Methods for obtaining purified populations of megakaryocytes and platelets by ex vivo culture of stem cells are provided herein.

Each year, millions of patients in the United States are affected by various blood disorders and diseases, such as thrombocytopenia (low platelet number), that require multiple treatments of platelet transfusions. Although more than 10 million platelet donations are made annually (all of which come from volunteer donors) the demand continues to increase at a greater rate than the supply. The process of obtaining platelets, however, is not only lengthy and costly, but it is further limited by a shelf life of only a few days. This short window of usability means that many donated platelet units are discarded before having an opportunity to serve the patients in need of these valuable products.
Platelets are tiny blood cells that perform the vital and highly specialized function of blood clotting. Almost a trillion platelets circulate in the average person's blood, and the turnover is such that the entire platelet population is replaced every 10 days. This represents a tremendous amount of ongoing platelet production. Platelets have a highly organized cytoskeleton and intracellular stores of over 300 proteins, which they secrete at sites of blood vessel injury. Platelets also play a role in inflammation, blood vessel growth, and tumor metastasis.
Platelets (thrombocytes) are small, irregularly shaped clear cell fragments 2-3 μm in diameter, which are derived from fragmentation of precursor megakaryocytes. Megakaryocytes are derived from hematopoietic stem cell precursor cells in the bone marrow These multipotent stem cells live in the marrow sinusoids and are capable of producing all types of blood cells depending on the signals they receive. The primary signal for megakaryocyte production is thrombopoietin (TPO). TPO induces differentiation of progenitor cells in the bone marrow towards a final megakaryocyte phenotype. The megakaryocyte develops through the following lineage: CFU-ME (pluripotential hemopoietic stem cell or hemocytoblast)→megakaryoblast→promegakaryocyte→megakaryocyte. The cell eventually reaches megakaryoblast stage and loses its ability to divide. However, it is still able to replicate its DNA and continue development, becoming polyploid. The cytoplasm continues to expand and the DNA complement can increase to greater than 64 N.
Once the cell has completed differentiation and becomes a mature megakaryocyte, it begins the process of producing platelets. TPO plays a role in inducing the megakaryocyte to form small proto-platelet processes. Platelets are held within these internal membranes within the cytoplasm of the megakaryocytes. There are two proposed mechanisms for platelet release. In one scenario, these proto-platelet processes break up explosively to become platelets. Alternatively, the cell may form platelet ribbons into blood vessels. The ribbons are formed via pseudopodia and they are able to continuously emit platelets into circulation. In either scenario, each of these proto-platelet processes can give rise to 2000-5000 new platelets upon breakup. Overall, more than 75% of these newly-produced platelets will remain in circulation while the remainder will be sequestered by the spleen.
Thrombocytopenia, a major medical problem affecting millions of patients per year in the US, can result in spontaneous bleeding and is treated using various methods to increase platelet production. The condition can result from malignancy and chemotherapy, immune disorders such as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP), infection, and major surgery. There are also a large number of inherited platelet defects that cause excessive bleeding. All of these serious medical conditions may require treatment at some point with life-saving platelet transfusions
There has been much interest in the possibility of using stem cells to produce platelets in the laboratory for clinical use. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells in early stage of development and capable of giving rise to more cells of the same type or differentiating into a diverse range of cell lineages. The main different types of stem cells are human embryonic stem cells (HeSC), induced pluripotent stem cells (IPSO) and hematopoietic stem cells (HSC).
HeSC are pluripotent stem cells derived from the inner cell mass of an early-stage embryo and are capable of differentiating into all derivatives of the three primary germ layers: ectoderm, endoderm and mesoderm. These cells are capable of differentiating into all kinds of cells in the human body. IPSO are a type of pluripotent stem cell artificially derived from a mature cell. Typically, adult somatic cells are induced to become pluripotent by activating specific genes of immaturity in these cells. Hematopoietic stem cells are progenitor cells that circulate in the blood and reside in the bone marrow and have the potential to give rise to all hematopoietic cells. Hematopoietic stem cells can be acquired from the bone marrow, peripheral blood with apheresis machines, or from umbilical cord or placenta after birth.
Culture systems have been described for differentiating stem cells into the various types of blood cells. There were expectations that stem cells, such as hematopoietic, HeSC and IPSO, could be used to generate blood cells for clinical use. However, using the currently available methods, the yield is far too low for clinical use. As an example, one unit of umbilical cord blood may contain about 106 (one million) CD34+ cells. One million CD34+ cells yield up to 107 platelets under current optimal conditions. In contrast, a typical platelet transfusion delivers about 3×1011 platelets. Thus, a 10,000 fold increase in efficiency is needed to provide a transfusion of cultured platelets to equal the number of platelets from one unit of umbilical cord blood.

Megakaryocyte and platelet production from stem cells


A fastening arrangement for fastening a drawer or a sliding bottom on a pull-out slide has a first fastening element which can be connected with the sliding bottom, and a second fastening element which can be connected with a rail of the pull-out slide. The first fastening element is pivotally connected to the second fastening element. The fastening arrangement has at least two connection parts which can be mounted separately of one another on a rail of the pull-out slide and which are each provided with at least a first and second fastening element. The first fastening element is preferably each constructed of a pin made of a plastic material which is molded to the connection part.

The invention relates to a fastening arrangement for drawers, sliding bottoms or other displaceably disposed components which are displaceably disposed by a pull-out slide on a stationary part, such as a furniture body.
Filed contemporaneously herewith are six United States patent applications, commonly assigned to Paul Hettich GmbH and Co.:
The claims, drawings and specification of each of the foregoing applications is hereby specifically incorporated by reference into this specification as if set forth verbatim herein.
German Patent Document DE 73 17 344 U1 shows a fastening arrangement for pull-out slides wherein a connection piece for the connection with a drawer is provided on a slide rail. The connection piece engages in a V-shaped section at a side wall of the drawer so that the drawer is fixedly connected with the slide rail. This fastening arrangement has the disadvantage that the connection piece and the drawer have to be mutually coordinated with respect to their shapes. In addition, in the preassembled condition, the fastening arrangement with the drawer can be furnished only with considerable space requirements.
German Patent Document DE 197 26 466 A1 shows a fastening arrangement in which the side wall of a drawer can be connected by way of a profile rail with a slide rail of a pull-out slide. The profile rail has a hinge-type construction so that the lateral wall of the drawer can be folded into a position parallel to the drawer bottom. Although this fastening arrangement has the advantage that a drawer element in the preassembled condition requires little space when the side walls extend parallel to the bottom, the profile rail is specifically coordinated with the respective side walls and the bottom and cannot easily be used for drawers of different sizes. Furthermore, for the fastening arrangement, no adaptation can take place to different mechanical stress situations.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a fastening arrangement which can flexibly be used for drawers and sliding bottoms of different sizes and constructions and can be adapted to the respective use. In addition, the fastening arrangement is to be produced at reasonable cost.
This object is achieved by a fastening arrangement according to the present invention. If the fastening arrangement has at least two connection parts which can be mounted separately of one another on a rail of a pull-out slide and which are each provided with first and second fastening element for the connection with the rail and a sliding bottom, the length of the sliding bottom as well as the height of the drawer can be selected independently of the fastening arrangement. The fastening arrangement can therefore be used universally for different types of drawers, etc. For example, for high mechanical stress, more than two connection elements can be provided along the rail of the pull-out slide in order to obtain the necessary stability. Despite the module-type design of the fastening arrangements, the fastening arrangement can be stacked in a flat manner in the preassembled condition. The term xe2x80x9csliding bottomxe2x80x9d contained in the claim comprises embodiments in which only a bottom is provided as well as embodiments in which, in addition to the bottom, side walls, frames or similar components are provided for forming a drawer.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, each connection part has a first supporting surface on which the sliding bottom is partially supported, and a second supporting surface is provided which rests on a rail of the pull-out slide. This arrangement is particularly stable and provides a good force reduction. In this case, the connection part may have an approximately Z-shaped section, the supporting surfaces being formed at the two horizontal legs of the xe2x80x9cZxe2x80x9d.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the first fastening element is provided with a detent device which can retain the connection part in an assembled position. This eases the assembly because the unit consisting of the sliding bottom and the connection parts can be assembled with the side walls of a drawer or similar components. A simple construction of the detent devices is obtained if a detent device is integrally shaped to a pin and can engage into a recess of a side wall of the connection part.
The first fastening element therefore preferably comprises a pin which is swivellably disposed on the connection part and which can be inserted into the sliding bottom. This type of a fastening can be easily and rapidly mounted and can be produced at low cost by drilling a corresponding recess in the sliding bottom. A receiving of the pin, which is secure with respect to tilting, in the sliding bottom is ensured if a holding surface is molded to the pin on which holding surface the sliding bottom rests. In order to ensure a uniform support, the holding surface at the pin and the supporting surface on the connection part are arranged at the same level in the assembled condition.
The pin is preferably constructed as a hollow profile so that it maintains a certain elasticity and can also be fitted as a pressed connection into the sliding bottom.
A simple production of the fastening arrangement is permitted if each connection part has a section made of metal which reaches at least partially around a rail of the pull-out slide, and the first fastening element made of plastic material is molded onto the section made of metal. The spraying of plastic material around the connection part can be carried out in a simple manner in only one production step.
In the following, the invention will be explained in detail by means of an embodiment with respect to the attached drawings.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


