A method and a device for contactless inspection of objects on a substrate, by means of an inspection device during relative motion between the substrate and the inspection device, wherein the following steps are performed by the method;

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a method and device for contactless inspection of objects on a substrate, during relative motion between the substrate and the inspection device.
2. Description of Background Art
When arranging objects on a substrate geometrical and other properties of the objects are important for the performance of the resulting product. Consequently, it is desired to be able to quickly and accurately perform an automatic inspection of these properties. Geometrical properties can for example be volume, position on the substrate, diameter, shape of outline, scratches, surface roughness etc. Other properties can be, colour, etc. An automatic inspection of the properties is difficult to perform at high speed and high accuracy. For example, in the process of applying solder paste to the substrate, by dispensing it or the like, the properties of the resulting solder paste deposit, e.g. volume and position, are important for the subsequent process steps and final yield.
Prior art is generally based on different imaging technologies such as 2-dimensional image processing, pattern recognition and/or 3-dimensional optical triangulation, stereo photography, moirxc3xa9 methods and white-light interferometry.
For obtaining height information of an object, laser triangulation is often used, such as in an apparatus and a method for inspecting solder printing as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,665. A radiation source, generally a laser, is positioned at a lateral distance from a sensor and illuminating the object to be inspected from one direction. The object is imaged onto the sensor via a radiation focusing element, such as refractive optics. The most common triangulation methods employ illumination with a single spot, a sheet-of-light or multistrip-light triangulation. The sensor views the object from another direction than the object is illuminated from and, thus, detects radiation reflected or reemitted from the object. Since the sensor is two-dimensional and since the positions of the radiation source and the sensor and the base plane for the object are known, it is possible to determine the height of the object by determining the direction of the radiation incident on the sensor.
Additionally, by scanning the whole object and determining a large number of height points or height profiles it is possible to determine an approximate volume of the object.
However, there are problems associated with prior art methods and devices. It is desired to combine speed and flexibility in one and the same arrangement. Generally, prior art methods and devices are dedicated to a single task and often they are not fast enough to comply with current and future demands.
In the above mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,665 there is disclosed an apparatus for inspecting solder paste prints on a printed circuit board (PCB), which is one type of substrate. Other types of substrate are for example substrates for ball grid arrays (BGA), chip scale packages (CSP), quad flat packages (QFP), and flip-chips. The apparatus measures print deviation, film thickness and print pattern of solder paste printed on pads formed on the PCB. A height measurement is performed by means of a laser ray illuminating the PCB pointwise. By mutually moving the apparatus and the PCD the laser point is scanned over a single solder paste object. By scanning the object in orthogonal X- and Y-directions the projection of the object is obtained in the form of an X-direction and a Y-direction profile line showing both the solder paste object and the underlying pad. By this known apparatus the positions and thicknesses of screen printed solder paste objects in relation to pre-printed pads are determinable. Drawbacks of this known apparatus are the limited use thereof. For example, neither accurate volume measurements nor accurate area measurements are performable, at least not reasonably fast, since this would require a vast number of scans in both directions.
Another solution dedicated for inspection of solder paste prints on a PCB is an apparatus manufactured by Philips called TriScan. The TriScan apparatus uses an advanced optical scanning system comprising a 20-side polygonal mirror rotating at a very high speed of up to 50 revolutions per second. A laser ray is projected onto the mirror and thereby a laser point is swept over the object at a rate of up to 1000 light sweeps per second. By advanced sets of mirrors the object is illuminated by said sweeps and reflected light is caught and guided to a sensor. While this apparatus enables several types of properties to be inspected at high speed it is complex and performs only measurements of height profiles as a basis for all determinations. The limitations to height profile measurements causes a limited accuracy. By measuring the profiles extremely closely, a certain improvement of accuracy may be obtained, However, this requires a high speed of measurement, which is difficult to achieve.
One object of this invention is to provide an inspection device for inspection of objects on a substrate during relative motion between the device and the substrate, and a method for inspection of objects on a substrate by means of such an inspection device, wherein said device and said method in an improved way combine inspection accuracy and a multiple task capability at high speed and low cost.
In one aspect the present invention relates to a method for contactless inspection of objects on a substrate, by means of an inspection device during relative motion between the substrate and the inspection device. The method comprises the steps of:
generating a first image comprising object height information by illuminating at least a portion of the substrate comprising one or more objects by means of first radiation means and imaging at least one of said one or more objects illuminated by said first radiation means onto a two-dimensional matrix sensor means having a portionwise addressable matrix of pixel elements;
generating a second image comprising object area information by illuminating at least a portion of the substrate comprising one or more objects by means of second radiation means and imaging at least one of said one or more objects illuminated by said second radiation means onto said sensor means;
extracting the object height information, by means of said sensor means, from said first image; and
extracting the object area information, by means of said sensor means, from said second image.
In another aspect the invention relates to a device for performing the above method. The device comprises a two-dimensional matrix sensor means having a portionwise addressable matrix of pixel elements; a first radiation means; a second radiation means; and imaging means for imaging radiation originating from an object plane onto the sensor means. Said first radiation means is arranged for illuminating at least a portion of the substrate comprising one or more objects, when the substrate is in said object plane, said imaging means thereby generating a first image of at least one of said one or more objects, said first image comprising object height information. Said second radiation means is arranged for illuminating at least a portion of the substrate comprising one or more objects, when the substrate is in said object plane, said imaging means thereby generating a second image of at least one of said one or more objects, said second image comprising object area information. Said sensor means comprises extraction means for extracting, from said first image, object height information, and for extracting, from said second image, object area information.
The generation of a first and a second image used for extracting object height information and object area information respectively in combination with employment of a matrix sensor means having a portionwise addressable matrix of pixel elements provides for an efficient and flexible use of the generated image information for inspecting and determining properties of the one or more objects. Characteristic for such a sensor means is the matrix of pixel elements and the possibility to address, and thus read out, only a portion of the whole matrix at a time. Portionwise is to be interpreted as at least one pixel at a time. This possibility is inventively employed to dedicate different combinations of pixel elements for different tasks. By generating two different images, by means of said first and second radiation means, the multitask capability is inventively and efficiently used.
In comparison to the above described device and method of U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,665 the present invention provides for both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional inspection of objects more or less simultaneously while moving the substrate and the device in relation to each other.
The expression xe2x80x9cobjects on the substratexe2x80x9d comprise many different possible objects, such as for example adhesive, flux, conductive adhesive, soldered seams, electronic components, soldered electronic components, bumps, pins, and, particularly, deposits such as single or groups of solder paste or adhesive dots. The deposits may also comprise satellites, i.e. unwanted droplets of dispensed solder paste, adhesive, conductive adhesive, etc., from the dispensing process.
By xe2x80x9cradiationxe2x80x9d is meant different types of light, such as visible light, infrared light, ultraviolet light, etc.; and by xe2x80x9cfrequencyxe2x80x9d is meant the frequency of the radiation waves. Instead of xe2x80x9cfrequencyxe2x80x9d the term xe2x80x9cwavelengthxe2x80x9d could be equivalently used.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention the sensor comprises on-chip signal processing capability. The signal processing consequently is performed on the same chip as the pixel elements are formed, which enhances the speed of the device by reducing the amount of output needed to be applied to external processing means.
In an advantageous embodiment of the invention said first and second images are alternatingly processed portion by portion, i.e. the images are processed portionwise and the processing jumps to and fro between the two images. This way of processing is close to parallel processing of the height and area information respectively. By employing a particularly advanced sensor means, in a further embodiment of the invention, it is even possible to perform a true parallel, that is simultaneous, processing of the area and height information respectively.
In yet further embodiments of the invention processing of the first and second images are additionally separated.
One aspect of separation is to separate the generation of the first and second images in time, thereby to minimise a possible difficulty of radiation associated with one of the images interfering with radiation associated with the other image on the sensor in a case where the first and second images overlap on the sensor surface. This time separation rather provides for a use of the same sensor area for sensing both images, which is advantageous in some cases. Additionally, the possibility of illuminating the same area of the substrate without risking radiation interference in the object plane is enhanced.
Another aspect of separation is to separate the first image from the second image by having different, that is geometrically separated, portions of the sensor means illuminated by the first and the second image respectively. As a result the risk of interference is substantially eliminated, and by using, in this way, different sensor elements for the different images the total rate of images generated can be increased.
A further aspect of separation is to separate the first image from the second image by separating the radiation originating from said first and second radiation means in a first and a second range of frequencies respectively, and by at least filtering the radiation impinging a first portion of the sensor means so that radiation within one of said first and second ranges of frequencies is passed and radiation within the other one of said first and second ranges of frequencies is stopped. In addition to the above mentioned advantages of the enhanced separation, this aspect provides for a possibility to at least to some extent limit the area inspected on the substrate by limiting the dimensions of said first portion. Optionally, two or more portions of the sensor means are covered by filters passing radiation within different frequency ranges.
Further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.

