access, said access address including a most significant set of bits which indicate which of the interleaved, X or Y memory regions is to be accessed, and a least significant set of bits which include an indication of an address within a bank of the accessed region, at least one bit within said least significant set selecting one bank within an accessed region if that region has more than one bank and one bit in said most significant set of bits indicating selectively the X or the Y memory region during an X or Y access, and memory access circuitry arranged to selectively access the memory in response to said access address.
Preferably at least four memory banks are provided, said interleaved region being provided in part by all of said banks, said X region being provided by part of half of said banks, and said Y region being provided by part of the remainder of said banks not used by the X region.
Preferably each of said X and Y regions have two memory banks and each of said interleaved, X and Y regions has a different mapping address within the memory space indicated by some bits in the most significant part of a memory access address.
In one embodiment two of the least significant bits of an access address are used by the memory access circuitry in an interleaved access to identify the memory bank being accessed.
Preferably one of the least significant set of bits of the memory access address is used together with one of the most significant set of bits of the access address to determine which bank is to be accessed during an X or Y access.
Preferably the set of least significant bits includes a set of bank addressing bits of immediately greater significance than the bits forming the bank selection, said bank addressing bits providing an address within the selected bank.
Conveniently said memory access circuitry includes a plurality of multiplexing circuits, one multiplexing circuit selecting from an access address one or more bits to determine which bank is to be accessed and a second multiplexing circuit for selecting other bits from an access address to determine an address within the selected bank.
The invention also provides a method of accessing memory in a computer system comprising defining a plurality of memory banks forming at least part of a map memory space, a first part of said space providing an interleaved memory region formed by each of said memory banks so that data is stored in each of the banks within the interleaved region, a second part of said space providing an X memory region using only one or some of said memory banks, and a third part of said space providing a Y memory region using the or each memory bank not used in the X memory region, each of said interleaved, X and Y memory regions being separately mapped within the memory space, said method further comprising generating a access address including a most significant set of bits which indicates which of the interleaved, X or Y memory regions is to be accessed, and a least significant bit or bits which include an indication of an address within a bank of an accessed region, at least one of said least significant set of bits selecting one bank within an accessed region if that region has more than one bank, and one of said most significant set of bits indicating selectively the X or Y memory region during an X or Y access, and accessing selectively the memory in response to said access address.
Preferably two memory banks are provided for each of said X and Y memory regions and four memory banks are provided for the interleaved memory region, the least significant two bits of the memory address being used to select a bank in an interleaved memory access and the least significant bit being used together with one bit of the most significant set of bits to determine a memory bank during an X or Y memory access.
In one embodiment the bits used to indicate an address within a bank have a bit of greater significance during an interleaved access than the bits used to provide a bank address during an X or Y access, thereby providing a larger range of addresses within a bank during an interleaved access than the range of addresses available during an X or Y access.


