A liquid level detection device includes a signal source for generating one or more unique signals on low impedance signal electrodes, a lock-in amplifier, and a reference signal directly connecting the signal source to the lock-in amplifier. The unique signals generated by the signal source are connected to one or more low impedance signal electrodes. The low impedance signal electrodes may be positioned at different levels inside the tank so that at any given level of liquid in the tank, each low impedance individual electrode may or may not be in contact with the liquid in the tank. Alternatively, the low impedance signal electrodes may be attached to the external wall of the tank at different levels. An antenna is connected to an input of the lock-in amplifier. The antenna may be placed inside the tank at the lowest level for the liquid, or the antenna may be attached to the outside wall of the tank near the bottom of the tank.

Liquid handling systems generally require a means for determining the level of a liquid in a tank or other liquid storage vessel. One such liquid handling system is a condensate pump for use with a heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system. A conventional condensate pump has a tank or reservoir for collecting condensate from the evaporator of the HVAC system. A centrifugal pump transfers the condensate from the tank to a remote location for disposal. In a simplified embodiment of the condensate pump, the operation of the centrifugal pump is controlled by a control circuit, which turns on the centrifugal pump when the liquid level in the tank has reached a certain level and turns off the centrifugal pump when the centrifugal pump has emptied the tank. Control functions for the condensate pump may also include sounding an alarm or shutting off the HVAC system when an emergency overflow level of condensate is reached in the tank of the condensate pump. Therefore, a liquid level detection device is necessary to detect the level of liquid in the tank in order to control the operation of the centrifugal pump, an alarm, or the continued operation of the HVAC system.
In order to determine the liquid level in the tank of a conventional condensate pump, a float is often used to monitor and detect the water level in the tank. In response to movement of the float in the tank, associated float switches and a float control circuit control the operation of the electric motor driving the impeller of the centrifugal pump, trigger alarms, or shut down the HVAC system if necessary. The condensate pump float is in contact with the water in the tank and is subject to fouling from debris and algae buildup. A molded float has seams, which may fail causing the float to sink or malfunction. The float switch that is used to control the on/off operation of the electric motor is often a specialized and costly bi-stable snap-action switch. A conventional condensate pump, which incorporates a safety HVAC shut off switch and/or an alarm switch in addition to the motor control switch, may have a separate float or linkage to operate the HVAC shutoff switch or the alarm switch further complicating the condensate pump. Further, a conventional condensate pump often requires a float mechanism retainer to prevent shipping damage, and the float mechanism retainer must be removed prior to pump use.
The prior art also includes capacitive sensors to sense the level of the water in the tank of the condensate pump to control the operation of the pump motor, to trigger alarms, or to shut down the HVAC system if necessary. In one conventional capacitive water level sensor, at least one of the capacitance plates of the capacitive sensor is in contact with the water in the tank in order to produce a detectable change in capacitance as the water contacts or exposes the capacitance plate. Capacitance plates that are in contact with the water in the tank are subject to fouling based on the buildup of debris or algae. The fouling of the capacitance plate adversely affects the performance of the capacitive sensor.
Prior art capacitance sensors are bi-directional in nature. Sensing plates or electrodes are connected to an oscillator circuit, an RC or LC timing circuit (where the C capacitive component varies in relation to the proximity between the sensed fluid and the sensor plate), or other circuit arrangement which facilitates the measurement of timing or frequency by forcing a change of charge onto or off of the sensor plate or electrode and measuring the time required to reach a certain threshold potential or oscillation frequency. In order to build capacitance sensors of a reasonably small scale the resultant capacitance values typically range between a few and a few hundred picofarads and therefore require circuitry with high sensitivity and high input impedance. These high impedance circuits work well to detect water and other fluids, but due to their sensitive nature are subject to minute leakage currents created by dirty insulators, slime and mineral buildup in the vicinity of the sensing electrodes. A high impedance sensor may also fail from buildup which functions to connect it to an adjacent sensor. Additional failure modes can occur from stray radio frequency fields, electrostatic buildup and other outside electromotive forces which can easily influence the high impedance capacitive sensor input.
In another prior art capacitive sensor, the capacitance plates are mounted outside of the tank and not in contact with the water in the tank. In order to sense accurately the water level, such prior art external capacitive sensors have a first capacitance plate extending the height of the tank and one or more additional capacitance plates position at anticipated transition points along the height of the tank in order to determine when the water level has reached one of the transition points. Such additional capacitance plates are deemed necessary in order to offset the effects of deposits that may form on the inside of the tank adjacent to the external capacitance plates thereby affecting the capacitance value. Further, the capacitance plates of the capacitive sensors typically represent a high impedance inputs to the control circuit. Because of the high impedance, the capacitance plates pick up extraneous background interference that can further affect the accuracy of the capacitive sensors.
Yet another prior art sensor includes a sonic detector for determining the level water in the tank. Such a sonic detector includes a sonic generator that emits a sound wave from above the water toward the water. The sonic detector further includes a receiver for receiving the echoed sonic wave as the sound wave bounces off of the water in the tank. By measuring the time between the transmission of the sonic wave and the reception of the echoed sonic wave, the water level in the tank may be determined. Such sonic detectors are difficult to calibrate and may be affected by extraneous sound waves such as those created by the pump motor.


