A method for producing a negative grid for a battery which includes providing a strip of battery grid material and performing a punching operation on the battery grid material to remove material and form a grid. The punching operation produces a negative battery grid having a plurality of grid wires bounded by a frame. The battery grid includes a top frame member. A first side frame member is coupled to the top frame member at a first end thereof. A second side frame member is coupled to the top frame member at a second end thereof. A bottom frame member is spaced apart from the top frame member and coupled to the first side frame member and the second side frame member. The negative grid does not include exposed wire ends that may puncture a polymeric separator when the negative grid is provided within the separator.

The present application relates generally to the field of batteries (e.g., lead-acid starting, lighting, and ignition batteries for vehicles such as automobiles). More particularly, the present application relates to negative grids for use in such batteries and methods for making such negative grids.
Lead-acid batteries typically include a number of cell elements which are provided in separate compartments of a container containing sulfuric acid electrolyte. Each cell element includes at least one positive plate or grid, at least one negative plate or grid, and a porous separator (e.g., a polymeric separator) positioned between each positive and negative plate. The positive and negative plates each comprise a lead or lead alloy grid that supports an electrochemically active material (referred to as a battery paste). The active material is a lead-based material (i.e., PbO, PbO2, Pb or PbSO4 at different charge/discharge stages of the battery) that is pasted onto the grid. The grids provide an electrical contact between the positive and negative active materials which serves to conduct current.
Conventionally, positive and negative grids are manufactured using different processes. For example, positive grids may be made using a number of different methods. One method involves the use of conventional gravity cast book mold operations. Another more recent method involves producing the grids in a continuous process in which a continuous strip of metal (e.g., a lead alloy) that has been previously cast is introduced into a die to remove material therefrom in a punching operation (e.g., using a progressive die) to form the structure of the grids. Individual wires of the grids may be deformed or "coined" to improve battery paste adhesion using a specially-adapted die. Such a process is described in greater detail in the following U.S. patents which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety: U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,582,936; 5,989,749; 6,203,948; 6,274,274; and 6,953,641.
In contrast, negative grids are typically formed using an expanded metal process. A lead alloy strip is manufactured, either by casting (namely, cast strip) or by casting and rolling (namely, wrought strip), and the strip is subsequently slit and expanded to generate the desired grid pattern in a strip of interconnected battery grids.
It would be desirable to provide an improved method for producing negative grids for use in lead-acid batteries. It would also be desirable to provide negative grids that have features that improve their manufacturability and performance. It would be desirable to provide a grid and/or a method of producing a grid that includes any one or more of these or other advantageous features, as will be apparent to those reviewing the present disclosure.


A card cartridge for shuffling machines has a body and a cover. The body has a longitudinal slot defined in the body in a slantwise manner for receiving cards discharged from the shuffling machine, and at least two stops protrude oppositely from two side edges of the body to define a drawing gap. The cover is mounted detachably on the body and has a tail extending slantwise into the slot and two side panels abutting two side surfaces of the body to ensure the cover is stably positioned on the body. Furthermore, a wedge is movably disposed in the slot, selectively moving toward the second end of the body to press the cards toward the stops. When playing a card game, the body is implemented horizontally and the wedge moves along the slot to press the cards so players can easily draw cards sequentially from the drawing gap.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cartridge, and more particularly to a card cartridge for a shuffling machine and that has a simple structure and stores multiple cards and facilitates and accelerates card dispensation.
2. Description of Related Art
A shuffling machine is used to shuffle cards automatically and comprises a drivable shuffling storage means, an input apparatus and an output storage means. The shuffling storage means has multiple compartments to receive and hold cards and is associated with the input apparatus for inserting cards into the compartments. The output storage means is separated from the shuffling storage means and has a conveyor that has multiple active rollers arranged adjacent to each other and driven by a drive system.
Inevitably, the output storage means is complicated in structure to increase cost of fabrication, otherwise, is inadequate to store multiple cards and be placed on a table for manual dispensation. Furthermore, the conveyor must contact each card and a rate of card entrance is limited by its mechanical bottleneck, thereby limiting a card dispensing speed.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention provides a card cartridge for shuffling machine to obviate or mitigate the aforementioned problems.


In some embodiments, a target assembly, for use in a substrate processing chamber having a process shield, may include a backing plate having a first side and an opposing second side, wherein the second side comprises a first surface having a first diameter bounded by a first edge; a target material having a first side bonded to the first surface of the backing plate; wherein the first edge is an interface between the backing plate and the target material; a plurality of slots disposed along an outer periphery of the backing plate extending from the first side of the backing plate toward the second side of the backing plate, wherein the plurality of slots are configured to align the target assembly with respect to the process shield.

In current physical vapor deposition (PVD) chambers, a process shield is typically mounted to the main body of the PVD chamber, separately from the target. The target is typically mounted on a removable lid of the PVD chamber and then lowered onto the chamber body for processing. However, the inventors have discovered that such a configuration may undesirably result in the process shield and the target being inaccurately aligned. The inventors have further discovered for applications using higher frequencies of radio frequency (RF) energy applied to the target, the alignment between the target and shield becomes more critical to controlling any plasma irregularity and arc events, which may negatively affect the quality of deposition in the PVD chamber. Current PVD chambers utilize features that are separate from the target and the process shield to align the two components. However, the inventors have observed that such features fail to adequately align the target and process shield for certain applications.
Accordingly, the inventors have provided improved apparatus for PVD processing.

PVD target for self-centering process shield


In a document processing apparatus, upon selection of document-name registration in a main menu, a document-name register frame comprising a document-name input area and a document-name display area is displayed on a display. When a character key is manipulated to input the first character of the document name, a document-name search processing control is executed and a predetermined number of document names are successively displayed, from a document name having at least the same first character as the input document name, on the first and subsequent lines of the document-name display area.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a document processing apparatus, and particularly to a document processing apparatus for displaying a registered document name in association with the name of a document to be input when the data of the document is stored on an electronic media.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventionally, there have been used a word processor for the Japanese language and a word processor for the English language which are equipped with various functions required for document input and editing, such as a basic character input function, a move and copy function, a word register function, a character modification function, and a table forming function. In these word processors, the data of a prepared document is stored into a text memory or on a floppy disk together with a document name thereof.
In the word processor for the English language for example, the names of a plurality of registered documents are stored in alphabetical order in a document-name memory. When document data is stored, a document-name register frame is displayed on a screen of a display, and a predetermined number of document names at the beginning of the plurality of document names stored in the document-name memory, which can be displayed on a part of the display, are listed on the screen to enable an user to refer to these document names which were previously stored. Accordingly, in order to store a document name, the user may display a portion of the stored document's names in association with the document name of the document to be input or stored. The registered document names can be scrolled upwardly or downwardly by manipulating cursor up/down shift keys to view all of the stored document names. From this, the operator can identify the document name suitable for the contents of the edited document or a document to be replaced, by referring to the registered document names. This avoids in incorrectly storing a document over a document having the same document name. Thus, the operator can store the document data into the text memory together with the correct document name.
As described above, in the word processor for the English language, when the document data is stored, desired registered document names which are referred to for the input of a document name are displayed while scrolling the screen by the manipulation of the cursor up/down shift keys. Accordingly, when the first letter of the document name to be stored is one of the final letters of the alphabet, such as "S" or "T", it takes a long time to display all of the stored document names to arrive at the document names starting with the designated letter. Thus, storing a document requires a long time, and the working efficiency for the document storage is lowered.

Document processing apparatus having display


A measuring tube for a flow measuring device, wherein the measuring tube has a measuring tube axis A and a measuring tube wall. The measuring tube has a branch with a branch axis B and a wall of the branch, wherein the wall of the branch is arranged on the measuring tube wall, and the wall of the branch is connected with the measuring tube wall by a welded joint. In the transitional region between the wall of the branch and the measuring tube wall there is a specially embodied thickening of the material, which is either part of the wall of the branch or part of the measuring tube wall.

