A method using symbols to gather, store, retrieve, manipulate and report information, with attendant improvements in communication, efficiency and efficacy. A customer communication received by an organization is assigned a symbol on the basis of key words within the communication and/or a record of transaction between the customer and the organization. The communication is directed to a communication handler appropriate to the assigned symbol. Using symbols, the customer can provide inputs to the organization regarding satisfaction with the transaction; the organization can then compare these symbols with internally reported symbols to ascertain an accuracy level of the organization""s perception of the transaction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related to the field of communication and, more particularly, to a symbol/graphic-based methodology usable in many applications to improve the recordation, display and manipulation of useful information to improve and enhance the efficiency of various forms of communications.
2. Description of the Related Art
A system known as the Memory Language System has been developed by Martino Ronchi for use in connection with telephone solicitation. When communicating with potential clients or customers over the telephone, it was learned that numerous calls were often required to reach a positive conclusion. Text-based handwritten notes taken during a series of follow-up calls were often confusing and opportunities were lost due to miscommunication over the ongoing follow up process.
To keep better track of the information garnered, as well as the next steps which needed to be taken, a system of symbols was developed. These symbols included what were referred to as container symbols and auxiliary symbols, the auxiliary symbols being placed within the container symbols.
Container symbols act like verbs in a sentence. They indicate the next step that the user or customer is expected to take. Auxiliary symbols act like adverbs, adjectives and expletives, modifying the container symbol and adding richness of detail in the form of information useful for achieving the desired ultimate result. Finally, two xe2x80x9cend-gamexe2x80x9d symbols are used to indicate positive or negative closure of the item or transaction.
Container symbols include a square, used to indicate that an outbound call is required; and a circle, used to indicate that an inbound call is expected. Auxiliary symbols include a triangle, used to indicate the presence of a problem or that expectations about the outcome of the solicitation are negative; arrows, indicating whether an action should be taken xe2x80x9ctomorrowxe2x80x9d or xe2x80x9ctodayxe2x80x9d, dependent upon the arrow direction; an exclamation point, indicating that the action or matter is xe2x80x9cimportantxe2x80x9d; and a question mark, indicating a question to be answered or information to be supplied before the action may be resolved. End-game symbols include xe2x80x9cO.K.xe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cNOxe2x80x9d, indicating positive and negative outcomes, respectively.
A container symbol may convey further information through enhancement of the thickness of its border. For example, when the border of the square or circle is thickened, doubled or otherwise visibly modified, this can indicate an exercise of judgment by the user that the probable outcome of the process will be favorable.
Through the use of these symbols, notes summarizing each call may be automated and consistently presented, reducing the time needed to record and review the call summary.
When developed into call center software, the memory language system methodology made it possible to reduce so-called xe2x80x9ctalk timexe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cwrap timexe2x80x9d, but more importantly it increased accuracy and efficacy (measured by final positive results). The resulting improvement in profits and results was truly dramatic for call centers. The implications were particularly important given the heavy turnover of personnel which characterizes that industry.
The use of symbols to communicate information in commercial and non-commercial media is underutilized at the present time. This underutilization is costly in terms of time and money, human error and lost information. In a world where quick and precise conveyance of concepts and accurate indication of follow up actions are vital to success, the proper utilization of symbols can fill important needs.
Through greater use of symbols, information may be recorded via the click of a mouse with reduced text writing requirements. The nature of the symbols also reduces the likelihood of mistakes and miscommunication, even across languages and cultures. It should be noted as well that dyslexia, which affects a significant percentage of the population to one degree or another, is now understood to be a phonemic-based, i.e., written word-based, difficulty, rather than a symbol-based difficulty. Thus, greater use of symbols instead of words can both increase the pool of qualified people who could utilize this system and increase efficiency over a text-based system.
With the growth of distributed computer systems such as the Internet, the customer""s expectation of reliability, speed and intimacy in communication with an organization is increasing, regardless of the nature of the organization. It is no longer enough to use technology and methodology that competes effectively with others in your specific industry because customers expect technology and methodology that matches that used by any industry with which they have interacted. In addition to wanting consistency between organizations, customers want a consistent interface with a particular organization, regardless of the method of contact initiated, i.e., facsimile, email, etc.
In view of the foregoing, every organization must find a way to record information pertaining to their customers quickly, and to access this information consistently, without delay, and in a readily understandable format in order to best satisfy the expectations of their customers during each and every transaction. The symbol-based system and method of the present invention provides such a way.
A general object of the invention is to render the recording, storing and retrieval of information in a broad variety of contexts more efficient and efficacious through the use of standardized and personalized symbols, thereby reducing costs and improving results.
Another object of the invention is to increase the accuracy and reliability of information gathered through the use of both standardized and personalized symbols.
A further object of the invention is to give clear indications, through the use of symbols, of the next steps the user should take in virtually any business or non-business context. By combining this functionality with an xe2x80x9calarm screenxe2x80x9d function, the user can be informed when the steps need to be taken.
A still further object of the invention is to provide an intuitive means whereby customers can provide direct input to an organization regarding the customer""s level of satisfaction with a transaction, which input can then be efficiently compared with the organization""s perception of the success of the transaction, through the use of symbols.
Another object of the invention is to render training easier and less costly to companies and individuals by providing people with intuitive, easy-to-understand symbolic tools in their work or other environments.
An additional object of the invention is to allow managers to sort information more easily, via use of the symbols. This can be important both for purposes of apportioning out work to people who are best able to deal with certain situations, and for purposes of generating analytical and summary reports of work done or in progress.
A further object of the invention is to provide an intelligent system for routing and call allocation in which inbound emails, faxes, etc., are routed via computerized textual analysis, e.g., using key words, to xe2x80x9ctagxe2x80x9d communications.
Another object of the invention is to provide corporations and communities with a symbol-based methodology which reduces or eliminates barriers of language, dialect and culture, improving information flow and understanding, and leading to better and more efficient communications.
Another object of the invention is to give managers and individuals a standardized, symbol-connected method for recording the outcome of transactions that can be used subsequently by appropriate third parties.
According to the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a system and method for improving the handling and communication of information in a wide variety of contexts, through the use of symbols, is provided. In accordance with the method, a communication is received by an organization and a source of the communication is identified. A memory resident at the organization is accessed to determine whether a record of transaction exists for the identified source. Any symbols stored in the memory are reviewed for input as to how to direct the communication. If there is no record of transaction, or if there is a record but the stored symbols are not dispositive of the next action, key words are identified in the communication and a symbol is assigned to the communication on the basis of the key words identified. A representation of the assigned symbol is then stored in the memory and the communication is directed to a communication handler appropriate for the assigned symbol.
The method may further comprise the steps of receiving a plurality of communications, assigning a symbol to each communication, and then sorting the plurality of communications into groups on the basis of the symbol or symbols assigned to each. Groups of communications are then directed to communication handlers appropriate for the symbol common to each group.
According to the present invention, the method also includes assigning more than one symbol to each communication. In one such embodiment, a first symbol is assigned based on key words within the communication and a second symbol is assigned which reflects a projected outcome of the transaction. Routing of the communication to an appropriate handler may depend on one or both symbols. Once the transaction is complete, a third symbol is assigned which reflects the actual outcome of the transaction. The second symbol may then be compared with the third symbol to determine the accuracy of the projected outcome and/or the impact of the handling of the transaction on the outcome.
The method also includes receiving customer inputs relative to a transaction, the inputs being provided through the use of symbols. Such inputs may include symbols indicating a desired next action, level of satisfaction with the transaction, degree of urgency, etc. Once received by the organization, these inputs are compared with organizationally assigned symbols, also indicating a desired next action, level of satisfaction with the transaction, degree of urgency, etc., to determine an accuracy of the organization""s perception of the transaction.
According to an alternative embodiment of the method for enabling the customer to initiate a transaction, the customer enters symbols over an electronic interface through which an action and desired timeframe for performing such action are specified. In response to receipt of the symbols, the organization performs the action and the customer provides feedback in the form of a third symbol, indicating a level of satisfaction. Through such customer-initiated transactions, the customer""s needs can be specifically addressed in a timely, focused and efficient manner. The use of symbols provides a consistent interface and a uniform xe2x80x9clanguagexe2x80x9d between the customer and the organization.
These and other objects of the invention, as well as many of the intended advantages thereof, will become more readily apparent when reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Symbol-based memory language system and method


NK cell based cancer immunotherapy, and particularly genetically modified NK92 cell-based immunotherapy is enhanced by expression CXCL12 and/or by suppression or deletion of CXCR4 in the natural killer cells to so reduce aggregation, rejection, and/or fratricide of the natural killer cells. Provided herein are genetically engineered NK (natural killer) cell comprising a recombinant nucleic acid encoding at least a portion of chemokine C—X—C motif ligand 12 (CXCL12), and a transcript for downregulation of chemokine C—X—C motif receptor 4 (CXCR4).

