A mask inspection apparatus includes: an electron gun for generating an electron beam; an exposure mask for shaping the electron beam into a predetermined cross-sectional shape; means for scanning the electron beam shaped by the exposure mask; means for selecting and transmitting part of the shaped electron beam, which selecting means includes a thin film having a small transmission aperture transmitting the electron beam scanned by the scanning means and includes a thick substrate having an opening larger than the small transmission aperture and a thickness greater than that of the thin film; and means for detecting the electron beam passed through the selecting means and outputting a current signal. The detecting means includes: a reflective body for reflecting the electron beam selected by the selecting means; and a detector for detecting the electron beam reflected by the reflective body.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mask inspection apparatus, a mask inspection method, and an electron beam exposure system, which inspect an electron beam exposure mask.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In lithography processes for semiconductor integrated circuits and the like, patterns formed on masks are exposed to light and transferred onto wafers. If a mask has a defect, the shape and the like of a pattern transferred onto a wafer becomes abnormal. Accordingly, the mask needs to be inspected.
Heretofore, a pattern of an exposure mask has been inspected by making a comparison with a predetermined reference image using an optical microscope or making a comparison between actual image data on the mask pattern observed using an SEM or the like and a predetermined reference image.
Further, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-227932 discloses a technique for performing an inspection by applying a converged electron beam to a mask, converting the electron beam passed through the mask into light, and converting an optical image obtained by conversion to light into an image signal using a CCD camera to obtain an image of the mask.
Incidentally, in the case where an exposure mask is inspected using a microscope or the like, the exposure mask is detached from an electron beam exposure system, set on the microscope or the like, and then inspected. Accordingly, an inspection process takes a long time, and there is a risk of damaging the mask when the mask is detached or mounted or a risk of allowing dusts and the like to adhere to the mask.
Moreover, the method disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-227932, a mask is inspected using a dedicated mask inspection apparatus. The mask cannot be inspected in the state where the mask is attached to an electron beam exposure system. Thus, there are similar problems such as damage to the mask and the contamination of the mask.

Mask inspection apparatus, mask inspection method, and electron beam exposure system


The invention relates to a control device for triggering a semi-conductor switch of an inverter, the control device comprising: a switching signal amplification device, which is designed to amplify a switching signal generated by a control regulation of the inverter, and to generate a first switching control signal that triggers the semi-conductor switch in a switching mode; a current regulation device, which is coupled to a current sensor output of the semiconductor switch and is designed to generate a second switching control signal that triggers the semi-conductor switch in a linear mode; and a selection device, which is coupled to the switching signal amplification device and the current regulation device and is designed to output, on the basis of at least one mode selection signal, either the first switching control signal or the second switching control signal in order to trigger a control terminal of the semi-conductor switch.

The present invention relates to a control device for semiconductor switches of an inverter and a method for driving an inverter, in particular for operating an inverter in an emergency discharge mode.
Electric and hybrid vehicles often have electronic power switching components in the drive system between the fraction battery and the electric machine, which are generally designed as voltage-source inverters. A DC voltage intermediate circuit acts as a coupling element between the fraction battery and an inverter which can be driven for transmitting electric power from the DC voltage intermediate circuit to the electric machine.
Inverters can, for example, be designed as a full bridge circuit having a number of bridge arms, each having two semiconductor switches. The semiconductor switches of the bridge arms connected to a first output terminal of the DC voltage intermediate circuit can be designated as high-side switches, and the semiconductor switches of the bridge arms connected to the second output terminal of the DC voltage intermediate circuit can be designated as low-side switches. For example, IGBT (insulated-gate bipolar transistor) modules having a diode which is reverse-connected in parallel or MOSFETs (metal-oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors) can be used as semiconductor switches.
To drive the inverter, controls are used which generate switching signals for the semiconductor switches. In the event of a fault, various requirements are placed on the controls for reasons of safety. For example, it may be necessary to short-circuit the motor windings of the electric machine safely in the event of a fault. This can be achieved by closing all high-side switches and opening all low-side switches (or vice-versa), which is also referred to as an "active short circuit."
In addition, in the event of a fault, it is necessary to discharge the DC voltage intermediate circuit rapidly and reliably, in particular, if there is a failure of supply voltages in the control. This can be achieved via an emergency discharge. An emergency discharge of this kind is normatively requested within a maximum emergency discharge time of five seconds in order to be able to ensure the electrical operating safety of the vehicle.
The publication US 2005/0231171 A1 discloses an electrical drive system having an electric motor, a pulse-width-modulation inverter, and an intermediate-circuit capacitor. The intermediate-circuit capacitor can be discharged in a controlled manner via an appropriate switching operation of the pulse-width-modulation inverter.

Method and device for discharging an inverter capacitor


An optical filter used for modifying the spectral power distribution of high color temperature lamp to simulate CIE standard daylight illuminant. The optical filter comprising a heat-absorbing glass plate, a heat insulation washer, a longpass glass plate, and one or more spectral modification glass plate in series. The longpass glass plate and the heat absorbing glass plate determine the wavelength range, and the spectral modification glass plate(s) modify the spectral power distribution of the high color temperature halogen lamp. The CIE daylight simulators with the optical filter have very high colorimetric indexes.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an optical filter used for modifying spectral power distribution of a lamp, particularly to an optical filter capable of modifying the spectral power distribution of a high color temperature halogen lamp from 3500 K to 6500 K to simulate CIE standard daylight illuminant with very high color rendering index, ultraviolet light free if required, and much less heat emission.
The optical elements for modifying the spectral power distribution of a light source are colored glass filters, thin film filters, and liquid filters. The most used element is a single colored glass filter to modify the spectral power distribution of a lamp to simulate the Commission Internationale de L'eclairage (hereinafter "CIE") standard daylight illuminant. The colored glass plates can be arranged in serial and/or parallel arrangements. However, practically the colored glass plates in serial and parallel arrangements are rarely used for modifying the spectral power distributions due to the complexity of design, difficulty of fabrication, and high cost. At present, thin film filters and liquid filters are rarely used for simulating CIE standard daylight illuminant.
Currently, commercially available full spectral CIE daylight simulators are made by one color temperature conversion glass filter with a halogen lamp. The colorimetric indexes of such CIE daylight simulators are generally not high, and the spectra of the CIE daylight simulators do not match that of CIE D illuminant well.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As shown in Hennessey U.S. Pat. No. 3,504,959, a light filter can be directly coated on the front glass of a lamp to modify the spectral power distribution of the lamp.
As shown in Ota U.S. Pat. No. 6,693,373, a colored filter can be easily mounted in a xenon lamp or a halogen lamp, and is capable of making the lamps emit stable bluish light for automobile lighting. However, the capability for modifying the spectral power distribution of both filters is not sufficient for simulating CIE standard daylight illuminant.
As shown in the Kageyama U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,405 and the Kyogoko U.S. Pat. No. 4,659,178, some optical filters have been disclosed for color correction. Such optical filters comprise one or two plates of colored glass and one or two interference multiplayer film. The interference multiplayer films are coated on the colored glass plates. The plates have the narrow band-pass or heat absorbing characteristics. The glass plates and the interference multiplayer films are in series. The optical filters are capable of providing narrow pass bands for color correction of color devices. However, the optical filters are not capable of modifying the spectral power distribution of a lamp to simulate CIE standard daylight illuminant.
As shown in Eligehausen U.S. Pat. No. 4,072,856, a daylight-simulating incadescent lamp light fixture was disclosed for medical and dental use. The fixture has a reflector that selectively reflects the light from a 3000 K incadescent lamp to approximately match daylight.
At present, several high color temperature halogen lamps are commercially available from 3500 K to 6500 K as daylight lamps as shown in the McGuire U.S. Pat. No. 6,611,082. The high color temperature of the halogen lamp is mainly achieved by the specially designed reflector that predominately reflects short wavelength visible light. At high color temperature over 4200 K, the spectral power distribution of a halogen lamp significantly differs from that of CIE daylight illuminant. Such type of high color temperature halogen lamp cannot be used as a standard CIE daylight simulator for colorimetric purposes, such as visual color match and color grading. Nevertheless, some of the high color temperature halogen lamps are new types of light sources for simulating CIE standard daylight illuminant with high colorimetric indexes.
As discussed in the article by Liu et al. entitled "Optimization Algorithm for Designing colored Glass Filters to Simulate CIE Illuminant D65"; Color Research and Application, Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 89-96 (1991), Liu et al. used an optimization algorithm for designing colored glass filters in parallel arrangement to simulate CIE illuminant D65. The D65 daylight simulators have high color rendering index. The spectral power distributions of the D65 simulators match that of the CIE standard illuminant D65 very well. However, the filters in parallel arrangement are difficult to design, complex to fabricate and are made at a high cost. The D65 daylight simulators with colored glass filters in parallel arrangement have a high academic value, but little practical and industrial application.
As shown in Keller U.S. Pat. No. 5,149,182, optical filters with glass plates in series have been used for modifying the spectral response of detector for matching the spectral response of the human eye and other CIE color matching functions for the purposes of colorimetric measurement and photometric measurement. An optical filter with color glass plates in series has been pursued for simulating CIE standard daylight illuminant with high colorimetric indexes and better spectral match. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an optical filter for simulating the CIE standard daylight illuminant at different color temperatures.