Flow measuring devices are frequently composed of at least one tube segment, in which openings must be machined, in order that sensors or transducers can have direct access to the measured medium. Examples for this include especially ultrasonic, inline, flow meters, and also thermal flow meters, vortex flow meters and magneto inductive flow meters. In order that these sensors or transducers are not supplementally exposed to the kinetic energy of the flow, they are mounted with a certain set back. For this, a branch is required, for example, a branch embodied as a nozzle. The nozzle must be able to withstand the process pressure, provide a mechanical connection of the sensor or transducer and be joined durably with the measuring tube.
A typical example of use of such nozzles is for ultrasonic, inline, flow measuring devices. Flow measuring devices are often applied in process and automation technology. They permit efficient determination of volume flow and/or mass flow in a pipeline.
Known ultrasonic, inline, flow measuring devices frequently work according to the travel-time difference principle. This is illustrated in FIG. 17. In such case, the different travel times of ultrasonic waves, especially ultrasonic pulses, or so-called bursts, are evaluated with and against the flow direction of the liquid. For this, ultrasonic pulses are sent at a certain angle to the tube axis both with as well as also counter to the flow. From the travel-time difference, the flow velocity and therewith in the case of known diameter of the pipeline section the volume flow can be determined.
The ultrasonic waves are produced, respectively received, with the assistance of so-called ultrasonic transducers. For this, such as shown in FIG. 17, in the case of so-called inline, ultrasonic, flow measuring devices 101, sensors 102 in the form of ultrasonic transducers are secured in the tube wall of the relevant measuring tube 103. The evaluation of the ascertained signals occurs in an evaluation unit 104.
The ultrasonic transducers are composed, normally, of an electromechanical transducer element, e.g. a piezoelectric element, and a coupling layer. The ultrasonic waves are produced in the electromechanical transducer element as acoustic signals and conveyed via the coupling layer to the tube wall and from there in the case of the inline variant led into the liquid.
The ultrasonic transducers are usually secured to the measuring tube by means of sensor nozzles distributed over the periphery of the measuring tube and inclined relative to the tube axis. The sensor nozzles must be welded in place manually. Thus, as a rule, manual welding methods are used as joining technology in this situation, because the nozzles are small in number, often tilted, partially poorly accessible, and must be placed on a round tube. Problematic, in such case, is that, as a result of the manual manufacture of the connection by means of conventional welding methods (typically metal protective gas welding, tungsten inert gas welding), the bonding of the branch is burdened with geometry varying over the periphery, residual stresses in the material and local hard spots in the material. Especially, the geometric variations of the welded seams can lead to the fact that local stress concentrations occur upon loading of the branch by an external bending moment. In the extreme case, such concentrations can lead to a component failure, especially in the case of a frequently oscillating loading.

Measuring tube for a flow measuring device and flow measuring device


System for tracking mobile tags. Cell controllers with multiple antenna modules generate a carrier signal which is received by the tags. Tags shift the frequency of the carrier signal, modulate an identification code onto it, and transmit the resulting tag signal at randomized intervals. The antennas receive and process the response, and determine the presence of the tags by proximity and triangulation. Distance of a tag from an antenna is calculated by measuring the round trip signal time. The cell controllers send data from the antenna to a host computer. The host computer collects the data and resolves them into positional estimates. Data are archived in a data warehouse, such as an SQL Server.

The invention relates to Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) systems and, particularly, to an RFID system designed to continuously track articles and personnel as they move through buildings.
RFID products typically have three components: (1) a tag (the item being identified), (2) an interrogator (a device which detects the presence of a tag), and (3) a system (typically including cabling, computers, and software which tie together the tags and interrogators into a useful solution). RFID products are typically designed to detect tags when they pass within range of a few fixed or handheld interrogators.
RFID systems are usually deployed as high-end replacement technology for bar coding. RFID and related systems include passive RFID systems, active RFID systems, infrared ID systems, and Electronic Article Surveillance (EAS) systems.
The tags in a passive RFID system do not carry on-board power. The interrogator in such systems transmits operating power for the tags. Such systems generally have a detection range of a meter or less, although somewhat longer ranges have been achieved. Typically, these systems operate in the 125-kilohertz radio band.
Most passive RFID systems work as follows. An interrogator emits an electromagnetic field for the purpose of powering the tag. A coil in the tag is powered by the electromagnetic field, causing the tag""s circuitry to xe2x80x9cwake up.xe2x80x9d The tag uses this power to send an identifying signal back to the interrogator.
Although most passive RFID systems are read-only (that is, the tags in such system respond to a query by reading information from their memory and sending the information back to the interrogator), the tags used in some passive RFID systems have a limited ability to accept information and instructions from the interrogator, for example read/write capabilities in smart cards (electronic money) and xe2x80x9celectronic manifestsxe2x80x9d in industrial applications.
Passive RFID tags have been employed in conjunction with access control, smart cards, vehicle identification (AVI), waste management, item tracking, animal identification, manufacturing control, materials handling, and a variety of other purposes.
One fundamental design goal of any RFID system is for the weak signal emitted from the tag to be distinguishable from the much stronger signal emitted by the interrogator. Some strategies for doing this include:
Frequency shifting. Circuitry in the tag receives a carrier from the interrogator, translates the signal to another frequency, and emits a response modulated onto that second frequency.
Half duplex operation. The tag is charged by the interrogator. When the interrogator""s charging circuit turns off, the tag uses the stored power to respond.
Modulated backscatter. The tag modulates its antenna cross section to identify itself to the interrogator.
Delayed retransmission. Surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices retransmit the interrogator""s carrier after a delay.
The tag""s identity is indicated by time variations in the delayed response.
Active RFID systems require battery-powered tags. The battery permits a longer detection range of between 3 and 100 meters. These systems are capable of locating tags with higher accuracy than passive RFID systems and typically operate in the 400, 900, or 2440 megahertz bands. Active tags tend to enable multiple tags to be within range of an interrogator by the use of xe2x80x9chandshakingxe2x80x9d between the tags and interrogator, so that each tag transmits its signal in turn. Communication between tag and interrogator in active RFID systems is also typically faster than with passive tags.
Most active RFID tags respond to the interrogator when polled, in accordance with a communications protocol. Some active RFID tags xe2x80x9cchirpxe2x80x9d (transmit) a signal spontaneously at predetermined intervals. A tag""s chirped signal is detected by the interrogator if the tag is in range of the interrogator.
Infrared systems (IRID), while not RFID systems, also endeavor to detect and identify the position of mobile tags. A typical IRID system includes a tag that chirps its identity at randomized intervals. Infrared readers located in the ceiling detect these transmissions, and report them to a host. The transmission rate from the tag to reader is typically about 600 baud. Motion detectors in the tags enable the tags to transmit more frequently when in motion. The tags are typically about the size of dominos.
EAS systems are intended to deter theft in retail environments. EAS tags are fairly unreliable, very low in cost, and limited in capabilities. Although they track mobile tags, they are not generally considered to be RFID products, because EAS tags are uncoded and cannot be distinguished from one another.
A system for tracking mobile tags includes cell controllers with multiple antenna modules which generate a carrier signal received by the tags. The tags respond by transmitting identification codes at randomized intervals, the codes being modulated onto the carrier signal. The antenna modules located, for example, in the ceiling, receive the responses and send them to a cell controller, which processes them and uses them to calculate tag locations by proximity and triangulation techniques. The distance of a tag from a particular antenna module is calculated by measuring the round trip signal time. The cell controllers send processed data derived from the received signals to a host computer. The host computer collects the data and resolves them into positional estimates. The host computer archives data in a data warehouse, such as an SQL Server.
Among the advantages of the invention are one or more of the following.
One advantage of the invention is that it is designed to remain in constant communication with the tags while covering a complete facility. The system is able to identify and calculate the location of tags even in the presence of severe multipath effects.
Another advantage of the invention is that it uses tags with low power consumption requirements, allowing the lifetime a powered tag to approximate the lifetime of the tag battery itself. Furthermore, tags can enter a low-power mode when not in use, thereby further conserving power.
Another advantage of the invention is that it is scaleable. A small number of widely-spaced antenna modules can be used to roughly locate tags within a facility. If a more accurate tag location is desired, additional antenna modules can easily be added to the system. Furthermore, new tags can be added to the system without requiring any system re-configuration.
Another advantage of the invention is that it mitigates problems caused by the collision of tag signals. Because tags spontaneously wake up and xe2x80x9cchirpxe2x80x9d on a randomized basis, multiple tags are unlikely to transmit signals simultaneously. Furthermore, in some circumstances the system is able to predict when tag signal collisions will occur and respond accordingly.
Another advantage of the invention is that tags can respond to multiple cell controllers simultaneously.
Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and from the claims.


The present invention relates to ink for inkjet printing providing a printed image having improved stability, demonstrated by improved color fastness in time. Said ink includes at least particles of synthetic, substantially amorphous aluminosilicate polymer, the synthetic amorphous aluminosilicate polymer having an average diameter of 1 to 10 nm, wherein the aluminosilicate polymer exhibits an X-ray diffraction pattern that has weak peaks at about 2.2 and 3.3 Å.

