A method for improving an over erasing effect of a charge-trapping memory cell. The charge-trapping memory cell has a transistor, which has a first terminal coupled to a first bit line and a second terminal coupled to a second bit line. First, the method erases the charge-trapping memory cell. Then, after the charge-trapping memory cell is completely erased, the first bit line is electrically connected to the second bit line to make a voltage level of the first bit line equal a voltage level of the second bit line such that the voltage level of the first terminal of the transistor equals the voltage level of the second terminal of the transistor.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates in general to a method for improving an over erasing effect of a charge-trapping memory cell and a charge-trapping memory structure thereof, and more particularly to a method for improving an over erasing effect of a charge-trapping memory cell and a charge-trapping memory structure thereof capable of saving a layout area and the time of programming the over-erased cells.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electrically programmable and erasable non-volatile memories are used in various applications, and a charge-trapping memory or Nitride Read-Only Memory is also one of the non-volatile memories based on a charge trapping dielectric layer. Data is stored using the charge trapping dielectric layer such as a silicon nitride layer to trap charges. When negative charges are trapped, a threshold voltage of the memory cell increases. When the negative charges are removed from the charge trapping dielectric layer, the threshold voltage of the memory cell is decreased. This operation is referred to as the so-called erasing.
If the bias arrangement causes too many negative charges to be removed from the charge trapping dielectric layer, the threshold voltage of the memory cell becomes too low, and the memory cell is over erased, which causes the memory cell to generate a leakage current and thus influences the normal operation of the memory cell array.
FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration showing a conventional charge-trapping memory structure 100. Referring to FIG. 1, the charge-trapping memory structure 100 includes M word lines WL1 to WLM and a plurality of charge-trapping memory cell blocks. In FIG. 1, only one first charge-trapping memory cell block 110 and one second charge-trapping memory cell block 120 are illustrated without limitation. Each charge-trapping memory cell block includes a plurality of memory cells. Each memory cell includes a transistor, which is a floating gate field effect transistor.
In addition, each charge-trapping memory cell block further includes a plurality of bit lines BD each formed by buried diffusion. Each bit line BD is coupled to a switch SW, for example a bank select transistor. In addition, for example, multiple Y multiplexers correspond to one charge-trapping memory cell block. Each Y multiplexer is coupled to a sense amplifier 130 and corresponds to two bit lines BD. In the first charge-trapping memory cell block 110, a boundary abutting on the second charge-trapping memory cell block 120 has M boundary charge-trapping memory cells having transistors defined as boundary transistors BT1 to BTM. The bit line located in the first charge-trapping memory cell block 110 and coupled to the boundary transistors BT1 to BTM is defined as a first bit line BD1, and the bit line located in the second charge-trapping memory cell block 120 and coupled to the boundary transistors BT1 to BTM is defined as a second bit line BD2.
Typically, the erasing operations of the charge-trapping memory structure 100 are sequentially executed by each of the charge-trapping memory cell blocks. For example, the first charge-trapping memory cell block 110 cannot be erased until the second charge-trapping memory cell block 120 is erased. However, in the above-mentioned procedure, the boundary transistors BT1 to BTM perform two times of erasing operations. That is, the negative charges of each of the M boundary charge-trapping memory cells are removed twice. Consequently, it is possible to cause the too low threshold voltages of the M boundary charge-trapping memory cells and the over erased phenomenon is thus caused so that the charge-trapping memory structure 100 cannot be correctly read.
In addition, if the first charge-trapping memory cell block 110 is a repaired array block, the boundary transistors BT1 to BTM perform the erasing operations once after the second charge-trapping memory cell block is completely erased. However, because the M boundary charge-trapping memory cells are located in the repaired array block, they cannot receive program pulses after the erasing operations. Consequently, the M boundary charge-trapping memory cells will be over erased after the erasing operations such that the charge-trapping memory structure 100 cannot be correctly read. In addition, the over erased phenomenon enables the boundary transistors BT1 to BTM to generate leakage currents, which cause the sense amplifier 130 to see error currents through the Y multiplexers such that the verification of the charge-trapping memory structure 100 has errors. Furthermore, the effect caused by the over erased phenomenon mentioned above is more serious in a charge-trapping memory structure with high cycles.
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing a conventional charge-trapping memory structure 200 with an isolating region. In the charge-trapping memory structure 200, an isolating region 240 is additionally disposed between a first charge-trapping memory cell block 210 and a second charge-trapping memory cell block 220. Consequently, the erasing operations of the first charge-trapping memory cell block 210 and the second charge-trapping memory cell block 220 cannot influence the charge-trapping memory cells on the boundary therebetween, so the boundary charge-trapping memory cells cannot be over erased. However, when the size of the charge-trapping memory structure 200 is large, the additional isolating region 240 wastes the layout area. In addition, it is usually necessary to add a STI (Shallow Trench Isolation) process to the manufacturing process to form the isolating region 240, thereby increasing the cost.
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration showing a conventional charge-trapping memory structure 300 using a dummy cell. In the charge-trapping memory structure 300, an additional column of dummy cells 340 is disposed between a first charge-trapping memory cell block 310 and a second charge-trapping memory cell block 320. Consequently, the erasing operations of the first charge-trapping memory cell block 310 and the second charge-trapping memory cell block 320 cannot influence the charge-trapping memory cells on the boundary therebetween, and the boundary charge-trapping memory cells cannot be over erased. However, in the program pulse after erasing of the charge-trapping memory structure 300, the dummy cells have to be considered. So, extra pulses have to be increased, thereby deteriorating the behavior of the charge-trapping memory structure 300 and lengthening the program time.

Scheme of semiconductor memory and method for operating same


High molecular weight, water-soluble prodrugs of the formula: ##STR1## wherein: D is a biologically active moiety;. M is X or Q; PA1 X is an electron withdrawing group; PA1 Q is a moiety containing a free electron pair positioned five or six atoms from Y'; PA1 Y and Y' are oxygen or sulfur; PA1 R is a polyalkylene oxide; and PA1 Z is OH, C.sub.1-4 all moieties or ##STR2## are disclosed. In preferred embodiments, the prodrugs contain a polyethylene glycol having a molecular weight of at least about 20,000.

