A phase difference introduced by a half-tone mask including transparent portions and phase shift portions is measured by projecting two light fluxes onto these portions and forming an interference image by combining the two light fluxes. A light flux emitted by a light source is converted by a rotatable polarizer into a linearly polarized light flux having a polarizing direction which can be adjusted at will by rotating the polarizer, and then the linearly polarized light flux is transmitted through a birefringent prism to obtain two light fluxes polarized in different directions. Intensities of these light fluxes can be adjusted in opposite senses by rotating the polarized such that intensities of light fluxes emanating from the photomask become substantially identical with each other. One of the two light fluxes is made incident upon the transparent portion and the other light flux is made incident upon the phase shift portion. The two light fluxes transmitted through the photomask are combined by a birefringent prism and a phase compensating plate to obtain an interference image. By detecting an intensity of the interference image, the phase difference introduced by the photomask can be measured.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of measuring a phase difference and an apparatus for carrying out such a method. For instance, in a photolithography used in a manufacture of semiconductor devices, photomasks and reticles are used as originals for pattern projection. These photomasks and reticles are checked by such phase difference measuring method and apparatus. Particularly, a phase difference introduced by a photomask having a phase shift region within a pattern is measured,
2. Related Art Statements
A degree of integration of semiconductor devices has been increased and a semiconductor device manufacturing technique has required a higher definition. After the reduction exposure method has been developed, the precise working has been advanced. Recently there have been proposed various methods of increasing a resolution of a projected pattern image, such as a modified illumination method and phase shift method.
In the phase shift method, a phase shift film is provided on a photomask in order to introduce a phase difference. There have been proposed a Levenson type photomask in which a phase shift film is applied on a pattern and a half-tone photomask in which a pattern has a phase difference as well as a half-tone, both of said photomasks performing similar functions. In either case, upon checking the photomask, it is required to measure a phase difference introduced by the phase shift film. However, heretofore there has not been established any effective method for measuring the phase difference.
A phase difference may be measured by various means such as a Mach-Zehnder interferometer, a Michelson interferometer, a film thickness measuring method by spectroscopy, a heterodyne method and a Nomarski method.
In the Mach-Zehnder interferometer and Michelson interferometer, a light flux is divided by a beam splitter into a reference light flux and a measuring light flux, a photomask without a phase shift film and a photomask with a phase shift film are inserted in the reference light flux and measuring light flux, respectively, and an interference image produced by the phase difference is analyzed.
In the film thickness measuring method, a thickness of a phase shift film is measured with the aid of a spectrometer and ellipsometer, and an introduced phase difference is estimated from the measured thickness. In the heterodyne method, an interference image due to the phase difference is analyzed by a method similar to the interference method.
The heterodyne method has been described in "Transmission and Reflection Phase Measurement with Differential Optical Heterodyne Method Takeno Ode et al, " Japan Society of Laser Microscope, 11th Meeting, Themes 1993, An example of the heterodyne method has been disclosed in "Direct Phase Measurement in Phase Shift Masks with Differential Heterodyne Interferometer", Hiroshi Fujita et al, 54th Applied Physics Meeting Preliminary Document No. 2, 28a-SHF-22. In this method, two light fluxes having a slightly different frequencies are laterally shifted on an optical axis with the aid of an acoustic-optical (AO) element, and light fluxes transmitted through mask portions with and without a phase shifter are detected as a heterodyne beat signal on a photodiode. The above lateral shift may be adjusted by a frequency modulation of the AO element.
The above mentioned Nomarski method has been described in, for instance Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication Kokal Hei 4-151662; "Phase Shift and Image Quality Measurement with UV Light in Photomask Evaluation", Tsuyoshi Fujiwara et al, 41st Applied Physics Joint Meeting Preliminary Document No. 2 28p-MV-14; and "Interferometer for phase measurements in phase shift masks", Derek B. Dove et al (SPIE) Vol. 1809, p. 128-136, 1992.
In the above mentioned Kokai Hei 4-151662, there is explained a Normaski observing method used in a microscope, in which a linearly polarized beam having a wavelength which is identical with that of an exposing light flux is divided by a birefringent prism and condenser lens into two light fluxes which have different polarized components and are shifted laterally from each other. These two light fluxes are transmitted through a photomask and an objective lens system and are combined again by means of a birefringent prism. A phase difference adjusting means is arranged in this optical path, and an intensity of interference of portions corresponding to the phase shift film of the pattern image is measured, In this case, a lateral shift separated on the photomask corresponds to a phase difference between a transparent portion and a phase shift portion of the photomask, so that the phase difference can be measured by detecting an intensity of the interference.
Fujiwara et al utilizes the same optical system as that disclosed in the above Kokai Hei 4-151662 and a phase shift is measured by using a combination of a phase shift interference method utilizing the phase difference adjusting means and a phase modulation method due to a movement of a Nomarski prism.
Derek D. Dove et al have proposed the phase shift interference method by a voltage modulation using an eletro-optical crystal as the phase modulating means, while a laser light source is used in a basic construction which is similar to that of the above mentioned Kokai Hei 4-151662.
When a half-tone mask is checked by using the above mentioned known phase difference measuring methods and apparatuses, a density of a relevant region is changed in accordance with a content of a pattern, so that there might be generated a remarkable difference between the reference light flux and the measuring light flux. This results in an large decrease in a contrast of interference fringes, and in a worse case, the interference fringes might be buried under one of the light fluxes and could not be detected at all.
In the Mach-Zehnder method and Michelson method, the interferometers are liable to be influenced by mechanical vibration and a optical path difference of the two light fluxes has to be controlled or adjusted on a wavelength level. Further, in order to perform a correct measurement, the photomask and objective lens system should have the same transmission wave front on the reference light flux path and measuring light flux path except for the phase shift film. The heterodyne method has similar problems, and further has a problem that adjustment of optical elements is difficult, so that the measurement could not be performed easily. In the thickness measurement method, the phase difference has to be estimated from the measured thickness of the phase shift film, so that there might be introduced a relatively large error.
In the above mentioned heterodyne method proposed by Ode, there are problems in stability of laser mode, isolation of the AO element and phase characteristic of a signal receiving amplifier. Therefore, adjustment of an actual apparatus is very critical and the measurement could not be carried out simply. Moreover, it is rather difficult to obtain a laser light source emitting stably a laser light beam having the same wavelength as that of the pattern exposing light such as i-ray. Therefore, a phase difference at i-ray has to be presumed from a measured phase difference using other ray.
In the known Nomarski method disclosed in the above mentioned Kokai Hei 4-151662, a phase difference is derived from an amount of a phase difference adjustment between the two light fluxes at which an intensity of the interference image due to the phase shift region in the pattern becomes maximum and minimum. However, a difference between the maximum intensity and the minimum intensity is very small, so that a phase difference adjustment amount could not be determined precisely. Therefore, it is very difficult to set a threshold value for the phase difference adjustment amount, and a precise measurement could not be performed and human error is liable to be introduced.
In the phase shift interference method using the Nomarski prism disclosed in Fujiwara et al and D. B. Dove et al, an amount of separation of the two light fluxes due to the Nomarski prism corresponds to a pitch of the transparent portions and phase shift portions on the reticle. When a pattern includes a relatively large pitch, an amount of separation should be made large accordingly, so that a volume of the Nomarski prism becomes inherently large and the prism could not be easily installed in known microscopes. When an amount of separation is large, there might be generated adjacent double images, which affects the measurement.
Fujiwara et al have tried to perform the separation and the phase difference adjustment simultaneously by moving the Nomarski prism, however the prism is larger than a prism usually provided in a differential interferometer, and thus the movement of the prism within a small range could not be carried out precisely.
D. B. Dove et al have proposed to use the phase modulating method using the voltage modulation for the electro-optic crystal, so that a quick response can be attained and a static modulation can be performed. However, in the electro-optical crystal, a range over which the phase difference between the two light fluxes can be introduced could not be made wide, so that the application to the reticle is limited by a maximum allowable amount of phase shift as well as by the electro-optic crystal.
The Nomarski method can be applied to the Levenson type photomask, but could not be applied to the half-tone type photomask, because in the half-tone photomask, there is produced a difference in intensity between the reference light flux and the measurement light flux.