Digital photography has been growing fast for several years and the general public now has access to efficient and reasonably priced digital cameras. Therefore people are seeking to be able to produce photographic prints from a simple computer and its printer, with the best possible quality.
Many printers, especially those linked to personal office automation, use the inkjet printing technique. There are two major families of inkjet printing techniques: continuous jet and drop-on-demand.
Continuous jet is the simpler system. Pressurized ink (3.105 Pa) is forced to go through one or more nozzles so that the ink is transformed into a flow of droplets. In order to obtain the most regular possible sizes and spaces between drops, regular pressure pulses are sent using for example a piezoelectric crystal in contact with the ink with high frequency (up to 1 MHz) alternating current (AC) power supply. So that a message can be printed using a single nozzle, every drop must be individually controlled and directed. Electrostatic energy is used for this: an electrode is placed around the inkjet at the place where drops form. The jet is charged by induction and every drop henceforth carries a charge whose value depends on the applied voltage. The drops then pass between two deflecting plates charged with the opposite sign and then follow a given direction, the amplitude of the movement being proportional to the charge carried by each of them. To prevent other drops from reaching the paper, they are left uncharged: so, instead of going to the support they continue their path without being deflected and go directly into a container. The ink is then filtered and can be reused.
The other category of inkjet printer is drop-on-demand (DOD). This constitutes the base of inkjet printers used in office automation. With this method, the pressure in the ink cartridge is not maintained constant but is applied when a character has to be formed. In one widespread system there is a row of 12 open nozzles, each of them being activated with a piezoelectric crystal. The ink contained in the head is given a pulse: the piezo element contracts with an electric voltage, which causes a decrease of volume, leading to the expulsion of the drop by the nozzle. When the element resumes its initial shape, it pumps in the reservoir the ink necessary for new printings. The row of nozzles is thus used to generate a column matrix, so that no deflection of the drop is necessary. One variation of this system consists in replacing the piezoelectric crystals by small heating elements behind each nozzle. The drops are ejected following the forming of bubbles of solvent vapor. The volume increase enables the expulsion of the drop. Finally, there is a pulsed inkjet system in which the ink is solid at ambient temperature. The print head thus has to be heated so that the ink liquefies and can print. This enables rapid drying on a wider range of products than conventional systems.
The inks used in these various inkjet printers are either pigment-based ink, or dye-based ink. Generally speaking, a dye is a coloring material that dissolves in the ink vehicle. A pigment is a coloring material that is insoluble in the vehicle and that is dispersed or is a suspension, often stabilized by dispersing agents. The choice of a coloring material in inkjet systems is critical for image quality. In particular, the coloring matter has to enable a highly stable printed image to be obtained.
In general, the aqueous inks used in inkjet systems comprise a water-soluble dye, which is soluble in the ink vehicle such as water, or mixtures of water and organic co-solvents. It is known that dyes that enable very spectacular colors to be obtained tend to create printed images having poor stability in time, which is demonstrated by color density loss. Therefore, it is necessary to develop dye-based aqueous inks, which provide printed images having improved dye keeping properties and color stability in time.


A treatment machine for containers includes a drive unit and a manipulation unit connected to the drive unit. The drive unit comprises a hollow bore, the hollow bore being configured to accommodate an accommodated structure, which is either a machine-specific subassembly or a line.

A treatment machine for containers includes any machine that is suitable for treating containers. Non-limiting examples of treatment machines include filling machines for filling containers with desired content, cleaning machines for cleaning containers, and labeling machines for labeling containers.
WO 2008/145363 A1 teaches a reluctance motor having a hollow bore that is available in its interior. This hollow bore couples to a drive shaft. The drive shaft transmits rotary movements of the drive unit to the manipulation unit.
A manipulation unit can be a starwheel for receiving and storing, on a circumference thereof, containers that are to be filled, cleaned, or labeled. Another example of a manipulation unit is a screw shaft that screws caps to the tops of bottles that are to be closed. A manipulation unit therefore encompasses any unit that holds, grips, cleans, prints on, or otherwise manipulates a container.
The measures disclosed in WO 2008/145363 have proven to be successful in principle. However, there is still a need to make treatment machines smaller. Associated with this is the further need to satisfy hygiene requirements to the greatest extent possible. Container treatment machines need to be cleaned regularly. This requires a compact exterior as well as smooth surfaces to reduce any build-up of dirt and mold.


This invention presents methods for targeting and killing types of cells or organisms using Magneto-Electric Nano-Particles under the control of an external magnetic field. A method was also presented for using Magneto-Electric Nano-Particles to stimulate or rejuvenate cells under an external magnetic field.

An important step in killing cancer cells is to bring and accumulate cancer killing agents to sites containing cancer cells, or more preferably, bring them to the membrane of cancer cells. A type of such cancer killing agents is various nano-particles possessing certain properties or carrying cancer-killing drugs. An effective method to achieve this purpose is to coat the nano-particles with ligands or antibodies that only bind to the membrane of the cancer cells to be targeted. This method depends on the availability of ligands or antibodies matching the cancer cells to be targeted. There is also an Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR) effect that preferably accumulates nano-particles at a cancer site than normal cells because of the increased blood flow to a cancer site. However, the EPR may not accumulate enough nano-particles to reach the amount and density needed for treatment.
It is known that cell functions and growth can be affected by electric signals. One desired effect is the stimulation or rejuvenation of skin cells for a firmer or more youthful appearance. S. Kavanagh et al ("Use of a neuromuscular electrical stimulation device for facial muscle toning a randomized, controlled trial", Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2012 December; 11(4) 261-6 doi: 10.1111/jocd.12007) showed that in a 12-week trial, facial neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) was associated with increased thickness of the zygomatic major muscle and subjective improvements in facial attributes. Such NMES devices use point contact electrodes to apply the electric stimulation, as a result, uniform stimulation at cellular levels cannot be achieved. Also, EPR strongly depends on the nano-particles' size and thus is limited to relatively large nano-particles.
There is an urgent need for killing viruses and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and a method that is effective and applicable to a large variety of viruses and bacteria is lacking.
There is no prior art that possess the functions of the embodiments presented in this application.

Methods for disrupting or killing bacteria or viruses using nanoparticles and external field


The present invention relates to polymer compositions comprising (a) a polymer containing hydroxyl alkylene repeating units and (b) an additive selected from compounds of the formulae (1) to (6)

Polymer compositions comprising EVOH and/or PVOH have been commonly used in order to impart oxygen barrier properties to polymer compositions. Oxygen barrier properties reduce the oxygen permeation through said polymer composition. A reduced oxygen permeation is an important feature of polymer compositions to be used in the field of packaging materials, in particular in packaging materials used for packaging of goods prone to deterioration by the action of oxygen such as food products, pharmaceutical products, and products for diagnostic purposes.
One of the advantages of using polymers such as EVOH and/or PVOH instead of other materials imparting oxygen barrier properties such as thin metal foil or vapour-deposited layers of inorganic oxides is that polymer processing techniques such as extrusion, injection molding, film blowing etc. are available which allow to produce articles with closed, pin-hole-free surfaces. However, EVOH and PVOH suffer from the drawbacks of being water-sensitive. On the other hand, the use of thick layers in order to improve oxygen barrier properties is less favourable due to the high costs of the material and its opaque appearance. In order to maintain the oxygen barrier properties of an EVOH and/or PVOH film, it is usually necessary to coat or laminate said films with moisture-barrier materials such as polyolefins. Providing such moisture-barrier layers, i.e. manufacturing a multilayer film having an inner layer containing EVOH and/or PVOH, implies increased complexity of the manufacturing process. The individual layers of said multilayer film have to be assembled in such a manner that problems like a separation of the individual layers (delamination) during use of the film is prevented.
In order to accomplish this, it is necessary to select the polymers from which the moisture barrier layers are prepared such that no compatibility problems with EVOH and/or PVOH arises in order to avoid delamination. For this reason, polyolefins have been commonly used as moisture-barrier layers.
Furthermore, processing steps such as co-extrusion, heat-laminating etc. of the individual thin layers have to be applied which implies that more complex manufacturing equipment is required. Furthermore, providing a layer in a thickness sufficient to impart satisfactory moisture-barrier properties also implies an increase of the material costs besides technical constraints with respect to the multilayer film.
Hence, it is desirable to improve the oxygen barrier properties of polymers containing hydroxyl alkylene repeating units, in particular polymers containing hydroxyl ethylene repeating units such as EVOH or PVOH, in terms of their stability against moisture such that in comparison to commonly known barrier films the thickness of the moisture-barrier layers can be reduced. It is even more desirable to improve the oxygen barrier properties of the afore-mentioned polymers in terms of their stability against moisture to such an extent that no moisture-barrier layers are required.
US 2002/0022144 A1 and US 2004/0058178 A1 describe the concept of blocking the hydroxyl groups of an EVOH polymer in order to improve the oxygen barrier properties by reacting said hydroxyl groups with an aldehyde such that an acetyl moiety is formed. It is evident that carrying out said reaction involves additional time and efforts, in particular as the reaction is carried out by either dissolving or suspending the EVOH copolymer, said aldehyde and a catalyst in an appropriate solvent such as acetic acid, water, ethanol or a mixture thereof, which solvent has to be removed after completion of the reaction. Said procedure requires time, reaction equipment and the supply of materials such as said aldehyde and solvents. Furthermore, dissolving the polymeric material in a concentration sufficiently high in order to ensure a satisfactory reaction rate and the subsequent removal of the solvents can be cumbersome.
The object of the present invention is to improve the oxygen barrier properties of polymers containing hydroxyl alkylene repeating units, in particular polymers containing hydroxyl ethylene repeating units such as EVOH or PVOH, in a simple and efficient manner.
Said object is accomplished in the manner described herein below.

Polymer compositions with improved barrier properties against the permeation of oxygen

Abstract: wherein    Ra1, Ra2, Ra3 and Ra4 can be the same or different and independently represent a group selected from the moieties having formula (A) or formula (B),

Abstract: wherein    Rb is selected from hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl, C1-6 alkoxy and —CO—C1-4 alkyl.


