Formed on a p-type semiconductor substrate are bipolar transistors and CMOS transistors. A bipolar transistor has a base extraction electrode a side-surface of which is covered with an oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, and a polysilicon layer. A CMOS transistor has a gate electrode a side-surface of which is covered with an oxide layer, a silicon nitride layer, and a side-wall layer. The silicon nitride layer on the side-surface of the base extraction electrode is formed by the same fabrication step that the silicon nitride layer on the side-surface of the gate electrode is formed.

This invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit (SIC) apparatus formed of self-aligned, high-speed bipolar transistors, and CMOS transistors inseparably associated on a single body of semiconductor material, and to an associated fabrication method.
In recent years, mobile communication tools such as mobile telephones have made remarkable advances, and techniques capable of integration of high-frequency circuits and high-integration logic circuits in a single SIC are required. In other words, a technique is required which is capable of inextricably binding self-aligned, high-speed bipolar transistors suitable for, for example, high-speed ECL (emitter-coupled logic) circuits, and high-integration, low-power CMOS logic circuits, on a single semiconductor substrate.
There are various self-alignment techniques. For example, Japanese Patent Application, published under Pub. No. 63-281456, shows a self-alignment technique. In accordance with this technique, a transistor with a self-aligned base extraction electrode and a self-aligned emitter extraction portion and a CMOS transistor are placed on a single semiconductor substrate.
FIG. 8 is a cross section of an SIC apparatus made in accordance in a conventional self-alignment technique. 54 is a p-type semiconductor substrate of silicon. Formed on the silicon substrate 54 are three transistors of different types, i.e., an npn bipolar transistor 51, a p-channel MOS (PMOS) transistor 52, and an n-channel MOS (NMOS) transistor 53. 57 is a first well region of p-type which is formed as follows. An epitaxial layer of an n-type semiconductor material is deposited all over the substrate 54. Subsequently, a region for isolation between devices of the epitaxial layer is subjected to an ion implant step and to a thermal annealing step, whereupon the p-well region 57 is formed such that it extends down to the silicon substrate 54. 59 is a LOCOS (local oxidation of silicon) layer for isolation between devices. The npn bipolar transistor 51, the PMOS transistor 52, and the NMOS transistor 53 are described in detail by making reference to FIG. 8.
The structure of the bipolar transistor 51 is now explained. 55A is an n-type buried collector region that is formed in the substrate 54 by means of ion implant and thermal annealing. 56A is an n-type collector region formed by subjecting the n-type epitaxial layer deposited over the entirety of the substrate 54, to an ion implant step and to a thermal annealing step. 61 is an emitter-base formation region formed in a self-aligned manner. 62A is a base extraction electrode for the bipolar transistor 51 of polycrystalline silicon (polysilicon) that is p-doped. 63A is an insulator layer of TEOS or the like material formed on top of the electrode 62A. 64A, 64B, 64C, and 64D are insulator side-wall layers for the electrode 62A composed of TEOS or the like material. 65 is an emitter extraction opening that is formed in a manner of self-alignment with the side-walls layers 64B and 64C. 66 is an emitter extraction electrode formed of polysilicon that is n-doped. 67 is a collector extraction electrode formed of polysilicon doped to n-type. 68 is a graft base region doped with impurities by a thermal annealing step through the electrode 62A. 69 is an active base region formed by a thermal annealing step. 70 is an emitter region formed, by a thermal annealing step performed through the electrode 66, in a manner of self-alignment with the side-wall layers 64B and 64C. 71 is a collector contact region formed by a thermal annealing step.
The structure of the PMOS transistor 52 is now explained. 55B is an n-type buried well region formed in the substrate 54 by an ion implant step. 56B is an n-type well region formed in the epitaxial layer. 60A is a first gate insulator layer formed by oxidation of a surface portion of the epitaxial layer. 62C is a first gate electrode formed of polysilicon doped to n-type. 63C is an insulator layer of TEOS or the like material formed on top of the electrode 62C. 64E is an insulator side-wall layer of TEOS or the like material for the electrode 62C. 72A is a first LDD (lightly doped drain) region that is formed in a manner of self-alignment with a side-surface of the electrode 62C. 73A is a first source-drain region that is formed in a manner of self-alignment with the side-wall layer 64E by means of an ion implant step.
The structure of the NMOS transistor 53 is now explained. 58 is a second p-type well region formed in the epitaxial layer in such a way as to extend to the substrate 54. 60B is a second gate insulator layer formed by oxidation of a surface portion of the epitaxial layer. 62D is a second gate electrode formed of polysilicon doped to n-type. 63D is an insulator layer of TEOS or the like material formed on top of the electrode 62D. 64G is an insulator side-wall layer for the electrode 62D. 72C is a second LDD region that is formed in a manner of self-alignment with a side-surface of the electrode 62D. 73C is a second source-drain region that is formed in a manner of self-alignment with the side-wall layer 64G by means of an ion implant step.
For example, in the PMOS transistor 52, the side-surface of the electrode 62C and the side-wall layer 64E act as a side-wall in order that an LDD structure, which is capable of suppressing generation of hot carriers which causes deterioration in performance, is achieved.
In the bipolar transistor 51, the side-wall layers 64B and 64C are formed and self-aligned in the same fabrication step as the side-wall layer 64E. As a result of such arrangement, the dimensions of the emitter region 70 are reduced thereby reducing junction capacitance. The distance between the electrode 62A and the emitter region 70 is made short to reduce base resistance. The high-frequency characteristics are improved.
The distance between the graft base region 68 and the emitter region 70 (hereinafter called the FIRST PARAMETER) is a key factor for both the value of base resistance and the carrier transit time affecting the way in which the bipolar transistor 51 operates. For example, the distance between the electrode 62C and the source-drain region 73A (hereinafter called the SECOND PARAMETER) is a key factor for both the resistance to hot carriers and the saturation drain current value affecting the way in which the PMOS transistor 52 operates.
The above-described SIC apparatus, however, has some disadvantages. For example, FIRST and SECOND PARAMETERS are determined by the thickness of the side-wall layer 64B and the thickness of the side-wall layer 64E. It is extremely difficult to determine both the thickness of the side-wall layer 64B and the thickness of the side-wall layer 64E in a single fabrication step for optimization of operating characteristics. Conventionally, in order to guarantee the performance of the PMOS transistor 52, the side-wall layer 64E which determines an LDD structure tends to be optimized in preference to the side-wall layer 64B. Therefore, it is difficult to secure a sufficient fabrication processing margin.
Further, in the bipolar transistor 51, the thick side-wall layers 64B and 64C are formed around the perimeter of the emitter-base junction. As a result, when the side-wall layers 64B, 64C, the thermal capacity of which is great, cool down, resulting contraction stress is applied to the perimeter of the emitter-base junction. This causes a deterioration in emitter-base leakage characteristic. Additionally, when the emitter width becomes narrow because of the miniaturization, the aspect ratio of the opening 65 (the ratio of the opening's 65 height to its diameter) increases. This results in increase in the emitter resistance.

Semiconductor integrated circuit apparatus and associated fabrication


The present invention is to provide a method of managing power of a control box which, when powered on, causes a control module to perform the steps of running a power on management procedure to set a power on mode of each of a plurality of blade servers installed in the control box; measuring power consumed by the blade servers running in the power on mode; measuring power of a power supply; running a power consumption estimation procedure to determine whether the power of the power supply is larger than the power consumed by the blade servers, and determining whether a subsequent action should be continued by the control module based on the estimation.

A blade server is a flat server and comprises only a central processing unit (CPU) and a system controller. The blade server can be effectively incorporated into a large data center. A small control box is able to store ten or more vertically disposed blade servers. The control box comprises an intelligent system for providing relevant information to an internal resource store and for separating network based blade server resource from specific tasks or application programs being run on the blade servers. As a result, the use of the blade servers in the control box has a great flexibility.
The blade servers can be interconnected by means of a universal switch and can share a common element (e.g., integrated switch). In addition to the blade servers, the control box further comprises an internal control module for managing all available system resources in any time and assigning tasks to a specific blade server. While the above purpose can be achieved by several conventional servers, the employment of blade servers provides advantages of having an integrated network architecture, elements for supporting hot plug, and being capable of managing the architecture. All of the above advantages form a flexible platform for operation, make a future expansion easy and a high utilization possible, and reduce the cost of buying a server.
Many companies and internet service providers (ISPs) use several tens or hundreds low cost blade servers for meeting the needs of accessing the Internet. A blade server only occupies the space of a control box unit in a data center and has height of 1.75″ complying with a standard set by the art. The blade server is also called an IU server. The blade server can be packed in the control box as books arranged on a bookshelf. More CPUs are arranged in a single control box so as to establish a high density operating environment. This is because the CPU of blade server can consume less power and generate less heat as compared to the CPU of a well known server. Moreover, a heat dissipating and power system can be shared. Thus, a high efficiency still can be achieved in such small, operation-based architecture. Also, each control box has a set of network cable and power cord for facilitating cable and cord management. Moreover, all blade servers and other components in the control box can be replaced if such need arises. As an end, the maintenance of the whole platform is made easy.
Additionally, the most important characteristics of the blade server are high reliability and high expansibility. This is because there are many blade servers in the control box. The blade server itself has a backup capability in operation. Also, the control box can provide a high utilization because it can support hot plug of the blade server and system elements. Another blade server can immediately replace a malfunctioned one without interrupting service. Moreover, the blade servers in the control box can be grouped so that a user can set levels of backup depending on needs. For example, insertion of more blade servers into the control box can improve the total performance of the control box and optimize resource distribution.
In view of the above, the blade server can bring a great profit in a lowest potential risk. In other words, the blade server has the following benefits: (1) It has a high expansibility and reliability because the control box can support hot plug of the blade server and system elements. (2) Low power consumption and shared heat dissipating device. (3) Compactness. (4) It can separate system resource from specific tasks or application programs being run. (5) Low cost.
Thus, it is desirable for a distributed blade server arrangement to provide following features as improvements of the blade server continue. These features comprise dynamically providing a powerful operational capability to each application program as required, and a more advanced, simple management for coping with unexpected load variation and peak load, increasing efficiency of system manager, decreasing the possibility of human errors, effectively operating equipment, lowering power consumption, determining whether a power supply can provide a sufficient power to the whole system in any of different combinations of blade servers, controlling the switching of each blade server for optimizing power supply, and prolonging a useful life of the power supply.