Optical filter for CIE daylight simulator


A motor vehicle is provided with a steering wheel, in the spoke of which an operating device, in particular a modular multi-function operation device, for arrangement in a spoke of a motor vehicle steering wheel, that includes, but is not limited to an operating element that is rotatable about an axis of rotation, in particular a turn-push operating element for operation with turning and/or pushing, which is coupled to at least one sensor for generating a control signal. The axis of rotation is obliquely mounted with an angular contact bearing, so that the operating device is oriented projecting in radial direction and in axial direction and the axis of rotation is variable with respect to the inclined mounting with the angular contact bearing, so that a rocking function is realized. In addition, a method is provided for operating instruments of a motor vehicle.

Multi-function operating units for activating motor vehicle instruments are generally known. Such operating units are employed for the control of navigation devices, radios, telephone systems and the like. The operating units are employed in different locations in the motor vehicle, preferably so that a user can reach these ergonomically or easily without being excessively distracted from the road traffic.
From DE 103 46 112 a multi-function operating device for a motor vehicle with a steering wheel having at least one spoke is known. The multi-function operating device comprises a display and an input device for selecting menu items displayable on the display and wherein the input device is arranged on the at least one spoke. From DE 103 38 098 B4 a steering wheel having a steering wheel rim and a switching device for the manual actuating of switching functions on controllable motor vehicle devices such as communication and/or information devices is known, by which the switching device switching functions are selectable and confirmable. The switching device is arranged radially within the steering wheel rim near the inner circumferential surface of the steering wheel rim and comprises a rotary knob that is rotatable about an axis of rotation for selecting the switching function, which for confirming the switching function, is moveable against a spring force. The axis of rotation extends approximately radially to the steering wheel rim and the rotary knob is axially moveable to the axis of rotation for confirming the switching function.
It is at least one object to create an improved operating device, an improved steering wheel, a motor vehicle and a method thereto, which make possible the use of a larger operating element with the same or smaller installation space. In addition, other objects, desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent summary and detailed description, and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background.

Operating device, steering wheel, motor vehicle and method thereto


In an array of solid-state memory cells organized into rows and segmented columns and addressable by wordlines and bit lines, a memory cell within a segmented column is addressable by segment-select transistors which selectively connect the memory cell's pair of bit lines via conductive lines running parallel to the columns to a column decode circuit. The disposition of the segment-select transistors and the conductive lines relative to the segmented columns enables one segment-select transistor to fit in every two or more columns. In one embodiment, the segment-select transistors have double the pitch of the columns while the conductive lines have the same pitch of the columns. In another embodiment, the segment-select transistor have four times the pitch of the columns while the conductive lines have double the pitch of the columns. This enables the use of larger size segment-select transistors which are necessary for passing higher currents in devices such as EPROM or flash EEPROM. Column segmentation effectively isolates defects to individual segments and reduces the capacitance in the source and drain of an address memory cell.

This invention relates to semiconductor integrated circuit (IC) devices, and particularly to memory arrays.
Solid state IC memory devices are typically formed by a two-dimensional array of cells. Each cell is a transistor that has at least a source, a drain and a control gate. The conduction of the current from the drain to the source depends on the voltage applied to the control gate. A "0" state or a "1" state is possible depending on whether the transistor is conducting or nonconducting. In this way, the transistor functions as a binary memory device.
In electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM, each of the transistors also has a floating gate for charge storage. Electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) and Flash EEPROM devices may also have an erase gate in addition to the control gate. During programming, voltages applied to the control gate and drain enable hot electrons to be injected into the floating gate. During erasing, application of voltage at the erase gate enables electrons to be removed from the floating gate. At any time the balance of charge trapped in the floating gate determines the conduction threshold level of the transistor. In this way two or more conduction states are programmable or erasable at each cell. Since the programmed charge tends to be retained at the floating gate, EPROM, EEPROM and Flash EEPROM devices are "non-volatile" memories.
In a two-dimensional array the transistors forming the cells are arranged in rows and columns. An X-Y addressing system is effected by a series of word lines parallel to the rows and a series of bit lines parallel to the columns. A word line connects the gates of all transistors in one row. A bit line connects to either the sources or drains of all transistor in one column.
Two common bit-line arrangements are employed. In one type of arrangement the sources of all the transistors in the array are grounded. In each column, only the drains of all the transistors are tied to a bit line. In another type of arrangement known as a "virtual ground" system, the transistors along each row are daisy-chained together by their sources and drains. In each column of transistors, there are two bit lines. One of the bit lines is a source line that ties all the sources together. The other bit line is a drain line that ties all the drains together. The source line and drain line of a column are respectively also the drain line of the column to the left and the source line of the column to the right. In this way the need for a dedicated source line per column is eliminated. Any memory cell in the array can be programmed or read by application of appropriate voltages to the word line and the bit lines connected to it. In particular, the state of an addressed memory cell can be determined by sensing the current flowing through its source and drain by means of the bit lines connected to them. To reduce the area taken up by the source and drain bit lines they can be implemented as buried diffusion bit lines.
As larger and denser memory arrays are fabricated, several design considerations become more acute. The first problem is that series resistance of the source or drain buried diffusion bit line increases with the number of cells in a column. The buried diffusion bit lines are usually doped silicon diffusions and typically have a resistance of about 50.OMEGA. per cell. For a column with 1024 cells, this can amount to a differential of 50 K.OMEGA. resistance along a bit line.
A similar problem exists with the capacitance of the bit line which also increases with the number of cells in the column. The increase in resistance and capacitance results in a larger RC time constant for the sensing circuit and therefore a slower read cycle. Furthermore, the increase in bit line capacitance results in slower precharge (in cases where the design may require columns to be precharged before read) and higher power spike to charge/discharge bit lines during read.
One solution to reducing bit line series resistance is to parallel the buried diffusion bit lines with lower resistivity metal lines. Typically, aluminum strips are overlaid on the bit lines but generally insulated from them by a dielectric layer in between. A series of metal contact (vias) at intervals along a buried diffusion bit line establish contacts with a corresponding metal strip. The intervals may be as short as 1 contact every 2 cells in high speed static RAM's, dynamic RAM's, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM or flash EEPROM.
While paralleling with metal lines assists in reducing bit-line resistance, metallization and contacts introduce problems of their own. In high density integration, there is increasing danger of shorts between metal strips due to their narrow spacing and imperfect contacts which can adversely affect performance. The current state of technology limits the pitch (line width plus spacing) of the metal lines to be about 1.5 .mu.m.
It is known that one way of controlling bit line series resistance and capacitance is to break up the columns and therefore the bit lines into shorter segments. One example is described in a conference paper entitled "A 16 Mb DRAM With An Open Bit-Line Architecture", by M. Inoue et al, published in ISSCC, Feb. 19, 1988. The paper demonstrates a 16 Mb DRAM array segmented into segments of 256 word lines each. A dedicated sense amplifier is connected to each segmented bit line at one end and to a global bit line at the other end via a select transistor. The authors show that in conventional open bit line architectures, the total packing density of a 16 MB DRAM cannot be improved since the scaling of the cell size is limited by the layout pitch of the sense amplifiers. To overcome this problem, the authors arrange the sense amplifiers for adjacent bit lines alternately at the top and bottom of the segment. This allows each sense amplifier to occupy double the spacing of the columns. However, the architecture has the disadvantage of using multiple sense amplifiers; one set is used for every segment. The pitches of the metal lines and the select transistors remain the same as that of the bit lines.
In another conference paper entitled, "16 Mb ROM Design using Bank Select Architecture", by M. Okada et al, published in IEEE Symposium on VLSI Circuits, Tokyo, August 1988 p. 85, a segmented array is also employed to reduce bit line series resistance. The ROM is divided into 256 banks. Each bank is essentially a segmented column consisting of 16 word lines. Only one set of sense amplifiers is used for the whole array, and it is selectively switched onto even or odd columns by means of aluminum lines. The pair of segmented bit lines in each column are connectable to a pair of aluminum lines by bank-select transistors at all four ends, at the top and bottom of the segment. The aluminum lines run zigzag in the column direction between even and odd adjacent columns, and alternate in the middle of each segment. This architecture is such that the pitch of the aluminum lines is double that of the bit lines. This allows the aluminum lines to be further apart, thereby reducing the possibility of shorts. However, the disadvantage is that the pitch of the select transistors remains the same as that of the bit line and therefore limits the ultimate size and therefore the conductance of the select transistors. In addition, the bit line capacitance is not optimally reduced because the bank selection is such that when a column is selected, its source line and drain line are respectively shorted with the source line of the left adjacent column and the drain line of the right adjacent column. The selected bit lines are therefore coupled to the capacitance of other bit lines that are not selected.
The aforementioned architectures while suitable for mask programmed ROM or DRAM are not applicable to programmable memories such as EPROM or Flash EEPROM devices. These devices are electrically programmable and for programming require a much higher drain-source current (about one or two orders of magnitude higher) than that during reading. In a segmented architecture, the select transistors used must be capable of selectively applying the higher programming current involved. To do so the size of the select transistors must be large enough to limit their internal resistance. Prior art architectures restrict each select transistor to fit within the pitch of a column, which limits the size of the select transistors without unduly increasing the separation between adjacent segments.