Method of measuring phase difference and apparatus for carrying out the same


An Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system uses CO.sub.2 laser identification beacons on ground vehicles such as tanks, in conjunction with an existing (or future) Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) detection system on an attacking aircraft or ground vehicle, to provide a cost effective solution to the problem of identifying friendly targets on a battlefield. The CO.sub.2 Laser can produce radiation only in the FLIR's spectral band, aiding stealth and improving signal to noise ratio. An acousto-optical modulator in conjunction with a specially shaped optical reflector steers the beam in the desired direction toward the FLIR in the attacking aircraft, aiding stealth and detection signal to noise ratio. The optical element also shapes the beam into the desired angular extent, needed for reception by the attacking aircraft. The beacons are triggered by a secure radio transmission signal from an approaching attack vehicle that initiates two or more pulses from the ground-vehicle-mounted beacons, timed according to an adjustable, predetermined code. The attacking vehicle's FLIR system would detect the pulses and place a marker on the screen over each identified friendly target.

The present invention relates generally to an infrared laser battlefield identification beacon, and more particularly to an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) system using a CO.sub.2 identification beacon on a ground vehicle such as a tank, in conjunction with an existing Forward Looking InfraRed (FLIR) detection system on an aircraft or on another ground vehicle.
The Desert Storm conflict in the Persian Gulf in early 1991 has highlighted the need to identify friendly targets on the battlefield. This identification capability is difficult to achieve because of the complexity of the problem, the large number of vehicles involved, and the resulting high cost. Today's technology allows targeting a ground vehicle well before positive visual identification can be made. Night operations have increased the reliance on sensors that have lower resolution than daytime visual optics, and "smart" weapons and weapon systems have greatly increased the effectiveness of our forces. The rapidity of battle with current systems and tactics makes the task of identification by a forward observer more difficult than in the past.
Another factor of modern warfare that became apparent during Desert Storm is the intermixing of typically "enemy" and "friendly" vehicle types on both sides of the conflict. The combination of international arms sales and changing political alliances along with the use of a coalition force structure have made confirmation of friend or foe impossible to guarantee--even from within visual range. As a result, current identification of forces is highly dependent on knowledge of position.
U.S. air forces already have a somewhat effective solution for identifying friendly targets in the air-to-air and ground-to-air arenas for at least two reasons. First, the nature of air combat requires long-range weaponry which makes the identification problem critical for antiair targeting. Second, the cost of airborne platforms has generally been sufficiently high to justify the additional expense of incorporating "Identification Friend or Foe" (IFF) systems on such platforms in order to minimize loss of valuable assets.
Ground forces have historically operated at a much slower pace, they attacked from a relatively close range, and the cost of their vehicles (until recently) has been relatively low. These factors, along with technical difficulties, have hindered the development of a fully effective identification system for air-to-ground and ground-to-ground combat. The recent incidents of fratricide, however, demand that solutions be provided to the identification problem.
The properties of any ID device need to be evaluated in relation to their effect on the following five factors:
(1) Observability: The device should not significantly increase the observability of our forces by enemy systems;
(2) Detectability: If the ID function of the device is detectable by the enemy, the enemy may be able to use it for ID as well;
(3) Exploitability: If the enemy can detect the ID function or determine or estimate its nature through intelligence methods, he may find a way to counter the system or to imitate its function;
(4) Reliability: Whatever system is considered, it must be able to provide reliable ID information to achieve minimum error in identifying friendly assets; and
(5) Compatibility: Unless a separate ID system is added to the attacking aircraft or ground vehicle, ID devices will have to be compatible with existing weapon system capabilities.
An implied requirement of any ID system is its ability to perform in a method or tactic that is workable in modern warfare. Preferably, the ID system should function without increasing the operator's work load, without increasing vulnerability and without lowering effectiveness.
The following U.S. Pat. Nos. are of interest.
5,142,288 - Cleveland
5,073,780 - Barley et al
5,001,488 - Joguet
4,995,101 - Titterton et al
4,837,575 - Conner, Jr.
4,814,769 - Robin et al
4,685,800 - Paquet
4,477,796 - Kearsley
4,277,170 - Miles
The patent to Conner, Jr, discloses a secure identification system which produces two interrogation pulses aimed at the target and separated from each other by a random time. The target detects the two interrogation pulses and prepares a reply signal which is controlled by the elapsed time. The patent to Cleveland discloses returning the same signature message as received, but is delayed by a predetermined time interval. The patents to Joguet, Barley et al, and Robin et al disclose friend-foe identification systems. The patent to Titterton et al discloses secure submarine communication. The patents to Paquet, Kearsley and Miles are of less interest.