A method and an apparatus for repelling ants and other insects positions design flow of insulated DC current in design proximity to targeted areas (1), facilities, equipment and AC electrical devices occupied by or likely to be occupied by the ants and other insects. The apparatus includes a DC ant and insect repeller having an insulated electromagnet conductor wire (2) with electromagnetic windings (3) charged with predetermined flow of DC electricity. Charge of DC electricity is predetermined for causing cyclic heat of 140° F. from electrical resistance within a range of 50-to-90 ohms in the electromagnetic windings. A flow cycler (26) cycles current on-and-off to prevent the repeller from being a heater of a cold place or a heater in opposition to an air-conditioner or desirable weather temperature while also minimizing use of electricity for repelling the ants and other insects.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to repelling ants and insects with direct electrical current (DC).
2. Relation to Prior Art
Invasion of ants and other insects into human environment and mechanisms has been a chronic problem of civilization. Particularly representative of this problem is swarming of ants on electrical AC switches, equipment, control panels and other AC devices to which they appear to have innate attraction. Oilfield equipment, air conditioners and electrical-control panels are particularly vulnerable and often expensively damaged as a result. Additionally, armies of ants, termites, roaches and bugs will, if not stopped, come from landscape that is desirable to them and to humans.
Preventing the invasion of ants and other insects by electrocuting them with electrical traps is known. For such electrocution, current from an input pole is directed through their bodies to an outlet pole. Not known or used previously, however, is positioning design DC current in design proximity to targeted areas occupied by or likely to be occupied by the ants and other insects for repelling them in a manner taught by this invention.
Related but different prior art is known to include the following:
DisclosurePatent NumberInventorDateU.S. Pat. No. 4,869,015Murakami, et al9/26, 1989U.S. Pat. No. 5,280,684Filonczuk1/25, 1994U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,879Ott9/24, 1996U.S. Pat. No. 5,732,503Cheng3/31, 1998


Methods, system, and computer storage media are provided for moderating actions performed on shared data objects. Rule enforcement logic is received for an application that is associated with one or more data objects shared between various clients. The rule enforcement logic is stored at a data server that also stores data associated with data objects. A moderator, also stored on the data server, is used to enforce the rule enforcement logic corresponding to the application when a client attempts to perform an action to a data object associated with the application.

With improved connectivity and access of computers and other devices to various networks, it has become commonplace for different programs, or clients, to share access to the same information, such as data objects. Sharing of data objects enables the sharing of information in real-time across multiple, disparate clients, such as machines that are running multiple pieces of technology. With the sharing of data object comes the inevitable issue of access to the data objects, including who is allowed to modify the data and what modifications are allowed. In many systems, logic to enforce various rules is stored by each client, which leaves the system vulnerable to a rogue client bypassing checks and invalidating or tampering with the data. Further, the client itself could monitor its own shared data, but this is likely to prove to be prohibitively expensive for that client. Additionally, it may be challenging for a developer to accurately revert a disallowed modification once it has already been propagated to all clients that share access to that particular data object since the old values may no longer be saved in the system.


The gas lift flow surveillance device has a paddle having a rod with a target attached to one end and a paddle block attached to the opposite end. The paddle block is pivotally disposed within a surveillance device housing body. A contact extending from the paddle block exerts pressure against a strain input area of a load cell. The load cell has a machine-readable millivolt output that changes according to a strain input from the paddle. A bottom section of the housing body has a bore defined therein that receives a threaded hex nipple, the rod passing through the nipple. The threaded hex nipple is adapted for attachment to a flow pipe National Pipe Thread (NPT) aperture for attaching the surveillance device to a flow pipe with the target in the fluid flow path.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to flow meters and sensors for measuring the flow of a fluid through a conduit, and particularly to a gas flow surveillance device for the measurement of dynamic pressure in a gas lift flow operation, frequently used in oil drilling rigs.
2. Description of the Related Art
Many oil and gas exploration and production companies need to enhance the recovery of oil from wells that do not have sufficient pressure to produce without the aid of an artificial lift system. Typically, these companies use gas lift as the artificial lift to produce the well. Gas lift processes generally involve injecting gas down into an oil well. The gas aerates the oil and other fluid in the well, until the fluid exerts less pressure than the formation, so that the pressure exerted by the formation lifts the fluid in the oil column for removal at the well head. The gas is subsequently removed from the fluid. In order to optimize the production of oil using gas lift, it is necessary to continuously monitor flow rates, including any flow rate in the well bore.
Existing technology that may be deployed in this application includes intrusionary multiphase or mass flow meters, or non-intrusionary ultrasonic flow meters. These devices are generally far too expensive to be deployed in a production company environment.
Additionally, the intrusionary type devices usually offer an insufficient maximum working pressure for offshore applications, where a working pressure requirement of 5,000 psi or greater is required for instrumentation on a well's flow line. Other problems related to the aforementioned devices include the added burden of piping fabrication and construction, making installation cost prohibitive.
Moreover, the use of traditional differential flow measurement technology and products in a gas lift flow environment would introduce burdensome maintenance requirements due to the dirty nature of the flow stream, which would cause plugging of the sensing lines.
There exists a need to have an alternative gas lift flow surveillance device that does not introduce the aforementioned problems, yet is compatible with existing flow data acquisition technologies, such as Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) software running on Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs), Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), and the like.
Thus, a gas lift flow surveillance device solving the aforementioned problems is desired.


A multiple coil staple is provided which includes a backspan and a pair of spaced legs. The backspan includes one or more pockets configured to induce coiling of the legs of the staple. A multiple coil staple applier is also provided which includes a pusher having a distal face defining a staple engagement surface and one or more staple deforming pockets. Each staple deforming pocket is configured to induce coiling of the legs of a staple. The multiple coil staple and staple applier facilitate joining of tissues having wider ranges of thicknesses using a single size staple.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates to a fastener and a fastener applier. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a staple and/or staple applier with structure for curling or coiling staple legs to facilitate joining of tissues having varying thicknesses.
2. Background of Related Art
Surgical staples and stapling instruments are well known in the surgical arts and have become critical to many life saving surgical procedures. The use of stapling instruments for applying staples to join tissue or tissue segments in a fast and efficient manner has obviated the time consuming step of manually suturing tissue or tissue segments in these surgical procedures, e.g., anastomoses procedures. The reduced time required to perform these surgical procedures using surgical stapling instruments has resulted in reduced trauma and risk to patients.
Typically, a surgical staple includes a backspan and a pair of spaced legs. The legs are driven through tissue and into an anvil to deform the staple into a desired configuration, e.g., B-staple, to effect hemostasis of tissue or tissue segments. One problem associated with known staples and staple appliers is that the staples are dimensioned or sized to fasten tissue segments of a given tissue thickness or fasten tissue segments within a predetermined narrow range of thicknesses. Neither the staple nor the staple applier is adapted to deform or reconfigure a staple to facilitate effective hemostatis of tissues having thicknesses outside the predetermined range for a particular size staple.
Accordingly, a continuing need exists in the field of surgery for a surgical staple and/or staple applier which can adapt or reconfigure a surgical staple in a manner which is suitable for use in fastening tissue having a wider range of thicknesses.


Improved process for producing a polybenzimidazole compound in solution by dissolving a fully dried polybenzimidazole of the following general formula (1) or (2) in N,N-dimethylacetamide of a sufficiently reduced water content at an elevated temperature of 260.degree. C. or higher in an inert gas atmosphere and a solution of the polybenzimidazole compound produced by the process. The solution remains useful for an extended time without using metal salts or any other stabilizers: ##STR1## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.5 are tetra-, di- and trivalent aromatic groups, respectively; R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.6 are each independently a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an aryl group; n is an integer of 2 or more.