An ID code is wirelessly sent to a device, such as a keyless-entry system or a keyless-starter system mounted on an automobile, from a portable transmitter. Electronic components including an electronic circuit board, a transponder and a battery are all contained in a resin case. The resin case is composed of a front case and a rear case, both firmly connected to each other. The case cannot be opened to take away the transponder contained therein without breaking the case. If the case is forcibly opened, a trace showing such a fact is unavoidably left on the case. The battery contained in the case, however, can be replaced or unloaded without breaking the case through an opening formed exclusively for the battery.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a portable transmitter, which is advantageously used as a transmitter in a keyless-entry system for an automobile and in a keyless-starter system.
2. Description of Related Art
In conventional transmitters of this kind, a transponder for wirelessly transmitting an identification code (ID code) to a device to be operated is contained in a case. In a keyless-starter system for an automobile, for example, the engine is permitted to start when an IC code sent form the transmitter coincides with an ID code pre-installed in the automobile.
An example of the transmitter of this kind is disclosed in JP-A-2001-140513. A case containing components of the transmitter including a transponder and a battery is composed of a front case and a rear case, both being detachably connected. To replace a worn battery with a new one, it is necessary to be able to easily open the case. The case structure having the front case and the rear case detachably connected to each other, however, involves the following problem. The case may be opened by an unauthorized person such as a thief, and the transponder may be stolen without leaving a trace that the case was opened by someone. The thief is able to start the engine using the transponder to steal the automobile. Since no trace showing such an unauthorized act is left, it is highly possible that the owner does not notice for a certain period of time that the transponder is taken out from the transmitter case. Therefore, the possibility that the automobile is stolen will increase. The same problem is involved in the keyless-entry system.

Portable transmitter contained in a hard-to-open case


A novel network of tumorigenic prognostic factors is identified that plays a critical role in advanced pancreatic cancer (PC) pathogenesis. This interactome is interconnected through a central tumor suppressive microRNA, miR-198, which is able to both directly and indirectly modulate expression of the various members of this network to alter the molecular makeup of pancreatic tumors, with important clinical implications. When this tumor signature network is intact, miR-198 expression is reduced and patient survival is dismal; patients with higher miR-198 present an altered tumor signature network, better prognosis and increased survival. Further, according to the present disclosure, MiR-198 replacement reverses tumorigenicity in vitro and in vivo. As such, an embodiment of the disclosure is a method of treating cancer in an individual, comprising the step of increasing the level of active microRNA-198 molecules in the pancreatic cancer tumor cells of the individual by an amount sufficient to cause an improvement in the pancreatic cancer in the individual.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths in North America, with a <6% five-year survival prognosis (Jemal et al., 2010; Li et al., 2008; Zhang et al., 2010). Understanding the mechanisms that give rise to PC pathogenesis and identifying prognostic marker signatures are critical for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. The complex biological functions that give rise to cancer pathogenesis can rarely be attributed to individual molecules but rather arise from key interactions among various heterogeneous components interacting in modular regulatory networks, which result in a specific disease signature with far-reaching clinical effects (Bonnet et al., 2010; Hartwell et al., 1999). Described below are a multitude of individual molecules whose interactions were previously unknown, but are elucidate in the Detailed Summary.
Mesothelin (MSLN) is a cell surface glycoprotein overexpressed in ˜90% of human pancreatic adenocarcinomas (Argani et al., 2001; Bharadwaj et al., 2008; Li et al., 2008; Muminova et al., 2004). It was previously reported that MSLN overexpression leads to increased PC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration in vitro and increased tumor growth in vivo (Li et al., 2008). Yet little is known about the mechanisms through which MSLN overexpression gives rise to this aggressive phenotype. Further, several studies have identified roles for microRNAs (miRNAs) in PC pathogenesis. MiRNAs are a group of small, non-coding RNA molecules that act as posttranscriptional regulators of messenger RNA activity and are frequently dysregulated in cancers (Garofalo et al., 2009). It has been postulated that a single miRNA can regulate several links of an entire functional network, and its dysregulation can therefore give rise to a complex disease phenotype (Wang et al., 2011). It was previously reported that MSLN constitutively activates NF-κB and promotes cell survival (Bharadwaj et al., 2011a; Bharadwaj et al., 2011b). OCT-2 is a bi-functional TF that can exert both activating and repressing functions in a context-dependent manner (Friedl and Matthias, 1995; Liu et al., 1996). Its expression was previously thought primarily restricted to B-cells. All tumor cell lines of the B-cell lineage express OCT-2, including Hodgkin's disease cells (Bargou et al., 1996) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (Pileri et al., 2003). ZEB1 is a crucial epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) activator in human colorectal and breast cancer (Burk et al), and has been linked to increased EMT and chemoresistance in pancreatic cancers (Wang et al., 2009). ZEB1 also directly suppresses transcription of and is involved in a reciprocal regulatory loop with miRNAs in the miR-200 family (Burk et al, 2008). PBX-1 was initially identified as a participant in pre-B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Asahara et al., 1999; Dutta et al., 2001), has been associated with progression of melanoma, (Shiraishi et al., 2007) and is an inducer of the gene for VCP, a ubiquitously expressed protein involved in cell survival (Wang et al., 2004). VCP is associated with cancer growth and is a prognostic marker for PC metastasis (Asai et al., 2002; Yamamoto et al., 2004c; Yamamoto et al., 2004d; Yamamoto et al., 2004e).
The approach of studying a single molecule in an effort to identify effective anti-tumor targets is quickly being replaced by a system-wide approach to dissect the complex interactions between genes, RNA, and proteins in regulating tumor progression. Here, a unique perspective on the interplay between several factors in a functional network is presented, which approaches the study of the effects of a single, central microRNA from a network biology framework. This disclosure uncovers a novel functional interactome in PC, dissects the mechanisms through which a central miRNA can alter the molecular makeup of pancreatic tumors, and identifies a pattern of expression that correlates directly with patient prognosis and survival. Examined are the expression, mechanisms of regulation, and resulting functions of this regulatory interactome, linking together the influence of various seemingly heterogeneous tumorigenic factors as a modular unit in PC pathogenesis, with significant clinical implications. In addition clinically relevant treatments for PC are disclosed, as is a biomarker signature which predicts treatment response and prognosis of patients with PC.

MicroRNA-198 as a tumor suppressor in ovarian cancer


The system and method of the present invention provide distributed on-line communications for electronic commerce applications. The system includes at least one system node having multiple processes for communicating with outside devices, such as ATMs and financial institutions. A configuration database accessible by the processes stores the logical name of each process and outside device, and the corresponding physical address. A system library is coupled to the processes for supplying a plurality of routines for transmitting and receiving messages to and from one another process and to and from another node in the system.

FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram of a conventional electronic funds and information transfer (EFIT) system 10 using a conventional centralized communications system 11 that allows a number of application programs 12 to communicate to outside devices 14 remotely located therefrom. For example, outside devices 13 may include one or more automated teller machines (ATMs) 14 and financial institutions 15 in an electronic funds and information transfer (EFIT) system coupled, through centralized communications system 11, to a router application program 16, a device handler program 17, and a funds transfer authorization program (AUTH) 18. Centralized communications system 11 may also be coupled to a journal program and database 19 for logging each transaction, and a host interface process 20 for interfacing with financial institutions 15.
In operation, when a transaction message for a cash withdrawal is generated at an ATM 14, for example, it goes to centralized communications system 11, which sends the transaction message to device handler 17. Device handler 17 then extracts information from the transaction message and builds a message having a predetermined internal format that is understood by application programs 12 and by centralized communications system 11. This reformatted message is then sent back to centralized communications system 11 which then forwards the message to router 16. Router 16 determines the destination for the message and sends the message back to centralized communications system 11 for delivery to the destination. The destination may be authorization program 18, which may access a database 21 to determine whether the transaction is authorized. The authorization contained in a return message is then sent to centralized communications system 11 for delivery to journal 19 to record the transaction, and then returned to device handler 17, again through centralized communications system 11. Device handler 17 then converts the authorization message into an external format and forwards it to the ATM from which the transaction originated through centralized communications system 11. ATM 14 then dispenses the funds requested or denies the transaction according to the information contained in the authorization message.
Where a transaction is required to obtain authorization from a financial institution 15, authorization program 18 would send the transaction message to interface program 20 through centralized communications system 11. Interface program 20 then reformats the message into one that is understood by the authorization system at financial institution 15, and sends the reformatted message to centralized communications system 11 for delivery to the destination financial institution for authorization. The financial institution then generates an authorization message and sends it to centralized communications system 11, which forwards it to interface program 20 for conversion back to the internal format understood by application programs 12 and centralized communications system 11. The reformatted authorization message is then sent to device handler 17 through centralized communications system 11, which then converts the message to the external format as described above to provide the authorization message to the ATM that originated the transaction.
It may be seen from the foregoing that all the messages communicated among application programs 12 and outside devices 13 must go through centralized communications system 11, which is the central controller. As the electronic funds and information transfer system becomes larger and larger to accommodate more and more ATMs and financial institutions, centralized communications system 11 becomes a bottleneck that slows down message delivery and transaction response time. This is a critical problem because transactions of this type typically require an almost instantaneous response time--banking customers do not like to wait more than thirty seconds for the ATM to respond to their cash withdrawal requests. Further, because all communications must go through centralized communications system 11, a single point, failure of system 11 would spell disaster for the entire electronic funds and information transfer system and disable all ATMs in the system.
Centralized communications system 11 has a further disadvantage of being required to recognize the message format in order to determine the destination of the message for routing purposes. Therefore, the message format cannot be easily changed without impacting the major functions of system 11.
The centralized architecture of the system also means that its growth is limited by the capacity of system 11. The system cannot be easily expanded to accommodate an order of magnitude more users without costly addition of computing platforms and other hardware components. In the computer industry, this feature of expandability is called "scalability." Further, a centralized system such as system 11 is not portable to other computing platforms, so that its deployment is restricted to a single platform.