Infrared laser battlefield identification beacon

The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force


An imaging apparatus includes a front lens group including a front lens element and a reflector, a movable frame supporting the front lens element, and a driver driving the movable frame to reduce image shake. The driver includes first and second voice coil motors, each including a coil and a magnet. The magnets are positioned orthogonal to each other in a plane orthogonal to a first optical axis that passes through the front lens element. The first and second voice coil motors are positioned on opposite sides of a first plane, including the first optical axis and a second optical axis that extends from the reflector. Centers of each magnet and coil are on one side of a second plane, including the first optical axis and is orthogonal to the first plane. The magnets are inclined and approach the first plane in a direction away from the second plane.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an imaging apparatus equipped with an anti-shake (image shake correction/image stabilizing/shake reduction) system.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, mobile electronic devices which are designed mainly for taking still/moving photographic images, such as digital cameras (still-video cameras) and digital camcorders (motion-video cameras), and other mobile electronic devices which are designed to be capable of taking such photographic images as a subsidiary function, such as mobile phones equipped with a camera and personal digital assistants (PDAs) equipped with a camera, have become widespread. In these types of mobile electronic devices, it is common to provide the mobile electronic device therein with an imaging unit (imaging apparatus) which is configured so that an image sensor (image pickup device) and an imaging optical system, for guiding light emanating from a photographic object (object-emanated light) to the image sensor, are accommodated in a hollow housing of the imaging unit. Additionally, in recent years, the demand to slim down this type of imaging unit has become stronger due to further progress in the slimming down of mobile electronic devices. In order to slim down an imaging unit, it is known to provide an imaging unit with a bending optical system which reflects (bends) light rays using a reflecting surface of a reflector such as a prism or a mirror.
In addition, there tends to be a demand for imaging units to be equipped with a so-called anti-shake (image shake correction) system that is designed to reduce image shake on an image plane that is caused by vibrations such as hand shake. The following four different types of imaging units are known in the art as imaging units using a bending optical system which are equipped with an anti-shake system: a first type (disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2009-86319 and 2008-268700) in which an image sensor is moved in directions orthogonal to an image plane to reduce image shake, a second type (disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2010-128384 and Japanese Patent No. 4,789,655) in which a lens disposed behind a reflector (on the image plane side) that has a reflecting surface is moved in directions orthogonal to an optical axis to reduce image shake, a third type (disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2007-228005, 2010-204341, 2006-330439, and Japanese Patent No. 4,717,529) in which the angle of a reflector (a reflecting surface thereof) and the angle of a lens adjacent to the reflector are changed to reduce image shake, and a fourth type (disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2006-166202 and 2006-259247) in which an entire imaging unit is tilted/inclined to reduce image shake.
An anti-shake system using voice coil motors (VCMs), which generate force (driving force) by application of a current (voltage) across the terminals of the coil positioned inside the magnetic field of a permanent magnet, for driving an optical element (anti-shake optical element) to reduce image shake is known in the art (disclosed in in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 2009-86319, 2010-128384, 2007-228005, and Japanese Patent No. 4,789,655). Information on the position of the anti-shake optical element can be obtained with sensors (Hall sensors) that measure the change in the magnetic field.
The first type of anti-shake system tends to become complicated in structure and tends to increase in cost because a circuit board connected to the image sensor is moved so as to follow movements of the image sensor, which requires electrical components around the image sensor also to be movable components in addition to the image sensor. In addition, the periphery of the imaging surface of the image sensor is required to be dust tight; however, in small imaging units intended for being incorporated into a mobile phone or a personal digital assistant, it is difficult to secure sufficient space for allowing the image sensor to perform an anti-shake (image shake correction/image-stabilizing/shake reduction) operation while maintaining the dust-tight structure of the image sensor.
The second type of anti-shake system has a structure such that the moving direction of the lens group, disposed behind the reflector, during an anti-shake operation corresponds to the direction of the thickness of the imaging unit (i.e., the forward/rearward direction of the imaging unit, wherein the direction toward an object to be photographed refers to the forward (front) direction of the imaging unit), and hence, there is a problem with providing enough space to house such an anti-shake structure in a slimmed-down imaging unit. In other words, the slimming of the imaging unit is limited if this type of anti-shake system is used. There is a similar problem also in the type of anti-shake system in which an image sensor is moved, instead of a lens group, in the direction of the thickness of the imaging unit.
The third type of anti-shake system requires a large space for allowing the reflector and the lens group to tilt/incline, and accordingly, the imaging unit is easily enlarged in size. The fourth type of anti-shake system requires a larger space for allowing the entire imaging unit to be tilted/inclined to reduce image shake.
Accordingly, there has been a demand for an anti-shake system that utilizes a different manner of driving an anti-shake optical element from those of the above described types of imaging units and that is advantageous for miniaturization and slimming of the imaging apparatus. In addition, in the case where voice coil motors are used as drive sources of an anti-shake system, a space-efficient arrangement of various elements of the anti-shake system such as permanent magnets, coils and sensors is also an important factor for miniaturization of the imaging apparatus in addition to the manner of driving the anti-shake optical element.
Voice coil motors that produce linear movement can transmit power without a mechanism for converting rotational motion to linear motion, so that the structure of an anti-shake system which moves an anti-shake optical element in a plane orthogonal to an optical axis of an imaging optical system can be easily simplified if voice coil motors are used for this anti-shake system. On the other hand, since permanent magnets and coils which constitute elements of voice coil motors are flat in shape, having a wide surface along a plane (plane orthogonal to an optical axis passing through the anti-shake optical element) in which the anti-shake optical element moves, the installation space for the permanent magnets and coils in the aforementioned plane tends to be large. Specifically, in voice coil motors for reducing image shake, two sets of permanent magnets and coils, the directions of linear movement of which are orthogonal to each other, are used and arranged around the anti-shake optical element; hence, attention must be paid to the arrangement of the voice coil motors in the case of miniaturization or slimming of an imaging unit which incorporates an anti-shake system using voice coil motors as drive sources thereof.
In addition, when moving magnet voice coil motors, in which permanent magnets are installed onto a member which is driven to reduce image shake, are used for an anti-shake system, there is a possibility of magnetic materials around the anti-shake system influencing the magnetic fields of the permanent magnets and deteriorating the driving accuracy of the anti-shake system, so that countermeasures for this problem are required.


A centrigural rpm governor for fuel injected internal combustion engines is proposed in which an adaptor assembly located inside the governor can be used over the entire range of practical applications of such a governor. The governor includes parallel coextensive arms, a governor lever and a cooperative governor rod which has a counterstop provided with a sliding block that is movably disposed between the parallel coextensive arms against the initial stressing force of a spring member with the counterstop being arranged to cooperate with a stop means pivotally associated with the housing. The spring member is arranged to load the sliding block and adjustable for the purpose of varying the initial stress and setting the onset of adjustment.

The invention relates to improvements in a centrifugal rpm governor as disclosed herein and finally claimed. Such a centrifugal rpm governor is already known from the German Auslegeschrift 23 34 729, which discloses an "internal adjustment device" including, as its most important structural part, a counterstop disposed upon the connecting element between the governor lever and the governor rod in the injection pump, the position of the counterstop being adjusted by the force of an adjustment spring. This counterstop comprises a trip lever, which pivots to perform the adjustment control movement. The adjustment spring is stretched between one end of this trip lever and an adjustable support; such spring is provided with a relatively high degree of stiffness in order to obviate spring buckling which might otherwise occur, due to the oblique relationship between contact surfaces at least in one operational position. Because of such embodiment, the useful range of the adjustment device is severely restricted; that is, a stiff adjustment spring can function only during large differential rpm levels between the onset and the cessation of the adjustment control movement. Furthermore, the effective spring tension varies over the path of the adjustment control movement as a result of the variable action of the lever arm on the counterstop.

Centrifugal RPM governor for fuel injected internal combustion engines


An apparatus provides the removal of particular matter from an aqueous carrier such as water, water-based slurry, mine slurry, or the like. Particles below 40 mesh in size can be separated from the aqueous carrier and concentrated with like particles according to their specific gravity and flow characteristics. A plurality of guides are provided for directing the aqueous carrier into different flow paths which are configured to take advantage of the force of gravity for diverting the aqueous carrier into a plurality of drop channels. The drop channels contain additional flow diversion guides for diverting a portion of the primary flow through a respective drop channel. As the aqueous carrier flows through the guides and into the drop channels by gravity, the diversionary flow paths tend to pull matter below a desired density out of a primary drop channel. This enables particulate matter to be separated from the aqueous carrier and to be concentrated at a selected density.