Heat- and chemical-resistant resins typified by polybenzimidazole compounds are difficult to dissolve into solution and it is a common practice to mold the resins after being melted at elevated temperatures but this has limited the range of the applications with polybenzimidazole. Even if the resins are dissolved into special organic solvents, their solubility becomes low with the lapse of time due to association of polybenzimidazole molecule and other factors and, particularly in case that the concentration of the polybenzimidazole compounds is comparatively high, association of polybenzimidazole easily occurs and, as a matter of fact, the shelf life of the solution is very short, only ranging from several days to one or two weeks. In specialty applications, the shelf life of the solution can be extended by incorporating metal salts and other stabilizers into the solution, however, for most electronic devices, the incorporation of metallic components is not preferred since they will deteriorate the device characteristics significantly. In particular, the characteristics of semiconductor and display devices are greatly affected by metallic impurities and the use of the solutions of polybenzimidazole compounds has been very limited in these applications.
Under the circumstances, it has long been desired to develop polybenzimidazole compounds in solution that have comparatively long shelf lives without using stabilizers such as metal salts.

Polybenzimidazole compounds in solution and a process for the preparation thereof


A pneumatic tire including a plurality of protrusions and a plurality of recesses of at least one tire side portion. The protrusions are formed as convexities having a longitudinal shape in a predetermined direction. A region including the protrusions is provided on an outermost side in a tire radial direction. A region including the recesses is provided inward in the tire radial direction of the region including the protrusions.

Technical Field
The present technology relates to a pneumatic tire and particularly relates to a pneumatic tire by which air flow around a tire can be improved.
Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-260376A describes a conventional pneumatic tire including both a plurality of concave portions (recesses) and a plurality of convex portions (protrusions) throughout a tire circumferential direction and a tire radial direction in a predetermined region of a tire outer side surface for the purposes of effectively reducing air resistance around the tire and improving the fuel economy of a vehicle on which the tire is mounted.
Additionally, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-30547A describes a conventional pneumatic tire including a plurality of concave portions (dimples) and convex portions (pimples) as agitators on a tire outer side surface (outer surface of side portions) for the purpose of preventing reduction in durability caused by heat buildup.
With the pneumatic tires described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-260376A and Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2010-30547A, it is recited that turbulent flow (agitation of air) around the tire is generated by the concave portions when the vehicle is traveling, and an increase in the effects of generating turbulent air (agitation effects) is sought by the convex portions. That is, the concave portions are described as portions that cause turbulent flow or agitate the air, and the convex portions are described as portions that promote the turbulent flow or agitation of the air.


An exhaust monitoring cup which measures exhaust gas flowing through a top opening in a coater cup of a spin coating apparatus used in the deposition of photoresist coatings on semiconductor wafers. The exhaust monitoring cup includes a gas flow cup which is positioned in fluid communication with the top opening of the coater cup. The exhaust gas flows through a gas flow opening in the gas flow cup, and a flow rate measuring apparatus at the gas flow opening receives the exhaust gas and measures the flow rate thereof. The flow rate of the gas leaving the gas flow cup can be compared to the flow rate of the gas flowing from an exhaust conduit leading from the bottom of the coater cup, to facilitate detection of abnormal conditions in the coater cup or exhaust conduit.

The present invention relates to coater cups for spin coating apparatuses used to coat a photoresist on a semiconductor wafer substrate in the fabrication of semiconductor integrated circuits. More particularly, the present invention relates to an exhaust monitoring cup for monitoring the flow rate of exhaust gases emitted from a coater cup during a spin coating operation.


A device for monitoring changes in airflow rates through detector dust filters in addition to assessing air for alarm indicators, including smoke, heat, gas, and relative humidity, is provided. A method monitors airflow through the detection device and provides a maintenance indication when the airflow has been reduced due to contamination of the dust filters.

Ambient condition detectors have been found to be useful in providing an indication of the presence or absence of the respective condition being detected. Smoke detectors, for example, have been found useful in providing early warning of the presence of airborne particulate matter such as smoke.
Air condition detectors generally have vents that are located within housings, whereby ambient air circulates into and out of the housing in response to movement of the adjacent atmosphere. Heating/Ventilation/Air-conditioning (HVAC)-type duct detectors, alternatively, often sample airflow behind additional internal dust filters, which help to minimize dirt or dust related false alarms. When clean, these filters serve to reduce undesirable dust particles from activating the alarm, while still allowing a steady rate of air to flow through the detection mechanism. However, dust filters periodically and chronically become clogged over time and in such an event, airflow becomes reduced or eliminated.
In other situations, reduced airflow may be due to normal operating conditions and not the result of dust filter contamination. In large commercial buildings, for example, air circulation is often achieved by centralized heating and cooling systems, and the building control systems may be programmed to alter airflow in response to preset schedules. Hence, there may be times of minimal or no circulation, such as during evenings or weekends, which may be falsely indicative of contamination from the filter.
The ability of ambient air condition detectors to operate effectively depends to some degree on the capacity to sample consistent and representative samples of the environmental air. However, in certain scenarios as mentioned above, the ability to sample air becomes compromised as the filters therein become progressively contaminated.
Therefore, there continues to be a need for devices and methods to monitor airflow and allow supervision of internal dust filters by providing a maintenance indication means when the airflow has been reduced due to contamination. It is also desirable to provide an airflow detection arrangement that is able to sample the airflow through the air filter relative to ambient airflow conditions so as to allow for environmental compensation in assessing airflow restriction due to clogged filters.

Detector with dust filter and airflow monitor


Provided is a 5,6-diaryl-2-pyrazyl triflate, its synthetic method, and a method for synthesizing an organometallic complex having a triarylpyrazine ligand from the 5,6-diaryl-2-pyrazyl triflate. The triflate is readily obtained from the corresponding 5,6-diarylpyrazin-2-ol, and the palladium-catalyzed coupling of the 5,6-diaryl-2-pyrazyl triflate with an arylboronic acid derivative leads to a high yield of a triarylpyrazine derivative having high purity. The use of the triarylpyrazine derivative in the reaction with a metal compound such as a metal chloride results in an ortho-metallated organometallic complex with high purity. The high purity of the organometallic complex contributes to the extremely high durability of a light-emitting element.

1. Field of the Invention
One embodiment of the present invention relates to a novel method for synthesizing an organometallic complex such as an organoiridium complex. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a novel method for synthesizing a triarylpyrazine derivative. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to 5,6-diaryl-2-pyrazyl triflate used for the above synthesis methods. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a light-emitting element, a light-emitting device, an electronic device, and a lighting device each including an organometallic complex synthesized by the above synthesis method.
Note that one embodiment of the present invention is not limited to the above technical field. Specifically, examples of the technical field of one embodiment of the present invention disclosed in this specification include a semiconductor device, a display device, a liquid crystal display device, a light-emitting device, a lighting device, and a method for manufacturing any of them.
2. Description of the Related Art
A light-emitting element in which an EL layer is provided between a pair of electrodes is a self-luminous light-emitting element in which carriers (holes and electrons) are injected from the pair of electrodes by application of an electric field and recombined in the EL layer to generate energy, so that light is emitted.
An organic compound is mainly used as an EL material for an EL layer in a light-emitting element and greatly contributes to an improvement in the characteristics of the light-emitting element. For this reason, novel organic compounds improved from various angles have been developed. When the organic compound contains impurities such as a halogen element, the characteristics of the light-emitting element deteriorate. To solve this problem, element characteristics are improved by reducing impurities by purification by sublimation (e.g., Patent Document 1).

Synthesis method of organometallic complex, synthesis method of pyrazine derivative, 5,6-diaryl-2-pyrazyl triflate, light-emitting element, light-emitting device, electronic device, and lighting device

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


A signal analyzer resource monitors a signal in a downstream channel of a shared physical communication link. In response to detecting presence of wireless interference coupling onto the signal received in the downstream channel, the signal analyzer resource communicates a feedback message to a management resource (or other suitable resource) over an upstream channel of the shared physical communication link. The message indicates the presence of the wireless interference. According to a more specific configuration, the signal analyzer resource can be configured to: detect a type of modulation used to modulate data on a signal received in a channel over a shared cable network; map the detected type of modulation to a corresponding set of configuration values; and utilize the corresponding set of configuration values as a basis to monitor and/or detect a presence of wireless interference on the channel. The signal analyzer resource can mitigate affects of interference.

Conventional cable networks have long been used to distribute content over physical communication media such as coaxial cables, fiber optic links, etc., to multiple subscribers in a cable network environment. Typical distribution of content includes modulating a signal in accordance with QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) encoding and then transmitting the modulated QAM signals to multiple subscribers over the physical communication medium. Signals are typically transmitted over the physical communication media are encoded in multiple different channels using multiple RF (Radio Frequency) oscillation rates.
There is currently is no interference mitigation technique built into set-top boxes or subscriber domains (where the set-top boxes reside) to compensate for interference caused by wireless network signals such as those associated with LTE (Long Terminate Evolution) networks. In general, LTE is a wireless network that operates in the same frequency bands as many cable operators. For example, the majority of LTE deployments in the United States are currently taking place in two frequency bands such as band 13 (DL 746-756 MHz, UL 777-787 MHz) for Verizon™ and Band 17 (DL 734-746 MHz, UL 704-716 MHz) for AT&T™, both of which are within operating frequencies used by the cable operators.
Propagation and attenuation characteristics of wireless 700 MHz signals are very different from wireless signals at higher frequencies. For example, these relatively lower frequency signals travel further and are less attenuated by structures, distance, etc., than are higher frequency wireless signals. Thus, presence of such signals in an environment can have a greater interference impact.
Additionally, user operated wireless mobile devices that transmit around this frequency range (e.g., 700-800 MHz) may be located in close proximity to a respective set-top box in a subscriber domain (where the set-top box resides), increasing a likelihood of possible interference with signals transmitted in a coaxial cable. Circuitry in the set-top box that processes the signals may be susceptible to wireless interference as well.
In certain instances, an output from a LTE base station can substantially interfere with signals in a physical cable or set-top box. It is further noted that LTE technology uses so-called Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) in a respective downlink. This means LTE signals also have a higher peak-to-average ratio (crest factor) than other cellular technologies. Generally speaking, a signal with a higher crest factor will lead to more ingress interference (on radio frequency cable signals) as the wireless signal energy is concentrated in a smaller portion of the allocated bandwidth.
Note that LTE is only one source of possible wireless interference that can affect communications. Other sources of interference can include wireless transmissions in accordance with wireless communication standards (such as GSM—Global System for Mobile Communications, AWS_Advanced Wireless Services, UMTS—Universal Mobile Telecommunications System, etc.) used to transmit data in a wireless environment.