Over the years, several methods of administering biologically-effective materials to mammals have been proposed. Many medicinal agents are available as water-soluble salts and can be included in pharmaceutical formulations relatively easily. Problems arise when the desired medicinal is either insoluble in aqueous fluids or is rapidly degraded in vivo. Alkaloids are often especially difficult to solubilize.
For example, several methods have been suggested to overcome the problems associated with administering paclitaxel, (also known as Taxol.RTM., Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. NY, N.Y.), which is insoluble in water. Currently, taxol is administrated in physical admixture with a non-aqueous vehicle, cremophor-EL. This formulation, however, has several drawbacks. Hypersensitivity reactions have been associated with the vehicle and intravenous administration of the agent with this vehicle is also slow and causes discomfort to the patient.
Several methods have been suggested to enhance the aqueous solubility of taxol. See, for example, PCT WO 93/24476, U.S. Pat. No. 5,362,831, and Nicolaou, et al. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. (1994) 33, No. 15/16, pages 1583-1587. Preparing water-soluble prodrug versions has also been explored.
Prodrugs include chemical derivatives of a biologically-active parent compound which, upon administration, will eventually liberate the active parent compound in vivo. Use of prodrugs allows the artisan to modify the onset and/or duration of action in vivo. In addition, the use of prodrugs can modify the transportation, distribution or solubility of a drug in the body. Furthermore, prodrugs may reduce the toxicity and/or otherwise overcome difficulties encountered when administering pharmaceutical preparations.
A typical example in the preparation of prodrugs can involve conversion of alcohols or thioalcohols to either organic phosphates or esters. Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 16th Ed., A. Osol, Ed. (1980), the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein.
Prodrugs are often biologically inert or substantially inactive forms of the parent or active compound. The rate of release of the active drug is influenced by several factors including the rate of hydrolysis of the converted ester or other functionality.
Recently, polyethylene glycol and related polyalkylene oxides have been suggested as possible adjuncts for the preparation of taxol prodrugs. See PCT WO 93/24476 supra, for example. PEG has also been conjugated to proteins, peptides and enzymes to increase aqueous solubility and circulating life in vivo as well as reduce antigenicity. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,298,643 and 5,321,095, both to Greenwald, et al. These latter two references disclose, inter alia, biologically-active conjugates having substantially hydrolysis-resistant bonds (linkages) between a polyalkylene oxide and the target moiety. Thus, long-lasting conjugates rather than prodrugs per se were prepared. In most situations, the average molecular weight of the polymer included in the conjugate was preferably about 5,000 daltons.
PCT WO 93/24476 discloses using an ester linkage to covalently bind taxol to water-soluble polyethylene glycols and provide a prodrug. Applicants, however, have discovered that the ester linkages described therein provide t.sub.1/2 for hydrolysis of greater than four days in aqueous environments. Thus, most of the conjugate is eliminated prior to hydrolysis being achieved in vivo. It would be preferable to provide an ester linkage which allows more rapid hydrolysis of the polymer-drug linkage in vivo so as to generate the parent drug compound more rapidly.
It has also been surprisingly found that when only one or two polymers of less than 10,000 molecular weight are conjugated to alkaloids and/or organic compounds, the resulting conjugates are rapidly eliminated in vivo. In fact, such conjugates are so rapidly cleared from the body that even if a hydrolysis-prone ester linkage is used, not enough of the parent molecule is regenerated in vivo to make the PAO-drug conjugate worthwhile as a prodrug.
Ohya, et al., J. Bioactive and Compatible Polymers Vol. 10 January, 1995, 51-66, disclose doxorubicin-PEG conjugates which are prepared by linking the two substituents via various linkages including esters. The molecular weight of the PEG used, however, is only about 5,000 at best. Thus, the true in vivo benefits would not be realized because the conjugates would be substantially excreted prior to sufficient hydrolysis of the linkage to generate the parent molecules.
Yamaoka, et al. J. Pharmaceutical Sciences, Vol. 83, No. 4, April 1994, pages 601-606, disclose that the half-life of unmodified PEG in circulation of mice after IV administration extended from 18 minutes to one day when molecular weight was increased from 6,000 to 190,000. Yamaoka, et al., however, failed to consider the effect of linking the polymer to a drug would have on the drug. Also, Yamaoka, et al. failed to consider that aqueous solutions of higher molecular weight polymers are quite viscous and difficult to dispense through the narrow-bore devices used to administer pharmaceutical preparations.
In summary, previous prodrugs based on conjugates of parent drug compounds with water soluble polymers have not been successful due to a combination of excessively slow hydrolysis of the polymer from the parent drug and excessively rapid clearance of the prodrug from the body.

High molecular weight polymer-based prodrugs


For forming multiple images on a single sheet of film (F) for medical use, specific data to the film (F) such as a patient name are extracted from one of the images, and the extracted data are enlarged, and the enlarged data are output to an optical processing system, of which exposing position is controlled, and then the data is exposed onto the film (F) in a designated location, for example, at the bottom of the film (F) thereby.

In the medical field, an image created by imaging technology such as X-ray computed tomography (CT), scanning-type nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA), after being converted to a digital image and magnified by a designated multiplier by means of a variable density image (grey scale image) processing apparatus, is broken down into its constituent graphic elements. The digital image data, containing that image's continuous series of gradients, is converted into a chronological series of analogue signals. An apparatus called a laser imager (hereinafter termed a "variable density image photographic apparatus") then uses a semi-conductor laser apparatus (cf. FIG. 20), employing a direct modulation formula, to irradiate silver-sodium film with these analogue signals, thus making them into photographs.
Each original image includes within it certain data specific to itself, as for example its identification number, patient name, or the date the image was created (cf. FIG. 21). However, the laser beams of the optical systems used in these variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus range between about 80 .mu.m and 100 .mu.m in diameter; in consequence, a written (i.e. alphabetic or numeric) character of the 16-dot size commonly used, for instance, comes out to a size of approximately 1.2 mm when inscribed by such a beam. As a result, a reader cannot decipher the data on the film simply by looking at the film.
Thus, at present, data used for identification of individual films (hereinafter termed "identifying data") is input by means of the variable density image (grey scale image) processing apparatus input apparatus, and is inscribed onto the bottom of the film in a fixed size by means of the optical system; or, alternatively, an identification label is affixed to the bottom of the film following development. Although the data is then readable, the process interferes with the rapid handling of such medical films.
In their typical configurations, the basic constituents of the variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus currently in use are as follows:
(1) a film feeding cassette for storage of film prior to exposure; PA1 (2) a pick-up mechanism to remove the film from the film feeding cassette; PA1 (3) a feeding means for feeding the film removed by this pick-up mechanism to the target location of the laser beam; PA1 (4) an exposure means to expose the film by scanning it while irradiating it with a laser beam; PA1 (5) a film securing means to secure the film; PA1 (6) a secondary scanning means to scan the film in a direction perpendicular to the laser beam's direction of scan; PA1 (7) a retrieval means for retrieving the exposed film; PA1 (8) a film retrieval cassette for storage of film following retrieval; PA1 (9) an image processing means for laser-scan modulation, assembling of image data, and image enlargement and reduction; PA1 (10) a control means for control of laser output and other means; PA1 (11) a power supply means for the controls, for laser output, and for operating the apparatus. PA1 identify data specific to the multiple images are extracted therefrom; PA1 enlarge the extracted identifying data by a designated multiplier; and PA1 the enlarged identifying data at a designated location on the photosensitive medium.
FIGS. 22-26 show examples of variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus configured from the constituents described above.
FIG. 22 depicts a variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus i, consisting of a film feeding cassette a, a film retrieval means b, an exposure means c, an image processing means d, and a control/power supply means e, configured from top to bottom in that order, and a film securing drum f, located next to the image processing means d. The various means in the variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus i in FIG. 22 are thus stacked one on top of another, resulting in a height of approximately 1,200 mm and a weight of some 290 kg. Symbol p in FIG. 22 represents a pick-up mechanism, and g represents a film conveyor means which feeds and also retrieves the film.
FIG. 23 depicts a variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus i, consisting of a film feeding cassette a, an exposure means c, a film shape adjustment space s, a film securing and conveying means h which both secures and conveys the film, and an image processing, control, and power supply means j, configured from top to bottom in that order, and with a separate automatic development apparatus placed next to the variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus. The film which has been developed by this automatic developer is retrieved in the tray t, located on top of variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus i. Thus FIG. 23's variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus, like that shown in FIG. 22, has its components stacked one on top of another; moreover, there is a film shape adjustment space s located between exposure means and film-securer and conveyor means h, resulting in a height of approximately 900 mm and a weight of approximately 250 kg. In addition, the height of the automatic development apparatus is approximately 1250 mm; the total weight comes to roughly 500 kg. Symbol p in FIG. 23 represents a pick-up mechanism, and g represents a film conveyor means.
FIG. 24 depicts a variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus i, consisting of a film feeding cassette a, a film-shape adjustment space s, and a film securing half-cylinder k, configured from top to bottom in that order, with an exposure means c located in the center of the half-cylinder k, and with an image processing, control, and power supply means m located adjacent to the film shape adjustment space s and film securing means k. An automatic development apparatus is mounted on top of variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus i, so that the total height of variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus i, including that of the automatic developer, comes to approximately 1,500 mm, and their combined weight comes to approximately 370 kg. Symbol p in FIG. 24 represents a pick-up mechanism, and g represents a film conveyor means.
FIG. 25 depicts a variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus i, consisting of an exposure means c, a film securing drum f, a film retrieval cassette b, a film feeding cassette a, and an image processing, control, and power supply means m, configured from top to bottom in that order. For this reason, the height of variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus i is approximately 1,030 mm, and its weight is approximately 180 kg. Symbol p in FIG. 25 represents a pick-up mechanism, and g represents a film conveyor means.
FIG. 26 represents a variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus i, consisting of a film feeding cassette a, a film securing quarter-cylinder n with a revolving type exposure means c, and an image processing and power supply means o, configured from top to bottom in that order, with a control means q installed adjacent to the film securing quarter-cylinder n. As a result, this variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus i measures roughly 1,280 mm in height, and its weight is approximately 170 kg. Symbol p in FIG. 26 represents a pick-up mechanism, and g represents a film conveyor means.
Thus, the conventional variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatuses i exceed 1 meter in height and weigh around 200 kg. Their large size gives rise to certain problems: they require a large space in which to be installed; efficient utilization of floor space and room space is reduced in the facilities in which they are installed; and shipping and moving of these apparatuses is a complex and expensive undertaking.
For these reasons, the advent of an easy-to-handle variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus measuring less than 1 meter in height and weighing under 100 kg will be warmly welcomed by medical professionals who deal with medical equipment of this type.
In developing this invention, we have sought to learn from such problems with the prior art. The object of this invention is to offer a variable density image (grey scale image) processing method, and a variable density image processing apparatus utilizing it, which can render identifiable a single-sheet photosensitive medium on which multiple images have been made, by simply and rapidly inscribing identifying information in a designated location on the medium.
An additional object is to provide a variable density image (grey scale image) photographic apparatus which can make photographs out of images from variable density image processing apparatus and which is smaller and more lightweight, thus enhancing the efficient utilization of floor and room space in facilities in which it is installed, and improving ease of shipping and moving.