Distributed on-line data communications system and method


A mobile display apparatus using an optical modulator is disclosed, comprising: a sensor sensing a light reflected from a side of a scanning device and then generating a scanning device reference signal specifying a position of the scanning device; and a driving signal control unit generating such scanning device control signal and optical modulator control signal that allow a light emitted from an optical modulator to be reflected in a predetermined area of the scanning device, by synchronizing the scanning device reference signal transferred from the sensor with an image synchronization signal.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a display apparatus and a display method thereof, in particular, to a mobile display apparatus using an optical modulator and a display method thereof.
2. Description of the Related Art
An optical signal processing has advantages such as fastness, a capability for parallel processing, and a capability of processing a large volume of information, compared to an existing digital information processing which cannot deal with large volume of data and cannot perform a real time processing. Besides, there have been studies on a design of a binary phase filter, an optical logic gate, an optical amplifier, an optical element, and an optical modulator. using space optical modulation theory. Among them, the optical modulator is applied to an optical memory, an optical display device, a printer, an optical interconnection, and a hologram, and a light beam scanning device using the optical modulator is under development.
Such a light beam scanning device in a laser printer, an LED printer, an electric photo copier, a word processor and a projector, scans a light beam and spots a photosensitive medium with the light beam, thereby generating an image.
As a projection TV has been introduced, the light beam scanning device is also employed as a beam projector.
FIG. 1A is a schematic view of a display device using an optical modulator and a polygon mirror according to a prior art. In FIG. 1A are illustrated a light source 110, a control part 120, a lens 130, a polygon mirror 140, and a screen 150. Here, an optical modulator is dispensable in a mobile projector, but descriptions below will concentrate on a mobile projector using an optical modulator.
The light source 110 generates a laser beam, which is later reflected and diffracted by the optical modulator. Here, the light source 110 generates the laser beams simultaneously in a vertical direction, and such laser beams create a two-dimensional image by the rotating polygon mirror 140. The light source 110 may be composed of a laser or a laser diode, and the control part 120 controls the light source 110 to turn on/off, whereupon a laser beam is generated.
The control part 120 also controls a driving of the polygon mirror 140.
The lens 130 collects the laser beams emitted from the light source 110 toward a rotation axis of the polygon mirror 140.
The control part 120 controls the polygon mirror 140 to be turned on/off, and the polygon mirror 140 rotates constantly at a predetermined angular speed. Such a polygon mirror 140 has a polygonal shape, each side of which reflects an incident beam.
The polygon mirror 140 has a bidirectionally rotatable motor (not shown in the accompanying drawings), and rotates due to the motor to reflect an incident beam projected through the lens 130 toward the screen 150.
The configuration of such a display apparatus will be set forth in detail with FIG. 1B. FIG. 1B is a block diagram of a mobile display apparatus control part according to a prior art. Referring to FIG. 1B, R, G, and B image signals are inputted from a mobile display apparatus 160 to a mobile display apparatus control part 170. Here, an image signal input part 173 transfers image signals, comprising R, G, and B digital data and timing signals, transferred from the mobile display apparatus 160 to an image correcting part 171. Then, the image correcting part 171 corrects the image signals according to a deviation between elements or color characteristics of the image signals. Here, the image correcting part 171 is connected to an external memory 180, and reads an initial set value therefrom to perform a correcting process using correction logic.
An image data synchronization signal output part 175 makes an image signal pivot from a raster scan direction to a vertical direction, and transfers synchronization signals per frame, pixel synchronization signals, and vertical line output timing signals to a panel driver 183.
The panel driver 183 converts digital image data to analog signals, and drives an optical modulator panel 186 in synchronization with the vertical line output timing signal. Also, the panel driver 183 matches an image gradient to an output voltage level by referring to an analog voltage range decided in an upper electrode voltage range regulating part 172.
The optical modulator panel 186 is mechanically deformed by a voltage difference between an upper electrode and a lower electrode (a voltage is applied by a lower electrode voltage control part 174), and modulates the amount of diffraction of a light emitted from a light source 192.
A scanner output control part 176 outputs a position control signal of a scanning device 196 to a scanner driver 194, in synchronization with the vertical line output timing signal. A light source output control unit 177 generates and then transfers a light source control signal to a light source driver 190 driving a light source 192, so that R, G and B light sources sequentially operate in synchronization with the image synchronization signal. A memory 180 stores therein correction values (classified by pixel and color) with respect to the image correcting part 171, a range of upper electrode voltages, an initial set value of a lower electrode voltage, a scanner profile, and a light source output set value.
Here, in the case of using the optical modulator and the polygon mirror 140, the mobile projector needs to synchronize the polygon mirror 140 with the image signals in order to project certain beams onto the screen 150. In other words, in order to reflect a corresponding image to the screen 150 through an effective area of the polygon mirror 140, the image synchronization signal and a rotation of the polygon mirror need to be controlled to project a laser beam corresponding to the image signal to the effective area.

Display apparatus using optical modulator and display method thereof


A method for controlling a multi-axis industrial robot or manipulator arranged with a robot control unit. The robot or the control unit includes at least one first computer running a servo controller. A motion limit is configured for at least one axis of the robot arm. A reference signal for a robot position is sent to a robot controller together with a measurement of a position of the robot arm. The reference position is processed and the measured position and the processed reference position are then compared in an evaluator for the purpose of limiting the motion of an arm of the robot.

Programmable, servo-controlled machines like industrial robots are often equipped with position switches for limiting their workspace or allow interlocking of the machine with other moving equipment. These position switches often use a machined cam to define the switching positions. In particular positions switches are often used in applications where occupational safety regulations have to be followed.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,196 to Nehei et al entitled Device for detecting limits of rotational motion in a robot (Fanuc) a device for detecting the limits of rotational motion of a rotating member of an industrial robot, wherein the rotating member rotates in a first and a second rotational direction about an axis relative a fixed member. The device comprises a limit switch provided on a rotating member and a contact piece, provided on the fixed member to activate the limit switch. The device does not appear to require adjustment of the contact piece. However the casting for the arm appears to require additional material to form a circular wall around the arm followed by machining to shape a circumferential wall on the rotating member to which the contact piece will be attached.
Generally speaking, mechanical position switches are expensive, require maintenance, and need additional cables between machine and controller. Each limit switch generally requires periodic replacement and/or repair.
Solutions are known that use an electronic supervision of reference and measured position of at least one servo axis providing a position switch function that does not rely on limit switches and mechanical cams. U.S. Pat. No. 6,778,867 to Ziegler et al, entitled Monitoring and control of a handling device, describes a monitoring and control device for monitoring a technical system having at least one portable and/or mobile and/or immobile device, and more specifically, a handling device that is a arranged in a protective device, and further including at least one preferably central or decentralized control unit and actuators connected thereto to carry out dangerous actions.
Electronic supervision solutions may typically require that a difference between a reference value and a measured position shall stay below a predetermined threshold. This type of supervision may however, trigger a stop because the control error exceeds the threshold due to some unforeseen robot movement. Amongst other things, a difference between reference and measured positions, which may be seen as a type of servo control error, may increase due to dynamic effects such as servo lag and transients during acceleration. As a consequence, the threshold may be set at a level which less than optimal.

Method and device for controlling motion of an industrial robot with a position switch


A versatile jacket and backpack that combines portability and wearability for maximum flexibility. The jacket can be worn in a variety of configurations, and even stored in the adaptable back pack when not in use. The jacket portion is reversible for stylistic variety and accommodates attachment of the backpack on both the front and back of the jacket.

People have always desired to express themselves and their individuality through the clothes they wear, and with the combination of accessories and peripheral items that accompany their clothing. Striking the correct balance between fashion and functionality has not always been the goal of many articles of clothing. A jacket is often used just as much for layering of clothing as it is for its function of keeping the wearer warm. When the jacket is removed, the person would usually be required to carry the jacket so that it is not misplaced or stolen.
Similarly, backpacks are often carried as much for the look of having a bag to accessorize the wearers clothing, as they are for their functional purpose of carrying additional items without having to hold the items individually or in your hands. As styles and fashion change, sometimes backpacks are worn on the chest instead of on the back.


An operator sets a path demand to be accommodated, and sets information of a device candidate, the number of ports, a path route and the like, which are demanded for a network, in an objective function that indicates a total cost when the path demand to be accommodated is newly included in the network. A mathematical programming problem for minimizing the objective function under a constraint condition derived from a configuration of the network is set, and a solution is obtained by using a solver for solving the mathematical programming problem. A device is added or the like to the network based on the obtained solution, and the demanded path is added to the network.