Method and device for inspecting objects

Abstract: generating a first image comprising object height information by illuminating at least a portion of the substrate comprising one or more objects by means of first radiator and imaging at least one of said one or more objects illuminated by said first radiator onto a two-dimensional matrix sensor having a portionwise addressable matrix of pixel elements;

Abstract: generating a second image comprising object area information by illuminating at least a portion of the substrate comprising one Or more objects by means of second radiator and imaging at least one of said one or more objects illuminated by said second radiator onto said sensor;

Abstract: extracting the object height information, by means of said sensor, from said first image; and

Abstract: extracting the object area information, by means of said sensor, from said second image.


Gallows for rings, intended to be used in sport gymnastics, wherein the cross beam is more flexible than conventionally known models. The cross beam is hinged to the uprights of the gallows with a silentblock or rubber piece. The rings of the gallows are connected to the cross beam using rigid rods made of a composite material or other rigid material, with the rigid rods being connected at their tops by a self-locking trunnion provided with a universal joint and fixed to the rings by a short link of textile material. Also, the bottom of the uprights of the gallows are connected by a cable.

Ring gallows adapted for gymnastic competition and used currently have functional dimensions that are determined by the International Federation of Gymnastics.
These functional dimensions are related to height, from the ground to the top of the gallows, to the length of the cable system and straps connecting the rings to the cross beam at the top of the gallows by means of thrust ball bearings enabling permanent axial rotation of the cables on which the rings are hooked, and adapted to provide total liberty to the gymnast as he moves about the ring.
Currently known gallows have uprights that allow the totality of the gallows to flex during a particularly energetic exercise.
The major disadvantage of this gymnastic apparatus, both by reason of its conception and in view of the evolution of gymnastics, is its rigidity, which results in trauma at the level of the spinal column (at the level of the vertebrae) and at the level of the shoulders, and transmits all the vibrations from the uprights of the gallows and from the cable system to the body of the gymnast.
Additionally, ring exercises are limited by the fact that the gymnasts never let go of the rings, except when they exit.
This invention aims to overcome these disadvantages and enables exercises with this gymnastic apparatus to evolve, insofar as letting go and recapturing the rings before exiting is concerned.
The invention is characterized by four main points, namely:
1. The cross beam at the top is made of the same material, but is much longer, so that it alone flexes and provides flexibility, or it can be made of another material, either composite material, or hardened steel, etc.
2. The hinging of the top beam with the uprights mounted on a silentblock results not only in the provision of ampler flexibility, but also eliminates the residual vibrations of the uprights and the maintenance cables.
3. The cables connecting the top cross beam to the rings are replaced by a rigid junction made of fiberglass or another material, enabling a controlled swing during release, thus avoiding the latter from moving wildly in every direction.
4. The effect of the thrust ball bearings are voided when the gymnast releases the rings. The rings will stop in the exact rotational plane in which they were located at the moment of release, and this enables them to be recaptured easily.
Points 1 and 2 result in a considerable reduction of trauma.
Points 3 and 4 are adapted to help the exercises evolve (letting go of the rings for a dangerous exercise, with the possibility of recapturing them later).

Gallows for sport gymnastics with rigid ring suspension


A roll bar (1′) for a motor vehicle is proposed according to the present invention, with an unsplit torsion bar (5′), which is rotatably fastened to a vehicle chassis (3), is connected to two opposite wheel suspensions (4′) of the said axle of the vehicle, and has a torsion area for the elastic coupling of spring action movements of the opposite wheel suspensions (4′), wherein the roll bar (1′) has, furthermore, a first torsion tube (8′), which surrounds the unsplit torsion bar (5′) at least in a first partial area (B′) of its torsion area, and whose first end (8a′) is connected to the unsplit torsion bar (5′), rotating in unison therewith, and whose second end (8b′) can be connected to the unsplit torsion bar (5′) by means of a clutch arrangement (9′) in such a way that it selectively rotates in unison therewith, so that the torsional stiffness of the roll bar (1′) can be varied.

Roll bars for motor vehicles are usually used to elastically couple the wheel suspension of a wheel on one side of the motor vehicle with the wheel suspension of the corresponding wheel of the same axle on the other side of the motor vehicle. The coupling is performed such that when one wheel is deflected inwardly, the spring action of the other wheel is also acted on in the direction of inward deflection. As a result, the lateral slope of the motor vehicle toward the outside of the curve is reduced during the travel of the motor vehicle in a curve, partly because the wheel suspension of the particular wheel that is the outer wheel in the curve is additionally supported by the spring system of the wheel suspension of the wheel that is the inner wheel in the curve and partly because the wheel suspension of the wheel that is the inner wheel in the curve is forced somewhat in the direction of inward deflection relative to the chassis of the vehicle.
By contrast, the roll bar shall not possibly affect the spring action characteristics of the vehicle during straight-line travel.
However, if the pavement is so uneven that one wheel on one side of the vehicle is forced in the inward deflection direction, while the corresponding wheel on the other side of the vehicle must be moved in the outward deflection direction to maintain the desired road contact, the driving smoothness is compromised by a roll bar, because the roll bar tends to counteract mutually opposite movements of the wheel suspensions coupled by the roll bar relative to the vehicle body. Thus, during straight-line travel, a roll bar may undesirably cause vibrations of one wheel to be transmitted to the opposite wheel of the same axle, which compromises the driving smoothness.
This contradiction between the safety and comfort requirements imposed on a roll bar can be eliminated if the roll bar is switched off during straight-line travel and is again switched on automatically during travel in a curve.
Such a system has been known from, e.g., DE-AS 11 05 290. It is described in DE-AS 11 05 290 that a stabilizer with split torsion bar is provided, the sections being connected to one another in the manner of a hydraulic clutch, which are controlled as a function of the centrifugal force or the steering of the vehicle. Thus, it is possible to inactivate the stabilizer during straight-line travel by releasing the clutch and to switch it on during travel in a curve. It is also known from this document that the sections of the torsion bar can be adjusted in relation to one another during travel in a curve by means of a motor operator such that the vehicle body slopes less far toward the outside of the curve, i.e., a sloping is actively counteracted.
A prior-art actuator for coupling roll bars with split torsion bar is known from DE 199 50 244 C2. Other actuators are described in DE 37 40 24 C2.
The drawback of the prior-art roll bars with torsion bar is that the switching on (coupling) of the roll bar during travel in a curve must take place, in general, automatically and very rapidly for safety reasons, because the vehicle could otherwise become uncontrollable in the curve. The high costs of the prior-art roll bars which are associated with these requirements on the actuator have caused that switch-on roll bars (also known under the name "active roll bars") are not used in models manufactured in large series (i.e., in vehicles manufactured in large numbers).
Furthermore, slow, manually switchable roll bars are known, which are used especially in off-the-road vehicles. However, such roll bars, known, e.g., from DE 43 07 639 C1, are suitable only for improving the traction during slow travel on the terrain. Such systems are not suitable for safety reasons for switching on and off the roll bar during travel on a normal road, because there is a risk that the roll bar will not be switched on or will not be switched on in time in a curve, and the vehicle will thus assume an uncontrollable state.


Described are: [1] a compound represented by the formula (1), [2] a compound containing the compound according to [1] and a target molecule recognition element bonded thereto, [3] a metal complex compound containing one kind of a metal selected from a radioactive metal and a radioactive atom-labeled metal, and the compound according to [1] or [2], which is coordinated to the metal, [4] a drug for preparing a radiolabeled drug, containing the compound according to [1] or [2], [5] use of the compound according to [1] or [2], for producing a radiolabeled drug, [6] a radiolabeled drug containing the metal complex compound according to [3], and [7] a radiodiagnostic imaging agent containing the metal complex compound according to [3]:

A radiological imaging diagnosis, such as single photon emission computed tomography (which may be hereinafter referred simply to as "SPECT") and positron emission tomography (which may be hereinafter referred simply to as "PET"), has been performed by using a radiolabeled drug. Various radionuclides have been used for the radiological imaging diagnosis, and among these, radioactive gallium can be applied to both the instruments including SPECT, to which gallium-67 (67Ga) can be applied, and PET, to which gallium-68 (68Ga) can be applied. In particular, 68Ga is receiving attention in recent years since 68Ga can be eluted from a generator using germanium-68. Due to the short half-life period of 68Ga of 68 minutes, a peptide having a small molecular weight, such as a low molecular weight antibody having a rapid blood clearance, is used as a label matrix. However, in the case where a radioisotope-labeled (RI-labeled) low molecular weight peptide is administered to a living body, a non-specific accumulation in a kidney is observed in addition to the specific accumulation in the target tissue. In this case, imaging of the target tissue that is near the kidney may be difficult. The accumulation of radioactivity in a kidney (which may be hereinafter referred to as "renal accumulation") occurs in such a mechanism that the RI-labeled low molecular weight peptide incorporated into the kidney is transported to lysosomes, and metabolized to form a radioactive metabolite, which remains in the kidney.
For solving the problem, the radioactive gallium-labeled drug described in NPL 1 reduces the renal accumulation significantly as compared to the ordinary methods in such a mechanism that through utilization of the excretion of 67Ga-NOTA-Bn-Met (see the formula in the description of the literature) from the renal lysosome fraction to urine, 67Ga-NOTA-Bn-Met is liberated in the lysosomes after incorporating the radioactive gallium-labeled antibody fragment into the renal tissue.