The unattended surveillance device may include a housing to be positioned for unattended surveillance, a video camera associated with or carried by the housing to capture video, and an image processor carried by the housing and cooperating with the video camera. The image processor extracts moving objects in the foreground of the captured video, generates a profile image or sequence of profile images of the extracted moving objects, compresses the sequence of profile images, and generates a surveillance information packet based upon the compressed sequence of profile images. Also, a wireless transmitter or transceiver may be associated with the image processor to transmit the surveillance information packet to a surveillance monitoring station.

Remote, unattended intrusion detection and surveillance capabilities are suited to the security of installations (commercial, government, and/or military) and perimeters, as well as for the protection of borders and other assets (e.g. associated with homeland defense). For example, Harris Corporation of Melbourne, Fla., and Assignee of the present application, produces an advanced sensor system product line that offers such features: the Harris Falcon Watch Remote Intrusion Detection and Surveillance system.
The Falcon Watch system includes the RF-5405 Intelligent Gateway, a communications node that receives alarms from multiple sensors and fuses the data into actionable reports for relay to command centers; and the RF-5400 Falcon II Sensor Node, which is integrated with Harris Falcon II tactical radios to provide situational awareness for the mobile user. The Falcon Watch system utilizes seismic detectors, which detect ground vibration caused by vehicles or pedestrians; magnetic detectors, which detect the movement of metal objects such as weapons or vehicles; and passive infrared (PIR) sensors, which detect the movement of thermal signatures such as vehicles or pedestrians. Inputs are processed at the point of detection and then the resulting alarms are transmitted by radio to a monitoring point.
Multiple radio relay nodes can be used to extend the system to protect larger-scale perimeters. The Falcon Watch system is modular and configurable to address a broad range of threat or topographical environments. The system is specifically designed to withstand the rigors of harsh environments while operating in remote locations for very extended periods without battery replacement. The Falcon Watch system detects the movement of vehicles and people while filtering out non-threatening, naturally occurring events. It transmits alarms to the Harris Falcon II RF-5800V-HH Advanced VHF Tactical Handheld Radio or the Falcon II RF-5800M-HH Advanced Multiband Tactical Handheld Radio.
This allows the user to receive real-time sensor alerts directly without carrying additional monitoring hardware. The sensor alarms can also be displayed by the Harris RF-6910 Situational Awareness System to provide a complete operational picture at a command center. The Falcon Watch Sensor system is available in various configurations. The Force Protection configuration is ideal for tactical, on-the-move missions, and for temporary set-ups and deployments. It is small, lightweight, easy to use, and features extended operational life as a result of its advanced low-power techniques. Tactical radio integration results in less equipment that the operator is required to carry and provides immediate notification of area intrusions. The Perimeter Surveillance configuration of the Falcon Watch Sensor system is designed for applications requiring more complex detection and surveillance, such as fixed installations and power-generation facilities.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0111884 to Cloutier et al. (and assigned to Harris Corporation) is directed to an unattended sensor for use in a surveillance system. The sensor includes a detector, a signal processor, a radio transceiver, a power source, and a controller which configures the sensor in either a sensor mode or a relay mode. The monitoring device may be a handheld radio device equipped with a transceiver for sending and receiving data and able to receive event messages from sensor nodes residing in the network. In addition, the radio device may include a signal processor adapted to receive the event messages and provide indicia of the event to the radio operator, e.g. an audible indicator or visual indicator on a display.
There is a need for such surveillance systems to have the capability to reliably classify objects under surveillance into various categories, such as vehicles, humans and animals. Current approaches include the use of a still image camera to take a picture of a subject with analysis to select a trophy image. Also, video cameras may be used. These approaches use a considerable amount of data.
The Army Research Lab provides a profile sensor that includes a linear array of optical trip lines for scanning a profile as a subject passes by the sensor as discussed in "Profiling sensor for ISR applications", Ronald B. Sartain, Proc. Of SPIE, Vol. 6963, Apr. 16, 2008. The Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR) sensor does reduce the amount of data being processed and transmitted, but has poor resolution, requires a constant velocity of the subject passing by, and does not provide information regarding direction or action of the moving objects.
There is a further need for an unattended or remote surveillance capability that includes a reliable classification of objects while also reducing the amount of data needed to be transmitted. Furthermore, such needed classifications may also include the type of animal (e.g. cow, sheep horse etc.), type of vehicle (e.g. motorcycle, truck, car etc.), the quantity, the cargo (e.g. backpack, trailer etc.), the direction (e.g. left to right, or right to left), and/or the action (e.g. walking, running, digging etc.).

Unattended surveillance device and associated methods


A method of generating energy from a discharge of an aircraft comprising the steps of: a) providing an air recovery generator assembly having a bladed wheel; and, b) positioning the air recovery generator behind the aircraft. The discharged air from the aircraft then turns the wheel thereby generating energy. In a preferred aspect of this invention the bladed wheel comprises a bladed cylinder wheel and the bladed cylindrical wheel additionally rotates a flywheel to store rotational energy therein. A mechanism is provided to move the bladed cylindrical wheel from a below ground storage position to an elevated operational position.

Commercial jets cruise at air speeds exceeding 500 mph. At takeoff air discharged from their engines has speeds exceeding 300 mph. The speed of this discharged air is greatest immediately behind the engines. At one end of the runway prior to take off pilots usually accelerate their engines to full power with their wheel brakes engaged in order to achieve maximum air speed at the other end of the runway in order to lift off. This engine accelerating position for take off is generally the same for all planes taking off. Immediately behind this accelerating position on the runway air is discharged at speeds exceeding 300 mph. This high velocity air exerts tremendous force and contains much inherent power.