The present invention includes a battery maintenance device for performing maintenance on battery packs of hybrid and/or electrical vehicles (referred herein generally as electric vehicles). In various embodiments, the device includes one or more loads for connecting to a battery pack for use in discharging the battery pack, and/or charging circuitry for use in charging the battery pack. Input/output circuitry can be provided for communicating with circuitry of in the battery pack and/or circuitry of the vehicle.

The present invention relates to electric vehicles of the type which use battery packs for storing electricity which is used to power the vehicle. This includes both hybrid and purely electric vehicles. More specifically, the present invention relates to the maintenance of such battery packs used in electric vehicles.
Traditionally, automotive vehicles have used internal combustion engines as their power source. However, vehicles which are electrically powered are finding widespread use. Such vehicle can provide increased fuel efficiency and can be operated using alternative energy sources.
Some types of electric vehicles are completely powered using electric motors and electricity. Other types of electric vehicles include an internal combustion engine. The internal combustion engine can be used to generate electricity and supplement the power delivered by the electric motor. These types of vehicles are known as "hybrid" electric vehicles.
Operation of an electric vehicle requires a power source capable of providing large amounts of electricity. Typically, electric vehicles store electricity in large battery packs which consist of a plurality of batteries. These batteries may be formed by a number of individual cells, or may themselves be individual cells, depending on the configuration of the battery and battery pack. The packs are large, replacement can be expensive and they can be difficult to access and maintain.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Hybrid and electric vehicle battery pack maintenance device


An improved infusion set of the type including a length of flexible tubing with a hollow needle or catheter projecting from a first end and a connection fitting attached to a second. The fitting is a hollow generally "Y"-shaped tubular body with a first opening connected to the first end of the tubing. Second opening and the third openings, communicating through an orifice, accept a standard tapered fitting. The improvement includes a valving element formed as a standard tapered fitting removably and rotatably fitted to the second opening. The valving element permits or blocks communication between the third opening and the first opening and may removably seal the second opening. The valving element includes a tapered tube with a narrower first end, a wider second end, an inner surface and an outer surface and a transverse opening penetrating both surfaces. This opening is positioned to align with the orifice when the valving element is installed in the second opening and is rotated to a first position. The tapered tube is adapted to seal the orifice in the first tubular section when the valving element is rotated to a second position. The first end of the tapered tube communicates with the first tubular section of the body. The second end of the tapered tube is closed with a permeable self-sealing membrane adapted for use with cannular needles. The invention includes a tapered plug for the third opening and a cap to cover the valving element to preserve sterility.