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CORPORATION CHIBA UNIVERSITY


Systems and methods for image enhancement are disclosed. The system includes a light source adapted to generate a light beam and a light integration unit positioned along a light path of the light beam. A light intensity modulator is positioned between the light source and an exit of the light integration unit.

The present invention relates generally to the field of digital projectors. In particular, the invention relates to enhancing the image generated by digital projectors using a light disruption in the illumination portion.
Digital projectors have gained prominence in recent years. A typical projector arrangement 100 includes an illumination portion 110, a projection portion 120 and an image processing portion 130. The illumination portion 110 includes a light source, an integrating rod and one or more lenses directing the light to the image processing portion 130. The processed image is then directed from the image processing portion 130 through the projection portion 120 to, for example, a screen. The projection portion also includes one or more lenses to direct and/or focus the image onto the screen.
The image processing portion can typically contain an image processing device, such as a digital micromirror device (DMD). Such devices are often apertureless and require external modulation of the light intensity to enhance the image quality. In conventional rear-projection digital projectors, contrast of the projected image can be enhanced by modulating the light intensity by placing an adjustable aperture in the projection portion. However, this arrangement is not feasible for most forward-projection systems since most such systems use zoom projection lenses that make it difficult to place an adjustable aperture.
It is desirable to achieve systems and methods for enhancing the contrast of the image in forward-projection digital projectors.

System and method of image enhancement through light intensity modulation in digital projectors

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A method of calculating an overlay correction model in a unit for the fabrication of a wafer is disclosed. The method comprises measuring overlay deviations of a subset of first overlay marks and second overlay marks by determining the differences between the subset of first overlay marks generated in the first layer and corresponding ones of the subset of second overlay marks generated in the second layer.

It will be appreciated that the term "semiconductor wafer" as used in this disclosure is intended to imply wafers used in the manufacture of all types of semiconductor devices, including, but not limited to, microelectronic circuits, such as memory devices and ASICS, liquid crystal panels, and photovoltaic devices.
Current trends in the processing of the semiconductor wafers means that overlay budgets shrink with shrinking ground rules, and manufacturing processes are becoming more aggressive. Non-limiting examples of such aggressive manufacturing processes include high aspect ratio etching or deposition of exotic materials on a surface of the semiconductor wafer. The non-uniformity of some manufacturing processes over the semiconductor wafer surface and a plurality of manufacturing process steps may result in non-uniform stress being applied to the semiconductor wafer. When the semiconductor wafer deforms from one manufacturing process step to a subsequent manufacturing process step, e.g. from one lower layer to a subsequent layer on top of the lower layer, patterns in the upper layer become misaligned to patterns in the lower layer. For the error free functioning of a semiconductor the relative position of patterns on the different layers to each is relevant. These relative positional errors are termed "overlay errors". The need for smaller and denser structures on the semiconductor wafer means that an allowable tolerance for the overlay errors decreases.
The overlay error is determined by means of so-called "overlay marks". In a lower layer together with the pattern for the semiconductor structure of the process step a first set of overlay marks are exposed in a photoresist film. After developing and processing this lower layer, the first overlay mark becomes part of the structure of this lower layer. On a higher layer in a subsequent process step together with the pattern for the semiconductor structure of the higher layer, a second set of overlay marks is exposed in a photoresist film. After development of the photoresist film the relative position error between the first overlay mark on the lower layer and the second overlay mark on the top layer can be measured in an overlay measurement tool. If the tolerance of the overlay error is too large the semiconductor wafer may be reworked with applied corrections. The goal is to use the measured overlay errors to compensate for the overlay errors in a next lot of semiconductor wafers, so as to minimize the overlay errors in the next lot and thus avoid costly rework.
The concepts of alignment and overlay are different. The alignment of a semiconductor wafer is performed within an exposure tool to align semiconductor wafers prior to exposure. Typically one alignment mark is used per exposure field. The measurement of the overlay error is performed after the exposure and development of the photoresist film when the second set of overlay marks have been formed in the layer defined by the photoresist film. There are typically several overlay marks for each exposure field.
A number of prior art documents are known for using alignment marks on the semiconductor wafer to improve overlay control. For example, US 2010/0030360 teaches a method of calculating "alignment residuals" in a fabrication unit is known that comprises providing an alignment model including alignment model parameters; providing an exposure tool suitable for exposing a lot of semiconductor wafers in a plurality of exposure fields; retrieving alignment data comprising alignment values, measured by the exposure tool on the semiconductor wafers of the lot at a plurality of positions of the exposure fields that are used to calculate values for the alignment model parameters of the alignment model; calculating a set of alignment residuals from the alignment data by subtracting effects of the alignment model parameters for each of the plurality of measured positions and for each of the semiconductor wafer in the lot; and issuing a warning signal based upon a comparison between the set of alignment residuals and a set of reference values. The US '360 document further comprises a system for calculating alignment residuals and a computer readable medium including instructions capable of performing the steps of calculating alignment residuals on a computer.
Chun-Yen Huang et al "Overlay improvement by zone alignment strategy", Proceedings of SPIE, Vol. 6922, 1 Jan. 2008, pages 69221G-1-69221G-8 teaches the so-called zone alignment strategy in which the alignment marks on the wafer are measured zone by zone in order to provide additional correction factors (residuals) for the zones on the wafer (see page 69221G-3). The method taught in Huang et al. weights the values of residuals for the neighbouring alignment marks.
Michael Kupers et al "Non-linear methods for overlay control", Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 6518, 1 Jan. 2007, pages 65184S-1-65184S-6 also teaches a method for improving overlay control by a zone-alignment strategy.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,525,808 (Irie et al, assigned to Nikon) teaches also the zone alignment strategy for the improvement of overlay. The US '808 Patent teaches a method of aligning each of a plurality of processing areas regularly aligned on substrates according to designed alignment coordinates to a predetermined reference position in a static coordinate system. The method comprises measuring coordinate positions of at least three processing areas of the wafer selected in advance. The method further comprises determining coordinate positions of the plurality of processing areas on the semiconductor substrate by weighting the coordinate positions of the three specific processing areas according to distances between the processing area of interest and each of the three specific processing areas in units of processing areas on the substrate. Finally, a statistical calculation is performed using the plurality of the weighted coordinate positions. The teachings of the US '808 patent relate once again to the alignment of the semiconductor wafer (substrate) and not to correction of overlay errors by measuring overlay deviations and calculating process correction parameters.
None of the cited documents teach the measurement of overlay deviations of a subset of first overlay marks and second overlay marks by determining the differences of subset of first overlay marks generated in the first layer and corresponding one of the subset of second overlay marks generating the second layer. The zone alignment strategy disclosed in the art uses alignment marks, which are used to align the wafer within the exposure tool. These alignment marks are different than the overlay marks formed in different layers on the semiconductor wafer.
Ideally overlay measurements should be taken for each one of the semiconductor wafers after exposure of the photoresist layer at multiple positions on each exposure field on each of the semiconductor wafers to achieve a degree of precision and thus to achieve high yield rates for the fabrication of the semiconductor wafers. However, complete overlay measurements are very slow to perform, so they may cause a tool capacity problem. In other words, the time taken to perform a complete overlay measurement is a multiple of the time taken to process the semiconductor wafer. Thus, in order to provide the overlay measurements of each of the semiconductor wafers, a number of overlay measurement units has to be provided to distribute the overlay measurements on several parallel organised overlay measurement units.
The overlay measurement units are a significant cost factor in a semiconductor manufacturing process and for cost reasons the deployment of the parallel organised overlay measurements units is avoided. Another solution for reducing limitations in the semiconductor manufacturing process whilst not extending the number of the overlay measurement units is to measure the overlay measurements in only a subset of the semiconductor wafers.

Method and apparatus for fabricating wafer by calculating process correction parameters


A metal-organic framework-based mesh-adjustable molecular sieve (MAMS) exhibiting a temperature-dependent mesh size. The MAMS comprises a plurality of metal clusters bound with a plurality of amphiphilic ligands, each ligand comprising a hydrophobic moiety and a functionalized hydrophilic moiety, and wherein the metal clusters and amphiphilic ligand functionalized hydrophilic moieties form a metal cluster layer, the metal cluster layer forming at least one hydrophilic pore. On each side of the metal cluster layer, a plurality of associated amphiphilic ligand hydrophobic moieties cooperate with the metal cluster layer to form a tri-layer and a plurality of tri-layers are packed in a facing-spaced apart relationship to form at least one hydrophobic pore.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to metal-organic framework-based molecular sieves for selective gas adsorption and particularly to such sieves which provide dynamic mesh sizes which are continuously adjustable.
2. Description of the Related Art
Gas separation is an important operation in many industries and conventional processes include distillation, absorption, and molecular sieves. However, using such processes to separate, for example, mixtures comprising chemical pairs of similarly-sized molecules or those with similar boiling points such as ethylene and propylene, methane and ethylene, nitrogen and methane, nitrogen and oxygen, hydrogen and carbon monoxide, and hydrogen and nitrogen can be difficult.
Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been utilized to produce porous materials suitable as molecular sieves for adsorbing specific molecular species. Such frameworks, which comprise metal clusters linked together in a reticular structure with linking ligands, can provide predetermined pore size and functionality. However, when the size disparity of the gas pairs to be separated is small, a molecular sieve with the optimum mesh size is not always readily available and a mismatch inevitably leads to an inefficient operation. Furthermore, the mesh size of even MOFs is fixed upon activation. Therefore, the need exists for a mesh-adjustable molecular sieve (MAMS) capable of dynamically providing a continuum of mesh sizes. Particularly, the need exists for a MAMS having a continuum of mesh sizes in the range of most commercially-important gas separations.


