The present invention is intended to realize high-speed and stable communication. A multi-flow RTP divides the data of one RTP session into pieces that can be transmitted through UDP ports through respectively and supplies the divided pieces of data to these ports. An RTCP controls the UDP ports through to transmit the divided data and controls a TCP port to transmit control information for reconstructing the divided data. UDP ports through receive the divided data and supplies the received data to a multi-flow RTP. An RTCP obtains the control information from the TCP port and supplies it to the multi-flow RTP. The multi-flow RTP reconstructs the divided data according to the control information and supplies the reconstructed data to the player, which reproduces the reconstructed data. The present invention is applicable to a stream data distribution system, for example.

The present invention relates to a transmission apparatus and method, a reception apparatus and method, a communication system, a recording medium, and a program. Particularly, the present invention relates to a transmission apparatus and method, a reception apparatus and method, a communication system, a recording medium, and a program that are designed to restrain the delay of data in data communication so as to realize stable data communication.
Technologies for the data distribution with the reproduction time of mass stream data, for example guaranteed have been gaining in popularity.
Routers on the Internet sometimes perform flow control in which the flow of data to be forwarded (or transferred) is monitored to lower the forward priority of a flow in which a mass of data is transmitted. With general-purpose routers, each flow of data is identified by the IP addresses of the source and destination of transmission, the transport protocol used, and the port numbers of source and destination of transmission.
One of the above-mentioned communication procedures is RTP (Real Time Protocol) procedure, for example. In the case of RTP procedure, streaming control is executed by RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) when stream data is communicated between a distribution server and a client PC (Personal Computer). For data transmission control, RTCP (RTP Control Protocol) is used and moving images are forwarded by RTP. In the case of moving image forwarding technologies based on the related-art RTP, one port is used for one RTP session to realize the forwarding of moving images.
In addition, a technology was proposed in which a bit stream is divided for transmitting and receiving through different ports (refer to Patent Document 1, for example).
Further, a technology was proposed in which optimum packet communication processing in accordance with terminal performance is realized (refer to Patent Document 2, for example).
Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Laid-open No. 2002-017637
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laid-open NO. 2003-152544
In forwarding moving images in the related-art RTP procedure, each router on the Internet is monitoring the flow of data to be forwarded and executes flow control for lowering the forward priority of each flow that is transmitting a mass of data, thereby preventing the communication from excessively occupying the band.
In addition, when the buffer becomes full due to an overload state for example, each router discards received packets.
In order to cope with such a situation, if a congestion occurs due to the discard of packets on the router for example, TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) once drops the speed and then gradually raises the window size (or a communicable data amount) equivalent to multiples of packet length, thereby searching for an optimum communication rate (this is known as slow start).
The following describes congestion. In TCP for example, if data drops on a communication route, a repeat request is sent from the transmission destination to the transmission source. If data drops continuously, repeat requests also occur continuously. This will make congestion worse on communication routes, which in turn makes the drop of data worse, thereby hampering stable data forwarding. The situation in which stable data forwarding is hindered is called congestion. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, congestion takes place more or less after the start of communication. In FIG. 1, the horizontal axis represents time while the vertical axis represents the volume (in bytes) of data that is received at the transmission destination in a unit time.
To be more specific, as shown in FIG. 1, in the initial stage after the start of communication, flow control by data forward volume is not executed, so that the communication rate is maintained to a certain degree. When a certain period of time passes after the start of communication, repeat requests frequently receive from the transmission destination, so that the communication route is further crowed by repeated data and repeat requests, eventually causing a congestion as indicated by A in FIG. 1.
Therefore, if double or triple congestion occurs, it takes long time until finding an optimum communication rate, thereby making the communication slow in transmission rate. Further, if the buffering of stream data runs short due to such a situation for example, the reproduction of stream data may be discontinued, thereby hindering the smooth reproduction of stream data.
In order to avoid the above-mentioned situation, UDP (User Datagram Protocol) may be used as substitute for TCP, for example. Use of UDP provides high-speed communication because no flow control and congestion control are executed like TCP, but at the cost of a problem that the arrival of data is not guaranteed because the reliable transmission of data cannot be ensured.

Transmission apparatus and method, reception apparatus and method, communication system, recording medium, and program


An MR code is generated within a browser on a client device and is read by a mobile application on a mobile device. A communication channel is then established through a web-based service, between the browser and the mobile application on the mobile device. The mobile application generates a user interface display on the mobile device that allows user selection of content. The mobile application sends a link to that content to the browser, which accesses and renders the content on the client device. User input commands to control the rendered content are also received at the mobile device and sent to the browser through the communication channel.

Some computer systems currently exist that allow a user to sign in, and present content on one computing device, while controlling it from another computing device. For instance, some systems allow a user to sign in and control a large screen device, using the user's mobile device.
Such systems usually have a user login to one or the other computing device. Many users do not feel comfortable using their username and password, especially on a computing device that they do not own. Users can be concerned that key strokes are logged and the information will be surreptitiously used.
There also currently exist some systems for pairing computing devices so that they can communicate with each other in a trusted way. One current process for doing this has a user first pick a nearby device. It then prompts the user to enter an identical code on both devices. Other processes use the proximity of the two devices to automatically connect, and prompt the user on each device, ensuring that no unintended connections are made.
In other systems, if the user is logged in on all of his or her devices, then two devices can communicate in a trusted way. However, the user normally needs to go through a prior setup process. Thus, the user normally needs to own all of the devices being set up in this fashion.
Current systems also allow a user to present content on a large screen device, using a mobile device. One current system for doing this has the user connect the mobile device to the large screen device by plugging an HDMI, DVI, or other connection cable. This type of system streams the view of the content from the mobile device to the larger screen. However, the direct hard wiring can present certain problems. Other systems have attempted to perform this type of communication wirelessly, but they involve the use of a pairing mechanism, which can be quite time consuming. In all of these types of systems, the amount of data that needs to be transmitted from the mobile device to the large screen device is generally very high.
In the systems discussed above that pair two devices, the user normally needs to login on both of the paired devices. There then exists a channel for the devices to communicate with one another. This does not address a scenario in which a user may walk into a colleague's office, and wishes to share a document on the colleague's computer. The mechanism by which this is currently done is to have the user login to the colleague's computer and then manually search for the content or document.
Machine readable labels (or MR codes) are labels that contain information about an item. Some examples of MR codes include optical codes, such as barcodes, matrix barcodes (such as QR codes) and extended matrix barcodes, among others. Other examples of MR codes are codes that are transmitted using near field communication.
The discussion above is merely provided for general background information and is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

Authentication and pairing of devices using a machine readable code


A semiconductor device production method includes forming a first recess portion in a first insulating film formed on a first substrate and a first conductive layer on the front surface of the first insulating film located inside and outside the first recess portion. In the first recess portion, a first pad is formed having a width of 3 μm or less and including the first conductive layer by performing a first polishing the first conductive layer at a first polishing rate and, after the first polishing, a second polishing the first conductive layer at a second polishing rate lower than the first polishing rate. The first pad of the first substrate and a second pad of a second substrate are joined together by annealing the first substrate and the second substrate. The selection ratio of the first conductive layer to the first insulating film is 0.3 to 0.4.

A semiconductor device such as a three-dimensional memory is sometimes produced by joining a metal pad of a wafer and a metal pad of another wafer together by a bonding process. In this case, there is a possibility that, when, for example, the metal pads are polished by chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) and dishing remains in the metal pads, the metal pads are not properly joined together. Examples of related art include JP-A-2016-153152 and JP-A-2017-162928.


A recommendation system includes a content similarity analyzer configured to determine a first set of content item identifiers similar to a set of viewed content items based on respective similarity scores and add them to a first list. A similar user content extraction module identifies a set of similar user identifiers from a user similarity database; obtains, based on respective viewing histories of the set, a second set of content item identifiers; and adds them to the first list. The recommendation system includes a content filter configured to select a subset of content item identifiers from the first list based on the corresponding similarity scores between content item identifiers of the first list and a viewing history. The content filter is configured to transmit the subset of content item identifiers for display of the corresponding content items via a web portal on a user interface of a first user device.

Content recommendation provides a unique challenge, especially when a large amount and different types of content must be organized and recommended to a large number of users. Additional challenges are presented when the user does not have a content viewing history from which to develop recommendations, presenting a problem when attempting to offer content to a new user that is likely to be relevant to their interests.
The background description provided here is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.

Recommendation system for providing personalized and mixed content on a user interface based on content and user similarity


A radiation detection device, system and method is disclosed. A radiation detection badge in accordance with the invention comprises a radiation detection unit placed within a sealed thermoplastic package, wherein the thermoplastic package has a geometric feature that constrains the radiation detection unit to an orientation within the package. A radiation detection badge according to the present invention includes radiation detection units in a plurality of cup structures, sealed them with a plurality of corresponding lid structures. Further, a method of tracking radiation exposure of one or more batches of users is provided.