2. Description of the Prior Art
The usefulness of infusion sets for administering medical liquids has long been recognized. U.S. Pat. No. 3,670,727 issued to Reiterman in 1972 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,324,236 issued to Gordon in 1982 are typical examples. These sets include an intravenous needle or catheter connected to one end of a flexible tube. The tube is connected by means of an adapter at its other end to a medical liquid source. In many medical situations it is useful to have the adapter include a "Y" fitting to allow connection of the infusion set to alternative sources of medical liquids or to permit the drawing of blood from the patient without an additional puncture.
With the rise of HIV and other infectious diseases, concern, amongst hospital personnel handling blood and other bodily fluids, regarding control and containment of these fluids has increased substantially. An infusion set, typified by the present invention, is often used to first draw a blood sample from the patient, and then to infuse the patient with some type of solution. In the usual sequence of events blood is drawn through one side of the "Y" connector while the other side of the connector is capped with a sterile protective cover. An external clamp is then applied to the flexible tubing to shut off the flow of blood to the connector. The solution source is then connected to the other side of the connector and the clamp is then removed from the flexible tube and the solution flows into the patient.
Using the above scenario, opportunity exists for blood to leak out of the "Y" connector after the blood drawing device is removed. In addition, attachment of the small external clamp to the flexible tubing is difficult to perform quickly and a certain degree of care is required to insure that the clamp is firmly in place.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide a means to prevent leakage of blood or other fluids from the infusion set. It is a further objective of the invention to positively control flow through the flexible tubing of the infusion set from either branch of a "Y" connector. It is another objective of the invention to permit entry of a needle into one branch of the "Y" connector without addition of any other fittings or adapters. It is yet another objective of the invention to provide a means to maintain the connections to the infusion set in sterile condition prior to use.

Leak prevention fitting for infusion set


With an abrasive dresser for a polishing disc of a chemical-mechanical polisher for abrading a flat rotatable polishing disc of a chemical-mechanical polisher which supplies a chemical polishing agent to the surface of the polishing disc to polish the surface of an article on top of the polishing disc, a sectional shape of an abrasive surface being a peripheral portion of a flat disc shaped base member which protrudes upwards over a predetermined width with an abrasive grit distributed substantially uniformly over and affixed to the surface thereof, is formed as a convex circular arc curved surface. In this way, the portion of contact with the polishing disc of the chemical-mechanical polisher becomes surface contact, thereby enabling a reduction in wear during use and an increase in life, together with an increase in the efficiency of abrading the polishing disc.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an abrasive dresser for abrading a flat rotatable polishing disc of a chemical-mechanical polisher which supplies a chemical polishing agent to the surface of the polishing disc to polish the surface of an article such as a wafer on top of the polishing disc. In particular the invention relates to an abrasive dresser for a polishing disc of a chemical-mechanical polisher, designed so that the portion of contact with the polishing disc of the chemical-mechanical polisher becomes surface contact, thereby enabling a reduction in wear during use and an increase in life, together with an increase in the efficiency of abrading the polishing disc.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, with the manufacture of semiconductor products such as integrated circuits, circuit integration has increased in response to the requirement for increased integrated circuit capacity, and with this there has been a thinning of the insulation film between circuit layers. To meet this requirement, a technique has been adopted for manufacturing integrated circuits including, as shown in FIG. 7, forming on a silicon substrate 1, wiring grooves 2 in conformity to a wiring pattern, and then under this condition, forming a metal layer 3 such as an aluminum layer over the whole surface of the silicon substrate 1. After this, a flat wiring pattern is formed by polishing away the metal layer 3 so that only the metal layer 3 inside the wiring grooves 2 remains. A plurality of the wiring patterns are multi-layered.