A yarn roll spindle locking assembly including a push-button type engagement/release mechanism. The locking assembly may be dropped onto a spindle to self-actuating lock in position, and is readily removable from the spindle by pivotal movement of a release element.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to a mechanical lock assembly of simple and manually operable character.
2. Description of the Related Art
In the field of locking and securement devices, a wide variety of structural and functional forms exist. Mechanical devices have evolved in a myriad of distinct types, and couplings and fasteners are used in a variety of applications. Examples include hook and loop type fasteners for securing apparel on the person of a wearer, key and combination locks for securing structures against intrusion and/or environmental exposure, and snap, zipper and tie-type fasteners for bags, cases and other containers.
Numerous applications exist for mechanical locks having a quick-connect, quick-release character. In such applications, it is highly desirable, from the standpoint of ease of fabrication and use, to minimize the number of moving parts. Such minimization permits the lock assembly to be simply and efficiently manufactured, as well as rendering it highly reliable, since a minimum number of moving parts decreases wear and increases service life of the lock assembly since failure modes for the device are correspondingly reduced, in relation to more complex locks and structurally intricate locks having a large number of moving parts.
In the textile industry, locking assemblies are employed to secure yarn rolls (typically called "packages" in the industry) on perforate spindles through which dye under high pressure is flowed into the yarn roll for dying of the yarn prior to its further processing. For this purpose, the perforate spindle is provided at its extremity with a threaded end rod on which is secured a lock assembly. Due to shrinkage of the yarn rolls as a result of chemical impregnation and differential temperature effects during the dying operation, simple nut locking members are impractical, since they become loosened in use, and the high pressure of the dye medium is lost as a concomitant of the resulting leakage.
Accordingly, the textile industry has adopted various types of locking assemblies which are adapted to mate with and grippingly engage the threads of the end rod. These conventional locking assemblies for dye spindle usage include various designs in which the assembly contains threaded surface cam members which exert a ratcheting engagement with the threads of the end rod when slid downwardly over the rod into abutting engagement with the outer extremity (shoulder) of the yarn roll.
A major problem which has been experienced in the use of such locking assemblies is that they tend to lock or seize in position on the threaded end rod due to the high pressure on the locking assembly exerted in the distal direction of the rod, so that the locking assembly is extremely difficult to disengage when the dying step is completed. This problem is worsened by the compression effects on the locking assembly by the yarn roll subsequent to the dying operation, particularly when a multiplicity of yarn rolls are vertically stacked on a same spindle. As a result, it is extremely difficult to "break lock" of the assembly and obtain release from the threads of the rod.
More generally, in the use of locks of all types, there is a desire to minimize the manual effort necessary to actuate the lock mechanism for locking and unlocking of the lock assembly. A very simple lock assembly with a minimal number of moving parts offers a number of advantages. First, the lock actuator/deactuator may be correspondingly simple in mechanical structure. Second, the low number of moving parts minimizes friction and inertial resistance in the operation of the lock to open and close it. Third, a minimal number of moving parts correspondingly minimizes the susceptibility of the lock assembly to environmental contaminants, e.g., airborne particulates, relative humidity, sand, soil, grit, etc., so that the locking assembly is less likely to bind or seize in use, than a locking assembly having a greater number of structural components. Fourth, the time required to actuate a lock assembly having a minimal number of parts is typically shorter than is the case with a lock assembly having a large number of coating parts which must be sequentially or corporately engaged and motively operated.
There is therefore a continuing search and need in the textile manufacturing art for yarn roll spindle locking assemblies having a minimal number of moving parts, which are simple to manufacture, efficient to operate in a quick locking and quick releasing fashion, which are physically robust, and which are capable of being manipulated for installation on and removal from the threaded rod of the spindle, with a minimum of manual effort.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved yarn roll spindle locking assembly meeting the foregoing criteria.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be more fully apparent from the ensuing disclosure and appended claims.


In one aspect, a device includes at least one processor, a display accessible to the at least one processor, and storage accessible to the at least one processor. The storage includes instructions that may be executable by the at least one processor to determine that a user is looking at a graphical object presented at a first area of the display that is different from a second area of the display that the user is touching concurrently with looking at the first area. The instructions may also be executable to, based on the determination, execute a function associated with selection of the graphical object.

As recognized herein, the displays of computing devices such as smart phones and smart watches are becoming increasingly small, yet many of those displays can still present a significant amount of information. As also recognized herein, however, a problem may arise in situations where a user might wish to select an item presented on one of those relatively small displays using touch input but cannot accurately select it without inadvertently selecting an adjacent item and/or without burdensomely zooming in on the desired item. There are currently no adequate solutions to the foregoing computer-related, technological problem arising in the realm of computer operation.

Execution of function based on user looking at one area of display while touching another area of display


A system and method for planning, developing and implementing data warehouse solutions. A methodology including a plurality of tasks associated with the design and implementation of a data warehouse solution is represented by a visual model that identifies relationships between the tasks, and includes links between the tasks and content contained within a methodology database. The visual model is displayed within a visual modeling program, and can be customized for a particular data warehouse engagement through the selection of tasks displayed in the visual model for inclusion in the particular data warehouse engagement. Additionally, a customized methodology plan, statement of work, and project methodology guide for a particular data warehouse engagement can be automatically generated from content extracted from the visual model and methodology database.

Teradata, a division of NCR Corporation, provides powerful data warehouse solutions for the retail, manufacturing, communications, travel, financial and insurance industries. These solutions combine Teradata's high-performance parallel database technology, a full suite of data access and management tools, robust data mining capabilities, world-class scalable hardware, and the most experienced data warehousing consultants.
Teradata has developed and documented the best practices and techniques to be used in the planning and development of high performance, reliable data warehouse solutions. These practices and techniques are collected together and organized into a methodology referred to as Teradata Solutions Methodology or TSM.
TSM is a system development methodology that describes, among other things, the methods, processes, tools, techniques, work products, skill sets, job assignments and project management requirements for data warehouse projects, and defines a framework for strategic and tactical data warehouse planning, design, implementation, maintenance and support. TSM is designed to allow multiple consulting, vendor and customer organizations to cooperate on a single project by sharing work activities, as well as to support world-wide deployment by the ability to define text in different languages. Project planning and time capture are integral parts of TSM with work assignments and tracking handled through a web interfaces. The methodology itself is stored in a relational database, thus facilitating the development, maintenance and use of TSM.
Methodology is essentially about communication—accurate, clear, precise and complete communication between the many individuals who will participate in the design and implementation of a data warehouse solution. The Teradata Solution Methodology outlines a sequence of procedures dictated by the needed inputs required to produce the next set of deliverables. It fosters clear project management based on an engineering approach. The result of methodology should be improved margins. The improvement in communications fosters growth, which depends on fast acclimation of new associates and coordination with business partners.
Historically, the Teradata Methodology has had low usage of formally developed, standard templates and processes. However, as Teradata continues to expand its professional services organization, array of solutions, and customer base, an efficient and consistent manner for preparing professional services employees and developing data warehouse solutions is desired. To this end, Teradata has developed TSM tools that assist a project manager in explicitly following the methodology by providing:                Estimating tools to rightsize the methodology steps to reduce risk of schedule overruns,        Customization tools of the standard methodology to create a methodology plan for the specific solution and customer expectations,        Generation of Standard Statements of Work based on customization of the Teradata Solution Methodology,        Creation of a custom web site for an engagement to manage completed and revised work product,        Creation of a standard Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) to allow analysis of project variance, tracking of associate experience levels, and linking of work product back to the specific steps in the methodology that created it, and        Mechanized collection of completed work product for archival storage to facilitate the next engagement of Teradata Professional Services at the customer site, analysis of the usage of tools for improvement opportunities, and identification of examples of best practices to assist associates in executing similar engagements in the future.
Traditional system development methodologies provide very few tools, if any to help the project planner determine the impact of these decisions and, once the decisions are made, to create the project plan and track execution against that plan.