A band-like matter fastening seal for fixing a wound end of a band-like matter that is wound in a roll form to the body of said band-like matter, includes: a first attaching part adhered to said end of the band-like matter; a second attaching part having an attaching side adhered to the body of the matter in order to fasten the end to the body of the matter; and a handle part extended from the second attaching part, the attaching side being exposed when the attaching side is lifted from a masking side covering the attaching side, wherein the handle part rises up along the tangent line of the roll when a portion of the band-like matter fastening seal in the vicinity of the handle part is curved.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a band-like matter fastening seal, a roll film, and an apparatus for manufacturing a band-like matter unit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a band-like matter fastening seal that fastens the wound end of a band-like matter in a roll form, a roll photo film containing a band-like matter fastening seal, and an apparatus for manufacturing the band-like matter unit that includes a band-like matter fastening seal.
2. Description of the Related Art
The roll film of Brownie type winds the photographic film in a band form with the width of 6 cm on the spool to stop with the end of the light-shielding paper, and is known as having 120 type and 220 type.
A roll photo film is provided to user with winding back a photographic film and a light-shielding paper shielding the photographic film from the light on a spool. After taking a photograph, user adheres the band-like matter fastening seal to the wound end of the roll film so as to fix the wound end. The band-like matter fastening seal already known has used adhesives activated by the humidification. Therefore, user applies the sputa to humidify the band-like seal. However, since it is unsanitary to activate the adhesives by applying the sputa, the other method for adhesion is necessary.
Meanwhile, it is disclosed that the roll photo film wherein the cohesive layer has been inserted between the double over of the seal material in Japanese Patent Application Laying-Open No. 10-10483. And it is disclosed that the roll photo film, wherein the cohesive layer has been inserted to between seal material folded to turn in Z letter shape in Japanese Patent Application Laying-Open No. 11-271935.
If the gap between a photographic film and a light-shielding paper became appear, the light-shielding paper could not completely shield the photographic film from the light. Therefore, it is necessary the roll photo film perfectly wound back.
Also, it is necessary that the seal fasten more surely and more easily the wound end of the roll photo film.

Band-like matter fastening seal, roll photo film, apparatus and methods for manufacturing a band-like matter unit


Polyester compositions that provide a higher throughput in calendering processes may be prepared from a polyester having crystallization half time of at least 5 minutes, an inherent viscosity of about 0.55 to about 0.75 dL/g, a branching monomer, and a release additive. The polyester compositions show a combination of excellent melt strength with good shear response that permits higher calendering line speeds before melt fracture occurs. Also disclosed are processes for film or sheet by calendering the above compositions and the film or sheet produced therefrom. The polyester compositions, film, or sheet also may include plasticizers and/or flame retardants to increase their flexibility and enable their use in commercial applications requiring flame resistance. The film and sheet have excellent appearance and can be used in a wide range of decorative and packaging applications.

Calendering is an economic and highly efficient means to produce film and sheet from plastics such as plasticized and rigid poly(vinyl chloride), abbreviated herein as "PVC", and polypropylene compositions. The film and sheet usually have a thickness ranging from about 2 mils (0.05 mm) to about 80 mils (2.0 mm). Calendered PVC film or sheet are readily thermoformed into various shapes that can be used in a wide range of applications including packaging, pool liners, graphic arts, transaction cards, security cards, veneers, wall coverings, book bindings, folders, floor tiles, and products which are printed, decorated, or laminated in a secondary operation. Additional discussion on polypropylene resin compositions used in calendering processes may be found in Japan Application No. Hei 7-197213 and European Patent Application No. 0 744 439 A1.
By contrast, conventional processing of polyesters into film or sheet involves extruding a polyester melt through a manifold of a flat die. Manual or automatic die lip adjustment is used to control thickness across a web of material. Water-cooled chill rolls are used to quench the molten web and impart a smooth surface finish. Although extrusion processes produce film and sheet of excellent quality, extrusion methods do not have the throughput and economic advantages of calendering processes.
PVC compositions are, by far, the largest segment of the calendered film and sheet business. Small amounts of other thermoplastic polymers such as, for example, thermoplastic rubbers, certain polyurethanes, talc-filled polypropylene, acrylonitrile/buta-diene/styrene terpolymers (ABS resins), and chlorinated polyethylene, are sometimes processed by calendering methods. By contrast, polyester polymers such as, for example, poly(ethylene terephthalate), abbreviated herein as "PET", or poly(1,4-butylene terephthalate), abbreviated herein as "PBT", are difficult to calender successfully. For example, PET polymers with inherent viscosity values of about 0.6 deciliters/gram (abbreviated herein as "dL/g"), typically have insufficient melt strength to perform properly on the calendering rolls. Melt strength is defined as the ability of a polymer to support its weight in the molten state. In calendering, melt strength is related to the ability to remove the film from the roll process without deformation. For example, when calendered, a polymer with low melt strength will quickly sag and hit the floor; whereas, a polymer with high melt strength will maintain its shape for a much longer amount of time and can be further processed. Melt strength is thus important to minimize the amount of "drawdown" and gravity-induced sagging the polymer experiences during the calendering process. Drawdown is defined in calendering as the amount of thickness reduction between the calendering rolls and the take-up system and is expressed as the ratio of the nominal thickness or width dimension as the film exits the calendering rolls with the same dimension at the take up roles. Also, PET and other polyester polymers are prone to crystallize at typical processing temperatures of 160° C. to 180° C., resulting a non-homogeneous mass which also causes high forces on the calender bearings. Increasing processing temperatures will reduce melt viscosity and improve processability. Higher temperatures, however, can cause degradation of the polyester such as, for example, by thermal degradation, hydrolysis of polymer by exposure to atmospheric moisture, and the formation of color bodies. Typical PET polymers also have a tendency to stick to the calendering rolls at higher processing temperatures. The calendering of various polyester compositions and several approaches to these problems has been described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,998,005; 6,068,910; 6,551,688; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/086,905; Japan Patent Application Nos. 8-283547; 7-278418; 2000-243055; 10-363-908; 2000-310710; 2001-331315; 11-158358; and World Patent Application No. 02/28967. Although some these difficulties can be avoided by the careful selection of polymer properties, additives, and processing conditions, calendering of polyesters at high rates of production is difficult.
The rate of production in a calendering process, usually referred to as line speed, is determined by several factors. Equipment design and capability, for example, will have a large influence on how fast and efficient a calendering process will run. Absent any equipment limitations, however, the line speed and efficiency of a calendering process is highly dependent on the material being run.
The higher the line speed, the greater the chances that melt fracture will result. Melt fracture gives a rough, frosty or hazy appearance to the material and is the result of the material not being able to respond to the shear applied during the process. Melt fracture occurs whenever the wall shear stress on the calendering roll exceeds a certain value (typically 0.1 to 0.2 MPa) and the onset of melt fracture is often the rate determining step in a calendering process. Shear stress is controlled by the volume throughput or line speed (which dictates the shear rate) and the viscosity of the polymer melt. By reducing either the line speed or the viscosity at high shear rates, the wall shear stress is reduced and the chance for melt fracture is lowered. Reducing shear stress, therefore, will reduce the chances of melt fracture as the line speed of a calendering process is increased. Reducing shear stress and melt fracture in polyesters has been addressed in extrusion processes. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,632,390 describes a process for producing a profile extrusion in which the processability of the polyester composition is improved by the addition of a branching agent, which provides increased melt strength and increased high shear thinning. The polyester composition has an inherent viscosity of at least 0.65 dL/g. Polyester polymers, however, often show a relatively flat shear-thinning response (i.e., there is little change in the melt viscosity of the polymer between low and high shear rates) in calendering processes in comparison to polymers typically processed by calendering such as, for example, PVC or polypropylene. Thus, if a polyester with a higher melt viscosity is used to obtain sufficient melt strength, insufficient shear thinning often causes unacceptably high forces on the calender bearings. Increasing the processing temperature can reduce the occurrence of melt fracture in calendering but, as noted above, also can result in polymer degradation and an unsatisfactory polymer melt strength. Thus, the difficulties presented by shear response and melt-strength frequently prevent polyester polymers from being calendered at high line speeds and/or lower processing temperatures where the highest product quality and lowest production cost may be obtained. To address these problems, a polyester that is capable of being calendered at high line speeds and/or at lower processing temperatures is needed.