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a polishing disc 4 of a chemical-mechanical polisher (referred to hereunder as a CMP) which is used, in the manufacture of the abovementioned integrated circuit, at the time of polishing the metal layer 3 for the wiring, which is formed over the whole surface of the silicon substrate 1. As shown in FIG. 8, the polishing disc 4 is made by affixing a flat polishing pad 6 onto a flat disc base 5. A fine abrasive material is mixed with a chemical polishing agent such as an acid, and this is supplied to the surface of the polishing pad 6 of the polishing disc 4. Then by rotating the polishing disc 4, and contacting the metal layer 3 of the silicon substrate 1 which is retained on a retainer 7, against the surface of the polishing pad 6, the metal layer 3 is polished away by the chemical polishing agent and the abrasive material.
Since the polishing pad 6 of the polishing disc 4 is also worn at the time of polishing away the metal layer 3 so that the flatness of the polishing pad 6 cannot be maintained, an abrading apparatus for abrading the polishing pad 6 is incorporated into the CMP. The polishing pad 6 is thus abraded with an abrasive dresser of the abrading apparatus.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing a conventional abrasive dresser 8. The abrasive dresser 8 comprises for example, an outer peripheral portion of a circular flat disc base member 9 protruding upwards with a predetermined width, and an abrasive surface 11 formed by substantially uniformly distributing and affixing an abrasive grit such as diamond grit to the surface of the upward protruding portion 10.
As shown in FIG. 10, the abrasive dresser 8 is retained by a retainer 12. By rotating the polishing disc 4 and contacting the abrasive surface 11 of the abrasive dresser 8 which is retained by the retainer 12, from above against the surface of the polishing pad 6, the surface of the polishing pad 6 of the polishing disc 4 is abraded. At this time, when an additional load is applied in the direction of the arrow P to the central portion of the retainer 12 so that the abrasive surface 11 of the abrasive dresser 8 pushes against the polishing pad 6 of the polishing disc 4 from above, then under the pressing force of the abrasive surface 11 the polishing pad 6 deforms to a slightly sunken shape due to its resilience. Then, as a result of the abrading of the polishing pad 6, the flatness of the surface of the polishing pad 6 is maintained, and cleaning of the pad surface is also effected.
With this conventional abrasive dresser 8 however, since as shown in FIG. 9 the sectional shape of the abrasive surface 11 is formed as a flat surface, then when as shown in FIG. 10 the abrasive surface 11 of the abrasive dresser 8 is pressed from above against the polishing pad 6 of the polishing disc 4, the polishing pad 6 is pressed by the overall surface of the abrasive surface 11 which is formed in a doughnut shape with a predetermined width at the outer peripheral portion of the base member 9. However due to this pressing, the deformation to a sunken shape of the polishing pad 6 becomes greatest at the outermost peripheral portion of the abrasive surface 11. Consequently, the contact pressure of the abrasive surface 11 on the polishing pad 6 becomes greatest at the outermost peripheral portion, effectively resulting in a linear contact condition due to the circle, that is the contour of the outermost peripheral portion.
Due to this, then only the abrasive grit distributed over and affixed to the outermost peripheral portion of the abrasive surface 11 is contacted strongly against the polishing pad 6 to give abrasion, and hence only this abrasive grit is rapidly worn. On the other hand, the abrasive grit distributed over and affixed to the inner peripheral portion of the abrasive surface 11 does not have sufficient contact pressure against the polishing pad 6, and hence this cannot effectively contribute to the abrasion of the polishing pad 6. Consequently, the resultant abrasive dresser 8 where the abrasive grit affixed to the outermost peripheral portion of the abrasive surface 11 is worn, cannot serve the purpose of abrading the polishing pad 6, and must be replaced with a new abrasive dresser 8. That is to say, the life of the abrasive dresser 8 is short. Furthermore, a single abrasive dresser 8 cannot abrade a large number of polishing pads 6 of the polishing disc 4, and hence the efficiency of abrading the polishing disc 4 is reduced.