System and method for planning and implementing a data warehouse solution


A rheolytic thrombectomy catheter and method of using same to remove thrombus from a body vessel or other body cavity. The rheolytic thrombectomy catheter has a first tube with a distal open end and a second tube aligned within the first tube and having a flexible tip assembly. A tapered and flexible tip follows a guidewire within and along tortuous and difficult vasculature paths to the site of thrombus. The flexible tip assembly, includes a soft flexible tip and also includes a hard plastic shell offering structural integrity and rigid alignment between a toroidal loop and an inner body to prevent lever arm distortion and to maintain spray gap alignment for saline jet flow emanating from the toroidal loop. Saline jets dislodge, entrain, and break thrombus into pieces which are evacuated through the dual lumen tube. A construction method is also included for mounting of the toroidal loop within the hard plastic shell and attachment of the soft tapered and flexible tip with sufficient bond strength to function as intended for use.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flexible tip rheolytic thrombectomy catheter and method of using same for removal of thrombus from a body vessel or other body cavity and to a method of constructing the same.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Procedures and apparatus have been developed for ease in removing tissue and various deposits from the human body. Several such devices employ a jet of saline as the working tool to help break up the tissue deposit and further provide a suction means to remove the deposit. U.S. Pat. No. 5,135,482 to Neracher describes a hydrodynamic device for removal of organic deposit from a human vessel. A supply of saline is delivered by a high pressure duct to the distal end of a catheter. The saline exits the duct as a jet that is directed generally forward and directly toward the tissue to be broken up. The duct is contained within and can move axially with respect to a hose that is positioned around the duct. A vacuum suction is applied to the hose to remove the debris that is created from the broken-up tissue. This device is not intended to pass through tortuous pathways found in the fragile vessels of the heart, and any attempt to employ the device for such purpose would be far too traumatic to the patient.
Another drainage catheter, described by Griep in U.S. Pat. No. 5,320,599, has a discharge channel and a pressure channel. The channels are formed into a single catheter tube such that the two tubes are fixed with respect to each other. This catheter could not provide the flexibility needed to negotiate the tortuous vascular pathways found in the vessels of the heart.

Flexible tip rheolytic thrombectomy catheter and method of constructing same


A focusing ionization device includes a ball having a surface with a plurality of dimples and a metal needle located at one side of the ball and capable of generating corona discharge. The focusing ionization device is adapted for being disposed in a mass spectrometer in a way that the ball is located at a spray path of gaseous analytes and the metal needle is located adjacent to a sample inlet of a mass analyzer. When the gaseous analytes pass through the ball, the gaseous analytes can be gathered around the metal needle, which in turn are ionized to produce analyte ions to be transmitted into the mass analyzer by a potential difference. Therefore, the focusing ionization device of the present disclosure can effectively enhance the amount of the analyte ions entering into the mass analyzer, thereby improving ion transmission efficiency. As a result, a mass spectrometer equipped with the focusing ionization device may have increased signal intensity of analyte, lowered limit of detection (LOD), and minimized detection error.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to a focusing ionization device and more particularly, to a focusing ionization device adapted to be applied in a mass spectrometer for gathering and ionizing gaseous analytes. The present disclosure further relates to a mass spectrometer using the focusing ionization device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, the mass spectrometer using atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (hereinafter referred to as 'APCI') device has been widely used in the fields of identification of synthesized compounds, detection of environmental toxic substances, analysis of energy ingredients, development of drugs, biological metabolomics or pharmacometabolomics, analysis of natural products, food analysis, etc.
In general, a mass spectrometer includes an ionization device, a mass analyzer and a detector. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of ionization mechanism of commercial APCI device 10. The conventional APCI device 10 includes a metal capillary 13 inserted through a high-temperature heater 11 and having an open end 131 that opens toward a sample inlet 21 of a mass analyzer 20. When the analyte solution 30 is sprayed from the open end 131 of the metal capillary 13, the analyte solution 30 is uniformly dispersed into droplets by a nebulization gas emitted in a coaxial direction of the metal capillary 13. The droplets are then heated by the high-temperature heater 11 and evaporate into gaseous analytes 30, which in turn are ionized to form single-charged analyte ions 31 by a corona discharge needle 50 connected to a high-voltage power supply and disposed adjacent to an outlet of the high-temperature heater 11 through gas phase ion-molecule reaction. Finally, analyte ions 31 travel into the mass analyzer 20 due to a potential difference established between the corona discharge needle 50 and the mass analyzer 20, a mass spectrum is thus obtained.
As shown in FIG. 1, because the plume-like analyte ions 31 may be obtained from the conventional APCI mechanism, that is, the analyte ions 31 may form a dispersion area much larger than a sectional area of the sample inlet 21 of the mass analyzer 20, at least 50% of the analyte ions 31 cannot flow into the mass analyzer 20. As a result, the mass spectrometer equipped with the conventional APCI device has the problems that the signal strength of analyte is significantly decreased and the detection limit cannot be lowered.
In order to improve the aforesaid problems, many methods for focusing ions to be transmitted into mass spectrometer by controlling electric field such as Field Asymmetric Ion Mobility Spectrometry (hereinafter referred to as 'FAIMS') have been developed. However, FAIMS has limited effect on ion-focusing under the influence of Maxwell's equation and has limited applicability due to its large volume and expensive price as well as it is not adapted to various mass spectrometers.

Focusing ionization device and mass spectrometer using the same


Provided is a display driving circuit comprising N gate driving units for being connected to N gate lines on an array substrate respectively, as well as a timing control unit, n pre-charging units and n scanning control units, the N gate driving units, the n pre-charging units and the n scanning control units are all connected to the timing control unit. Further provided is a display driving method, and a display apparatus. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a time period for liquid crystal molecule being deflected to accurate positions corresponding to desired grayscale will be reduced when a voltage to be charged is supplied on the liquid crystal molecule, thereby accommodating a higher refresh frequency.

In a conventional liquid crystal panel, gates of thin film transistors (TFTs) are scanned by a gate driver, and pixel electrodes are charged through data lines. Liquid crystal molecules are deflected under an effect of the pixel electrical field so as to generate optical rotations, which is a display principle for a liquid crystal display. In a case that a refresh frequency is higher and higher, a time period of a frame reduces and a charging time for the TFT reduces accordingly, wherein a response time of liquid crystal molecules is on the order of millisecond. Taking a refresh frequency 120 Hz of a full high definition (FHD) resolution 1920×1080 as an example, a time period of each frame is 8.3 ms, and a turning-on time of each row is 8.3/1080=7.68 μs. A scanning backlight technology is usually adopted in a shutter glass 3D display mode, and in order to reduce a crosstalk phenomenon, the backlight is turned on only when the liquid crystal molecules deflect to desired corresponding grayscales. A high refresh frequency will cause that the charging time for the TFT becomes shorter, and the time required for deflecting from one grayscale to another grayscale of the liquid crystal molecules, that is, the response time of the liquid crystal molecules is too long, both of which will cause that the crosstalk phenomenon becomes more severe.