Mitigation of wireless signal interference


A chin and neck exercising device made from foam and which may be in the shape of a ball is disclosed. One half of the ball may be made from one type of foam and the other half of the ball may be made from another type of foam. In this way, different resistance is provided to the person using the device. The device also has a side which is cut-out so that the device is contoured to fit under the person's chin and rest on his or her neck and clavicle. The cut-out area is covered with fabric so as to provide a better grip and to prevent perspiration from contacting the ball. Various exercises may performed by the person in order to tone and strengthen his or her chin and neck muscles. While the device has been described as being formed in the shape of a ball, other sizes and shapes may be used.

The present invention is directed toward a chin, neck, and face exerciser and more particularly, toward a device which improves muscle tone in the chin and neck areas.
As people become older their bodies start to change. One typical sign of change is sagging and flabby skin in the chin and neck areas. Such a condition is the result of underlying muscles losing their tone due to aging and/or lack of proper exercise. The muscles elongate and droop or sag. This condition also causes wrinkles.
One way of controlling this condition is cosmetic surgery commonly known as a "face-lift." This procedure is effective in tightening facial skin. However, as a result of such tightening, the skin must support the underlying muscle. If this muscle lacks tone, it is lengthened and becomes droopy. Since the skin is not adapted to support the underlying muscles, this creates an even stronger tendency for the skin to droop. While such a method is a quick fix, it is temporary. That is, the process of drooping and wrinkling gradually starts again and the surgery must be repeated. Furthermore, this surgical procedure does not strengthen or tone muscles.
Exercise is one well known way which is effective in toning and strengthening muscles in the arms and legs. The same is also effective in strengthening the muscles of the chin and neck. Besides which, exercising provides long-term results, is inexpensive, simple, and healthier than cosmetic surgery.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,556,357 discloses a face, neck, and chin exerciser where the device includes an elastic member placed within a person's mouth. The mouth is exercised through the use of tension. That is, when the mouth is moved into various positions, for example, an "O" shape and a smile, the elastic member changes the degree of tension and thereby exercises the muscles in the face, chin, and neck. Various exercise routines may be used with this device. This device, however, is invasive and may irritate the person's gums and the insides of his or her mouth.


A multiple position ball stud assembly for a closure strut supporting a closure pivotally attached adjacent to an opening, and a method of operation, is disclosed. The ball stud assembly may comprise a ball stud and a ball stud actuator. The ball stud may have a socket portion mounted on a closure lift assist strut and a guide pin extending from the socket portion. The ball stud actuator assembly may include a housing, a guide for receiving the guide pin, and an actuator for moving the guide pin along the guide to thereby cause the ball stud to move relative to the housing. The multiple position ball stud assembly may also include a control assembly that engages the actuator for selectively causing the actuator to move the guide pin along the guide.

The present invention relates generally to closures employing closure lift assist struts to maintain closures in open positions, and assist with opening and closing of the closures.
Rear closure assemblies (e.g., hatches, deck lids, lift gates, and lift glass) for vehicles often have pressurized gas struts that assist in pivoting the closure into its open position, as well as holding it open to allow for accessing of the rear compartment. The pressures of the piston and cylinder assemblies, as well as the mounting location of the ball joints on each end of these struts must be designed to balance opening efforts and hold open force with closing efforts, often compromising all three. This is particularly difficult given the temperature ranges in which the struts must operate, and over the long life of the vehicle.

Multiple position ball stud for closure strut


Apparatus, methods and computer program products implement a channel-aware approach for controlling a relay network operative in a wireless communications system wherein weighting matrices are used at a MIMO-capable source electronic device and at the relays where at least one of the weighting matrices is selected or derived using knowledge of channel components of at least one channel link, where the channel link may be from the relays to the destination antennas of the destination device; or from source antennas of the MIMO-capable source device to the relays, or from the source antennas of the MIMO-capable source device to the destination antennas of the destination device. In one approach weighting matrices applied at the source and relay nodes are selected from a predetermined codebook of weighting matrices in dependence on monitored channel conditions. Alternatively, the weighting matrices may be determined using an eigenvalue decomposition and power allocation (e.g., water-filling) approach by using the effective channel correlation matrix possibly combined with the use of the noise correlation matrix.

In future wireless communications system (such as, for example 4G, IEEE 802.16j, IEEE 802.11 mesh networks, cognitive radio, etc.) relays nodes will play an increased role. Efforts have been made in the prior art to obtain a significant performance gain using multiple relay nodes. However, those skilled in the art seek further improvements. In particular, those skilled in the art seek methods, apparatus and computer program products that use available information to achieve further improvements in performance.

Apparatus, method and computer program product for determining transmit weights in relay networks


A rigid coupler having an upper surface, a lower surface and four sides, the coupler incudes a lower portion, an upper portion mateable with the lower portion, at least one inlet defined by the upper and lower portions, and at least one outlet defined by the upper and lower portions.

There are generally speaking, two different types of bed sheets commonly purveyed in the market. There are "fitted sheets," which have a built in elastic or other structure to hold a sheet to a bed, and there are "unfitted sheets," which comprise a layer of fabric to be tucked under the corners of a mattress, or the like. Fitted sheets typically follow the contours of a specific bed more than do unfitted sheets. The former is designed to contract around the contours of a mattress, while the latter is typically tucked under the mattress as tightly as possible. In both cases, one usually must lift at least the corners of the bed and tuck the fabric between a base of a bed and a mattress. This can be strenuous work and is difficult for those of little strength, such as the elderly or handicapped. Further, for hotels, hospitals, and the like, time spent by employees in making up beds is expensive. Additionally, even properly mounted fitted sheets may loosen during the night. This is inconvenient and may be even dangerous when the sheets are used in cribs, or other sleeping structures for infants and children.
What is needed in the art is a way to have a tightly fitting sheet around a bed which is simple to manufacture, inexpensive to procure, and which reduces the time spent in covering a bed with a sheet. Additionally, a method of manufacturing such devices with consistent quality is needed.

Flexible material tightener with resilient coupler


A method for generating an accurate adaptive clock is disclosed. The method includes accessing data at a first clock rate, generating an adaptive clock that has an adaptive clock rate that is based on the arrival rate of said data, accessing data related to the first clock rate and the adaptive clock rate. The adaptive clock rate is adjusted based on a determined relationship between the first clock rate and the, adaptive clock rate.

Circuit Emulation over IP (CEoIP) is a technology that provides a circuit like relationship to systems that are coupled together via the Internet. Because the coupled systems do not share a common clock source, it is necessary to derive an adaptive clock. Limitations on the accuracy of clocks derived using adaptive clock algorithms determine the type of communication that is possible between systems that employ such.
There are inherent limitations to the accuracy of a clock derived using adaptive clock algorithms. One such limitation is clock wander. Clock wander is an inherent consequence of adaptive clock derivation. While a limited amount of clock wander is fine for many applications, certain applications such as mobile wireless applications require a more accurate clock.
Standard algorithms for generating an adaptive clock rely on packet arrival versus departure characteristics as a means to derive the clock. For example, technologies such as the Bora Bora Network Module uses an algorithm that compares the average dejitter buffer levels identified within a given period to derive the clock.
In order to meet conventional wander specifications a clock accuracy of 15 parts per billion or better is required. One serious drawback of conventional methodologies is that network behavior can cause occasional errors in the calculations. It should be appreciated that network effects can be excluded from the calculations to a certain extent by using a large number of samples. However, the number of samples cannot be increased beyond a certain limit as such increases would increase the time taken for computation and which in turn would increase the wander.

Methods and systems for generating an accurate adaptive clock


The method of forming a photoresist pattern defining a contact hole. A photoresist pattern that defines an opening therethrough is provided over a semiconductor substrate surface. Then, a layer of water-soluble organic over-coating material (WASOOM) is coated over the photoresist pattern including the opening thereof. Next, the resulting structure is flowed to shrink the size of the opening. After the resist reflow, WASOOM is removed. Thus, using the methods of the present invention, a photoresist pattern capable of forming a 0.18 xcexcm (and below) contact hole can be formed using an inexpensive conventional optical lithography system. Further, because WASOOM is water-soluble, WASOOM can be substantially completely removed from the photoresist pattern using a simple cleaning process, i.e., water rinse, after baking for resist reflow. Thus, the process steps are simplified and the problems such as the difficulty in CD control and the environmental issues are avoided.