The field of the invention relates to an apparatus for separating and removing particles from an aqueous carrier, such as a slurry or the like. More particularly, the field of the invention relates to a device and process for separating and concentrating particles according to their specific gravity for use in mining or soil remediation projects, or the like.
Economical restoration of contaminated soils and water to an environmentally acceptable condition is becoming a critical problem in many industrialized areas throughout the world. Conventional methods of removing contaminants such as heavy metals and other pollutants from soils and water-based slurries are expensive and often require the expenditure of large amounts of energy.
Conventional methods of soil and water remediation which focus on removing contaminants from water-based slurries or slurry materials have the disadvantage of a limited ability to process large amounts of contaminated soils, mine tailings, or the like.
Conventional methods which depend upon the separation of contaminants such as heavy metals from a slurry by screening the particles have the disadvantage of being unable to screen particles which fall below approximately 40 mesh in size. Thus, most conventional methods which rely upon a screening process to remove contaminants from soils or particles from a water-based slurry are incapable of solving the problem of soil or water remediation. These methods leave most of the smaller sized contaminants such as particles of lead, arsenic or the like in the soil or water.
Therefore, it is apparent that what is needed is an apparatus for large-scale removal of contaminants such as heavy metals, from water, water-based slurries, contaminated soils or the like. Such a method of large scale restoration of contaminated soils or water-based slurries to an environmentally acceptable condition should ideally be capable of substantially removing all of the heavy metal particles or other contaminants which exist in particulate form from water, a water-based slurry at, or other aqueous carrier at extremely high volume.
What is also needed is an apparatus capable of such large scale removal of particulate contaminants without the need for consuming large amounts of energy to effect such removal.
It would also be desirable if such an apparatus could also be applied for processing of mine slurries at high volumes for removing and separating various particles of ores or other material targeted for processing.
What is also needed is an apparatus for high volume selection of targeted particles according to their specific gravity or other unique characteristics which enables the particles to be separated not only from the slurry material, but from other particles. Such an apparatus ideally would be capable of separating and concentrating like kinds of particles at high volumes.
A side cross sectional view of a conventional particle separator which begins to solve these problems, and which was designed by the inventor of the current invention, is illustrated in FIG. 1. Referring to FIG. 1, particulate matter suspended in an aqueous carrier such as a slurry for mining operations or the like is introduced through a reservoir tank 2. The aqueous carrier and particulate matter is pumped into the reservoir tank 2 at a rate sufficient to keep it full so that constant pressure and supply is provided to the particle separator. The aqueous carrier and particulate matter spread across a circular dispersion plate 4 and travel radially outward along a series of concentric, annular steps 6. Each step has a drop flow opening 8, providing a path to a drop channel 10 full of the aqueous carrier.
The rate of flow of the aqueous carrier decreases as it spreads out over consecutively larger concentric steps. Thus, the flow rate is highest over the innermost step 6'. Only the densest particulate matter, having the highest specific gravity, drops through the drop flow opening 8 of the innermost step 6'. At each subsequent step consecutively less dense particulate matter drops through the drop flow openings 8.
The vertical sides 12 of the steps 6 serve dual purposes. First, they allow the force of gravity to act upon the aqueous carrier and provide the impetus for flow. This is an advantage over other conventional methods since less energy is used by the system. The vertical sides 12 also act as mixing means. As particulate matter passes over the horizontal part of each step 6, it begins to settle. The vertical part 12 of each step 6 mixes the particulate matter back into the aqueous carrier, promoting suspension of the particulate matter and avoiding settling.
Originally the drop channels 10 contained aqueous carrier but no flow path was provided through the drop channels; they were static. This had the disadvantage of providing a low yield and a low rate of throughput. Yield is critical because it is important to remove all contaminants. Throughput is critical for particle separators to economically remediate huge volumes of soil or water. In order to increase throughput, the rate of flow through the particle separator must be increased. However, increasing the rate of flow decreases the yield since more particulate matter is carried over the drop flow openings 8 at each step 6 of the particle separator.
One approach to solve this problem is to allow some flow through the drop channels 10, and to recycle matter captured in selected drop channels which are most likely to contain matter of a desired density. The matter in the selected drop channels is sent back through the particle separator in a separate run. This system has the disadvantage of having to make separate, non-continuous runs through the particle separator which is extremely costly and labor intensive. Further, this conventional recycling system, while providing higher yield, also causes scatter. In a single run at a low flow rate, matter of a desired density will be highly concentrated in a single drop channel. When the matter is run through twice at a higher flow rate, yield increases, but the matter of a desired density spreads among several drop channels 10, instead of being highly concentrated in a single drop channel. Thus, the desired matter is more often mixed with matter of other densities, reducing concentration. This is a serious disadvantage both for removing contaminants and for removing valuable ores. For removing contaminants, such as lead, it is desirable that there be a heavy concentration so the contaminant can be disposed of economically at high concentrations in low volume containers. For valuable ores, such as gold, there must be a threshold concentration for economical recovery processing.
Thus, what is needed is an apparatus and process for improved particle separation with increased throughput, and very low scatter, capable of separating and concentrating particles smaller than 40 mesh, potentially down to 50 microns.

Apparatus and process for separation of particulate matter from an aqueous carrier


A system is disclosed for creating a badge for a conference attendee. Attendee information is collected and stored in a database along with a series of pre-defined formatting parameters or rules. Those formatting parameters are then applied to the collected attendee information and a draft of attendee badge is created. The draft badge is then forwarded to the attendee for review and alteration, and in parallel reviewed by a badge curator or editor iteratively until the badge is ready for a final inspection. A final inspection is done on the draft badge and it is printed for pickup by the attendee at a conference venue.

The lowly name tag is a ubiquitous artifact in trade shows, conventions, conferences and other meetings. Its value is essential to a successful conference or convention. Further, the usage of a name tag is rarely discussed, but always expected in organized large group meetings. The reason is that, at conferences and tradeshows, attendees expect to network, and name tags, sometimes referred to as "badges," are essential in the networking process.
Name tags typically include the Attendee's name, job title, and organization. A submitted personal photo or company logo may be displayed. They might also include his or her department in a particular business, a functional business classification such as "finance" or "manufacturing," or may identify a role in the conference, such as a "speaker" or "exhibitor." Sometimes, an origination region or geographical area is also indicated. Since the goal of a name tag is to immediately convey understandable biographical information relevant to its wearer, the selection of that information is important. And, all that information must be packed into a small badge area, which means that the amount and type of information should be carefully selected.
Name tags must satisfy three conflicting challenges: (1) display readily visible and comprehensible information about the wearer, which necessitates a minimum font size; (2) include as much information as possible in a small and reasonably attractive badge size; and (3) present the information in a consistent, accurate and professional manner so attendees can comprehend the displayed information in a quick look at the name tag.
When attempting to satisfy these goals, the following issues can, for example, arise when:    (a) The person's name, job title, and employer name and logo are too long to fit in a defined badge space.    (b) The attendee is not permitted to supplement his formal name with their preferred nickname, such as for example, "Big Daddy."    (c) The attendee is not permitted to include educational or honorific designations, such as "Dr.," "PhD," "J.D."    (d) The attendee intends to replace accurate and useful information, such as "Sales," with inaccurate or deceptive information, such as "Consulting."    (e) The attendee intends to omit significant information, for example replacing "Director of Sales" with "Director."
Hence, what is needed is a system to optimize the content placed onto a collection of name tags to be used in a meeting from a source of attendee biographical information to facilitate the networking goals of the meeting.

System and method for optimizing name tag issuance for a conference


In a semiconductor device such as hybrid IC, thermal heads, etc., a thick film resistor of the semiconductor device contains a boride particle of a metal dispersed in a glass matrix, the particle having a particles size of 0.005 to 0.1 .mu.m. Generation of a thermal stress can be suppressed and the electroconductive particles themselves form isotropic electroconductive passages by such dispersion, and the semiconductor devices can have a distinguished electroconductivity. Preferable boride of a metal is LaB.sub.6, which gives distinguished resistor characteristics.