With an increase in traffic flowing into a network, a network device has been growing in size and improving in performance, and the amount of power consumption and an operating cost (referred to as a cost inclusive of the amount of power consumption and the operating cost) has been increasing.
In the meantime, redundant lines and devices are arranged to accommodate traffic in many cases in a current network. With an optimum arrangement of lines and devices, cost reductions such as power saving and the like of the entire network can be expected. However, a suitable arrangement of lines and devices differs depending on a traffic transfer state (path). Therefore, it is important to comprehensively consider an arrangement of a traffic route (path), lines and devices, and the like when a power-saving network configuration is derived.
Incidentally, there is a problem that a network design in consideration of a dependency among diverse design elements (route, line, device) is difficult with a conventional manual design. Therefore, a technique for automatically designing a network configuration that minimizes power (or cost) by systematizing a design process in consideration of a correlation among the design elements is demanded.
As a conventional method of making a network design including a route, there is an incremental design method of accommodating each path demand (a demand for laying a communication route between desired sites with a desired capacity). A MAX-PACK method of determining a traffic transfer route so that an expansion (line addition) cost is minimized is normally known.
This conventional method does not lose generality, also enabling a route design that minimizes power even if cost (the amount of money) is replaced with the amount of power consumption.
These methods mainly aim at minimizing a cost (the amount of money or power) of each added line (port) as an expansion (line addition) cost. However, there are not so many actual network devices that can be added in units of ports.
By way of example, for a box type device implemented by incorporating a port group of each line type into a housing, design measures are taken such that
the device is left unchanged if the available ports of the device remain, or
the device is replaced if the number of ports of the device is insufficient as a result of adding a port when a path is accommodated.
Similarly, for a chassis type device implemented by handling a port group of each line type as a network card (package), design measures are taken such that
the device is left unchanged if the available ports of the network card remain, or
the device is replaced with a network card that can accommodate a corresponding number of ports if the number of ports of the network card is insufficient
as a result of adding a port when a path is accommodated.
This means that the cost is not determined in units of ports but in units of devices or packages including a port group.
Accordingly, with a conventional design of a minimum cost path based on cost per port, only a change of cost (power or the amount of money) estimated by accumulating cost of each port can be determined, and a possible change of cost (power or the amount of money) incurred by arranging a device/package in an actual network cannot be suitably judged.
For example, also from the viewpoint of the amount of power consumption, the amount of power consumption of an actual device or package does not vary depending on a use state of a port, and a certain amount of power is consumed. Therefore, a change of an actual cost (power) cannot be estimated by accumulating a cost of each port.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are explanatory views of the problem of the conventional method.
A design example to which the conventional method is applied is described. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a design of a path and a line (port) when a path demand is given under a condition that a device with low cost (power) per port and a device with high cost per port are respectively arranged on an upper route and a lower route is considered. At this time, the conventional design in consideration of only cost per port produces results such that the upper route is selected and a port is simply added to an upper node.
In the meantime, a case where actual box type devices A and B illustrated in FIG. 2 are assumed by taking FIG. 1 as an example and a cost (power) per port of each of the devices is estimated as follows
device A: 5/12=0.42 (cost/ports)
device B: 20/24=0.83 (cost/ports)
is considered.
Also at this time, a result such that the upper path is selected is produced with the conventional design based on a cost per port similarly to FIG. 1. Actually, however, a case where the minimum cost (power) cannot be achieved is considered as follows.
For example, in a case where the number of remaining ports is zero in the device A and the number of remaining ports is too many in the device B when a port is designed to be added at the time of path demand accommodation,
1. if the upper route is allocated, the device A needs to be replaced with the device B, leading to an increase in cost (power) incurred by replacing the device.
2. if the route goes through the device B with higher cost per port, the device B does not need to be changed because the number of ports is too many. Therefore, the cost (power) does not change.
Accordingly, assuming such an actual environment, a route selection and a line/device arrangement, which minimize a cost (power), cannot be implemented only based on a conventional cost determination made in units of ports.


A system includes a self-propelled robotic vehicle carrying an UWB sensor. The UWB sensor responds to binary transitions of a mode control signal to select for its modes of operation.

The present disclosure generally relates to radio frequency (RF) detection and ranging (remote sensing) and, more particularly, to robotic surveillance systems capable of discriminating living individuals from inanimate objects. Mountable remote sensors on a robotic self-propelled frame or housing have a major importance to the law enforcement and military personnel compared to traditional hand held devices. Rapid deployment in hard-to-reach terrains and standoff sensing capability that keeps the operator out of harm's way are the major advantages of robot-mountable remote sensors.
A remote controlled robotic vehicle may be used to enter structures in which it would be dangerous for human operators. For example, a collapsed building from earthquake damage may be prone to further collapse such that it is unsafe for human entry. Should a building include armed or otherwise dangerous individuals, the desirability of determining where/whether there are such occupants using a remote controlled robotic sensor is obvious. To meet this need in the art, sensors that can detect the respiration and/or heartbeat of individuals hidden behind walls have been developed. Such sensors may be deemed as "sense-through-the-wall" due to this ability to detect targets hidden behind walls or rubble. For example, a sense-through-wall sensor such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,779,966 may be mounted to a remote controlled robotic ground vehicle or flying vehicle. But a user may have already developed a custom control interface for controlling the robotic ground vehicle. It is very expensive and cumbersome to then re-program the control interface to add the capability of controlling a sense-through-wall sensor.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a simplified sensor interface that may take advantage our unused control signals in a pre-existing control interface for a robotic vehicle.

Robotic sense-through-wall sensor with simplified control interface


A vibration-proof clamp includes a clamp body made of hard resin having a holding part and a stud engaging part, and a rubber member that covers the holding part. The holding part has a curved wall for holding an elongated element from below and at least one elastic holding member that extends slanting downward towards a holding space. The rubber member has a rubber curved part that covers the curved wall of the clamp body, and a rubber holding member that covers the elastic holding member. When the elongated element is attached, the elastic holding member can bend inside a holding member space. The rubber member has a rubber curved extension part that curves upward along the outside of the elongated element, and connects with the rubber curved part. This arrangement prevents the elongated element from being in direct contact with the clamp body.

The present invention relates to a clamp for holding a long, narrow shaped elongated member such as a pipe, tube or wire harness onto an attaching member such as the body panel or the like of an automobile, in particular, a vibration-proof clamp that neither transmits vibrations from the elongated member such as a pipe, tube or wire harness to an attaching member such as the body panel or the like nor transmits vibrations from the attaching member such as the body panel or the like to the elongated member such as a pipe, tube or wire harness.
A pipe clamp by which a pipe is mounted removably to an attaching member is provided with a clamp part that holds the pipe and a main body part that is fixed on an attaching member such as the body panel of an automobile; the pipe is held by the clamp part and the main body part is fixed to the attaching member. The clamp part has an open portion that receives a pipe on the top and is constructed to accommodate the pipe in a U-shaped space formed by a pair of side walls and a bottom, holding it so that the accommodated pipe does not escape from the clamp part. The main body part has a fixing means for being mounted removably to the attaching member such as a body panel or the like and is fixed to the attaching member such as the body panel of an automobile or the like.
Because of the pulsations of the fluid passing through the interior of the pipe, the pipe will be caused to pulsate. It is necessary to avoid the transmission of such pulsations to the auto body via the pipe clamp. Also, it is necessary that the pulsations of the auto body not be transmitted to the pipe via the pipe clamp.
To accomplish this, pipe clamps exist that are highly vibration-proof and in which the contact surface of the unit holding the pipe is made of rubber or a soft resin. In such pipe clamps, the pipe is not in direct contact with the holding member made of hard resin, and it becomes difficult to transmit the pulsations of the pipe to the auto body. Also, the number of parts is comparatively small. However, as rubber or soft resin is flexible, it stretches easily, and the ability to hold the pipe is inferior to pipe clamps of prior art.
Also, there is a pipe clamp in which the clamp part holding the pipe and main body part fixed on the attaching member are formed by a hard resin. An elastic member made of rubber or soft resin is interposed between the clamp part and the main body part. In such a pipe clamp, it is difficult to transmit pulsations from the pipe part to the main body part. Such a floating type clamp is effective in absorbing pulsations. However, construction becomes complicated, and a problem arises in that it is difficult to combine the soft elastic member with the hard clamp part and the main body part.
The vibration-proof clamp of the floating type has a complicated construction and tends to have a large number of components. Due to insert molding or dichroic molding, a molding machine for insert molding or dichroic molding and a die are necessary.
Patent Document 1 discloses a vibration-proof clamp that provides a twofold construction of a main body part from a hard member of a shape in which an insertion aperture opens and a vibration-proof part that has a holding body that is formed with a soft member and grasps the tube body. The main body part, with a pressing force from the tube body passing through the insertion aperture, has a retaining member that is bent. The holding body of the vibration-proof part, as it joins with the inner wall of the main body part, sets up the separation of a cavity part on the main body part and holds the tube part by fitting.
Inasmuch as the vibration-proof clamp of Patent Document 1 forms a cavity between the main body part and the holding part, it can effectively control the transmission of vibrations and increase its resistance to vibration. However, regarding the vibration-proof clamp of Patent Document 1, because the main body part is set in a mold, followed by injecting and solidifying resin to form the holding body, i.e. because of insert molding or dichroic molding, a molding machine for insert molding or dichroic molding and a die are necessary.
Also, the pipe (tube body), in general, uses a pipe assembly automated machine and imposes the pipe into the vibration-proof clamp. Since the holding body is made of a soft member, it will be difficult for the pipe to slide; there is a cavity directly under it, and it is of concern that the holding body will be stretched and fracture, or will peel off from the main body part made of hard resin.
Patent Document 2 discloses a grommet having a main body that has an attaching concave part for attaching and holding a linear held body such as a pipe, and a fixed member that supports a main body and fixes it in a prescribed position. The holding contact part of the main body is insulated with a thin-layered cushion. The holding body is protected from vibrations, and deterioration of the attaching concave part is prevented.
However, the cushion covering of the grommet of Patent Document 2 is thin-layered, and sufficient resistance to vibration cannot be expected since there is no space between the holding contact part of the main body and the thin-layered cushion.
Another problem is that it takes a long time to assemble, since after the first formation of the main body, there is required to be a second formation of the cushion layer with a thermoplastic elastomer, or it is necessary to attach the cushion layer to the main body.
Patent Document 3 discloses a pipe support device that is composed of a curved holding part having spring elasticity and a supplementary clip part that is squeezed into the middle of the curved holding part. The curved holding part is formed in a U-shape, and support arms are attached obliquely from the top of the side wall. The supplementary clip part is shaped to open upward and is made of a material having rubber elasticity. The curved side wall of the supplementary clip part is pressed down by the end of the support arm of the curved holding part. Also, there is an engaging protrusion element to engage with the curved holding part.
With the pipe supporting device of Patent Document 3, the side wall of the supplementary clip part is curved more to go along the outer diameter of the pipe and is held by the support arm. Should there be a strong force from the outside, it is of concern that the pipe can slip out of the supplementary clip part. Also, resistance to vibration is not sufficient because no space is provided in the supplementary clip part.
For these reasons, a vibration-proof clamp is needed that has a small number of vibration-proof clamp construction parts, that can be assembled easily by hand and that can be made by using an ordinary injection molding machine without using a molding machine for insert molding or dichroic molding and a complicated die. Furthermore, a satisfactory vibration-proof clamp is needed with the capability to hold a pipe.