Variable density image processing apparatus


A combined injector and fuel pump suitable for high pressure direct injection of heavy fuels into Diesel engines, in particular small light weight Diesel engines as may be used in small aircraft. The injector utilizes a piezoelectric actuator driving a piston assembly comprising an inlet reed check valve disposed thereon. Fuel enters an inlet port coupled to an inlet chamber on a first side of the piston. Piezoelectric actuator contraction transfers fuel from the inlet chamber through the reed valve to the pressurization chamber on a second side of the piston. Piezoelectric actuator expansion drives the piston to pressurize the fuel in the pressurization chamber, which forces open a conical annular valve and nozzle assembly injecting a finely atomized mist of fuel into the cylinder.

Typical injectors for a Diesel engine operate in conjunction with a heavy, high pressure pump to operate the injector. The systems are well suited to the large diesel engines in trucking, automotive and marine service, however the systems scale poorly for smaller engines or where light weight is needed as in aircraft applications. As engine size decreases, the injectors and injector pump do not scale proportionately. The engine ends up with a significant fraction of the total weight invested in the injection system. Thus, there is a need for simple light weight injector systems and pump systems for small and light weight applications.

High pressure piezoelectric fuel injector


A system and method for determining service requirements of elements in a network. A collection program is used to gather performance data from an element for which a service requirement is desirable by an entity. The performance data is stored in a database. The performance data is then retrieved by a microprocessor. The microprocessor processes the performance data to calculate a network health indicator associated with the performance data. Using the network health indicator, a service requirement of the associated element can be determined. When at least two network health indicators or service requirements of different elements are compared, service priorities among the elements can be established.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to network resources management, and more particularly, to a system and method for determining service requirements of individual elements in a network.
2. Background of the Invention
In a network that has a large number of elements, it can be difficult to determine which element or elements require service. For example, in a telephone network that has thousands of switches and other network elements, it is difficult to determine which of the network elements require maintenance to keep the element functioning within design tolerances. Furthermore, it can be nearly impossible to prioritize which switches need service more urgently than the other switches.
In the 1970's, Bell Laboratories (now Lucent Technologies) had a product called Network Switching Performance Measurement Plan (NSPMP). The NSPMP helped monitor network element performance. The NSPMP provided support to a limited number of telephone switches including the 1ESS, 1AESS, 2ESS, 2BESS, 3ESS, 5ESS, and DMS100 switches.
NSPMP is no longer supported by Lucent Technologies. Many users discontinued the use of the product because it was not user friendly. Other users found that the time and efforts associated with using the NSPMP outweighed the benefits received from the product. Currently, NSPMP simply does not have the capability to monitor the performance of a majority of the switches that are being used in telephone networks, due to increased sophistication and complexity of the switches. For example, the NSPMP does not have provisions for non-Lucent switches and AIN components such as service control points.

System and method for determining service requirements of network elements


A proximity input detection system for an electronic device. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes an inductive field sensor to detect a change in a magnetic field when an input device with a coil is within a threshold distance. In another embodiment, the present invention utilizes a capacitive sensor which can locate the position of an electrically conductive object which is within a threshold distance. The capacitive sensor can also be used, for example, as a switch to activate the device if a user picks it up. The present invention allows user inputs to be detected without actually touching the electronic device. The present invention can also be used to detect inputs through intervening non-metallic layers such as a protective cover or another display of the device without using additional input sensors.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of portable electronic devices that contain display devices. More particularly, the present invention provides an input sensing system which can detect an input in proximity to but not in contact with the surface of the display of an electronic device.
2. Prior Art
Advances in computer technology have enabled the further miniaturization of the components required to build computer systems. As such, new categories of computer systems have been created. One of the newer categories of computer systems is the portable, hand held, or "palmtop" computer system, also referred to as a personal digital assistant or PDA. Other examples of a portable computer system include electronic address books, electronic day planners, electronic schedulers and the like.
A palmtop computer system is a computer that is small enough to be held in the user's hand and as such is "palm-sized." As a result, palmtops are readily carried about in the user's briefcase, purse, and in some instances, in the user's pocket. By virtue of its size, the palmtop computer, being inherently lightweight, is therefore exceptionally portable and convenient.
Flat panel resistive touch screen displays are found in numerous electronic products such as wrist watches, hand calculators, cell phones and PDAs both to present information to the user as well as to facilitate input of data such as user touch screen commands. Such displays include a resistive digitizer mechanism and a display mechanism. A typical resistive digitizer mechanism consists of a digitizing element having a flexible thin film supported slightly above the surface of another thin layer digitizing element. A pressure applied to the outer surface of the flexible film causes the film to deflect and contact the digitizing element at a point which can be measured and thereby used as an input signal to activate the digitizer mechanism.
The flexible film and the digitizing element must be mounted in a support housing to provide and maintain the proper spacing between the two. At the same time, additional protection against moisture, dust, and mechanical damage must be provided for the flexible film used in the digitizer mechanism. Thus, an additional outer protective film mounted above the digitizer flexible film is generally included in the touch screen display assembly. One problem with this technology is a gradual reduction in the sensitivity to the external mechanical pressure required to activate the digitizer mechanism. In addition, the added protective film may increase overall opacity which makes it more difficult to view any display element housed within.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an enclosure/touch screen assembly 100 utilized in prior art. The entire assembly is held in place by the supporting structure 105. The outer protective film 110 provides mechanical protection for the resistive digitizer film 120. In addition, the outer protective film is coupled to the support mechanism in order to provide a moisture and dust seal. The digitizing element 130 is located below and close to the digitizer film 120. An externally applied pressure that deflects the protective film will also deflect the digitizer film.
Any applied pressure great enough to cause the digitizer film to contact the digitizing element will then activate the resistive digitizer mechanism. The display element 140 is located below the digitizer mechanism. User information is displayed on the upper surface of the display element. An icon sheet (not shown) is frequently disposed above display element 140 which delineates areas on the display screen for specific functions (e.g., button functions or a handwriting recognition area). Together, the protective film, the digitizer film and the digitizing element should have an opacity small enough to allow viewing of the information displayed on the display element.
The entire touch screen assembly is located within the support structure such that the surface of the outer protective film is below the upper edge of the support structure. There is therefore a step-down corner 150 from the upper edge of the support structure to the surface of the outer protective film and the resulting assembly exhibits a bezel like appearance. The support structure is also used to conceal the electrodes 160, insulators 170, and traces 180 which locate where the digitizer film and the digitizing element come into contact with each other.
One problem with the bezel design is that maintaining a moisture and dust-free environment for the touch screen mechanism is difficult. Such an assembly often does not provide a satisfactory moisture and dust proof enclosure. The bezel design adds to the complexity, cost of assembly, and overall thickness of the device. Additionally, some designers would like to eliminate the bezel to update the appearance of the device.
Another disadvantage with prior art display interfaces is the requirement that the digitizer assembly be a flat, two-dimensional surface. Currently, Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) is used as the conductive material (e.g., digitizer film 120 and digitizing element 130 of FIG. 1) in digitizer mechanisms. The digitizer mechanisms are formed by sputtering ITO onto a flat surface. The flat surface is required because while ITO has some flexibility, it is very brittle and will break down over time. Because of this ITO degradation, the interface of hand held computers needs to be re-calibrated occasionally. The brittleness factor necessitates an ITO layer that is flat and of uniform thickness. Additionally, the junction where the flexible digitizer film joins the electrodes and traces is frequently prone to failure.
The brittleness of the ITO limits the design of prior art devices to a flat interface which may not be suitable for some designs and makes a three-dimensional display surface impractical. A three-dimensional display would allow designers to contour the top surface such that it is not flat giving the device, for example, a curved top profile. The brittleness of the ITO also prevents using a printed decorative border sheet to conceal the electrodes and traces of the digitizer mechanism and eliminate the need for a bezel design.
Another drawback is that, because of the amount of space between the touch surface of the touch screen and display screen, there is a parallax effect. Simply stated, the parallax effect is a type of visual spatial distortion such that the actual point of contact on the touch screen does not correspond to the intended target area of the display screen. This is analogous to a stick being immersed in water, such that the stick takes on a bent or distorted appearance.
Also, the amount of light that comes from the display screen through the touch screen to be viewed by the user is only about 80% of the available light. In a reflective display, that amount is further reduced to about 64%. This reduces the overall contrast, clarity, and quality of the display as seen by the user.
Furthermore, the support structure and outer protective film are typically made of plastic. When subjected to normal use, the support structure and outer protective film can take on a scratched appearance which most users find unappealing. A protective cover may be used to protect the outside of the device, but this is inconvenient in that the device must be removed from the cover to use it and still does not protect the outer protective film while the device is being used.