An information processing apparatus includes an image obtaining unit that obtains an image captured by an image capturing apparatus. An index detection unit detects index information from the image. A measurement value obtaining unit obtains a measurement value measured by a sensor. A determination unit determines a suitability of calibration data for the sensor, which includes the index information and the measurement value, based on the index information and the measurement value. A presentation unit presents the suitability.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, an information processing method, and a computer-readable storage medium.
Description of the Related Art
In recent years, MR (Mixed Reality) technology is a subject of active study. MR technology refers to a technology of seamlessly combining a real space with a virtual space generated by a computer. MR technology is expected to be applied to various fields, such as assembly support, for displaying the operation procedure and the state of wiring in superposition at the time of an assembly operation, and surgery support, for displaying the state of the interior of the body of a patient in superposition on his or her body surface.
To make the user feel as if a virtual object really exists in a real space, geometrical consistency between the virtual object and the real space is of prime importance. The geometrical consistency in MR (Mixed Reality) includes consistency for matching the coordinate system of a real space with that of a virtual space, and consistency for correctly representing the depth relationship between a real object and a virtual object. A problem associated with the former consistency is also called a registration problem in MR (Mixed Reality), and various research reports have been presented (see, for example, K.Satoh, S.Uchiyama, and H.Tamura, "Registration Techniques in Mixed Reality," Transactions of the Virtual Reality Society of Japan, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 171-180, 2003). The registration problem is posed when the position and orientation are matched between an image capturing apparatus for capturing a video at the observer's eyepoint, and a real object on which virtual information is to be displayed in superposition. This registration problem will be dealt with in the present invention.
As methods of measuring the position and orientation of an image capturing apparatus,
(1) a method of using the measurement values obtained by a sensor capable of simultaneously measuring both the position and orientation,
(2) a method of using the measurement value obtained by a sensor that measures the orientation, and image information of an index detected from an image captured by the image capturing apparatus,
(3) a method of using image information of an index detected from an image captured by the image capturing apparatus to correct the measurement values obtained by a sensor capable of simultaneously measuring both the position and orientation, are typically available (see, for example, K.Satoh, S.Uchiyama, and H.Tamura, "Registration Techniques in Mixed Reality," Transactions of the Virtual Reality Society of Japan, Vol. 8, No. 2, pp. 171-180, 2003, and K.Satoh, S.Uchiyama, and H.Yamamoto, "A head tracking method using bird's-eye view camera and gyroscope," Proc. 3rd IEEE/ACM Int'l Symp. on Mixed and Augmented Reality (ISMAR 2004), pp. 202-211, 2004). In general, a magnetic or an optical sensor is used as a position and orientation sensor that measures the position and orientation, while a gyro inertial sensor is used as an orientation sensor that measures the orientation.
To mount an orientation sensor or a position and orientation sensor on an image capturing apparatus to obtain the position or orientation of the image capturing apparatus or object using the sensor measurement value, it is necessary to measure, in advance, the position or orientation of the orientation sensor or the position and orientation sensor relative to the image capturing apparatus to be measured. Obtaining the arrangement information, that is, the position or orientation of the sensor relative to the object to be measured will be referred to as "sensor calibration" hereafter.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-153848 discloses a sensor calibration method of mounting an index and a position and orientation sensor, or an orientation sensor, on an object to obtain, as calibration information, the arrangement information of the position and orientation sensor or the orientation sensor mounted on the object relative to the object. An image is obtained by capturing an object, a sensor measurement value is input, and information associated with the image coordinate position of an index is detected from the image, thereby obtaining calibration information using the sensor measurement value and the information associated with the image coordinate position of the index. The measurement value obtained by a position and orientation sensor or an orientation sensor, and the image information of an index detected in an image, which are required to calibrate the sensor using the image, will be referred to as calibration input data hereafter.
To calibrate the sensor, it is necessary to obtain calibration input data at various positions and orientations. Also, because the accuracy of calibration input data considerably influences the sensor calibration result, it is necessary not only to input the measurement values obtained by a highly accurate sensor, but also to detect an index from a captured image with high accuracy. When the index is captured as a small object in the image, or a blur occurs in a captured image as the image capturing apparatus rotates or moves at a high speed, the index detection accuracy degrades. Therefore, the accuracy of the calibration result degrades when sensor calibration input data obtained in such a case is input and used for calculation.
Also, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-046687, to reduce calibration input data that leads to degradation in accuracy of sensor calibration so as to improve the calibration accuracy, a virtual three-dimensional object that indicates a target image capturing position and orientation is presented in obtaining calibration input data.
As in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2006-153848, however, when the sensor is calibrated based on the sensor measurement value and the image information of an index, it is difficult for an operator who has neither knowledge nor expertise in sensor calibration to determine whether the input data is suitable for this calibration.
This is because, even if the measurement values fall within the measurement area of the position and orientation sensor, they do not always have a uniform measurement accuracy, and locally vary in sensor measurement accuracy, depending on the surrounding environment and the measurement position. More specifically, a magnetic position and orientation sensor is known to be vulnerable to a surrounding magnetic field and incapable of obtaining correct measurement values, depending on the magnetic field strain. Also, an optical position and orientation sensor has a position or orientation measurement accuracy, which locally varies depending on the accuracy of its lens distortion correction parameters and camera parameters. When this happens, the measurement accuracy is often high in the vicinity of the lens center; that is, at the center of the measurement area of the optical position and orientation sensor, but low in the vicinity of, for example, the boundary of the measurement area. Therefore, for accurate sensor calibration, the operator must obtain calibration input data in consideration of the characteristics and surrounding environment of the sensor.
It is also necessary to capture the index as a sufficiently large object in the image at various positions and orientations with no blur within the measurement area of the sensor. Especially, when the sensor measurement area is wide, it is difficult for an operator who has no expertise to obtain the sensor measurement values at various positions and orientations while determining whether the data is suitable for calibration.
In Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2008-046687, the target position and orientation of the image capturing apparatus can be presented to obtain calibration input data. However, this patent literature discloses no technique of determining whether the calibration input data is suitable at the position where calibration input data is obtained, in consideration of the characteristics and surrounding environment of the sensor. In addition, to present a correct target position and orientation, it is necessary to obtain an accurate position and orientation of the image capturing apparatus. However, since sensor calibration is done to obtain an accurate position and orientation of the image capturing apparatus, it is naturally impossible to obtain an accurate position and orientation of the image capturing apparatus before sensor calibration.
Hence, although a target position and orientation can be presented based on an approximate calibration result, it is difficult to determine whether the input data is suitable for calibration at the position where calibration input data is actually obtained.
The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problem, and provides a technique of allowing even an operator who has neither knowledge nor expertise in sensor calibration to easily obtain sensor calibration input data, and to determine whether the calibration input data is suitable for accurate calibration.

Information processing apparatus, information processing method and computer-readable storage medium


Methods and associated structures of forming a package structure including forming a low melting point solder material on a solder resist opening location of an IHS keep out zone, forming a sealant in a non SRO keep out zone region; attaching the IHS to the sealant, and curing the sealant, wherein a solder joint is formed between the IHS and the low melting point solder material.

Microelectronic devices are typically assembled into packages. Prior art processing may use a silicone based sealant to bond an integrated heat spreader (IHS) to a substrate. The strength of the IHS to substrate bond may impact several package failure modes, such as sealant delamination, corner cracking, IHS warpage etc. Gold and nickel have been used on the IHS to prevent the copper of the IHS from diffusing and oxidizing, for example.

Methods of fabricating low melting point solder reinforced sealant and structures formed thereby


A model car employs at each wheel a spring member mounted in surrounding relationship relative to a guide tube, with the guide tube mounted fixedly to a respective wheel axle at a lower end of the guide tube, with an upper end of the guide tube mounted to an upper control arm portion of the model car vehicle, wherein a drive motor includes a cable directed through the guide tube to effect adjustable displacement of the control arm relative to the axle at each wheel of the model car structure.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to model car suspension apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved model car suspension lift and lowering apparatus wherein the same is arranged to effect selective lifting and lowering of a model car chassis relative to an associated model car body.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Model cars and their suspension organizations have been employed to provide for various model car racing formats, such as indicated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,159,126 and 4,197,672. U.S. Pat. No. 4,865,378 to indicate a modular body structure for model car structure.
The instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art by providing for a manner of raising and lowering a model car chassis relative to an associated body structure and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.

Model car suspension lift and lowering apparatus


A method of defining a pattern-includes forming a plurality of cut shapes and a first plurality of openings within a first layer of a multi-layer hard mask to expose first portions of the second layer. A plurality of etch stops is formed by implanting an etch rate modifying species in a portion of the plurality of cut shapes. The first layer is directionally etched at the plurality of cut shapes such that the plurality of etch stops remain. A spacer layer is formed on the first layer and the first portions. A second plurality of openings is formed within the spacer layer to expose second portions of the second layer. The spacer layer is directionally etched to remove the spacer layer from sidewalls of the plurality of etch stops. Portions of the second layer exposed through the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings are etched.

As the size of semiconductor devices becomes smaller than the wavelength of illumination used in photolithography tools, techniques such as double patterning are used to obtain patterns for printing critical design layers. However, some double patterning techniques such as litho-etch, litho-etch (LELE) suffer from potential degradation due to misalignment or overlay issues. Techniques such as self-aligned double patterning (SADP) have been developed to avoid problems such as misalignment and overlay errors.

Self aligned litho etch process patterning method

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.


When an image, which is an object of reading and which is recorded on a photographic film, is to be registered at a reading position of a film scanner by an operator, following processes are repeated: results of a CCD sensor picking-up the reading position and periphery thereof are fetched; a moving speed V of the photographic film is computed; if the moving speed V is greater than or equal to a reference value, results of pick-up are displayed on a CRT as a high-speed, monochromatic dynamic image; and if the moving speed is less than the reference value, the results of pick-up are displayed on the CRT as a highly-detailed, color dynamic image. In this way, a dynamic image display mode is automatically switched in accordance with changes in the moving speed v during a registration operation, and registration of the image can be carried out quickly and accurately.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image position confirming device, a method of supporting image position confirmation, and a recording medium, and in particular, to a method of supporting image position confirmation which supports confirmation of an image position at the time that an image recorded on an original is registered at a predetermined position, and to an image position confirming device to which the method of supporting image position confirmation is applied, and to a recording medium on which is recorded a program for realizing, by a computer, the method of supporting image position confirmation.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, digital laboratory systems are known which read an image recorded on a photographic film by an image reading device, carry out various types of image processings by image processing devices on the image data obtained by reading, and on the basis of the image data which has been subjected to the image processings, carry out image output processing such as recording the image onto a recording material or writing the image onto an information recording medium such as a CD-R or the like. In such digital laboratory systems, at the time of reading, by the image reading device, an image recorded on a photographic film, the image which is the object of reading must be registered at a reading position of a reading sensor of the image reading device.
The registration of the image which is the object of reading in cases such as when reading for trimming is carried out or reading of a slide film to be set at a slide mount is carried out or the like, is carried out by the operator moving the photographic film manually while visually confirming whether or not the position of the image which is the object of reading is appropriate with respect to the reading position. Further, even in cases in which conveying of a photographic film by a film carrier and registration of an image with the reading position are carried out automatically, there are cases in which the image cannot be accurately registered at the reading position. Thus, the operator visually confirms whether or not the position of the image is appropriate, and if necessary, manually moves the photographic film.
As a technique for assisting registration of an image by an operator, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) Nos. 9-233273 and 10-210225 disclose, at the time of registration of an image recorded on a film at the reading position, periodically picking-up the state of the periphery of the reading position by a pick-up sensor, and displaying the state as a monochromatic dynamic image on a display. In accordance with this technique, the operator can judge whether or not the current position of the image is appropriate or not by referring to the dynamic image displayed on the display. Thus, there is no longer the need to directly look at the position of the image, and the registration work is easy. Moreover, there is no longer the need to design the layout of the devices at the periphery of the reading position in consideration of the operator directly looking at the image, and the degrees of freedom in designing the device improve.
In a case in which registration of the image is carried out while referring to the dynamic image which is displayed on the display as described above, in consideration of the precision of registration and the speed of the registration operation, it is preferable that the dynamic image displayed on the display is a dynamic image which is extremely detailed and which changes so as to follow, at high speed, changes in the object of pick-up. However, a huge amount of data must be processed in order to display an extremely detailed dynamic image, and thus, the speed of following the changes in the object of pick-up decreases. If priority is given to the speed of following of the dynamic image, if is difficult to display an extremely detailed dynamic image.
Thus, it is currently the state that, in a case in which registration of an image is carried out with reference to a dynamic image which is displayed on a display, the specifications (e.g., the resolution and the like) of the displayed dynamic image are determined such that neither the accuracy of registration nor the speed of the registration work suffers extremely. However, high levels of both accuracy of registration and speed of the registration operation are not achieved.