A new method is provided for mounting high-density flip chip BGA devices. A dielectric layer is first deposited over the first surface of a metal panel. One or more thin film interconnect layers are created on top of the dielectric layer. The interconnect layers are patterned in succession to create metal interconnect pattern. The BUM technology allows for the creation of a succession of layers over the thin film layers. The BUM layers can be used for power or ground distribution and for signal or fan-out interconnect. A cavity is etched on the second surface of the metal panel. A laser is used to create openings for flip chip pad contacts. The panel is subdivided into individual substrates. The method of the invention can also be applied to Land Grid Array and Pin Grid Array devices.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the fabrication of integrated circuit devices, and more particularly, to a novel process and structure for making packaging substrates for flip chip semicoductor devices.
2. Description of the Prior Art
When the geometric dimensions of the Integrated Circuits are scaled down, the cost per die is decreased while some aspects of performance are improved. The metal connections which connect the Integrated Circuit to other circuit or system components become of relative more importance and have, with the further miniaturization of the IC, an increasingly negative impact on the circuit performance. The parasitic capacitance and resistance of the metal interconnections increase, which degrades the chip performance significantly. Of most concern in this respect is the voltage drop along the power and ground buses and the RC delay of the critical signal paths. Attempts to reduce the resistance by using wider metal lines result in higher capacitance of these wires.
To solve this problem, the approach has been taken to develop low resistance metal (such as copper) for the wires while low dielectric materials are used in between signal lines.
Increased Input-Output (IO) combined with increased demands for high performance IC's has led to the development of Flip Chip Packages. Flip-chip technology fabricates bumps (typically Pb/Sn solders) on Al pads on chip and interconnect the bumps directly to the package media, which are usually ceramic or plastic based. The flip-chip is bonded face down to the package medium through the shortest path. These technologies can be applied not only to single-chip packaging, but also to higher or integrated levels of packaging in which the packages are larger and to more sophisticated substrates that accommodate several chips to form larger functional units.
The flip-chip technique, using an area array, has the advantage of achieving the highest density of interconnection to the device and a very low inductance interconnection to the package. However, pre-testability, post-bonding visual inspection, and TCE (Temperature Coefficient of Expansion) matching to avoid solder bump fatigue are still challenges. In mounting several packages together, such as surface mounting a ceramic package to a plastic board, the TCE mismatch can cause a large thermal stress on the solder-lead joints that can lead to joint breakage caused by solder fatigue from temperature cycling operations.
The invention teaches a novel process and structure for creating packaging substrates that are used for flip chip semiconductor devices. The packaging substrate is generally used for Ball Grid Array (BGA) packages but can also be used for Land Grid Array (LGA) and Pin Grid Array (PGA) packages.
Prior Art substrate packaging uses ceramic and plastic BGA packaging. Ceramic substrate packaging is expensive and has proven to limit the performance of the overall package. Recent years has seen the emergence of plastic substrate BGA packaging, this type of packaging has become the main stream design and is frequently used in high volume BGA package fabrication. The plastic substrate BGA package performs satisfactorily when used for low-density flip chip Integrated Circuits (IC's). If the number of pins emanating from the IC is high, that is in excess of 350 pins, or if the number of pins coming from the IC is less than 350 but the required overall package size is small (resulting in a solder ball pitch of less than 1.27 um.), the plastic BGA structure becomes complicated and expensive. This can be traced to the multi-layer structure used to create the plastic BGA package. This multi-layer structure for the plastic BGA interconnect package is referred to as the Build Up Multilayer or BUM approach and results in a line density within the package of typically 2-3 mil or 50 u-75 u range. This line density is not sufficiently high for realizing the fan out from the chip I/O to the solder balls on the package within a single layer. This leads to the multi-layer approach. The multi-layer approach brings with it the use of relatively thick (50 u-75 u) dielectric layers, these layers have a Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) that is considerably higher than the CTE of the laminate board on which the plastic BGA package is mounted. To counteract this difference in CTE's the BUM layers must be (thermally and mechanically) balanced on the other side (the side of the board that does not usually require an interconnect density provided by the BUM layers) of the laminate board. This latter requirement results in the use of additional material and processing steps to apply these materials, increasing the cost of the BGA package and creating a yield detractor.
Other Prior Art applications use thin film interconnect layers for chip or wire bond packaging substrates. These applications start with a laminate substrate onto which the thin film layers are deposited. An example of these thin film applications is the NEC (U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,563) approach. For these applications, the laminate substrate is used as a base carrier substrate and provides the mechanical support. Plated Through Holes (PTH) are mechanically drilled through the laminate substrate and are used to establish connections to the backside of the substrate for solder ball attach and electrical contacts. By using thin films, high wire density and very thin dielectric layers can be realized. This approach also does not, unlike the BUM approach, require to counter-balance thick layers of dielectric in order to establish dimensional stability. A disadvantage of the laminate substrate is that the process of mechanically drilling holes through the laminate substrate is time-consuming adding cost to the process. Further, the planarity of the laminate substrate does not meet planarity requirements for the deposition of thin films. Good planarity for the surface of the laminate substrate is established by depositing dielectrics and metal layers on the initial surface of the laminate structure, steps that again add to the processing cost of the BGA structure. Since the laminate substrate is composed using organic materials, the substrate is not dimensionally stable resulting in warpage and dimensional variations during high temperature processing and wet chemical interactions. This results in additional processing complications and costs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,509,553 (Hunter, Jr. et al.) shows a (3) metal layer process (DEMR) (see FIG. 5A) that appears to comprise a) sputter plating base b) plating metal (semi-additive plating), see col. 2.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,830,563 (Shimoto et al.) discloses a laminate substrate with thin films deposited thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,837,427 (Hwang et al.) shows a (4) BUM process for a PCB.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,232 (Bhatt et al.) shows a package with a (1) metal substrate.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,834 (Fischer et al.) shows a package having a Cu substrate, thin dielectric layers (1-25 um thick) and thin dielectric layers (12 to 75 um), see col. 7 and 8.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,877,551 (Tostado et al.) discloses a package having a metal substrate with (2) dielectric layers formed of polymers, epoxy (3 to 100 um), see col. 4.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,485,038 (Licari et al.) teaches a package using a photo-imagable epoxy dielectric layer.