A multi-directional high visibility display for exhibiting and merchandising products in a retail establishment includes an elongate back or rear wall and attachment elements, such as clips, for attaching the rear wall of the display to a support structure in a retail establishment. One or more lateral panels are attached to the rear wall and project forwardly thereof to form a surface having surface portions facing in at least two directions which are angularly displaced in relation to an imaginary axis substantially parallel to the length direction of the rear wall. Clip strips can be attached to the lateral panels for removably attaching products on the display. Placement of products on different surface portions renders the products highly visible to people at different vantage points in the retail establishment. The display may be formed of a blank of cardboard or other flexible sheet material or from spaced formed wire frames joined to each other by means of straight rods.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to displays, and, more specifically, to a multi-directional high visibility display for exhibiting and merchandising products in a retail establishment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A very important, if not critical, factor in the successful merchandising of products is the visibility of the product in a retail establishment. Manufacturers and distributors of products frequently vie for optimum, generally highly trafficked, locations in retail establishments which will expose their product or products to the maximum number of potential purchasers. However, clearly, not all products can be located in prime locations, such as the areas in and around the checkout stations. Of necessity, most products are relegated to being displayed within the main aisles that exist in large retail stores and discount stores and warehouse outlets.
Numerous attempts have been made to maximize the exposure of products within such establishments. Typically, products are mounted on displays that are supported by clips or otherwise, facing a direction substantially perpendicular to the length direction of the aisle. While such displays are preferable to having the product simply placed on shelves, and shoppers who pass through the aisles can better see the products so displayed, the visibility of such products quickly deteriorates as the shopper moves upstream or downstream of the location of the display and the angles of observation in relation to the longitudinal direction of the aisle approach zero.
Other displays have been used which are frequently large, cumbersome and expensive. In most of such instances, the displays are cumbersome to use and inconvenient to store after the retail establishment decides to temporarily or permanently suspends the exhibition of the product(s). This requires the merchant to either store the display, which may be bulky, or to discard a costly piece of equipment.

Multi-directional high visibility merchandising display


A control system for use with a neurostimulator comprises a user interface for receiving an input from a user and a controller. The user interface has a first control and a second control. The controller is configured for, in response to actuating the first control, operating the neurostimulation control system in a PNFS programming mode, and for, in response to actuating the second control, operating the neurostimulation control system in a PNS programming mode. A method of providing therapy to a patient comprises initially conveying pulsed electrical current at a pulse width into a peripheral tissue region of the patient to create a side effect via stimulation of one of a nerve ending and neural axon, and subsequently conveying pulsed electrical current at an adjusted pulse width into the peripheral tissue region to create a therapeutic effect via stimulation of the other one of the nerve ending and neural axon.

Implantable neurostimulation systems have proven therapeutic in a wide variety of diseases and disorders. In recent investigations, Peripheral Stimulation (PS) (i.e., stimulation of nerve tissue outside of the spinal cord and brain), which includes Peripheral Nerve Field Stimulation (PNFS) techniques that stimulate nerve tissue directly at the symptomatic site of the disease or disorder (e.g., at the source of pain), and Peripheral Nerve Stimulation (PNS) techniques that directly stimulate bundles of peripheral nerves that may not necessarily be at the symptomatic site of the disease or disorder, has demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of chronic pain syndromes (e.g., painful peripheral neuropathy (PN), post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN), fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), failed back surgery syndrome (FBSS), Arachnoiditis, occipital neuralgia, peripheral pelvic pain, cardiac pain, etc.) and incontinence, and a number of additional applications are currently under investigation.
An implantable neurostimulation system, whether used in the context of PS or another stimulation application, typically includes one or more electrode carrying stimulation leads, which are implanted at the desired stimulation site. In PS, the stimulation lead(s) are implanted in the subcutaneous tissues of a peripheral region, such as the lower back region, cervical region, arm, or leg. The implantable neurostimulation system further includes a neurostimulator (e.g., an implantable pulse generator (IPG)) implanted within a tissue pocket remotely from the stimulation site, but coupled to the stimulation lead(s). Thus, electrical pulses can be delivered from the neurostimulator to the stimulation lead(s) to stimulate or activate a volume of neural tissue. In particular, electrical energy conveyed between at least one cathodic electrode and at least one anodic electrodes creates an electrical field, which when strong enough, depolarizes (or "stimulates") the neurons beyond a threshold level, thereby inducing the firing of action potentials (APs) that propagate along the neural fibers.
Stimulation energy may be delivered to the electrodes during and after the lead placement process in order to verify that the electrodes are stimulating the target neural elements and to formulate the most effective stimulation regimen. The regimen will dictate which of the electrodes are sourcing current pulses (anodes) and which of the electrodes are sinking current pulses (cathodes) at any given time, as well as the magnitude, duration, and rate of the current pulses. The stimulation regimen will typically be one that provides stimulation energy to all of the target tissue that must be stimulated in order to provide the therapeutic benefit, yet minimizes the volume of non-target tissue that is stimulated. In the case of PS, such a therapeutic benefit is accompanied by "paresthesia," i.e., a tingling sensation that is effected by the electrical stimuli applied through the electrodes.
While PS has been generally useful in treating patients, there still remain issues. For example, an electrical field applied to a particular peripheral region may not only stimulate nerve endings that innervate a region local to the applied electrical field, but also stimulate neural axons that innervate tissue remote from the applied electrical field. As such, it is often difficult to selectively perform PNFS and PNS. That is, when PNFS is desired, PNS may inadvertently be performed instead of or in addition to PNS, and when PNS is desired, PNFS may inadvertently be performed instead of or in addition to PNS.
There, thus, remains a need for an improved technique to selectively perform PNFS and PNS in a patient.

Method for selectively performing local and radial peripheral stimulation

Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation


A valve timing control device includes: a unit for calculating a target valve timing for one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve in accordance with an operational state; a unit for detecting an actual valve timing of one of the intake valve and the exhaust valve; an actual valve timing control unit for generating a controlled variable for the VVT based on a difference between the target valve timing and the actual valve timing; a unit for learning a learning value of the controlled variable required for maintenance of the actual valve timing based on an integral correction value; and a unit for detecting a malfunction in a VVT from an amount of a shift in the actual valve timing when learning is not completed yet, and for detecting a malfunction in the VVT from the difference when learning is already completed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine which controls valve timings of intake valves and exhaust valves, and more particularly, to a valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine which has a function of detecting an abnormality (malfunction) in a variable valve timing mechanism (VVT).
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, there is well known a device for variably controlling a valve timing of at least one of an intake valve and an exhaust valve in accordance with an operational state. A valve timing control device of this type has a mechanism for variably maintaining and optimizing the valve timing in accordance with the operational state. For example, the timing for opening the intake valve is maintained on an advancement side for the purpose of realizing the function of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) when the rotational speed of an engine is in a stable intermediate range, and maintained on a retardation side for the purpose of ensuring an output torque or stabilizing operation when the rotational speed of the engine is in a high rotation range or a low rotation range.
Driving performance and exhaust gas properties are influenced when an abnormality occurs in a variable valve timing mechanism (VVT), so a difference or the like between a target valve timing and an actual valve timing is observed to detect the abnormality in the variable valve timing mechanism. There is also proposed a device that detects an abnormality from a difference between a target valve timing and an actual valve timing but prohibits detection of an abnormality for a predetermined time after the start of an engine so as to prevent an erroneous determination from being made when the amount of hydraulic oil is insufficient at the start of the engine (e.g., see JP 2000-64862 A).
An initial value of a learning value, which is one of controlled variables of an actual valve timing, is set immediately after a turning-on of a power supply. It is proposed to set a value smaller than a designed median as the initial value such that the overlap amount of valves becomes relatively small, that is, in consideration of variations among parts, secular changes, or the like (e.g., see JP 08-338271 A).
Further, there is proposed a valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine which equalizes a learning value with a designed median and sets an initial value of an integral term immediately after the turning-on of the power supply to a negative value to make an actual valve timing converge swiftly at a target valve timing, and suppresses the overshoot of the actual valve timing to reliably prevent a degradation of driving performance and a deterioration of exhaust gas properties (e.g., see JP 2001-152886 A).
In each of the aforementioned conventional valve timing control devices, the learning value or the integral value of a controlled variable immediately after the turning-on of the power supply is set to a small value, so the convergence of the actual valve timing at the target valve timing is delayed until the learning of the controlled variable is completed. In making a determination on the occurrence of an abnormality in the variable valve timing mechanism, there is a problem in that it is erroneously determined in some cases that the variable valve timing mechanism is abnormal, despite normalness thereof, owing to a delay in convergence immediately after the turning-on of the power supply.

Valve timing control device for an internal combustion engine


A cleaner head comprising a main body rotatably coupled to a neck, and a locking arrangement operable to permit rotation of the main body relative to the neck when the cleaner head is positioned on a surface and to prevent rotation of the body relative to the next when the cleaner head is lifted off a surface. The locking arrangement therefore stops the cleaner head from rotating undesirably when the cleaner head is lifted away from a cleaning surface.