Abrasive dresser for polishing disc of chemical-mechanical polisher


The disclosure provides antiviral pharmaceutical compositions comprising one or more antiviral compounds and 2-deoxy-D-glucose in the form of lip-balms, creams and ointments. A specific embodiment discloses a lip-balm composition comprising acyclovir and 2-deoxy-D-glucose.

1. Field of the Disclosure
The disclosure provides novel topical antiviral pharmaceutical compositions comprising an antiviral compound such as acyclovir and 2-deoxy-D-glucose.
2. Description of the Related Art
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections are ubiquitous, with approximately 80% of the adult population infected with HSV type 1 and approximately 20% of the adult population also infected with HSV type 2. HSV type 1 is the cause of herpes labialis, also called orofacial herpes, or cold sores, and HSV encephalitis. HSV type 2 is the primary cause of initial and recurrent genital herpes, and neonatal HSV. The typical manifestation of a primary HSV-1 or HSV-2 genital infection is clusters of inflamed papules and vesicles on the outer surface of the genitals resembling cold sores. (Gupta et al., 2007, "Genital herpes" Lancet 370 (9605): 2127-37).
Herpes viruses cycle between periods of active disease presenting as blisters containing infectious virus particles—that last 2-21 days, followed by a remission period, during which the sores disappear. Many HSV infected people experience recurrence within the first year of infection. During recurrence fewer lesions are likely to develop, lesions are less painful, and lesions heal faster, than those occurring during the primary infection. Subsequent outbreaks tend to be periodic or episodic, occurring on average four to five times a year when not using antiviral therapy.
Treatment of initial HSV infection, and reactivated latent HSV infection, typically includes topical application of an antiviral nucleoside composition to lesions at outbreak. Current prescription topical treatments for herpes labialis include Zovirax® cream (5% acyclovir, GlaxoSmithKline/Biovail Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) which is FDA approved for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in adults and adolescents (12 years of age and older). Another topical treatment is Denavir® (1% penciclovir, Novartis), which is FDA approved for the treatment of recurrent herpes labialis (cold sores) in adults. These treatments are noted to inhibit viral replication; shorten healing time and duration of symptoms; and are soothing. Acyclovir and penciclovir are antiviral nucleosides. Zovirax® is applied five times a day for four days. Denavir® is applied every two hours during the day for four days.
Zovirax® ointment (5% acyclovir, GlaxoSmithKline/Biovail Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) is approved for topical administration and is indicated in the management of initial genital herpes and in limited non-life-threatening mucocutaneous Herpes simplex virus infections in immunocompromised patients. Side effects include mild pain upon application, pruritis, and rash.
Several patents list acyclovir as an ingredient in topical formulations for the treatment of herpes simplex genitalis and herpes labialis.
Jones and White, U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,555 is listed in the electronic orange book for Zovirax® topical cream, 5% acyclovir. The '555 patent discloses a topical pharmaceutical formulation for use in treating virus infections of the skin or mucosa and containing 9-(2-hydroxyethoxymethyl)guanine, or a salt or ester thereof, which comprises a dispersed oil phase and a continuous aqueous phase containing therein water, at least 30 wt % of a polyhydric alcohol and solublized acyclovir.
Sintov et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,585,379, disclose antiviral topical pharmaceutical compositions containing acyclovir dispersed in an aqueous gel carrier containing a gelling agent; a water-soluble carboxylic or dicarboxylic acid salt, such as sodium or potassium oleate; and a polyhydroxy compound such as glycerine, propylene glycol and polyethylene glycol.
Kaufman and Faro, 1999, Clin. Obstet. Gynecol., 28 (1): 152-163 provide a review article describing the clinical features of genital herpes virus infection as well as a discussion of some of the epidemiologic features which may be related to the increased frequency with which this disease is being seen and describing treatment of genital herpes infections.
Spruance et al., 2002, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 46 (7): 2238-2243, provide a description of a placebo-controlled clinical trial of a 5% acyclovir topical cream for the treatment of herpes labialis wherein the mean duration of episodes was 4.3 days for patients treated with acyclovir cream and 4.8 days for those treated with the vehicle control.
Certain patents list 2-deoxy-D-glucose as an ingredient in topical formulations for the treatment of herpes simplex genitalis and herpes labialis.
Blough, U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,122, issued Jul. 29, 1986, discloses a method of treating herpes virus infection by the administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose. For example, for herpes labialis, the topical treatment consisted of two to three drops of a 50 mM solution of 2-deoxy-D-glucose in sterile anhydrous glycerol.
Blough, U.S. Pat. No. 4,315,001, issued Feb. 9, 1982 discloses a method of treating herpes simplex virus by the administration of 2-deoxy-D-glucose.
Blough et al., 1979, J. Am. Med. Assoc, 241(26), 2798-280, describe a clinical study of the treatment of genital herpes infections with 2-deoxy-D-glucose.
Patient satisfaction with current remedies, particularly for HSV-1—herpes labialis, has been poor. Unfortunately, topical acyclovir therapy lacks efficacy as compared to oral or parenteral administrations. The drug concentration in the skin after local application is 2-3 times lower than after given orally (Greg et al., 1992, J. Invest. Dermatol. 98:856-63). It is speculated that the lack of efficacy of topical treatments may be related to the poor water-solubility and lipophilicity of acyclovir, resulting in its inadequate skin or mucous membrane partitioning ability. However, it is still considered safer to give the drug locally.
It is possible that viral resistance to acyclovir should be considered in patients who show poor clinical response during therapy. Resistance of HSV can result from qualitative and quantitative changes in the viral TK and/or DNA polymerase; particularly noted in immunocompromised patients. Clearly, there is room for improvement in topical antiviral compositions for the rapid, efficacious treatment of HSV infections.
It is herein disclosed that a novel topical formulation comprising an antiviral compound and 2-deoxy-D-glucose has been found to be effective in the treatment of HSV infection.