The background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
All publications and patent applications are incorporated by reference herein to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.
More recently, activated NK cells have become available as potential cell therapeutic agents. Advantageously, such cells can be further modified to impart target specificity (e.g., URL: www.NantKwest.com) for cell-specific cancer therapy. While such modified cells hold great promise for immunotherapy of cancer, activated NK cells tend to exhibit fratricide (possibly via an NKG2D mediated cascade of events as described in Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 2013). In addition, activated NK cells may also aggregate and become therapeutically less effective. Moreover, NK allografts are often prone to recognition by the host immune system and may therefore be eliminated before a desired therapeutic effect can be achieved.
It was previously reported that 2B4-CD48 interactions among NK cells are required for optimal NK functions, and indeed, that in the absence of proper 2B4-CD48 interactions, activated NK cells will undergo perform-dependent fratricide. However, due to the criticality of the 2B4-CD48 interaction, interference with that signaling pathway is not considered a suitable option for reduction of NK fratricide (see e.g., Blood 2007; 110: 2020-2023).
CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine signaling is essential for numerous physiological and developmental processes in NK cells. For example, NK cell development has been shown to require CXCR4 signaling (see e.g., Blood 2011; 117: 451-458). In addition, resting NK cells exhibit strong migration in response to CXCL12 (see e.g., J Leukoc Biol 2002; 71: 173-183). Moreover, CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine signaling has also been shown to be involved in various tumor signaling pathways (see e.g., Clin Cancer Res 2010;16: 2927-2931). However, there are diverse NK cell populations (e.g., CD56(dim) CD16+ and CD56(bright) CD16−), and different subgroups exhibit often quite different responses to CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine signaling. For at least this reason, interference with CXCL12-CXCR4 chemokine signaling in native NK cells is generally not considered a therapeutic strategy for NK cell-based therapy.
Thus, while numerous aspects of NK cells are well known in the art, there is still a need for improved treatment systems and methods that use NK cells in immunotherapy of various cancers, and especially where the NK cells are NK92 derivatives.

NK cells with altered CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling


A protective SCR integrated circuit device is disclosed built on adjacent N and P wells and defining an anode and a cathode. In addition to the anode and cathode contact structures, the device has an n-type stack (N+/ESD) structure bridging the N-Well and the P-Well, and a p-type stack (P+/PLDD) structure in the P-Well. The separation of the n-type stack structure and the p-type stack structure provides a low triggering voltage without involving any external circuitry or terminal, that together with other physical dimensions and processing parameters also provide a relatively high holding voltage without sacrificing the ESD protection robustness. In an embodiment, the triggering voltage may be about 8V while exhibiting a holding voltage, that may be controlled by the lateral dimension of the n-type stack of about 5-7 V.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates silicon controlled rectifiers, SCRs, and more particularly to SCRs with controlled triggering and holding voltages.
2. Background Information
Protecting circuits from electrostatic discharges, where the protection is on the chip is an essential component for integrated circuits, especially newer, faster, smaller designs often found in very large scale integration, VLSI, circuits.
FIG. 1 illustrates a traditional bipolar SCR protection device. This device may be fabricated using standard MOS processes (hence the "gate" terminal), where the bipolar transistors are often labeled as parasitic, but it is these transistors which provide the protection. Often there are resistors from the anode to the base, R1, of T1 and one from the gate to the cathode, R2. If the gate and the cathode are at ground, the anode may rise in voltage with nothing happening but some small leakage current until the device breaks down. If a separate signal is developed that forward biases the gate to cathode, T2 will turn on which in turn turns on T1 and the device triggers presenting a low impedance from the anode to the cathode. However, it would be advantageous to not to supply this separate signal.
If the gate remains unconnected, and the voltage, VA, at the anode rises with VB at ground, VA will reach a trigger (or snap-back) voltage level, VAB, that will produce the negative resistance snap-back curve shown in FIG. 2. VA falls to the holding voltage, VH. When VAB is reached, T1 or T2 may break down and turn on the other. The net effect is that the device triggers, then T1 and T2 turn on presenting a low impedance from anode to cathode. This condition is sometimes referred to "latch up." Typically the current is limited, so the latch-up is usually not destructive.
Known problems continue to exist in the prior art circuit. For example, with an SCR across a power rail, when an ESD (Electrostatic Discharge) event occurs, the SCR may turn on, but when the event ends, the SCR may remain on, if the power rail voltage is higher than the holding voltage of the SCR. Some known SCRs turn on at voltages that are too high to fully protect low voltage ICs (integrated circuits), e.g. circuits using 3.3V or 1.8V power supplies.
Typically models have been developed to gauge and classify ESD events. The peak voltages run from about ±0.5 kV to 16 kV. Some of these models are: the HBM (Human Body Model); the MM (Machine Model); the CDM (Charged Device Model); and the IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) model. The ESD event times for these models run from about less than ten nanoseconds rise times and decay times of about ten times as long.
Regardless of their limitations, SCRs have been among the electronic components of choice for such protection and there are many examples in the prior art. Among that prior art are: U.S. Pat. No. 6,172,404 ('404) to Chen et al. that issued on Jan. 9, 2001; U.S. Pat. No. 7,071,528 ('528) to Ker et al. that issued on Jul. 4, 2006; U.S. patent publication no. 2005/0151160 ('160) to Salcedo et al. that issued on Jul. 14, 2005; and U.S. patent publication no. 2006/0151836 ('836) to Salcedo et al. that issued on Jul. 13, 2006.
The '404 patent is silent on the trigger voltage (anode to cathode) value that is a specific characteristic in the present invention. Moreover, the '404 does not suggest the low voltage triggering and relatively high holding voltage of the present invention.
The '528 patent incorporates a three terminal device with a separate trigger signal supplied to the equivalent of the gate terminal of FIG. 1. The present invention does not suggest a three terminal device.
The '160 and the '836 publications do not suggest a trigger voltage below +13V or 15V, respectively, as compared to the +8 V trigger voltage of the present invention.

Un-assisted, low-trigger and high-holding voltage SCR


To realize backup that gives no influence on on-line performance at low cost, provided is a storage system including one or more disk storage devices, a tape storage device, and a controller for controlling the at least one disk storage device and the tape storage device. The controller stores a copy of data stored in a first volume in a third volume, reads the copy of the data stored in the first volume from the third volume to store the copy in a first tape storage medium of the tape storage device, stores a copy of data stored in a second volume in the third volume, and reads the copy of the data stored in the second volume from the third volume to store the copy in a second tape storage medium of the tape storage device.

A technology disclosed herein relates to a management method for a storage system, and more particularly to a data backup method in a tape library.
There has been a tendency of increasing amount of data processed by a computer system of a company or the like, which has been accompanied by an increasing amount of backup data used to prevent a data loss caused by a failure or the like.
To store a large amount of data at low cost, a tiered storage system is generally used. In the tiered storage system, frequently accessed data is stored in a relatively expensive but high-performance storage medium such as a magnetic disk. On the other hand, infrequently accessed data such as backup data is stored in a relatively inexpensive storage medium such as a magnetic tape.
The process of copying the data stored in the magnetic disk in the magnetic tape to back up the data may affect performance of the magnetic disk device which is a copy source. As a result, performance of another process using the magnetic disk device which is the copy source (e.g., an application process of accessing data in the magnetic disk device) may deteriorate. To prevent such an influence on the performance, a technology which combines data copying between the magnetic disk devices with data copying from the magnetic disk device to a magnetic tape device has been disclosed (JP 2003-140981 A).
According to the technology disclosed therein, two volumes set in the magnetic disk device are mirrored. In other words, when data of one volume (primary volume) is updated, the updated data is copied to the other volume (secondary volume). As a result, the same data is stored in the two volumes. When the data of these volumes is backed up in a magnetic tape, the copying between the two volumes is stopped. While the data of the secondary volume is copied in the magnetic tape, the primary volume permits access from an application. Thus, the data can be backed up without affecting processing performance of the application.
Additionally, a storage system that includes a disk interface for a host computer and a function of storing data of a logical volume in a magnetic tape has been disclosed (JP 2006-163454 A). According to this storage system, management costs can be reduced by managing storage areas of a magnetic disk device and a magnetic tape device as logical volumes.

Storage system and method for backing up data


A liquid crystal display panel and a manufacturing method thereof, and a display device are provided. The liquid crystal display panel includes a first substrate and a second substrate assembled to form a cell, first spacers for supporting a liquid crystal cell gap being provided between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein a plurality of second spacers are further formed on a surface of the first substrate that is close to the second substrate; separated first electrodes and second electrodes are formed on one of a surface of the second spacers and a surface of the second substrate corresponding to the second spacers, the first electrodes and the second electrodes having different potentials; third electrodes are formed on the other of a surface of the second spacers and a surface of the second substrate corresponding to the second spacers.

At present, as a bridge for connecting users and electronic equipments, touch technology has been gradually applied to mobile telephones, tablet computers, automatic teller machines and other electronic display devices that include liquid crystal displays.
Depending on locations of touch sensors, liquid crystal display panels with touch function are generally classified into on cell touch panels and in cell touch panels. At present, on cell touch panels are relatively more common in the market, which realize touch function by adding touch structures on surface of the display panels. Since the display panel structure is not required to change, such a structure is easy to implement. However, on cell touch panels generally have a large cell gap, light transmission rate is difficult to guarantee, and thus most on cell touch panels cannot realize multi-point touch function. Therefore, the industry has turned to in cell touch panels which have thinner cell gap and higher light transmission rate.
In existing in cell touch panels, in order to obtain touch locations of users, it is generally required to provide X and Y coordinate determining structures for touching on the array substrate, which are implemented by design and connection of metal lines. Due to process factors, spacing need to be left in regions that metal lines are arranged on. Metal line regions are generally very large. Enlargement of metal line regions would increase frame width of displays. On the other hand, in order to prevent light from influencing electric field generated by metal lines, metal line regions need to be covered by black matrix, which will influence opening ratio of a display panel to some extent. It is difficult for prior art to address the above problems.

Liquid crystal display panel and manufacturing method thereof, and a display device

BEIJING BOE OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.