Dosimetry generally refers to the measurement of a long term absorbed radiation dose, rather than some momentary radiation quantity or rate. A dosimetry device counts the total radiation dose over some time interval. Detection of the radiation is based on the interaction between the radiation and some material. This interaction can cause physical, chemical or biological changes depending on the nature of the material and the amount of the radiation energy absorbed into the material.
There are a number of different dosimetry methods currently used. For example, calorimetry is based on the ability of radiation to heat water, chemical dosimetry is based on the ionization ability of radiation in water, film dosimetry utilizes the darkening of a film caused by ionizing radiation and thermoluminescent dosimetry (TLD) utilizes thermally addressable energy generated by the radiation which is trapped or stored within a thermoluminescent material.
When a thermoluminescent material is irradiated, part of the absorbed energy is preserved in meta-stable energy levels of electron bands. The preserved energy may later be released by heating the material. Part of the released energy can be detected as visible light, and the amount of light that is detected can be correlated to a dose of radiation exposure.
Thermoluminescence is most commonly observed in crystalline materials which provide energy levels, or bands within an inorganic crystal lattice, where electrons and holes can be stored in one or more meta-stable states. For example, when an electron in a valence band receives enough energy it may advance to the conduction band. At the same time, a hole is formed to the valence band. In general these states are not stable. However, meta-stable energy levels or traps are formed between the conduction and valence band by adding some chemical impurities or by causing defects in the lattice structure, allowing meta-stable electrons and holes to remain trapped. When a thermoluminescent material is heated, the trapped electrons and holes are released and recombine resulting in the emission of detectable light which is then used to determine the dose of the radiation exposure.
A particularly sensitive thermoluminescent material is lithium-fluoride, which is doped with magnesium and titanium (LiF:Mg,Ti dosimeter). Thermoluminescent dosimetry can be used in a number of radiation measuring and monitoring applications including, personnel radiation monitoring, environmental radiation monitoring, radio-therapy monitoring and in scientific research, including geology. Therefore, there is a continued need to develop new devices, methods and systems for accurately and efficiently monitoring and measuring radiation using thermoluminescent dosimetry and thermoluminescent techniques.
Furthermore, several important issues arise when providing a dosimetry service to consumers. Among these are the problems of administrating and maintaining the integrity of a continuous record documenting a consumer's exposure over the life of their relationship with the service provider. Such services typically operate by providing a dosimeter to a customer for a fixed, relatively short period of time, replacing that dosimeter with another, reading the old dosimeter and updating their records. Hence, the problems of keeping accurate records while maintaining efficient throughput of devices become much more significant as the number of clients served increases.
In addition, current devices for monitoring and measuring radiation using thermoluminescent dosimetry suffer from inefficiencies or inadequacies in manufacture. Many current devices are made of overly costly materials, and oftentimes these costly materials are heavier or bulkier than is necessary for a radiation badge. Despite the use of overpriced materials, the construction of current badges is often flawed with many badges suffering from insufficient water resistance and vulnerability to tampering. A more serious problem is the prevalence of designs that do not easily allow recycling of the expensive, and often reusable, sensors that account for the majority of the costs of producing a badge.