A method is provided for the real-time determination of signals to be summed from signals representative of an image portion which are respectively received from detectors belonging to the same optical sensor, the detectors being organized in a matrix formed by rows and columns, the signals to be summed being received on the same column. The method also determines the time during which the detectors must acquire the signals to be summed. The method determines a value representative of a modulation transfer function of at least one lens and/or at least one mirror placed upstream of the optical sensor, and a signal-to-noise ratio of the image portion, based on a location of one of the detectors and on a signal representative of an image portion obtained from the detectors. This representative value is dependent on the number. The method searches for the number and the time maximizing the representative value.

In the prior art, use of the expression "pixel" is known to denote the item of information, representative of a portion of the image, received from one of these detectors.
In the context of this invention, more particularly, systems known as "push-broom" systems are considered. In these systems, represented in FIG. 1, the image 101 acquired by the sensor 102 scrolls in a known direction with a known speed 103. This scrolling of the image is caused for example by the movement of the satellite. Each optical detector belongs to a column denoted by i and a row denoted by j. Due to the movement of the image, a portion of the image is viewed successively by the detectors of the same column i. A processing device provides for summing, for each column, the information received from different rows and according to a given summation time. Also known in the prior art is the use of the term "integration" for this sum. This functionality is also known as TDI (Time Delay Integration).
Optical acquisition systems are known for which the sensor uses CCD (Charge-Coupled Device) fabrication technology. However, these optical acquisition systems do not provide for varying the number of rows used for carrying out the sum as a function of the location of the column on the matrix having a TDI functionality. Furthermore, optical acquisition systems using this fabrication technology do not provide for precisely taking into account variations and distortions present in particular on the lenses placed before the optical sensor. Indeed, with this technology the number of rows summed is identical for all the columns of the matrix having a TDI functionality and does not take into account image quality variations over the length of the detectors.
Also known are optical acquisition systems for which the sensor uses CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) fabrication technology. The choosing of the summation time from an item of information representative of the luminance received by the detector of the first row is known, this being done in order to maximize the quality of the acquired image. If the information received from the detector of the first row is not representative of the information received from the other detectors of the image, the determination is hence not good for the remainder of the image. Determining the summing time in order to maximize a function made up of the pair formed by the modulation transfer function, or MTF, and by the signal-to-noise ratio, or SNR, for a given reference luminance value, is also known. The modulation transfer function, or MTF, describes the clarity of the image, and the signal-to-noise ratio describes the noise of the image. However, since this determination is factory-performed from the detector of the optical acquisition system corresponding to average or minimum image quality on the detector, the transmission from the optics, therefore the SNR and MTF, varies along the detector. This determination does not provide for adapting to variations of reception conditions.

Method and system for the real-time determination of signals to be summed from among a set of received signals


A metal filled dual damascene structure with a reduced capacitance contribution and method for forming the same, the method including forming a first metal filled damascene lined with a first metal barrier layer thickness in a first dielectric insulating layer; and, forming a second metal filled damascene lined with a second metal barrier layer thickness overlying the first metal filled damascene in a second dielectric insulating layer.