Proximity input detection system for an electronic device


Changes in polarized light incident on a detection zone within a separation matrix are used to detect optically active molecules within the separation matrix. The separation and detection of optically active molecules within the detection zone is done by loading a sample containing optically active molecules onto a separation matrix; applying a motive force to cause the sample to migrate though the separation matrix and to separate into a plurality of subgroups of optically active molecules; directing an incident beam of polarized radiation to the detection zone; processing the collected exiting beam with an optical component which discriminates between radiation having the same polarization as the incident beam and radiation having a different polarization from the incident beam; and measuring the intensity of the processed exiting beam. A difference between the intensity of the processed exiting beam and a standard intensity obtained for the separation matrix in the absence of sample is indicative of the presence of an optically active molecule in the detection zone. Alternatively, an incident beam of alternately left and right circularly polarized radiation, in which case differences in the intensity of left and right circularly polarized radiation indicate the present of optically acid species within the detection zone.

This application relates to a method and apparatus for detecting optically active molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids or the like, after such molecules have separated within a separation matrix, using inherent properties of the molecules for their detection.
Separation of organic molecules is now routinely performed using many types of separation matrices and techniques such as in agarose or polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. (Current Protocols in Molecular Biology (John Wiley & Sons, 1994)) A gel provides a suitably insoluble sieve so as to permit the separation of organic molecules in solution by size and conformation as they are drawn through the sieve under electromotive force. Such separation of organic molecules provides valuable insights into their structures and functions. For example, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) separation can separate two polypeptides of the same size but of different isoforms or polypeptides only 100 daltons difference in size (Current Protocols, 1994, Chp. 10). Another use for PAGE is in separation of nucleic acids based on size of fragments, such as in the extremely important application of DNA sequence determination (Maniatis, "Molecular Cloning", A Laboratory Manual, 2nd ed., 1987).
When the electrophoresed molecules are labeled with a detectable signal, it is possible to detect the separations of molecules in real time For example, nucleic acids conjugated with a fluorophore may be loaded at a first end of a polyacrylamide gel, separated under electrophoresis, and detected at a second end of the gel by laser induced fluorescence of the conjugated label The fluorescence signal may be displayed as it is recorded or stored in a computer.
Since the first description of a real-time nucleic acid separation method and apparatus (Smith et al., Sequence Detection in Automated DNA Sequence Analysis, Nature 321: 674-679 (1986)) the technology for so-called "automated DNA sequencing" has expanded rapidly Several automated DNA sequencing apparatuses are commercially available. Methods and apparatus for sequencing of DNA are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,811,218; 4,881,812; 5,062,942; 5,091,652; 5,108,179; 5,122,345; 5,162,654; 5,171,534; 5,190,632; 5,207,880; 5,213,673; 5,230,781; 5,242,567; 5,290,419; 5,294,323; 5,307,148; 5,314,602; 5,324,401; and 5,360,523 which are incorporated herein by reference.
The means of detection of separated molecules is of fundamental technical significance in each electrophoresis system. As a general rule, most published methods of detection of electrophoresed DNA or protein samples rely on indirect detection of sample. For example, some methods rely on detection of fluorophore conjugated to the molecule of interest; other methods rely on detection of a radioactive label conjugated to the molecule of interest; still others rely on visualization of separated bands of molecules by staining of whole gels. All of these methods entail time-consuming, dangerous or cumbersome preparatory procedures for labeling the molecule of interest. For example, conjugation of a DNA sequencing primer to a fluorescein or rhodamine molecule requires use of a low efficiency conjugation reaction that leaves a large pool of unlabeled primers which reduce the efficiency of the DNA sequencing reactions, and interfere with the running of the gel.
To avoid the labeling problem, a method and apparatus are required to identify molecules based on inherent qualities of those molecules. One such method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,930,893. This method makes use of a shearing interferometer to detect differences in the index of refraction between molecules to be analyzed and the surrounding medium. This method, however, utilizes complicated optical components, and is not shown to be useful for obtaining the real-time electrophoresis data which is important to the full implementation of genetic diagnostic and screening procedures.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved optical detection method for real time detection of optically active materials such as DNA or protein samples in an separation matrix based on detection of a property inherent to the DNA or protein sample.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for real time detection of optically active materials in a separation matrix which utilizes common optical components.

Method and apparatus for automated electrophoresis using light polarization detector


A control unit displays broadcasting received by a TV tuner unit on a display unit, and executes telop display of displaying character information such as a received electronic mail, etc. together with an image of the broadcasting. If the image display direction is a longitudinal display, a width of a display area of the character information is smaller than that in a case of a lateral display. In other words, in the longitudinal display, the number of characters displayed is smaller than that in the lateral display. For this reason, if the image display direction is the longitudinal display, the control unit makes the moving speed of the displayed characters relatively lower than that in the lateral display.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a radio communications terminal apparatus such as a cellular telephone.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, a cellular telephone has functioned as a multimedia terminal capable of e-mail transmission and reception, browsing the Web, displaying moving images and still images, reproducing music, receiving television broadcasting, etc. besides speech communication.
If a cellular telephone is thus equipped with a plurality of functions, the plural functions may be executed simultaneously. For example, an electronic mail may be received during the reception of the television broadcasting. In this case, to confirm an electronic mail, it is necessary to stop reception of the television broadcasting, confirm the electronic mail and receive again the television broadcasting. These operations are very troublesome for the user of the cellular telephone.
For this reason, if an electronic mail is received during the reception of the television broadcasting, images of the television broadcasting are displayed together with the contents of the electronic mail (refer to, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication 2005-151338). Otherwise, telop display of displaying the contents of the electronic mail is executed and the display is automatically scrolled (refer to, for example, Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication 10-269154).
According to the conventional telop display, however, the scroll speed is not appropriate such that the user can hardly recognize the contents of the electronic mail. This problem also occurs in a case of displaying moving images and still images stored in the cellular telephone or displaying character information together with the moving images and still images during browsing the Web.

Fujitsu Toshiba Mobile Communications Limited


A cable condition monitoring sensor device includes a TMR magnetic field sensor module, a high-pass filtering module, and a signal-amplifying module which are sequentially connected. The TMR magnetic field sensor module measures a magnetic field change signal of a cable, converts the same into a voltage signal, and outputs the voltage signal to the high-pass filtering module. The high-pass filtering module filters out DC bias of the voltage signal, and transmits the filtered voltage signal to the signal-amplifying module. The signal-amplifying module amplifies the filtered voltage signal to obtain an output voltage signal and outputs the output voltage signal. In the present invention, a common mode current to be measured in the cable is extracted by placing the magnetic shielding ring made of ferromagnetic material outside the cable to filter out a differential mode load current in the cable, and the magnitude of the common mode current is determined.