Display driving circuit, display driving method and display apparatus

BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A process for fabricating a single-sided semiconductor deep trench structure filled with polysilicon trench fill material includes the following steps. Form a thin film, silicon nitride, barrier layer over the trench fill material. Deposit a thin film of an amorphous silicon masking layer over the barrier layer. Perform an angled implant into portions of the amorphous silicon masking layer which are not in the shadow of the deep trench. Strip the undoped portions of the amorphous silicon masking layer from the deep trench. Then strip the newly exposed portions of barrier layer exposing a part of the trench fill polysilicon surface and leaving the doped, remainder of the amorphous silicon masking layer exposed. Counterdope the exposed part of the trench fill material. Oxidize exposed portions of the polysilicon trench fill material, and then strip the remainder of the masking layer.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to semiconductor devices and more particularly to patterning and forming masks in deep trenches.
2. Description of Related Art
The formation of vertical devices within Deep Trench (DT) structures or any other trench structures for vertical devices often requires processing on one side of a deep trench. For example, this may involve the structuring of gate oxide, isolations or junctions on one side of the trench, whereas the other side of the trench remains unchanged.
The need for one-sided straps in deep trenches is outlined in copending, commonly assigned U.S. patent application (Docket No. FIS-99-0290-US1) Ser. No. 09/603,442, filed Jun. 23, 2000, of R. Divakaruni et al. for xe2x80x9cSingle Sided Buried Strapxe2x80x9d.
An object of this invention is to provide patterns with sublithographic resolution which overcome the overlay problems associated with aligning successive masks with overlay patterns which are slightly out of alignment.
Another object of this invention is to overcome a problem of a mask covering less than half of a full circle in a deep trench, which is detrimental taking into account mask undercutting during later process steps. invention provides a process flow that converts a positive silicon (Si) mask into a negative silicon dioxide (SiO2) mask that can be used as a hard mask for silicon (Si) etching by RIE (Reactive Ion Etching). The invention overcomes overlay problems by employing self-aligned masks thereby providing a higher degree of accuracy than lithographic exposure tools which require independent alignment of successive masks.
This invention is particularly applicable for the formation of vertical devices within trench structures that require isolation on one side of the trench.
This invention describes a process flow for the formation of a positive oxide mask as a result of an angled ion implant (I/I) into silicon (Si) for the etching of polysilicon within the trench.
In accordance with this invention, a process is provided for fabricating a mask in a semiconductor deep trench structure filled with trench fill material. The steps comprise forming a barrier layer over the trench fill material; depositing a thin film masking layer over the barrier layer; performing an angled implant into the masking layer; stripping undoped portions of the masking layer from the deep trench; stripping exposed portions of barrier layer exposing a part of the trench fill polysilicon surface and leaving the remainder of the masking layer exposed; oxidizing exposed portions of trench fill material to form a self-aligned mask, and stripping the remainder of the masking layer, whereby overlay problems are avoided by forming a self-aligned mask. Preferably, the trench fill material comprises polysilicon, the barrier layer comprises a silicon nitride, and the masking layer comprises amorphous silicon. Preferably, the trench fill below the self-aligned mask is doped; and the self-aligned mask comprises an oxidized polysilicon hard mask.
Preferably, the trench fill below the self-aligned mask is doped, andthe self-aligned mask comprises an oxidized polysilicon hard mask. Preferably, the trench is lined with a conformal silicon dioxide layer followed by a conformal silicon nitride layer each having a top surface. The polysilicon trench fill material reaches over the top surfaces of the conformal silicon dioxide layer and the conformal silicon nitride layer.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, a process for fabricating a mask in a semiconductor deep trench structure filled with trench fill material includes the following steps. Form a doped region in the surface of the trench fill material; form a barrier layer over the trench fill material; deposit an amorphous silicon thin film as a masking layer over the barrier layer; and perform an angled implant of a masking dopant into the amorphous silicon thin film. Then strip undoped portions of masking layer from the deep trench; strip exposed portions of barrier layer exposing a masking part of the trench fill polysilicon surface and leaving the remainder of the masking layer exposed. Counterdope the masking part of the trench fill material; oxidize exposed portions of trench fill material to form a self-aligned hard mask, and strip the remainder of the masking layer, whereby overlay problems are avoided by forming a self-aligned mask.
Preferably, the initial doping of the trench fill material is performed with P type dopant, the masking dopant for the masking layer comprises a P type dopant, the trench fill material comprises polysilicon, the barrier layer comprises silicon nitride, and the masking layer comprises amorphous silicon. Preferably, the counterdoping is an order of magnitude greater than the initial doping. Preferably, the masking dopant for the masking layer comprises a P type dopant, the trench fill material comprises polysilicon, the barrier layer comprises silicon nitride, and the masking layer comprises amorphous silicon.
In accordance with this invention, a self-aligned mask is formed on the surface of a semiconductor deep trench structure filled with trench fill material. As a result, overlay problems are avoided by forming the self-aligned mask. Preferably, the trench fill below the self-aligned mask is doped; the self-aligned mask comprises an oxidized polysilicon hard mask; and the self-aligned mask comprises an oxidized polysilicon hard mask.
In accordance with another aspect of this invention, a self-aligned mask is formed on a semiconductor deep trench structure which is filled with trench fill material. The self-aligned oxidized polysilicon hard mask is formed on the surface of the polysilicon trench fill material in the deep trench. As a result overlay problems are avoided by the alignment provided by the self-aligned mask.
Preferably, the trench fill below the hard mask is counterdoped with arsenic. Preferably, the trench fill is doped with a concentration of boron difluoride about an order of magnitude less than the concentration of arsenic therein. Preferably, the trench fill below the self-aligned mask is doped, and the self-aligned mask comprises an oxidized polysilicon hard mask, the trench fill below the hard mask is doped with arsenic; and trench fill is doped with a concentration of boron difluoride about an order of magnitude less than the concentration of arsenic therein.

Negative ion implant mask formation for self-aligned, sublithographic resolution patterning for single-sided vertical device formation

International Business Machines Corporation


Submersible lights including housings and a multilayer stack for pressure transfer are disclosed. A transparent pressure-bearing window, a window support structure, a circuit element populated with LEDs, and a pressure support structure may be mounted inside the housing. The support structure may be structured to bear at least some of the pressure applied to the transparent window from external pressure sources. The support structures may also be adapted to transfer thermal energy to an exterior environment such as sea water.

Semiconductor LEDs have largely replaced conventional incandescent, fluorescent and halogen lighting sources in many applications due to their long life, ruggedness, color rendering, efficacy, and compatibility with other solid state devices. In marine applications, for example, light emitting diodes (LEDs) are emerging as a desired light source for their energy efficiency, instant on-off characteristics, color purity, and vibration resistance.
LEDs are an efficient light source widely available, having surpassed High Intensity Discharge (HID) lamps in lumens per watt. Different uses of LEDs in various light applications, including use of LEDs in marine environments, offer unique advantages and disadvantages.
For example, underwater lighting devices that use LEDs require designs that compensate for ambient pressure in order to avoid catastrophic failure of all or a portion of the lighting device. Such designs may use a pressure-protected housing to isolate the LEDs from the ambient pressure, or may immerse the LEDs in an inert, non-conductive fluid-filled pressure compensation environment. The disadvantages of fluid-filling an LED light include decreased light beam control and increased contamination of the LED phosphor coating. Thus, protecting LEDs from the external pressure using a pressure-protected housing design instead of a fluid-filled pressure compensation design may be often preferred unless such fluid (or other suitable material) used from pressure compensation can exhibit needed light beam control and resist contamination.
Internal temperature of a lighting device must also be properly managed. As temperature varies, so does an LED's color and/or wavelength. Temperature also affects the lifetime of an LED. Therefore, designs that compensate for temperature are necessary.
It follows that a lighting device designed to address issues associated with ambient pressure and internal temperature may be needed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Light fixture with internally-loaded multilayer stack for pressure transfer


Storage units of standard, new or used wood stave barrels, mounted on end on a rotating platform and having a side opening cut-out to the interior for access to shelving, drawers, wine racks or other storage devices fitted in the interior. The barrel is mounted on and secured to a rotatable platform that includes a turntable mechanism, the platform being specifically sized to fit inside the base recess of the barrel, so that it is hidden by the barrel lip, yet holds the barrel sufficiently off the ground to clear carpeting or other irregular flooring such as slate, brick or tile pavers, that might otherwise interfere with its rotation. The platform includes friction sliders so that the barrel rotates under hand pressure but does not spin freely. Selected feet or spacer disks are used to provide minimum needed clearance so the barrel appears to float just above the flooring surface.

The use of wine barrels (especially oak barrels) to store and age wine is a centuries old tradition. Wine aged in oak barrels is enhanced with the addition of flavors and oak overtones imparted by the wood. But by the time a barrel is about 5 years old, it is virtually neutral as far as its influence on the taste of the wine. Since new barrels impart more flavors to the wine than previously used barrels, a large quantity of new barrels are used by wineries each year, and many used barrels are discarded. Some are turned into outdoor planters, others are used in furniture making, and some are relegated to the burn pile. But many people recognize the age-old art of the cooper, carefully steaming and bending wood, and fastening the vertical staves circumferentially with metal rings or hoops.
Americans' wine consumption has been steadily increasing over the past 10 years. Per capita, Americans annually consume 12 liters (according to the 2000 Census data). The average American wine drinker maintains a small store of wines, either purchased or received as gifts. For those who make an effort to store the bottles horizontally and away from heat, there are few aesthetically pleasing options besides the open wine rack.
Accordingly, there is a functional and aesthetic need to utilize a resource that is routinely discarded by the wine industry, and use it produce a furniture quality wine storage system.


A thermocompression bonding structure includes a first member and a second member having a linear expansion coefficient different from that of the first member; and metal fine particles interposed between the first and second members as a bonding material to thermocompression bond the two members. The two members are disposed to apply thermal stress generating between the first member and the second member as pressurizing force on a bonding surface between the two members, and to increase temperature to thermocompression bond the first member and the second member.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a thermocompression bonding structure and a thermocompression bonding method in which two members are pressurized and heated to be bonded to each other by use of metal fine particles.
Description of the Background Art
For this kind of thermocompression bonding technique, for example, a technique described in JP-A-2011-249562 has been proposed. According to the thermocompression bonding technique, electrode terminals of substrates to be stacked are bonded with each other as follows. That is, a transistor and multilayer wiring are formed on a substrate, and an insulating film is formed to cover the multilayer wiring. An opening portion is formed to expose the wiring in the insulating film, and an organic solvent including conductive fine particles is applied to the interior of the opening portion. After first heat treatment is performed to eliminate the solvent and an organic component, the conductive fine particles are eliminated from an outer part of the opening portion by a CMP method so that an electrode terminal formed from the conductive fine particles is formed inside the opening portion. A through electrode formed in a second substrate is pressed and pushed against the electrode terminal. Second heat treatment higher in temperature than the first heat treatment is performed to partially melt the conductive fine particles to thereby bond the through electrode to the opening portion.
According to the aforementioned thermocompression bonding method described in JP-A-2011-249562, an electrode inserted into a bonding recess formed on the substrate side is heated while being pressurized in the insertion direction of the electrode so that thermocompression bonding can be attained between the electrode and the bonding recess. In this case, the pressurizing direction of the electrode inserted inside the bonding recess coincides with the insertion direction of the electrode so that the pressurizing force acts on a bonding surface between the bottom of the bonding recess and the bottom of the electrode. Accordingly, the pressure bonding in the bonding surface can be performed excellently. However, the pressurizing force does not act on a side bonding surface between a side wall of the bonding recess and an outer circumferential surface of the electrode. Thus, there still remains an unsolved problem that thermocompression bonding cannot be achieved in the side bonding surface.