Radiation detection badge and method of making same


A method and apparatus for determining position in a pipe provides for the precise determination of location and associated characteristics of each pipe joint of a well, cross country pipeline or other fluid transmission line. The system includes a passive or active radio identification device at each joint in the pipe or casing string. The devices are preferably sealed within the resilient seal positioned between each pipe or casing joint. A pipeline tool includes a radio transmitter and receiver, with the transmitter transmitting on a frequency selected for resonating the identification devices. The resonant response of each device is detected by a receiver in the pipeline tool, with the response transmitted to the surface via the wireline to which the tool is connected. Alternatively, the tool may include storage information means until the tool can be recovered from the well or pipe.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to devices for detecting intermediate points within wells, gas and oil pipelines, and the like, and more specifically to a system using radio frequency resonant devices installed at various points in the well or pipe. A detector is inserted into the pipe, and detects the resonant devices where installed to transmit location or depth and other information back to a station at the surface or along the pipe. The present invention may provide for the storage of the information gathered for downloading upon retrieval of the device from the well or pipe.
2. Description of the Related Art
The need for accurate measurement of the depth of a drilled well is critical, as oftentimes the stratum of interest in the well, resides within a relatively narrow band. Wells are typically cased after drilling, with cement being poured between the casing and the wall of the drilled hole in order to seal and stabilize the hole. The casing and cement are perforated at the desired depth in order to access the stratum of interest (oil bearing deposits, gas, water, etc.), with the casing and cement serving to prevent the flow and mixing of undesired fluids with the fluid of interest from the well (e.g., water with oil, etc.).
In view of the above, it is critical that the well be perforated at precisely the proper depth in order to avoid drawing an undesirable fluid into the well, and/or missing the desired stratum of interest in the well. As wells typically extend from a few to several thousand feet below the surface in the case of oil and gas wells, the precise measurement of the depth of the well to within a few feet, poses a difficult problem. U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,366 provides an excellent and detailed discussion of the problem in the Background of the Invention, columns 1 through 4, for further background.
Accordingly, numerous devices and systems have been developed in the past for logging or measuring the precise depth of the well, for perforating the well or for other purposes as required. Such principles as MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), gamma ray detection, and others, have been utilized in order to enable a detector lowered into the well casing to determine its position or depth within the hole. However, none of the systems or principles utilized in the past, provide the needed accuracy to enable an operator to determine precisely the depth of the tool within the hole. It is very easy for the well to be logged incorrectly, or for the tool to detect the wrong joint or point in the casing, and thus throw off all calculations and measurements accordingly. As the conventional well casing pipe has a length of some thirty feet, it will be seen that an error in the detection of one joint location, could cause a perforating gun or other tool to miss the stratum of interest completely.
Those skilled in the art are aware that the limitations of the prior art extend to other types of pipelines and the like, and are not limited only to generally vertical well bores. For example, the standard procedure for examining a cross-country oil, gas, or other pipeline, is to "pig" the line, i.e., send a mechanical device (called a "pig") through the line, generally by pneumatic means. The "pig" may sense various information relating to the condition of the line, or other factors, which information may be stored within the device until it is recovered at some point in the line. However, any flaws or other problems in the line must be identified as to location, and the mechanical "pigs" used for such operations have no means of determining their position in the line. Rather, their location must be detected externally, by a worker stationed along the pipe or line as the "pig" travels through the line, and who logs the passage of the "pig" at various points along the line, relative to time. By knowing the time that any information was gathered in the pipe, and the time of passage of the "pig" at various points, the location of any anomalies may be indirectly determined.
However, it will be seen that it can be difficult to determine the precise location of various anomalies or other points of interest in such a pipeline, as the detection of the passage of the "pig" through the line, is determined at only a relatively few widely separated points along the line. Thus, when the record of the recovered "pig" is examined, it may not be possible to narrow the location of some point of interest in the line, to an area smaller than perhaps a few hundred feet of pipeline, or perhaps more.
Accordingly, a need will be seen for a system which positively identifies the location or depth of a well tool at various points within the well. The system comprises a plurality of passive or active radio frequency resonant devices, which are installed at several, or all, of the joints in the well casing. Each of the devices is preferably constructed or tuned to provide a unique individual signal. A well tool is provided which transmits a low power and/or directional signal on an appropriate frequency for reception by the devices, which then resonate to provide a responding signal to the well tool. The responding signal passes up the wire line to the well operator at the surface, who is able to determine precisely the location or depth of the well tool in the well. Alternatively, the information may be stored within the downhole tool, for downloading into a computer or other suitable reading device at the surface, after recovery of the tool.
A further need will be seen for a system which is capable of positively identifying the location of a tool which is passed through a pipeline or the like, and recording the location corresponding to the tool at various points in time as the tool passes through the pipeline. The system may utilize active or passive radio frequency resonant devices, with information being stored within the pipeline tool for later recovery when the tool is recovered from the line.
A discussion of the related art of which the present inventor is aware, and its differences and distinctions from the present invention, is provided below.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,293 issued on Feb. 25, 1986 to James G. Wilson et al., titled "Method Of Placing Magnetic Markers On Collarless Cased Wellbores," describes the magnetic polarizing of well casing by positioning one or more electromagnets within the casing, and activating the electromagnets to impart a permanent magnetic field at the location of the electromagnet(s) within the casing or pipe. The magnetically polarized area may be detected using a conventional magnetic reading casing collar locator. The Wilson et al. method does not provide any means of differentiating between magnetically marked spots, nor of precisely positioning the magnetically polarized areas at predetermined points in the casing. Moreover, Wilson et al. do not disclose any means of logging or determining the position of a device in a cross country or other fluid pipeline, as provided by the present method and apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,630,044 issued on Dec. 16, 1986 to Rudolf Polzer, titled "Programmable Inductively Coupled Transponder," describes a passive radio identification device (PRID) including a memory for modulating the response signal when triggered by an appropriate transmitter. Polzer describes the placement of the resonating transponder on a moving object, e.g., a railroad car, with the triggering transmitter having a stationary mounting. This configuration is precisely the opposite of the present invention, with its stationary responding devices and triggering transmitter being mounted within a moving well hole or pipeline "pigging" tool. Moreover, Polzer makes no suggestion of using his invention for determining depth or other characteristics in a well casing or other fluid pipeline, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,925 issued on Feb. 28, 1989 to Gary K. Baird, titled "Three Magnet Casing Collar Locator," describes a magnetic device for detecting pipe or casing joints in a well. The device provides a specially shaped toroidal magnetic field, which magnetically affects the ferrometallic casing and casing joints. A detector associated with the device detects variations in the magnetic field as the field changes as it passes each casing joint. Baird makes no provision for detecting any differences in the joints. Rather, each joint appears essentially the same when detected, and the operator cannot determine precisely where in the casing the device is located. Each joint must be counted in order for the location to be determined, and no other information is provided by the Baird device. Baird does not disclose any means of logging or determining the precise location of a pigging tool in a cross country or other than vertical fluid pipeline, as provided by the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,279,366 issued on Jan. 18, 1994 to Patrick L. Scholes, titled "Method For Wireline Operation Depth Control In Cased Wells," describes the use of both magnetic and radioactive location markers in a well casing. The detector device is capable of detecting both high energy radiation (gamma rays) and magnetic anomalies, thus making it easier to confirm that well depth logs using either system separately, are properly "tied in." The Scholes '366 U.S. patent provides an excellent explanation of the problem of well depth control and logging, as well as the importance of a solution for the problem, in the Background of the Invention portion of the disclosure, as noted further above. However, Scholes does not provide any means of differentiating between different joints or other locations along the length of the casing, nor any radio frequency resonant means for doing so. Moreover, Scholes is silent regarding any form of logging or determining the position of a tool in other than a vertical line, whereas the present system may be applied to any fluid line in a generally vertical or other than vertical orientation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,361,838 issued on Nov. 8, 1994 to Marion D. Kilgore, titled "Slick Line Casing And Tubing Joint Locator Apparatus And Associated Methods," describes a device which is usable with a slick line, i.e., a monofilament metal or other line which does not carry an electrical signal. The device relies upon an integral magnetic anomaly detector for detecting pipe or casing joints. When a joint is detected, the device drives a drag producing structure against the inner surface of the casing, with the drag registering as a momentary increase in tension on the line at the surface as the device passes the joint. Thus, the Kilgore device can only be used when being drawn upwardly through the pipe, and does not utilize any radio frequency resonance means. The Kilgore device is also unworkable in other than a generally vertical line, whereas the present system is operable in any fluid line, regardless of its orientation.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,457,447 issued on Oct. 10, 1995 to Sanjar Ghaem et al., titled "Portable Power Source And RF Tag Utilizing Same," describes a radio frequency (RF) device providing an interrogation signal and receiving a response from the interrogation signal. The device may be powered by any one or more of several electrical sources, including conventional battery power, solar or infrared cells, etc. However, Ghaem et al. are silent regarding a responding unit for their RF tag device. While the present invention makes use of an RF transmitter and receiver disposed within a well downhole tool, pipeline pigging tool, or the like, the present invention also makes use of inert or active resonant responding devices which are triggered by the RF transponder device of the well or pipeline tool, which resonant responding devices are not a part of the Ghaem et al. disclosure.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,497,140 issued on Mar. 5, 1996 to John R. Tuttle, titled "Electrically Powered Postage Stamp Or Mailing Or Shipping Label Operative With Radio Frequency (RF) Communication," describes a small and very thin radio receiver and transmitter, including a memory chip for modulating the transmitted signal to provide certain specific information, e.g., routing, etc. The Tuttle disclosure provides for a thin, flat battery for power of the device, and accordingly includes "sleep" and "wake" circuitry which is triggered by a transmission from another device. The present invention does not require any integral electrical power in the specific form of an electric battery, but resonates when power is received from a nearby transmitter. The present device may include active circuitry requiring electrical power, but the electrical power is generated by electrochemical means using the fluid within the well or pipe, as an electrolyte. The Tuttle device is not a resonant device.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,626,192 issued on May 6, 1997 to Michael L. Connell et al., titled "Coiled Tubing Joint Locator And Methods," describes a tube which is lowered into the well pipe string for locating pipe joints. The device includes a fluid passage formed generally axially therethrough, and an electromagnetic joint detector which senses the increased mass of each joint, according to the disclosure. When a joint is detected, a lateral valve is opened, which decreases the fluid flow resistance through the device and produces a pressure drop which is transmitted to the surface. The Connell et al. device can only sense each joint, and cannot detect any difference between different joints, whereas the present device may provide means for differentiating between different joints in the well casing or fluid pipeline.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,720,345 issued on Feb. 24, 1998 to Timothy M. Price et al., titled "Casing Joint Detector," describes a magnetic anomaly detector which detects the variations in magnetic flux across pipe or casing joints, as in other devices of the prior art discussed further above. The detector may also measure the distance traveled down the borehole, and correlate this distance with the number of joints passed. However, Price et al. make no provision for distinguishing between different casing or pipe joints, for determining precisely which joint is being passed at any given point. Also, as with other magnetic anomaly detectors, the device must be moving at some minimum velocity through the casing in order to generate the spike in electromagnetic energy for generating a detection signal. The present active or passive RF system is operable at any practicable velocity in vertical, horizontal, or otherwise oriented fluid pipelines of virtually any type, i.e., ferromagnetic or other material.
European Patent Publication No. 013,494 published on Jul. 23, 1980 to British Gas Corporation, titled "Measurement Of Velocity And/Or Distance," describes a device which produces a magnetic anomaly in the wall of a ferrometallic pipe, and then detects the anomaly as the device passes. The device may thus measure its velocity through the pipe, by measuring the time between the production of the magnetic anomaly and its detection by another part of the device, with the distance between the two components being known. As in other devices using magnetic principles or means discussed further above, the British Gas device cannot distinguish between different magnetic anomalies produced thereby, but can only count the total number of magnetic anomalies along the length of the pipe and provide a distance measurement based upon the distance between the magnetic anomaly producer and detector. No RF means, nor use in other than a generally vertical downhole, is disclosed in the British Gas Corporation patent publication.
European Patent Publication No. 412,535 published on May 11, 1994 to Michael L. Smith, titled "Tubing Collar Position Sensing Apparatus, And Associated Methods, For Use With A Snubbing Unit," describes a device for electromagnetically detecting tubing or joint collars for progressively opening and closing the blowout pressure seals of a blowout valve. Accordingly, there is no need, and no teaching, of any means for distinguishing between different joints along the length of the tube or pipe. Smith notes that the measurement of the pipes cannot be accomplished by odometer means alone, due to slight variations in pipe length and in the length of engaged threads at each coupling, to which problem the present invention responds. Moreover, the present system is adaptable to both generally vertical well holes, as well as generally horizontal or other orientation gas and other fluid lines.
European Patent Publication No. 651,132 published on May 3, 1995 to the Halliburton Company, titled "Method For Locating Tubular Joints In A Well," describes a device which applies lateral pressure to the walls of the pipe whenever a joint is detected. The increased drag of the device increases the tension on the line as the device is raised up the pipe, thus enabling the joints to be detected without requirement for an electrical connection between the device in the pipe and the surface. The device described in the '132 European Patent Publication is the same as that described in the '838 U.S. patent, and discussed further above. The same differences and distinctions noted in the above discussion, are also seen to apply here.
Finally, European Patent Publication No. 730,083 published on Sep. 4, 1996 to the Halliburton Company, titled "Method And Apparatus For Use In Setting Barrier Member In Well," describes a device using conventional magnetic anomaly detection means for detecting pipe or casing joints, for positioning a barrier within the pipe or casing so that the barrier is not positioned on the joint. There is no need, and no teaching, for the device to distinguish between different joints, as all that is necessary for the Halliburton device is to determine that the barrier or seal will not be positioned directly on a joint.
None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed.

Method and apparatus for determining position in a pipe


Provided are an organic silicon compound of the following formula (I):

Organic materials such as thermoplastic resins, thermosetting resins, natural or synthetic rubbers, mineral oils, lubricants, adhesives, paints and the like deteriorate due to an action of heat, oxygen and the like in production, in processing and in use, accompanied by decrease in strength property, change of flowability, coloration, decrease in surface physical property, and the like of the organic materials ascribable to a phenomenon such as molecule cut and molecule crosslinking, leading to remarkable deterioration of commercial value in some cases.
A polycarbonate which is one of thermoplastic resins is used generally in electric device housings, optical lenses, and building materials such as windowpane and the like because of excellent impact resistance, transparency, dimension stability and the like.
In patent document 1, as a stabilizer for a polycarbonate having a main repeating unit represented by the following formula:
(wherein, R1′, R2′, R3′ and R4′ represent each independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, aralkyl group or aryl group, and W represents an alkylidene group, cycloalkylene group, alkylene group substituted with an aryl group, oxygen atom, sulfur atom, sulfoxide group or sulfone group.), suggested is a silane type stabilizer of the following formula (A):
(wherein, R5′ to R7′ represent each independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkoxyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, or a silyl group of the following formula (B):
{wherein, X′ represents a single bond, oxygen atom, sulfur atom or alkylene group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms. Y1′ to Y3′ represent each independently a hydrogen atom, alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkylsilyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, alkylsiloxy group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms optionally having a substituent, arylsilyl group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, arylsiloxy group having 6 to 20 carbon atoms or siloxanyl group.}).
Patent document 1: JP-A No. 2001-247758

Organic silicon-based compound and method of producing the same

Abstract: (wherein, R1 to R20 represent each independently alkyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, cycloalkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, aryl, dialkylamino or the like, and the aryloxy and aryl may be substituted with a substituent selected from the group consisting of alkyl, alkoxy and alkoxyalkyl.) which can be used for suppression of coloration and thermal deterioration of an organic material in molding, and an organic material composition containing the organic silicon compound and a method of producing the organic silicon compound.