Cables in operation often suffer from aging and failure due to moisture or overload, which affects the safe and reliable operation of power systems and causes huge economic loss. Therefore, there is an urgent need for a new online cable insulation monitoring method. In the power system and power equipment, the magnitude of a common mode current is usually used as an index for measuring an insulation leakage current and degree of aging. However, in the cable, the common mode current is weak, the interference by a relatively high differential mode load current exists, and the cable has a complex structure and a larger cable diameter, which makes it difficult to directly measure the common mode current. Therefore, the present patent proposes a common mode current sensor for on-line cable condition monitoring.
At present, Rogowski coils are used to measure common mode currents in cables and lead systems mostly. As shown in FIG. 1, a lead to be measured passes through a Rogowski coil structure formed by a plastic pipe and a coil winding the plastic pipe. When an alternating current flow in the lead to be measured, magnetic flux inside the coil changes, and then an alternating voltage is induced in the wound coil. This voltage is processed and output by a subsequent circuit and the magnitude of the current can be calculated therefrom.
As the most general current measurement scheme, the Rogowski coil has been widely used in the power system. However, for the measurement of common mode currents in an electrical equipment, especially in cables, the Rogowski coil has the following obvious defects.
1. As the Rogowski coil is not specifically designed for common mode current measurement, when there is a plurality of leads, especially when a geometric structure of each lead cannot be ignored, a magnetic field inside the Rogowski coil will be distorted; and when the interference by the relatively high differential mode load current in the lead exists, the magnetic field will be distorted more seriously, which causes great errors in measurement.
2. The Rogowski coil itself has relatively low measurement accuracy with the measurement error reaching several amperes. As a result, it is difficult to satisfy needs for measuring the micro common mode current (often in the order of mA) in the cable.
3. The measurement frequency band of the Rogowski coil is limited. For low-frequency band current signals, the induced voltage is relatively lower and the measurement accuracy is reduced.
Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

Cable condition monitoring sensor device method


The invention relates to a shut-off fitting comprising a housing which is connected to an adjacent pipeline in a pressure tight manner, the diameter of said pipeline defining a tubular passage in the housing. Said fitting also comprises at least one closing body which can be displaced between an open position and a closed position. The inventive shut-off fitting is characterized in that the at least one closing body can be displaced by an articulated mechanism, by means of an actuator which can be vertically displaced in relation to the flow direction, in such a way that it is arranged outside the tubular passage in its open position. The closing body has a contour which is adapted to the contour of the tubular passage, in the open position, and is located on the tubular passage in a radially sealing manner.

This application is a national stage application of international application PCT/DE03/01671, filed May 23, 2002, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shut-off fitting that includes a housing that is connected to an adjacent pipeline and at least one closing body for the pipeline which can be displaced between an open position and a closed position.
2. Background of the Invention
Preferably, such shut-off fittings should require little maintenance and should resist corrosion. They could be made of metal or plastic whereby fittings made of thermoplastic materials have the advantage that the housing parts can be joined using not only commonly used welding methods but also mirror heating element joint methods or heater coil welding techniques. The joint could also result using attachment to an already existing PE pipe network.
Metallic shut-off fittings in the prior art often experience corrosion and severe incrusting when used in drinking water networks. This corrosion or incrusting could lead to operating trouble, such as leakage and damage to the shut-off fitting. In particular, metallic shut-off fittings often suffer sever corrosion due to the heavy weight and mechanical attachment, usually by means of a flanged port fitted with screws, especially when used underground.
Tight closing shut-off fittings used in many different processes even under high pressure and high temperature can be well preserved. Most devices utilize closing bodies which move about an axis laterally to the flow and flows around in the open position.
DE 10 13 135 relates to a high pressure non-return valve made of forging steel which in a fitting inside the pipe can be swiveled about an axis fitted on the outside of the tubular passage in such a way that the tubular passage is opened. While closed, the valve or the closing body lies axially on a circular carrying surface fitted in the tubular passage.
GB 2 009 877 relates to a pipe fitted with two set apart closing valves which basically form a further developed non-return valve. One of the valves is kept in the closed position by a stopping mechanism.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,064,916 relates to a deformable blocking blister which can be moved through the tubular passage by means of cable feeding.
Some uses, in particular when relatively small pipe diameters are utilized, such as in the drinking water area, a shut-off body, will interfere with the flow. It is not possible to lead a go-devil through the pipe either, not even in the open position.
It is thus the object of the invention to provide a shut-off fitting made of thermoplastic material that can be reinforced if necessary so that the disadvantages of the well-known metallic gate valves are avoided.


A method for emergency service using telematics includes: attempting to transmit an emergency service request message to a telematics center through mobile communication when a telematics terminal receives an emergency signal; confirming, by the telematics terminal, whether the telematics terminal processes the emergency service in attempting to transmit the emergency service request message; informing a vehicle terminal of the fact that the emergency service is not processed if it is confirmed that the telematics terminal does not process the emergency service; and receiving, by the vehicle terminal, the emergency service request message from the telematics terminal to process the emergency service through TV white space (TVWS) communication, thereby extending an emergency service coverage using the telematics. A system for emergency service using telematics involves communication between the telematics terminal, the telematics center, and the vehicle terminal, in order to process the emergency service request message through TVWS communication.

(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates a system and method for emergency service using telematics which enables emergency service to be requested anywhere at the time of occurrence of an emergency situation by extending emergency service coverage of the telematics using a TV white space (TVWS).
(b) Description of the Related Art
Telematics is a vehicle wireless Internet service in which a vehicle is combined with wireless communication, and which may allow a driver to remotely diagnose a vehicle through a wireless network, to use various types of information such as traffic and life information and emergency recovery using a terminal in which a wireless modem is equipped, and to transmit a telephone message, exchange e-mail, and download an audio book within the vehicle.
A telematics terminal which supports the telematics services recognizes situations when a driver manually inputs an SOS switch or an air bag is deployed due to a vehicle collision and attempts to connect a telephone to a telematics center. When the telephone connects to the telematics center, the driver informs an operator of the telematics center of a current position, an accident occurrence situation and the like, and therefore may rapidly process emergency situations such as a vehicle accident.
Since the telematics terminal according to the related art uses mobile communication to provide communications with the telematics center, when the telematics terminal is out of a service area of a mobile communication base station, the telematics terminal may not use emergency services.
Further, the related art may use a satellite service, a radio service or the like to replace a mobile communication service area; however, there is a need for paid subscription to use these services.

System and method for emergency service using telematics


A light exposure system is used to expose an alignment layer formed of anistropically absorbing molecules so as to allow alignment of subsequently applied liquid crystal polymer (LCP) molecules. The light incident on the alignment layer is polarized. When a single polarizer is used, the azimuthal polarization direction varies across the substrate carrying the alignment layer. Various approaches to reducing the azimuthal polarization variation may be adopted, including the introduction of various types of polarization rotation reduction element and in selecting an appropriate tilt angle for the light source. Furthermore, a reflective structure may be inserted between the light source and the alignment layer. Use of the reflective structure increases the total amount of light incident on the alignment layer.

The present invention relates to optical exposure systems and optical process for aligning optical alignment layers and liquid crystals with light.
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) find application in many areas of information display, including instrument controls, watches, portable computers, desk top computer monitors, LCD televisions and LCD projectors. Most LCD devices employ an LCD panel that has a layer of liquid crystal material disposed between a pair of substrates. The inner surface of at least one of the substrates is an alignment surface for aligning the liquid crystal molecules in the absence of an applied electric field. Commonly, the alignment surface is a polymeric alignment layer. In some displays, the direction of alignment of the alignment layer is established in a mechanical buffing process wherein the polymer layer is buffed with a cloth or other fibrous material. The liquid crystal medium contacting the buffed surface typically aligns parallel to the mechanical buffing direction.
Alternatively, an alignment layer comprising anisotropically absorbing molecules can be exposed to polarized UV light. Such exposure aligns the molecules of the alignment layer which can then be used to align a liquid crystal medium. This type of alignment layer is referred to herein as an exposed alignment layer.
In many LCDs, the alignment layer not only aligns the liquid crystal (LC) molecules, but also imparts a pre-tilt to the molecules. The LC molecules that contact an alignment layer with pre-tilt are aligned in a direction parallel to a particular direction, for example the buffing direction when using a buffed alignment layer, but the LC molecules need not be aligned parallel to the substrate. For example, the LC molecules may be tilted from the plane of the substrate by a few degrees. Many types of LCD require that the alignment layer include a pre-tilt for optimum performance. An exposed alignment layer can be given a pre-tilt by altering the angle of incidence of the UV light when exposing the alignment layer.