Copper metallization is increasingly being used for advanced semiconductor device integrated circuit fabrication including semiconductor features having sub-quarter micron linewidths and high aspect ratios to larger features such as bonding pads. Copper and its alloys have lower resistivity and better electromigration resistance compared to other metals such as, for example, aluminum. These characteristics are critical for achieving device reliability together with higher current densities and increased signal propagation speed. While several processing difficulties related to forming copper semiconductor features have been overcome, several problems remain, including the problem of barrier layer coverage and integrity to prevent copper migration as well as reducing signal delay caused by capacitive contributions of etch stop and barrier layers in a multi-layered integrated circuit.
One increasing problem with prior art methods of forming copper dual damascenes including barrier layers is achieving adequate coverage of the barrier layers over both the via and trench line portions of the dual damascene structure. For example as device critical dimensions shrink below about 1.0 microns and aspect ratios of vias increase to greater than about 4.5, the barrier layer coverage in the trench line portion is increasingly limited by the coverage of the via portion. For example, as the aspect ratio of the via increases to greater than about 3.5, the step coverage of the barrier layer rapidly decreases, especially along the sidewalls of the damascene opening. As a result, the probability for copper migration under moderate temperatures and electrical fields increases to unacceptable values, degrading device performance and reliability.
Moreover, as device sizes decrease the impact of capacitive contributions from barrier layers and etch stop layer increases, creating a tension between the goals of forming reliable and effective copper diffusion barriers and etch stop layers while reducing the capacitive contribution of such layers.
Thus, there is a continuing need for novel semiconductor device integrated circuit manufacturing methods to improve the electrical performance of metal interconnect features including improved etch stop layer and barrier layer integrity and performance while reducing a capacitive contribution to signal propagation delay.
It is therefore among the objects of the invention to provide a method to improve the reliability and electrical performance of metal interconnect features including improved etch stop layer and barrier layer integrity and performance while reducing a capacitive contribution to signal propagation delay, in addition to overcoming other shortcomings of the prior art.

Copper damascene integration scheme for improved barrier layers

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.


In a process for melting metal chips, the process being of the type that uses a charge system for delivering the metal chips to a melt furnace, and of the type that uses a pre-treatment system for drying the metal chips, the improvement comprising the step of capturing an exhaust stream from the charge system, where the exhaust stream includes hydrocarbons, and combusting the hydrocarbons to produce heat that is utilized in drying the chips.

Metal chips, such as aluminum chips that are the by-product of machining aluminum castings used in the automotive industry, have the unique benefit of being able to be re-melted back into the same metal as they started. For example, casted aluminum automobile wheels are machined into final products requiring the use of machining coolant, and as a result of this process, a significant percentage of the casted aluminum is converted to scrap chips. A manufacturing company that produces thousands of aluminum wheels thus creates thousands of pounds of scrap metal that can be reused if properly melted.
Efficient re-melting processes require properly sized chips that are essentially free of moisture. Drying the chips is important because moisture can interfere with magnetic separation processes that are required to remove undesirable levels of contaminant metal such as iron. And, chips that are essentially free of moisture must be fed to the molten bath for at least safety reasons.
While dry unoxidized chips are desirable, drying the chips to remove moisture can be an expensive process. For example, in many commercial processes, aluminum chips are dried in a direct-fired rotary drum to remove the moisture prior to being introduced into the feed system of melt furnace. Direct-fired rotary drum drying, however, requires large quantities of heat energy.
And, it has been observed that some of the chips may be destroyed, prior to melting, by converting a significant percentage of the chips to aluminum oxides that must be removed from the furnace as waste. In other words, it is known that aluminum chips resulting from direct-fired processes produce lower yields of usable molten metal due to the formation of high percentages of aluminum oxides. Thus, some drying processes can cause an economic loss. Also, it has also been observed that direct-fired drying substantially removes residual oils from the chips prior to delivery to the feed system of the furnace.
One known system and method for more efficiently drying metal chips prior to melting them is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,721,457, which issued on Jan. 26, 1988 and which is incorporated herein by reference. This system employs the use of a centrifuge that uses centrifugal force to remove 80 to 90% of the moisture and oil from the chips before indirectly heating the chips to a level high enough to vaporize the remaining moisture while leaving an appreciable amount of the oil on the chips until they are charged into the feed system of a furnace where the oil is at least partially combusted. It is believed that the presence of these oils creates a reducing atmosphere within the furnace feed system, thereby reducing the formation of aluminum oxides.

System and method for melting metal chips


Techniques for qualifying a candidate supplier are presented. Such techniques may include obtaining a part produced by a candidate supplier and measuring a quantifiable property in each of a plurality of samples to obtain an empirical data set. Such techniques may also include selecting, based on the empirical data set, and fitting to the empirical data set, an appropriate linear mixed model for the quantifiable property. Such techniques may further include computing an acceptance parameter from a mean and standard deviation obtained from the appropriate linear mixed model. The acceptance parameter may include a process capability index or a tolerance interval bound. Such techniques may further include determining that the candidate supplier qualifies based on comparing the acceptance parameter to a threshold.