A single-ended SRAM cell design reduces SRAM size and provides high storage cell noise margin. A virtual ground line is coupled to the source of the driver NFET of each I/O port inverter of each storage cell in a common bitline column. An isolation mechanism couples the virtual ground line to a low reference voltage during reads and during a write of a "0" to a storage cell, and isolates the virtual ground line from the low reference voltage during a write of a "1" to a storage cell. A clamping device is coupled to the virtual ground line to prevent the potential on the virtual ground line from exceeding the threshold voltage of the isolation mechanism and flipping the stored value in any of the other commonly coupled storage cells when a "1" is being written to another of the commonly coupled storage cells.

Static random access memory (SRAM) is an essential component in most computer processor based systems. SRAM chips typically include millions of individual cells, each for storing a single digital bit value.
Conventional wisdom has heretofore dictated the use of differential circuit techniques for SRAM cell implementations. Single-ended storage cell designs have not heretofore been able to provide the needed cell stability during read operations while at the same time providing fast enough write capability. The problem arises due to the competing design requirements when reading a logic low value (i.e., a "0") from a storage cell and writing a logic high value (i.e., a "1") to the same cell. Design requirements for ease in reading a "0" from a cell are generally the opposite of design requirements for writing a "1" to the same cell. Differential storage cell designs overcome these design issues by balancing the storage cell inverters and providing dual I/O access to the cell. However, differential storage cell designs require twice as many bitlines and an additional access transistor as compared to single-ended storage cell designs. Accordingly, a need exists for a single-ended storage cell design that provides stability during read operations and speed during write operations.

Method and apparatus for improving read/write stability of a single-port SRAM cell


A method and apparatus is provided to enable a network to more efficiently determine whether additional reverse links can be assigned. Various methods are presented that allow a network to determine either the transmission power or power headroom of a mobile terminal based on information that is provided at session startup and information provided periodically. The number of additional reverse links that can be assigned to the mobile can then be estimated from the transmission power and head-room of the mobile terminal.

Recently, many developers have conducted intensive research into a handover method for use in a variety of communication systems. A representative example of the communication systems is an Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (E-UMTS), such that a detailed description thereof will hereinafter be described.
FIG. 1 is a structural diagram illustrating an E-UMTS network. It should be noted that the E-UMTS network of FIG. 1 can be applied to the conventional art and the present invention. The E-UMTS is an evolved version of a convention UMTS system, and is being standardized by the 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project). The E-UMTS may also be considered to be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) system.
The E-UMTS network may be generally classified into an Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN) and an Evolved Packet Core (EPC). The E-UTRAN includes a User Equipment (UE); a base station (hereinafter referred to as an "eNode-B"); and an Access Gateway (AG) located at the end of the network so that it is connected to an external network.
The AG may also be referred to as an MME/UPE (Mobility Management Entity/User Plane Entity) as necessary. The AG may be classified into a traffic processing unit and a control-traffic processing unit as necessary. In this case, a first AG for processing new user traffic data may communicate with a second AG for processing control traffic data via a new interface. A single eNode-B may include at least one cell as necessary. A interface for transmitting user traffic data or control traffic data may be located between several eNode-Bs.
The EPC may include the AG; and a node for registering users of other UEs, etc. If required, an interface capable of discriminating between the E-UTRAN and the EPC may be used. S1 interface is located between the eNode-B and the AG, such that a plurality of nodes may be interconnected between the eNode-B and the AG, resulting in the implementation of Many-to-Many connection structure. One eNode-B is connected to the other eNode-B via an X2 interface. The X2 interface is always located between neighboring eNode-Bs, resulting in the implementation of a meshed network.
Radio Interface Protocol (RIP) layers located between a UE (or a terminal) and a network may be classified into a first layer (L1), a second layer (L2) and a third layer (L3) on the basis of three lower layers of an Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model well known to those skilled in the art. A physical layer contained in the first layer (L1) provides an Information Transfer Service (ITS) over a physical channel. A Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer located at the third layer (L3) controls radio resources between the UE and the network system. For this purpose, the RRC layer allows the UE to exchange RRC messages with the network system. The RRC layer of the E-UTRAN network (or the LTE system) is located at the eNode-B.
FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a radio interface protocol structure between the UE and the E-UTRAN (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) based on the 3GPP radio access network standard.
The radio interface protocol of FIG. 2 horizontally includes a physical layer, a data link layer, and a network layer. The radio interface protocol of FIG. 2 vertically includes a User Plane for transmitting data or information and a Control Plane for transmitting a control signal (also called "signaling data").
The protocol layers shown in FIG. 2 may be classified into the first layer (L1), the second layer (L2), and the third layer (L3) on the basis of three lower layers of an Open System Interconnection (OSI) reference model well known in the art.
The above-mentioned layers of the radio-protocol control plane and the radio protocol user plane will hereinafter be described in detail.
The physical layer acting as the first layer (L1) transmits an Information Transfer Service to an upper layer over a physical channel. The physical layer is connected to a Medium Access Control (MAC) layer acting as the upper layer via a transport channel. The MAC layer communicates with the physical layer over the transport channel, such that data is communicated between the MAC layer and the physical layer. Data is communicated among different physical layers. In more detail, data is communicated between a first physical layer of a transmission end and a second physical layer of a reception end.
The MAC layer of the second layer (L2) transmits a variety of services to the RLC (Radio Link Control) layer acting as the upper layer over a logical channel. The RLC layer of the second layer (L2) supports transmission of reliable data. A variety of functions of the RLC layer may also be implemented with a function block of the MAC layer. In this case, there is no RLC layer as necessary. In order to effectively transmit IP packets (e.g., IPv4 or IPv6) within a radio-communication period having a narrow bandwidth, a PDCP layer of the second layer (L2) performs header compression to reduce the size of a relatively-large IP packet header containing unnecessary control information. The PDCP layer is located at the AG in the E-UTRAN system
The RRC (Radio Resource Control) layer located at the uppermost part of the third layer (L3) is defined by only the control plane. The RRC layer controls logical channels, transport channels, and physical channels in relation to configuration-, reconfiguration-, and release-operations of Radio Bearers (RBs). In this case, the RB is indicative of a service received from the second layer (L2) to implement data communication between the UE and the E-UTRAN.
There are downlink channels for transmitting data from the network to the UE, for example, a Broadcast Channel (BCH) for transmitting system information and a downlink Shared Channel (SCH) for transmitting user traffic data or control messages. The traffic data or control messages of a downlink multicast service or broadcast service may be transmitted over the downlink shared channel (SCH), or may also be transmitted over an additional multicast channel (MCH).
In the meantime, there are uplink channels for transmitting data from the UE to the network, for example, a Random Access Channel (RACH) and an uplink shared channel (SCH) for transmitting user traffic data or control messages.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a handover method for controlling a UE to be handed over from a first eNode-B to a second eNode-B in the E-UTRAN system so as to continuously maintain an access state of the UE.
Referring to FIG. 4, UE context data includes area restriction information at step S401.
The UE performs a measurement process according to the measurement established in a source eNode-B, and performs a measurement control process at step S402.
The source eNode-B receives measurement information from the UE, and determines whether it will be handed over to a neighboring eNode-B (or a neighboring cell) on the basis of the received measurement information at step S403.
The source eNode-B transmits a handover (HO) request message to a target eNode-B at step S404.
The target eNode-B determines whether to receive the HO message in consideration of its own wired/wireless resources at step S405.
The target eNode-B transmits a handover (HO) response message to the source eNode-B at step S406.
The source eNode-B transmits a handover (HO) command to the UE at step S407.
Upon receiving the HO command from the source eNode-B, the UE performs a specific signaling process to connect the target eNode-B to the Layer 1 or Layer 2. The above-mentioned signaling process for the Layer 1 and the Layer 2 includes a specific process for acquiring (or gaining) synchronization between the UE and the eNode-B at step S408.
The UE connected to the Layer 1 and/or the Layer 2 transmits a handover (HO) complete message to the target eNode-B at step S409.
The target eNode-B transmits the HO complete message to the MME/UPE at step S410.
The MME/UPE transmits a handover (HO) complete acknowledgement (ACK) message to the target eNode-B at step S411.
The target eNode-B transmits a resource release message to the source eNode-B at step S412.
Upon receiving the resource release message from the target eNode-B, the source eNode-B releases all the resources at step S413.
The source eNode-B transmits the HO command to the UE, and transmits a downlink user-traffic block to the target eNode-B. In this case, the user-traffic block may be a user-traffic block transmitted from the PDCP layer of the MME/UPE, or may be a traffic block received in the RLC layer of the eNode-B such that a sequence number is added to the received traffic block. In this case, all the traffic blocks ranging from a minimum traffic block, which is incapable of completely recognizing whether the UE receives the traffic block, to the last traffic block are transmitted to the target eNode-B.
Detailed descriptions of an RRC connection process and a signal connection process will hereinafter be described.
Prior to the beginning of a call connection mode, the UE must be RRC-connected to the UTRAN, and must be signaling-connected to a CN. By means of the RRC connection and the signal connection, the UE exchanges its dedicated control information with the UTRAN or the CN.
FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating a method for transmitting messages exchanged between the UE and the RNC for the above-mentioned RRC connection and Initial Direct Transfer (IDT) messages for the above-mentioned signal connection.
In order to implement the above-mentioned RRC connection, the UE transmits an RRC connection request message to the RNC.
In reply to the RRC connection request message, the RNC transmits an RRC connection setup message to the UE.
The UE transmits an RRC connection setup complete message to the RNC.
If the above-mentioned processes are successfully completed, the RRC connection is implemented between the UE and the RNC.
If the RRC connection is completed, the UE transmits the IDT message, such that it begins to perform the signal connection.
A detailed description of a Random Access Channel (RACH) of a WCDMA system will hereinafter be described.
The Random Access Channel (RACH) is adapted to transmit small-sized data (i.e., short data) in an uplink direction. The random access channel (RACH) may also transmit a plurality of RRC messages, for example, an RRC connection request message, a cell update message, and a URA update message, etc.
Some logical channels (i.e., a Common Control Channel (CCCH), a Dedicated Control Channel (DCCH), and a Dedicated Traffic Channel (DTCH)) may be mapped to the radio access channel (RACH) acting as any one of transport channels. Also, the radio access channel (RACH) from among the transport channels is mapped to a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) acting as any one of physical channels.
FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating operations of the physical random access channel (PRACH) according to the conventional art.
As can be seen from FIG. 6, an uplink physical channel (i.e., PRACH) includes a preamble part and a message part.
The preamble part performs a power-ramping function for suitably adjusting transport power (also called a "transmission power") to transmit messages, and prevents several UEs from colliding with each other. The message part performs transmission of a MAC PDU message transmitted from the MAC layer to the physical channel.
The UE's MAC layer commands the physical layer of the UE to perform the PRACH transmission. Thereafter, the UE's physical layer selects a single access slot and a single signature, and transmits the PRACH preamble part in an uplink direction.
The above-mentioned preamble is transmitted to a desired destination during an access-slot time of 1.33 ms. The UE selects one of 16 signatures during an initial specific-length time of the access slot, and transmits the selected signature.
If the UE transmits the preamble part, the eNode-B transmits a response signal over a AICH (Acquisition Indicator Channel) acting as any one of downlink physical-channels. The AICH for transmitting the response signal transmits the signature selected by the preamble during an initial specific-length time of the access slot corresponding to an access slot via which the preamble is transmitted.
In this case, the eNode-B transmits an ACK (acknowledged) or NACK (non-acknowledged) message to the UE via the signature transmitted over the AICH. If the UE receives the ACK message, the UE transmits the message part of 10 ms or 20 ms using an OVSF code corresponding to the above-mentioned transmitted signature. If the UE receives the NACK message, the MAC layer of the UE commands the UE's physical layer to re-transmit the PRACH messages after the lapse of a predetermined period of time.
In the meantime, if the UE does not receive the AICH messages corresponding to the above-mentioned transmitted preamble, it transmits a new preamble at power one-step higher than that of the previous preamble after the lapse of a predetermined access slot.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a conventional AICH structure.
The AICH acting as one of downlink physical channels will hereinafter be described with reference to FIG. 7.
The acquisition indicator channel (AICH) transmits a 16-symbol signature Si (i=0 . . . 15) during a time of an access slot corresponding to 5120 chips. In this case, the UE selects a single signature (Si) from among a plurality of signature (S0˜S15), and transmits the selected signature Si during an initial time corresponding to 4096 chips. The UE determines a specific period having the length of the remaining 1024 chips to be a transmission-power OFF period having no transmission symbols. In the meantime, similar to FIG. 4, a preamble part of PRACH acting as any one of uplink physical channels transmits the 16-symbol signature Si (i=0 . . . 15) during a time of an access slot corresponding to 4096 chips.

