A beater for a drum pedal. A beater rod is pivotably supported at a first axis on a base. A beater body at the other end of the beater rod is swingable with the beater rod to beat a drum head. The beater body is supported to be freely adjustable in its orientation around a second axis defined by a holding shaft supported on the beater. The second axis is parallel to the first axis of the rod. The beater body may be fixed at a selected orientation around the holding shaft selected to cause the beater body to strike the drum head at a desired orientation.

The present invention relates to the structure of a beater for a drum pedal and particularly to the support for the beater body to enable optimum sound production.
An example of an ordinary drum pedal 100 is shown as FIGS. 10 and 11. The drum pedal 100 comprises a beater 110, an operating part 120 and a pedal 130. The pedal 100 is fixed to a bass drum 140 by a fixing member 105, such as a known clamp. The drum pedal has a base, which is connected to a support 102. A spring 103 returns the beater to its retracted position.
The beater 110 comprises a rod 111 and a main beater body 112 on the rod. The rod 111 is fixed to the beater rotary shaft 121 of the operating part 120. The main beater body 112 is made of felt. The rod 111 runs through the body 112 and the body 112 is installed at the tip of the rod 111 by a nut 113.
The operating part 120 is comprised of the horizontal beater pivot shaft 121, a wheel 122 mounted on and rotatable with the shaft 121 and a chain 123 trained on the wheel 122 and operable to rotate it. The beater pivot shaft 121 is supported horizontally and freely rotatably at the top of the support 102. The rod 111 and the wheel 122 which rotates integrally with the rod 111 are provided on the shaft 121.
The wheel 122 comprises a sprocket or a partial sprocket, and the chain 123 has an end which is fixed to the wheel 122 and is wound on its outer periphery. The other end of the chain 123 is connected to the free swinging tip of a foot pedal 131 of the pedal 130. As the foot pedal 131 is stepped on, the chain 123 is pulled down, which rotates the wheel 122 and the rod 111, thereby causing the main beater body 112 to beat the drum head 141 of the bass drum 140.
The main beater body 112 of the beater 110 beats against the drum head 141 only at a point on one edge of the beater body, as shown by the broken line in FIG. 11. As a result, the impact of the beating is weak, and it is difficult to obtain a powerful sound. This usually undesirable situation is normally compensated for by slightly tilting the bass drum 140 so that the drum head 141 may become parallel with the beating face of the beater body or by changing the shape of the main beater body 112 of the beater so that the drum head may be struck by the entire beating surface. Although such a method is capable of obtaining the desired beating effect on the surface of the drum head at a position in a restricted height range, it requires readjustment when the position of the drum has been changed.
In some combinations with the drum, furthermore, the beating does not necessarily take place on the surface.


A zwitterionic Group VIII transition metal complex containing the simple and relatively small 3-(arylimino)-but-1-en-2-olato ligand that catalyzes the formation of polypropylene and high molecular weight polyethylene. A novel feature of this catalyst is that the active species is stabilized by a chelated olefin adduct. The present invention also provides methods of polymerizing olefin monomers using zwitterionic catalysts, particularly polypropylene and high molecular weight polyethylene.

Nickel-based olefin oligomerization and polymerization initiators are of interest in industrial and academic laboratories [1,2]. Cationic versions are the most commonly encountered [3]. Neutral species, although less active, are under investigation because of their higher tolerance toward functionalities [4, 5, 6, 7]. Zwitterionic counterparts are the least common and provide an intermediate range of reactivities [8].
While developing tandem catalytic processes [9, 10, 11, 12], one of the inventors discovered that the reactivity of SHOP-type catalysts such as [(C6H5)2PC6H4C(O)O-κ2P,O]Ni(η3—CH2CMeCH2) [13] increases upon addition of B(C6F5)3 [14,15]. Carbonyl coordination to the borane gives zwitterionic [(C6H5)2PC6H4C(O—B(C6F5)3)O-η2P,O]Ni(η3—CH2CMeCH2) and removes electron density from nickel. Examination of ligand/reactivity relationships for cationic Ni(diimine) initiators [3,16] led to the design and synthesis of {(H3C)C[═NAr]C[O—B(C6F5)3][═NAr]-κ2N,N″}Ni(η3—CH2C6H5), with which high molecular weight polyethylene (PE) can be produced for bulky aromatic (Ar) substituents [17]. Several other ligand types have been reported that are amenable to the concept of Lewis acid attachment on a ligand site to redistribute electron density, including 3-(1-arylimino-ethyl)-acetylacetonato [18], 2-diphenylphosphinylbenzamido [19], N-(2-benzoylphenyl)benzamido [20], α-iminoenamido [21], 2-(alkyldeneamino)benzoato [22] and iminoamido pyridine [23]. However, none of these systems has been able to produce high molecular weight PE, in the absence of bulky Ar substituents, or polypropylene.

Zwitterionic Group VIII transition metal initiators supported by olefin ligands

The Regents of the University of California


An LC lens is provided, including an upper substrate; a lower substrate; a first electrode layer disposed on a side of the upper substrate, facing the lower substrate, and being of an integral conductive material; a second electrode layer disposed on a side of the lower substrate, facing the upper substrate, including several strips of electrodes and being opposite to the first electrode layer; an LC layer disposed between the first and second electrode layers; and a thin film layer coated on a side of the second electrode layer, facing the LC layer; and further a cured LC layer disposed between the thin film layer and second electrode layer. An LCD device and a process for manufacturing an LC lens are also provided. With them, the extra cost problem encountered when manufacturing an LCD device can be solved, and the interface scattering phenomenon occurring during light transmission can be ameliorated.

A liquid crystal lens (LC lens) is created based on unique physical and optical features of liquid crystal material. Unlike conventional glass lens, an LC lens may converge or diverge light passing therethough in response to an electric field applied thereto. When indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes contained therein are configured as strips, the lens may function like a lenticular lens. By properly disposing the lens above an LC panel, the image of right-eye pixels can be refracted and reach the right eye of a user, and the image of left-eye pixels can be refracted and reach the left eye of the user. Therefore, stereo perception can be acquired with no need of glasses.
Please refer to FIG. 1. In a common LC display device, light is emitted out of an LC panel 1 through an LC lens 2. When an LCD device is in an off state, light passes through the LC panel 1 and the LC lens 2 directly without change in the advancing direction. On the other hand, when the LC display device is in an on state, there will be a slant angle θ existing between the advancing direction of light through the LC panel 1 and that through the LC lens 2 as the ITO electrodes 3 in the LC lens 2 have the deflective slant angle θ from a central axis extending along width of the LC lens.
As shown in FIG. 2, the LCD device includes an LC panel 1, an LC lens 2 and a slant polarization sheet 4 disposed between the LC panel 1 and the LC lens 2. The LC lens 2 is composed of an upper glad substrate 21, a first electrode layer 22, an LC layer 23, a thin film layer 24, a second electrode layer 25 and a lower glass substrate 26. After light is emitted out of the LC panel 1, deflection of light occurs due to the slant angle θ existing between the LC panel 1 and the LC lens 2. Therefore, it is necessary to dispose the slant polarization sheet 4 between the LC panel 1 and the LC lens 2 to rotate the emitted light by an angle of 90-θ so as to assure of the linearity of the light.
The LCD device has the following drawbacks. For display manufacturers, disposing the slant polarization sheet 4 between the LC panel 1 and the LC lens 2 requires additional cost. Moreover, due to the existence of the slant polarization sheet 4 between the LC panel 1 and the LC lens 2, an interface scattering effect would become significant and light concentration effect would be deteriorated.

Liquid crystal lens, liquid crystal device and process for manufacturing liquid crystal lens

Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd


The present invention relates generally to photovoltaic devices. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing products in which a photovoltaic element is joined to a roofing substrate. In one embodiment, the present invention provides a photovoltaic roofing element comprising: an encapsulated photovoltaic element having a top surface and a bottom surface, a top layer material at its top surface and a bottom layer material at its bottom surface; a roofing substrate having a top surface; and a tie layer system disposed between the encapsulated photovoltaic element and the roofing substrate and joining the bottom surface of the encapsulated photovoltaic element to the top surface of the roofing substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to photovoltaic devices. The present invention relates more particularly to photovoltaic roofing products in which a photovoltaic element is joined to a roofing substrate.
2. Summary of the Related Art
The search for alternative sources of energy has been motivated by at least two factors. First, fossil fuels have become increasingly expensive due to increasing scarcity and unrest in areas rich in petroleum deposits. Second, there exists overwhelming concern about the effects of the combustion of fossil fuels on the environment due to factors such as air pollution (from NOx, hydrocarbons and ozone) and global warming (from CO2). In recent years, research and development attention has focused on harvesting energy from natural environmental sources such as wind, flowing water, and the sun. Of the three, the sun appears to be the most widely useful energy source across the continental United States; most locales get enough sunshine to make solar energy feasible.
Accordingly, there are now available components that convert light energy into electrical energy. Such "photovoltaic cells" are often made from semiconductor-type materials such as doped silicon in either single crystalline, polycrystalline, or amorphous form. The use of photovoltaic cells on roofs is becoming increasingly common, especially as device performance has improved. They can be used to provide at least a significant fraction of the electrical energy needed for a building's overall function; or they can be used to power one or more particular devices, such as exterior lighting systems.
Photovoltaic cells are often provided as encapsulated photovoltaic elements, in which one or more cells are electrically interconnected and packaged together in between layers of layer material. The layer materials are often chosen to be highly light-transmissive, and to retain their transmissivity over time. Encapsulated photovoltaic elements can be convenient for integration with various substrates. However, in many circumstances, formation of a long-lived physical connection between the material of the encapsulated photovoltaic element and the material of a substrate can be difficult, especially when the materials used to make the encapsulated photovoltaic element have low surface tension. Moreover, adhesion between photovoltaic elements and substrates can be problematic even when the photovoltaic element is not encapsulated, especially around the periphery of the photovoltaic element.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Photovoltaic roofing elements including tie layer systems and roofs using them


Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. In some systems, a base station may interrupt a user equipment (UE) during transport block (TB) encoding. The UE may cancel transmission (e.g., suppress processing) of a TB based on the interruption, such that a first subset of code blocks is encoded and a second subset is unencoded. In some cases, the UE may receive a re-transmission request for a code block including cyclic redundancy check (CRC) bits for the TB, where the CRC bits are not prepared. In one example, the UE may modify the CRC bits (e.g., set them to a common value, drop them, etc.) to reduce processing time. In another example, the base station may request re-transmission of all preempted code blocks, supporting TB CRC calculation. In another example, the base station or UE may extend a processing timeline for the re-transmission to support TB CRC calculation.

The following relates generally to wireless communications, and more specifically to uplink re-transmission handling.
Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multiple-access communications system may include a number of base stations or network access nodes, each simultaneously supporting communication for multiple communication devices, which may be otherwise known as user equipment (UE).
In some wireless communications systems, a base station may fail to receive or decode a portion of an uplink transmission from a UE (e.g., due to poor channel quality, interference on the channel, and the like). In these cases, the base station may transmit a re-transmission request message to the UE, and the UE may re-transmit the information. For example, the base station may request for the UE to re-transmit the entire uplink transmission or may request for the UE to re-transmit a specific portion (e.g., the missed portion) of the uplink transmission. Uplink re-transmission operations may improve communications in systems with unreliable uplink communication channels.

Handling transport block-level parity check bits for interrupted transmissions


Proposed is a method for the preparation of an aqueous slurry of calcium carbonate particles suitable as a base pigment in the preparation of a paper coating composition having excellent water retentivity and high solid concentration with good flowability, which contains precipitated and ground calcium carbonate particles in combination in a specified weight proportion and characterized by several parameters. The aqueous slurry is prepared in a process comprising the steps of: (a) subjecting an aqueous slurry or wet cake containing a specified amount of specific precipitated calcium carbonate particles to a primary dispersing treatment using a mixer to a specified extent; (b) admixing the aqueous slurry with a specified amount of specific ground calcium carbonate particles; (c) subjecting the aqueous slurry to a secondary dispersing treatment using a mixer to a specified extent; and (d) subjecting the aqueous slurry to a tertiary dispersing treatment using a sand grinder to a specified extent.

The present invention relates to an aqueous slurry of calcium carbonate particles and a method for the preparation thereof. More particularly, the invention relates to an aqueous slurry containing precipitated calcium carbonate particles and ground calcium carbonate particles in combination and exhibiting an outstandingly low high-shear viscosity and excellent high-speed flowability despite the relatively high solid concentration so as to be useful as a base composition for the preparation of a paper coating composition capable of giving coated paper sheets, including coated paper sheets, such as art paper, general-purpose coated paper, light-coated paper, medium-coated paper and reclaimed coated paper, thermosensitive recording paper, pressure-sensitive recording paper, ink-jet recording paper, PPC paper and thermotransfer paper, exhibiting excellent printability and printing glossiness as printed as well as a method for the preparation of such an aqueous slurry of calcium carbonate particles.
In recent years, production of coated paper products is under growing year by year and the growth of production is particularly remarkable for coated paper products of A2, A3, B2 and B3 grades as well as light weight-coated paper.
Along with the progress in paper-making machines and paper-coating machines for a higher and higher running velocity in recent years, technology innovation is now under way for blade coaters as a type of paper-coating machines. Accordingly, while the running velocity of conventional paper coating machines is around 1000 to 1500 meters/minutes, a higher running velocity exceeding 1500 meters/minute is now within view for modern paper-coating machines to be newly installed.
Needless to say, such a high running velocity of the paper coating process cannot be accomplished by the progress of the paper-coating machines only but improvements of the paper coating compositions are indispensable relative to the rheological properties such as lower viscosity or consistency and higher flowability to comply with the high-speed running of the paper-coating machine as well as to the solid concentration thereof which should be as high as possible in order to decrease the load on the drying machines while the requirements for the lower viscosity and higher solid concentration in an aqueous paper coating composition are sometimes contradictory.
In the paper coating process by using a blade coater mentioned above, the paper coating composition applied to the surface of the running base paper web is subjected to a large shearing force so that poor Theological properties of the paper coating composition results in appearance of striations in the coating layer on the coated paper sheet. Accordingly, a primary requisite for a paper coating composition used in a blade coater is that the coating composition has a low viscosity even under a high shearing force, i.e. high-shear viscosity, to exhibit good high-speed flowability even when the solid concentration thereof is relatively high.
As is known, an aqueous paper coating composition for coated paper is an aqueous slurry of an inorganic pigment, such as clay, e.g., kaolin clay, precipitated calcium carbonate, ground calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide and satin white either alone or as a combination of two kinds or more, dispersed in an aqueous medium containing a water-soluble resin as a binder of the pigment particles together with other optional additives. Since a paper coating composition containing kaolin clay alone as the pigment is sometimes inferior in respect of the high-speed flowability, for example, it is a usual practice that a slurry of kaolin is admixed with a slurry of calcium carbonate particles to prepare a paper coating composition in order to improve the high-speed flowability of the composition.
A high solid concentration of a paper coating composition is usually accomplished by increasing the content of the pigment in the pigment slurry. Pigment slurries typically employed in the preparation of a paper coating composition include a slurry of kaolin clay having a solid concentration of 60 to 75% by weight prepared by cowless dispersion, a slurry of dry-ground calcium carbonate further ground in a wet process having a solid concentration of 70 to 80% by weight and a slurry having a solid concentration of 60 to 70% by weight prepared by dispersing a dry powder or wet cake of precipitated calcium carbonate in water.
The formulation of paper coating compositions relative to the pigment is, though dependent on the grade of the coated paper product, type of the base paper web, desired coating amount and other factors, usually in the range from 50 to 95% by weight for a clay pigment and from 5 to 50% by weight for a calcium carbonate pigment. The calcium carbonate pigment is selected depending on the intended application field and grade of the coated paper product from ground calcium carbonate, precipitated calcium carbonate and mixtures of these two types of calcium carbonate powders in an appropriate mixing proportion.
Clay pigments are graded into several classes including class 1, class 2, delamination class and the like depending on various factors such as place of occurrence as a natural mineral and the like. It is usual that a paper coating composition is prepared by using the class 1 and class 2 clay pigments in combination.
Ground calcium carbonate pigments are graded into #95, #90, #75 and #60 for wet-process slurries and into #2200, #2000, #1500, #800 and #100 for dry-ground powders. It is usual that a paper coating composition for under-coating is prepared using a coarse-grade calcium carbonate pigment and top-coating composition is prepared using a fine-grade pigment. In particular, paper coating compositions used in high-speed coating machines are usually prepared from a slurry of 70 to 80% solid concentration of wet-ground calcium carbonate of the #95 and #90 grades for top coating and wet-ground calcium carbonate of #75 and #60 grades for under-coating.
Precipitated calcium carbonate pigments are sold on the market in the form of an aqueous slurry and dry powder having different particle sizes in which the particles have a scalenohedral, i.e. rosette-shaped or spindle-formed, rhombohedral, prismatic or acicular configuration. Aqueous slurries of 60 to 70% solid concentration having somewhat improved high-speed flowability characteristics are usually employed in a paper coating composition for the preparation of coated paper of the A2, A3, B2 and B3 grades and light weight-coated paper as coated printing paper.
When the whiteness of the base paper is relatively low, when intended coating amount is small, when a high glossiness is desired or when good printability of the coated paper is essential, it is a preferable way to use a precipitated calcium carbonate pigment alone, in many cases, in combination with a ground calcium carbonate pigment because precipitated calcium carbonate pigments well meet these requirements.
An aqueous slurry of a precipitated calcium carbonate pigment, however, has a problem, as compared with ground calcium carbonate pigments, that the slurry of the former pigment is inferior in the high-speed flowability behavior when the solid concentration is identical so that a paper coating composition prepared from a precipitated calcium carbonate pigment can hardly be used in high-speed coating machines.
In view of the above described problem, a proposal has been made in Japanese Patent Kokai 57-184430, in order to obtain an aqueous slurry of high solid concentration from a precipitated calcium carbonate pigment, for a method in which an aqueous slurry of 60 to 80% by weight solid concentration is prepared by using a combination of two powders of precipitated calcium carbonate having different particle diameters with admixture of an inorganic electrolyte such as calcium hydroxide. In this method, for example, a viscosity-reducing agent and calcium hydroxide are added and dispersed in an aqueous slurry of a precipitated calcium carbonate pigment followed by additional admixture of a powder of precipitated calcium carbonate and calcium hydroxide to make up a slurry of 70 to 72% solid concentration. The aqueous slurry prepared by this method is naturally expensive because of the use of a dry calcium carbonate powder as an adjuvant and the high-shear viscosity is as high as 230 to 490 centipoise due to the mixing process by using a stirrer.
A method is proposed in Japanese Patent Kokai 54-120709, according to which a calcium carbonate slurry suitable for paper quality improvement is prepared by introducing a powder of ground calcium carbonate and slurry of precipitated calcium carbonate into a high-speed mixer and intensively mixing the blend. The slurry obtained by this method, however, has a disadvantage in respect of the low paper quality such as white paper glossiness and a slurry of a high solid concentration of 75% by weight or higher can hardly be obtained as compared with slurries of wet-ground calcium carbonate currently under practical use in many paper manufacturers.
With an object to improve the high-speed flowability of an aqueous slurry of ground calcium carbonate and to upgrade the quality of the coated paper such as white-paper glossiness to be comparable with that by using a slurry of precipitated calcium carbonate, a proposal has been made in Japanese Patent Publications 55-11799, 1-15640, 4-33731 and 6-45010 and Japanese Patent Kokai 57-30555 and 63-225522 according to which a dry-ground calcium carbonate powder is subjected to wet-grinding in a sand grinder. This method has been developed so far as to furnish an aqueous slurry of wet-ground calcium carbonate having a solid concentration of 70 to 75% by increasing the degree of grinding to accomplish a finer average particle diameter with a decreased amount of coarser particles resulting in an improvement in the white-paper glossiness of coated paper products.
When comparison is made for a slurry of wet-ground calcium carbonate of #90 or #95 grade with that of precipitated calcium carbonate relative to the quality of coated paper, however, the coated paper is generally inferior in the whiteness, white-paper glossiness and printability such as ink receptivity and ink setting though equivalent printing glossiness can be obtained. As a consequence of the fine grinding, in addition, the BET specific surface area of the powder is increased so much necessitating an increase in the amount of the dispersing agent with an increase in the high-shear viscosity and decrease in the high-speed flowability as well as a decrease in the surface strength of the coated paper which requires an increase in the amount of the binder in the preparation of paper coating compositions.