Surface treating appliances in general, and particularly cylinder-type vacuum cleaners, typically are provided with a cleaner head that can be moved back and forth over a cleaning surface. Sometimes such a cleaner head will have an agitator or 'brush bar' driven by a drive assembly. On a textile covered floor surface, for example, the brush bar works to agitate the floor surface so as to encourage dirt particles to be released from the nap of the carpet, therefore generally improving dirt pick up performance over a 'passive' cleaner head not having a brush bar.
In most cases, the drive assembly comprises an electric motor and a belt to transmit power from the motor to the brush bar. Typically, the transmission belt will engage with one end of the brush bar and so the electric motor will be mounted to one side of the cleaner head so that the transmission belt may have a straight run to the brush bar. Since the motor is mounted off-centre, this generates an out-of-balance torque that tends to rotate the cleaner head relative to its neck as the cleaner head is lifted from the floor during use—this effect becomes particularly pronounced with heavier motors. This 'droop' of the cleaner head can be an annoyance for a user when, during use, the user attempts to 'lift and place' the cleaner head on the floor, for example to traverse steps in the surface or to transition the cleaner head between successive stairs on a staircase. To compensate for this, a user may try and 'lift and place' the cleaner head more quickly which tends to impose greater impact loads on the cleaner head thereby increasing the likelihood of the cleaner head being damaged.


The object of the invention is an apparatus in the straightening bench of the car body, which straightening bench includes a straightening table and a set of frame beams, attaching elements for attaching the car to the set of frame beams, at least a part of which attaching elements have been attached movably to the set of frame beams for attaching cars of various sizes to the straightening table. The apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a transfer beam to be attached movably to the frame beam of the straightening table, to which transfer beam a part of the attaching elements are attached, locking elements for attaching the transfer beam removably to the frame beam and a transfer device for transferring the transfer beam in regard to the frame beam.

In crash repairs of cars, various kinds of straightening devices are used for straightening of car bodies and other parts. Usually these devices comprise of a set of frame beams or similar to which the body of a car is attached before taking measures in straightening of the car body. There are attaching elements or similar attached to the set of frame beams in order to attach the car body to it. There are attaching points in cars at certain points to which these attaching elements may be attached. In various cars these attaching points may be placed at various distances from each other while cars are of different sizes and these points and their location depends on the manufacturer. Therefore, it is usual that at least part of the attaching elements are removable, in other words, they may be removed to desired place. In this case, the car is transferred on a straightening table such that the fixed attaching elements on the straightening table are placed at the point of the attaching points of the car and the fixed attaching elements are attached to these attaching points. Next the removable attaching elements are moved such that they are placed at the point of the attaching points of the car and they are attached to those.
There are several disadvantages connected to the present practice. Removable attaching elements are usually heavy and force is needed to move them. They are located inconveniently under the car and the straightening table may not be lifted before attaching, which makes the working position uncomfortable. Furthermore, there is a problem because adjusting, moving and attaching takes relatively much working time.
The object of the invention is to provide an apparatus with the use of which the earlier mentioned disadvantages are eliminated. Especially the object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, in the use of which the working position is ergonomically suitable, the mounting relatively easy and with the use of which notable time saving is achieved. In addition, the object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, which may also be used in the straightening work of a car itself.

Apparatus in the straightening bench of the car body


A database system, which stores electronic medical records, may assign a child-application-identification-code to a healthcare provider via a clinical system intermediary acting on behalf of the healthcare provider. The database system may associate the child-application-identification-code assigned to the healthcare provider with a privacy statement and terms of use associated with the clinical system. The privacy statement and terms of use may be presented to the patient when the patient is prompted by the database system to approve or deny a request by the healthcare provider to access the electronic medical record of the patient stored at the database system.

Electronic medical records (EMR) may be used by healthcare providers to conveniently store medical information of their patients. Electronic medical records may also enable healthcare providers to conveniently share medical information of their patients with other healthcare providers. A variety of privacy rules dictating how medical information may be shared by healthcare providers have been created to deal with a variety of issues relating to such electronic medical records. Some privacy rules do not permit a patient's electronic medical record to be shared with other healthcare providers without first obtaining consent from the patient.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Establishing patient consent on behalf of a third party


A circuit and a method for generating modified reference voltages are provided. The reference voltages are modified dependent upon the level of electrical signals received. A series of electrical signals is provided to a reference voltage adjuster. The reference voltage adjuster stores a signal representing either a previous maximum or minimum signal value, and also stores a signal representing a present signal from the series of electrical signals. The reference voltage adjuster then determines the existence of a new maximum or minimum signal value. Upon the determination of the existence of a new maximum or minimum signal value, the average of the new maximum or minimum signal and the previous maximum or minimum signal value is determined. The signal representing the average of the new maximum or minimum signal and the previous maximum or minimum signal value is then provided to a comparator as the new reference voltage.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to integrated circuits, and in particular, to integrated circuits which provide for the dynamic adjustment of reference voltages.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Computer mice are commonly used for data input and cursor positioning. A conventional computer mouse has a rolling ball that is housed within the housing of a computer mouse. The ball is rolled as the mouse is moved by a user on a mouse pad or flat surface. The ball is contacted by at least two encoder wheel assemblies, one encoder wheel assembly for the X-axis and one encoder wheel assembly for the Y-axis. Each encoder wheel assembly includes a shaft and an encoder wheel having a plurality of slits. A light-emitting element (such as an LED) and a light-receiving element (such as a phototransistor) are positioned on opposite sides of each encoder wheel. Rotation of the ball causes the shafts to rotate, thereby rotating the encoder wheels. As each encoder wheel rotates, its corresponding phototransistor receives pulses of light from the corresponding LED if the LED and the phototransistor are aligned with a slit, otherwise no light is received by the phototransistor. The phototransistor converts the received light pulses into electrical signals.
The electrical signals generated by each phototransistor will assume a generally sinusoidal pattern, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The sine wave represents the passage of one slit through the light path of the LED. For example, at the beginning, represented by the point A1, only a small part of the slit is in the light path of the LED, so only a small amount of light is received by the phototransistor and a small electrical signal is produced. As a larger portion of the slit is in the light path of the LED, increasingly more light is received by the phototransistor and a proportionally larger electrical signal is produced (represented by the point A2 in FIG. 1) until the entire slit is in the light path of the LED, when the maximum amount of light is received by the phototransistor and the largest electrical signal is produced. This point is represented by the maximum or peak "PEAK" in the sine wave. After reaching this PEAK, the portion of the slit which is in the light path of the LED begins to decrease, thereby reducing the amount of light received by the phototransistor so that a decreasing electrical signal is produced. This is represented by the point B1 in FIG. 1. This continues until only a small part of the slit is again in the light path of the LED, during which only a small amount of light is received by the phototransistor and another small electrical signal is produced. This point is represented by point B2 in FIG. 1. Finally, the minimum or valley "VALLEY" in the sine wave represents the point when the light path between the LED and the phototransistor is completely blocked. The same cycle is then repeated for the other slits in the encoder wheel.
Thus, the point "PEAK" represents the instant in the sine wave when a slit is completely open, and the point "VALLEY" represents the time when the light path between the LED and the phototransistor is completely blocked by the encoder wheel. When the light path is completely blocked, the voltage V should ideally be equal to zero. However, the phototransistor will typically still maintain a very low leakage current which is due to the possibility that the environment of the phototransistor is not completely dark, or that minimal light may still have passed through the slit.
The continuous pulse signals generated by each phototransistor is compared with a fixed reference voltage to determine whether the phototransistor is conducted (i.e., light passes through the slit) or cut-off (i.e., no light passes through the slit). After the comparison, the pulse signals from these phototransistors are processed by a logic controller to represent the distance and orientation (i.e., X and Y orientations) of the movement of the mouse.
FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional reference voltage generator that is used for generating a reference voltage. The output of phototransistor PT is coupled to a comparator 10 to determine whether the phototransistor PT is conducted or cut-off, based on a fixed reference voltage Vref. The Vref is normally selected to be the mid-point of the PEAK and the VALLEY generated by the phototransistor PT. If an input voltage from the phototransistor PT is higher than Vref, the phototransistor PT is considered to be conducted, otherwise it is considered to be cut-off.
In the conventional reference voltage generator, Vref is predetermined and fixed. However, a fixed Vref suffers from the drawback that the input voltage from phototransistor PT cannot be correctly detected if the input voltage is below or above a predetermined range associated with Vref. For example, using a 10 kilo-ohm input resistance, if an input sine wave current is between 0-500 microamps, which has an input voltage of 0-5 V, the Vref can be fixed at 2.5 V. An input which is below the value of Vref, such as an input of 0-200 microamps (which has an input voltage of 0-2 V ), may not be considered to be a cut-off signal. Similarly, an input which is above the value of Vref, such as an input of 300-500 microamps (which has an input voltage of 3-5 V), may not be considered to be a conduction signal either. As a result, input signals are often incorrectly bypassed by the comparator 10. This problem results in erroneous distance and orientation measurements for the mouse, making usage of the mouse difficult and frustrating.
Thus, there still remains a need for a reference voltage adjuster which overcomes the drawbacks of the conventional reference voltage generators, and which provides for accurate processing of the input signals received from the phototransistors.