Thermocompression bonding structure and thermocompression bonding method


An improved process for the production of linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon, preferably propylene, includes an aromatic amine in the catalyst composition formed from a palladium salt, the anion of a strong non-hydrohalogenic acid and a bidentate ligand of phosphorus. The presence of the aromatic amine reduces the proportion of 3-alkyl-2,5-furandiyl moieties present in the polymer chain.

The production of linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon is known in the art. Such a process is typically conducted in the presence of a catalyst composition formed from a compound of a Group VIII metal, particularly a salt of palladium, the anion of a strong non-hydrohalogenic acid and a bidentate ligand, often a bidentate ligand of phosphorus. The polymer products, now known as polyketones or polyketone polymers, are represented by the repeating structure ##STR1## wherein A is the moiety of at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon polymerized through the ethylenic unsaturation thereof. It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,786,714 and published European Patent Application 259914 to use as the bidentate ligand of the above catalyst compositions a nitrogen-containing ligand. These references employ, inter alia, 2,2'-bipyridine and (2-pyridyl)diphenylphosphine respectively.
When linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and ethylene are prepared, the moieties of the polymer which are derived from carbon monoxide are present as carbonyl groups in a high percentage. If, however, the linear alternating polymer is produced from carbon monoxide and propylene, a larger percentage of the carbon monoxide-derived polymer moieties are present as a 3-alkyl-2,5-furandiyl group. Typically, the degree of furanization, i.e., the extent to which carbon monoxide-derived moieties are found as 3-alkyl-2,5-furandiyl groups rather than as carbonyl groups is as high as 10% and in some cases is as high as 50%. The presence of such furandiyl groups is generally undesirable. These groups are detrimental to the stability of the linear alternating polymer and furthermore reduce the possibility for functional modification of the polymer through chemical reaction at the carbonyl groups. It has been found that if an amine is added to a polymerization product mixture during purification of the linear alternating polymer, the degree of furanization of the purified polymer is somewhat lower than if no amine had been added. However, the post-polymerization addition of amine does not reduce the presence of 3-alkyl-2,5-furandiyl moieties to an acceptable level. It would be of advantage to provide an mproved process of producing linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and propylene wherein a reduced formation of 3-alkyl-2,5-furandiyl moieties in the polymer chain is observed.


The actuator and the method for operating the actuator comprise a drive unit and a drive mechanism with mechanical components that can be moved against each other as well as an electronic control unit. One of at least two components that can be moved against each other during operation acts as a switching transducer and initiates a switching operation in the event of relative movement in respect of a switching element, for example a Reed switch, caused by the action of an external force. This switching operation is used in the course of the control method to switch the control unit from a first operating mode to a further operating mode.

Such actuators are deployed in particular in motor vehicles. They are used there for example as actuators for sliding roofs, window lift systems, door locking systems, windshield wipers, solar protection systems and other power-activated control elements. The drive units deployed in such cases are preferably permanent-field direct current electric motors. Electronic control units linked to corresponding sensors are deployed to activate the drive units, monitor the current position of the actuators and to identify or monitor further parameters, e.g. actuating force and actuating speed.
Such an actuator with an electric motor is for example known from the utility model DE 295 14 786 U1. An actuator, in particular in the form of an electric motor transmission unit, is disclosed there for moving power-activated windows, partition walls or roof element systems in motor vehicles with a defined closing force limit in the event of impact with an obstacle. For this the actuator is controlled via a control device as a function of detected stroke position, so that the maximum permissible closing force is not exceeded in the event of impact with an obstacle. Stroke position detection is thereby a function of a speed or position sensor of the actuator, for example a speed or position sensor assigned to the rotor shaft of the electric motor. The respective stroke position of the window is detected from the rotor position of the commutator motor based on a first recorded initialization position and subsequent detection of the rotation of the rotor shaft via the speed/rotation angle or position sensor in the control device.
The patent document DE 196 38 781 C2 also discloses such an actuator, in particular for moving windows, partition walls or roof element systems in motor vehicles. Actuators of this type contain a commutator motor, the rotor shaft of which engages as a transmission shaft with a worm wheel, which drives the respective closing element. To achieve effective protection against trapping with low outlay with regard to control and measurement technology, a speed-dependent travel sensor is used, to determine the speed limit value of significance for closing force limitation in the control unit, taking into account sluggishness as a function of the stroke.
A further actuator for moving a vehicle window is known from the patent document DE 195 14 954 C2. With this actuator the closing force is limited by detecting the motor current and stroke of the window. When adjustable limit values are reached, the drive is disconnected, whereby the limit value is defined so that a specific motor current is stored in a control unit for every window position.
With actuators of the above type it is necessary for the control unit to know the current position of the control element all the time during operation. As changes in the position of the control element, as a function of the transmission mechanism, can also result due to the action of an external force on the control element, the sensor arrangement for detecting the position of the control element must be kept in permanent standby mode, even when the actuator is at rest. This requires a constant supply of power to the electrical sensor elements and associated electronic control system, therefore constant energy consumption. As particularly when using such actuators in motor vehicles, the energy available in the vehicle electrical system is limited, it is particularly important to keep energy consumption to a minimum.

Actuator with control unit and method for operating said actuator


A signal processing method in a bridge-based RAS backbone network system is provided, in which an MN within a network periodically transmits to an HLR a route-update message for registration updating, if the MN is in active mode and transmits to the HLR a paging-update message having a transmission period longer than that transmission period of the route-update message, for registration updating, if the MN is in idle mode, each of bridges and the HLR stores location information about the MN in a soft state with an age set for the location information in a routing cache according to the route-update message received from the MN, and each of BSBs, SCBs, and an SIB selected from a plurality of SIBs stores location information about the MN in a soft state with an age set for the location information according to the paging-update message received from the MN.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to Ethernet extension. More particularly, the present invention relates to a bridge-based Radio Access Station (RAS) backbone network system in which a RAS backbone network that forms the backbone of a wireless system is built by Ethernet technology and a signal processing method therefore.
2. Description of the Related Art
Ethernet is one of the most widely used technologies for Local Area Network (LAN). Due to its universality and simple structure, the use of Ethernet is being extended to very LAN and Wide Area Network (WAN).
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary configuration of a conventional Wireless Broadband (WiBro) RAS backbone network. Referring to FIG. 1, the WiBro RAS backbone network includes a plurality of RASs 10 and Access Control Routers (ACRs) 12 for controlling the RASs 10. The WiBro network may further include a Home Agent (HA, not shown) for supporting the mobility of Mobile Nodes (MNs) and an Authentication, Authorization, Accounting (AAA) server 14 for performing authentication, authorization, and accounting for users and MNs in order to allow network access and provide services to authorized users only.
The RASs 10 have their service areas, i.e. cells and provide services to a plurality of Customer Equipments (CEs) 11 within the cells, such as portable phones, Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs), and laptops. The RASs 10 transmit/receive signals to/from the CEs 11 on radio channels. The RASs 10 are also connected to the ACRs 10 by cable, each ACR being a router forming an Internet Protocol (IP) subnet. A radio signal from a CE 11 is encapsulated in an IP packet by a RAS 10 and then transmitted to an upper ACR 12′. The ACR 12′ switches the IP packets to a neighbor ACR 12″ close to a recipient according to the IP address of the recipient. In this manner, communications are conducted in IP packets and the recipient is located by his IP address in the conventional RAS backbone network.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, however, the conventional RAS backbone network is configured mainly with Layer 3 (L3) routers. The resulting relative high complexity in network configuration renders network management inefficient. Also, since handover occurs in L3, the handover takes much time.

Bridge-based radio access station backbone network system and signal processing method therefor

Maetan-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do


A method of detecting a position on a disk is applied to a disk which is time-divisionally recorded with a data region and a servo region based on a signal read from the disk, where the servo region is recorded with a servo pattern having a length of consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds longer than a length of consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds existing in the data region, and the servo pattern has three or more zones with consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds. The method includes the steps of (a) digitizing the signal read from the disk and slicing at a predetermined level so as to convert the signal into xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d, and (b) detecting the servo pattern when two zones with consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds are detected from information converted by the step (a).