Aqueous slurry of precipitated calcium carbonate and ground calcium carbonate in combination


Integrated circuit devices include operational circuits that are configured to operate from power supply voltages and from high voltages that are generated in the integrated circuit device from the power supply voltages. A circuit for measuring the high voltages is also provided in the integrated circuit. The circuit includes a common high voltage measurement pad and high voltage switch units connected to the common high voltage measurement pad. A respective high voltage switch unit is configured to transmit a corresponding one of the high voltages to the common high voltage measurement pad in response to a corresponding enable signal. The operational circuits may be non-volatile memory cells, such as flash memory cells. Related methods of measuring high voltages in an integrated circuit device are also described.

Flash memory devices are widely used non-volatile memory devices that can electrically erase or rewrite data. Flash memory devices may consume less power than magnetic disc memory-based storage media and may have a fast access time like hard discs.
Flash memory devices may be classified into NOR flash memory devices and NAND flash memory devices according to a connection structure of cells and bit lines. NOR flash memory devices generally have one bit line and two or more cell transistors connected in parallel, store data by using a channel hot electron method, and erase data by using a Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) method. NAND flash memory devices generally have one bit line and two or more cell transistors connected in series, and store and erase data by using an F-N tunneling method. In general, NOR flash memory devices may have relatively high current consumption, but may have an advantage of high speed operation. NAND flash memory devices may allow high integration because of generally lower cell current consumption than NOR flash memory devices.
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a conventional unit cell of a flash memory device.
Referring to FIG. 1, the flash memory device stores data in an array of floating gate transistors called cells. In detail, the flash memory device may include a p-type semiconductor substrate 11 doped with boron ions or the like. An n-type source region 12 and an n-type drain region 13 may be formed by doping phosphorus, arsenic, antimony and/or the like into the substrate 11. A floating gate 14 may be formed over the substrate 11, and may be isolated from the substrate 11. A control gate 15 may be formed over the floating gate 14, and may be isolated from the floating gate 14. Since the floating gate 14 is isolated, charges stored in the floating gate 14 are trapped and data can be retained in the floating gate 14 without significant power consumption.
FIG. 2A is a circuit diagram illustrating memory cells included in a conventional NAND flash memory device.
Referring to FIG. 2A, the conventional NAND flash memory device includes a plurality of word lines WL11 through WL14 and a plurality of memory cells M11 through M14. The memory cells M11 through M14 form a string structure together with select transistors ST1 and ST2 and are connected in series between a bit line BL and a ground voltage terminal VSS. Since the conventional NAND flash memory device can use small cell current, the memory cells connected to one word line can be programmed by a one-time program operation.
FIG. 2B is a circuit diagram illustrating memory cells included in a conventional NOR flash memory device.
Referring to FIG. 2B, the conventional NOR flash memory device includes a plurality of memory cells M21 through M26 connected to bit lines BL1 and BL2 and a source line CSL. Since the conventional NOR flash memory device can use large cell current, a predetermined number of memory cells may be programmed by a one-time program operation.
FIGS. 3A and 3C are graphs illustrating cell threshold voltages of stored data when memory cells of a flash memory device are single-level memory cells. FIGS. 3B and 3D are graphs illustrating cell threshold voltages of stored data when memory cells of a flash memory device are multi-level memory cells.
Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3C, 1-bit data is stored with two different threshold voltages that are programmed in the single-level memory cell. For example, in the case of FIG. 3A, when a threshold voltage programmed in the single-level memory cell ranges 1 through 3V, data stored in the single-level memory cell is logic "1". When a threshold voltage programmed in the single-level memory cell ranges from 5 to 7V, data stored in the single-level memory cell is logic "0". FIG. 3A illustrates a voltage distribution of a single-level cell NOR flash memory device. FIG. 3C illustrates a voltage distribution of a single-level cell NAND flash memory device.
Referring to FIGS. 3B and 3D, 2-bit data is stored with 4 different threshold voltages that are programmed in the multi-level memory cell. For example, when a threshold voltage programmed in the multi-level memory cell ranges from 1 to 3V, data stored in the multi-level memory cell is logic "11". When a threshold voltage programmed in the multi-level memory cell ranges from 3.8 to 4.2V, data stored in the multi-level memory cell is logic "10". When a threshold voltage programmed in the multi-level memory cell ranges from 4.9 to 5.4V, data stored in the multi-level memory cell is logic "01". When a threshold voltage programmed in the multi-level memory cell ranges from 6.5 to 7.0V, data stored in the multi-level memory cell is logic "00". FIG. 3B illustrates a voltage distribution of a multi-level cell NOR flash memory device. FIG. 3D illustrates a voltage distribution of a multi-level cell NAND flash memory device.
Data stored in a single-level or multi-level memory cell of the flash memory device is identified according to a difference in cell current during a data read operation. The operations and types of the conventional flash memory devices described above are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art, and thus a detailed explanation thereof need not be given.
Flash memory devices use not only program voltages of various levels, but also use high voltages of various levels such as read voltages, pass voltages, and erase voltages. In general, flash memory devices include a high voltage generating circuit in order to generate high voltages of various levels. Since a margin between voltages in the flash memory devices may be small, it may be desirable to generate a high voltage of an accurate level. For example, when multi-level cell flash memory devices perform a program operation by using an increment step plus program (ISPP) method, step voltages with a smaller margin may be used and, thus, it may be further desirable to generate a voltage of an accurate level. Accordingly, flash memory devices generally include a circuit for measuring a high voltage and checking whether the high voltage has an accurate level.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a conventional circuit 40 for measuring a high voltage.
Referring to FIG. 4, the conventional circuit 40 includes a plurality of switch units 40_1 through 40_n. The switch units 40_1 through 40_n receive input high voltages of different levels. When corresponding enable signals are activated, the switch units 40_1 through 40_n apply corresponding input high voltages to corresponding high voltage measurement pads.
For example, the first switch unit 40_1 receives a first input high voltage HV1 of a first level, and the second switch unit 40_2 receives a second input high voltage HV2 of a second level. Likewise, the nth switch unit 40_n receives an nth input high voltage HVn of an nth level. When a first enable signal EN1 is activated, the first switch unit 40_1 outputs the first input high voltage HV1 to a first high voltage measurement pad MPAD1. Next, a measurement unit (not shown) measures the voltage of the first high voltage measurement pad MPAD1, and measures the voltage level of the first input high voltage HV1. The second through nth switch units 40_2 through 40_n operate in the same manner.
When the switch units of FIG. 4 apply corresponding input high voltages to measurement pads in response to corresponding enable signals, transistors are used as switches. Accordingly, in order to measure a given high voltage, a high voltage that exceeds the given high voltage by at least a threshold voltage should be applied to a gate of a transistor. That is, in order to measure one high voltage, another separate high voltage may need to be generated and also may need to be measured. Furthermore, in order to measure high voltages of different levels, the conventional circuit 40 should include measurement pads corresponding to the high voltages of different levels.