This invention relates to a semiconductor device using thick film resistors, a thick film resistor composition and a process for producing electroconductive particles for the thick film resistor.
Heretofore, RuO.sub.2 -based materials have been used as materials for the resistors in semiconductor devices such as thick film hybrid IC, etc., and Ag-Pd-based materials have been used for conductor circuits. These materials can be fired in air, but the Ag-Pd-based materials have a relatively high impedance, which has been a bottleneck in the needs for lower impedance in the semiconductor devices.
On the other hand, Cu-based circuit conductors have a lower impedance and a higher reliability than the Ag-Pd-based materials, and thus the Cu-based materials are used in some semiconductors such as hybrid IC, etc. However, Cu is readily oxidized and thus the firing can be only carried out in a non-oxidative atmosphere, for example, a N.sub.2 gas. In that case, the RuO.sub.2 -based materials as the resistor material are reduced to Ru in a N.sub.2 gas, and consequently lose the characteristics as the resistor. Thus, in semiconductor devices having Cu-based conductor circuits, a resistor composition comprising a metal boride, such as LaB.sub.6, glass powder and an organic vehicle is used as the resistor material, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 59-51721.
However, these materials have such an inconvenience that no stable resistors having a sheet resistance of more than a few K.OMEGA./.quadrature. are obtained. Thus, as resistors susceptible to firing in a non-oxidative atmosphere, LaB.sub.6 -based materials are used for a low sheet resistance (10-5 K.OMEGA./.quadrature.) and SnO.sub.2 -based materials are used for a high sheet resistance (10k-1 M.OMEGA./.quadrature.).
As conductor materials for semiconductor devices such as thermal heads for video copying, etc., Au is used as a conductor material and RuO.sub.2 -glass-based exothermic resistors thermistors are used as resistor materials, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 53-9543. These materials can be fired in air, but Au is a noble metal and Cu has been regarded as an electroconductive material as a substitute for Au.
Cu is a base material and thus must be fired in a non-oxidative atmosphere. When Cu is used as an electroconductive material, the thermistors for the thermal heads must be such that can be fired in a nonoxidative atmosphere. As the resistors that can be fired in the nonoxidative atmosphere, resistors based on a combination of LaB.sub.6 as an electroconductive component and glass are known, and it is possible to use these resistors as thermistors.
The so far proposed resistors have such a structure that LaB.sub.6 is dispersed in borosilicate glass, and generate a thermal stress due to the combination of different materials, when used as a thermistor for the thermal head, resulting in such inconveniences that a higher voltage is applied to the resistor and the change in the resistivity with time is increased.


An apparatus and method for venting off a surgical laser smoke plume which is generated when body tissue is treated by an optical fiber lasering device, comprising an elongated hollow needle through which an optical fiber laser member extends for emitting a laser beam at the tip of the needle which is adjacent to the body tissue to be treated. A vent side arm has one end which is attached to the needle, and another end which is connected to a suction device, so that when body tissue is treated by the laser beam emitted at the needle tip, the resulting smoke plume that is created will be suctioned up into the channel between the optical fiber strand and the inner surface of the needle and out the vent side arm into the suction device. An O-ring is attached at the outer end of the needle so that any surgical laser smoke plume that is being suctioned out does not escape into the atmosphere or back to the laser generator, but also goes out the vent side arm and into the suction device.

This invention relates generally to laser beam technology used in surgical procedures, and more specifically to an improved optical fiber laser device which allows for any hazardous surgical laser smoke plume, created as a result of lasering body tissue, to be safely evacuated from the patient's body and into a sealed suction device. In this way neither the treated body nor the surgical atmosphere are damaged or polluted by any viable microorganisms that may possibly be contained within the surgical laser smoke plume.
Studies published by Garden, J. et al, (1988) Papillomavirus in the Vapor Carbon Dioxide Laser--Treated Verrucae, JAMA 259:1199-1202 and also by Walker, N. et al (1986) Possible Hazards from Irradiation with the Carbon Dioxide Laser, LASERS IN SURGERY AND MEDICINE, 6:84-86 have shown that certain types of virulent DNA have been detected intact within the smoke plume that survive the vaporization of infected tissue by a laser.
A laser beam passing through a needle probe has been used as a tool for performing various surgical procedures, such as excising, cutting and denaturing various types of body tissues, and has also been used previously for various surgical procedures such as eye surgery (as in cataracts), removal of polyps of the vocal cords, growths in the intestinal tract, meniscectomies in the knee and arthroscopic debridement of various joints for synovitis.
No prior art, however, has provided a means to efficiently remove the potentially hazardous surgical laser smoke plume, which is produced as a result of cauterizing deep body tissue, from a treated body and the surrounding surgical atmosphere.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for safely and effectively removing surgical laser smoke plume from the treated body and surrounding surgical atmosphere, thereby keeping the patient, surgeons and their attending staff free from coming in contact with possibly hazardous viable cell tissues, viral DNA, carbonized tissue, surgical odors and sub-micron laser smoke debris.


A touch window includes a substrate; and an electrode on the substrate, wherein the electrode includes a first mesh line extending in a first direction and having a first width; a second mesh line extending in a direction different from the first direction and having a second width; and an cross area in which the first and second mesh lines cross each other, the cross area having a third width, wherein the third width is larger than the first width, and the third width is equal to or less than 10 times of the first width.

1. Field of the Invention
The embodiment relates to a touch window.
2. Description of Related Art
Recently, a touch window, which performs an input function through the touch of an image displayed on a display device by an input device, such as, a stylus pen or a finger, has been applied to various electronic appliances.
For example, the touch window may include a substrate on which a sensing electrode and a wire electrode connected to the sensing electrode are disposed, and the position of the touch point may be detected by detecting the variation of capacitance when the area in which the sensing electrode is disposed is touched.
A metallic material may be used as a material of the sensing electrode. Since the metallic material is not a transparent material, the sensing electrode may be formed by crossing a plurality of mesh lines having fine line widths.
In this case, due to a cross area in which the mesh lines cross each other, and a difference between the mesh lines in width or area, the difference may be viewed from an outside, so that the visibility may be degraded. In addition, due to the difference, the sheet resistance may not be uniform, so that the touch efficiency may be deteriorated.
In addition, an electrode may be damaged by an external shock, so that the reliability may be deteriorated.
Therefore, there is a need to provide a touch window having a new structure which may solve the above-mentioned problems.


A method for continuously preparing solvent-free open-cell and closed-cell polyimide foams, firstly, one or a few of dianhydrides dissolve in or suspend in the polyhydric alcohol and form the precursor A. All kinds of additives dissolve in the polyhydric alcohol and form the precursor B. The aromatic isocyanates with different structure mix well and form the precursor C. Finally the three precursors are mixed foaming by one-step, after solidify, the polyimide foams are obtained with advantage performance. The method does not utilize the volatile solvent that does not participate in the reaction, therefore not existing the process of removing the solvent, it can continuously produce with the double-side heat conveyor belt. CO2, the main gas producing in the reaction, causes the system to foam, thus there is no cost on the solvent recovery and it reduces the environment contamination.