1. The Field of the Invention
This invention relates to fabrication of semiconductor devices and, more particularly, to a method of forming a photoresist pattern using a resist reflow technique.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to ever-increasing density in ULSI (ultra-large-scale integration) circuits, various techniques have been proposed to overcome the limits of the present semiconductor fabrication technology. For example, reduction in size of a contact hole has been actively pursued below the resolution limits of the current optical lithography technology.
To form a contact hole, optical lithography technology has been conventionally used to form a photoresist pattern 100. Using the photolithography technique, patterns of a mask are transferred onto a photoresist applied on a semiconductor substrate 102 including an insulating layer. The photoresist is subjected to development after patterns are transferred thereto. Thereafter, the underlying insulating layer is etched using the developed photoresist pattern.
In recent years, however, the minimum feature size of the advanced ULSIs has reached the resolution limits of the conventional optical lithography technology. For example, it is known that i-line lithography technology is adequate for forming a contact hole having a minimum feature size of over 0.30-0.35 xcexcm. Thus, with current i-line or Krf optical lithography systems, the minimum feature size below sub-0.18 xcexcm would be very difficult to achieve.
There have been attempts to solve the resolution problem. Particularly, the extension of the optical lithography technology for sub-0.18 xcexcm contact hole lithography has been attempted. These attempts include: 1) Phase shift mask (PSM) technology, 2) Off-Axis illumination (OAI) technology, 3) resist reflow technology and 4) a multi-layer resist process.
Among these technologies, the resist reflow technology is potentially an excellent candidate because of its simplicity. One such resist reflow technology is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,022,932. In this technology, upon exposure to a vapor of a solvent, the photoresist flows apertures in the photoresist layer as a result of the increase in the volume of the photoresist and the decrease of the viscosity of the photoresist. As a result, the area of the apertures can be reduced. However, critical dimension (CD) control is very difficult in this technology because severe overhang often results in the photoresist contact hole pattern, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Worst case, the photoresist contact hole pattern could collapse at high temperatures. Another resist reflow technology is described in an article by Takahiro Yamauchi et al, entitled xe2x80x9c0.2 xcexcm Hole Pattern Generation by Critical Dimension Biasing Using Resin Overcoat,xe2x80x9d Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. Vol. 35 (1995) pp. 6615-6626, Part 1. No. 12B, December 1995. That method, illustrated here in FIG. 2, uses i-line resist and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). First, a novolak-based photoresist hole pattern 14xe2x80x2 is formed on a semiconductor substrate 16, using resist coat/bake, and image expose/develop as illustrated. Then, PMMA 18 is coated over the photoresist hole pattern 14xe2x80x2 by spin coating. Next, the resulting structure is baked to form an interfacial layer 20 between PMMA 18 and the hole pattern 14xe2x80x2. The interfacial layer is formed of a mixture of PMMA and the novolak resin. This interfacial layer defines the critical features. Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, using deep-UV flood exposure and xylene rinse, pure PMMA is stripped. The interfacial layer 20 remains on the side walls of the photoresist hole pattern 14xe2x80x2, thereby shrinking the diameter of the photoresist hole pattern 14xe2x80x2. The interfacial layer 20 consequently functions as an etching mask to form a contact hole during a contact hole etching process.
Unfortunately, in this method, the cleaning steps for removing PMMA by deep-UV flood exposure and xylene rinse have made the overall process very complicated. In addition, by-product particles indicated by B undesirably left on the interfacial layer after the cleaning steps, and the difficulty of controlling the formation of the interfacial layer itself render the control of critical dimension (CD) very difficult. Further, because xylene is highly toxic, the use of xylene can cause various environmental problems. For these reasons, the method described in FIG. 2 has not been practically implemented.
More recently, Mitsubishi and Clariant developed contact hole shrinking methods, called RELACS (Resolution Enhancement Lithography Assisted by Chemical Shrink), which is described in an article by Takashi Kanda et al, entitled xe2x80x9c100 nm Contact Holes Using Resolution Enhancement Lithography Assisted by Chemical Shrink,xe2x80x9d Microlithography World, Autumn 1999. This method uses organic chemical material that thermally cross-links with protons remaining on the walls of the patterned photoresist. This cross-linked area defines the critical features. However, many additional baking steps and photoresist development steps are also required in this method. Further, because the degree of cross-linking is not easily controlled, there have been problems in CD control. Also, undesirable reactants are left on the side walls of the photoresist pattern, which adversely affects controlling CD. For these reasons, practical implementation of the above-described resist flow technologies has not yet been very successful.
Accordingly, a need exists for a simplified and more practical method of forming a photoresist pattern for highly integrated ULSI circuits under the 0.18 xcexcm design rule (and below) using the resist reflow technique. Particularly, a need exists for a method allowing precise CD control using conventional optical lithography equipment such as an inexpensive i-line lithography system.
The present invention relates to a method of forming a photoresist contact hole pattern using water-soluble organic over-coating material (WASOOM). According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, a photoresist pattern that defines an opening therethrough is provided over a semiconductor substrate surface, which can include an insulating layer. Then, a layer of water-soluble organic over-coating material (WASOOM) is coated over the photoresist pattern including the opening thereof. Next, the resulting structure is flowed to shrink the size of the opening. After the resist reflow, WASOOM is removed simply by a hydrophilic-solution such as DI water. Eventually, the insulating layer is etched to form a contact hole therein, using the shrunken-opening photoresist pattern as an etching mask.
Thus, using the methods of the present invention, a photoresist pattern capable of forming a minimum feature size of 0.18 xcexcm and below can be formed using a conventional optical lithography system.
Further, because WASOOM is water-soluble, WASOOM can be substantially completely removed from the photoresist pattern using a simple cleaning process, i.e., water rinse, after baking for resist reflow. During the reflowing step, the WASOOM plug limits reflow of resist into the opening. Thus, the process steps are simplified and the problems such as the difficulty in CD control and the environmental issues are avoided.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Method of forming a photoresist pattern using WASOOM


A cooking appliance with a glass-ceramic hob having a plurality of cooking zones at least one of which cooking zones is designated as a rapid cooking zone. The cooking zones can be heated essentially by electrically operated heating devices, and the rapid cooking zone is formed by a ceramic hot plate integrated into the glass-ceramic hob.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a cooking appliance with a glass-ceramic hob or cooktop having a plurality of cooking zones, at least one of which cooking zone is designed as a rapid cooking zone.
2. Background Information
Cooking appliances with glass-ceramic hobs are known and have been described in sufficient detail in the patent literature. In such known cooking appliances, the cooking zones are generally heated by means of electrically operated or gas-operated heating devices arranged below the glass-ceramic hob in the region of the cooking zones. These devices may be, for example, electrically operated contact or radiant heating elements or even radiant gas burners.
The cooking appliances with a full-surface flat covering of the hob with a plate made of glass-ceramic have known features of convenience. These features include, in particular, their pleasant appearance and versatility of design, which pleasant appearance and versatility of design can be adapted in an ideal manner to a respective kitchen design with highly variable patterns and coloring. It is also possible to clean the flat plate easily and without difficulty. The plate can, likewise, be used as an additional work surface or a secure place for setting things down. However, the delayed transmission of heat through the plate to the product to be heated in conjunction with a correspondingly lower utilization of energy or efficiency of the heating medium and thus the resulting longer duration up to the boiling point is often considered to be a disadvantage.
In the case of a cooking appliance with gas-operated heating devices, German Patent No. 42 27 672 C2 proposes to overcome the disadvantages described above by the use of at least one open atmospheric gas burner in addition to the customary radiant gas heating elements arranged below the hob. Open atmospheric burners transmit the heat directly and rapidly to the product to be heated, which results in short times to the boiling point. Moreover, the rapid adjustability of open atmospheric gas burners is known and appreciated within the user group. A cooking appliance fitted with at least one "rapid cooking zone" of the type described above thus combines in one unit the advantages of a cooking appliance with a glass-ceramic hob, as described above, with those of a cooking appliance with open atmospheric burners.
A comparable solution would also be desirable in the case of cooking appliances with electrically operated heating devices.

Cooking appliance, such as a stove, with a glass-ceramic hob or cooktop with a rapid cooking ring or hotplate


A climbing wall assembly having wall panels to form free-standing, wall-mounted or a combination climbing wall assembly. The climbing wall assembly further has novel handhold structures constructed to be used with removable elements to form a challenge course.