A reflectivity absorption system for identifying a target precious or semi-precious material can include a detector, a filter system, and an output display. The detector system is capable of detecting a reflected electromagnetic radiation at a primary wavelength and a secondary wavelength. The reflected electromagnetic radiation can be produced from sunlight or other light source. The primary wavelength corresponds to an upper reflectivity of the target material while the secondary wavelength corresponds to a lower reflectivity of the target material. Reflectivity is a function of wavelength such that identifiable variations in wavelength can be observed for certain materials over specific wavelength ranges which are then compared to a known standard reflectivity response for the indicated wavelengths. These systems can be used in portable, handheld, or stationary configurations and can identify exposed target materials in real-time.

Precious metals have a multitude of uses which range from catalysis and conductors, to drug delivery vehicles and coinage. Identifying locations of precious metals in mines and surface deposits has long been a challenge. Current methods involve visual inspection, panning, sifting, assaying, and the like. Often these methods can be time consuming and may be inaccurate. For example, mining operations in vertical wellbores and horizontal drilling systems routinely collect samples from locations as formation rock is removed. Samples from removed material are typically taken to a testing site for assaying. This can often involve hours or more of delay before determining whether precious metals have been located. In some drilling operations further drilling can damage precious metal recovery options such that delays in assaying result in delays in operation. Further, precious metal detection also involves various surface scanning technologies which range from spurious to respectable technologies. However, each system has drawbacks ranging from poor sensitivity to poor accuracy.

Ambient reflectivity absorption system for identifying precious or semi-precious materials and associated methods


Compositions which cure to electrically conductive silicone elastomers containing greater than 2 percent by weight of phenyl radicals, are disclosed. The compositions comprise a mixture of polydiorganosiloxane and greater than 15 percent by weight of electrically conductive carbonaceous particles of less than 20 micrometers average diameter. Electrically conductive members of controlled resistivity are manufactured using these compositions. These electrically conductive members are useful as the core for improved automotive ignition cable. The ignition cable has a long useful life.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to improved electrically conductive polydiorganosiloxane compositions and to their use in ignition cable on spark ignited engines.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Electrically conductive compositions composed of materials filled with electrically conducting particles are well known in the art. Powders and fibers of metals and metal oxides as well as of carbon and graphite have been disclosed as useful in making compositions electrically conductive. The materials suggested have varied from a volatile vehicle such as alcohol to many types of resins and elastomers. Conducting compositions have been suggested for use in making resistance heating devices, electrical switches, shielding, gasketing, and electrical conductors.
In U.S. Pat. No. 3,029,808, Kegan describes a voltage detection system designed to measure voltages in the order of one millivolt. This detection system has an electrode which contacts the skin of a living animal. Kegan describes a satisfactory electrode which is composed primarily of a methyl phenyl polysiloxane gum with a filler of carbon black in an amount of 15 to 40 parts plus a vulcanizer of dicumyl peroxide.
In Canadian Pat. No. 653,350, Culver describes an ignition lead comprising a silicone rubber filled with electrically conductive carbon black or graphite and optionally a silica. The silicone rubber defined by Culver is a well-known elastomeric material based on organosiloxane polymers of the general unit formula ##EQU1## wherein R is a monovalent hydrocarbon radical or a halogenated monovalent hydrocarbon radical and n is 1.95 to 2.01. The silicone rubber can be vulcanized only by certain vulcanization agents because the presence of carbon black and graphite limits the vulcanization systems which can be used.
Culver teaches that at least 25 parts by weight conductive filler is required to give satisfactory conduction where the parts by weight are based on 100 parts by weight of siloxane polymer. Culver also teaches that a reinforcing silica filler is required to provide improved physical properties and that a filler loading of 40 parts by weight conductive carbon black or graphite and 25 parts by weight fume silica is an excellent combination of desired conductivity and good physical properties. The claims of Culver require at least 25 parts by weight conductive carbon black or graphite and at least 15 parts by weight fume silica both based on 100 parts by weight diorganosiloxane polymer. These compositions contain ditertiary butyl peroxide or dicumyl peroxide as vulcanizing agent. Culver also teaches that the use of some phenyl substituents present in the organosiloxane polymers can improve the heat stability.
The use of a conductive rubber coating in automotive ignition cable constructions is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,284,751 by Barker and Shank. The conductive rubber (not further identified) dissolved in a solvent is used to impregnate a group of filaments with a conducting rubber.
Vitale, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,680,027, claims an ignition cable comprising a core and insulation, said core comprising a plurality of flexible fibers bonded together with a conductive silicone dispersion rubber.
The increased severity of the use requirements placed on ignition cables with passage of time has necessitated a search for acceptable materials of construction. The fibers used have changed from organic fibers such as linen and polyester to glass. The insulation has changed from styrene-butadiene to ethylene-propylene terpolymers or silicone rubber. In many cases, silicone rubber is also used as the jacketing material to provide the long-term heat aging requirements being placed on the cables. In addition to the higher use temperature requirements, the operating voltage of automotive ignition systems is also being increased from a nominal 17,000 volts of the past to as high as 40,000 volts at present.
The resistive conductor construction materials used in the past are no longer able to function for a sufficient length of time at the newly required temperatures and voltages. A means of evaluating ignition cable is a "High Energy Accelerated Life Test" described below. This test was originally run at room temperature with a standard ignition coil supplying the voltage. The test now requires use of new, higher voltage coils with the test specimens being tested at 260.degree. C.
Previous ignition cables have used cores produced by using conductive acrylic dispersions, conductive silicone dispersions, and conductive silicone emulsions. None of these materials meet the present requirements. The improved compositions of this invention allow the manufacture of ignition cable core which will meet the current requirements.
The compositions of the prior art used in the manufacture of resistive core as the conductive member in automotive ignition cables were usually hydrocarbon solvent dispersions or water emulsions. A great deal of energy is used to dry and cure such a coating. The preferred compositions of the present invention do not require a solvent so the energy used to cure the coating is a small fraction of that previously used.