Polyimide is a kind of polymer containing imide group in the main chain; the phthalimide structure embedded in the chain has drawn the most attention. As a kind of special engineering material, the polyimide has been widely applied in aviation, aerospace, microelectronics, nanomaterial, liquid crystal display, separation membrane, laser, etc. Recently polyimide has been listed as one of the most promising engineering plastics in the 21st century by many countries. No matter as structural material or as functional material, the great application prospect of polyimide has been well understood, it was called "protion solver", and it has been considered that "there will be no today's microelectronics without the polyimide"
Therein the polyimide foams have advantages of good fireproof performance, low smoke density index and good thermal insulating property. Thanks to these properties polyimide foams have been widely applied in aviation, aerospace, marine, and transportation, etc. And they also can be used in civil building for sound and heat isolation purpose. However the application is limited because of high preparation cost and complex process.
There are two main methods for preparing the polyimide foams: one is that polyimide foams are synthesized from aromatic dianhydride and aromatic diamine by two-step synthesis; the other method is that aromatic dianhydride directly reacts with the isocyanate to produce polyimide foams.
The first method consists of two stages: in the first stage dianhydride reacts with diamine by way of condensation polymerization in polar solvent, thereby forming solution. At low temperature the volatile solvent is heated to evaporate and the solution's viscosity increase, to even form solid. The remaining solvent from the products above is working as foaming agent. The second stage is to remove the water which is produced in reaction and the alcohol at high temperature; the imidization reaction happens during the heat treatment stage, associating by solvent evaporation. The shortage of the two-step method is very obvious: the reaction goes very slowly; the equipment and the process are very complex; so the preparation cost is very high; the solvent used is not friendly to the environment.
In the second method, an aromatic dianhydride is firstly dissolved in a high boiling point solvent. The solution then quickly reacts with the isocyanate to form the polyimide foams. In this method, a high boiling point solvent is necessary; the density of the products cannot be well controlled; also it is impossible to produce the foam in a continuous way.
The method as discussed in CN101812232A utilized the aromatic dianhydride or aromatic tetracid, isocyanate and foaming agent, etc. to immediately react in a polar solvent, thereby cure into polyimide foam. The patent utilized high boiling polar solvent such as N,N-dimethylacetamide. However the process is only suitable for intermittent production.
Patent CN102127225A disclosed another method for producing the rigid polyimide foams. Aromatic dianhydride or aromatic ester reacted with polyhydric alcohol in polar solvent, thereby forming polyimide foams precursor which would react with isocyanates in a mould forming polyimide foam intermediately. Rigid polyimide foams are obtained after the intermediate is cured by doing heat treatment in microwave. In this patent, since the solvent is not involved in the reaction process, it needed to be removed. The process is relatively complex.
Patent CN102942668A disclosed a method for producing the polyimide composite material by filling the functional filler. The method employed aromatic dianhydride or aromatic diamine. After aromatic dianhydride is esterified, promoters, such as catalyst, foaming agent and functional filler, are added, thereby forming the precursor solution. Then the precursor solution reacted with isocyanate to produce polyimide foams. In this method the solvent doesn't participate in reaction process and needed to be removed. Microwave or heat treatment process is employed during solidification. The process is relatively complex and cannot satisfy the requirement of continuous production.

Method for continuously preparing solvent-free open-cell and closed-cell polyimide foams

CHANGZHOU TIANSHENG NEW MATERIALS CO., LTD.


A fiber optic sensor for determining the presence and/or measuring the depth of a first substance capable of transmitting light. The fiber optic sensor includes a plurality of light receiving fibers, a plurality of light transmitting fibers surrounding the light receiving fibers and structure for refracting light from the light transmitting fibers at a predetermined angle for total internal reflection of the light from an interface of the first substance with a second substance.

Generally, fiber optic converters are used for measuring small displacements of objects subjected to vibrations. Examples of such fiber optic converters are disclosed Poilleux U.S. Pat. No. 3,792,298, Tourret U.S. Pat. No. 3,771,873 and Brelot et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,778,157. In these patents, fiber optic bundles are used to transmit and receive a light beam reflected off a surface for measuring the thickness or depth of a layer of a first substance. A characteristic response curve is determined from the parameters of the system. A reflected value is compared to the response curve to determine the thickness of the layer.
One disadvantage of the above fiber optic converters is that the critical angle of the interface of the first substance with a second substance is not used. The critical angle is the angle at which light rays must impact upon the interface in order for the light rays to be totally internally reflected by the interface. Another disadvantage is that these converters do not rely upon total internal reflection of light from the interface. A further disadvantage is that these converters must be mounted above the substance to be measured, thus, these converters cannot be used in blind applications.

Fiber optic detector and depth sensor and method for doing same

Board of Control of Michigan Technological University


An interior energy absorbing panel for the passenger compartment of a motor vehicle has a thermoplastic skin, a thermoplastic retainer, a thermoplastic air duct, and an energy absorbing rigid polyurethane foam core which is reaction injection molded about the air duct and to the skin and retainer without requiring any added adhesive. When the skin is of the soft type, a layer of semirigid polyurethane foam is reaction injection molded between the skin and the energy absorbing foam core to impart a soft feel to the skin and protect the energy absorbing foam core from indentation during normal use.

Interior panels such as the instrument panel in a motor vehicle typically have a cast vinyl skin or sheet stock vinyl skin material backed by a semirigid polyurethane foam that is adhered to a rigid plastic retainer or insert that attaches to the vehicle structure. Rigid plastic HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) ductwork and various assembly components such as a glove box door and HVAC vents are then added separately in post-production assembly lines. Where energy absorption is desired in the panel for passenger protection, energy absorbing foams of the expanded bead type are generally used behind the skin. There is also a desire to incorporate the plastic ductwork in some of the panels for space and cost saving reasons. The foams that are commonly used for energy absorption result from the processing of beads of expandable styrenic polymer materials. But this processing does not normally permit such ductwork to be integrally molded in place in the foam with the foam molded in a consistent or uniform surrounding manner nor can such foam be molded against the plastic skin or the plastic ductwork or the plastic insert and successfully adhere directly thereto during the foam molding process. As a result, where such expanded bead foam materials are used for energy absorption, the foam is made separately from the panel and then adhesively bonded to the skin, ductwork, and/or the insert resulting in additional tooling, material, processing steps, and cost.
Moreover, whatever foam material is used for energy absorption and where the ductwork is to be molded in the foam, the foam must somehow be prevented from entering the ductwork during the foaming process. This poses a problem of cost effectively preventing this either with tools and/or in the manner of molding with the ductwork in place. There is also the additional problem of ensuring the dimensional stability of the finished panel where expandable styrenic polymer materials are used.

Panel with integral energy absorber and air duct


An analog circuit including a pair of input nodes and a pair of output nodes is coupled to a mismatch reduction circuit including an input node, an output node, a phase controller that times even and odd phases, an input switch, and an output switch. The input switch electrically connects the mismatch reduction circuit input node to a first node of the pair of analog circuit input nodes during each even phase and to electrically connects the mismatch reduction circuit input node to a second node of the pair of analog circuit input nodes during each odd phase. The output switch electrically connects a first node of the pair of analog circuit output nodes to the mismatch reduction circuit output node during each even phase and electrically connects a second node of the pair of analog circuit output nodes to the mismatch reduction circuit output node during each odd phase.

Random offsets resulting from transistor random mismatch can be found in analog circuits such as an operational amplifier, a comparator, a current mirror, an analog-to-digital converter, and a digital-to-analog converter. Such offsets can affect circuit performance to unacceptable levels. An example for reducing the random offsets is the auto zero method that uses a capacitor to store and cancel the random offset. However, this method is limited to application in certain circuits, and limits the speed of such circuits, as every operation needs an equilibration phase.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Method and apparatus for reducing impact of transistor random mismatch in circuits


A spring powered charging mechanism is operatively coupled with a spring powered, circuit breaker contact operating mechanism such that charging of the operating mechanism springs is powered exclusively by the charging mechanism springs as they discharge. The charging mechanism includes a prop controlled by the condition of the operating mechanism to releaseably sustain the charging springs in a fully charged condition, while the operating mechanism includes a hook to releaseably sustain the breaker contacts open against the urgence of fully charged operating mechanism springs. Consequently, the circuit breaker is capable of executing multiple contact opening and closing operations without recharging.