Image position confirming device, method of supporting image position confirmation, and recording medium


The invention features methods and compositions for assessing risk, particularly immediate risk, of thrombotic events in patients with suspected or known vascular disease, and more particularly to assessing risk of thrombotic events in patients with coronary artery disease, particularly acute myocardial infarction, stroke, unstable angina, stable angina, or restenosis. Risk of thrombosis can be assessed by analysis of platelet reactivity and/or velocity of thrombin or fibrin formation, and determining whether the patient has a score associated above a risk threshold value. In other embodiments, risk of thrombosis in a patient is evaluated in the context of a profile generated from values obtained from one or more assays that evaluate various factors associated with thrombosis and/or atherosclerosis.

Preventative care and selection of therapy for patients with suspected or known vascular disease remains a difficult task for clinicians. There are no currently available methods that completely assess the immediate risk of developing myocardial ischemia or infarction from thrombosis or atherosclerosis. Importantly, there are significant limitations of the methods now used to assess the acute risk of thrombosis or bleeding in patients with suspected or known vascular disease, particularly where the patient is receiving anti-thrombotic therapy. In addition, percutaneous intervention can increase the risk of a thrombotic event and therapies used to decrease this risk can cause bleeding.
At present, available indicators are only indirect methods for assessing such risks, since they do not reflect the risk of the final event in vessel occlusion and thrombosis. Indirect measurements include:                1. Cholesterol level: High cholesterol levels are associated with the formation of atherosclerotic plaque formation;        2. LDL cholesterol level: This "bad" type of cholesterol, with high levels associated with accelerated atherosclerotic plaque formation;        3. LDL cholesterol particle size: Particle size is another measurement of the "bad" type of cholesterol, often signifying a genetic predisposition towards the development of atherosclerosis. Small LDL particles can be seen in various hyperlipidemic states and the metabolic syndrome;        4. HDL cholesterol level: This "good" type of cholesterol, with high levels being a positive predictor in controlling the development of atherosclerosis;        5. HDL cholesterol particle size: Particle size is another measurement of this "good" type of cholesterol with large particles conferring the most protection against atherosclerosis        6. Triglyceride level: High levels are associated with various hyperlipidemic states and the metabolic syndrome which predispose patients to atherosclerosis;        7. Glucose measurements: Glucose intolerance and diabetes mellitus are associated with accelerated atherosclerosis (coronary heart disease and peripheral vascular disease). Glucose levels can be measured by standard assays. The hemoglobin A1C (glycosylated hemoglobin) is a measure of overall glycemic control. The glucose tolerance test indicates a patient's ability to clear glucose from the circulation following a glucose challenge;        8. Homocysteine levels: High levels are associated with accelerated atherosclerotic plaque formation;        9. Inflammatory markers: High levels of markers such as, e.g., C-reactive protein, Interleukin-6, and myeloperoxidase, are associated with acute myocardial infarction and the development of atherosclerosis;        10. Assessment of coagulation status: Coagulation status, as assessed by, for example, prothrombin time (PT), International Normalized Ratio (INR) and partial thromboplastin time (PTT) are insufficient measures of thrombosis risk and are used to gauge anti-coagulation status (blood-thinning);
Assessing risk of a thrombotic event is of particular importance to medical treatment of all patients where coagulation is concerned. For instance, when a patient with vascular disease is about to undergo or has undergone percutaneous intervention to relieve an arterial or vascular stenosis. Such interventions include angioplasty and stenting. Such patients are routinely treated with a variety of thrombosis inhibitors (e.g., anti-platelet drugs) to reduce the risk of acute vessel occlusion. However, at the same time, such inhibitors increase the risk of bleeding. Despite the risks, such thrombosis inhibitors are generally administered in the same dose to all patients. Since there are no universally accepted methods to assess the risk of thrombosis and acute myocardial infarction in a patient, clinicians choose instead to treat the patient with a standard dose of drugs in hopes of avoiding an event having an unknown risk. As a result, it is likely that many patients are unnecessarily over-treated with drug(s) that are associated with dangerous, life-threatening side effects. Alternatively, some patients do not achieve adequate protection against thrombosis.
There is a need in the field for improved or alternative methods for assessing risk of thrombosis and immediate risk of a cardiac event in a patient, as well as methods for tailoring therapy based on this risk and/or the responsiveness of a patient to therapy. The present invention addresses these needs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Assessment of cardiac health and thrombotic risk in a patient


An automated cutter bed employs a sealer which is mechanically coupled to a tool carriage and moves with it along a first coordinate direction. A first roller is connected with a second roller disposed at the take-off end of the table by an air impermeable sheet which is tensioned between the two rollers by a resilient member housed within each of the rollers causing a preload to be exerted on the air impermeable sheet material. The first roller moves between ends of the table paying out a length of the air impermeable material. As the carriage moves to the cutter datum, equalization is effected by the preloads given in each of the first and second rollers.

This invention relates to an apparatus for cutting a layup of limp sheet material, such as fabric for making clothing or upholstery, and deals more particularly with a cutting machine having a vacuum hold-down system for compressing the layup of limp sheet material and a re-sealing system which lays down an overlay sheet onto the layup of material after cuts are made in it during a cutting operation so as to seal the cuts to effect continuous and even holding of the layup on the support surface during the remainder of the cutting operation. The vacuum holddown is one of the conveyorized type effecting bite-by-bite advancement and holding of a layup whose length is often several times longer than that of the support surface. The cutting operation is conducted on each bite of the layup length such that as one operation is completed on one segment of the layup length, another cutting operation begins on a new segment after the one segment it is advanced off the support surface and the new segment is advanced onto it.
Systems for sealing cuts made in a layup of sheet material during a cutting operation using an overlay sheet are known in automated cutting machines. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,673 issued to David Pearl on Sep. 24, 1985 and assigned to Gerber Garment Technology, Inc., it is disclosed therein to provide an apparatus for sealing the cut sheet material by providing an air impermeable sheet wound on a retractable roll carried by the cutting carriage assembly. The free or unwound end of the air impermeable sheet is held to a clamping bar at the discharge end of the cutting table and the sheet material is caused to pay out from the roll as the carriage moves away from the clamping bar during its cutting operation. With this arrangement, the entire mass of the roll of air impermeable sheet material is carried by the carriage along with the cutter head above the support surface. As a result, the carriage must be made from more substantial material than it would otherwise have to be to support both loads, thus increasing its manufacturing cost. Another approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,452,113 entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CUT SHEET MATERIAL issued to David Pearl on Jun. 5, 1984, and being commonly assigned to Gerber Garment Technology, Inc. Here an air impermeable overlay, which seals the sheet material when cut, is wound onto a roller which in turn is supported on a separate sealing roller carriage. This separate sealing carriage runs along tracks formed on the table and is mechanically coupled to the cutter head carriage so as to be slaved to its movements as the carriage is advanced during a cutting operation. Providing a separate sealing carriage as therein disclosed likewise has been found to increase the cost of production for a cutter as well as complicating its use. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,434,691 issued to Claude W. LeBlond on Mar. 6, 1984 and entitled METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CUT SHEET MATERIAL, it is disclosed to pull a roller over the layup of sheet material using the cutter carriage to effect covering of the cuts made in the layup during a cutting operation. For this, a roll of air impermeable overlay material is rotatably mounted to the cutter carriage and is rolled over the layup with carriage as it is advanced during the cutting operation. The free end of the overlay material is connected to a drive roll which drivingly controllably rotates to take up the overlay with the bite of sheet material being advanced off the table. It is thus necessary to periodically shift the overlay material accumulating on the drive roller back to the overlay roller. Thus, the system employs a drive motor and drive associated with the drive roll to take up the overlay with the advancement of each bite which undesirably adds to the cost of manufacturing for the machine.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a layup re-sealing system wherein the overlay material is wound on a resealer roll that is not carried by a carriage and in which the free end of the overlay need not be secured to a controllably driven drive roller for purposes of maintaining a supply of the overlay material on the resealer roller for use in successive cutting operations.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a sealing system whereby the overlay sheet and the table on which a layup of sheet material is supported effect full sealing engagement along the take-off end of the table.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a system for automatically re-sealing cuts made in a layup of the aforementioned type wherein the overlay sheet material continually is maintained in equilibrium between two rollers after every bite advancement and need not be periodically shifted after it accumulates on one of two rollers.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and the appended claims.