Measuring high voltages in an integrated circuit using a common measurement pad


A device for destroying used tickets includes a housing and a cutter which is removably mounted to the housing. The cutter includes an enclosure having a slot which allows tickets to enter. The cutter also has a rotating blade which cuts the tickets as they pass through the slot. Both the slot and the blade are inclined relative to the horizontal, the inclinations of the slot and the blade being mutually opposite. Thus, the ticket is subjected to an effective angle of shear which is equal to the sum of the angles of inclination of the blade and the slot. The blade is in geared engagement with the same motor that operates a plurality of rollers for advancing the tickets through the device. The cutter enclosure is detachably mounted to the housing, so that it can be quickly and easily removed for servicing. The cutter effectively destroys the incoming tickets, preventing them from ever being re-used.

This invention comprises a device for destroying used tickets or similar items.
Paper tickets are commonly used in movie theatres, arcades, hotels, airports, and other facilities. Tickets must often be redeemed at a specified price for a given number of tickets. Thus, it is necessary to count the tickets presented, and then to destroy them, so that they cannot be improperly re-used.
One common method of destroying used tickets is to tear them by hand. This method works with individual tickets, but is extremely tedious and impractical for destroying large numbers of long strips. Also, the residue of the torn tickets is bulky, and requires considerable storage space.
It has also been known to use hand-operated cutting devices. Such devices are also impractical for use with large numbers of tickets, and also suffer from the disadvantage that they leave a bulky residue.
Various automated devices have been proposed to destroy used tickets. One such mechanized device cuts a strip of tickets longitudinally in half. The latter device is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,093, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. Using this device is much faster than cutting tickets by hand, but the device has the disadvantage that the strip is not rendered completely useless. Unscrupulous persons can attach the severed longitudinal halves of the strip to form a complete strip which could be used again.
Various paper cutters have been commercially available, and they vary greatly from one to another. Some cut longitudinally on large sheets of paper, while others cut transversely on large and heavy paper. All need sufficient power to operate, depending on the thickness of the paper being cut.
The cutting performance of smaller cutters depends on the size of the motor used in the cutter, and on the amount of shear used in making the cut. The amount of shear affects the load on the motor, which thus affects the size of motor required. Since tickets vary greatly in paper quality and coatings, a device for destroying used tickets should be capable of operating through a wide range of ticket types.
The present invention solves the problems described above, by providing a mechanized apparatus which renders strips of tickets completely useless, and which results in a relatively compact residue. The present invention also has the advantage that the cutter needs no separate drive mechanism, apart from the means for advancing the tickets through the device. Also, the device includes a modular cutter which can be quickly removed and replaced, without using any tools.

Apparatus for destruction of tickets and the like


In a vehicle communication system, a first identifier is uniquely assigned to at least one function for vehicle control, the at least one function is installed in at least one of a plurality of control units. An identifying unit identifies that a target function uniquely assigned with a target identifier is installed in which of the control units based on the first identifier and the target identifier.

Conventional vehicle communication systems, in order to send a message to a control unit, are designed to attach, to the message to be sent, an address identifying the control unit.
In addition, in vehicle diagnosis monitoring, an operator communicably connects, to an in-vehicle communication network, a diagnosis monitoring device, such as a diagnosis monitoring tool. Next, the operator operates an enter key and the like of the diagnosis monitoring device to enter, into the diagnosis monitoring device, information indicative of a control unit (target control unit) in which a target function is installed beforehand and of descriptions associated with diagnosis monitoring of the target function. The descriptions are to instruct the target control unit what the operator wants to monitor and diagnose regarding the target function.
In response to the information entry, the diagnosis monitoring device sends, to the target control unit, request messages identifying the target control device as its destination and requesting it to execute diagnosis monitoring of the target function in accordance with the descriptions.
Note that the request messages for diagnosis monitoring include a data request message that requests a target control unit to execute a function of returning control data stored therein and/or a drive request message that requests a target control unit to execute a function of forcibly driving an actuator. The actuator is configured to put in-vehicle devices into automatic action, such as force or motion.
Techniques associated with routers that connect a plurality of different networks to each other are disclosed in European Unexamined Patent Publication No. EP1039725A2 corresponding Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-244549.
In the conventional vehicle diagnosis monitoring set forth above, an operator to manipulate the diagnosis monitoring device, in other words, an operator to perform vehicle diagnosis monitoring needs to previously grasp which functions are installed in advance in which of the control units. This may cause the diagnosis monitoring work to become complicated.
Specifically, hardware standardization among communication systems installed in vehicles is being promoted, which produces an improvement in the portability of applications to realize various types of functions.
For these reasons, even if the functions are the same as each other, they may be installed in different control units depending on the vehicle models. In addition, even if vehicles have the same model, depending on their different grades and/or their different options, they may have different functions installed therein and/or may have different numbers of functions installed therein.

Vehicle communication method and system, function identifying system, and electronic control unit


A transverse link made of fiber-reinforced plastics material for a wheel suspension, which transverse link is pivotable on its bearing elements about a common pivot axis or axes running substantially coaxially with respect to one another, these bearing elements being connected by a single-shell connecting element having connecting arms to a bearing element having a ball and socket joint bearing. The bearing elements and the connecting element are elements of an integral plastics material. In order to produce a transverse link of this type, disclosed is an integral plastics material moulded part produced by extrusion of plastics, the bearing elements having bearing bushes shells surrounded by extrusion of the plastics material. The ball and socket joint bearing have a bearing bush or a shell-shaped sliding capsule, produced from plastics material and connected to the connecting element, the connecting element comprising a centre or transverse web connecting the bearing elements.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a transverse link made of fibre-reinforced plastics material for a wheel suspension of a vehicle, which transverse link is pivotable on at least two of its bearing elements about a common pivot axis or about pivot axes running substantially coaxially with respect to one another, these at least two bearing elements being connected by a single-shell connecting element having at least two connecting arms to at least one bearing element having a ball and socket joint bearing, the bearing elements and the connecting element being elements of an integral plastics material moulded part.
2. Description of Related Art
Numerous wheel suspensions for motor vehicles are known, which have variously configured links, in particular transverse links. When configuring links of this type, different goals have to be taken into account which, however, partly oppose one another. Thus, the link of a wheel suspension should preferably have as low a weight as possible in order to reduce the vehicle weight and therefore the fuel consumption. On the other hand, the link has to have an adequately high stability, in particular flexural rigidity, so it reliably withstands the dynamic loads during driving operation. Moreover, economical aspects generally have to be taken into account, which require production of the link, in particular mass production, which is as simple and economical as possible.
A transverse link for a wheel suspension is known from DE 199 23 699 A1, which has a substantially T-shaped basic body, on the end portions of which a respective bearing point is configured. The basic body is manufactured here integrally as a lightweight casting made of light metal, preferably aluminium or magnesium. The die casting method used here makes it possible to simultaneously also configure the bearing points in the form of bearing eyes integrally with the basic body. The basic body in this case has a substantially double-T shaped cross-sectional profile along broad areas.
Furthermore, transverse links are also mentioned in DE 199 23 699 A1, which consist of two steel sheet shells welded to one another and are therefore configured as hollow bodies. These known transverse links made of steel sheet are, however, relatively heavy and additionally relatively expensive to produce.
A transverse link for a wheel suspension is proposed in EP 1 368 205 B1, which it should be possible to produce easily and economically with a low weight. The transverse link disclosed there is a welded construction and comprises at least two bearing elements and a single-shell connecting element connecting the bearing elements to one another. The connecting element is formed from an integral web connecting the bearing elements and at least one flange, which is fastened to said web by a weld seam on an edge of the web. The web is substantially placed at a right angle on the flange, the flange or flanges extending up to the bearing elements. The web and the at least one flange welded thereto preferably consist of steel sheet. Furthermore, it is mentioned in EP 1 368 205 B1 that the web and/or the flanges can alternatively also be produced from a plastics material or a fibre composite material.
A transverse link of the type mentioned at the outset produced from fibre-reinforced plastics material is known from EP 0 637 520 B1. The known transverse link has a wheel-side bearing element for articulated attachment to a portion of a vehicle wheel and two vehicle-side bearing elements for articulated attachment to a portion of the vehicle body. The wheel-side bearing element is connected by two connecting arms to the vehicle-side bearing elements. The respective connecting arm is formed in such a way that, in its central longitudinal portion, it has a thickness that is greater than in longitudinal portions located in front of and behind the central longitudinal portion, the thickness being measured in a vertical direction of the vehicle. In addition, the respective connecting arm, in the central longitudinal portion, has a width that is smaller than in the longitudinal portions located in front of and behind the central longitudinal portion, the width being measured in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The transverse link is produced using a fibre braiding saturated with synthetic resin, the braiding being wound onto the wheel-side bearing element and the vehicle-side bearing elements. The fibre braiding is placed here according to a first manufacturing variant in a groove of a mould, the groove corresponding to the desired shape of the connecting arms, and pressed into the groove by using a roller. A second manufacturing variant, on the other hand, provides for the use of templates, which are arranged in accordance with the desired shape of the connecting arms. The synthetic resin is hardened in the two manufacturing variants by applying heat. The production of this known transverse link is very time-consuming and expensive owing to the winding on of the fibre braiding.