A method of and an apparatus for inspecting a transparent object for a defect wherein both of a light blocking defect and a refracting defect can be discriminated not only for presence or absence thereof but also for a shape and a kind thereof and besides discrimination of a small defect can be performed with a high degree of accuracy. According to the method, a pitch of strips of a reference striped pattern is detected in prior. Then, an object for inspection is placed at an inspecting position, and light having the reference pattern is projected upon the object and transmission light is photographed by an image sensor. A threshold value is set from an average value between two picture element data spaced from each other by one half the detected pitch, and the picture element data are successively compared with the threshold value to determine the bright or the dark thereof. A defect of the object is discriminated from numbers of picture elements determined as the bright and the dark.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of and an apparatus for inspecting a transparent or translucent object such as a transparent glass vessel for presence or absence of a defect and a shape, a kind and so forth of such defect.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Various methods of inspecting a body of a bottle are already known, and an exemplary one of such conventional methods is disclosed, for example, in European Patent Application Publication No. 0 344 617. According to the method, a body of a bottle is illuminated with light having a striped pattern, and a transmission image of the body is photoelectrically converted by a two-dimensional photoelectric converting apparatus. Then, the transmission image signal is scanned in a direction oblique to the direction of stripes of the striped pattern, and brightness values at least at three points adjacent the scanning line are compared with each other. Then, a noted point which is a centrally positioned one of the three points is detected as a defect point when the brightness value at the noted point is different by an amount greater than a predetermined value from brightness at the other peripheral points on the opposite sides of the noted point, and then presence or absence of a defect is determined in accordance with the thus detected defect point.
The inspecting method is based in short on the fact that, where the striped pattern is, for example, a pattern wherein white and black stripes or bands repeat alternately, if a bottle has a defect, then either a black transmission image is successively produced in a white stripe or a white transmission image is successively produced in a black stripe, by a light blocking property or a refracting property of such defect, but on the contrary if a bottle has no defect, then no such image is produced or such images are produced but discretely. Where a point A among three points A, B and C which are spaced by a predetermined distance from each other is determined as a noted point, if both of absolute values of differences in brightness between the points A and B and between the points A and C exceed a preset value, then the point A is determined as a defect point.
However, according to the conventional inspecting method, while presence or absence of a light blocking defect such as a foreign article or a soil or a refracting defect such as a foam, a line or a wrinkle, a kind or a shape of such defect cannot be discriminated. Further, where the defect is small in size, even judgment of presence or absence of such defect is difficult by picture image processing. While defects are roughly divided into those which arise from glass itself and those which arise from shaping, if a kind and a shape of a defect can be determined, than a cause of production or a process of production of such defect can be recognized, and consequently, a countermeasure for preventing such defect can be taken readily and promptly. Therefore, it is very important to discriminate a kind and a shape of a defect in order to assure stabilization in quality of products.

Method of and apparatus for inspecting transparent object for defect