Dynamic input reference voltage adjuster


An antenna apparatus for a vehicle comprises: a first antenna connected to a signal processing substrate; and a second antenna connected to the signal processing substrate through the first antenna and operating in a frequency band different from that of the first antenna, wherein the first antenna comprises: a first radiator for detachably fixing one end of the second antenna; a second radiator operated as a dipole antenna together with the first radiator; and a third radiator for controlling a beam pattern radiated by the first radiator and the second radiator.

Recently, an autonomous car is raised as a social issue. This is based on Intelligent transportation System (ITS), and the ITS is high technology that manages incidents through vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication using WAVE frequency, thereby minimizing car accidents. This is also based on V2X communication technology or V2X communication system. The V2X communication system contributes remarkably to the car accidents prevention, for example, front obstruction detection, traffic control, emergency vehicle to pass without stop at intersections, accident prevention in intersection blind spots and detection of bicycle and motorcycle access, according to its applied services.
For smooth V2X communication, optimal radiation in the frontward and rearward direction of the vehicle, i.e., with respect to the horizontal plane is essential, but generally, in the case of an antenna mounted on the automobile roof, horizontal plane radiation is not smooth.
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a conventional antenna apparatus for a vehicle. Referring to FIG. 1, the antenna apparatus 10 for a vehicle includes a base 11, a signal processing substrate 13, an antenna unit 15 and a case 17.
The base 11 is an element disposed at the bottom of the antenna apparatus 10 for a vehicle and having a plate shape on the whole, and its lower surface is coupled to an outer panel of the vehicle, and the signal processing substrate 13 and the antenna unit 15 are installed on top. According to an embodiment, the base 11 and the case 17 are coupled to form a shark fin structure, and may reduce air resistance and wind noise occurring when the vehicle moves. The coupling between the base 11 and the case 17 may be made by various methods, and for example, they may be coupled using a bolt and a nut.
The signal processing substrate 13 is coupled to one surface of the base 11 and processes a signal received through the antenna unit 15. For example, the signal processing substrate 13 filters a signal of a desired frequency band using a band-pass filter to remove noise and amplifies to a necessary level. Various types of antenna elements, a fixing device for fixing the antenna elements, a screw groove coupled to the case 17 and antenna elements may be connected to one surface of the signal processing substrate 13 to form a circuit wiring.
The antenna unit 15 may be disposed in the antenna apparatus 10 for a vehicle to obtain the radiation characteristics and efficiency of the antenna to the maximum extent and transmit and receive various types of signals. The antenna unit 15 includes a GNSS antenna 151, an SXM antenna 153 and an antenna 155 for communication. The GNSS antenna 151 and the SXM antenna 153 are patch antennas, and the antenna 155 for communication is a coil type monopole antenna that receives FM/AM signals and communication signals such as LTE.
The case 17 is coupled with the base 11 and accommodates the signal processing substrate 13 and the antenna unit 15 in its inner accommodating space. Additionally, the case 17 has a dome shape with an open bottom and a hollow inner part, and has a height of a predetermined length or more to accommodate elements such as the antenna unit 15 therein.
As shown in FIG. 1, the conventional antenna apparatus for a vehicle is implemented in the form of a Shark Fin. The shark fin type antenna apparatus for a vehicle uses the automobile roof as GND, and the shark fin type antenna apparatus for a vehicle has poor radiation in the direction of the horizontal plane suitable for V2X communication by the influence of the automobile roof. Additionally, the conventional antenna apparatus for a vehicle includes a plurality of antennas, and when a V2X antenna for supporting V2X communication is added, the antenna apparatus for a vehicle increases in size. This is against the recent movement towards reducing the size.
The present disclosure is designed to solve the above-described problem, and therefore the present disclosure is directed to providing an antenna apparatus for a vehicle that is easy to have the effective communication distance due to high radiation efficiency in the frontward and rearward direction of the vehicle in V2X communication.


A battery module housing having a rectangular tube structure and method for forming the battery module housing is provided. The battery module housing includes a first side plate and a second side plate, the first and second side plates having target portions at upper and lower ends thereof, respectively, and spacers vertically protruding from the target portions; and a top plate and a bottom plate disposed upper and lower portions of the first and second side plates, respectively, each of the top and bottom plates having flyer portions supported on the spacers of the first and second side plates. The flyer portions of the top and bottom plates are joined to the target portions by means of electromagnetic pulse welding such that outer portions of the flyer portions contact the target portions and inner portions of the flyer portions are separated from the target portions by a gap.

A battery module may include a plurality of battery cells stacked in one direction and having electrode leads electrically connected in series and/or in parallel, and a battery module housing for housing and packaging the battery cells.
The battery module housing provides a mechanical supporting force to the battery cells, which may have insufficient mechanical rigidity, and serves as a case for protecting the battery cells against external impacts. The battery module housing may be manufactured in various shapes according to the particulars of the battery module. Recently, as disclosed in KR Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-2017-0083834 (Jul. 19, 2017), the battery module housing is frequently fabricated as a rectangular tube structure, which is called a mono-frame.
The mono-frame may be fabricated integrally by extrusion or die casting, or may be fabricated by combining top and bottom plates and two side plates in a snap-fitting, bolting or welding manner.
Here, if the mono-frame is fabricated using the snap-fitting manner or the bolting manner, while the assembling process is simple, due to the durability and the increased number of components, it is difficult to change the design of the mono-frame and the cost increases. Recently, the mono-frame is fabricated integrally by die casting or fabricated by joining four plates by welding.
Meanwhile, in recent years, a solid-state welding technology has attracted attention among the welding techniques.
In the solid-state welding technology the melting of a preform is prevented or suppressed as much as possible to preserve the original characteristics of the preform and minimize the occurrence of defects at a welded region, thereby maximizing the characteristics of the integrated parts. Along with the development of new metal materials, such as composite materials, and the growth of high-tech industries, the solid-state welding technology is highly spotlighted, and thus it becomes possible to weld materials having complicated shapes or those requiring high quality and high precision, which have been not able to be welded using the existing fusion welding technology.
An electromagnetic pulse (EMP) may be used to weld preforms of a battery module housing, as one of the solid-state welding technologies. In the EMP welding technology, an induced current is generated at one preform due to the high current instantaneously flowing through a coil, and the shape of the preform is deformed due to Lorentz force causing the preform to collide with another preform at high speed, thereby welding the preforms.
In order to perform the EMP welding, it is necessary to generate an induced current at one end portion of a top plate in a state where one end portion of the top plate, which corresponds to a preform to be welded, is separated from an upper end portion of a side plate at a predetermined interval. At this time, a separate positioning and initial gap setting jig is used to set the interval constantly, but this is not an efficient solution. Meanwhile, when the EMP welding is performed, since the induced current has a low density at opposite ends of the preform, the Lorentz force is insufficient at opposite ends of the preform and thus the collision speed is low at opposite ends of the preform. For this reason, the corresponding portion frequently remains in a non-welded state. The non-welded region is very vulnerable to external impacts and may easily cause cracks in the battery module housing. Thus, there is demanded a method for eliminating the non-welded region while performing the EMP welding more easily to the battery module housing.

Battery module housing to which electromagnetic pulse bonding technology is applied and method for manufacturing same


Within a non-isolated and efficient AC-to-DC power supply circuit: 1) a dep-FET is turned off to decouple an output voltage VO node from a VR node when a rectifier output signal VR on the VR node is greater than a first predetermined voltage VP and, 2) the dep-FET is enabled to be turned on so that a constant charging current flows from the VR node and onto the VO node when VR is less than VP (provided that VO is less than a second predetermined voltage VO(MAX) and provided that VR is adequately greater than VO). To speed turn off and on of the dep-FET, gate charge of the dep-FET is removed and is stored in a second capacitor when the dep-FET is to be turned off, and charge from the second capacitor is moved back onto the gate of the dep-FET when the dep-FET is to be turned on.

Several types of power supply circuits exist that can be used to receive alternating current (AC) power from AC power sources and to supply a small amount of power at direct current (DC) voltage levels to individual integrated circuits. A typical integrated circuit to be powered may, for example, require only about ten milliamperes of supply current at a low supply voltage of 3.3 volts. One particularly advantageous non-isolated AC-to-DC converter power supply circuit usable to receive AC power from an AC source and to output a small amount of power at a DC voltage level is set forth in: 1) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/569,458, entitled "High-Efficiency, Low-Power Supply Circuit", filed Aug. 8, 2012, by Leonid A. Neyman, now published as US2014/0043878, and 2) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/152,989, entitled "Non-Isolated AC-to-DC Converter Having A Low Charging Current Initial Power Up Mode", filed Jan. 10, 2014, by Leonid A Neyman, now published as US2014/0126258.

Non-isolated AC-to-DC converter with fast dep-FET turn on and turn off


Provided is a method capable of industrially producing optically active (S)-7-hydroxy-6-methylheptan-2-one and its precursor simply and efficiently. The production method, allows a R-body preferentially hydrolyzable Aspergillus microorganism-derived esterase to act on a 2-methyl-6-oxoheptanoate (II), to produce an optically active (S)-2-methyl-6-oxoheptanoate (III).

Epothilone derivatives of the following formula are useful as an anti-cancer agent.