Transverse link made of fibre-reinforced plastics material for a wheel suspension of a vehicle


A dispenser has a rubber socket with an opening at one end for fluid-tight coupling to a beverage container. An L-shaped, rigid tube has a first leg connected to receive the beverage from the socket, and a second leg with an opening about which a user's mouth can be placed to receive the beverage from the dispenser. Either the socket or the tube has an inlet opening through which a tubular plug extends. A flexible tube is attached to the inner end of the plug and projects outwardly from the open end of the socket. The tube provides passageway through which air enters the container to replace the beverage flowing out through the dispenser.

The present invention relates to dispensers for beverages and more particularly to such devices for dispensing beverages from containers, such as bottles and cans.
Many beverages such as soda, fruit juices, and beer are distributed in glass bottles having a long neck which terminates with an external lip over which a cap is fastened. The cap is removed for beverage consumption. Alternatively, a metal can is used to contain the beverage with an opening mechanism located on one end wall of the can.
To pour the beverage, the bottle is tilted at a slight angle so that the beverage does not fill the neck entirely. A can is tilted similarly so that the beverage does not entirely cover the end opening. This allows air to enter the container to replace the liquid flowing out. Tilting the container at a greater angle increases the speed of the flow as the fluid pressure at the opening is increased. However, if the container is tilted at too great an angle the liquid entirely fills the opening and air cannot continuously enter to replace the liquid which is flowing out. As a consequence, periodically the flow of liquid is interrupted while air surges into the container, thereby creating a pulsed flow of liquid. This limits the speed at which the container can be emptied.
It is often desirable to pour a beverage from a container as rapidly as possible and to do so without a pulsating flow.

Apparatus for dispensing beverages from a container


A mouse which is homozygous for a disruption in the IDUA gene, but which has normal expression for the SAT-1 gene can be used for evaluating therapeutic agents for use in treating mucopolysaccharidosis Type I, by administering the therapeutic agent to the mouse, and evaluating the mouse for tissue pathology associated with iduronidase deficiency. The mouse can also be used for evaluating the ability of a targeting system to deliver a therapeutic agent to selected tissues or organs by administering an effective iduronidase replacement therapy coupled to the targeting system to a mouse which is homozygous for a disruption in the IDUA gene, but which has normal expression for the SAT-1 gene; and evaluating at least the selected tissue or organ from the mouse for pathology associated with iduronidase deficiency. Targeting systems which can be evaluated using this methodology include targeting moieties which selectively bind to or associate with selected cell types and in vivo and ex vivo gene therapy systems.

This application relates to genetically engineered mice which are useful as models for generalized lysosomal storage disorders, and in particular for iduronidase deficiency, and to methods of making and using such genetically engineered mice in the evaluation of the therapies for the treatment of such disorders and for evaluation of systems for tissue specific delivery of the therapeutic agents.
Deficiency of .alpha.-L-iduronidase (IDUA) underlies a group of autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disorders termed mucopolysaccaridosis type I (MPS I). MPS I is considered to be the prototypical MPS disorder and represents the most common MPS subtype, occurring at a frequency of approximately 1/100,000 in most populations. The spectrum of clinical features in MPS I, ranges from severe mental retardation with hepatosplenomegaly, dysostosis multiplex, corneal clouding, cardiac involvement and death in early childhood to milder symptoms consisting of corneal clouding, hearing loss, and mild visceral involvement with normal intelligence and life span. Hurler syndrome (MPS I H) represents the most common and severe manifestation of this enzyme deficiency with Scheie syndrome (MPS I S) representing the more mild form of the disease. Many patients follow an intermediate phenotype between that of Hurler and Scheie syndromes.
MPS I has been described in both a feline and canine model. Haskins et al., Ped. Res. 13: 1294-1297 (1979); Spellacy et al., Proc. Nat'l. Acad. Sci. (USA) 80:6091-6095 (1983). The canine model has been well characterized and has been useful in the study of the role of bone marrow transplantation in MPS I as well as early studies of direct enzyme replacement. These animal studies, as well as the observations of the effect of bone marrow transplantation in humans, indicates that the development of enzyme replacement regimes are likely to lead to advancements in the therapy of MPS disorders. Kakkis et al., Biochem. Mol. Med. 58: 156-167 (1996); Shull et al., Proc. Nat'l Acad. Sci. (USA) 91: 12937-12941 (1994). The high cost of canine and feline animal models combined with their relatively long life span, however, makes them less than ideal for this purpose. Thus, it would be advantageous to have a small animal model for evaluating therapeutics for MPS I. It is an object of the present invention to provide a mouse model for this purpose.

Transgenic mouse model for iduronidase deficiency and methods of making and using same


An antiscattering grid for an X-ray imaging apparatus of the type comprising a substrate having a plurality of metallized partitions that together define a plurality of cells distributed over the substrate. The partitions allow passage of the X-rays emitted from a source lying in line with the grid, and absorbing the X-rays not coming directly from this source. The substrate is made of a polymer material that may be formed by radiation curing of a monomer sensitive to this radiation. The substrate may be substantially planar and the partitions may be oriented to form a focused grid.

The invention relates to antiscattering grids and particularly to antiscattering grids used in X-ray imaging. A radiology imaging apparatus may comprise an X-ray source and an image receiver between which the object, of which it is wished to produce an image, is positioned. The beam emitted by the source passes through the object before reaching the detector. It is partly absorbed by the internal structure of the object so that the intensity of the beam received by the detector is attenuated. The overall attenuation of the beam after having passed through the object is directly related to the absorption distribution in the object.
The image receiver may comprise an optoelectronic detector or enhancing film/screen pair sensitive to the intensity of the radiation. The image generated by the receiver corresponds in principle to the distribution of the overall attenuations of the rays due to having passed through the internal structures of the object.
One part of the radiation emitted by the source is absorbed by the internal structure of the object and the other part is either transmitted (primary or direct radiation) or scattered (secondary or scattered radiation). The presence of scattered radiation results in the contrast of the image obtained being degraded and the signal/noise ratio being reduced.
One solution to this problem comprises interposing one or more "antiscattering" grids between the object to be X-rayed and the image receiver. This grid is usually formed by a series of parallel plates made of a material that absorbs the X-rays. In a grid identified as a "focused" grid (using the terminology defined by the CEI 60627 standard relating to "X-ray imaging diagnostic equipment—characteristics of the antiscattering grids for general use and for mammography"), all the planes of the plates intersect along the same straight line passing through the focal point of the radiation emitted by the source.
A antiscattering grid may comprise a series of oriented parallel plates made of a material which strongly absorbs the X-rays, for example, lead, and are held together between inter-plate members made of a material more transparent to X-rays than the plates, such as, for example, aluminum or cellulose fibers (paper or wood). A disadvantage for such a grid is that the grid is unable to reduce the degree of radiation scattered in a direction parallel to the plane of the plates. Crossed grids having two series of absorbent plates, in which the two plates are positioned perpendicular to each other, reduce this disadvantage. The crossed grids allow two-dimensional filtering to be obtained and thus further reduce the solid angle with which a point on the receiver sees the object.
However, the presence of inter-plate members between the plates reduces the transmission of the direct radiation through the grid. Consequently, the X-ray dose needed to obtain an image of good quality must be increased (particularly in mammography).
There are several structural arrangements for obtaining grids without inter-plate members. One structural arrangement is two-dimensional filtering comprising superposing one-dimensional grids. U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,394 describe an antiscattering device comprising the superposition of several grids. Each grid has parallel absorbent plates separated by openings, the plates being positioned at an angle of between 0 and 89.9° with respect to the central beam perpendicular to the plane of the receiver. The grids have a thickness such that the ratio of the thickness of the grid to the distance between the plates is greater than 1. This arrangement provides filtering of the rays whose angle of incidence is high.
Another structural arrangement comprises producing two-dimensional grids directly in a one-piece support. U.S. Pat. No. 5,389,473 describes a method of manufacturing an antiscattering grid, comprising producing a grid from a glass plate, making openings in the plate by photoetching and chemical etching (for example using hydrofluoric acid). Such a method results in an array of cells separated by partitions being formed. The partitions are then covered with a layer of material that absorbs the X-rays.
WO 94/17533 describes an antiscattering grid comprising a lattice formed in a glass plate, the lattice comprising cells separated by partitions. The partitions are covered with a layer of absorbent material, not only inside the cells but also along their edges corresponding to the upper and lower surfaces of the glass plate.
In the field of mammography, another type of two-dimensional grid has been developed. U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,589 describe an antiscattering grid comprising thin metal sheets micro-etched to form a lattice. The sheets are superposed so as to form a focused grid. The sheets are held stacked together by adhesive bonding.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,814,235 describes a method of manufacturing such a grid. The method comprises forming, by photoetching in a metal foil, a lattice structure comprising cells separated by segments extending in transverse directions. The foils are then individually immersed in a bath of adhesive. The foils are then stacked on top of each other so as to align the segments in order to form partitions between the cells and then clamped together in position. This method makes it possible in particular to obtain strong grids.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,075,840 generalizes this type of grid for applications other than mammography.
The disadvantage with the above methods is that they are based on the chemical etching of layers of materials and consequently result in a significant loss of material, and hence high costs.
Moreover, a disadvantage with the antiscattering grids in general is that they mask part of the image receiver and leave their impression on the image obtained. A solution to this problem comprises slightly shifting the grid during image acquisition. Thus, the image obtained comprises the superposition of images, for which the grid lies in different positions.
In certain cases, it is possible to translate the grid only in a single direction (in particular in mammography, in which the direction of displacement is parallel to the patient's thoracic cage). In this case, the impressions of the segments or of the partitions which are positioned parallel to the direction of displacement of the grid remain on the image obtained. U.S. Pat. No. 5,970,118 describes an antiscattering grid formed in a glass plate in which the partitions of the cells are not parallel to the side of the grid parallel to the direction of displacement of the latter. For example, the grid may comprise cells having a square shape and oriented at 35° with respect to an edge of the grid parallel to the direction of displacement.