Method for handover in mobile communication system


The invention provides a method of forming a silicon tip by a single etching process, as well as a method of forming a tip floating gate to increase erase speed. Etching gases comprising (1) chlorine and/or (2) oxygen/helium are performed to form a silicon tip without bottom dimple. The invention may further control the tip angle by adjusting the etching parameters of gas compositions and ratios, chamber pressures, and radio frequency powers.

The invention relates to a method of semiconductor manufacturing process, and more particularly to a method of forming a silicon tip by a single etching process, which can be used to form a tip floating gate to increase erase speed.
Flash memory, which has the advantages of nonvolatility, high density, low power consumption, and low cost, has become a major product of the semiconductor industry.
Flash memory, which comprises a control gate used to apply operating voltage and a floating gate used to store charges, performs program or erase operations by applying different voltages of the control gate, source, and drain to move charges on and off the floating gate.
When the edge of the floating gate is a tip, the electrical field is easily concentrated, and the point is easily discharged. If the point discharge is increased, the erasing effect is strong.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,759,300 discloses a method for fabricating a multi-tip floating gate by an anisotropic etching process with gases comprising CF4, CHF3, or a combination thereof, and the tip angle can be controlled by the angle of the anisotropic etching process.

Method of forming SI tip by single etching process and its application for forming floating gate