An apparatus for optimally scanning a surface of one or more semiconductor wafers undergoing a chemical etching process, comprising: (a) means for registering the semiconductor wafers to a wafer retention stage; and (b) means for controlling a spiral pattern movement of a spiral type scan of the surface of the semiconductor wafers by the chemical etching instrument probe, whereby the surface is figured to correspond to a desired thickness.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods for scanning a two-dimensional surface of one or more objects and, more particularly, to an apparatus and method for optimally scanning, for example, the surface of one or more semiconductor wafers undergoing a chemical etching process.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In one particular application wherein the present invention is especially practical, a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) semiconductor wafer undergoes a chemical etching process. During this process, a chemical etching instrument induces a removal of material from a surface of the SOI semiconductor wafer. The material is removed as a result of a chemical reaction that occurs between the surface material of the SOI wafer and a plasma that is generated by the chemical etching instrument. Such an instrument is described in a related patent application entitled, System for Removing Material from a Wafer, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/696,897, filed on May 7, 1991 U.S. Pat. No. 5,254,830. As described in this system, a chemical etching instrument probe is scanned over the surface of a wafer in a controlled pattern. While scanning the wafer surface, the probe emits a plasma that induces a constant-rate material removing chemical reaction. The scanning technique that is used in this system is commonly referred to as a boustrophedon type scan, or an XY bidirectional raster scan.
A boustrophedon type scan operates in two orthogonal directions, i.e. the X-axis and Y-axis coordinate planes. In the material removal system described in the above referenced patent application, the boustrophedon type scan of the chemical etching instrument operates by scanning the probe across the surface of the wafer in a positive and a negative X-axis coordinate plane direction while indexing in a positive or a negative Y-axis coordinate plane direction. Thus, the probe may scan across the wafer surface in the positive X-axis coordinate plane direction, index a predetermined distance in the positive Y-axis coordinate plane direction, scan across the wafer surface in the negative X-axis coordinate plane direction, and then index a further predetermined distance in the positive Y-axis coordinate plane direction. This scan pattern is repeated until the entire surface of the wafer is scanned. Also, since the probe maintains a constant-rate material removing chemical reaction, the scan speed of the probe in relation to the wafer surface is adjusted so as to perform a desired removal of wafer surface material.
Although the boustrophedon type scan permits the material removal system to accomplish its basic objective of scanning the entire wafer surface, the boustrophedon method encounters mechanical problems at high wafer throughput rates and exhibits depreciative etching of surround materials at all wafer throughput rates. The mechanical problems are focused on the indexing, or turnaround, steps of the controlled scan pattern and, to a lesser degree, the scan speed adjustments. The turnaround steps and the scan speed adjustments require a motor to control the precision indexing and the scan speed variations, respectively. Consequently, mechanical stress is inflicted on the motor. Furthermore, as the scan rate is increased, the amount of the mechanical stress inflicted upon the motor is increased. It should be noted that this mechanical stress can be inflicted on either a wafer retention stage motor or a chemical etching instrument motor, depending upon which is used to perform the controlled scan pattern.
The depreciative etching problems are due to the wafer being typically placed on a surround that is secured to a wafer retention stage. The wafer is registered to the surround, and hence to the wafer retention stage, by several tooled surfaces that are secured to the surround. The surround and the tooled surfaces are typically the same material type as the wafer to ensure a consistent chemical reaction between the surface material of the wafer and the plasma. However, a depreciative etching of the surround and the tooled surfaces occurs when the plasma emitting probe is extended outside the edge of the wafer during the turnaround steps. This depreciative etching results in an additional expenditure of capital and labor in replacing the damaged surround materials.
As described above, the use of the boustrophedon type scanning method in a chemical etching process results in both mechanical and depreciated material replacement problems. It is therefore desirable to use an optimal wafer surface scan method that does not result in either mechanical or depreciated material replacement problems in a chemical etching process.

Apparatus for optimally scanning a two-dimensional surface of one or more objects


A security system includes at least one audio sensor located at a premises that receives audio signals and converts the audio signals to digitized audio signals. A server is located remote from the plurality of premises and receives the digitized audio signals from each of the premises. A plurality of clients are in communication with the server, which is operative for selecting the client for receiving digitized audio signals for a selected premises. The client is operative for converting the digitized audio signals from the selected premises into audio for an operator that is monitoring the premises.

The assignee of the present invention, Sonitrol Corporation, provides security solutions using audio intrusion detection, access control, video monitoring and fire detection. These security systems allow 24-hour monitoring and are integrated into a single, easy-to-use system that is monitored by highly trained professionals at a central monitoring station. The security system incorporates verified audio detection, which allows a central monitoring station to monitor what is happening at a premises using sound detection.
Small analog audio sensors are strategically placed throughout a premises to allow an operator at the central monitoring station to hear the sounds of abnormal activity in the monitored premises or facility. When the security system is activated, the sounds of the break-in initiates a code that describes the location of the activated analog audio sensor, e.g., a microphone. Audio is transmitted to the central monitoring station. When activation occurs, a skilled operator hears the live audio from the monitored premises while pertinent customer data can be displayed on a computer screen for the operator to review and report.
Monitoring can occur 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The system can also include devices that permit ID badging with card readers, door contacts to indicate when doors are open at a time when they should not be open, for example, by unauthorized entry, and similar devices. In some systems, video cameras and fire detectors have been included in the overall security system. Audio signals are transmitted as analog signals from the audio sensor, e.g., microphone, through a wired control panel, and over the public switched telephone system to the central monitoring station. The analog system suffers drawbacks and is not always efficient.

System and method for monitoring security at a plurality of premises


The present invention relates to a call forwarding method for a web phone which connects to at least two networks and is mounted with at least two communication ports. According to the call forwarding method, if a call is received at the selective call forwarding mode, the call forwarding mode is checked. If the call forwarding mode is set, the web phone announces such to a calling party, receives a port for call forwarding from the calling party, and conducts the calling forwarding unless the port received from the calling party is not of a busy route. If the web phone is on the automatic call forwarding mode and receives a call, the phone forwards the call to a predetermined number after confirming that the predetermined port for call forwarding is not of a busy route.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to services provided by web phone system, and in particular, to a call forwarding method.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, the World Wide Web is used for information exchange using e-mails or relatively simple chatting programs, and recently, more people have been using a web phone for voice communication with another party over the Internet. The web phone is a terminal through which a person, besides making phone calls, can connect to the Internet through a phone interface like phone line, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network), and ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) or packet network like LAN (Local Area Network) and get services including information search, e-mail and so forth. These Internet phones and web phones work on the basis of VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) that is a support system capable of loading not only data but also voice by using IP (Internet Protocol), the level protocol of Internet network.
Phone communication through the Internet network allows people to make long distance calls like international calls only at the charge of local phone calls. This economic advantage accelerates the commercial use of the web phone. U.S. Pat. No. 6,125,126 to Hallenstål, entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVE CALL FORWARDING, issued on Sep. 26, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,381,320 to Creamer et al., entitled ACCESS TO EXTENDED TELEPHONE SER VICES VIA THE INTERNET, issued on Apr. 30, 2002 and PCT publication No. WO 01/39478 A1 to Joung, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TRANSMITTING COMMUNICATION SIGNALS THROUGH INTERNET AND A PUBLIC SWITCHED TELEPHONE NETWORK, published on May 31, 2001 contemplate call forwarding using internet phones or web phones. However, what is needed is a user friendly call forwarding method for calls placed to web and internet phones that 1) check to see if the internet phone has the call forwarding feature activated, 2) check whether it is at a time of day and on a day where call forwarding is activated, 3) check whether automatic or selective call forwarding mode is set, 4) enables the calling party to specify the route and the destination where the call is to be forwarded when in selective call forwarding mode, 5) provides visual displays and audio announcements to the calling party to guide the calling party through the call forwarding process and 6) determines if ring signals generated are greater than a predetermined frequency.