Antiscattering grid and a method of manufacturing such a grid

GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC


A method is disclosed for production of tomographic slice images of an examination object using a computed tomography scanner. In order to scan an examination object, at least two X-ray beams are produced, which each are at offset angles and fan out from a focus to an opposite detector and scan the examination object. The scans at least partially overlap. Detector output data which is emitted from the detector elements is measured together with physical orientation data of the beams and is converted to projection data sets. Slice images are then calculated. In order to calculate the complete slice images, data which is redundant from the measured data of the at least two X-ray beams from overlapping projection intervals is used for each complete slice image. The size of the overlap area of the projection data used from the individual X-ray beams is defined before the calculation of the slice images, in order to vary time resolution and image quality.

A computed tomography method and a corresponding computed tomography scanner for production of slice images with the aid of a plurality of X-ray beams at offset angles are generally known. In this context reference should be made in particular to the Laid-Open Specifications with the file references DE 103 54 900.5 (US 2005-0111623 A1) and DE 103 54 214 A1. The entire disclosure content of each of these laid open specifications are hereby incorporated herein by reference and are included in this description.
Both of the laid-open specifications mentioned above describe a method for reconstruction of tomographic slice images using detector data which is produced by at least two X-ray beams which are offset at an angle to one another and rotate with one another. In the first mentioned laid-open specification, complete 180° projection segments are produced from the detector data which is obtained by the two X-ray beams, can be associated with specific cycle phases of the scanned object, and can then be reconstructed to form slice image sequences. In the last-mentioned laid-open specification, it is proposed that image elements first of all be produced from small subsegments, which are combined with the correct timings to form segment image stacks, which are then added on a complementary angle-basis and in layers to form tomography slice images, which are produced from 180° segments overall.
Both methods have the common feature that, in total, data from a scanning interval of at least 180° overall is used to calculate the image from the detector data which is obtained by scanning with the aid of the at least two X-ray beams, with data from the detectors in each case being compiled with the correct angle and being used to achieve the optimum time resolution. In order to achieve the maximum time resolution, data which has been scanned over an angle of 90° is used from each X-ray beam, in the case of a computed tomography scanner with two X-ray beams offset through 90°.
By way of example, this type of scanning and the subsequent image production process make it possible to produce cardioimage sequences whose time resolution is sufficient to achieve diagnostically sufficiently relevant image statements, for example with respect to the coronaries, for a patient's heart which is beating at a normal speed. However, one problem which may occur in this case is that, in poor circumstances, the dose required to produce an effective image for diagnosis may not be sufficient for the best time resolution.

Method for production of tomographic slice images of an examination object using at least two X-ray beams at offset angles, and a computed tomography scanner for carrying out this method


A process for fractionating agaroid compositions by dissolving the agaroid in a glycol, precipitating a first fraction by cooling and precipitating a second fraction by incorporating a nonsolvent to form two fractions substantially more soluble in water than the initial agaroid. Optionally the solubility of either fraction can be converted to conventional solubilities.

This invention relates to compositions of matter comprising novel fractionated agaroid compounds (including agar and agarose), to methods for the preparation of the compositions and to methods for their use.
Agaroid compounds including agar, agarose, derivatized agarose and depolymerized agarose generally are well known in the art.
The closest known prior art to this invention is European Patent Application EP 0 304 024 published Feb. 22, 1989, (corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 4,990,611 of Feb. 2, 1991) commonly assigned and invented, which discloses the purification of agar or agarose by means of a glycol solution thereof. More specifically, in the disclosed process: (a) agar or agarose is dissolved in a lower alkylene glycol selected from the group consisting of ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, propylene glycol, trimethylene glycol, and 1,2-butanediol optionally in the presence of a small amount of water; (b) the solution is heated to a temperature of 50.degree. C. to 130.degree. C.; and (c) upon cooling of the solution to a temperature below 70.degree. C.; (d) a purified agarose (first fraction) precipitates. The precipitate desirably (e) is washed with a volatile organic solvent such as acetone, preferably a lower alkyl alcohol, more preferably methanol, ethanol, or isopropanol, and then dried. The precipitate is disclosed as being extraordinarily soluble in water, in that the water does not need to be heated to dissolve it as in a conventional agarose. There is a disclosure that treatment of the supernatant (still containing a dissolved second agar or agarose fraction) is primarily for the purpose of purifying the glycol for reuse, and that the second agar or agarose fraction present in the supernatant "may either be recovered, as a less pure agarose material, or simply discarded."
The employment of a glycol in conjunction with agar also is taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,291,025 which discloses a thermally reversible agar gel topical dressing prepared by heating and agitating a mixture of agar, diethylene glycol, and water to solubilize the agar, which is then allowed to cool and form a high strength gel. Formation of a precipitate does not appear to be disclosed. The agar is present in 5-12 wt % and the glycol is not removed but instead comprises from 20 wt % up to a maximum of 75 wt % of the composition. There is a teaching that other polyols such as dipropylene glycol, propylene glycol, or ethylene glycol are not suitable because they do not significantly lower the gelling temperature of aqueous agar gels. Multivalent salts such as sodium borate, potassium borate, potassium sulfate, and zinc sulfate are disclosed as increasing the "toughness" of the gel.
The purification of agarose from crude agar by precipitation from dimethylformamide solvent is disclosed in Chem. Abstracts 74:32889r (1971), which is for Japanese Patent document 45-017,180.
The effect of low molecular weight compounds on the properties of aqueous agarose solutions is discussed in Chem. Abstracts 105:153437j (1986), which states that glycerin and ethylene glycol aid gel formation but that alcohols, dioxane, and urea inhibit gel formation.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,335,127 discloses employing polyethylene glycol to fractionate an agarose product from an agarose/agaropectin mixture, in which the glycol is contacted with an impure agarose aqueous solution at elevated temperatures to precipitate a purified product.