The present invention generally relates to methods of detecting a position on a disk, disk units and disks, and more particularly to a method of detecting a position on a disk which is time-divisionally recorded with a data region and a servo region based on a signal read from the disk, a disk unit which employs such a method, and a disk for use in such a disk unit.
Conventionally, there was a method of detecting a position on a magnetic disk by recording 4 kinds of servo mark patterns in a servo region of the magnetic disk. According to this method, an operation is carried out with respect to reproduced signal waveforms of 2 kinds of servo mark patterns out of the 4 kinds of servo mark patterns reproduced by a head, and the detection on the magnetic disk is detected based on a result of the operation. However, since each position on the magnetic disk is detected based on the reproduced signal waveforms of 2 kinds of servo mark patterns out of the 4 kinds of servo mark patterns, there was a problem in that the utilization efficiency of the servo information is poor. In addition, when the head makes a scan so as to traverse cylinders on the magnetic disk during a seek operation or the like, there was a problem in that it is impossible to accurately detect the position on the magnetic disk.
On the other hand, a method of recording the servo mark pattern in 3 kinds of position regions EVEN1, ODD and EVEN2 in the servo region on the magnetic disk has recently been proposed. When a period of a clock is denoted by T, the servo mark pattern is recorded with a period of 8T (xe2x80x9c10001000xe2x80x9d) as a base so that a phase shifts by 45xc2x0 per 1 cylinder. As a result, it is possible to detect the position on the magnetic disk based on the phase of the servo mark pattern which is reproduced by the head, and the utilization efficiency of the servo information is improved. In addition, even in a case where the head traverses the cylinders on the magnetic disk, it is possible to accurately detect the position on the magnetic disk based on the phase of the servo mark pattern which is reproduced by the head. This kind of method of detecting the position on the magnetic disk is sometimes referred to as a phase demodulation technique.
However, in the proposed method described above, a demodulating circuit with respect to the servo information and a demodulating circuit with respect to the data are provided independently. For this reason, there was a problem in that the circuit scale of the demodulating system becomes large, thereby increasing the cost of the disk unit.
Further, the demodulating circuit with respect to the servo information uses a circuit which is set and reset depending on the servo information reproduced by the head, and is designed to convert a time interval between the setting and the resetting to the position information. As a result, there was another problem in that it is impossible to accurately detect the position on the magnetic disk depending on a scanning speed of the head.
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and useful method of detecting a position on a disk, disk unit and disk, in which the problems described above are eliminated.
Another and more specific object of the present invention is to provide a method of detecting a position on a disk, a disk unit and a disk, which can reduce the circuit scale of a demodulating system and reduce the cost of the disk unit by using a portion of a demodulating circuit with respect to servo information in common with a portion of a demodulating circuit with respect to data, and can always accurately detect the position on the disk regardless of a scanning speed of a head.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of detecting a position on a disk which is time-divisionally recorded with a data region and a servo region based on a signal read from the disk, where the servo region is recorded with a servo pattern having a length of consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds longer than a length of consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds existing in the data region, the servo pattern has three or more zones with consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds, and the method comprises the steps of (a) digitizing the signal read from the disk and slicing at a predetermined level so as to convert the signal into xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d, and (b) detecting the servo pattern when two zones with consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds are detected from information converted by the step (a). According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to correctly detect the servo mark pattern, even when a bit dropout or a data generation source is introduced, thereby preventing an unnecessary read retry operation or the like and improving the access speed.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a method of detecting a position on a disk which is time-divisionally recorded with a data region and a servo region based on a signal read from the disk according to a phase demodulation technique, comprising the steps of variably setting, depending on a seek speed, an integrating interval in which position information is demodulated by integrating a signal read from the servo region. According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to correctly detect the servo mark pattern, even when a bit dropout or a data generation source is introduced, thereby preventing an unnecessary read retry operation or the like and improving the access speed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of detecting a position on a disk which is time-divisionally recorded with a data region and a servo region based on a signal read from the disk according to a phase demodulation technique, comprising the steps of correcting an error between a clock signal and data when reading a Gray code recorded in the servo region by use of the clock signal which is asynchronous to the signal read from the disk. According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect the position even during a high-speed seek operation, by varying the integrating interval depending on the seek speed.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method of detecting a position on a disk which is time-divisionally recorded with a data region and a servo region based on a signal read from the disk according to a phase demodulation technique, where a servo mark pattern is recorded in three kinds of position regions EVEN1, ODD and EVEN2 in the servo region, and the method comprises the steps of converting a phase of the servo mark pattern in the position regions EVEN1 and EVEN2 into a phase of the servo mark pattern at an approximate center of the position region ODD. According to the method of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon in which the clock signal and the data gradually become asynchronous when a long signal is read when reading the Gray code.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a disk unit for detecting a position on a disk according to a phase demodulation technique based on a signal read from a disk which is time-divisionally recorded with a data region and a servo region, where the servo region is recorded with a servo pattern having a length of consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds longer than a length of consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds existing in the data region, the servo pattern has three or more zones with consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds, and the method comprises converting means for digitizing the signal read from the disk and slicing at a predetermined level so as to convert the signal into xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9c1xe2x80x9d, and detecting means for detecting the servo pattern when two zones with consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds are detected from information converted by the converting means. According to the disk unit of the present invention, it is possible to correctly detect the servo mark pattern, even when a bit dropout or a data generation source is introduced, thereby preventing an unnecessary read retry operation or the like and improving the access speed.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a disk unit for detecting a position on a disk which is time-divisionally recorded with a data region and a servo region based on a signal read from the disk according to a phase demodulation technique, comprising setting means for variably setting, depending on a seek speed, an integrating interval in which position information is demodulated by integrating a signal read from the servo region. According to the disk unit of the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect the position even during a high-speed seek operation, by varying the integrating interval depending on the seek speed.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a disk unit for detecting a position on a disk which is time-divisionally recorded with a data region and a servo region based on a signal read from the disk according to a phase demodulation technique, comprising correcting means for correcting an error between a clock signal and data when reading a Gray code recorded in the servo region by use of the clock signal which is asynchronous to the signal read from the disk. According to the disk unit of the present invention, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon in which the clock signal and the data gradually become asynchronous when a long signal is read when reading the Gray code.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a disk unit for detecting a position on a disk which is time-divisionally recorded with a data region and a servo region based on a signal read from the disk according to a phase demodulation technique, where a servo mark pattern is recorded in three kinds of position regions EVEN1, ODD and EVEN2 in the servo region, and the disk unit comprises detecting means for converting a phase of the servo mark pattern in the position regions EVEN1 and EVEN2 into a phase of the servo mark pattern at an approximate center of the position region ODD. According to the disk unit of the present invention, it is possible to prevent an erroneous detection of the position during a seek operation by using a head moving speed when demodulating the servo information.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a disk having a position thereon detected according to a phase demodulation technique, comprising a data region and a servo region which are time-divisionally recorded, and a servo pattern having a length of consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds longer than a length of consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds existing in the data region, where the servo pattern has three or more zones with consecutive xe2x80x9c0xe2x80x9ds. According to the disk of the present invention, it is possible to correctly detect the servo mark pattern, even when a bit dropout or a data generation source is introduced, thereby preventing an unnecessary read retry operation or the like and improving the access speed.
Other objects and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Method of detecting position on disk, disk unit and disk


A technique for verifying the consistency of slice allocation metadata includes accessing, from user space of an operating system running on the data storage apparatus, a set of drivers running in kernel space of the operating system to obtain slice allocation metadata from the set of drivers, and identifying discrepancies in slice allocation metadata returned from the set of drivers on a per-file-system basis.

Data storage systems are arrangements of hardware and software that include storage processors coupled to arrays of non-volatile storage devices. In typical operation, the storage processors service storage requests that arrive from users. The storage requests specify data elements in the arrays of non-volatile storage devices to be written, read, created, or deleted, for example.
Data storage systems typically allocate non-volatile storage in increments known as "slices." Slices are derived from the arrays of non-volatile storage devices and provide building blocks from which user objects may be composed. "User objects" include LUNs (logical storage units), file systems, and vVOLs (virtual volumes), for example. Some data storage systems provide slices in fixed-sized increments, such as 1 GB or 256 MB, whereas others provide slices in variable sizes.
Data storage systems typically maintain metadata for tracking slice allocation. In some systems, different drivers running on the data storage systems maintain different views of slice allocation metadata. For example, as users change data on a data storage system or as the system reorganizes user data on different storage devices, the drivers update their respective views of slice allocation metadata to reflect changes.
Sometimes, slice allocation metadata can become corrupted. Corruption can result from software errors or hardware errors, for example, and can cause slice allocation metadata as maintained by different drivers to conflict. For example, one driver's metadata may show a given slice as allocated to one user object hosted by the data storage system, whereas another driver's metadata may show the same slice as allocated to another user object. Software engineers have developed metadata recovery tools to address metadata corruption. Such tools check slice allocation metadata for consistency and attempt to repair errors.

Verifying the consistency of slice allocation metadata


Some demonstrative embodiments include devices, systems and/or methods of wireless communication over a plurality of wireless communication frequency channels. For example, a wireless communication device may include a frequency source to generate a source frequency signal; a plurality of local-oscillator (LO) generators to generate a respective plurality of different carrier signal frequencies based on the source frequency signal; and a plurality of radio-frequency (RF) paths to simultaneously communicate over the plurality of carrier signal frequencies, respectively.

A wireless communication device may communicate over a plurality of wireless communication frequency channels, e.g., simultaneously.
The device may include a plurality of frequency generation circuits to generate a respective plurality of carrier signal frequencies corresponding to the plurality of wireless communication frequency channels.
Each frequency generation circuit includes a Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO) controlled by a Phase-locked-loop (PLL), to generate a respective source frequency, and a Local Oscillator (LO) generator to convert the source frequency into a predefined carrier signal frequency according to a preset conversion ratio.