Soft-error resistance and latch up resistance are simultaneously improved for LSI involving miniaturization and reducing operating voltage. P wells and N wells are formed in a higher density substrate (P on P+ substrate), and buried N wells are formed on a layer underlying thereof. A PMOSFET is formed in the N well and a NMOSFET is formed in the P well. A P well electric potential junction for coupling P well electric potential of the P well to predetermined electric potential is provided, and a region directly under the P well electric potential junction is provided with a region where the aforementioned buried N well is not disposed. The soft-error resistance is improved by having the buried N well therein, and the latch up resistance is improved by coupling the P well to the substrate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device and a semiconductor integrated circuit device.
2. Related Art
In modern large scale semiconductor integrated circuit devices (hereinafter referred to as "LSIs"), a scale reduction of node diffusion layers of memory cells is achieved by miniaturization and/or reducing operating voltage, and the resistance to the soft-error problem, in which the information accumulated in the node diffusion layer is typically inverted, becomes a problem. It is known that electron-positive hole pairs are generated in the substrate by alpha particles or cosmic ray-origin neutrons generated from a package or a wiring material of a LSI, and a few carriers flow into the node diffusion layer to change the electric potential of the diffusion layer, thereby causing the soft-error. Further, since secondary ion generated by a nuclear reaction (nuclear crushing reaction) of neutron and silicon helps generating about 10-folds electron-positive hole pairs in comparison with the case of alpha particles, the soft error, which may induce the electric potential inversion of the general logic circuit in addition to memory cell, may be caused.
Countermeasures for such soft-error are known, such as increasing the node capacity of the memory cell as described later, or providing a barrier layer such as, for example, deep N wells enclosing a P well, which isolates the substrate surface from the substrate body, in order to avoid introducing carriers generated by the radioactive ray into the node diffusion layer.
On the other hand, in certain types of devices such as SRAM cell, the PN isolation spacing is reduced due to the miniaturization to provide larger capacity of the parasitic bipolar transistor, and thus there is a room of improving the latch-up resistance. Although the latch-up resistance in the conventional technology caused by the source voltage-originated trigger (trigger of the break-down of the PN junction or the break-down between SDs of a MOSFET) is gradually improved by lowering the operating voltage of the LSI in recent years, there is still a room for further improving other problems such as external noise and the like.
As countermeasures for the latch-up problems, technologies of reducing resistance of well/substrate (for example, providing a retrograde well or a lower resistance substrate) or providing dense number of the contacts for well electric potential and substrate electric potential, are known.
In such circumstances, a technology for simultaneously improving the soft-error resistance and the latch up resistance is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. JP-A-H10-70250 (1999), in which a lower concentration impurity layer is formed on an underlying layer of well formed on the principal surface of a semiconductor substrate and the impurity profile of the well/low concentration impurity layer/substrate is optimized. Another technology of changing the impurity density in a well of a semiconductor device having triple-well structure according to the required function is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. JP-A-2001-291779. Although these technologies are effective in solving the soft-error and latch-up problems by optimizing the nature of the substrate/well impurity, there is no description therein on how the electric potential of the substrate/well is drawn, and thus there is still a room for further providing an improvement in view of the latch-up resistance.
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. JP-A-2003-60071 discloses a technology, in which a soft-error is prevented by providing a deep well layer (buried layer) as an interlayer under the N well/P well, which are formed on the semiconductor substrate. FIGS. 8A and 8B are figures for describing this type of technology, in which FIG. 8A is a plan view, and FIG., 8B is a schematic cross-sectional view along line E—E. Further, an enlarged cross-sectional view of the portion along line F—F of FIG. 8A is shown in FIG. 9. In these figures, MCs, which are sectioned by chain lines in FIG. 8A, is a 1-bit area of CMOS type SRAM cells, and P wells 202 and N wells 203 are provided on the silicon substrate 201. Gate electrodes 209 of NMOSFET and PMOSFET, which compose SRAM cell, are respectively formed on these wells, and both of the N+ diffusion layer 208 and the P+ diffusion layer 207 are formed in each well. Here, the gate electrodes 209 are not shown in FIG. 8B. Buried N wells 206 are formed over the entire surface of the layer underlying the aforementioned P well 202 and the N well 203. Further, a P+ diffusion layer 212 of the P well electric potential junction 204 is disposed for the aforementioned P well 202, and a N+ diffusion layer 213 of the N well electric potential junction 205 is disposed for the aforementioned N well 203. Here, the numeral number 214 indicates an interlayer insulating film, 215 indicates a contact electrode and 216 indicates a metal line. In such configuration, introduction of minor carriers generated in the substrate into each of the diffusion layers 207 and 208 of memory cells is inhibited by comprising the buried N well 206, thereby improving the soft-error resistance.
However, since such configuration provides electric connections for the P wells 202 by disposing P well electric potential junction 204 in every several memory cells (every bit), effective resistances of the P wells 202 is increased, and thus it is subjected to provide insufficient constitution in view of the latch-up resistance. Thus, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. JP-A-2003-60071, a buried P well is formed (not shown) between the P well 202 and N well 203 and the buried N well 206 disposed underlying thereof, and power feeding to the P well is conducted through the buried P well. Therefore, such configuration reduces the effective resistance of the P well, and thus is effective in improving with latch-up resistance. Nevertheless, providing the buried P well promotes a difficulty in escaping electron generated in the P well toward the direction to the deep portion of the substrate, and in this respect, an advantageous effect obtained by the countermeasures for the soft-error problem, in which the number of electric charge collected to the node diffusion layer is diminished, is adversely reduced.
On the other hand, U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,715 discloses technologies for improving the soft-error resistance by forming N well, which is adjacent to P well, to a deep region of the substrate, or alternatively by composing the deep N well that is a type of a N well, a lower region of which is extended to a lower region of the P well. Although there is no description on the latch-up countermeasures in this technology, it is presumed that the structure thereof is that the P well is partially in contact with the P-type substrate, and, in turn, the electric potential of the P well is also supplied from the substrate, resulting in improving the latch-up resistance. However, the improvement may be difficult in the structure such as memory cell, in which the MOSFETs are packed therein in the example of the disclosed technology, due to the transverse diffusion caused during the high-energy ion implantation. Further, in all the prior art disclosures listed above, there is no description on the optimization of substrate/well structure for the purpose of providing countermeasures for the soft-error of peripheral circuit (logic circuits except memory cell).
Here, it is generally known that the silicon-on-insulator (SOI) structure simultaneously provides improvements in both the soft-error resistance and the latch-up resistance. However, it is difficult to adopt the SOI substrate to the commercial production, because of the higher price of the SOI substrate, the difficulty in decreasing the size of the memory cell due to the necessity for the body contact in order to inhibit the operation of the parasitic bipolar device, the problems on the manufacturing process specified to the SOI substrate (e.g., silicidation is difficult) or the like.
It has now been discovered that, in the conventional LSI, when the impurity-containing layer is formed on the layer underlying the well to completely isolate the well from the substrate, resulting in improving the soft-error resistance, the trade-off is that the latch-up countermeasure easily becomes to be insufficient, since the manner of drawing the well electric potential/substrate electric potential is not optimum. On the other hand, when the well is partially in contact with the substrate to improve the latch-up resistance, insufficient countermeasures for the soft-error is provided since insufficient isolation of the well is provided.

Semiconductor device and semiconductor integrated circuit device


A rod cradle for a film, coating, or dam rod includes a frame profile (12) equipped with an insert groove (14), an insert (16) fitted into the insert groove, and the insert having a rod groove (18) and a rod (28) therein. The device has locking elements (24) for locking the insert (16) into the frame profile (12). There are, on the sides of the insert groove, edges (20) through which the insert passes into the insert groove when the rod is not present. On the sides of the rod groove (16) there are opposing lips (22). The lips (22) have vertices (74) through which the rod (28) can pass without damage to the rod or the insert so that the rod can be inserted in to the rod groove (18) and lock the insert (16) in the insert groove (14) of the frame profile.

The present invention relates to a rod cradle for a film, coating, or dam rod, which rod cradle includes a frame profile equipped with an insert groove, an insert fitted to this equipped with a rod groove and a rod, and locking elements for locking the insert into the frame profile, and on the sides of the insert groove in the frame profile there are edges and on the sides of the rod groove there are opposing lips corresponding to them, and the lips include a vertex, a cover surface, which cover surface is in contact with the rod when the rod is in the rod groove, and a vertex surface, which separates from the cover surface at the vertex. The invention also relates to a corresponding insert and a method.
Rod cradles are used mainly in sizing and coating devices operating on the film-transfer principle and in coating application taking place directly onto the surface of the paper. A rod cradle, in which there is a separate insert, is, as such, known. In such rod cradles, the locking of the insert is implemented by means of a locking hose, as disclosed in publication WO3078077. A rod cradle with an insert is a good solution, as rod cradles must be changed regularly, which leads to spare-parts costs. When the component to be changed is only the wearing part, i.e. the insert, instead of the rod cradle, both cost savings and a reduction in waste material are achieved in device servicing.
When locking the insert using a locking hose, the locking hose must be located in the rod cradle, which is not, however, technically reliable. A drawback when using the locking-hose technique is the uncertainty of the locking, if pressure is lost for some reason, for example, if the hoses leak, or are wrongly connected. In addition, the implementation of the hose locking leads to costs, as a separate groove for the hose must be cast or machined. In addition, the additional grooves in the frame of the rod cradle may cause excessive flexibility in the frame of the rod cradle. The use of a locking hose is also significant in terms of work safety, as, if the locking hose fractures, the force retaining the insert disappears and the rod or the insert can detach, causing a dangerous situation.
The locking of the rod can also be based on using loading means to press the rod cradle towards the surface, on which, for example, coating is being applied. In this embodiment too, the problem is the uncertainty of whether the rod and the insert will remain in the groove, for example, if the loading is momentarily reduced. In addition, problems can arise when application is starting, when the loading means may not yet be pressing towards the application surface with sufficient force to hold the rod in its groove in the rod cradle.
FIG. 1 shows one rod cradle according to the prior art. The rod cradle includes a frame profile 12 equipped with an insert groove 14. An insert 16, equipped with an rod groove 18, and a rod 28 and locking elements 24 are fitted to the frame profile 12. The locking of the insert 16 to the frame profile 12 takes place with the aid of these locking elements 24. At the sides of the insert groove 14 in the frame profile 12, there are edges 20. On the sides of the rod groove 18 there are lips 22 corresponding to them. The lips 22 include a cover surface 72, 72′, which is in contact with the rod 28, when the rod 28 is in the rod groove 18, as well as a vertex surface 70, 70′, which starts from the cover surface 72 at its extreme vertex of contact with the rod, i.e. at the vertex 74, 74′. In the solution according to the prior art, the rod is first placed in the insert, which is then placed in the frame profile. The locking that takes place using the locking elements can be ensured, for example, using the locking hose described above.

Rod cradle, instert to be used in a rod cradle, and method for inserting a rod in a rod cradle


An example of an apparatus including a memory to store a plurality of print profiles and sample page data. The apparatus includes a selection engine to select a first print profile and a second print profile from the plurality of print profiles. The apparatus includes a printing device to generate a first print sample in accordance with the first print profile and to generate a second print sample in accordance with the second print profile. The apparatus includes an input device to receive input to identify a preferred print sample. The apparatus includes a processor coupled to the memory and the input device, wherein the processor is to direct the selection engine to select a third print profile based on the first print profile, the second print profile, and the input to generate a third print sample for comparison with the preferred print sample.

Printed documents are often used to present information. In particular, printed documents continue to be used despite the availability of electronic alternatives as they are more easily handled and read by users. Accordingly, the generation of printed documents as well as conversion of printed documents to electronic form remain important tools for the presentation and handling of information. Printers are known and have been used to generate documents. In addition, scanners are known and have been used to convert printed documents to electronic form. Due to variations between different printer and scanner designs as well as manufacturing tolerances, differences in performance between printers and scanners of the same type are known.

Print profile adjustments via iterative sample selections

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


The invention provides a method for treating waste water wherein organic and inorganic substances in waste water can be treated at high levels regardless of the concentration, and a unit itself can be made compact. The method of the invention is a method for treating waste water, which comprises treating waste water at 100° C. or less in the presence of oxygen and catalyst containing noble metal and active carbon and having pores, wherein the volume of pores having a radius of 40 Å or more and less than 100 Å is 0.05 ml/g or more.