A liquid crystal display has a light source unit and a liquid crystal panel unit, and includes a unit for emitting rays having wavelengths corresponding to the primary colors in respective three directions, a lens group unit provided on the light incident side of the liquid crystal panel unit; and a lens group unit provided on the light emitting side of the liquid crystal panel unit and having a focal plane disposed outside the liquid crystal panel unit. Angles of propagation directions of emitted rays of the primary colors are made different from one another by the primary-colors three direction emitting unit, the rays of the primary colors are introduced into respective picture elements corresponding to the primary colors by the panel-light incident side lens group unit, and the propagation directions of the emitted rays of the primary colors are made to substantially coincide with one another by the panel-light emitting side lens group unit.

The present invention relates to a high efficiency color liquid crystal display, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display having a high light utilization efficiency.
In a prior art color liquid crystal panel, a large number of sets of picture elements are formed with picture elements of the primary colors of R (red), G (green) and B (blue) constituting each set. The picture elements corresponding to the respective primary colors contain corresponding pigments. Therefore, when applying white light to the color liquid crystal panel, the picture elements corresponding to R, G and B transmit only rays having wavelengths corresponding to these pigments. As a result, the efficiency of utilizing light is degraded theoretically to about 1/3 or less because each one pigment corresponding to the associated primary color absorbs the rays having wavelengths corresponding to the other two primary colors. Actually, since the pigments do not have ideal characteristics, the efficiency of utilizing light is degraded to about 1/5.

High efficiency color liquid crystal display


Novel polyurethane formulations especially useful as coating for the protection of ductile cast iron pipes. The polyurethane is prepared by mixing two components, A and B. Component A comprises castor oil, a low molecular weight polyol having a molecular weight between 76 and about 450, preferably with an elastomer. Component B is a polymeric MDI.

Metal piping is an essential part of the infrastructure of every city. It is used in a wide variety of circumstances, from the most benign such as the interior of a home to the most extreme, such as acidic soil which freezes and thaws each year. Piping, of course, can be expensive and difficult to replace, particularly if it must be replaced after failure. Thus any method of improving the time in service of piping can result in significant savings to the pipeline user.
At present the pipeline industry is searching for higher performance coatings which can be effectively applied to prevent damage to pipes from corrosion and external mechanical stress. The presently prevalent commercial products are bituminous tape materials. These are essentially a layer of asphalt-like material with an adhesive backing. Although the existing bituminous tape materials are cheap, they have low impact resistance and their application is laborious and costly. Essentially, the tape has to be wound around the pipe. Certain pipeline industry manufacturers would like to phase out bituminous materials and replace them with thin, flexible, light, high performance coatings. In this invention we have developed a two-component polyurethane composition which can be effectively applied by spray and/or curtain coating onto metal pipes to obtain such a coating. This material is tough, has the right amount of flexibility and has excellent impact properties and with minimum cathodic disbonding.
An ideal high performance coating for metal pipe would have the following properties:
Ease of Handling--The material should be one that can be applied by both spray and curtain coating methods. Once applied, it should not come off easily or add significantly to the weight, size, or handling properties of the pipe. Also, the coating should not drip and should dry or cure quickly.
Durability--The material should adhere strongly to the metal substrate. In this case the inventors are particularly interested in coating ductile cast iron. Ductile cast iron is extremely hard, but is very vulnerable to corrosion, and coating will help, but corrosion will occur at any place where the coating is flawed. The coating should have high impact resistance, so that the coating does not chip off during transport and installation, and also maintain some degree of flexibility as reflected in its tensile strength, tear strength, and elongation. These traits accommodate the pipe's inevitable response to temperature changes and long-term mechanical stress.
Water Resistance--One of the major functions of the coating is to keep water away from the metal surface. The coating itself must be highly resistant to liquid water over time. Also, it is desirable that the coating be largely impenetrable to water vapor, i.e., have a low vapor transmission rate. Resistance to liquid water and resistance to water vapor do not necessarily go hand in hand. In the case of coatings for oxidizable metals, it is particularly important to keep water vapor away from the metal, as small pockets of rust can form, which will force the coating to "bubble up" and the pipe to corrode. Finally, the coating must exhibit a minimum of cathodic disbonding, i.e., delamination of the coating at the site of a coating defect.
Environmentally Benign--Another significant advantage would be if the formulation is solventless, i.e., does not use any of the volatile organic compounds which will eventually be banned due to environmental concerns.
The inventors have found that a variation of the type of coatings previously applied to concrete is especially useful because it encompasses all the listed advantages. Such concrete coatings are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,829, issued to Vu et al. Oct. 31, 1990, the text of which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth in full.


According to an embodiment of the invention, a method for repairing a coated high pressure turbine blade, which has been exposed to engine operation, to restore coated airfoil contour dimensions of the blade, and improve upon the prior bond coat is disclosed. The method comprises providing an engine run high pressure turbine blade including a base metal substrate made of a nickel-based alloy and having thereon a thermal barrier coating system. The thermal barrier coating system comprises a diffusion bond coat on the base metal substrate and a top ceramic thermal barrier coating comprising a yttria stabilized zirconia material. The top ceramic thermal barrier coating has a nominal thickness t. The method further comprises removing the thermal barrier coating system, wherein a portion of the base metal substrate also is removed, and determining the thickness of the base metal substrate removed. The portion of the base metal substrate removed has a thickness, Δt. The method also comprises applying a β phase NiAl overlay coating to the substrate, and determining the difference in thickness, Δx, between the β phase NiAl overlay coating and the previously removed bond coat. The method further comprises reapplying the top ceramic thermal barrier coating to a nominal thickness of t+Δt−Δx, wherein Δt compensates for the portion of removed base metal substrate. Advantageously, the coated airfoil contour dimensions of the high pressure turbine blade are restored to about the coated dimensions preceding the engine run.

Higher operating temperatures for gas turbine engines are continuously sought in order to increase efficiency. However, as operating temperatures increase, the high temperature durability of the components within the engine must correspondingly increase.
Significant advances in high temperature capabilities have been achieved through the formulation of nickel- and cobalt-based superalloys. For example, some gas turbine engine components may be made of high strength directionally solidified or single crystal nickel-based superalloys. These components are cast with specific external features to do useful work with the core engine flow and contain internal cooling details and through-holes to provide external film cooling to reduce airfoil temperatures. Nonetheless, when exposed to the demanding conditions of gas turbine engine operation, particularly in the turbine section, such alloys alone may be susceptible to damage by oxidation and corrosion attack and may not retain adequate mechanical properties. Thus, these components often are protected by an environmental coating or bond coat and a top thermal insulating coating often collectively referred to as a thermal barrier coating (TBC) system.
Diffusion coatings, such as aluminides and platinum aluminides applied by chemical vapor deposition processes, and overlay coatings such as MCrAlY alloys, where M is iron, cobalt and/or nickel, have been employed as environmental coatings for gas turbine engine components.
Ceramic materials, such as zirconia (ZrO2) partially or fully stabilized by yttria (Y2O3), magnesia (MgO) or other oxides, are widely used as the topcoat of TBC systems. The ceramic layer is typically deposited by air plasma spraying (APS) or a physical vapor deposition (PVD) technique. TBC employed in the highest temperature regions of gas turbine engines is typically deposited by electron beam physical vapor deposition (EBPVD) techniques.
To be effective, the TBC topcoat must have low thermal conductivity, strongly adhere to the article and remain adherent throughout many heating and cooling cycles. The latter requirement is particularly demanding due to the different coefficients of thermal expansion between thermal barrier coating materials and superalloys typically used to form turbine engine components. TBC topcoat materials capable of satisfying the above requirements have generally required a bond coat, such as one or both of the above-noted diffusion aluminide and MCrAlY coatings. The aluminum content of a bond coat formed from these materials provides for the slow growth of a strong adherent continuous alumina layer (alumina scale) at elevated temperatures. This thermally grown oxide protects the bond coat from oxidation and hot corrosion, and chemically bonds the ceramic layer to the bond coat.
Though significant advances have been made with coating materials and processes for producing both the environmentally-resistant bond coat and the thermal insulating ceramic layer, there is the inevitable requirement to remove and replace the environmental coating and ceramic top layer under certain circumstances. For instance, removal may be necessitated by erosion or impact damage to the ceramic layer during engine operation, or by a requirement to repair certain features such as the tip length of a turbine blade. During engine operation, the components may experience loss of critical dimension due to squealer tip loss, TBC spallation and oxidation/corrosion degradation. The high temperature operation also may lead to growth of the environmental coatings.
Current state-of-the art repair methods often result in removal of the entire TBC system, i.e., both the ceramic layer and bond coat. One such method is to use abrasives in procedures such as grit blasting, vapor honing and glass bead peening, each of which is a slow, labor-intensive process that erodes the ceramic layer and bond coat, as well as the substrate surface beneath the coating. The ceramic layer and metallic bond coat also may be removed by a stripping process in which, for example, the part is soaked in a solution containing KOH to remove the ceramic layer and also soaked in acidic solutions, such as phosphoric/nitric solutions, to remove the metallic bond coat. Although stripping is effective, this process also may remove a portion of the base substrate thereby thinning the exterior wall of the part.
When components such as high pressure turbine blades are removed for a full repair, the ceramic and diffusion coatings may be removed from the external locations by stripping processes. The tip may then be restored, if needed, by weld build up followed by other shaping processes. The diffusion coatings and ceramic layer are then reapplied to the blades in the same thickness as if applied to a new component. However, airfoil and environmental coating dimensions/stability are particularly important for efficient engine operation and the ability for multiple repairs of the components. When design is limited to particular minimum airfoil dimensions, multiple repairs of such components may not be possible.
Moreover, while MCrAlY and diffusion bond coatings may be useful, scientists and engineers working under the direction of Applicants' Assignee are continually seeking new and improved bond coats and repair processes to further enhance engine operation efficiency and aid repairability of the components.