Fractionated agaroid compositions, their preparation, and use


An improved and new process of fabricating high dielectric constant MIM capacitors. These high dielectric constant MIM capacitor met all of the stringent requirements needed for both for both RF and analog circuit applications. For the high dielectric constant MIM capacitor, the metal is comprised of copper electrodes in a dual damascene process. The dielectric constant versus the total thickness of super lattices is controlled by the number of layers either 4/4, 2/2, and 1/1 artificial layers. Hence thickness of the film can be easily controlled. Enhancement of dielectric constant is because of interface. Dielectric constants near 900 can be easily achieved for 250 Angstrom thick super lattices. MBE, molecular beam epitaxy or ALCVD, atomic layer CVD techniques is used for this type layer growth process.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of fabrication used for semiconductor integrated circuit devices, and more specifically to the formation of high dielectric constant MIM capacitors, using copper electrodes in a damascene process, and forming alternating layers of high dielectric artificial super lattices by depositing high dielectric material by MBE, molecular beam epitaxy or ALCVD, atomic layer CVD techniques.
2. Description of Related Art
In this section a description of related Prior Art background patents follows.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,079 B1 entitled "Method For Metallization By Dual Damascene Process Using Photosensitive Polymer" granted Apr. 17, 2001 to Shin et al. describes a copper dual damascene process with high dielectric constant silicon nitride. A photosensitive polymer having low permittivity is used as an etch mask. Though the etch mask remains in the final structure, its low permittivity reduces parasitic capacitance effects. In this method, a photosensitive polymer pattern having a first hole with a first width is formed on a first interlayer dielectric film. A second inter-layer dielectric film is formed on the photosensitive polymer pattern. A mask pattern, having a second hole, above the first hole, with a second width larger than the first width, is formed on the second interlayer dielectric film. A wiring region is formed by dry-etching the second interlayer dielectric film using the mask pattern as an etch mask. A via hole region is formed by dry-etching the first interlayer dielectric film using the photosensitive polymer pattern as an etch mask.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,976,928 entitled "Chemical Mechanical Polishing of FERAM Capacitors" granted Nov. 2, 1999 to Kirlin et al. shows a dual damascene process with a high dielectric constant ferroelectric capacitor structure. The capacitor structure is formed by sequentially depositing a bottom electrode layer, a ferroelectric layer and a top electrode layer on a base structure, optionally with deposition of a layer of a conductive barrier material beneath the bottom electrode layer. Planarization of the capacitor precursor structure by chemical mechanical polishing yields the ferroelectric capacitor structure: a stack capacitor or trench capacitor. The process is carried out without dry etching of the electrode layers or dry etching of the ferroelectric layer, to yield ferroelectric capacitors having a very small feature size, between 0.10 and 0.20 microns.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,117,747 entitled "Integration Of MOM Capacitor Into Dual Damascene Process" granted Sep. 12, 2000 to Shao et al. describes a dual damascene and MOM process for fabricating a metal-oxide-metal capacitor. A dielectric layer is provided overlying a semiconductor substrate. A dual damascene opening in the dielectric layer is filled with copper to form a copper via underlying a copper line. A first metal layer is deposited overlying the copper line and patterned to form a bottom capacitor plate contacting the copper line. A capacitor dielectric layer is deposited overlying the bottom capacitor plate. A second metal layer is deposited overlying the capacitor dielectric layer and patterned to form a top capacitor plate to complete fabrication of a metal-oxide-metal capacitor.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,271,082 B1 entitled "Method of Fabricating A Mixed Circuit Capacitor" granted Aug. 7, 2001 to Hou et al. reveals a dual damascene and capacitor process for fabricating a capacitor for a mixed circuit application. The method involves forming a first dielectric layer, a stop layer, and a second dielectric layer on a substrate having a conductive region. A first opening is then formed in the second dielectric layer, followed by forming a second opening in the stop layer and the first dielectric layer, so that the first opening and the second opening form a dual damascene opening for exposing the conductive region. The dual damascene opening is filled with a first conductive layer, so as to form a via plug and a lower electrode of the capacitor for connecting to the conductive region. A third dielectric layer, which is located between the lower electrode and a subsequent formed upper electrode, is then formed over the substrate, so that the lower electrode and a part of the second dielectric layer adjacent to the lower electrode are completely covered by the third dielectric layer. A patterned second conductive layer is formed on a part of the third dielectric layer, whereby an upper electrode for completely covering the lower electrode is formed.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,166,423 entitled "Integrated Circuit Having A Via And A Capacitor" granted Dec. 26, 2000 to Gambino et al. describes a capacitor process for manufacturing a capacitor simultaneously while forming a dual damascene via. A first interconnect layer is formed upon a first interlevel dielectric. Openings corresponding to vias and capacitors extend through a second interlevel dielectric to the first interconnect layer. A conductor is deposited in the via openings. An insulator is deposited in the openings and on the conductor in the via openings. A trench is then etched into the upper portion of the via openings while simultaneously removing the insulator from the conductor in the via openings. A conductor is then deposited in the openings and in the trenches and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is used to pattern the conductor. A third interlevel dielectric is then deposited, openings are formed extending to the conductors, and third interconnect layer conductors are deposited and patterned.
As a background to the present invention, existing dielectric materials are reaching their limits due to pitch size reduction and changes in capacitor architecture. The combination of hemispherical polysilicon grains (HSG) and nitride is already showing strains at 130 nm technology, and reaching to and beyond 100 nm technology, will require new dielectrics and eventually the transition to MIM capacitor structures. Furthermore, the low cost manufacturing nature of the memory business, and the extreme reluctance to change anything that is not absolutely necessary, makes for the integration of any new technology a major challenge. Chip manufacturers are looking for capacitors that have higher dielectric constant materials to replace silicon oxynitride, beginning with the 130 nm generation, and on a larger scale at 100 nm.

High K artificial lattices for capacitor applications to use in Cu or Al BEOL

Chartered Semiconductor Manufacturing Ltd.


The present invention comprises a one-at-a-time dispensing assembly for newspaper racks of tetrahedral shape in which the assembly is positioned within and spans the walls of the rack. The dispensing assembly of the invention includes a fixed support base subassembly fixedly positioned--in a vertical sense--adjacent to the lower edge of the rack opening, and a shaker subassembly. The base subassembly supports both a stack of newspapers and a planar member of the shaker subassembly. The shaker subassembly also includes a lever extending exterior of the rack below the lower edge of the rack opening actionably connected to the planar member. Purpose: to permit to-and-fro movement of the planar member supporting the stack of newspaper via corresponding movement of the lever. In accordance with method aspects, the buyer causes such movement via an exterior lever extending from the rack and as a result of such action, exposes to his view a portion of a single newspaper which occurs before he activates the coin operated latching mechanism. After coins have been inserted and the rack door has been opened, the newspaper previously exposed, can be pulled from the stack. But when the buyer opens the rack door to obtain his newspaper, the lever and hence the shaker subassembly to which it is attached, becomes inoperative. Result: only one newspaper per door opening can be dispensed. But the dispensing assembly of the invention can also be disengaged quickly to permit a distributor to easily reload the rack on a daily basis.

Newspaper dispensing racks of which the present invention relates, include lid-opening or door opening structures of tetrahedral cross section that include upright side and back walls. A spring-loaded, transparent front door completes each assembly. It is hinged along a vertical or horizontal pivot axis. Such front doors are releasably attached to the walls of the racks via a coin-operated latch mechanism, and are opened on the following occasions: by the distributor to initially place a stack of newspapers interior thereof for sale; next by the buyer after insertion of a predetermined number of coins into the latch mechanism. Unfortunately to permit the distributor to rapidly place the stack of newspapers interior of the rack per one door opening, also allows a buyer to extract more than one newspaper after purchase has occurred. While various designs have been introduced to limit the buyer to one newspaper per door opening, these structures have been difficult to implement in view of the desire of the distributor to service each rack via a single door opening without expending time to initiate special slotting arrangements or place special insertions between newspapers. Also, such designs require careful maintenance to function in the desired manner on a repeatable basis. In addition, some are too complicated for use by busy purchasers. Furthermore they have been found to be difficult to add to existing racks where the distributor has a substantial supply on hand.

Newspaper rack with improved one-at-a-time dispensing assembly


A modular architectural precast cladding system that is completely mortarless, and not subject to the inherent deficiencies of masonry materials and practice. Simple, rapid and uniform installation, with automatic alignment and self leveling features. A multi-purpose mechanical connector that is either cast-in-place at point of manufacture, or alternatively can be anchored later on the jobsite.

Conventional practice for most architectural precast concrete cladding systems requires a labor and material intensive full masonry application. Examples of such architectural cladding systems would be manufactured stone, stucco, and either cementitious or hard-coat, synthetic stucco also known as Exterior Insulation Finish Systems (EIFS), and concrete or clay brick cladding. These practices necessitate a 2-3 step sequential process requiring prep or scratch coat, a separate wire mesh, or lath affixed to the prep coat, and finally a bed of mortar to set and adhere the cladding material to the structure. This 2-3 step method requires the contractor to mobilize and demobilize the labor force and equipment twice or more for the same job. This is due to the need for the initial prep or scratch coat to dry and set up for 48 hours prior to completing the stone, stucco, or brick installation. Some applications could require multiple prep coats. A major problem with these cladding systems is the absence of an engineered drainage gallery or rainscreen to deflect moisture away from the cladding and structure.
Additionally, the absence of airspace for ventilation between the cladding and the structure is a deficiency. These deficiencies are the precursor to the development of mold and dry rot, which threatens the health of the occupants and the value of the structure. Another limitation of the above cladding systems is that the masonry material or mortar is only as good as how it is mixed on the jobsite. Mixed or applied improperly the mortar is subject to cracking and failure, causing the cladding system to fail and possibly fall off the building. Brick and stone systems are also much thicker in volume and heavier in weight. This increases costs for production, handling and transportation. Conventional masonry practice is also vulnerable to the elements, which prevents the installation during inclement conditions. The cladding systems could further be compromised by a sudden change in the weather during the installation, or 48 hours after completing the installation while the mortar is setting up to material strength specifications. The reality is that conventional mortar by its very nature is permeable, even mixed and applied properly under the right weather conditions, and is subject to predictable degradation from the elements.
An improvement to such practice and cladding systems is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,515 to Kuelker, 2001 Jul. 3. This patent employs a mortarless method for attaching a precast concrete cladding system with a mechanical connection, precluding the need for a full masonry application. A bead of caulking is applied to the joints to complete the cladding system. However, this prior art suffers from several disadvantages which limit its functionality, durability, constructability and mass production capability.
First, the hangars or connectors are designed to be cast-in-place on the back of the precast cladding units at point of manufacture only. There is no disclosed provision for anchoring or fastening connectors in the field after manufacture. This limitation impacts the mass production of the system for precast manufacturers with automated or robotic production processes. This in turn restricts achievable economies of scale required to manufacture the system in a cost efficient manner. Additionally this cast-in-place only option requires more labor and materials for packaging and transport of the system to the jobsite.
Second, the shape, profile, and gauge of the hangars or connectors per FIGS. 10, 11 and 14 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,253,515 referenced above, expose the system to damage during transport and handling in the field. Deformation of these hangars render the system vulnerable to total failure, as the structural integrity of the hangar is the sole means for connecting the cladding to the building.
Third, the dimension of the drainage gallery that results from the profile of the hangar is inadequate for wetter climates and coastal regions.
Fourth, there is no claimed means for providing automatic alignment and self-leveling features for the installers, who then have to make these adjustments manually on site.
Fifth, there is no provision for panelizing the system, thereby allowing the system to be cast in larger panel dimensions, with architectural façade joints that give the appearance of several individual tiles or units, but are in fact cast as one single panel. This limitation further hinders achievable manufacturing, shipping and installation efficiencies.
Sixth, there is no reference to the utilization of recycled materials such as fly ash, coal combustion by products, and recycled glass fibers in the manufacture of the system. Thereby addressing several economic and environmental concerns, given dwindling stocks and rising costs of Portland cement. Additionally obstructing the ability for the producer to achieve stronger compressive material strength, lighter material weights, and the reduced carbon footprint of fly ash cements compared to production of conventional Portland cements.
Seventh, there is no claimed means for a cladding system that can absorb post construction settlements, thermal expansion and certain seismic activity. Eighth, there is no disclosed provision for a monolithic structural/architectural wall assembly. Whereby, the cladding system can be preassembled in the factory, or sandwich style rapidly on site to a structural wall component, such as tilt-up precast walls, or the new prefabricated structures and homes. Thereby preventing the need for two separate wall components or applications, to provide one wall assembly as with conventional building practice.
Finally, there is no provision for a cladding system, given its mortarless nature, which can incorporate an ultra thin and lightweight solar film cell embedded in the precast units to regenerate the power of natural sunlight into functional energy sources.
Consequently, there is a need in the industry for a mortarless modular architectural precast cladding system that is an improvement to the prior art, and overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of this prior art as outlined above.