The present invention relates to industrial circuit breakers and particularly to circuit breakers equipped with stored energy mechanisms.
In a number of rather specialized applications it is desirable that a circuit breaker be capable of immediately reclosing after it has opened. For example, in the case of critical circuits where service interruptions are tolerable only as an absolute necessity, it is desired that the circuit breaker protecting this circuit, when tripped open in response to a fault condition, immediately or after an established short time delay, reclose on the chance that the sensed fault condition was of a momentary nature. If indeed this is the case, electrical service is restored after a tolerably brief interruption. However, if the fault condition persists, the circuit breaker is again automatically tripped to interrupt service. Alternatively, the interval between breaker opening and reclosure may be utilized to allow time for a downstream branch circuit protective device to clear the fault condition. Thus, upon reclosure of the breaker, service is restored to the sound portion of the distribution circuit.
In another application of increasing commercial significance, stored energy, reclosure type circuit breakers are being utilized to protect electronic (static) circuit breakers in uninterruptible power supplies under fault conditions.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved stored energy, reclosure type circuit breaker.
An additional object is to provide a circuit breaker of the above-character which includes a stored energy mechanism capable of holding a charge while the breaker is in either its open or closed circuit conditions.
A further object is to provide a circuit breaker of the above-character which is capable of closing, opening, reclosing and reopening in rapid succession without recharging the stored energy mechanism.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a molded case, industrial circuit breaker of the above-character having an exceptional fast operating mechanism which is exceedingly compact in size and both versatile and reliable in operation.
Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and in part appear hereinafter.

Circuit breaker having multiple spring actuating mechanisms


An analog/digital converter includes a comparator with two inputs and one output. One capacitor is connected between a reference potential and one of the inputs of the comparator. A coupling element is connected between a node point and the other of the inputs of the comparator. N further capacitors each have two terminals. One terminal of each of the further capacitors is connected to the node point. N individually controllable reversing switches each connect the other terminal of a respective one of the further capacitors to an input potential, a first reference potential or a second reference potential. A control device is connected to the output of the comparator and to the reversing switches to control the reversing switches for connecting at least some of the further capacitors to the input potential and for connecting each of the remainder of the further capacitors to one of the two reference potentials, during a transfer phase. The reversing switches include at least some reversing switches having switch positions alternating continuously among one another between the reference potentials until an appearance of a signal change at the output of the comparator, and remaining reversing switches each connecting a respective one of the capacitors to a respective one of the two reference potentials, during a conversion phase.

Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an analog/digital converter operating on the principle of successive approximation and having a capacitor network.
Analog/digital converters are known, for instance, from U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,426 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,451,821. Analog/digital converters with a capacitor network are often used whenever neither the analog input nor the reference voltage sources are to be loaded by a static current. Moreover, the capacitor network already furnishes a storage capacity, so that a sample-and-hold circuit preceding the analog/digital converter can be dispensed with.
During a transfer phase, the analog input voltage to be measured is applied to the capacitors. During that time, a voltage at inputs of an offset-compensated comparator is stored in memory. In the conversion phase, a charge at the capacitor network is redistributed, by alternating application of two reference voltages, long enough to ensure that the voltage at the inputs of the comparator is equal, except for a quantization error, to the voltage during the transfer phase.
The position of the reference switch is then equivalent to the digitized value of the analog input voltage.
However, one disadvantage of that converter is that the input voltage region is coupled directly to the reference voltages. At a lower reference voltage of a volts and an upper reference voltage of b volts, an input voltage of a volts, for instance, is converted into a digitally encoded value 0, and the voltage of b volts is converted into a maximum codeable digital value, which is dictated by the number of digits in the digital value.
If, for instance, at the reference voltages of a volts and b volts one wishes to measure a voltage that can be located between a volts and 2.times.b volts, then the input voltage to be measured must first be put in the appropriate voltage range by a voltage divider. However, with an ohmic voltage divider the converter loses its property of not ohmically burdening the input voltages to be measured.


Heterocyclic compounds represented by the general formula (I) ##STR1##. wherein R stands for an optionally substituted aromatic heterocyclic group; PA1 X stands for oxygen atom, an optionally oxidated sulfur atom, --C(.dbd.O)-- or --CH(OH)--; PA1 Y stands for CH or N; PA1 m denotes an integer of 0 to 10: PA1 n denotes an integer of 1 to 5: PA1 cyclic group ##STR2## PA1 stands for an optionally substituted aromatic azole group; and PA1 ring A is optionally further substituted,. or salts thereof. The compound (I) possesses action of inhibiting tyrosine kinase and useful as antitumor agents.

Genes of cell growth factor and growth factor receptors are called proto-oncogene and play important roles in behavior of human tumors including breast cancer (Arronson et al., Science Vol.254, pp.1141-1153, 1991). HER2 (Human EGF Receptor-2 genes having homology with the receptor of epidermal growth factor EGF are those of transmembrane receptor glycoprotein, and this receptor has tyrosine kinase activity (Akiyama et al., Science Vol.232, pp.1644-1656, 1986). HER2 is observed in human breast cancer and ovarian cancer (Slamon et al., Science, Vol.244, pp.707-712, 1989), which is further observed in prostate cancer (Lyne et al., Proceedings of American Association for Cancer Research Vol.37, p.243, 1996) or gastric cancer (Yonemura et al., Cancer Research Vol.51, p.1034, 1991). Further, the substrate of HER2-tyrosine kinase is observed in 90% of pancreatic cancers. Transgenic mice carrying HER2 gene develop mammary cancers as they grow (Guy et al., Proceedings of National Academy of Science U.S.A., Vol.89, pp.10578-10582, 1992).
It is disclosed that antibodies specific for HER2 suppress in vitro proliferation of tumor cells (Mckenzie et al. Oncogene Vol.4, pp.543-548, 1989) and humanized monoclonal antibody demonstrated prospective results in the clinical tests of patients suffering from breast cancer (Baselga et al., Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol.14, pp.737-747, 1996).
These antibodies hinder the binding of growth factor with HER2 receptor and inhibit activation of tyrosine kinase. As the result, since it was shown that the advance of breast cancer was suppressed, it was shown that the drug directly inhibiting tyrosine kinase of HER2 was possibly effective as a medicine for the therapy of breast cancer (Hayes, Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol.14, pp.697-699, 1996).
While several low molecular weight compounds inhibiting receptor-type tyrosine kinase containing HER2 have been reported, most of them are styrene-like compounds analogous to tyrosine itself having hydroxylated aromatic ring. For example, erbstatin inhibits proliferation of human epidermal carcinoma cell line A431 (Journal of Antibiotics, Vol.39, p.170, 1986), and it is reported that tyrphostin has antitumor activity in vivoon nude mice bearing the well-characterized human squamous cell carcinoma MH-85 (Cancer Research, Vol.51, p.4430, 1991). And, it it reported that sulfonylbenzoyl-nitrostyrene derivatives have antitumor activities in vivo in nude mice carrying A431 cell line. Further, it has been known that indole derivatives inhibit EGF receptor type tyrosine kinase and inhibit in vivo the growth of A431 cell line (International Application No. PCT/US93/7272, Japanese Patent Application under PCT laid-open under Kohyo No.Toku-Hyo-Hei 8-503450).
And, it has been known that triazole and diazole derivatives, although they are not tyrosine kinase inhibiting compounds, have the activity of inhibiting the signal transduction of cell proliferation due to growth factor (U.S. Pat. No. 5,482,954).

Heterocyclic compounds, their production and use


A method for operating a signal system, in particular for a vehicle, a gaze direction of a user being monitored by way of at least one first sensor, a warning signal being outputted depending on the gaze direction detected. Provision is made that by way of at least one second sensor, an environment of the user is monitored for possible target objects, the detected gaze direction of the user being compared with the environment. When the gaze direction of the user points toward one of the possible target objects, that target object is designated as a selected target object and, depending on a triggering command of the user, the warning signal is outputted into the environment for the selected target object.