Device, system and method of wireless communication over a plurality of wireless communication frequency channels


Variation in precursor ratio and mass of double bond functionalized polyhydric alcohol precursor and polyethylene glycol diacrylate precursor provide a wide range of release rates of drug or other biologically active agent from hydrogel formed therefrom.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,592,895 is directed at precursor polyhydric alcohol esters where acyl moieties originate from aliphatic homopolymer or copolymer polyesters which contain free hydroxyl at their terminal ends where some or each of the free hydroxyls are reacted to provide 2-carboxy-ethenyl groups. These are indicated as being useful for the formation of hydrogels for delivery of drugs or other biologically active agents, for example, from hydrogel coating on vascular stents.

Hydrogel forming system comprising PEG derivative precursor


A silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material comprising a support having thereon at least one silver halide emulsion layer containing a yellow coupler, at least one silver halide emulsion layer containing a magenta coupler and at least one silver halide emulsion layer containing a cyan coupler, wherein at least one of the silver halide emulsion layers contains (1) silver halide grains having a silver chloride content of 95 mol % or more and containing from 1.times.10.sup.-7 to 1.times.10.sup.-3 mol of iron ion per mol of the silver halide in a state wherein the concentration of iron ion which is present in a surface region of the silver halide grains which amounts to 50% or less of the grain volume is ten times or more as high as that of other region, and (2) a water-soluble compound represented by the following formula (I): ##STR1## the substituents are defined in the specificaton. The silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material not only has good rapid processing suitability and short exposure suitability, but also is prevented from sensitization and pressure-induced sensitization after preservation thereof for a long period of time before exposure.

Color photography has been popularized and color photographs are obtainable more rapidly and easily in any place owing to the great progress of photographic light-sensitive materials per se and development processing technology. For instance, with respect to color prints using silver halide color photographic light-sensitive materials, advance in a centralized processing system in a production point called a color processing laboratory provided with high-speed printers and large-size processing machines for mass production or a divided processing system in a shop in which a small-size printer processor named a mini lab is furnished makes it possible to produce a large amount of color prints corresponding to various needs. However, it is still desired to produce a large amount of color prints more rapidly and more simply.
Regarding rapid processing, a technique of processing a color photographic light-sensitive material containing a silver halide emulsion having a high silver chloride content with a color developer containing substantially no sulfite ion and benzyl alcohol is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,878. As to short exposure, a technique for obtaining a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material suitable for short exposure with light of high illumination intensity by incorporating iron ions concentratively into a surface region of silver halide grain having a high silver chloride content excellent in the rapid processing suitability is disclosed in JP-A-3-132647 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"). Using this technique, not only the reduction of development processing time but also the reduction of exposure time can be achieved.
In addition to the shortening of time for the production of color prints, stabilization of qualities of color prints obtained has been always required in order to increase production efficiency. For such a purpose, stability of characteristics of silver halide light-sensitive materials used for the production of color prints is first important. When the characteristics of silver halide light-sensitive materials for color prints are stable, operation of high-speed printer can be performed under constant printing conditions, and thus the production efficiency increases in the color processing laboratory. Also, the stability of characteristics of silver halide light-sensitive materials for color prints often connects directly with the qualities and yield of prints obtained, since it is not easy to secure a skilled operator for the mini lab in the shop.
The inventor has been investigated the technique disclosed in JP-A-3-132647 described above in order to obtain a silver halide photographic light-sensitive material suitable for short exposure. As a result, it is found that the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material has high sensitivity and hard gradation and is hardly desensitized when pressure is applied to the unexposed silver halide photographic light-sensitive material as described in JP-A-3-132647. However, when the silver halide photographic light-sensitive material is stored for a long period of time before exposure, undesirable sensitization occurs and when the unexposed silver halide photographic light-sensitive material stored for a long period of time undergo pressure, desensitization does not take place but sensitization occurs.

Silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and method of forming color image


There is provided a technique in which alignment can easily be performed, a period for which the alignment adjustment is completed is shortened, and operability is improved. Alignment is performed using the apex of cornea as a reference by optical structures different from those of the light projection system and the light receiving system. An intersection point of optical axes of the light projection system and the light receiving system in the eye is set to a biological property measurement point in the eye which is shifted by a predetermined distance from the apex of cornea.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an ophthalmic measurement apparatus for measuring biological properties of an eye to be examined, such as the number of cells floating in an anterior chamber thereof, a protein concentration therein, or the degree of opacity of a crystalline lens by projecting scanning laser light into the eye and by receiving, for example, light scattered from the eye.
2. Description of the Related Art
Up to now, a flare meter and a flare cell meter have been known as ophthalmic measurement apparatuses, in which laser light is irradiated into an anterior chamber of an eye to be examined and scattered light produced by the scattering of the laser light in the anterior chamber of the eye is received, to thereby perform ophthalmic measurement. The flare meter etc can measure the number of floating cells in the anterior chamber of the eye, and the protein concentration (flare concentration) therein by the above-mentioned measurement.
As conventional techniques related to such a flare meter, there are techniques disclosed in JP 03-264044 A, JP 07-178052 A, and JP 09-084763 A.
However, in the conventional ophthalmic measurement apparatus such as the flare meter, a specific optical relationship is constructed, in which laser light is projected to the eye from an oblique direction with respect to the eyeball axis thereof and the reflected light is received. In addition, it is difficult to detect a measurement point in the anterior chamber of the eye. Therefore, in order to perform alignment for positional adjustment between the eye and the measurement apparatus, a skilled technique is required for an examiner, which is very difficult.
According to JP 03-264044 A and JP 07-178052 A, it is considered to determine the state of alignment so as to facilitate the alignment. However, even though the determination of the state of alignment is preferably performed, if the alignment work is not actually facilitated, a long period of time is required to complete the alignment depending on the skill of the examiner.
Thus, if it takes a long period of time for the completion of the alignment, a total time required for the measurement becomes long, with the result that the burden placed on an examinee who must continue to gaze into a point becomes excessively large.
Accordingly, development of such an apparatus with good operability and usability has been desired, in which alignment adjustment can easily be performed in a short period of time without depending on the skill of the examiner.


One of a pair of electrical connectors has a resilient cantilevered locking arm 15 which has a finger plate 19 for release thereof. The finger plate is undercut on one side to accommodate a travel stop constituted by an upstanding sidewall 17. The other sidewall 16 extends to at least the upper surface of the arm 15 thereby resisting accidental release thereof. The arrangement permits the width of the connector to be reduced whilst giving better access to the finger plate 19.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 appended hereto, a conventional connector has a locking member 2 formed on its upper face for carrying out fitting and locking with a corresponding connector (not shown). This locking member 2 comprises a locking arm 3 that is capable of bending, and controlling walls 4 located on both sides thereof. The locking arm 3 is supported at one end and is capable of bending in an up-down direction. When male and female connectors (the connector 7 and the corresponding connector, which is not shown) are fitted correctly, the locking arm 3 fits with a portion of the corresponding connector and reaches a latched state. The free end of the locking arm 3 has a releasing member 5. When this is pressed down and the locking arm 3 thereby bent down, the locking arm 3 is released from the latched state to permit the connectors to be separated.
The controlling walls 4, formed so as to fit both sides of the locking arm 3 snugly, prevent electric wires from being trapped beneath the locking arm 3, and prevent the latch from being released in the event that the upper side of the connector is inadvertently pressed.
In the conventional case, in order to prevent the locking arm 3 from excessive bending when it is operated beyond its elastic limit, stopper members 6 project from the inner faces of both the controlling walls 4. When the locking arm 3 is bent through a given angle (in FIG. 5, this is the position shown by solid lines), the lower face of the releasing member 5 makes contact with the stopper member 6, making it impossible for the locking arm 3 to bend any further.
As described above, the controlling walls serve the important functions of preventing an external object from being trapped and of preventing the arm from being inadvertently operated from above. For this reason, when the width of the locking member is set, apart from the width of the locking arm, that of the controlling walls must also be taken into account. Since it is desirable for the connector to be miniaturized, the width of the locking member is also set to be as narrow as possible, but when operability is taken into consideration, it is hard to reduce the width of the locking arm beyond its current width. The spacing between the walls 4 must be sufficient for a finger of an operator to interpose therebetween. Consequently, in the current configuration the minimum dimension is the sum of the width of the releasing member 5 and that of the controlling walls 4. This is one of the factors that interfere with the miniaturization of the connector.
The present invention has been developed after taking into consideration this problem and aims at presenting a connector which can be miniaturized.


Techniques are disclosed for a cutting apparatus that can be used to cut a target layer within a display module, e.g., a liquid crystal display that includes a protective cover glass. The cutting apparatus includes a platform that supports a track. The cutting apparatus also includes a linear slide that is configured to both hold the display module in place and travel along the track, where the movement of the linear slide along the track is driven by a mass that is in free fall. The cutting apparatus further includes a cutting wire, where the cutting wire is positioned relative to the target layer and oscillates to cut the target layer as the linear slide moves along the track. Additional techniques are disclosed and directed toward a method for operating the cutting apparatus described above.