A rotary sprinkler is provided having a stationary base portion, with a water inlet for attachment to a conventional garden hose, and a vertically oriented water outlet having a body portion rotatably secured thereto. A plurality of generally cylindrical arms extend radially from the body portion, with each arm having a nozzle unit disposed on the distal end thereof. Each nozzle unit includes a plurality of nozzles formed therein, and may be selectively positioned longitudinally so as to expose a different number of such nozzles to the water supply. The nozzle unit may be rotated relative to its respective arm, so that the water discharged through the nozzles operates to drive the body/arm assembly about the base. The rotational velocity of the body/arm assembly may be controlled by the user of the sprinkler by adjusting the rotational orientation of the plurality of nozzle units.

1. Field
This invention relates to rotary sprinklers and, more particularly, to such sprinklers having a plurality of selectively adjustable nozzle units.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Rotary sprinklers having a plurality of jet driven arms for distributing water on a lawn or garden have been well known in the yard for a number of years. U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,903, entitled "Sprinkler", discloses a contemporary rotary sprinkler having three arms, or "nozzle supports," with each such arm having a rotatable nozzle head disposed on the distal end thereof. Each nozzle head is selectively rotatable between three independent positions, with a different number of nozzles placed in use in each position. Each nozzle head is also rotatable to a position wherein none of the respective nozzles are in use (i.e., none of the nozzles are in fluid communication with the water supply). The angular orientation of each nozzle head may also be independently adjusted, thereby controlling the rotational velocity of the arm assembly.
Other conventional rotary sprinklers provide two or three arms radially projecting from a central hub, which is rotatably secured to a base, with each arm having a fixed jet operatively disposed thereon. Such sprinklers are typically very inexpensive to manufacture, but do not provide the degree of adjustability required for some applications. Specifically, some conventional sprinklers do not provide means for adjusting the water flow and/or the directional orientation of the nozzles.
Conceptually, the sprinkler disclosed in the '903 patent provides a high degree of adjustability for the spray pattern of the water distributed thereby. Each of the three arms includes a nozzle head with three separate sets of nozzle units, and each of the three nozzle units per arm has a different number of nozzles formed therein. The angular orientation of each nozzle unit may be varied considerably, including a position wherein no nozzles are in operation, so that the rotational velocity of the '903 sprinkler is, at least theoretically, almost infinitely adjustable.
In practice, however, the sprinkler disclosed in the '903 patent has been found to be unnecessarily complicated for its intended purpose. In the vast majority of applications, there is little or no discernible difference between most of the various patterns of water distribution provided by the '903 sprinkler. Similarly, it has been found that there is little or no practical distinction in the effectiveness of the sprinkler when the nozzle units are set at many of the available angular orientations. The conceptual range of rotational velocities available with the '903 sprinkler is unrealistic given the practical limitations in water pressure and bearing efficiency. In short, the unusually complicated operation of the sprinkler disclosed in the '903 patent is not justified by the relatively few advantages provided by its high degree of adjustability.
There is a need in the industry for a rotary sprinkler of simplified design and operation, which provides a suitable variety of water distribution patterns and rotational velocities.


A mounting board has a plurality of semiconductor memory devices operated in sync with a clock signal, and a semiconductor data processing device which access-controls the semiconductor memory devices. Layouts of data-system terminals of the semiconductor memory devices with respect to memory access terminals of the semiconductor data processing device are determined in such a manner that wirings for data and a data strobe system (RTdq/dqs) become shorter than wirings for a command/address system (RTcmd/add). The wirings for the data and data strobe system (RTdq/dqs) are laid down using an area defined between the semiconductor memory devices. The wirings for the command/address system (RTcmd/add) bypass the side of the mounting board.

The present invention relates to a semiconductor device packaged by implementing a plurality of semiconductor devices in a mounting board, and to, for example, a technique effective if applied to a semiconductor device configured as a multichip module or SIP (System in Package) in which a synchronous DRAM (SDRAM) chip having a double data rate (DDR) based on the JEDEC standard (JESD79) and a microcomputer chip are mounted.
External data terminals of plural bits in an SDRAM are configured in such a manner that their data input/output timings are synchronized with a clock signal. A microcomputer fetches therein data outputted from the SDRAM in sync with the clock signal (data strobe signal: DQS) outputted from the SDRAM. As data input/output rates of the SDRAM, there are known a single data rate, and a double data rate equivalent to twice the single data rate. The single data rate inputs and outputs data in cycle units of the data strobe signal, whereas the double data rate inputs and outputs data in sync with the falling and rising edges of the data strobe signal. Thus, a timing margin is reduced in the double data rate as compared with the single data rate. Achieving an improvement in signal integrity (SI) with respect to in-module wirings connected to data input/output data terminals (DQ) doubled in transfer rate and data strobe terminals (DQS) for the input/output of the data strobe signal therefore needs to prevent malfunctions in particular.
Although attention is not directed toward the improvement in the signal integrity, a semiconductor device in which a microprocessor and a DDR-SDRAM are mounted onto one printed circuit board or mounting board has been described in a patent document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-204030).


A barcode scanning application is provided for a smartphone. The barcode scanning application includes a custom software input panel, which includes a barcode scanning key and a keyboard wedge capable of translating barcode data into keyboard strokes. The barcode scanning application, once initialized, is configured to cause the custom software input panel to be removed from the first portion of the visual display and to open a barcode viewfinder on the portion of the visual display previously occupied by the custom software input panel. The barcode scanning application is configured to scan a barcode in the viewfinder, close the viewfinder, decode the scanned barcode, and send the barcode information to the keyboard wedge. The keyboard wedge is configured to translate the decoded barcode information into keyboard strokes and send the keyboard strokes for displayed within a different application running and displayed continuously on the second portion of the visual display.

Generally speaking, there are many smartphone applications that require the ability to scan a barcode. In order to add this functionality to their application (app), developers quite frequently rely on a 3rd party software development kits to add this functionality directly within their application. The functionality gives the smartphone user access to barcode scanning only from within that particular application. If a user wants a universal method of scanning barcodes across all their applications, usually, this is not available.
Sometimes a keyboard wedge style application is used to facilitate universal scanning in any application. A keyboard wedge can be either a software program or an inserted hardware device that translates digital signals from a barcode reader or a magnetic strip reader into keyboard strokes for a smart device or a computer. The software form of a keyboard wedge intercepts the digital signals from the reader when they arrive at the computer and instantly translates them into keyboard strokes. The hardware form of a keyboard wedge inserts the translation device between the reader and the keyboard. Data sent through a wedge appears as if it was typed into the computer, while the keyboard itself remains fully functional. Because a computer or smartphone using a keyboard wedge can't tell the difference between data that is entered by a scanning device or data that is entered by keyboard typing, a wedge can be used to easily add barcode reading capability to an existing device without modifying software applications.
A keyboard wedge-style application can be used to facilitate universal scanning in any application by keeping a background service running that responds to a particular key press. When the service detects this key press, it brings up the barcode scanner and inserts the resultant scan data into the keyboard buffer so that is it inserted at the cursor as text in whichever application has focus at the moment. This is usually a somewhat clumsy operation, as it requires a scan wedge application to first be started and running in the background. The user also needs to be aware of the hardware button that will trigger a scan event.
Today, many smartphone operating systems allow you to create custom software keyboards (soft input panels) which are sometimes used to add a barcode scanning button and scan wedge functionality. When the custom keyboard is loaded, if the user wants to enter barcode data into a text field, the user simply opens the software keyboard, hits the scanner button, scans the barcode, and the result is placed in the text field. However, when the scanning trigger occurs, the application loses context, that is the running application is no longer displayed, while the barcode scanner preview screen is displayed. This might worry some users that the application they were just in was closed and that they possibly lost their data.
Therefore, a need exists for a method and an application to scan and decode a barcode on a smartphone without losing context of a running application.

Method and application for scanning a barcode with a smart device while continuously running and displaying an application on the smart device display


A system for instant qualification cross channel offer targeting is disclosed. The system may receive a plurality of personally identifiable information (PII) elements from at least one of a customer device or an affiliate system. The system may determine a credit authorization state in response to the PII element. The system may receive a first request to generate an offer from at least one of the customer device or the affiliate system. The system may generate the offer in response to an offer optimization model, the credit authorization state, and the first request to generate an offer. The system may hash the plurality of PII elements and determine a unique hash based on the plurality of PII elements. The system may associate the unique hash to the offer and store the offer as offer data.

Prospective customers may request that an issuer provide credit services offerings. The prospective customers may also provide customer information in response to an offer request. An issuer may provide one or more offers which the customer may accept, reject, or ignore. Offer requests may be generated by direct customers or by affiliate channels. The offer may vary in response to the customer information or the offer channel. Traditionally, an offer may expire upon the termination of the customer interaction. In this regard, a customer may tend to re-input information for each channel such that offers may tend to be asynchronous across channels. In this regard, a customer may tend to receive conflicting, unappealing, or otherwise off target offers.

Instant qualification cross channel offer targeting

American Express Travel Related Services Company, Inc.


An underwater detection system which searches the water in a wide range of directions and displays moving targets in different colors depending on speeds of the targets comprises an ultrasonic transmitting unit (101) for radiating a search pulse having a carrier frequency in a wide range of directions, an ultrasonic receiving unit (1p, 1q) for successively searching areas in mutually different directions in the wide range of directions to receive ultrasonic signals coming from each of respective directions therein at least two times, a phase difference detector (10, 12), detecting a phase difference between the carriers of the reception signals having come from the same direction in the wide range of directions and caught by the ultrasonic receiving unit, a calculator (18 calculating the angular frequency of the reception signals based on the phase difference of the carriers of signals, a color signal generator (103), producing predetermined color signals corresponding to angular frequencies based on signals representative of the angular carrier frequency outputted by the calculator, and a display (104), displaying output signals of the color signal generator.