The present invention relates generally to climbing wall assemblies. Particularly, the invention relates to climbing wall assemblies utilizing cooperating structures and devices, including fixed and freestanding climbing wall structures, to form challenge climbing courses using novel hand hold structures, flexible noodle-like members, magnetic flag pegs and wall panel bolt covers.
Artificial climbing and bouldering walls are increasingly used due to physical fitness awareness and interest in climbing and bouldering sports. Climbing wall assemblies are also being provided to introduce children to the climbing sports in a safe, convenient and educational manner. Various devices have also been introduced to make climbing for children a fun and educational experience. Exemplary climbing wall assemblies and devices are disclosed in Applicant's pending U.S. patent application having Ser. No. 10/236,728, filed on Sep. 6, 2002, and in the patent application entitled Safety Mat Securement Assembly having Ser. No. 60/545,543 filed on Feb. 18, 2004, the teachings of both being fully incorporated by reference herein.
It is desirable to provide climbing wall assemblies in various indoor and outdoor locations, for example in a gym, a playground area, a classroom, etc. It is further desirable to provide a moveable climbing wall assembly or movable portions of a climbing wall assembly which are easily assembled, disassembled and then removed and stored or transported, particularly when space is limited. The freestanding climbing wall assembly of the present invention provides a climbing wall structure that may be quickly assembled in a plurality of arrangements including a totally freestanding climbing wall structure to allow climbing completely around the structure. The wall assemblies are constructed and arranged to be easily assembled, disassembled, transported or stored.
It is also desirable to incorporate the ability to create an obstacle-type courses on a climbing wall, to thereby make climbing fin and challenging to the users. The obstacle or challenge course of the present invention provides novel hand hold structures and cooperating elongated polymeric or foam noodle members so that students may climb under, over, around and/or through the noodle members extending from and between the hand holds.
It is also desirable to allow climbers, particularly young climbers, to play games and participate in initiative tasks on the climbing wall. Magnetic flag pegs are provided to be used in cooperation with the wall assemblies of the present invention so that such games and tasks may be executed by young climbers through placing, moving, grabbing and tossing the various magnetic flag pegs.
It is also desirable to provide an aesthetically pleasing climbing wall structure. Bolt covers are provided by the invention to cover the bolts or fastener used to secure the climbing wall panels. For example, recessed and non-recessed bolts are provided to secure and mount climbing wall panels to an existing wall or other substructure. Panel bolt covers of the present invention are provided to match the panel surface and to give the climbing wall a uniform look.


A seeding apparatus plants seed in the ground with a minimum soil disturbance. A base plate is provided which is supported for sliding movement along the ground and which includes a plurality of seed apertures formed therein. A metering system meters seed from a seed hopper to the seed apertures. Reciprocating push-rods subsequently push the seed through the seed aperture to a prescribed depth below a surface of the ground. As the seed remains in contact with moist soil below the surface of the ground, rapid germination results without concern for seed runoff when seeding sloped surfaces.

There are many applications where it is desirable to have uniform and full grass covering the ground. Playing surfaces in many sports in particular require uniform density of grass sprouts for proper performance thereon. It is common practice therefore to seed thinning areas on various playing surfaces, for example golf greens and the like so as not to interfere with playing of the sport thereon. Due to the high use of the playing surfaces in these instances, it is desirable to seed thinning patches with a minimum disturbance of the soil so as to minimize cost resulting from inactivity on the playing surface.
There are many seeding machines in the agricultural marketplace, but most are disc or hoe-type implements which cut or route a slot in the soil into which the seed is dropped. These types are not suitable for turf grass seeding because excessive disturbing of the prepared seed bed. Also it is not possible to make the rows close enough together so that quick fill in is possible. In conventional turf grass seeding, a smooth seed bed is first prepared. A convention drop seeder is then used to scatter grass seed evenly on the surface. Thereafter frequent watering to keep the soil moist ensures that the seed will germinate and thrive. The frequent watering however tends to wash the seed down off the slopes and leaves bare spots which must be reseeded. Furthermore without constant attention with frequent watering, there is a tendency for the soil to dry out a surface where the seed is deposited so that the seed cannot germinate.
Among the following patents, U.S. Pat. No. 3,186,495 to J. Gijzenberg, U.S. Pat. No. 3,240,175 to W. V. Clow, U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,670 to Vissers, U.S. Pat. No. 4,122,784 to Joswig, U.S. Pat. No. 4,38,871 to van de Lely, U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,655 to Magda, U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,291 to Pogue, U.S. Pat. No. 6,273,197 to Marlow and UK patent 2,233,537 to SisIs Equipment (Macclesfield) Limited, various examples of seed related devices are described, however in each instance, considerable soil disturbance results. Furthermore each of the devices is generally complex involving numerous interacting moving parts requiring costly and time consuming maintenance.


A digital receiver (114) converts a received signal into a speech signal. The digital receiver (114) includes circuitry (128) and a noise generator (130). The circuitry (128) generates an error signal indicative of a quality level of the received signal. The noise generator (130), responsive to receiving the error signal, selectively inserts noise into the speech signal.

Digital cellular telephones permit telephonic communication between users thereof. Digital cellular telephones employ a digital receiver that receives radio frequency (RF) signals and converts the RF signals to extract a data signal. The data signal is supplied to a vocoder which decodes the data signal, generates a speech signal therefrom, and outputs the speech signal for use by a user. RF signals may become corrupted prior to, and during, reception. Corrupted RF signals may result in a corrupted data signal and a severely degraded speech signal.
The digital data signal extracted by the digital receiver, by its nature, lacks background noise unlike that present in traditional analog receivers. As such, a traditional digital receiver does not produce noise in association with a corrupted speech signal. Traditional digital receivers alert the user to corrupted speech by letting the user hear distorted speech, issuing a special bad reception tone, or muting the speech. In these instances, the user can not tell if telephonic communication has ended, the receiver has become inoperative, the antenna of the telephone needs reorienting, or the like.
A better approach to alerting the user of a digital receiver to corrupted speech is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,457 by Leopold, assigned to Motorola Inc. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,457, a background noise signal is generated based on a low signal level of received RF signals. The background noise signal is added to the speech signal to improve user ambiance by making the digital receiver sound more like analog receivers with which users are more familiar. However, signal level is not always the best indicator that speech will be corrupted. For example, interference can cause corruption in receive RF signals without reducing signal level.
Therefore, it would be beneficial to carry the concept of U.S. Pat. No. 5,327,457 further by providing an improved apparatus and method for generating noise in a digital receiver.

Apparatus and method for generating noise in a digital receiver


The present invention discloses a method to increase reliability, correctness of objects recognition processing by performing a recognized object description as a set of special standard elements along with the spatial and parametrical correlation thereof. The said standard elements are preliminarily assigned graphic structures of elementary form and of easy identification and recognition. They may be provided with spatial and/or parametric details and thus may describe any object on the image including characters of text.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to character recognition on a bit-mapped binary image or other binary or raster images and more particularly to recognition of non-text and/or text objects on the document image.
The abovementioned methods are also used in forms recognition. Said forms combine portions of typographical and hand-written text along with a set of special reference points meant for orientating on the document or form. Some examples of forms are questionnaires, bank invoices of fixed or non-fixed field layout.
Said methods can be also used for the recognition of objects of any pre-defined kind on a bit-mapped image.
2. Prior Art
Segmentation and parsing methods are known in the art.
Today there is a number of known methods of image recognition on a bit-mapped image by performing a comparison between an obtained image in the form of initial image units aggregate (commonly pixels) and a model image of the whole object or a set of possible object's embodiments stored in a special reference means usually termed classifier.
A known group of methods of text recognition comprises parsing the document into parts presumably containing images of letters with the further comparison of said images with those stored in one or more special feature and/or raster classifiers.
The said method is disclosed, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,680,479 (Oct. 21, 1997, Wang, et al.).
A similar method is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,684,891 (Nov. 4, 1997, Tanaka, et al.). The document describes a method of image parsing that enables to pick out a separate character images, which in the author's opinion makes the process more reliable. The character image as an aggregate of pixels is then compared with the model from a classifier.
A shortcoming of the method is that it uses full-sized images and full-sized models for comparison, which inevitably reduces the productivity of the process.
Therefore, the target of the present invention is to increase the reliability of objects recognition, to increase the noise immunity.

Method of graphical objects recognition using the integrity principle


A liquid azo dye represented by the formula: ##STR1## (wherein, A stands for a phenylene group which may have a substituent, n is o or 1, Cp is a pyrazolone derivative residue or a naphthol derivative residue, X is --NH-- or --COO-- and R is an alkyl group having 3 to 12 carbon atoms).

Conventionally, as ink used for writing and recording on a material to be recorded, such as paper, or for ink-jet printing, various dyes or pigments which are dissolved or dispersed in liquid medium or binder have been used.
The ink obtained by dispersing organic pigment in a solvent has advantage in excellent fastness such as light fastness. However, the pigment in this ink deposits or agglomerates with time and special treatment in dispersion process is therefore necessary.
Oil ink obtained by dissolving a dye in an organic solvent (e.g. hydrocarbons) is more profitable as it does not require such troublesome dispersion process. In this ink, however it has recently been desired that the organic solvent is changed to alcohols or glycols which are low toxicity to human body and therefore the dye has excellent solubility with alcohol.
As the dyes which satisfy such demand as much as possible, there are known various alcohol soluble dyes, for instance, a salt of basic dye and acid dye, a basic dye treated by fatty acid etc., a metal complex dye having a water soluble group such as a sulfonic group or an acid dye treated by an organic amine. However, the oil ink using the above listed alcohol soluble dyes (for instance, amine salt dye of acid yellow 23, 42; acid red 73, 180; direct blue 87; acid black 52 or salt-forming dye using basic dye such as auramine, rhodamine, victoria blue, methyl violet, etc.) are not satisfactory in regard to stability of ink and fastness of written image (light fastness, water resistance etc.), resulting in that the dye deposits with time or the ink increases viscosity when environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity change.

Liquid azo dye and ink composition containing the same


Inductive energy from the coil of an electromagnetic actuator is stored in capacitive network at a relatively high voltage when the actuator is deenergized. When the actuator is energized, the capacitive network is coupled to the coil thereby releasing the stored energy at a high voltage to the coil.