A new and distinct cultivar of Diascia plant named ‘Indiaimpab’, characterized by its compact and mounding plant habit; freely branching habit; dense and bushy growth habit; freely flowering habit; soft pink-colored flowers; and good garden performance.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Diascia plant, botanically known as Diascia barberae, and hereinafter referred to by the name 'Indiaimpab'.
The new Diascia plant is a product of a planned breeding program conducted by the Inventor in Gensingen, Germany. The objective of the breeding program is to create new compact and freely branching Diascia cultivars with early flowering habit, large flowers, attractive flower colors and good garden performance.
The new Diascia plant originated from a cross-pollination made by the Inventor in Gensingen, Germany in July, 2003 of Diascia barberae 'Pendan', not patented, as the female, or seed, parent with a proprietary selection of Diascia barberae identified as code number D 04 14-3, not patented, as the male, or pollen, parent. The new Diascia was discovered and selected by the Inventor as a single flowering plant from within the progeny of the stated cross-pollination in a controlled greenhouse environment in Gensingen, Germany in May, 2004.
Asexual reproduction of the new Diascia plant by vegetative cuttings in a controlled greenhouse environment in Gensingen, Germany since May, 2004, has shown that the unique features of this new Diascia plant are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.


The invention relates to an aqueous cleaning composition for wafers with copper wires that have been treated by chemical mechanical planarization in an integrated circuit processing, comprising 0.1 to 15 wt % of a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic organic base, 0.1 to 35 wt % of an alcohol amine and water. Upon contact with copper-containing semiconductor wafers that have been treated by chemical mechanical planarization for an effective period of time, the aqueous cleaning composition can effectively remove residual contaminants from the surfaces of the wafers, and simultaneously provide the copper-containing semiconductor wafers with a better surface roughness.

Semiconductor elements nowadays are developing toward the trend of smaller line width and higher integrated density. When the minimum line width of an integrated circuit is decreased below 0.25 μm, the time delay (RC delay) caused by the resistance of the metal wire itself and the spurious capacitance of the dielectric layer has become a crucial influence on the operation rate of the elements. Therefore, in order to increase the operation rate of the elements, currently copper metal wires have been gradually adopted in high-level processing below 0.13 μm to replace the traditional aluminum-copper alloy wires.
The application of chemical mechanical planarization technology in the copper metal wire processing may not only overcome the problem of patterns being difficult to define due to the difficulty of copper metal etching, but also form a plane with global planarity upon polishing, so that the multilayer wire processing may be easily carried out. The principle of chemical mechanical planarization is that mechanical wear is produced on the wafer surface by combining polishing particles in a polishing slurry with chemical aids, whereby the high site of the uneven surface has a high removal rate due to high pressure while the low site of the uneven surface has a low removal rate due to low pressure, and thereby the purpose of global planarity can be achieved.
Large quantities of fine polishing particles and chemical aids in the polishing slurry and the scraps peeled during polishing may attach to the chip surface during polishing of the chemical mechanical planarization. In general, the common contaminants found on the chips after polishing are metal ions, organic compounds and polishing particles and the like. If there is no effective cleaning procedure to remove the above-described contaminants, the subsequent processing will be affected, and the yield and the reliability of the elements will be decreased. Therefore, the cleaning processing after CMP polishing has become a crucial technology to determine whether CMP can be successfully applied in semiconductor processing.
In the polishing slurry used in copper processing, benzotriazole (BTA) and its derivatives and ascorbic acid are often employed as a corrosion inhibitor. In the contaminants found on the wafers after polishing in the copper processing, organic residues such as BTA, etc. are the most difficult to remove, mainly because the BTA particles are bonded on the copper wires by chemical adsorption. Physical removal methods such as static repulsive force, ultrasonic vibration and scrubbing with a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) brush etc., are traditionally used, but it is not easy to obtain a good cleaning effect.
Traditional inter layer/metal dielectric and W plugs that have been treated by chemical mechanical planarization are usually cleaned using ammonia solution and/or fluorine-containing compounds, but the above solutions are not suitable for the wafers of copper metal wires. The ammonia solution will unevenly corrode the surface of copper metal, resulting in coarsening. The fluorine-containing compounds will not only coarsen the copper surface but also cost more in terms of human safety protection and waste solution treatment in order to avoid doing harm to human health and to the environment.
A polishing composition that can effectively remove tantalum metal from a substrate is disclosed in Ina et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,763, which consists of polishing particles, an oxidant that can oxidize tantalum metal, a reducer that can reduce tantalum oxide (such as oxalic acid) and water. This polishing composition can further comprise piperazine (a nitrogen-containing heterocyclic organic base). According to Ina et al.'s teaching, the piperazine can be used on the surface of the copper layer during polishing to prevent the formation of surface impairment, such as recesses, dishing or erosion, which also can protect the polishing surface so as to achieve a mirror-like surface. However, the use of the piperazine in an aqueous cleaning solution employed in the post chemical mechanical planarization in the copper processing is not taught or suggested by Ina et al.
A method of removing chemical residues from a surface of a metal or dielectric layer is disclosed in Small, U.S. Pat. No. 6,546,939 (Taiwan Patent No. 396202), wherein an aqueous composition with a pH between 3.5 and 7 is placed in contact with the metal or dielectric layer for a period of time sufficient to remove the chemical residues. This aqueous composition comprises an organic acid having mono-, bi- or trifunctional groups, a buffering amount of a base of quaternary amine, ammonium hydroxide, hydroxylamine, hydroxylamine salt or hydrazine salt, and a choline hydroxide.
A cleaning agent is disclosed in Small et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,498,131. The cleaning agent consists of a nonionic surfactant, amines, quaternary amines and a surface retention agent selected from ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, polyethylene oxide and mixtures thereof, and is used to clean the residues of the chemical mechanical planarization processing.
A cleaning agent is disclosed in Naghshineh et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,492,308. The cleaning agent consists of tetraalkylammonium hydroxide, polar organic amine and a corrosion inhibitor, and is used to clean a copper-containing integrated circuit.
A cleaning agent is disclosed in Nam, U.S. Pat. No. 5,863,344. The cleaning agent consists of tetramethylammonium hydroxide, acetic acid and water, and is used to clean semiconductor elements, wherein the volume ratio of acetic acid to tetramethylammonium hydroxide is preferably 1 to about 50.
A method of cleaning a semiconductor substrate with copper wires on its surface is disclosed in Masahiko et al., U.S. Pat. No. 6,716,803. The cleaning agent used in this method comprises a surfactant and a nitrogen-containing alkaline substance.
A cleaning agent is disclosed in Ward et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,186. The cleaning agent consists of a water-soluble polar solvent, an organic amine and a benzene ring corrosion inhibitor, and is used to remove organic and inorganic substances.
A tetraalkylammonium hydroxide and/or a surfactant and/or a corrosion inhibitor are used as the components of the cleaning solution in the prior art as described above. Tetraalkylammonium hydroxides have a high volatility (a vapor pressure of 18 mm Hg at a temperature of 20° C.), high toxicity and strong odour. If it is not handled appropriately, it will cause damage to humans and the environment. The cleaning effect of the cleaning composition can be enhanced by way of adding the surfactant or changing the surface electrical property of the contaminant and/or the substrate, but this cannot act on contaminants produced by chemical adsorption. The corrosion inhibitor can protect the surface of copper metal during cleaning to avoid the excessive corrosion of the copper metal surface induced by the chemical substances in the cleaning composition. However, the corrosion inhibitor itself may remain on the surface of copper metal after cleaning, resulting in organic residues.
Therefore, the prior art as described above cannot meet the requirements for a cleaning solution used in post chemical mechanical planarization in copper processing in the industry. There is still a desire for an aqueous cleaning composition useful for post chemical mechanical planarization in the copper processing. This ideal composition would be one which is not highly volatile, has no odour, doesn't remain on the wafers after cleaning, and can effectively remove the residual contaminants from the surfaces of the copper process chips that have been treated by chemical mechanical planarization and provide the copper metal wires with a better surface roughness.

Aqueous cleaning composition for semiconductor copper processing