When a fish school is moving, the frequency of an ultrasonic signal reflected by the school of fish is shifted in frequency (Doppler frequency shift) due to the Doppler effect. Due to detection of the Doppler frequency shift ultrasonic echoes from a moving fish school can be distinguished from ultrasonic echoes reflected by a fixed target such as the seabed. Also, a fast or slow speed or the like of the moving fish school can be detected.
A prior art underwater detection system has been provided which detects a Doppler frequency shift (refer to, for example Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 29975/1982).
However, the prior art apparatus was merely capable of detecting Doppler frequency shifts of ultrasonic signals coming from one specific direction, but was not capable of detecting Doppler frequency shifts of ultrasonic signals coming from the whole range of directions. Thus, information such as a fast or slow speed or the like of moving fish schools in a wide range of directions can not be obtained in a short time duration.


A user requests a service using a communication device (102) capable of providing information about the location of the user. The request is communicated by the communication device (102) along with information about the location of the user to a service provider agent (108) capable of dispatching a service provider (112) responsive to the service request. The service provider agent (108) may deliver to the user information relating to the manner in which the service will be rendered and information to facilitate payment for the service. This information may be provided by way of a token delivered to the user's communication device (102). Once the service is rendered, and the user is proximate the service provider (112), the service provider (112) and the communication device (102) exchange data to complete the service transaction, which may include information necessary to render the service and to affect payment for the service.

The availability of wireless communication devices, such as cellular telephones, paging devices, personal digital assistants, and the like allows users of such devices to order or request services from virtually any location in the world. For example, to order a transportation service, one may call a dispatcher for a given transportation service, notify the dispatcher of the location where the service is needed, i.e., the pickup location, the type of service requested, e.g., limo, taxi, etc., and the destination. The service provider, in this example the dispatcher, may retain a profile of its regular customers, which may include home address, business address, preferred manner of payment, preferred service type, etc. In all cases, the dispatcher must be informed of the pickup location. That is, even if the dispatcher knows the user's home or business address from the user's profile, it must be informed if the pickup is from the user's home or business or another location.
Once the order is placed with the dispatcher, in certain instances it is necessary to give the user instructions so that the service may be rendered. Continuing with the car service example outlined above, once the user has placed the order for a vehicle, the dispatcher will generally need to let the user know the car number, e.g., taxi/limousine number, license plate number, etc., so the user can identify the vehicle once it arrives. The user may require additional information, such as a location at an airport to wait for the vehicle to arrive.
When the service has been rendered, the user must pay for the service. While the user may pay with cash, the user may want to pay with a credit or debit card. Paying with a credit/debit card requires the vehicle driver to take information from the credit/debit card, either manually or by swiping the card in a reader; communicating the debit/credit card information to the dispatcher; obtaining an approval code from the dispatcher; and obtaining the users signature on a credit/debit card receipt. Completing the transaction may therefore delay the user.

Method and apparatus for delivering services


A system and method of controlling activation of a power source of a hybrid electric vehicle. The method includes determining a vehicle speed, determining an operating state of a brake system, and controlling activation of the power source based on at least one of the vehicle speed and the operating state of the brake system.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the control of a hybrid electric vehicle, and more particularly to a method for controlling activation of a power source of a hybrid electric vehicle.
2. Background Art
Hybrid electric vehicles have been proposed that turn off an engine and use battery power to propel the vehicle at low speeds (e.g., less than 5 mph or from a complete stop). These vehicles emphasize the importance of not operating the engine at low speeds to conserve fuel. However, such vehicles may have insufficient electrical power or motor torque to simultaneously propel the vehicle and start the engine. As a result, there may be delayed engine starts, sluggish vehicle acceleration, and rapid depletion of battery charge. The use of higher capacity batteries to address these issues is undesirable due to increased cost, size, and/or weight.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for controlling activation of a power source of a hybrid electric vehicle


Various methods for controlling a wastegate with an electric actuator including a bias are provided. In one example, the actuator is supplied with a first current when moving a wastegate valve toward a fully open position, and is supplied with a second current when moving a wastegate toward a fully closed position. The methods may ensure appropriate supply of boost to an engine even in the event of wastegate degradation while enabling engine downsizing.

Engines may use a turbocharger to improve engine torque/power output density. In one example, a turbocharger may include a compressor and a turbine connected by a drive shaft, where the turbine is coupled to an exhaust manifold side and the compressor is coupled to an intake manifold side. In this way, the exhaust-driven turbine supplies energy to the compressor to increase the pressure in the intake manifold (e.g. boost, or boost pressure) and to increase the flow of air into the engine. The boost may be controlled by adjusting the amount of gas reaching the turbine, for example with a wastegate. The wastegate valve may be controlled based on operating conditions to achieve the desired boost. In one example, the wastegate valve may be an electronic wastegate controlled by an associated electric actuator. The electric actuator is driven to alter the wastegate position, thereby controlling the amount of gas reaching the turbine and achieving the desired boost. In some downsized engines, whose volumes have been reduced to improve fuel economy, a turbocharger is included to recover the loss in performance due to downsizing.
In some examples, an electric actuator is used to control the position of a wastegate valve. The electric actuator, for example, may be an electric motor which transmits a linear force to a rod. The rod may directly actuate the wastegate valve, or alternatively, the rod may be coupled to a rotating member which transmits rotational motion to the wastegate valve.
The inventors herein have recognized a problem with such approaches utilizing electric actuators to control the position of a wastegate valve. In downsized engines, loss of wastegate valve control due to a degraded actuator may cause insufficient boost to be delivered to the engine. In this case, the engine may not supply the desired level of torque and output. Thus, the degree of downsizing of the engine may be limited due to wastegate degradation concerns. For example, loss in wastegate valve control may cause insufficient boost to be delivered to an engine, particularly when the wastegate valve is pushed into a partially open position due to exhaust flow pressure and flow forces. In this case, the degraded actuator cannot supply sufficient closing force to the valve.
Systems and methods for compensating a degraded electric actuator operatively coupled to a wastegate valve are provided. For example, a method may include adjusting a wastegate actuator coupled to a wastegate valve in an engine exhaust to control an engine boost level of an engine, the adjustment based on a force supplied by a bias.
In one example, a spring is coupled to an electric wastegate actuator, the spring maintaining a wastegate valve in a closed position up to a threshold pressure. In an un-degraded operation, the electric actuator is moved toward an open position with a first current and moved toward a closed position with a second current, in addition to being biased toward the closed position via the spring.
In this way, by coupling a spring to an electric wastegate actuator and maintaining a wastegate valve in a closed position up to a threshold manifold pressure via the biasing spring force (e.g., spring pre-load), sufficient boost may be provided to an engine and desired engine output ensured even if the electric actuator has degraded. Further, due to the supply of closing force via the spring, the size of the electric actuator may be reduced, reducing power consumption. Downsized engines may also forego or reduce dimensioning to account for wastegate degradation.
The above advantages and other advantages, and features of the present description will be readily apparent from the following Detailed Description when taken alone or in connection with the accompanying drawings.
It should be understood that the summary above is provided to introduce in simplified form a selection of concepts that are further described in the detailed description. It is not meant to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, the scope of which is defined uniquely by the claims that follow the detailed description. Furthermore, the claimed subject matter is not limited to implementations that solve any disadvantages noted above or in any part of this disclosure.

Method for controlling a turbocharger arrangement with an electric actuator and spring


A self-cleaning coal bypass and debris separation grid assembly has a sizing/segregating grid for particulate material such as coal, and a debris bypass grid downstream to bypass the coal to a coal crusher and separate any debris which might damage the crusher. Clearing mechanisms are provided for both the sizing/segregating grid and the debris separating grid. The clearing mechanism for the debris separating grid is preferably a rotating clearing comb having arcuate fingers yieldably mounted to a rotating axle shaft. The arcuate fingers are preferably adjustably tensioned to the axle shaft.