Electrical actuators including motors and solenoids are used in numerous applications to provide controlled translation of mechanical components. All such actuators comprise, in one form or another, at least one electrical coil characterized by inductive and resistive electrical parameters. Mechanical response time of an actuator to energization of the coil, hereafter pull-in response, is often limited by the time required to develop current in the coil since the force acting on the actuator is proportional to the current. Generally, high force generating coils--that is to say solenoid structures characterized by relatively numerous coil turns--have slower current rise times due to the proportional correspondence between coil turns and inductance.
As a practical matter, all systems have a limitation on the source voltage which comprises the forcing function for the current development in accord with natural and forced response characteristics of the energized circuit. For example, in conventional automotive applications, the source voltage and hence the forcing function is substantially 12 volts. The inductive and resistive electrical parameters of the electrical coil together with the source voltage parameter therefore limit the response of the actuator.
Another characteristic of electrical actuators of the inductive variety presents certain challenges for mechanical response of the actuator upon deenergization of the coil. The energy stored in the coil due to the current flowing therethrough while energized requires management to prevent overvoltage damage to solid state drive circuitry and to ensure adequately swift dissipation in applications where minimization of mechanical response time of the actuator to deenergization of the coil, hereafter drop-out response, is an objective of the system. Known techniques for inductive current management include use of anti-parallel diode arrangements for dissipating the inductive energy. Generally, however, faster actuator drop-out response is achieved with faster energy dissipation which, of course, requires robust snubber diode arrangement.
As can be seen, performance shortfalls exist at both ends of an energization cycle for electrical actuators of the inductive variety.

Apparatus and method for improving response time of electromagnetic actuators


There is provided a liquid crystal display including (a) a backlight source having a dominant emission peak at 380-420 nm, (b) a first polarization layer for selecting a light directed in a predetermined direction among lights emitted from the backlight source, (c) a second polarization layer for receiving a light selected by the first polarization layer, (d) first and second transparent substrates, (e) first and second transparent electrodes, (f) a liquid crystal layer, and (g) a fluorescent material layer receiving lights from the backlight source and emitting a light therefrom. The second polarization layer is located intermediate between the first and second transparent substrates. The backlight source, the first polarization layer, the first transparent substrate, the first transparent electrode, the liquid crystal layer, the second transparent electrode, the second polarization layer, the fluorescent material layer, and the second transparent substrate are preferably deposited from bottom to top in this order. The above-mentioned liquid crystal display makes it possible to reduce the number of transparent substrates by one relative to a conventional liquid crystal display, which ensures higher brightness and no parallax.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a liquid crystal display, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display for accomplishing color expression.
2. Description of the Related Art
A liquid crystal display is a light-receiving device, and generally has a structure of a pair of transparent electrodes, liquid crystal sandwiched between the transparent electrodes, and a pair of polarization plates situated at front and rear of the display. As a light source is usually employed a light source emitting white lights.
In order to accomplish color expression in such a liquid crystal display, color filters of red (R), green (G) and blue (B), which are three primary colors, are prepared, and white lights emitted from a light source are allowed to pass through liquid crystal or not by selectively turning the liquid crystal on or off. The white lights allowed to pass the through liquid crystal enter the color filters at their rears, and exit the color filters as red, green or blue lights. The color filters are usually arranged in a mosaic pattern or a striped pattern. For instance, a liquid crystal display employing color filters is suggested in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publications No. 60-37591 published on Feb. 26, 1985, No. 60-84580 published on May 13, 1985, and No. 3-36518 published on Feb. 18, 1991.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional liquid crystal display for accomplishing color expression.
The illustrated liquid crystal display is comprised of a backlight source 201 located at the bottom, which emits white lights, a first polarization layer 2 selecting a light directed in a predetermined direction among backlights emitted from the backlight source 201, and a second polarization layer 7 receiving a light selected by the first polarization layer 2. Between the first and second polarization layers 2 and 7 are sandwiched, in this order from bottom to top, a first transparent substrate 3 composed of transparent material such as glass, a first transparent electrode 4 composed of indium-tin-oxide (ITO), liquid crystal 5, a second transparent electrode 6, an overcoat layer 14 composed of transparent resin, color filters 202 of red, green and blue, and a second transparent substrate 9.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, red, green and blue color filters R, G, and B are regularly arranged, and light-impermeable layers 13 are formed between the color filters 202. The light-impermeable layers 13 are arranged differently in dependence on how the liquid crystal display is driven. Some of liquid crystal displays are designed to have no light-impermeable layers 13. The color filters 202 may be situated differently from FIG. 1. For instance, the color filters 202 may be situated on or above the second polarization layer 7. The first and second polarization layers 2 and 7 are usually comprised of a polarizing element such as iodine and dye which provides dichroism, a polarizing base substrate for arranging and fixating polarizing elements, such as polyvinyl alcohol, and a substrate for supporting the polarizing base substrate at either sides, such as triacetyl cellulose.
A triple channel tube is usually employed as the backlight source 201, and the color filters 202 are required to have spectral transmission factor characteristic consistent with emission spectrum of the backlight source 201.
FIG. 2 illustrates an example of spectral transmission factor of color filters and emission profile of a backlight source. In a liquid crystal display employing color filters for accomplishing color expression, an efficiency of utilizing a light is decreased, as illustrated in FIG. 2, because white lights emitted from a backlight source pass through the color filters. Hence, lights having passed through the color filters have an intensity about one-third smaller than an intensity of the white lights originally emitted from the backlight source. Thus, there is caused a problem that the lights leaving the color filters become quite weak.
In order to solve this problem, there have been suggested liquid crystal displays employing fluorescent material in place of color filters. One of such liquid crystal displays is suggested in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 8-62602 published on Mar. 8, 1996. The suggested liquid crystal display includes a backlight source emitting blue lights having a wavelength in the range of 380 nm to 420 nm, in place of a backlight source emitting white lights, and fluorescent materials excited by blue lights emitted from the backlight source and emitting lights of various colors.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the liquid crystal display suggested in the above-mentioned Publication. The illustrated liquid crystal display includes a backlight source 1 emitting blue lights having a wavelength in the range of 380 nm to 420 nm, a first polarization layer 2, a first transparent substrate 3, a first transparent electrode 4, liquid crystal 5, a second transparent electrode 6, a second transparent substrate 9, a second polarization layer 7, a mirror 301 through which lights pass from the rear, a fluorescent material layer 8, and a third transparent substrate 302, which are deposited from bottom to top in this order.
The fluorescent material layer 8 is comprised of a first fluorescent material 10 emitting red lights, a second fluorescent material 11 emitting green lights 11, a third fluorescent material 12 emitting blue lights, light-impermeable layers 13 situated between the first to third fluorescent materials 10, 11, and 12, and an overcoat layer 14 covering the first to third fluorescent materials 10, 11 and 12 therewith. The first to third fluorescent materials 10, 11 and 12 are regularly arranged, and are excited with the blue lights having a wavelength in the range of 380 nm to 420 nm and emitted from the backlight source 1.
The mirror 301 is provided for directing lights forwardly only. Without the mirror 301, lights having passed through the fluorescent materials 10, 11 and 12 are scattered in all directions. Lights emitted from the backlight source 1 pass through the mirror 301, and are reflected only forwardly by the mirror 301.
Since this liquid crystal display does not employ color filters, it is possible to avoid lights from being decayed due to color filters, ensuring greater brightness.
In fact, the liquid crystal display suggested in the above-mentioned Publication does not include the first and second transparent substrates 3 and 9. Hence, it is not limited in the above-mentioned Publication as to whether the second polarization layer 7 is located between the first and second transparent substrates 3 and 9, or located outside the first and second transparent substrates 3 and 9.
However, since a conventional liquid crystal display employs a polarizing plate as a polarization layer, it is necessary to position the second polarization layer 7 outside both the first and second transparent substrates 3 and 9, as illustrated in FIG. 3, and hence, it is not allowed to position the second polarization layer 7 between the first and second transparent substrates 3 and 9. Thus, above the liquid crystal 5 are located two transparent substrates 9 and 302, which would generate parallax.
In view of the foregoing problems in the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display ensuring greater brightness and no parallax.
There is provided a liquid crystal display including (a) a backlight source having a dominant emission peak at 380-420 nm, (b) a first polarization layer for selecting a light directed in a predetermined direction among lights emitted from the backlight source, (c) a second polarization layer for receiving a light selected by the first polarization layer, (d) first and second light-permeable substrates, (e) first and second light-permeable electrodes, (f) a liquid crystal layer, and (g) a fluorescent material layer receiving lights from the backlight source and emitting a light therefrom, the second polarization layer being located intermediate between the first and second light-permeable substrates.
It is preferable that the backlight source, the first polarization layer, the first light-permeable substrate, the first light-permeable electrode, the liquid crystal layer, the second light-permeable electrode, the second polarization layer, the fluorescent material layer, and the second light-permeable substrate are deposited from bottom to top in this order.
It is preferable that the backlight source emits blue lights.
It is also preferable that the fluorescent material layer includes a first fluorescent material emitting red lights in response to lights emitted from the backlight source, a second fluorescent material emitting green lights in response to lights emitted from the backlight source, a third fluorescent material emitting blue lights in response to lights emitted from the backlight source, the first to third fluorescent materials being arranged in a line, and light-impermeable layers located between the first to third fluorescent materials.
The fluorescent material layer may further include an overcoat layer composed of light-permeable resin and covering the first to third fluorescent materials therewith
For instance, the second polarization layer may be formed by the steps of forming a fluorescent material layer on a light-permeable substrate, forming an overcoat layer over the fluorescent material layer, applying orientation to the overcoat layer, forming a layer containing photosensitive liquid crystal and dichroism pigment on the overcoat layer, and emitting a light to the layer to cure the photosensitive liquid crystal. In the above-mentioned case, the orientation is preferably rubbing.
As an alternative, the second polarization layer may be formed by the steps of forming a fluorescent material layer on a light-permeable substrate, forming an overcoat layer over the fluorescent material layer, forming a layer on the overcoat layer, which layer contains polymer and dichroism pigment which is isomerized on receiving a light, and emitting a polarized light to the layer.
The second polarization layer may be formed by the steps of forming a fluorescent material layer on a light-permeable substrate, forming an overcoat layer over the fluorescent material layer, forming a layer on the overcoat layer, which layer contains photosensitive polymer and dichroism pigment, and emitting a polarized light to the layer.
There is further provided a liquid crystal display including (a) a backlight source having a dominant emission peak at 380-420 nm, (b) a first polarization layer for selecting a light directed in a predetermined direction among lights emitted from the backlight source, (c) a second polarization layer for receiving a light selected by the first polarization layer, (d) first and second light-permeable substrates, (e) first and second light-permeable electrodes, (f) a liquid crystal layer, and (g) a fluorescent material layer receiving lights from the backlight source and emitting a light therefrom, the first and second polarization layers being located intermediate between the first and second light-permeable substrates.
It is preferable that the backlight source, the first light-permeable substrate, the first polarization layer, the first light-permeable electrode, the liquid crystal layer, the second light-permeable electrode, the second polarization layer, the fluorescent material layer, and the second light-permeable substrate are deposited from bottom to top in this order.
There is still further provided a liquid crystal display including (a) a backlight source having a dominant emission peak at 460-470 nm, (b) a first polarization layer for selecting a light directed in a predetermined direction among lights emitted from the backlight source, (c) a second polarization layer for receiving a light selected by the first polarization layer, (d) first and second light-permeable substrates, (e) first and second light-permeable electrodes, (f) a liquid crystal layer, and (g) a fluorescent material layer receiving lights from the backlight source and emitting a light therefrom, the second polarization layer being located intermediate between the first and second light-permeable substrates.
It is preferable that the backlight source, the first polarization layer, the first light-permeable substrate, the first light-permeable electrode, the liquid crystal layer, the second light-permeable electrode, the second polarization layer, the fluorescent material layer, and the second light-permeable substrate are deposited from bottom to top in this order.
It is preferable that the backlight source emits blue lights, in which case, the fluorescent material layer may preferably include a first fluorescent material emitting red lights in response to lights emitted from the backlight source, a second fluorescent material emitting green lights in response to lights emitted from the backlight source, a transparent film passing therethrough lights emitted from the backlight source, the first and second fluorescent materials and the transparent film being arranged in a line, and light-impermeable layers located between the first and second fluorescent materials and the transparent film.
There is yet further provided a liquid crystal display including (a) a backlight source having a dominant emission peak at 460-470 nm, (b) a first polarization layer for selecting a light directed in a predetermined direction among lights emitted from the backlight source, (c) a second polarization layer for receiving a light selected by the first polarization layer, (d) first and second light-permeable substrates, (e) first and second light-permeable electrodes, (f) a liquid crystal layer, and (g) a fluorescent material layer receiving lights from the backlight source and emitting a light therefrom, the first and second polarization layers being located intermediate between the first and second light-permeable substrates.
It is preferable that the backlight source, the first light-permeable substrate, the first polarization layer, the first light-permeable electrode, the liquid crystal layer, the second light-permeable electrode, the second polarization layer, the fluorescent material layer, and the second light-permeable substrate are deposited from bottom to top in this order.
In the liquid crystal display in accordance with the present invention, a polarization layer including fluorescent materials is situated between a pair of light-permeable substrates. This arrangement ensures that the liquid crystal display in accordance with the present invention has light-permeable substrates smaller by one in the number than a conventional liquid crystal display. Hence, there is accomplished a liquid crystal display having greater brightness and no parallax.