The proliferation of mobile computing devices—such as laptops, smart phones, and tablets—has caused an evolution in the design, manufacture, and capabilities of liquid crystal displays (LCDs). As commonly known, conventional LCDs are comprised of several layers, which can include backlights, diffusers, polarizers, color filters, and, in some cases, a protective cover glass. Recently, however, manufacturers of LCDs have been supplementing the LCDs to include new layers—such as indium tin oxide (ITO) layers—that are conductive and transparent, and enable touch-input to be received and interpreted by mobile computing devices. In particular, these new layers are typically sandwiched between the protective cover glass and the other layers of the LCD to produce a display module that can both display content and receive touch input from a user.
Although advancements have been made to increase the durability of these display modules, they continue to remain highly susceptible to being damaged. For example, despite significant increases that have been made to the overall hardness and rigidity of protective cover glass layers, dropping a mobile computing device from even a few feet can result in the protective cover glass shattering. When this occurs, a user's view of content displayed by the display module can be obstructed—and in some cases can disrupt his or her touch input—thereby rendering the mobile computing device semi or completely inoperable. Notably, when repairing the device, the display module is often wholly discarded and replaced with an entirely new display module, which is unfortunate and wasteful considering that the LCD portion is, in most cases, still fully intact and operational.


A turntable that has a platter that can be vertically positioned so that the VTA between the stylus of the cartridge and the record can be easily adjusted without tweaking or touching the tone arm. The turntable includes a base, a platter, a spindle assembly configured to position the platter above the base, and a spindle adjustment mechanism configured to selectively position the vertical position of the platter with respect to the base. In one embodiment, the spindle adjustment mechanism includes a drive shaft that is configured to engage the spindle assembly and to selectively drive the spindle assembly up or down. As the spindle assembly is moved up and down, the platter moves up and down with respect to the base. In another embodiment, the spindle assembly includes a spindle shaft configured to rotate inside a chamber of the spindle assembly. A bolt which attached to the spindle shaft is configured to move up and down when the spindle shaft is rotated. The platter, which supported by a ball bearing resting on the bolt, moves up and down with the bolt as the spindle shaft is rotated. With either embodiment, a remote control unit or a mechanical crank can be used to move the platter up or down with respect to base to adjust the VTA without touching or tweaking the tone arm.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to turntables for playing vinyl records, and more particularly, to a turntable that has a platter that can be vertically positioned so that the Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA) between the cartridge stylus on the tone arm and the record on the platter can be adjusted.
2. Description of the Related Art
For many audiophiles, digitally recorded music on compact discs sounds "processed". In contrast, the vinyl playback of music on a turntable sounds much more natural and enjoyable compared to digital playback systems. Turntables for playing vinyl records have therefore recently enjoyed a resurgence in popularity.
The goal of a vinyl playback system is to extract as faithfully as possible the signal carved into the grooves of a record by the record cutting lathe. If the stylus exactly replicates in three dimensions the path of the cutting lathe, then the extracted signal should be an exact replica of the one cut in the groove. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to set the tone arm and cartridge of the turntable to achieve the exact stylus geometry with respect to the record to match that of the cutting lathe when the groove was cut. As a result, the signal replicated by the stylus as it travels through the groove is not identical to the one cut in the groove.
In an attempt to achieve the best sound, the tone arm and cartridge are typically adjusted or "tweaked" in an attempt to get the stylus to travel through the groove at a geometry as close as possible to that of the cutting lathe. One such adjustment is the tracking weight, which is the downward force applied by the stylus to the record groove. Another adjustment is alignment, which is the positioning of the stylus so that it is parallel with the two sides of the curved path of the groove. The azimuth adjustment is the setting of the cantilever of the cartridge so that it is perpendicular to the groove. Skating is the vector force which tends to draw the tonearm and cartridge toward the center of the record. Unless countered by anti-skating, this force can cause uneven wear on the inner walls of the grooves. Many tonearms therefore include one or more mechanism to adjust the tracking weight, alignment, azimuth and anti-skating respectively.
The Vertical Tracking Angle (VTA), which is defined as the angle of the stylus cantilever relative to the record surface, is another adjustment that can be made to the tone arm. The purpose of a VTA adjustment is to angle the cantilever to match that of the original cutting lathe when the record was cut. Most records are cut by a cutting lathe at an angle ranging from 20 to 24 degrees. The VTA is adjusted by modifying the height of the tone arm relative to record surface on the platter. As the height of the arm is increased, the VTA is increased. As the height is decreased, the VTA is decreased.
A number of difficulties are associated with the setting of the VTA. Foremost, there is no convenient way of knowing what VTA was used when a particular record was cut. To complicate the matter further, the angle of the cantilever on cartridges may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Therefore, visibly setting the arm tube of the tone arm to be parallel with the record surface does not necessarily guarantee the proper or ideal VTA.
Many turntable owners experiment with different settings and settle on the VTA that sounds the best for a particular record. Since the VTA cutting angle and the thickness of the vinyl may vary from record to record, the VTA that sounds good for one record may not necessarily sound good for another record. Constant height adjustments of the tone arm may therefore be necessary to achieve the optimal sound from record to record. These constant adjustments, however, are not only bothersome, but they may cause the other adjustments mentioned above to become out of their ideal settings. Obtaining and maintaining the proper VTA and other tone arm adjustments for turntables is therefore very challenging for many audiophiles.
A turntable that has a platter that can be vertically positioned so that the VTA between the stylus of the cartridge and the record can be easily adjusted without tweaking or touching the tone arm is therefore needed.

Turntable with vertically adjustable platter


In a method for manufacturing a non-volatile semiconductor device according to this invention, steps are provided for forming a plurality of first semiconductor portions over a substrate; selectively growing a plurality of second semiconductor portions in contacting with said plurality of first semiconductor portions respectively; partially removing said plurality of second semiconductor portions to prepare a plurality of floating gates with substantially flat surfaces; forming an insulating layer over said plurality of floating gates; and forming a control gate over said insulating layer.

Flash memory is widely used as a memory for multimedia card since it can hold a memory without supplying an electric power. Recently, it is expected that flash memory with large capacities will be further developed. In order to realize this larger capacity, flash memory needs to be further integrated on a large-scale.
One of the methods of large scale integration of flash memory is disclosed in the Japanese Patent Application No. 2001-118944 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2004-55617. In this method, a silicon layer of floating gates is divided into two layers, which are deposited. First, an initial silicon layer is formed and isolation is then performed. Subsequently, for the formation of a second silicon layer, the second silicon layer is self-aligned and selectively deposited on only the first silicon layer.
The methods disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No 2001-118944 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-55617 feature that the second silicon layer is laterally expanded and grown on the insulating film for isolation to form the floating gates. These methods allow the floating gate to be wider than a tunnel insulating film and the distance between adjacent floating gates to be less than the minimum feature size. As a result, a large coupling ratio can be realized.
In addition, these methods allow a floating gate end to inevitably have a round structure, thereby crowding of the electric field can be suppressed.
In addition, one of the methods for large scale integration of flash memory is disclosed in the Japanese Patent Publication No. 2001-284556. In this method, after the tunnel gate insulating film is first formed, isolation process is performed. Next, the floating gate is formed.

Method of manufacturing non-volatile semiconductor memory


A method of producing a chassis component. The method including the steps of coating an outside of a structural component, coating an outside of a joint cartridge which has been preassembled as a joint, and permanently and securely connecting the structural component to the joint cartridge using a material bonding or joining process.

A chassis component generally has a structural component and one or more joints securely connected thereto. Such a chassis component forms, for example, a two-point link, a three-point link or a flange joint, wherein in general, the joint is integrated into the structural component by means of force fitting, screwing or riveting. It is also possible to integrate the joint into an integral structural component housing. Such a chassis component has the following disadvantages: large construction space needs, costly, large fluctuations in the joint characteristic values, heavy weight, large number of individual parts, corrosion-prone regions (e.g. at the turning edge of the joint), large inventory of semi-finished products and greater logistics expenditure.
A wheel suspension arm for a motor vehicle, known from the document DE 603 04 709 T2, comprises a body formed from stamped sheet metal, which is connected by means of a ball joint to a wheel carrier and by means of two bearings to the vehicle chassis. The ball joint comprises a lower fitting which is inserted into a housing formed by the body and rests against the side edge of the housing via a side projection, and a cover, which is placed on the lower fitting, and which is securely connected to the surface of the body using laser welding.
With this wheel suspension arm, tolerances can add up in an unfavorable manner, when the lower fitting and the cover are installed at the body. Furthermore, the body, the lower fitting, and possibly the cover must be cleaned after assembly before a protective coating can be applied to these parts. It is also quite expensive to provide the body and the lower fitting, and possibly the cover, with different coatings.

Method for producing a chassis component