Cutter re-sealer using tensioned overlay and related method


A process and apparatus for weaving a fabric with a three dimensional bulging zone, which is formed by increasing the density of the crossing points of the warp and weft threads so as to naturally impart a bulging zone in the fabric. The density is changed by changing the number of threads and/or changing the weave pattern. The lengths of the warp threads can also be increased in the bulging zone. In a preferred embodiment, the threads include a material which is settable by thermal or chemical treatment, and such that upon being set a three dimensional rigid matrix is formed which includes the non-settable threads as a reinforcement. The apparatus for carrying out the process takes the form of a loom having the capability of individually drawing off selected lengths of the warp threads from a warp supply, and a jacquard head for forming the weaving sheds and which has a control for changing the number of threads woven and/or the weave pattern.

The invention refers to a process for weaving a three-dimensionally formed fabric zone.
Such a process is known from DE- 39 15 085 A1. In this known process, the warp threads are drawn off at the selvage at different speeds. Thereby, the three-dimensionally bulging fabric zone is formed by increasing the distances between the weft threads, i.e.: reducing the number of the points of intersection. The 3D shape of these fabric zones is unstable and the fabric structure depends on the 3D shape.
Other processes for weaving three-dimensional shells of fabric operate by varying the distances between the warp threads (U.S. Pat. No. 3,132,671; EP 0302012 A1).
These known processes are based on the principle to achieve the bulging of the fabric zone by increasing the distances between the threads, i. e.: by reducing the number of points of intersection per unit area. Therefore, the three-dimensionally bulged zones comprise a disaggregated structure, so that a net-like structure may be provided. The resistance of such areas against being displaced is too small for further processing. The physical, especially the mechanical properties are reduced in comparison to other fabric areas and are not homogeneous in all directions.
A further process for directly manufacturing a three-dimensional shell geometry includes weaving a cone as a two-layered area. Then the cone is cut out of the set of warp threads and spread (Rothe, H., Wiedemann, G.; Deutsche Textiltechnik 13 (1963) p. 95-101).
The invention is based on the object to avoid the disadvantages mentioned above. It is aimed at producing an arbitrarily three-dimensionally formed fabric zone the structures of which can be predetermined and set arbitrarily--independently of the three-dimensional form--especially with regard to density and homogeneity in the direction of warp and weft. The 3D shape is especially supposed to be stable.

Woven fabric having a bulging zone and method and apparatus of forming same


A high mast lighting system is disclosed in which an elongated vertical mast having upper and lower ends is surrounded by an annular support ring. The support ring has a plurality of lamps removably mounted thereon. Drive means is provided for raising and lowering the ring along the mast between its upper and lower ends. A plurality of guide rollers are mounted on the upper end of the mast with a plurality of flexible cables operatively connected at one end to the ring and guided over the rollers on the mast. The opposite ends of the cables extend downwardly from the rollers into the mast where they are operatively connected to the drive means which selectively moves the cables upwardly and downwardly in the mast to raise and lower the ring. The system includes a rigid hollow latching arm associated with at least one of the cables and pivotally connected to the ring above the connection of its associated cable to the ring with the cable passing through the arm. A latch member is mounted on the upper end of the mast in association with the latching arm and is adapted to engage cooperating means on the latching arm for selectively releasing the arm in the ring for lowering the ring and for latching the ring in its uppermost position. The ring also includes an inner wall facing the mast and resilient bumper means mounted thereon.

The present invention relates to high mast lighting systems such as are used on highways and toll plazas.
High mast lighting systems include a vertically elongated central mast or pole surrounded by an annular ring or other shaped platform on which a plurality of light fixtures are mounted. The annular ring is adapted to be raised to the top of the mast and supported there in a locked position during use. A drive mechanism is provided to lower the ring to the base of the mast in order to facilitate maintenance and lamp changes. Typically, the support rings in high mast lighting systems are raised and lowered by the drive means through a plurality of cables secured to the ring and passing downwardly from pulleys on top of the mast into the ring to the drive means.
High mast lighting systems can attain great height, of over 100 feet or more, with the result that they are subjected to severe stresses, particularly during heavy weather. Therefore, it is imperative that the support ring be secured in a fixed position such that it can withstand the great forces to which it is subjected, while at the same time allowing easy maintenance of the system.
A variety of different types of high mast mounting systems have been previously disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,237,530; 4,139,884; 4,851,980; 4,001,573; 3,856,639; and 3,721,816. Certain of these patents disclose latching mechanisms using cooperative cam arrangements for holding the lamp ring or support in its fixed uppermost position. While such devices have been generally satisfactory in use, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved latching system which is simple in construction, as compared to the prior art, while providing an extremely secure latching arrangement.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a latching arrangement which provides a positive latch that rigidly secures the ring to the mast in its latched position so that weight is relieved from the cables used to raise and lower the ring itself.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a latching arrangement with a simple indicating device that provides a positive indication that the ring is latched in position.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved mounting arrangement for lamp fixtures on the support ring of a high mast lighting system.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved ring construction that provides a simple bumper arrangement on the interior of the ring which prevents damage to the ring and the mast during the raising and lowering operation should the mast or ring sway during such operation.


A process for purifying and refining platinum group metals such as platinum, iridium, palladium, rhodium and the like by an electrochemical process using ammonium chloride as the electrolyte to form ammonium chloride platinum group salts as a "slime" followed by the use of ammonia hydroxide to dissolve and separate said salts from other materials in the slime. A further step to precipitate the platinum metals from the ammonia hydroxide may be employed.

The present invention deals with a method of refining platinum group metals by an electrochemical process.
The conventional method of refining platinum and platinum group metals from such compositions is to dissolve the metal in boiling nitric acid and hydrochloric acid (aqua regia) until it dissolves. A hydrazine compound (such as hydrazine hydrochloride, hydrazine acetate, hydrazine hydrate, hydrazine, hydrazine sulfate, etc.) is then used to precipitate the pure platinum compounds out of solution. This standard method is extremely hazardous, requires exceptional safety precautions and creates toxic waste.
Electrolytic processes for the refining of gold are known in the art. In my U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,612,093 and 4,895,626 I describe my discovery of a refining process (and improvements on that process) based on a novel "pregnant" electrolyte, comprising a halide solution impregnated with a nascent oxygen source. This process is practiced in an electrolytic cell, wherein the gold to be recovered is the anode. The cell cathode is an inert electroconductive substance isolated from the major portion of the electrolyte by a semipermeable membrane. This membrane is permeable to sodium ions but not to the electrolysis-dissolved gold contained in the electrolyte. Thus, the gold does not deposit on the cathode but remains in solution. Portions of the electrolyte with the gold solution are removed from the cell and the gold is selectively precipitated by chemical reduction.
In my U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,755 I describe a further improvement on the previous patent by use of an electrolyte of ammonium chloride. The ammonium chloride as an electrolyte has the benefits Of maintaining a pH neutral solution through a buffering effect and also dissolving a portion of the normally insoluble silver chloride that typically forms when jeweler's scrap gold is being refined.
In contrast in the present process ammonium ions react with platinum group metals to form an ammonium chloride platinum group salt from which the platinum group metal is ultimately recovered by the use of ammonium hydroxide.

Electrochemical process for refining platinum group metals with ammonium chloride electrocyte