As a method for treating waste water, a biological treatment method, a combustion treatment method, a wet oxidization treatment method, or the like have been conventionally widely used. These methods are those for decomposing organic or inorganic chemical substances contained in waste water to make them non-toxic thereby reducing their adverse influence on the environment.
In the biological treatment method, the decomposition of substances to be oxidized is generally time-consuming, and the substances that can be treated are limited to those of low concentration. Therefore, when waste water is at high concentration, it should be diluted to a suitable concentration, thus an extensive area of facilities for treatment is disadvantageously demanded. In addition, byproducts such as excessive sludge are generated, and thus the treatment thereof is often problematic.
In the combustion treatment method, fossil fuel is often used as fuel, resulting in a problem in waste of the resource.
On the other hand, the wet oxidization treatment method for cleaning waste water in liquid phase is excellent without the problems described above. In catalyst-free wet oxidization treatment, however, it is necessary that the reaction be conducted at high temperatures under high pressure and the reaction time be prolonged, thus often necessitating an enlarged device and increasing the operation cost.
As a means of increasing the reaction rate and moderating the reaction conditions, a catalytic wet oxidation treatment method using solid catalyst is proposed. For example, a treatment method using a composite catalyst is described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. SHO 63-158189, to achieve certain results. However, the conventional catalyst comprising noble metal combined with metal oxide such as titanium oxide often requires high-temperature conditions for achieving efficient treatment and high-pressure conditions for maintaining a liquid phase at such high temperatures, thus suffering from problems such as a higher cost of facilities. When used in combination with an oxidizing agent such as ozone or hydrogen peroxide, the treatment may be made feasible at normal pressures, but is not preferable because of a higher cost of the oxidizing agent.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. HEI 11-179378 discloses a method for decomposing oxygen-containing organic compound, which can be carried out at a temperature of 100° C. or less. However, the compound to be treated by this prior art method is limited to oxygen-containing compounds having one carbon atom, and in consideration of actual application to waste water from factories and the like, its treatment performance is not satisfactory.
As described above, the wet oxidization treatment method using catalyst is the most excellent to treat waste water, but when efficient treatment is to be realized regardless of the concentration of waste water, there is a problem of inevitably higher costs of facilities, treatment itself and the like.
In view of this, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a technique by which organic and inorganic substances contained in waste water can be treated at high degrees regardless of the concentration and at relatively low temperatures, and thus a device to put the invention into practice can be made compact without requiring large and high-pressure facilities, thus enabling treatment of waste water at low costs.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


A biocompatible porous hollow fiber made of a polyolefine material and having a coating of biocompatible carbon material herein said coating is obtainable by a process comprising the following steps:. introducing a preformed porous hollow fiber into an atmosphere of gaseous monomer vinylidene chloride (1,1 di-chloroethylene); PA1 inducing a graft-polymerization reaction and grafting a uniform layer of polyvinylidene chloride on the polyolefine material forming said porous hollow fiber; and PA1 substantially eliminating and removing hydrogene chloride (dehydrochlorination reaction) from said polyvinylidene chloride in order to convert said polyvinylidene chloride layer into a coating of biocompatible carbon material.. Preferably said graft-polymerization reaction may be induced by means of an ionizing radiation, especially by means of a gamma radiation. Preferably said substantial removal of hydrogene chloride may be performed by treating the coated hollow fiber with a hot concentrated aqueous ammonia solution. Preferably said dehydrochlorination reaction may be continued in order to reduce a residual chlorine content of the coating to less than 6% based on the chlorine content of the original polyvinylidene chloride layer. The thus obtained coated porous hollow fiber may be used as exchange materials, diaphragmas and/or semipermeable membranes within devices which will contact blood or plasma outside of the living body. Those devices include oxygenators, dialyzer apparatuses, dialyzer filter apparatuses, hemoconcentrator devices, plasma filter devices, blood filter devices, heat exchange devices within oxygenators, infusion membranes and similar exchange devices.

The present invention is related to a biocompatible porous hollow fiber made of a polyolefine material and having a coating of a biocompatible carbon material. In the present context "biocompatible" means especially excellent compatibility with respect to blood and tissue; in so far biocompatibility includes haemo compatibility and thromboresistance. The biocompatible porous hollow fiber according to the present invention is especially suited for providing exchange materials, diaphragmas and/or semipermeable membranes within devices, which will contact blood or plasma outside the living body, such as in oxygenators, haemo concentrators, dialyzer apparatuses, haemo filter devices and the like, and for providing surfaces which will contact blood and/or plasma and in other equipments for maintaining an extracorporal circulation of blood and/or plasma.
Further, the present invention is related to a method of manufacturing said biocompatible porous hollow fiber. Further, the present invention is related to specific kinds of use of said biocompatible porous hollow fiber, especially for providing exchange materials, diaphragmas and/or semipermeable membranes in oxygenators, dialyzer apparatuses, haemo concentrators, haemo filters and other components of an extracorporal blood circulation.
Microporous open-celled hollow fibers are well known in the art. An especially important application concerns the use as exchange materials or as intermediate product for providing exchange materials, diaphragmas and/or semipermeable membranes for effecting a gas exchange, for example in oxygenators, for purposes of filtration, ultra-filtration and micro-filtration, for example in blood filter devices, in dialyzer apparatuses, for effecting a reverse osmosis, for effecting a heat exchange and the like. A degree of porosity and the number, form and dimensions of pores will be matched to the specific kind of use. Typically, the porosity may range of from 10 to 50%, and the pores may comprise a dimension, especially a diameter less than one micron. In these fields of use, the hollow fiber wall will typically contact blood and/or plasma. Commonly used hollow fiber materials include polyester, polyethylene and especially polypropylene.
In general, two different methods are available for preparing microporous open-celled hollow fibers consisting of polypropylene. According to a first alternative, non-drawn hollow fibers will be substantially drawn at a temperature lower than 110.degree. C. This kind of drawing provides porous areas being oriented vertically to the drawing direction. A method of this type is disclosed in German patent specification No. 26 30 374. According to a further proposal of said kind, a hot-drawing step may be effected subsequently to the cold-drawing step, as disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift No. 30 03 400. According to another, second alternative, a homogenous one-phase mixture is provided comprising a fiber-forming polymer such as polypropylene and further comprising an additional liquid phase being inert with respect to the fiber-forming polymer. This two-component mixture is extruded into a bath, wherein the formed hollow fiber will solidify. Thereafter, the hollow fiber is treated with a solvent in order to dissolve and remove the liquid phase.
This removal of the liquid phase generates pores and micropores within the hollow fiber wall. This method is disclosed in German patent specification No. 28 33 493. According to a modified version of this method, micro-porous hollow fibers may be obtained which consist of polyethylene, as disclosed in German patent specification No. 27 18 155.
In the present context "biocompatible" or "biocompatibility" describes the mutual effects of the polymer fiber material with blood and/or plasma. Natural active blood forms a living system of cells, factors and proteines which act rather aggressively upon foreign surfaces. A contact of blood with such foreign surfaces may cause a haemolysis which decreases the number of active erythrocytes yielding in a reduced capacity of oxygen take-off and oxygen transportation. In order to overcome this defect, a higher oxygen partial pressure has to be provided within an extra-corporal circulation system, which may enhance the haemolysis. Further, leukocytes may be deposited on the fiber surface; subsequently to an operation, those deposited leukocytes are missing, and the decreased number of leukocytes in the blood of a patient increases a danger of post-operative infection.
Further, the fiber surface may activate the so called complement complex which effects the immuno system and the blood factors. Finally, the fiber surface may activate the blood coagulation cascade including a fibrinogenesis until the formation and deposition of fibrin clots and thrombi. Therefore, the fiber surface shall comprise a biocompatibility as high as possible in order to inhibit or completely hinder an activation of the fore-mentioned processes. Especially, the fiber surface shall comprise a high haemo compatibility and a low tendency for thrombus forming (anti-thrombogenity).
Among the actually available biocompatible materials, pyrolytic carbon seems to be one of the materials comprising the best biocompatible characteristics. Typically, the pyrolysis of carbon containing starting materials and depositing the so formed particulate pyrolytic carbon on a substrate requires high temperatures in the range of from 800.degree. to 1000.degree. C. and more. Medical prosthetic devices comprising a coating of pyrolytic carbon and methods of manufacture are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,164,045 or 3,952,334 or 3,685,059 or 3,526,005. The common substrate materials, especially materials based on organic polymers, will be irreversibly impaired by such high temperatures. The European Patent Specification EP 0 224 080 B1 and the U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,684 disclose a method of manufacture a prosthetic device, comprising a substrate made of an organic polymer ("DACRON", "TEFLON") and having a coating of biocompatible carbon material. For example, a coated DACRON yarn is described in said patent which may be used as suture yarn. The coating has been deposited on said yarn at relatively low temperatures by sputtering a carbon target at a given voltage and current. The thus obtained coating comprises a thickness less than 1.0 micron. The thus obtained carbon material is said to consist of turbostratic carbon. The known method is complex and expensive and provides a relatively low productivity.
In case of an improper contact, the extremely thin carbon layer may easily be stripped off from the yarn or from other substrates.
Typically, oxygenators, dialyzers, blood filters, haemo concentrators and similar devices are intended and designed for a one-time use. Typically those devices comprise more than 1 m.sup.2 exchange surface which is based on porous hollow fibers. Therefore, porous hollow fibers of said kind are required and used in large quantities. The fore-mentioned low temperature sputtering process is too expensive in order to coat large quantities of hollow fibers with pyrolytic or turbostratic carbon according to said process.
According to other proposals, for example British Patents 856,329 or 801,531, the characteristics of polymer substrates may be modified and/or improved by grafting a coating on the surface of said substrates. The grafted polymer layer may be obtained by means of a radicalic graft polymerisation reaction starting from ethylenic unsaturated monomers. The radicalic graft polymerization reaction may be induced by ionizing radiation. A typical ethylenic unsaturated monomer is methyl acrylate. An extended list of other suited monomers includes vinylidene chloride. By means of said grafted coating, a number of different characteristics may be obtained or improved; however, the preparation of a coating comprising biocompatible characteristics is not stated. When grafting within a liquid phase, there is a danger of covering and closing the fine and ultra-fine pores of a porous hollow fiber.
Contrary thereto, there is a still existing demand for a relatively simple method of preparing in high productivity a biocompatible porous hollow fiber comprising a biocompatible carbon material which is chemically bound to the surface of a porous hollow fiber without substantially decreasing or eliminating the porosity of said hollow fiber.