In synthesis of Epothilone derivatives, optically active (S)-7-hydroxy-6-methylheptan-2-one is useful as a C7 to C12 building block, and this compound can be derived from optically active (S)-2-methyl-6-oxoheptanoic acid via its ester (see, patent documents 1 and 2, non-patent documents 1 and 2). For 2-methyl-6-oxoheptanoic acid, various production methods are suggested (see, non-patent documents 3 to 8). In the production methods described in non-patent documents 3 to 6, however, raw material availability is problematic since corresponding natural materials are extracted and isolated, and oxidized in these methods. The production method described in non-patent document 6 is a method of producing a (R) body. The production methods described in non-patent documents 7 and 8 are methods for oxidizing 2,6-dimethylcyclohexanone using potassium permanganate, however, the resultant product is a racemate of 2-methyl-6-oxoheptanoic acid, and is optically inactive.
[patent document 1] DE 19751200
[patent document 2] WO 2005/003071
[non-patent document 1] J.A.C.S., 119, 7974 (1997)
[non-patent document 2] Chem. Eur. J., 2, 1477 (1996)
[non-patent document 3] Natural Product Letters, 3, 189 (1993)
[non-patent document 4] J. Nat. Prod., 66, 251 (2003)
[non-patent document 5] Natural Product Letters, 4, 51 (1994)
[non-patent document 6] Helv. Chim. Acta, 73, 733 (1990)
[non-patent document 7] J. Med. Chem., 26, 426 (1983)
[non-patent document 8] Collect. Czech. Chem. Commun., 30, 1214 (1965)

Method of producing optically active (S)-7-hydroxy-6-methylheptan-2-one and precursor thereof


An album system and components thereof. The system is an improved book-like system for use as a photo album, scrapbook or the like. Embodiments include leaves and covers which can be reversibly attached by a hook and loop attachment system and leaves that significantly reduce the accidental spilling of the contents stored for display in such albums. In some embodiments, each rectangular leaf is made from two sheets of polypropylene sealed together on all four edges, there is slit in a single sheet, near (but not at) one edge, and the opposite a region near the opposite edge is surfaced with one component of a hook and loop attachment system.

There are book-like systems intended for the display of added items. These include, but are not limited to, photo albums, binders for sales materials and scrapbooks. However, no previously disclosed book-like system intended for the housing of display items has been fully satisfactory for all purposes for which such systems are used.
Many such book-like systems intended for the display of added items include leaves, each of which is made from two rectangular transparent thermoplastic sheets which are fused together near three edges. The fourth edge is left unsealed so that display items can be easily inserted. While items can be easily inserted into such pages, they can also easily fall out of such pages. There have been leaves which tend to prevent the spilling of contents. For example, there are leaves which feature pockets with flaps.


A server computer can be quickly allocated to and made ready for use by users of a tenant by adding and starting, on that server computer, copies of a process implementing the tenant's virtual machine, based on a gold image virtual machine for that tenant. The gold image virtual machine also has an associated gold image virtual disk. The virtual machines on the server computer are associated with virtual disks that are linked clones based on the gold image virtual disk, such as linked clones of a replica of the gold image virtual disk. Each virtual machine for a tenant on the new server computer also is added to the tenant computer network. Server computers for multiple tenants can be grouped into a cluster, and can use anti-affinity rules to limit instantiation of virtual machines of each tenant only on server computers dedicated to the tenant.

A virtual desktop is a combination of computing resources, such as processor, memory, storage and computer network access, and computer programs running on such resources, which is remotely accessed by a user from a remote device. Such computer programs typically include an operating system, and one or more applications running on the computer that utilize the computer resources as managed by the operating system. The remote device provides an input and output interface between an individual user and the virtual desktop. The remote device communicates inputs to the virtual desktop and receives display information from the virtual desktop for display on the remote device over a computer network. An application is used on the remote device to connect to the virtual desktop.
A service provider can provide virtual desktops as a service to multiple customers, also called tenants. The service provider generally maintains one or more data centers. A data center is a location that houses multiple server computers on which virtual desktops are implemented. A tenant typically is an enterprise that has multiple users. Each user typically has a set of applications and resources based on a classification of the user. The service provider manages the server computers so as to provision sets of virtual desktops on its server computers for use by the users of each tenant.
Generally speaking, the service provider desires to isolate its customers from selection and management of hardware configurations, i.e., server computers, used to support the customers' virtual desktops, yet the service provider can operate more profitably by efficiently deploying its resources of server computers to its tenants. One part of efficient deployment is instantiating actual server computers for use by a tenant only when the tenant is actually likely to use those resources.
Instantiating a server computer for use by a tenant involves installing the computer programs, such as the operating system, file system and application programs, licensed by that tenant for use by its users. The license terms for such computer programs can restrict a service provider from sharing computer programs or computing resources among multiple tenants. As an example restriction, the service provider may not be allowed to permit two tenants to run separate instances of a licensed computer program on different processors or processor cores on the same server computer at the same time. Other considerations, such as tenant request, or design or performance considerations, may restrict the ability or desire of a service provider to run separate instances of a licensed computer program, for different tenants, on different processors or processor cores on the same server computer at the same time. For example, some tenants may require that its users not use computing resources on a server computer that has computing resources being used at the same time by other tenants. As another example, performance of a server computer during use of some its computing resources by one tenant might degrade due to simultaneous use of other computer resources on the same server computer by another tenant.
When a service provider provides virtual desktops as a service to multiple tenants, it is generally expected that the computing resources will have high availability. High availability generally involves having additional backup computing resources ready to take over processing from other computing resources in the event of a failure. Limitations against sharing resources among multiple tenants also can impact resource utilization when high availability is supported.

Server computer management system for supporting highly available virtual desktops of multiple different tenants


Provided is a video decoding method including: generating a merge candidate list including neighboring blocks referred to predict a motion vector of a current block in a skip mode or a merge mode; when a merge motion vector difference is used according to merge difference mode information indicating whether the merge motion vector difference and a motion vector determined from the merge candidate list are used, determining a base motion vector from a candidate determined among the merge candidate list based on merge candidate information; determining the motion vector of the current block by using the base motion vector and a merge motion vector difference of the current block, the merge motion vector difference being determined by using a distance index and direction index of the merge motion vector difference of the current block; and reconstructing the current block by using the motion vector of the current block.

In methods of encoding and decoding an image, one picture may be split into blocks and each block may be prediction-encoded via inter-prediction or intra-prediction to encode the image.
A representative example of inter-prediction is motion estimation encoding using a method of compressing an image by removing temporal redundancy between pictures. In motion estimation encoding, blocks of a current picture are predicted by using at least one reference picture. A reference block most similar to a current block may be searched for in a certain search range by using a certain evaluation function. The current block is predicted based on the reference block and a residual block is generated by subtracting a prediction block generated as a result of the prediction from the current block and then encoded. Here, to further accurately perform the prediction, interpolation is performed on a search range of reference pictures so as to generate pixels of sub pel units smaller than integer pel units and inter-prediction may be performed based on the generated pixels of sub pel units.
In the codec such as H.264 advanced video coding (AVC) and high efficiency video coding (HEVC), a motion vector of pre-encoded blocks adjacent to a current block or blocks included in a pre-encoded picture is used as a prediction motion vector of the current block so as to predict a motion vector of the current block. A differential motion vector that is a difference between the motion vector of the current block and the prediction motion vector is signaled to a decoder via a certain method.

Method for encoding and decoding video by using motion vector differential value, and apparatus for encoding and decoding motion information


A method for providing a reference clock signal, comprising: generating, by an oscillator, a first clock signal having a first frequency, the first clock signal being coupled to a frequency synthesizer; generating, by the frequency synthesizer, a second clock signal based on the first clock signal, the second clock signal having a second frequency different from the first frequency; outputting a reference clock signal to one or more components of an electronic device, the reference clock signal being one of the first clock signal or the second clock signal; identifying one or more spurious frequency components; and monitoring the reference clock signal for a presence of the one or more spurious frequency components, the monitoring comprising: in response to determining the presence of at least one of the one or more spurious frequency components, selecting a different one of the first clock signal or the second clock signal to be the reference clock signal.

An electronic device, such as a radio frequency (RF) transceiver, may be designed to operate at a specific operating frequency or frequencies. However, it is a common situation that signals may be present at other frequencies in the electronic device. In some situations, these signals may be interference or spurious signals, which may be harmful to normal operation of the device. As used herein, spurious signals may be signals that negatively affect the operation of the RF transceiver. For example, signals having frequencies that are harmonics of the operating frequencies may be spurious signals.
Sources of the spurious signals may vary. The spurious signals may originate from outside the device or be produced by one or more components of the device. In some cases, spurious signals may be produced by interactions between different components of the device. When individual components are designed or manufactured, it may not be possible to predict all of the possible interactions with other components, thus spurious signal production may not be foreseeable until all components are integrated into the electronic device.
Prior methods of eliminating spurious signals involve redesigning components of the device after spurious signals are discovered, which may be an iterative process of redesigning and testing that can be time consuming and expensive.

Methods and apparatuses for providing a reference clock signal