Membrane holder for membrane adsorber chromatography comprising a housing body (12) with a reception space for at least one layer of adsorber membranes (22) and at least one first housing cap (34) for closing a first reception space opening, which can be fixed to the housing body (12), a liquid stream being introducible via first liquid guide means (36) through the first housing cap (34) and the first reception opening into the reception opening, so that it passes through the adsorber membranes (22) and flows away through a second reception space opening. The first housing cap (34) can be screwed as a first union nut onto the housing body (12) and a first brace element (24), which can be clamped between the first cap (34) and the housing body (12) via a flange (32) extending beyond the first reception space opening, can be fixed leaktightly in a basket-like insert (14) with a liquid-tight wall and a perforated bottom (18), which is used to receive the adsorber membranes (22). The outer contour of the basket-like insert (14) being fitted in a leaktight fashion onto an inner contour of the reception space.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a membrane holder for membrane adsorber chromatography comprising a housing body with a reception space for at least one layer of adsorber membranes and at least one first housing cap for closing a first reception space opening, which can be fixed to the housing body, a liquid stream being introducible via first liquid guide means through the first housing cap and the first reception opening into the reception space, so that it passes through the adsorber membranes and flows away through a second reception space opening.
2. Description of the Related Art
Membrane adsorber chromatography is widely used both on the laboratory scale and in order to obtain substances in a production process. It is used for the selective separation of substances from a liquid. The basic principle of membrane adsorber chromatography resides in passing a liquid, which contains the substances to be separated, generally through a stack of flat pieces (layers) of porous membrane adsorber material, hereafter abbreviated to adsorber membrane or membranes, which have a selective or preferably specific adsorptivity for the substances to be separated.
According to WO-A1-92/00805 (Sartorius A G), by porous membrane adsorbers is meant those membranes which carry functional groups, ligands or reactants on their surface which are capable of interacting with at least one substance of a liquid phase placed in contact with them. The transport of the liquid phase through the membrane takes place convectively. The term adsorber membrane will be used in the scope of the present invention as a generic term for flat pieces of various types of membrane adsorbers, such as membrane ion exchangers, ligand membranes and activated membranes, which are in turn subdivided into different membrane adsorber types according to the functional groups, ligands and reactants.
Membrane adsorber chromatography is usually carried out as a multistage method, the liquid to be purified being passed through an adsorber membrane stack with the desired adsorption properties in a first step; in a subsequent step, the adsorber membrane stack is flushed with an eluent so that the target substances adsorbed on the membrane are released from the membrane. The resulting eluate, which contains substances to be separated from the original liquid, can then be sent to further treatment or processing steps.
On the laboratory scale, these steps are usually carried out with the aid of the centrifuging technique. For instance, basket-like membrane holder inserts named Vivapure™ for standard centrifuging vessels are known from Vivascience, Hanover. The Vivapure™ inserts have a liquid-tight wall and a perforated bottom, on which an adsorber membrane stack is arranged preferably with wall contact at the stack circumference. In order to fix the adsorber membrane stack or the at least one layer, a hollow cylinder is pressed into the insert above the stack, the outer diameter of the hollow cylinder being dimensioned so that friction with the wall of the insert ensures axial fixing, while the inner diameter of the hollow cylinder is selected to be less than the diameter of the membrane stack so that the latter can be clamped between the hollow cylinder and the bottom of the insert.
After the insert has been introduced into the centrifuging vessel, the insert is filled up to the intended filling level with the liquid to be purified, and then centrifuged, the liquid being pressed through the membrane stack owing to the centrifugal force and flowing out into a lower region of the centrifuging vessel through the perforated bottom of the insert. The subsequent elution step is carried out similarly.
Application of the centrifuging technique has the disadvantage that the pressure with which the liquid is pressed through the membrane stack is set up only by the centrifugal force, which can be controlled only coarsely, so that the pressure actually applied to the membrane stack can be specified only with difficulty or inaccurately. This leads to acceptance problems of the results achieved by the described method with standardization and approval authorities.
The principle of flow membrane adsorber chromatography is known in the field of production, in which case the adsorber membrane stack is integrated in a line system and flowed through for a defined time under defined pressure conditions, which are defined by corresponding pump means. A membrane holder for such a flow system is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,806. This document discloses a membrane holder which is filled with a membrane adsorber stack, sealing rings that are in tight contact with the cylindrical housing body being fitted respectively between packets of a plurality of membrane layers and at the end of the stack. Housing caps, which on the one hand close the reception space inside the housing body and on the other hand compress the membrane stack, are provided above and below the cylindrical housing body. The housing caps are respectively provided with feed and discharge channels. Such a membrane holder is highly suitable for application on the production scale, i.e. with large throughput volumes and correspondingly large diameters of the membrane stacks, so that the unusable dead volume due to the sealing rings at the end of the stacks is negligibly small compared to the membrane surface actually used.
DE 44 32 628 A1 discloses another membrane holder in which the individual membranes, of which the stack is comprised, are configured to be liquid-impermeable in their edge region. Compared with the approach discussed above, this approach avoids the need to use separate sealing rings. A disadvantage, however, is the increased outlay that is required in order to produce the individual membranes. There is furthermore a similar problem as described above in respect of the aforementioned dead volume.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a membrane holder which is suitable for flow chromatography on a small scale and in which, particularly, the dead volume is minimized.

Membrane holder for membrane adsorber chromotography


Disclosed is a photographic element comprising an antihalation dye of formula: ##STR1## wherein X.sup.1, X.sup.2 independently represents --CR.sup.8 R.sup.9 --, --S--, --Se--, --NR.sup.10 --, --CH.dbd.CH-- or --O--;. n is an integer of 2 or 3; PA0 R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 independently represent alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons or substituted alkyl of 1 to 10 carbons; PA0 R.sup.3 represents a ring chosen from the set consisting of aryl, substituted aryl, and a heterocyclic ring; PA0 R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 independently represent hydrogen, alkyl of 1-10 carbons, substituted alkyl of 1-10 carbons, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 taken together or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 taken together may represent the atoms necessary to form a 5 or 6-membered aliphatic ring, an aromatic six-membered ring, an aromatic 10-membered ring, a substituted aromatic six-member ring or a substituted aromatic 10-member ring; PA0 R.sup.8, R.sup.9 independently represent alkyl of 1-10 carbons, substituted alkyl of 1-10 carbons, aryl of 6-10 carbons, substituted aryl of 6-10 carbons; PA0 R.sup.10 represents an alkyl of 1-10 carbons, substituted alkyl of 1-10 carbons, aryl of 6-10 carbons, substituted aryl of 6-10 carbons.

It is well known in the art of photographic science to add dyes to the structure of a photographic element in such a way as to absorb deleterious light. The dye can be located in several positions including: between the exposure source and the photosensitive emulsion; between the photosensitive emulsion and the support; and on the opposite side of the support to inhibit halation. Specific applications are illustrated, for example, in Research Disclosure, No. 308, December 1989, Item 308119.
Antihalation is particularly important when a film is exposed with a laser such as in the use of long wavelength laser films for medical imaging. The high intensity of long wavelength light (i.e. near-infrared) emitted by the laser is difficult to filter completely. If high levels of a dye are used it is typically difficult to remove the dye during processing and the result is a coloration, or dye stain, which is undesirable.
The development of the gallium-arsenic semiconductor laser, or diode laser, is expected to extend the use of lasers for medical imaging into the wavelength range of 780-830 nm. This application requires a film which is sensitive in this wavelength range and has an antihalation layer which absorbs in this region and is stable with time. Provided herein is a novel class of dyes which absorb throughout the near-infrared region and are well suited for use as an antihalation dye.

Photographic element with near-infrared antihalation layer


Aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen exists in serum in two forms: classical type I procollagen which is a heterotrimer containing two pro .alpha.1-chains and one pro .alpha.2-chain of type I procollagen, and an .alpha.1-homotrimer type I procollagen containing three identical pro .alpha.1-chains. These intact, trimeric aminoterminal propeptides may be isolated without the use of proteolytic enzymes and the resultant propeptides may be used to prepare antibodies specific for the intact trimeric propeptide, having no affinity for the monomeric form of the propeptide. Such antibodies are useful in methods of assaying intact trimeric aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen in serum, without false information resulting from inadvertent assay of the monomeric form of the propeptide.