Biocompatible porous hollow fiber and method of manufacture and use thereof


An automated business card locator comprises two components: 1) a software program that creates an index making the cards easy to locate, and 2) a loose-leaf binder which retains clear plastic business cardholder sheets and index sheet protectors. Business card information is entered, by template, into the software program, sorted, printed and retained within the loose-leaf binder.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of business card holders. More specifically, the present invention is related to a combination software/folder business card organizer.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
Business card holders represent a general method of retaining and organizing a selected group of business cards. The difficulty with business card holders stems from the constant practice of updating the cards within the holder. Organizing by name requires a reordering of the cards each time an addition or removal from the current group is made. Likewise, organizing by subject requires leaving large sections of empty card slots in anticipation of adding future cards. Generally, the user abandons any organizational method and places the cards randomly within the holder. Each time a specific card is needed the user's find themselves scanning the cards in an attempt to locate cards. Electronic or computerized card organizers have made an effort to rectify this problem by entering card data by either typing all card information or scanning the card itself to retain essential information contained on the card. Once entered into electronic storage, the card information can be searched or otherwise organized. The electronic organizers fail, however, to provide a simple, inexpensive, portable business card holder which does not require entry of all card information and further retains the original card holder functionality.
The following prior art is representative of the various devices and methods described above. Each of them fail to provide for the combined software/card holder system of the present invention.
The patent to Lalonde (U.S. Pat. No. 4,669,754) provides for an agenda system comprising a plurality of index-tabbed sections in a book-like form within the cover.
The patent to Magdovitz (U.S. Pat. No. 4,750,281) provides for groups of cards with each card having first and second separable sections. Those sections having legible generic service information on the first section of each card, and specific service information on the second section of each card. The legible information on the cards in the same group being the same, and the legible information on the cards in different groups being different.
The patent to Young (U.S. Pat. No. 4,832,372) provides for a portfolio carrying a plurality of organized business cards. Pocket 200 retains magnetic disk 204 but appears limited to a general storing feature only, i.e., the disk does not interact with the cards.
The patent to Baldwin (U.S. Pat. No. 4,907,904) provides for a notebook with selectively changeable, recoverable and replaceable information carriers. The disclosed invention includes, within the book, supply information carriers in the form of pressure-sensitive adhesive coated removable labels, either blank or preferably preprinted, with typical diary information such as name, address and telephone numbers. The individual labels, after being initially filled in with information, may be replaced or rearranged as desired in the appropriately indexed portion of the book.
The patent to Givati (U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,983) provides for a card holder which comprises a binder, including a plurality of holder sheets, each formed with a plurality of transparent pockets for holding business cards, and a plurality of blank sheets interleaved between the holder sheets, such that when the binder is open to expose one of the holder sheets on one side of the open binder, a blank sheet is simultaneously exposed on the opposite side of the binder permitting entry of information thereon pertaining to the card held by the exposed holder sheet.
The patent to Le (U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,277) provides for a business card filing organization. The device includes a marking structure to indicate various categorizing of the business cards mounted within the structure.
The patent to Moseley (U.S. Pat. No. 5,282,690) provides for a foldable pull-out index card.
The patent to Capps et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,882) provides for an interface for a computerized database having card and list views. This reference is illustrative of a group of patents which include a portable computerized information organizer. These references fail to illustrate the physical card holder of the present invention. U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,827 represents an additional example of computerized business card information managers.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,320,275; 5,429,228; 5,590,911 and 5,601,681 illustrate additional background teachings to the present invention.
Whatever the precise merits, features and advantages of the above cited references, none of them achieve or fulfills the purposes of the present invention. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide for an organized business card holder
It is an additional object of the present invention to combine computerized software with a physical business card holder.
It is an additional object of the present invention to enable organization of business cards held within a business card holder while allowing for random placement of the cards within.
These and other objects are achieved by the detailed description that follows.


In a method for manufacturing a magnetic recording medium, a non-metallic metal base layer, a ferromagnetic alloy thin-film magnetic layer and a protective layer are successively laminated on a non-magnetic substrate. The ferromagnetic alloy thin-film magnetic layer consists of a first magnetic layer and a second magnetic layer. In the method of the present invention, the first magnetic layer is formed in an atmosphere containing an Ar gas, and the second magnetic layer is formed in an atmosphere containing a mixture of Ar and N.sub.2 gases.

In recent years, fixed magnetic disc drives have been widely used as external memories for information processing devices, such as computers. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross sectional view showing the film structure of a typical magnetic recording medium known in the art. In the magnetic recording medium shown in FIG. 2, a non-magnetic layer 2 made of Ni--P or Al, for example, is formed on a substrate 1 made of Al or glass, for example, to provide a base 11, and a non-magnetic metal base layer 3, a hard magnetic layer 4, and a protective layer 5 containing carbon as a major component are successively formed in lamination on the base 11. Further, a lubrication layer 6 prepared from a liquid lubricant is formed on the protective layer 5. The above-indicated hard magnetic layer 4 consists of a single layer made of CoCrTa or CoCrPtTa, for example, and having a coercive force (Hc) of 0.13.times.10.sup.6 A/m or higher.
To produce the magnetic recording medium as described above, the non-magnetic substrate 1 made of an aluminum alloy or a glass material or the like is finished with desired parallelism, flatness and surface roughness, and the non-magnetic layer 2 consisting of Ni--P or Al film is formed on a major surface of the non-magnetic substrate 1 in a wet film-forming process, such as electroless plating, or a dry process, such as sputtering or deposition, to thus provide the non-magnetic base 11. Thereafter, the base 11 may be finished again by machining or reverse sputtering to achieve desired flatness and surface roughness. This base 11 is then heated to 150.degree. to 300.degree. C., and the non-magnetic metal base layer 3, hard magnetic layer 4 and protective layer 5 are successively formed on the surface of the base 11 while a dc bias of about 350V is applied to the base 11. The non-magnetic metal base layer 3 is made of Cr and has a film thickness of about 50 nm, and the hard magnetic layer 4 is made of a material, such as CoCrTa, which contains Co as a major component, and has a film thickness of about 30 nm, while the protective layer 5 contains carbon as a major component, and has a film thickness of about 10 nm. The protective layer 5 is then coated with a liquid lubricant containing fluorocarbon, which forms the lubrication layer 6 having a thickness of about 1 nm. In this manner, the magnetic recording medium 7 is produced.
In practical use, the magnetic recording medium thus produced exhibits excellent mechanical characteristics, such as high strength and high dimensional accuracy, and also exhibits excellent magnetic characteristics that the coercive force Hc is about 0.24.times.10.sup.6 A/m, and the product (Br.t) of the residual magnetic flux density and the film thickness is about 2.5.times.10.sup.-2 T.mu.m. The recording medium, however, has a relatively low coercive force angle ratio (S*) of about 0.75, that is the gradient of the magnetic curve near the coercive force Hc. As a technique for increasing the coercive force angle ratio (S*) while keeping the coercive force (Hc) constant in order to improve the above point, there is disclosed (in Digests of the 19th Annual conference on Magnetics in Japan 1995, 26aA-1)a method in which a Co alloy hard magnetic layer 40 as shown in FIG. 1 is separated into two layers, i.e., a first hard magnetic layer 4a formed in an Ar atmosphere, and a second hard magnetic layer 42 formed in an atmosphere that is a mixture of Ar and O.sub.2 gases.
With a rapidly increasing amount and variety of information in recent years, the fixed magnetic disc device is strongly desired to have a higher recording density and a larger capacity in view of the necessity for processing such a large amount of information. To this end, the magnetic recording medium is desired to have a high linear recording density, reduced noise (N), and good electromagnetic converting characteristics.
Further, there is a need to increase the percentage of non-defective (yield) so as to allow mass production of the magnetic recording medium at a reduced cost per product.

Method for manufacturing magnetic recording medium