The boilers of coal-fired steam generators in electric utility plants are typically used in conjunction with crushers to reduce raw coal to chunks or particles of less than a certain size prior to pulverization and introduction to the boiler combustion chamber. To prolong the life of the crusher components, the coal is first passed through a sizing/segregating grid made up of parallel bars disposed in the vertical path of a coal chute and spaced apart to pass smaller chunks such that they may be diverted around, rather than through, the crusher. In a given coal stream, this segregation may result in between 40% and 80% of the coal bypassing the crusher.
The grid in the aforementioned apparatus is typically made up of steel bars welded into a grid and disposed in a vertical chute at an angle such that smaller chunks of material pass through while larger chunks of material are caught by the grid and directed into the crusher. In such an operation, some coal chunks are inevitably of such size as to collect on and between the grid bars. Ultimately, such collected materials jam or plug the grid in varying degrees and degrade the efficiency of the segregating operation. To ensure proper operation, these collected materials must be removed from the grid.
For this purpose it is known from my U.S. Pat. No. 4,966,689 to use a clearing comb made up of rigid steel fingers normally located in a home position below and behind the grid where it is essentially out of the path of travel of the material which passes through the grid. The comb is periodically actuated by an air cylinder or the like to cause the fingers to lift as a unit and to simultaneously pass upwardly through and between the grid bars to lift and clear the jammed materials from the grid. The air cylinder is then deactivated and the comb drops back to the home position.
While the comb fingers pass between the grid bars they effectively block the grid and divert all material into the crusher.
In my co-pending application Ser. No. 560,076, filed Jul. 30, 1990, I disclose a sizing apparatus for rough size-segregation of coal and other particulate material wherein the sizing/segregation grid is continuously cleared of material which jams between or bridges the bars of the grid. In general, this is achieved through the use of a rotating comb comprising a plurality of parallel fingers which rotate through and between the bars of the grid about an axis which passes essentially through and at right angles to the grid bars.
In an illustrative embodiment further disclosed therein, a sizing grid is equipped with two rotating combs, the fingers of respective combs rotating about spaced parallel axes and driven by a single motor. The fingers of each comb are progressively staggered in angular position and the two combs are arranged relative one another so that the swept volumes thereof overlap. Comb fingers are angularly arranged to avoid mechanical interference during rotation. In a preferred form, the comb fingers are staggered in angular relationship to one another or arranged in staggered groups so that the grid is never completely blocked over its entire area. In this fashion, the crusher is uniformly loaded at all times. In fact, the comb fingers may be arranged on two or more parallel, spaced axles which are synchronously driven. Moreover, means are provided for reversing the direction of rotation of the combs. In the illustrative embodiment, this is achieved on a demand basis by monitoring comb drive motor current and activating a reversing switch whenever an increase in motor current indicates a stalled or incipient stall condition in the motor.
Coal fed into the sizer-segregator and subsequently to the crusher typically contains a substantial amount of debris left over from the mining and initial processing. The debris can include relatively large pieces of wood, metal or rock, all of which can seriously damage the crusher and make inoperative various safety features in the crusher. It is known to provide a magnetic separator upstream of the sizer-segregator to remove ferromagnetic metal from the coal fed into the system. Magnetic separators, of course, fail to separate non-ferromagnetic junk such as wood, non-magnetic metal and rock, and therefore are an inadequate solution to the problem of keeping damaging debris out of the crusher.
The typical coal sizing/segregating grid as described above performs only a coal separating function; i.e., it permits small pieces of coal to bypass the crusher while directing larger chunks of coal directly into the crusher. Unfortunately, any large debris missed by the magnetic separator will also be directed straight into the crusher by the grid, creating the potential for expensive and time-wasting damage to the crusher.

Self-cleaning coal bypass and debris separation grid assembly with rotary clearing mechanism


A stand for a working light includes a base capable of standing on a ground and a handle pivotally connected to the base via a pivotal member which is provided to joints between the base and the handle. The pivotal member is composed of a securing sleeve firmly connected to the handle, a contrast sleeve firmly connected to the base and a fastening knob with a threaded rod extending through the contrast sleeve, the base and into the securing sleeve to selectively secure engagement between the securing sleeve and the contrast sleeve such that after the working light is firmly mounted between two free ends of the handle, pivotal movement of the handle relative to the base, the working light angle is adjusted accordingly.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a working light stand, and more particularly to a working light stand able to allow the working light to pivot relative to the stand so as to facilitate convenience of working.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In a working site, on stage or the like, a working light is normally associated with a stand which is able to stand the working light on the ground. When the working light is in application, the user normally positions the working light with the stand. After employment of the working light, the angle of the working light is fixed such that whenever the user needs to change the angle of the working light, the user will have to use every means possible to change the working light angle.
To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide an improved working light stand to mitigate the aforementioned problems.


The present invention provides feline transplantable lung carcinoma xenografts and cell lines. Such xenografts and cell lines exhibit a number of unique characteristics which allows their use in experimental models of carcinoma in order to dissect out the molecular basis of this phenotype. This experimental model of carcinoma can be used to identify molecular targets for therapeutic intervention and to assess the efficacy of a broad spectrum of diagnostic and therapeutic agents. Specific animal models of lung cancer are described as well as methods for evaluating diagnostic and therapeutic agents for treating lung cancer.