German Patent Application No. DE 10 2012 023 108 A1 describes, for example, a method for operating a signal system which recognizes a lane change intention of a driver of a motor vehicle and wirelessly conveys or reports that lane change intention to other motor vehicles. The lane change intention is ascertained by way of image data of the driver acquired by an interior camera. The image data are evaluated for that purpose, for example, in terms of mirror gazes and/or over-the-shoulder gazes performed by the driver. If a lane change intention is recognized from the driver's head motion detected in that context, a warning signal in the form of a lane change intention is then conveyed to other motor vehicles in the environment of the driver so that they can react promptly to the driver's lane change.

Method and apparatus for operating a signal system, signal system, vehicle


A method and system for providing security between a service providing server and a user device, the system including: a user device to request a service and to transmit a packet including a first public key; an authentication server to receive the packet, to authenticate the user device based on the first public key, to generate a secret key if the user device is authenticated, and to transmit the secret key to the user device; and a service providing server to check an integrity of the user device by using information for an integrity attestation having the secret key, and to provide the service to the user device according to the integrity of the user device. When the remote integrity attestation of the user device is implemented by the service providing server, the anonymity of the user device is guaranteed and the integrity of the user device is authenticated.

1. Field of the Invention
Aspects of the present invention relate to a system and method for providing security, and more particularly, to a system and method for issuing a secret key according to the validity of a security module of a user device in an authentication server, and anonymously implementing the integrity attestation of a user device and a service providing server through a security protocol in order to use a security protocol for implementing the integrity attestation.
2. Description of the Related Art
With the development of communication technology and computers, multiple problems related to computer security have arisen. A variety of methods have been suggested to solve these problems, and among them, a method of guaranteeing the integrity of the corresponding system is widely used. Integrity attestation is a process of checking the authority of a device or person for data or network security. In contrast to the integrity attestation, alternative security methods are used to strictly control data access or a physical environment of a network terminal and/or a server.
The integrity attestation is implemented for authentication between a user device and a server that provides a predetermined service. The authentication of the corresponding device is implemented by confirming a measurement with respect to a composition or a setting of software and hardware on a specific platform or on a system, through the other certificate authority, and attesting the integrity of the corresponding devices.
FIG. 1 illustrates an integrity attestation system using v1.1 of a trusted platform module (TPM) of a trusted computing group (TCG). Referring to FIG. 1, the integrity attestation system includes a user device 100, an authentication server 120, and a service providing server 130. The user device 100 includes a security module 110 so that general online services can be safely used. An integrity attestation of the user device 100 is implemented by the service providing server 130.
The security module 110 of the user device 100 serves as a security hardware device on a system platform, storing a key generated for encryption of data. A solution based on hardware helps prevent attacks, and the security module 110 prevents the system platform from being modified by a user (not illustrated) or a software application.
The TPM is one example of the security module 110 capable of providing computing to run cryptographic protocols and capable of safely storing significant information (such as a secret key for encryption). The TPM includes an endorsement key (EK) and an attestation identity key (AIK). The EK includes a secret/public key pair as a key value that is stored in the security module 110 in advance. These values are originally stored in the security module 110. Once stored, the secret key included in the EK is issued by a trusted third party (3rd) and cannot be known by any entity outside of the security module 110. The EK is verified in the illustrated authentication server 120 or in an authentication server of FIG. 2 using the key values based on a validity verification with respect to the security module 110.
The AIK is a secret/public key pair that is created in the security module 110. An AIK secret key is not exposed to the outside of the security module 110.
The service providing server 130 remotely implements the integrity attestation in the user device 100. The service providing server 130 provides a predetermined service that a user requests within the verified user device 100 by attesting the integrity of the authenticated user device 100.
The integrity-attestation system, including the components shown in FIG. 1, transmits an optional AIKi among the AIKs created in the security module 110 of the user device 100, along with the EK to the authentication server 120 so as to receive a predetermined service of the service providing server 130 in the user device 100. The authentication server 120 determines the validity of the security module 110 in the user device 100 based on receipt of the EK.
When the security module 110 is determined to be valid, the authentication server 120 digitally signs the AIKi(Sig(AIKi)) received with the EK by using the secret key of the authentication server 120.
When the digital signature is completed, the corresponding signature is transmitted to the user device 100 and stored in the security module 110. The user device 100 that receives the digital signature requests a predetermined service from the service providing server 130, and the service providing server 130 requests the integrity attestation of the user device 100.
The integrity attestation of the user device 100 is achieved by comparing a measurement metric (M) (for example, the hash value) with respect to hardware and software information (version information, serial number, manufacturer, and binary code) of the user device 100 (target of the integrity attestation).
After the digital signature (SigAIKi(M)) is performed by using the AIK secret key on the measurement metric (M) calculated in the security module 110, the integrity attestation of the user device 100 and the service providing server 130 transmits the public key of AIKi and the digital signature (Sig(AIKi)) received from the authentication server 120 to the service providing server 130.
The service providing server 130 determines if the digital signature (Sig(AIKi)) performed by the authentication server 120 is valid through the received information, and implements the integrity attestation by comparing the measurement metrics (M).
Since the AIKi transmitted from the security module 110 to the authentication server 120 and the AIKi transmitted to the service providing server 130 are identical in the conventional art, there is a problem of private information outflow (when and what kinds of services are received through the user device 100) in a plurality of business models included in a service provider with an identical authentication server 120 and service providing server 130.
That is, in the conventional TPM v1.1, the integrity attestation is implemented with respect to the user device 100 and the service providing server 130 within the scope where the anonymity can be guaranteed. The user device 100 that receives specific services can be easily distinguished through the EK included in the security module 110 of the user device 100 and the AIK corresponding to the EK.
FIG. 2 illustrates an integrity attestation system operated through an anonymous authentication using TPM v1.2 of TCG. Referring to FIG. 2, the integrity attestation device includes a user device 200, an authentication server 220, and a service providing server 230. The user device includes a security module 210 that has the EK, the AIK, and a direct anonymous attestation (DAA).
The authentication server 220, as a trusted third party, determines the validity of the corresponding security module 210 through the validity verification of the EK stored in the TPM, and provides the digital signature (SigDI(DAA)) by using a secret key of the authentication server 220 on the DAA public key transmitted along with the result of the validity determination.
After the validity of the security module 210 is determined through the authentication server 220 and a specific service is requested from the service providing server 230 by the user device 200, the service providing server 230 requests the integrity attestation with respect to the security module 210.
When the integrity attestation is requested, the security module 210 creates the ALKi and the measurement metric (M) signed using the AIKi is transmitted to the service providing server 230. The service providing server 230 that receives predetermined sets of information implements the integrity attestation by determining if the M is the DAA public key included in the valid security module 210 signed by the authentication server 220 or if the M is the AIK signed by the corresponding key. The integrity attestation is described in "Direct Anonymous Attestation" written by E. Brickell, J. Camenisch, and L. Chen.
Since the information (EK and DAA) provided to the authentication server 220 and that provided to the service providing server 230 are different in the conventional art, the anonymity is guaranteed. However, the separate authentication of the service providing server 230 is not made, and, as a result, the possibility of hacking or phishing attacks is high.
Further, a protocol for the authentication of the service providing server 230 should be performed separately on the user device 200 and on the service providing server 230, and therefore, there is a problem that session-key sharing and channel protection are additionally required.