Method for repairing coated components using NiAl bond coats


A silver halide photographic light-sensitive material comprising a support having thereon at least one light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, wherein at least one of the silver halide emulsion layer and other hydrophilic colloid layers comprises fine polymer particles containing at least one hydrazine compound represented by the following general formula (NB): EQU A--(B).sub.m (NB). wherein A represents a connecting group; m represents an integer of from 2 to 6; and B represents a group containing a hydrazine structure. The sliver halide photographic light-sensitive material exhibits an ultrahigh contrast, an excellent storage stability and an excellent processing stability and is prevented from the occurrence of processing unevenness. A method for processing the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is also disclosed.

In recent years, in the art of photomechanical process, it has been desired to use a photographic light-sensitive material excellent in original reproducibility and a processing system which can operate with a reduced amount of waste liquid to be disposed so as to cope with diversification and complexity of printed matters and the increase in environmental awareness.
In order to obtain good reproduction of a halftone image in continuous gradation or of a line work, an image formation system exhibiting an ultrahigh contrast (particularly having a .gamma. value of 10 or more) photographic property is required.
For forming a high contrast image, a lithographic development system employing a so-called "infectious development effect" has been commonly used. However, the lithographic development system is disadvantageous in that the developer is too unstable to be used. An image forming system has been desired in which the photographic light-sensitive material is developed with a processing solution having a good storage stability to obtain an ultrahigh contrast. Examples of such an image forming system are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,166,742, 4,168,977, 4,221,857, 4,224,401, 4,243,739, 4,269,922, 4,272,606, 4,311,781, 4,332,878, 4,618,574, 4,634,661, 4,681,836 and 5,650,746. In this image forming system, a surface latent image type silver halide photographic light-sensitive material comprising a hydrazine derivative incorporated therein is developed with a stable MQ or PQ developer having a Ph value of from 11.0 to 12.3 to obtain an ultrahigh negative image having a .gamma. value of more than 10. In accordance with the method, an ultrahigh contrast and a high photographic sensitivity can be obtained. Further, since a sulfite can be added to the developer in a high concentration, the developer thus obtained exhibits a remarkably improved stability against air oxidation as compared with the conventional lith developers.
The above described method makes it possible to use a sulfite preservative in a high concentration to increase the stability of the developer. However, in order to obtain an ultrahigh contrast photographic image, it is necessary to employ a developer having a relatively high pH value. Such a developer having a relatively high pH value is liable to air oxidation. Thus, it is necessary that the developer be replenished at a high rate. Therefore, some attempts have been made in order to realize an ultrahigh contrast photographic image forming system comprising the nucleation development with a hydrazine compound by using a developer having a lower pH value.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,269,929 (corresponding to JP-A-61-267759 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application")), U.S. Pat. No. 4,737,452 (corresponding to JP-A-60-179734), U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,104,769, 4,798,780, 4,998,604 and 4,994,365, JP-A-1-179939, JP-A-1-179940 and JP-A-8-272023 describe a process which comprises the use of a hydrazine nucleating agent having high activity and a nucleation accelerator in order to obtain an ultrahigh image with a stable developer having a pH value of less than 11.0. It is also described that a chemically-sensitized silver halide emulsion having a high silver chloride content has high nucleation activity.
However, another problem encountered when the above described highly active hydrazine nucleating agent, highly active nucleation accelerator or highly active emulsion is employed is the occurrence of a so-called processing unevenness which is density unevenness caused in outputting at defined dot area.
Also, the photographic light-sensitive material containing the highly active hydrazine nucleating agent described above is troublesome in the preservation thereof for a long period of time since the highly active hydrazine nucleating agent is disadvantageously liable to decompose.
Further, although the amount of replenishment for developer and the amount of waste liquid in processing decrease to a certain extent using the stable developer having a pH value of less than 11.0, still further reduction is required. Therefore, a photographic light-sensitive material having higher processing stability, which has less change in photographic properties due to fluctuation of pH of a developer has been desired.
The incorporation of a hydrazine nucleating agent into fine polymer particles to add to a coating solution is described in JP-A-2-948. However, a purpose of the technique is prevention of deposition of the hydrazine nucleating agent.

Silver halide photographic light-sensitive material and method for processing thereof


The present invention provides a method and architecture for allowing a device using a traditional one-time programmable technology to be programmed multiple times within the package. The present invention provides multiple programming without introducing the additional complexity of external pins or specialized packaging. An address counter and main array is provided using one-time programmable technology. The address counter selects a page in the main array to write the programmable information. The desired programming information is programmed into a first page while the additional pages remain unprogrammed. When additional information needs to be configured, the address counter is incremented and points to a new page in the main array where the new programming information may be stored. As a result, a number of programming configurations can be programmed into a one-time programmable technology. The advantages of erasable technology may be implemented using the simplicity of one-time programmable technology.

It is desirable to provide external programming of a pre-manufactured device in order to change the configuration after the device is manufactured. One way to provide a variety of programming options is to use a technology that can be programmed multiple times, such as an electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). Another possibility would be to use external pins to select an unused page in a programmable array. Yet another possibility would be to use special packaging which would allow the electrically programmable array to be erased and re-programmed. Such a technology may include ultraviolet (UV) erasure of an electrically programmable read only memory.
A disadvantage with any of these methods is the fact that they require relatively complex technology to implement a programmable structure that can be written to more than one time. The method of providing additional pins increases the entire pin count of the device, which reduces the desirability of the technology. The possibility of providing a special package that allows a one-time programmable structure to be erased is also more complex than a traditional plastic package.
Referring to FIG. 1, a circuit 10 is shown implementing an EEPROM as a programmable memory. The circuit 10 generally comprises a number of internal components, an EEPROM portion 12, one or more programming control inputs 14 and one or more outputs 16. The output 16 may be, in an example of a clock generator circuit, an output clock. The internal components, in the example of a clock generator circuit, may be a phase-locked loop PLL 18, a PLL 20 and a miscellaneous logic block 22. The programming control received at the input 14 is presented to an input 24 of the EERPOM 12. The EEPROM 12 presents a signal to an input 28 of the miscellaneous logic block 22. The miscellaneous logic block 22 presents an output 30 that presents a signal to the output 16. Whatever function is implemented with the miscellaneous logic block 22, the EEPROM 12 presents control information in response to configuration information received from the external inputs 14. However, it would be desirable to replace the EEPROM 12 with a less complex one-time programmable technology without losing the ability to program the circuit 10 more than one time.