Over the past decade, there has been a marked increase in both the number of new cases and in deaths related to lung cancer nationwide. Tobacco (cigarette smoking) has been implicated in the initiation and promotion of the majority of these new cases of lung cancer. Carcinogens and tumor promoters in cigarette smoke are thought to be responsible for many of the genetic and epigenetic alterations in bronchial and alveolar epithelial cells that result in the multistep progression into lung cancer.
Peripheral adenocarcinoma (PAC) and bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) are forms of lung cancer whose etiology and pathogenesis are controversial and whose link to either main stream tobacco smoking or second hand smoking unproven. While squamous cell carcinomas and small cell carcinomas have shown an overall decrease in incidence in the past decade, peripheral adenocarcinomas (PACs) and bronchioloalveolar lung cancers (BACs) have shown an exponential increase (Barsky et al., Cancer 1994; 73: 1163–1170; Barsky et al., Modern Path 1994; 7: 633–640). These increases have been observed equally in both smokers as well as non-smokers. These epidemiological observations provide evidence that either different etiological factors exist (other than main stream or second hand smoke) that cause PACs and BACs or that different etiological co-factors that are synergistic with main stream or second hand smoke play a role in the genesis of PAC/BAC. Some of the distinguishing pathological, biological epidemiological and perhaps etiological features which distinguish PAC/BAC from other types of lung cancer are its peripheral location, its association with desmoplasia (scarring) (Barsky et al., Am J Pathol 1986; 124:412–419), its significant occurrence in non-smokers, its comparatively high female/male ratio, and its tendency to appear in multiple and bilateral foci (especially BAC). Although some theories suggest that this multifocality is due to intrapulmonary metastatic spread or a combination of aerosolization and aspiration, we have demonstrated that at least a partial basis for this multifocality or multicentricity is multiclonality (Barsky et al., Cancer 1994; 73: 1163–1170; Barsky et al., Modern Path 1994; 7: 633–640).
The multifocal nature of BAC was first described in 1876 Malassez et al., Archives of Physiology and Normal Pathology 1876; 3:353–372). BAC was further defined as a well-differentiated adenocarcinoma occurring in the periphery of the lung which tended to spread along aerogenous and lymphatic routes within the confines of the lung (Liebow, Bronchiolar-alveolar carcinoma. Adv Intern Med 1960; 10:329–358). In the revised WHO lung tumor classification (ICD-0) (World Health Organization. Histological typing of lung tumors. International histological classification of tumors, 2nd ed. Geneva. WHO. 1981), bronchioloalveolar carcinoma was included as a subtype of adenocarcinoma. Although there has been considerable debate as to whether bronchioloalveolar carcinoma represents a distinct clinical entity separate from other adenocarcinomas (Schraufnagel et al., Am Rev Resp Dis 1982; 125:74–79), recent evidence suggests differences in incidence trends, survival, and sex and age distributions compared to other adenocarcinomas and other lung cancer cell types (Grover et al., Ann Surg 1989; 209:779–90). For these reasons BAC should be considered as a distinct clinicopathological entity. Pathologists categorize BAC into mucinous and non-mucinous on the basis of their microscopic appearance and further subcategorize non-mucinous BAC into Clara, Type II pneumocyte and mixed cell of origin on the basis of ultrastructural and immunocytochemical findings (Yoneda K Cancer 1990;164–169).
Peripheral adenocarcinoma has long been the predominant cell type among female lung cancers (Wynder et al., Eur J Clin Oncol 1987; 23:1491–1496) and there is abundant evidence that this cell type has been increasing in both men and women (Vincent et al., Cancer 1977; 39:1647–1655; Dodds et al., JNCI 1986; 76:21–29; Valaitis et al., Cancer 1981;47:1042–1046; Percy et al., Lung cancer: causes and prevention. Mizell M, Correa P, eds. Verlag Chemie International Inc. 1984). According to SEER data for 1973–1981 (Percy et al., Lung cancer: causes and prevention. Mizell M, Correa P, eds. Verlag Chemie International Inc. 1984), the incidence of adenocarcinoma has increased 3% per year in males compared to 1.50% per year in females. In 1981, 25% of white male lung cancers and 35% of white female lung cancers were adenocarcinoma. Increases in the proportion of adenocarcinomas have also been reported in Japan (Tsugane et al., Jpn J Can Res 1987; 78:162–169; Watanabe et al., Jpn J Cancer Res 1987; 78:460–6) and Israel (Rennert et al., Cancer Det Prev 1991; 15:99–101). Few studies report the proportion of bronchioloalveolar carcinomas separately from other adenocarcinomas. In SEER data (Percy et al., Lung cancer: causes and prevention. Mizell M, Correa P, eds. Verlag Chemie International Inc. 1984), 17% of adenocarcinomas were bronchioloalveolar carcinomas, 15% were other subtypes, and 68% were classified adenocarcinoma NOS. While bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) represented approximately 3.5% of all lung cancers in the SEER data Percy et al., JNCI 1983; 70:663–666), other studies have reported this proportion to vary from 1% to 8% (Liebow ". Bronchiolar-alveolar carcinoma. Adv Intern Med 1960; 10:329–358; Thomas et al., Br J Dis Chest 1985; 79:132–140; Bennett et al., Cancer 1969; 24:876–887). Recently, there have been several reports of an increase in the incidence of bronchioloalveolar carcinomas. Among patients included in seven Lung Cancer Study Group protocols between 1977 and 1988, 14.5% met the classification criteria for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (Grover et al., Ann Surg 1989; 209:779–90). In a 1988 study (Gazdar et al.,. Sem Onc 1988; 15:215–225), the authors noted that bronchioloalveolar carcinoma was being diagnosed with increasing frequency in the Washington-Baltimore area. In a study of 505 autopsied cases of lung cancer diagnosed between 1973 and 1989 in New Jersey, other authors (Auerbach et al., Cancer 1991; 68:1973–1977) found that the incidence of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma increased from 9.3% to 20.3%, more than any other cell type. A similar increase was reported in Japan (Ikeda et al., Lung cancer 1991; 7:157164). For the time period 1982–1985, 71% of all adenocarcinomas were classif as a the bronchioloalveolar subtype. It is not clear how much, if any, of the recent increases observed for BAC can be explained by changes in diagnostic criteria.
While lung cancer typically shows a strong male predominance, the male/female ratio varies with histologic type. The male/female incidence ratios vary from a high for squamous cell carcinoma (M/F=2.4) to a low for adenocarcinoma (M/F=1.4) (Anton-Culver et al., Cancer Res 1988; 48:6580–6583). The male/female ratio for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma has been reported to range from that observed in all adenocarcinomas to less than unity. Two studies (Bennett et al., Cancer 1969; 24:876–887; Ikeda et al., Lung cancer 1991; 7:157164) reported a lesser male predominance for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma compared to all lung cancers but similar to that for all adenocarcinomas. Among patients included in the Lung Cancer Study Group protocols, a male/female ratio of 1.4 was observed for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma compared to 1.7 for other adenocarcinomas (Grover et al., Ann Surg 1989; 209:779–90). Similarly, the male predominance among SEER cases was less for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (1.2) than for other adenocarcinomas (1.8) (Percy et al., Lung cancer: causes and prevention. Mizell M, Correa P, eds. Verlag Chemie International Inc. 1984). Another study (Schraufnagel et al., Am Rev Resp Dis 1982; 125:7479) however, reported an excess of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma in females compared to males. The male predominance for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is clearly less than for other types of lung cancer and evidence suggests that it is close to, and possibly less than, unity. Studies of lung cancer cell types consistently report a younger age at diagnosis for adenocarcinoma (including bronchioloalveolar carcinoma) than for other cell types in both men and women (Anton-Culver et al., Cancer Res 1988; 48:6580–6583; McDuffie et al., J Clin Epidmiol 1991; 44:537–544; Greenberg et al., JNCI 1984; 72:599–603; Tsai et al., Cancer Det Prev 1988; 11:235–238). Few studies have compared the age distribution for cases of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma alone with other cell types. Two studies (Liebow, Bronchiolar-alveolar carcinoma. Adv Intern Med 1960; 10:329–358; Storey et al., J Thorac Surg 1953; 26:331–403) described bronchioloalveolar carcinoma as occurring with higher frequency in younger ages compared to other cell types. Another study (Schraufnagel et al., Am Rev Resp Dis 1982; 125:74–79) noted the same age distribution for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma and other adenocarcinomas but younger than for squamous cell carcinomas. Contrary to these reports, the Lung Cancer Study Group (Grover et al., Ann Surg 1989; 209:779–90) reported that bronchioloalveolar carcinoma occurs more frequently in older patients than does adenocarcinoma. It is not clear at this time whether or not the age distribution for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma differs from other adenocarcinomas. Survival for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma compared favorably with other adenocarcinomas and large cell carcinoma in the Lung Cancer Study Group experience (Grover et al., Ann Surg 1989; 209:779–90). Survival rates during the first two years after diagnosis were also better than for squamous cell carcinoma, although survival rates were equal after two years.
Adenocarcinoma of the lung has been shown to be associated with cigarette smoking but not as strongly associated with smoking as squamous or small cell carcinomas (McDuffie et al., Cancer 1987; 59:1825–30; Anton-Culver et al., Cancer Res 1988; 48:6580–6583; Osann et al., Cancer Res 1991; 51:4893–4897; Schoenberg et al., Am J Epidemiol 1989; 130:688–695). Risk ratios for adenocarcinoma associated with cigarette smoking in New Jersey men and women were 4.8 and 3.6 respectively (Schoenberg et al., Am J Epidemiol 1989; 130:688–695). Relative risks have not been calculated for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma. One study (Ikeda et al., Lung cancer 1991; 7:157164) noted a similar rate of tobacco use among cases of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma as for the overall group of adenocarcinomas. Others reported a higher proportion of non-smokers among cases of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma than among other adenocarcinomas (Schraufnagel et al., Am Rev Resp Dis 1982; 125:74–79; Auerbach et al., Cancer 1991; 68:1973–1977) and lower mean pack-years of exposure to cigarettes compared to other cell types (Schraufnagel et al., Am Rev Resp Dis 1982; 125:7479). The Lung Cancer Study Group (Grover et al., Ann Surg 1989; 209:779–90) reported that patients with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma were significantly less likely to have a history of smoking than were other cases of adenocarcinoma. While it is clear that bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is at most weakly associated with smoking, it is not clear whether the association with smoking differs from that observed for other adenocarcinomas. Because the association with smoking is weak at best, smoking is an unlikely explanation for the recent increases observed.
Exposure to sidestream or secondhand smoke in the home and workplace have been shown to double the risk of lung cancer in non-smokers (Janerich et al., New Engl J Med 1990; 323:632–6). Passive smoking significantly increased risk for adenocarcinoma in a study of Chinese women (Lam et al., Br J Cancer 1987; 55:673–8). However, no significant increase in risk for adenocarcinoma with passive smoking was noted in another study (Wu et al., JNCI 1985; 74:747–751). An increase in lung cancer risk associated with exposure to cooking oil vapors has also been reported (Gao et al., In J Cancer 1987; 40:604609). The importance of passive smoke for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma has not been well studied.
Incidence of bronchioloalveolar carcinoma is increased in patients with scleroderma (Montgomery R D, Stirling G A, Hamer N A J. Bronchiolar carcinoma in progressive systemic sclerosis. Lancet 1964; 1:586–7) and is associated with parenchymal scarring and interstitial inflammation of the lung (Liebow "Bronchiolar-alveolar carcinoma" Adv Intern Med 1960; 10:329–358; Marcq et al, Am Rev Respir Dis 1973; 107:621–629). Although 60% of bronchioloalveolar carcinomas in one study had radiographic evidence of a prior lesion in the same location as the tumor, no cases gave a medical history of illness including emphysema, tuberculosis, pneumonia, or pulmonary thromboembolism which could have caused scarring (Schraufnagel et al., Am Rev Resp Dis 1982; 125:74–79). Experimental evidence suggests that the scarring may be the result of the cancer rather than the cause (Barsky et al., Am J Pathol 1986; 124:412–419). The Lung Cancer Study Group reported that patients with bronchioloalveolar carcinoma were less likely than other adenocarcinoma patients to have a history of chronic lung disease (Grover et al., Ann Surg 1989; 209:779–90). However, this variable was highly correlated with smoking. Contamination of indoor air by radon from soil, water, or building materials has been shown to be a potentially important cause of lung cancer (Samet J M., JNCI 1989; 81:745–757). Exposure to radon in homes appears to carry only a small increase in risk for non-smokers (Svensson et al., Cancer Res 1989; 49:1861–1865). When risks were estimated by histologic type, this study (Svensson et al., Cancer Res 1989; 49:1861–1865) also noted that adenocarcinoma had the lowest increase in risk associated with radon exposure in homes of any cell type. Small cell carcinoma has most frequently been reported as the predominant type of lung cancer in uranium miners exposed to radon (Samet J M., JNCI 1989; 81:745–757). Although there have been no reports of an increase in bronchioloalveolar lung cancer in uranium miners, contamination of indoor air could contribute to an excess of this cell type in women who are more likely to spend time at home. Occupational risk factors for bronchioloalveolar carcinoma have not been identified. One study (Schraufnagel et al., Am Rev Resp Dis 1982; 125:74–79) found no clear predominance of any occupational group in his series of bronchioloalveolar lung cancer cases. Squamous and small cell carcinomas have most frequently been associated with occupational exposures. However, an increase in the proportion of adenocarcinomas has been noted with exposure to asbestos, beryllium, and polyvinyl chloride (Ives et al., Am Rev Respir Dis 1983; 128:195–209). Because of the equal frequencies of this cancer in men and women, and because occupational exposures are more common in men than in women, it is unlikely that occupation is responsible for the recent increase in this disease.
Because cats and dogs get tumors that clinicopathologically resemble their human counterparts yet presumably are not exposed to the same types of exogenous carcinogenic factors, a study of their molecular alterations might be revealing. Bronchioloalveolar lung carcinoma (BAC) is an example of such a cancer which involves the lungs diffusely in all three species.
Unlike other forms of lung cancer, BAC naturally occurs in two non-human species: sheep and cats. Neither of these animals are exposed to main stream or second hand smoke. Human BAC closely resembles histologically an infectious endemic disease of sheep called jaagsiekte (Bonne et al., Am J Cancer 1939; 35:491–501; De la Heras et al., Eur Respir J. 2000 Aug.;16(2):330–2. The sheep form occurs as ovine pulmonary adenomatosis or jaagsiekte, a disease caused by an exogenous retrovirus (JSRV). In sheep, the disease manifests as a diffuse pulmonic adenomatosis commonly called SPA for short. The SPA complex is of particular interest, since: at least some, and probably all, forms are infectious; members of the SPA complex range in pathology from inflammatory or infiltrative to carcinomatous; and various forms of SPA, while almost certainly of viral etiology, can occur in both epizootic and enzootic form, thus resembling both the picture of classic viral transmission (epizootic) and that of natural tumor epidemiology (occurring at low rates, or enzootic) in which viruses are not ordinarily thought to be implicated. Retrovirus-induced pulmonary carcinoma in sheep was achieved experimentally about a decade ago (DeMartini et al., JNCI 1987; 79:167–177). The cell of origin that gives rise to sheep jaagsiekte is thought to be the Type II pneumocyte, a cell thought also to give origin to one subtype of human non-mucinous BAC. The exogenous virus thought responsible for jaagsiekte has been cloned and reliably distinguished from endogenous retroviral sequences (Palmarini et al., J of General Virology 1995: 76: 2731–2737; Palmarini et al., J of Virology 1996; 70: 1618–1623; Palmarini et al., J of Gen Virology 1996a; 77: 2991–2998; Bai et al., J of Virology 1996; 70: 3159–3168). The feline form naturally occurs in old (>10 years) pure bred Persian and Himalayan cats. The cat form of BAC has not been at all studied and is not endemic nor contagious. It occurs sporadically and spontaneously in older pure bred cats, especially Persian and Himalayan. With respect to its sporadic and spontaneous nature, it has more similarities to human BAC than does sheep BAC (jaagsiekte). Feline BAC is also thought to be of Type II pneumocyte origin.
As is known in the art, animals and humans are affected by a variety of related and/or common pathogens. For example cats are frequently infected with or are carriers of toxoplasmosis, an infectious organism which can seriously harm the developing human fetus in pregnant women. It has been difficult to grow toxoplasmosis in culture and develop a vaccine against this disease. But since cats are the natural host for this organism, it has been suggested that feline cells may provide a nurturing environment for growing organisms such as toxoplasmosis in vitro. Consequently, there is a need in the art for reagents such as mammalian cell lines that can be used in the examination of mammalian pathogens. In addition, there is a need in the art for reagents such as mammalian cell lines that can be used in the examination of mammalian cancers such as BAC. The invention disclosed herein meets these needs.