Mortarless modular precast cladding system


A system and method for converting/generating web application programs is disclosed so that the system user or developer may perform substantially all activities with respect to a web application at the web browser level rather that at the web server or application server level to effect changes in the web application operation.

The first computers were very hard to use and did not resemble the relatively easy to use personal computer ("PCs") of today. Over time, however, computer systems have become much more "user-friendly" and easy to use, based on a continual rise in the level of abstraction. The following are examples of the evolution of extractions that has taken place.
(1) 1GL->2GL->3GL->4GL Programming Languages
Programming languages evolved through several "generations." At present, there are at least four. The fourth generation programming languages, 4GLs, are various languages, some of which are proprietary. These four generation programming languages include "PowerBuilder" by Sybase, Inc., "RPG" and "PL/1" by IBM, and "ABAP" by SAP, Inc. SQL (Structured-Query Language) is also regarded by many as a 4GL.
(2) Sequential files->Indexed files->Hierarchic Databases->SQL Databases
Over the years, more and more of the details of storing and managing data have been taken over by the computer system. The evolution from sequential filing, which required a great deal of time for the user to find desired information, to SQL database, which provides a rapid method of data retrieval, has provided the mechanism for the movement from the system user directly accessing stored data to the computing system being the actual tool to perform the retrieval with only high-level directions from the system user. Therefore, today it's the system, not the user, that's responsible for locating and retrieving data.
The 4GL programming languages that are mentioned above are meant to be examples of current generation languages but is not all inclusive. However, these 4GL programming languages may be combined through the use of data management systems to develop computer-based applications. In this context, an application, may be the implementation of some type of business function such as "entering an order for a customer," or "deleting an order." In general, applications of this type include four parts or components:                1. Presentation Aspects        2. Database Aspects        3. Specific Business Function Aspects        4. Aspects Specific to Making the Application Available to End Users
The "Presentation Aspects" are used to define the end-user interface. For example, they include (i) accepting filled-out forms from the end user, (ii) displaying error messages, or (iii) producing printed output. The "Database Aspects" are generally associated with retrieving and updating database information in response to end-user requests and end-user entries on forms. The "Specific Business Function Aspects," on the other hand, delineate the actual process steps to be performed to implement the business function. Lastly, the "Aspects Specific to Making the Application Available to End Users" are responsible for providing the "Presentation Aspects" to end users regardless of end user location.
Another way to view applications is as a set of logical tiers. A "Presentation Tier" is responsible for the "Presentation Aspects." A "Database Tier" is responsible for carrying out the "Database Aspects." An "Application Tier" is responsible for implementing the "Specific Business Function Aspects." Finally, a "Serving Tier" is responsible for making the "Presentation Tier" available to all users accessing the application.
Most of the applications today are written using the four tiers just mentioned. However, there may be stark differences from application to application as to how these tiers are implemented and how they interact with each other. For example, in a client/server application, a PC communicates with a server computer. Typically, the PC will be running the presentation tier, the servicing tier, and part of the application tier and the serving tier. At the same time, the server computer typically will be running the database tier and another part of the application tier. Client/server applications are sometimes referred to "thick client" applications due to the size of the code that has to be installed on the PC. This and other issues contribute to "thick client" applications being hard to maintain.
On the other hand, typical mainframe, midrange, and iSeries (AS/400) by IBM applications differ from client/server applications. The main difference is that instead of splitting the tier functions between two computers, all four tiers are running on the same computer or server. When this is the situation, the serving tier manages the flow of information between the server and the terminals used by end users to access and uses the application. In the case, of the iSeries, the end user terminals are 5250 terminals or 5250 emulated terminals running on a PC. In most cases, the data that is transmitted between the server and the end user terminal is based on proprietary APIs.
The evolution of the application approach has resulted in what is now referred to as a "web application." There are two main characteristics that distinguish web applications from other applications. The first is that the serving tier is a combination of one or more web servers. Examples of these are the Microsoft "Internet Information Server", IBM "HTTP Server", Sun Microsystems "Apache." The second is that the serving tier sends and receives information (information in this context includes application data and any other data used to present that application data to end users) from web browsers such as Netscape "Navigator" or Microsoft "Internet Explorer." This information includes application data and the data used to present application information to the end users.
As computers became more powerful, they served the role as web browsers and web servers. This increased power also meant they had the capability to handle more complicated tasks. Thus, companies developed more sophisticated web applications that made use of this power. In web application systems where these computers were used, certain activities are defined as "web server side" and "web browser" activities. The following addresses the distinction between these two activity types:
Web Server Side
The development and popularity of web server-side Java applications following the introduction and use of Java programming. The Java language was originally intended for use in small embedded devices. It was first provided as a language for developing elaborate client-side web content in the form of applets. However, as time progressed, Java was being used as a language better suited for server-side development.
Java servlets are an important component of server-side Java development. A servlet is a small, pluggable extension to a server that enhances the server's functionality. Servlets allow developers to extend and customize any Java-enabled server with great degrees of portability, flexibility, and ease of use.
When Java servlets are used to create dynamic content for a web page or extend the functionality of a web server, this, in effect, is creating a web application. A web page in or of itself displays static content that the user can navigate. A web application provides for more substantive interaction with the web page than just this. A web application can be as simple as a keyword search on a document or as complex as an order entry system. Web applications are being deployed for use over the Internet and on corporate intranets and extranets. These web applications have the potential to increase productivity and change the way that companies, large and small do business.
Servlets, such as the Java servlets discussed above, are but one method for developing web applications. The following are other methods by which web applications may be developed:                1. CGI (Common Gateway Interface)        2. Fast CGI        3. Server extension APIs        4. ASP (Active Server Pages)        5. Server-side JavaScript
With regard to server extension APIs, there are several companies that have created proprietary server extension APIs for web servers. For example, Netscape provides an internal API that is named "NSAPI" and Microsoft provides one named "ISAPI." These APIs will permit the developer to write server extensions to enhance or change the basic functionality of the server. This in turn will allow the server to handle tasks that were once relegated to external CGI programs.
Web Browsers
Web browsers also have evolved. The first web browsers were only capable of displaying static content. This relegated the end user to navigate the static information by following hyperlinks. These pages were sent from the web server to the web browser via the Hyper-Text Transmission Protocol ("HTTP") and written using the Hyper-Text Mark-up Language (HTML). More specifically, the first web browsers were only able to interpret HTML pages and display them. HTML was only capable of producing static content which is insufficient to create web applications. It became understood that for HTML and the web browser to be able to create web applications, they had to be enhanced.
The enhancements that made web application possible in many cases were on the systems client-side. Client-side in this context is the portion of system where the end user interacts with it to communicate with the server. Some client-side technologies that have facilitated the development of web applications are the following:                1. Dynamic Hyper-Text Mark-up Language ("DHTML")        2. Java Applets        3. ActiveX controls        4. Extensible Mark-up Language ("XML")
DHTML is an extension to HTML. It will allow the developer to create dynamic web pages or pages that can be changed based on end user input. Java Applets are Java programs that run in the context of a Java-enabled web browser. ActiveX controls are programs written in C, C++, VB, Java, or other language that is run in the context of an ActiveX enabled web browser. XML is considered the universal exchange format between the web browser and server. As such, it is widely used. Many web browsers have had their capabilities extended to support XML.
As stated, typically, the web browser and the web server communicate using the Hyper-Text Transmission Protocol ("HTTP"). HTTP is a simple, stateless transmission protocol. A system client, such as a web browser, makes a request which is transmitted using HTTP and the web server responds using HTTP. When the client sends the request, the first thing that is specified is an HTTP command, called a "Method." The "Method" tells the server the type of action it wants performed. This first line of the request also specifies the address of a document (URL) and the version of the HTTP protocol it is using. An example of this follows:                GET/infinium.html HTTP/1.0According to this example, the request uses the GET method to ask for the document named "infinium.html" using HTTP Version 1.0. After sending the request, the client can send optional information. After the client sends the request, the server processes it and sends back the response.
There is a need for a system and method that will effectively and efficiently handle web applications.