Method and architecture for non-sequentially programming one-time programmable memory technology without initially erasing the memory


A DC-DC converter is provided. The DC-DC converter includes at least one converter circuit configured to include an inductor and to supply a current to a load through the inductor; and a controller configured to sense the current to generate a sensed signal, to sample and hold the sensed signal at a predetermined sampling time to detect an average current of the inductor, and to control an operation of the at least one converter circuit according to the average current. The sampling time is set to a time in a period while the inductor current is less than a peak and greater than a valley.

Embodiments of the inventive concept relate to a DC-DC converter and an electronic system including the same.
A DC-DC converter is a circuit for changing the magnitude of a DC voltage. The DC-DC converter may be implemented using a buck converter including an inductor. Information about average current flowing in the inductor is needed for phase current balancing and droop control in the DC-DC converter. The average current information may also be used to adjust a switching frequency of a constant-on-time (COT) DC-DC converter.
The average current of the inductor can be obtained from the peak current and the valley current of the inductor. However, this method requires a complex circuit and is disadvantageous in that variation of the inductor value can cause a large error, so that accurately measuring the current is problematic.

DC-DC converter and electronic system including the same


A reaction apparatus includes: a chemical reaction unit for causing a reaction of a reactant by being set to a predetermined temperature and by being supplied with the reactant, a heat insulation package for housing the chemical reaction unit therein, an abnormality detector for detecting at least one of a temperature abnormality of the chemical reaction unit and the heat insulation package, and a cooling unit for flowing a cooling fluid to the chemical reaction unit to stop the reaction according to a detection result by the abnormality detector. In the reaction apparatus, the leakage of heat inside the reaction apparatus to outside is prevented when abnormality occurs to the chemical reaction unit and the heat insulation package.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a reaction apparatus in which a reactant is provided to cause a reaction of the reactant, and particularly a reaction apparatus which comprises a chemical reaction unit causing a reaction by heating the chemical reaction unit to a predetermined temperature.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in every field of consumer and industrial products, various chemical batteries have been used. For example, the chemical batteries are a primary battery such as an alkaline battery and a manganese battery, and are a secondary battery such as a nickel-cadmium storage battery, a nickel-hydrogen storage battery, and a lithium-ion battery. As opposed to these chemical batteries, in recent years, a research and a development for putting the following power supply system into practical use have been actively performed. The power supply system is a system using a fuel cell which has a less influence (load) on the environment and is capable of realizing energy utilization efficiency extremely as high as approximately 30 to 40%. Moreover, there have also been progressed a research and a development for downsizing the power supply system using the fuel cell as described above to make the power supply system applicable as a power supply unit taking place of such a secondary battery of a mobile information terminal or of a mobile instrument such as a notebook personal computer, thereby extending a usable time thereof.
Incidentally, in the power supply system using the fuel cell, for example, there is a system in which a liquid fuel having hydrogen atom in the composition thereof, such as alcohols and gasoline, is vaporized and the hydrogen is taken out by reforming the vaporized liquid fuel, and the hydrogen gas taken out is provided to the fuel cell in order to generate electricity. In this case, a reaction apparatus which comprises a chemical reaction unit such as a vaporizer for vaporizing the liquid fuel and water, and a reformer for taking out the hydrogen by causing reform reaction between the vaporized liquid fuel and high-temperature steam is required.
Here, the chemical reaction unit such as a vaporizer, a reformer, and the like are heated. By setting the chemical reaction unit to the predetermined temperature (for example, approximately 80 to 120° C. in the vaporizer, and approximately 250 to 400° C. in the reformer), the predetermined chemical reaction proceeds. Therefore, the temperature of a chemical reaction unit such as a vaporizer, a reformer, and the like is maintained at the needed temperature, the heat release to outside is restricted, and the chemical reaction unit is housed in a hollow heat insulation package in order to reduce the loss of the heat energy and to improve the heat efficiency. For this reason, these chemical reaction units are set at comparatively high temperature. However, these chemical reaction units are housed in the insulation package and the heat from those units are prevented from leaking.
However, in case that abnormality occurs in the reaction apparatus, for example, when the heat insulation package is broken by being applied to some impact from the outside, when the heat insulation package is disassembled in an unauthorized manner, when abnormality occurs in the reformer and the like to raise the temperatures thereof, and when abnormality occurs in control for the reformer and the like to raise the temperatures thereof, there is some possibility that the heat of the chemical reaction unit may leak to the outside of the heat insulation package.


A semiconductor wafer includes multi chip areas each including two or more device chip areas and arranged in an X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction, a plurality of scribe lines formed parallel to the X axis and the Y axis such as to separate the device chip areas from each other, and one or more alignment marks formed in each of the multi chip areas on the scribe lines between adjacent ones of the device chip areas included in one multi chip area, the one or more alignment marks being fewer than the device chip areas in each of the multi chip areas and used for positioning of the semiconductor wafer.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure generally relates to semiconductor wafers, semiconductor-wafer-layout determining methods, and reticle-layout determining methods, and particularly relates to a semiconductor wafer having an alignment mark for positioning the wafer, a semiconductor-wafer layout determining method, and a reticle-layout determining method for implementing the semiconductor-wafer layout determining method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the manufacturing of semiconductor devices having analog circuits, generally, laser trimming for adjusting resistance by cutting fuses is performed on the wafers in order to improve the analog characteristics of the semiconductor devices. An alignment mark is formed on a semiconductor wafer for the purpose of positioning the semiconductor wafer during such laser trimming process.
A plurality of device chip areas are arranged in matrix form on a semiconductor wafer, and are separated from each other by scribe lines. An alignment mark for use in laser trimming is provided separately for each of the device chip areas (see Patent Document 1, for example).
In the laser trimming process, an alignment mark is utilized to position the semiconductor wafer and align the angle (Θ).    [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-35924
In recent years, progress in the miniaturization of semiconductor devices has been made, resulting in the size of device chip areas being decreased. This makes it difficult to dispose an alignment mark in each device chip area.
Provision of an alignment mark in a device chip area means an increase in the size of the device chip area, resulting in a decrease in the number of device chip areas provided on a semiconductor wafer. This gives rise to a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.
Further, even if an alignment mark is arranged on a scribe line, the provision of alignment marks for respective device chip areas may create interference with other cells that are arranged on scribe lines. Because of this, there may be a situation where alignment marks cannot be disposed as desired. In such a case, the width of the scribe lines may need to be widened. This means an increase in the width of the scribe lines, resulting in a decrease in the number of device chip areas provided on a semiconductor wafer. This gives rise to a problem that the manufacturing cost increases.
Accordingly, there is a need for a semiconductor wafer, a semiconductor-wafer layout determining method, and a reticle-layout determining method for implementing the semiconductor-wafer layout determining method that can arrange alignment marks without enlarging device chip areas or widening the width of scribe lines.

Efficient provision of alignment marks on semiconductor wafer


A process for preparing acrylic or methacrylic acid amides functionalized with a cationizable tertiary amine, by aminolysis of acrylic or methacrylic acid esters with the aid of enzymes.

1. Field of the Invention
This present invention relates to a process for preparing acrylic or methacrylic acid amides functionalized with cationizable tertiary amino groups by aminolysis of acrylic or methacrylic acid esters with the aid of enzymes. The present invention also relates to the acrylic or methacrylic acid amides obtained by this process.
2. Description of the Background
Many processes are known for obtaining acrylic amides from the corresponding esters by reaction with amines which prevent or minimize the secondary so-called Michael reaction resulting from the addition of the amine to the double acrylic or methacrylic bond. Thus, the patent FR 2,259,088 discloses a process in several stages going through the formation of an intermediate product such as .beta.-amino-propionamide which is then treated thermally at high temperatures. However, this process has the drawback of generating undesirable decomposition products and of having a low overall yield.
Another known solution (FR 2,423,482) requires use of a dialkylated tin-oxide based catalyst as an accelerant for the aminolysis reaction. But such a process makes use of compounds which may not satisfy the current concerns regarding the environment.
In order to mitigate the various problems set forth above, another known method (FR 2,590,567) discloses a process of reacting an acrylic or methacrylic anhydride with a diamine. But this method has the disadvantage of requiring a costly anhydride which is difficult to obtain, and produces acrylic or methacrylic acid as a by-product.

Process for preparation of acrylic or methacrylic acid amides