The present invention relates to an improved assay method for the immunological determination of intact, either classical or .alpha.1-homotrimer, aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen in a sample such as serum, and to preparation of an antiserum suitable for use in this method.
Type I collagen is the most abundant collagen type in the human body. Most of it is found in the bones, although other soft connective tissues also contain considerable amounts of it. In mineralized tissues such as bone, about 90% of the organic matrix is type I collagen, there being no other collagen types in these tissues. Thus analysis of type I collagen is important in diseases affecting bones, such as metabolic bone diseases including primary and secondary osteoporosis, bone metastases in breast or prostatic carcinomas, rheumatoid arthritis and various genetic diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta. It is also known that the collagen synthesis rate in bone affected by various hormones, e.g. growth hormone, thyroxine, cortisol and estrogens.
Type I collagen is synthesized as a procollagen, containing propeptide extensions at both ends of the molecule. The rate of type I collagen synthesis can thus be assessed by determining the amount of propeptide liberated during the conversion of procollagen to collagen. It is known to assay the carboxyterminal propeptide of type I procollagen (abbreviated PICP) in serum (Melkko J, Niemi S, Risteli L, Risteli J: Clin. Chem. 1990; 36; 1328-1332). However, there are certain individuals in whom the elimination rate of this propeptide from the circulation is deteriorated, leading to very high serum levels of PICP, which are not related to the rate of synthesis of type I procollagen. On the other hand, the previous assays developed for the aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen have been based either on synthetic monomeric linear peptides (Ebeling P R, Peterson J M, Riggs B L; J. Bone Miner. Res. 1992; 7; 1243-1250 and Linkhart S G, Linkhart T A, Taylor A D, Wergedahl J E, Bettica P, Baylink D J: Clin. Chem. 1993; 39; 2254-2258) or on propeptides isolated from amniotic fluid (Teisner B, Boje Rasmussen H, Hoejrup P, Yde-Anderson E, Skjoedt K: APMIS 1992; 100; 1106-1114 and Price K M, Silman R, Armstrong P, Grudzinskas J G: Clin. Chim Acta 1994; 224; 95-102) or cell culture medium (Jukkola A, Risteli L, Melkko J. Risteli J: J. Bone Miner. Res. 1993; 8; 651-657). Such assays have been found to detect two antigenic forms in human serum, are of different sizes. One of the forms corresponds to the authentic trimeric propeptide in size and the other is its further degradation product, which resembles the globular, so called Col1 domain of the propeptide.
The evidence available suggests that these small molecular weight degradation products are not derived from the further degradation of the liberated propeptide but most likely from the degradation of type I procollagen molecules that have retained the aminoterminal propeptide in the tissues (so called pN type I collagen). Such molecules are found on the surface of type I collagen fibers, mainly in soft connective tissues and temporarily in newly synthesised non-mineralized osteoid. Further, it has been shown that the authentic aminoterminal propeptide is eliminated from the circulation via the scavenger-receptor of the liver endothelial cells, whereas the smaller Col1 related degradation products are eliminated via the kidneys. Thus kidney disease, while decreasing the clearance of the Coll-related peptide, would greatly affect the serum concentration of such peptides and give false results with respect to collagen synthesis. Since the intact aminoterminal propeptides of type I procollagen are not excreted into the urine, the assay of the present invention is applicable to serum and other biological fluids except urine. In addition, the catabolic status often encountered in seriously ill patients will increase the tissue degradation of pN type I collagen, similarly increasing the serum Col1 concentration and giving false information on the anabolic capacity of the patient.
It would, therefore, be desirable to solve the interpretation problem of the results caused by the different origins and elimination routes of the two propeptide forms and to provide a quantitative method, which is quick and simple to practise, for assaying only the intact aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen in human serum, to the exclusion of the Col 1-related degradation products.
The intact propeptide is in the form of a trimer, whereas the degradation product comprises the monomeric globular Col1 domain of the .alpha.1-chain of type I procollagen. When isolating the intact, trimeric aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen from pleural fluid from a carcinoma patient, two separate propeptides were surprisingly discovered, which differed with respect to their constituent chains. Two different polypeptide chains were found in the propeptide form eluting first from the DEAE-chromatography column, since the classical type I procollagen is a heterotrimer containing two pro .alpha.1-chains and one pro .alpha.2-chain of type I procollagen. The more acidic propeptide lacked the second polypeptide chain that moves faster in electrophoresis and is known to be derived from the pro .alpha.2-chain of type I procollagen. This atypical propeptide was derived from the .alpha.1-homotrimer type I procollagen containing three identical pro .alpha.1-chains. Such a collagen has been previously described in a fully processed form from the tissues of patients with certain disease states e.g. breast, lung and stomach carcinomas, but the corresponding propeptides have not been identified. Since the aminoterminal portion of the pro .alpha.2-chain is truncated with respect to the pro .alpha.1-chain and lacks the whole of the Col1 domain, the .alpha.1-homotrimer propeptide has three Col1 domains and the classical propeptide only two. Since the Col1 domains are phosphorylated, these two intact propeptides can be separated from each other on the basis of the difference in their charge, e.g. using DEAE-chromatography at pH 5.0. Since the .alpha.1-homotrimer propeptide has three Col1 domains and the classical propeptide only two, the latter elutes earlier in anion-exchange chromatography. Both these propeptides are susceptible to being denatured at low pH (less than 5.0); something which is not easily detected but can cause problems when producing antibodies if proper precautions are not taken.
The antisera used previously for assaying the aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen has affinity not only for the intact trimeric propeptide, but to a considerable extent also for the monomeric form. This is due to the nature of the antigen used to raise the antisera. When a linear synthetic peptide, or a propeptide derived from amniotic fluid and isolated in a monomeric form, is used for raising the antibodies, these antibodies react preferentially with the monomeric Col1 degradation products. On the other hand, when the propeptide is isolated from cell culture fluid, it is first purified in the form of a procollagen, which is later digested by bacterial collagenase to liberate the propeptide from the collagen proper. Since the authentic propeptide still contains a collagenous domain, part of the bacterial collagenase binds to it, but is not able to digest the propeptide during the short in vitro incubation and isolating procedures. Consequently, when such a propeptide is used as an immunogen, the enzyme is capable of functioning, leading to in vivo degradation of the propeptide and production of antibodies towards its degradation products. In addition, it is also necessary to avoid such conditions and methods (e.g. high performance liquid chromatography at pH lower than 5.0) which would denature even a small portion of the propeptide during the isolation procedure of the aminoterminal propeptide of type I procollagen. This is beacuse, in contrast to the corresponding propeptide of type III procollagen (EP-B-0-304292), the aminoterminal of type I procollagen has no interchain disulphide bonds, which would stabilize the structure and facilitate rapid renaturation after minor accidental denaturation during the purification procedure. Thus, removal of contaminating enzymes from type III procollagen can be effected by reverse phase separation at low pH. This would, however, lead to denaturation of trimeric PINP of type I procollagen because of its lack of stabilising disulphide bonds.

Antibody to aminoterminal propeptide of type 1 procollagen


An apparatus and system is described for storing high-pressure fluids such as hydrogen. An inner tank and pre-stressed concrete pressure vessel share the structural and/or pressure load on the inner tank. The system and apparatus provide a high performance and low cost container while mitigating hydrogen embrittlement of the metal tank. System is useful for distributing hydrogen to a power grid or to a vehicle refueling station.

The present invention relates to a stationary hydrogen storage container.
Efforts to reduce carbon emissions as a byproduct of energy use have increased in recent years. The environmental benefits of alternatives to hydrocarbon and fossil fuel energy sources are frequently studied. One of these alternatives is known as fuel cell technology. Generally, fuel cell technology utilizes hydrogen as a fuel source and produces innocuous by-products such as water. A typical power generation process involves a proton exchange membrane ("PEM") that combines hydrogen with oxygen from air under controlled pressure. Inside the fuel cell, hydrogen fuel on the anode side with the oxidant on the cathode side results in the production of electricity.
To promote use of fuel cell technology compressed hydrogen gas can be generated as needed which requires negligible storage space. Alternatively, hydrogen is stored for later use and may be distributed to other locations. For purposes of hydrogen storage, some tanks have been made of steel, aluminum, and thermoplastics and the tanks are sometimes wrapped with filament windings of carbon or glass fibers depending upon the maximum pressure under which the hydrogen is to be stored. However, as the fuel cell infrastructure has developed, these tanks have not provided the high capacity and low cost required for the common and regular use of hydrogen while consistently meeting pressure requirements. In particular, some structural metals, notably high-strength steels, become embrittled thus resulting in severely reduced fracture toughness following exposure to hydrogen. This process, known as hydrogen embrittlement, can take place as a result of the unintentional introduction of hydrogen into metals during the manufacturing processes (e.g., forming, finishing and welding) or the long-term exposure to compressed gaseous hydrogen (CGH2).
There remains a need for a hydrogen fueling infrastructure including, as a main part, a hydrogen storage component. The storage component is needed to be capable of housing bulk hydrogen in a low cost and reliable manner. Also there is a need for available stored hydrogen fuel to be available for applications such as refueling of vehicles and for utility load leveling using fuel cells.


A method for removing VOCs from exhaust gases of a CIPP curing process, the method including the steps of: (a) positioning an exhaust conduit to capture the exhaust gases; (b) elevating the temperature of at least a portion of the exhaust gases and passing the exhaust gases over a catalyst containing substrate to form a devolitized gas stream; and (c) directing the devolitized gas stream to an exhaust stack.

Cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) is an in-situ rehabilitation technique applicable to many pipe systems, including sanitary sewers, storm sewers, and drinking water pipes. In the steam-cured CIPP process, a felt liner is wetted with a liquid resin, with styrene often being an important and common component in these resins. The liner is inserted into an existing, compromised pipe, and the liner is then inflated with air and steam. This step both expands the liner and begins to cure the liner. The curing temperature varies, but in many instances is approximately 90° C. (195° F.). The process can be used to line sections of pipe over 500 m long. The liner section is terminated at a downstream manhole. The exhaust steam from the curing process exits the liner at this liner termination. The exhaust typically exits a small diameter hose attached to the end of the liner, which is used to restrict the airflow and, thereby, inflate the liner.
While an efficient pipe rehabilitation technique, concerns have been raised regarding the exhaust from CIPP installations. Although emissions dissipate quickly and fall to safe levels as distance from the exhaust point increases, styrene levels in the visible white plume of steam cured CIPP exhaust, and in the area very near the exhaust points, have the potential to exceed regulatory limits. The exhaust manifold and termination manhole of a CIPP installation are the locations where there is reasonable concern for both worker and public exposure to styrene emissions. An improvement in the art would be an apparatus and method designed to ensure safety for CIPP installers and for the general public by consolidating exhaust point emissions and catalyzing chemical reactions that will eliminate the volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions and, thereby, mitigate any potential hazards.

VOC mitigation in cured in place pipe installation


A method for producing a linear alkylbenzene product from a bio-renewable feedstock having a mixture of naturally-derived hydrocarbons includes separating the mixture of naturally-derived hydrocarbons into a naphtha portion and a distillate portion, reforming the naphtha portion, and using a high purity aromatics recovery process on the reformed naphtha portion to produce benzene. The method further includes separating a normal paraffins portion from the distillate portion and dehydrogenating the normal paraffins portion to produce mono-olefins. Still further, the method includes reacting the benzene and the mono-olefins to produce the linear alkylbenzene product.

While detergents made utilizing linear alkylbenzene-based surfactants are biodegradable, existing processes for creating linear alkylbenzenes are not based on renewable sources. Specifically, linear alkylbenzenes are traditionally produced from kerosene extracted from the earth. Due to the growing environmental concerns over fossil fuel extraction and economic concerns over exhausting fossil fuel deposits, there is a demand for using alternate feed sources for producing biodegradable surfactants for use in detergents and in other industries.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide methods for producing linear alkylbenzenes from a bio-renewable feedstock, i.e., a feedstock that is not extracted from the earth. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and this background.

Methods for producing linear alkylbenzenes from bio-renewable feedstocks