Liquid crystal display with polarization layer interior to substrates


Providing quantum file permissions is disclosed herein. In one example, a quantum computing device includes a permissions database that stores permissions information for a plurality of quantum files. A quantum file permissions service, executing on a processor device of the quantum computing device, receives from a requestor a permissions query for a permissions status (i.e., a read permission indicator, a write permission indicator, and/or an execute permission indicator, as non-limiting examples) of a quantum file including a plurality of qubits. In response, the quantum file permissions service accesses permissions information for the quantum file from the permissions database. The quantum file permissions service uses the permissions information from the permissions database to determine a permissions status of the quantum file. The quantum file permissions service then sends a response to the requestor indicating the permissions status of the quantum file.

Quantum computing involves the use of quantum bits, referred to herein as "qubits," each of which has properties (such as superposition and entanglement) that differ from those of non-quantum bits used in classical computing. As quantum computing continues to increase in popularity and become more commonplace, an ability to programmatically manipulate quantum files comprising a plurality of qubits will be desirable.

Systems and methods for quantum file permissions


A low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) driving apparatus is disclosed, which comprises an LVDS output circuit to output an LVDS differential signal; a switch circuit coupled to the LVDS output circuit to control the phase of the LVDS differential signal; and a reference current control circuit to provide a control voltage to the LVDS output circuit such that the magnitude of the LVDS differential signal is determined based on the control voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a low voltage differential signaling (LVDS) driving apparatus, and more particularly, to a LVDS driving apparatus with low operation power.
2. Description of Related Art
FIGS. 1 and 2 show a conventional configuration of an LVDS driving circuit. The conventional LVDS driving circuit sets in the receiving end 17 includes four transistors 10, 11, 12, 13, and two current sources 14, 15, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The ON/OFF status of the transistors 10 and 13 are controlled by the control signals S1, and that of the transistors 11 and 12 are controlled by the control signals S2. When the control signal S1 is LOW and S2 is HIGH, transistors 11 and 12 are ON and transistors 10 and 13 are OFF. Thus, a downward current is produced at the resistor 16 of the output-end 17 and an output logic "1" is produced based on the download current, as shown in FIG. 1. When the control signal S1 is HIGH and S2 is LOW, transistors 11 and 12 are OFF and transistors 10 and 13 are ON. Thus, a upward current is produced at the resistor 16 of the output-end17 and an output logic "0" is produced based on the upload current, as shown in FIG. 2.
However, the power source VDD of the conventional LVDS driving circuit has to meet the limitation that VDD>ΔV14+ΔV15+IrefRL+ΔV11+ΔV12, wherein ΔV14 and ΔV15 are voltage drop of the current sources 14 and 15 respectively, and ΔV11 and ΔV12 are drain-to-source voltage drop of the transistors 11 (or 10) and 12 (or 13) respectively. That is, the minimum operational power VDD of the LVDS driving circuit must be no smaller thanΔV14+ΔV15+IrefRL+ΔV11+ΔV12, which is a relative large operational power requirement in a common integrated circuit. In addition, a complicated control circuit is needed to precisely control the current sources 14 and 15 such that the output current of the current sources 14 and 15 can be substantially the same.

Low voltage differential signaling driving apparatus


A method for assembling a gas turbine engine includes coupling a low-pressure turbine to a core turbine engine, and coupling a counter-rotating fan assembly including a first fan assembly and a second fan assembly to the low-pressure turbine such that the first fan assembly rotates in a first direction and the second fan assembly rotates in an opposite second direction.

This invention relates generally to gas turbine engines, and more specifically to gas turbine engine assemblies and methods of assembling the same.
At least some known gas turbine engines include a forward fan, a core engine, and a power turbine. The core engine includes at least one compressor, a combustor, a high-pressure turbine, and a low-pressure turbine coupled together in a serial flow relationship. More specifically, the compressor and high-pressure turbine are coupled through a shaft to define a high-pressure rotor assembly. Air entering the core engine is then mixed with fuel and ignited to form a high energy gas stream. The gas stream flows through the high-pressure turbine, rotatably driving it, such that the shaft that, in turn, rotatably drives the compressor.
The gas stream expands as it flows through the low-pressure turbine. The low-pressure turbine rotatably drives the fan through a low-pressure shaft such that a low-pressure rotor assembly is defined by the fan, the low-pressure shaft, and the low-pressure turbine. To facilitate increasing engine efficiency, at least one known gas turbine engine includes a counter-rotating low-pressure turbine that is coupled to a counter-rotating fan and/or a counter-rotating booster compressor.
To assemble a gas turbine engine including a counter-rotating low-pressure turbine, an outer rotating spool, a rotating frame, a mid-turbine frame, and two concentric shafts, are installed within the gas turbine engine to facilitate supporting the counter-rotating turbine. The installation of the aforementioned components also enables a first fan assembly to be coupled to a first turbine and a second fan assembly to be coupled to a second turbine such that the first and second fan assemblies each rotate in the same rotational direction as the first and second turbines. Accordingly, the overall weight, design complexity, and/or manufacturing costs of such an engine are increased.

Gas turbine engine assembly and methods of assembling same