Feline bronchioloalveolar lung carcinoma xenograft and cell line

The Regents of the University of California


Provided is a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. In the method, a poly layer on a semiconductor substrate is etched to a predetermined depth. Ions are implanted into the poly layer at a predetermined angle. The poly layer is etched again to expose a portion of the semiconductor substrate. Therefore, stress is applied to the poly gate instead of the barrier layer, so that the barrier layer is not opened during contact etching because effects of the barrier layer thickness can be solved. Also, stress is applied to a poly gate directly contacting a channel region of the semiconductor substrate to allow tensile force caused by the stress of the poly gate to directly induce tensile force to the channel region, and thus increase mobility, so that device characteristics can be remarkably enhanced.

The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor device, and more particularly, to a method for fabricating the same, that can improve device characteristics.
As semiconductor devices are highly integrated, both the size of a device active region and the channel length of a metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) transistor formed inside the device active region reduce.
As the channel length of the MOS transistor decreases, the probability of electron collisions in the channel length increases, and consequently the mobility of electrons may be reduced. Therefore, the probability of electron collision should be reduced to increase the mobility of electrons.
To solve this limitation, a method of increasing the mobility of electrons by applying stress to a barrier layer 15 used as an etch stop has been proposed in a related art.
In detail, a device isolation region 3 defining active regions is formed in a semiconductor substrate 1, a gate 9 including an oxide layer 5 and a poly gate 7 is formed, an impurity region 11, for example, a source region or a drain region is formed in the active region using the gate 9 as a mask, and a spacer 13 is formed at lateral sides of the gate 9. After that, a barrier layer 15 is formed on the entire surface of the semiconductor substrate 1. The barrier layer 15 can be formed of SiN. Stress is applied to the barrier layer 15.
In this case, tensile force is generated in the barrier layer 15 in the directions from the gate 9 indicated by the arrows due to the stress in the barrier layer 15. Tensile force is also generated in the directions indicated by the arrows in the channel between one source/drain region (e.g., 11) and the other source/drain region due to such tensile force. Accordingly, since a distance between atoms, for example, lattice Si atoms in the channel, is widened, the probability that an electron collides with Si decreases. Therefore, the mobility of the device increases, and consequently the characteristics of the device can improve.
To increase tensile force caused by stress in the channel, the tensile force of the barrier layer 15 should be increased. To increase tensile force of the barrier layer 15, the thickness of the barrier layer 15 should be increased.
However, in the case where the thickness of the barrier layer 15 increases, the barrier layer may not be effectively opened when etching is performed for a contact opening. Therefore, there exists a limit in increasing the thickness of the barrier 15, which also limits an increase in the mobility of electrons.
Therefore, since there exists a limit in increasing the mobility of electrons in a related art semiconductor device, device characteristics cannot be remarkably improved.

Semiconductor device and method for fabricating the same that includes angled implantation of poly layer


A treatment tool and tissue collection system, for removal of outer layers of skin to provide a revitalized, fresh skin surface, and a method of using same, comprising a abrasive tipped tool mounted on the end or within the end of a hollow tube, said tube being connected to a source of vacuum. The vacuum aids in maintaining intimate contact between the abrasive tip and the skin during the treatment process and transports the removed tissue to a collection container. The abrasive surface within the tube is a motor driven abrasive pad. Contact between the pad and the abrasive disk is brought about or increased by application of a vacuum through the tube to the skin surface.

This invention provides a treatment tool and tissue collection system for remove of outer layers of skin to provide a revitalized, fresh skin surface. This objective is to remove dead and old skin cells without damaging the remaining skin surface and without the use of powdered abrasive materials because these materials may result in undesirable side effects.
Dermabrasion, also referred to as microdermabrasion, is a process for removal of dead cells from the outermost layer of the skin, referred to as the epidermis, clean out blocked pores, and enhance skin tone. Additionally, the margins of acne scars and other traumatic scars can be erased and aging spots and sun damaged skin can be polish off. Still further, charred tissue, following a burn injury must be removed to enhance healing of the underlying tissue. This must be accomplished without injuring the lower two layers, namely, the dermis and the subcutaneous layer or lower dermis. Typically, the skin surface is treated a minimum of 5 times spaced 7 to 10 days apart. This is then followed by periodic maintenance sessions. The benefits are:
1. poor, dull skin is enhanced by a gentle resurfacing of the superficial skin layers,
2. expression lines typically seen on the forehead and around the mouth are softened,
3. fine, crepey lines on the cheeks, generally caused by aging and sun damage are reduced,
4. pigment changes and skin discoloration are reduced,
5. enlarged pores are reduced and clogged pores typical in acne conditions are exfoliated and cleaned out, and
6. margins of superficial acne marks, stretch marks, burn scars and surgical scars can be smoothed.
Use of abrasion techniques can be traced back to the ancient Egyptians who used alabaster and pumice to remove blemishes and rough spots and to make the skin smooth and soft. More recently, abrasive tipped devices or rotating brushes and cylinders coated with abrasive particles, such as diamond dust, have been used to remove skin layers (U.S. Pat. No. 2,712,823; U.S. Pat. No. 2,867,214; U.S. Pat. No. 2,881,763; U.S. Pat. No. 2,921,585). U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,446 describes a stick, glove finger tip or glove palm coated with an abrasive material which is rubbed over the skin surface to provide a polishing action. U.S. Pat. No. 3,964,212 directed to a pneumatic grinding machine for flat surfaces, incorporates a rotating grinding tool enclosed in a housing with air flowing over the surface to collect dust created by the grinding operation. U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,804 is directed to a skin abrasion device which uses flowing water to rotate an abrasive brush and create a vacuum to remove loosened skin particles. The rotating brush is usually used in conjunction with a liquid detergent or medicinal compound applied to the skin surface being scrubbed. Chemicals, ultrasonic oscillating tips (U.S. Pat. No. 5,012,797) and lasers have also been used for a more aggressive abrasion. U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,431 describes the use of a pressurized jet of a liquid, such as water or sterile saline, to fragment and remove diseased tissue without harming surrounding healthy tissue. This device operates in conjunction with vacuum aspiration to remove the liquid and fragmented tissue.
The present trend is to abrade the skin surface using powdered aluminum oxide or a liquid topical composition containing suspended aluminum oxide (U.S. Pat. No. 4,957,747). U.S. Pat. No. 5,037,432 provides for the pressurized delivery, using compressed air, of a powdered, abrasive substance and the removal of the abrasive substance and loosened skin tissue using a vacuum. The abrasive substance is typically microcrystals of quartz, metal, or aluminum oxide. The powdered abrasive is blown through a wand which has a hole in the skin contact end to provide access of the abrasive to the skin surface being treated. An alternative is to cause the aluminum oxide powders to flow by applying a vacuum to the exhaust side of a container holding the abrasive powder and entraining the powder in a flowing gas stream. The powder is then drawn by the vacuum through a treatment tool, across the skin surface to abrade or rub off the epidermis and then recovered along with the skin particles in a collection chamber (U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,412; U.S. Pat. No. 5,207,234; U.S. Pat. No. 5,810,842). This process is similar to xe2x80x9cbead-blastingxe2x80x9d. A potential disadvantage of all of these techniques is that particles can be lodged in the skin and a substantial amount of aluminum oxide and cells, which have to be properly disposed of, may be left behind on or in the skin.
While no toxic effects have been shown from aluminum oxide left on or in the skin, this material has been shown to cause inflammatory changes to the lungs in workers who have inhaled aluminum oxide. ( Schwarz,Y, et al., xe2x80x9cEvaluation of Workers Exposed to Dust Containing Hard Metals and Aluminum Oxidexe2x80x9d Am J of Ind Med, 34(20; 177-82) 1999 Aug.). Also, the eyes must be protected from the highly abrasive dust, which can injure the cornea. Therefore, it is recommended that workers using these devices wear breathing masks and glasses to provide protection from ophthalmic and respiratory damage. Similar protection is suggested for patients being treated. It is also possible that particles of the abrasive material can be left imbedded in the skin surface resulting in long term irritation and provide a situs for bacterial infections.
The device for microdermabrasion comprises a hollow tube with and abrasive material permanent attached to a skin contacting end. The abrasive coated tip is moved over the skin surface while a vacuum is applied through the tube to the skin surface to remove cells abraded from the skin surface. The vacuum also causes the skin to be held in intimate contact with the abrasive tip during the treatment procedure.


A container (1) for drinking drinks is equipped with a body (2) made of shatterproof material and comprising a broad opening (3) for forming a glass, a goblet or a tankard the container has a lid (7) which can be removably associated with the opening (3) and with the base (4) of the container (1) through a threaded coupling.

There are basically two types of containers for drinks: containers designed to preserve the drink, which are basically bottles, and containers designed to help people to drink the drink.
Containers of this latter type have a shape designed to facilitate the act of drinking a specific drink or a type of drink.
Therefore, such containers for drinking may have various shapes depending on the drink they are intended to contain. For example there are goblets in various shapes for wine, tankards for beer and, in general, glasses in various shapes for water or other drinks.
In any case, containers for drinking share the fact that they have a broad opening, unlike bottles which have a neck and a narrow opening.
Obviously, it is also possible to drink from a bottle, but, in this case, drinking is awkward, because the mouth of the drinker is forced into an unnatural position and, in many circumstances, drinking from a bottle is perceived as showing bad manners.
Another difference between containers for drinking and those for preserving drinks is the fact that, normally, containers for drinking are not made to be closed, whilst bottles are always capped or corked.
However, in some circumstances it may be useful to have available containers for drinking which are provided with a lid, so as to combine the need to transport the drink with the need to easily drink it from the container best suited to the drink.
With regard to that, patent document EP2256040 describes an apparatus for making a glass (in particular a goblet) filled with wine and closed using a film. In particular, a perimetric edge of the film is made to adhere to the edge of the opening of the glass. Said film is provided with a tab to promote removal of the film by pulling. Said glass is made of shatterproof material, so that it can be transported without the risk of breaking.
However, said solution also has several disadvantages.
First, said container can easily be transported only until it has been opened, that is to say, until the film has been removed.
In fact, once the container has been opened it cannot be closed again and, therefore, the entire drink must be consumed.
Moreover, after removal of the film, the edge of the opening remains tacky, creating an unpleasant sensation for the drinker.
Another disadvantage is the fact that the closing film may break. For example, if the container is transported in a bag which also holds keys or other objects which may tear the film.
Finally, when the film is removed, it is a waste item that must be disposed of. That is potentially inconvenient if the person does not have a pocket to put it in and wants to avoid throwing it down on the ground.


A pixel structure and an edge-emitter field-emission display device having a first substrate or backplate including a cathode disposed thereon and a second substrate or faceplate including an anode disposed thereon, wherein the anode on the second substrate or faceplate has a light emitting film. The cathode may define a first bus of an X-Y bus array and the anode may define a second bus of the X-Y bus array. Alternatively, the first substrate may further include a control gate disposed thereon, wherein the cathode defines a first bus of an X-Y bus array and the control gate defines a second bus of the X-Y bus array.

Flat panel display (FPD) technology is one of the fastest growing technologies in the world with a potential to surpass and replace Cathode Ray Tubes in the foreseeable future. As a result of this growth, a large variety of the FPDs, ranging from very small virtual reality eye tools to large TV-on-the wall displays, with digital signal processing and high-definition screen resolution, will become available.
Some of the more important requirements of FPDs are video rate of the signal processing (moving picture); resolution typically above 100 DPI (dots per inch); color; contrast ratios greater than 20; flat panel geometry; screen brightness above 100cd/m2; and large viewing angle.
At present, liquid crystal displays (LCD) dominate the FPD market. However, although tremendous technological progress has been made in recent years, LCDs still have some drawbacks and limitations that pose significant restraints on the entire industry. First, LCD technology is rather complex, which results in a high manufacturing cost and price of the product. Other deficiencies, such as small viewing angle, low brightness and relatively narrow temperature range of operation, make application of the LCDs difficult in many high market value areas, such as car navigation devices, car computers, and mini-displays for cellular phones.
Other FPD technologies capable of competing with the LCDs, are currently under intense investigation. Among these technologies, plasma displays and field-emission displays (FED) are considered the most promising. Plasma displays employ a plasma discharge in each pixel to produce light. One limitation associated with plasma displays is that the pixel cells for plasma discharge cannot be made very small without affecting neighboring pixel cells. This is why the resolution in a plasma FPD is poor for small format displays but becomes efficient as the display size increases above 30″ diagonally. Another limitation associated with plasma displays is that they tend to be thick. A typical plasma display has a thickness of about 4 inches.
FEDs employ "cold cathodes" which produce mini-electron beams that activate phosphor layers in the pixel. It has been predicted that FEDs will replace LCDs in the future. Currently, many companies are involved in FED development. However, after ten years effort, FEDs are not yet in the market.
FED mass production has been delayed for several reasons. One of these reasons concerns the fabrication the electron emitters. The traditional emitter fabrication is based on forming multiple metal (Molybdenum) tips, see C. A. Spindt "Thin-film Field Emission Cathode", Journ. Of Appl. Phys, v. 39, 3504, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,755,704 issued to C. A. Spindt. The metal tips concentrate an electric field, activating a field induced auto-electron emission to a positively biased anode. The anode contains light emitting phosphors which produce an image when struck by an emitted electron. The technology for fabricating the metal tips, together with necessary controlling gates, is rather complex. In particular, fabrication requires a sub-micron, e-beam, lithography and angled metal deposition in a large base e-beam evaporator.
Another difficulty associated with FED mass production relates to life time of FEDs. The electron strike of the phosphors results in phosphor molecule dissociation and formation of gases, such as sulfur oxide and oxygen, in the vacuum chamber. The gas molecules reaching the tips screen the electric field resulting in a reduction of the efficiency of electron emission from the tips. A second group of gases, produced by electron bombardment, contaminates the phosphor surface and forms undesirable energy band bending at the phosphor surface. This prevents electron-hole diffusion from the surface into the depth of the phosphor grain resulting in a reduction of the light radiation component of electron-hole recombination from the phosphor. These gas formation processes are interrelated and directly connected with vacuum degradation in the display chamber.
The gas formation processes are most active in the intermediate anode voltage range of 200-1000V. If, however, the voltage is elevated to 6-10 kV, the incoming electrons penetrate deeply into the phosphor grain. In this case, the products of phosphor dissociation are sealed inside the grain and cannot escape into the vacuum. This significantly increases the life time of the FED and makes it close to that of a conventional cathode ray tube.
The high anode voltage approach is currently accepted by all FED developers. This, however, creates another problem. To apply such a high voltage, the anode must be made on a separate substrate and removed from the emitter a significant distance equaling about 1 mm. Under these conditions, the gate controlling efficiency decreases, and pixel cross-talk becomes a noticeable factor. To prevent this effect, an additional electron beam focusing grid is introduced between the first grid and the anode, see e.g. C. J. Spindt, et al. "Thin CRT Flat-Panel-Display Construction and Operating Characteristics", SID-98 Digest, p. 99, which further complicates display fabrication.
Some existing tip-based pixel FEDs include an additional electron beam focusing grid. Such FEDs include an anode, a cathode having a plurality of metal tip-like emitters, and a control gate made as a film with small holes above the tips of the emitters. The emitter tips produce mini-electron beams that activate phosphors contained by the anode. The phosphors are coated with a thin film of aluminum. The metal tip-like emitters and holes in the controlling gate, which are less than 1 μm in diameter, are expensive and time consuming to manufacture, hence they are not readily suited for mass production.
Another approach to FED emitter fabrication involves forming the emitter in the shape of a sharp edge to concentrate the electric field. See U.S. Pat. No. 5,214,347 entitled "Layered Thin-Edge Field Emitter Device" issued to H. F. Gray. The emitter described in this patent is a three-terminal device for operation at 200V and above. The emitter employs a metal film the edge of which operates as an emitter. The anode electrode is fabricated on the same substrate, and is oriented normally to the substrate plane, making it unsuitable for display functions. A remote anode electrode is provided parallel to the substrate, making it suitable for the display purposes. The anode electrode, however, requires a second plate which significantly complicates the fabrication of the display.
Still another approach to FED emitter fabrication can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,141, entitled "Single Substrate Vacuum Fluorescent Display", issued to C. D. Moyer et al. which relates to the edge-emitting FED.
The pixel structures described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,141 include a diamond film deposited on top of a metal film and only the diamond edge is exposed. Thus, only a relatively small fringing electric field coming from the metal film underneath the diamond film contributes to the field emission process.
Another limitation of this emitter is that the emitter films, including the diamond film and the insulator film, are grown on a phosphor film. The phosphor film is known to have a very rough surface morphology that makes it unsuitable for any further film deposition. A further limitation of this structure relates to its poor emission efficiency which is due to the phosphor layers on both sides of the emitter. At the anode side, the electric field is concentrated at the phosphor film edge and the emitted electrons reaching the phosphor will strike mostly an opposing edge, such that phosphor activation occurs on the side of the phosphor pad.
More recent FED pixel structures, which place the emitting film close to the emitters, typically have problems with shorts or pixel leakage. Additionally, these more recent designs have X and Y metal bus arrangements that place one of the two buses across deep wells, which can lead to the metal line breaks.
Accordingly, there is a need for a FED pixel design which substantially eliminates the problems associated with FED fabrication and allows for mass production of FEDs.

Pixel structure for an edge-emitter field-emission display