The process to qualify a new supplier of manufactured parts used in an overall manufacturing process, or to re-qualify a supplier after substantial change in the parts manufacturing process, often varies within the industry. Recent focus has shifted the qualification process to include protection of allowables associated with material properties. In general, allowables requirements are statistically specified property values regarding manufactured parts, such as raw materials. The shift in ideology toward allowables has led the industry to attempt to develop methods to quantitatively demonstrate that allowables from a supplier's process meet predefined requirements. However, existing guidelines for qualifying or re-qualify a supplier, such as in Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization (MMPDS) documentation, Metallic Materials Properties Development and Standardization (MMPDS)—11, July 2016, do not account for batch effects.
Batch effects are an important aspect of manufacturing processes that are often overlooked. Batch effects occur when parts within a group are more similar to each other than they are to parts in other groups. Multiple batch effects are generated, for example, from the use of different chemical lots for material manufacturing, together with the processing of such materials in different heat treatments. That is, raw materials may be generated in batches with substantial between-batch variation, and the necessity of using multiple heat treatments to produce the material also constitutes a batch, again, with potentially substantial between-batch variation.
If batch effects are not properly accounted for, estimates of process variation will be incorrect. Incorrect variance estimates results in qualification of inadequate suppliers. If an inadequate supplier is qualified, the risk of escape for parts produced by the supplier is increased. Additionally, incorrect control charting leads to high false alarm rates and thereby increase testing and process monitoring costs. Therefore, it is important to properly account for batch effects for allowables determinations. Further, multiple batch effects are common in typical production processes.
Known techniques to qualify a process do not work in the presence of more than one batch effect. In particular, using known techniques in the presence of multiple batch effects can result in not only rejecting items and processes that are actually compliant, but also qualifying out-of-compliance items and processes, such that quality suffers.

Qualification of second-source raw materials in the presence of multiple batch effects


The present invention provides a biodegradable plastic composition obtained by adding a carbodiimide compound to a biodegradable plastic, and a method for control of biodegradation rate of biodegradable plastic, which comprises adding a carbodiimide compound to a biodegradable plastic. According to the present invention, the biodegradation rate of biodegradable plastic can be controlled stably.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a biodegradable plastic composition and a method for control of biodegradation rate of biodegradable plastic. More particularly, the present invention relates to a biodegradable plastic composition wherein a carbodiimide compound is added to a biodegradable plastic to control the biodegradation rate of the plastic, and a method for control of biodegradation rate of biodegradable plastic.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
In recent years, environmental pollution caused by plastic waste has become a bigger problem. Meanwhile, the necessity for and significance of environmental protection has become more important. Under such circumstances, research and development on biodegradable plastics is under way.
Biodegradable plastics can be largely divided into three kinds; that is, a plastic whose molecular skeleton is an aliphatic polyester resin, a plastic whose molecular skeleton is a polyvinyl alcohol, and a plastic whose molecular skeleton is a polysaccharide. Of these plastics, an aliphatic polyester resin has found no practical application as a biodegradable plastic because it generally has a low melting point, is inferior in thermal stability when produced, and has no sufficiently large molecular weight and is unable to give a practical molding having satisfactory properties. However, researches were made to eliminate these problems; as a result, a high-molecular aliphatic polyester resin was developed and is finding applications, for example, as materials for agriculture, forestry and fishery (e.g. films, pots for plant cultivation, fishing line and fishing net), materials for civil engineering (e.g. sheets for water retention, vegetation nets and sand bags) and materials for packaging or containers (those to which earth, food or the like sticks easily and which are difficult to reuse).
Biodegradable plastics such as the above aliphatic polyester resins and the like are needed to satisfy the following requirements.
(1) When in use, they show properties (e.g. strength, water resistance, moldability and heat resistance) similar to those of conventional plastics. PA1 (2) When disposed as a waste, they are quickly degraded by microbes widely living in nature. PA1 (a) In producing the raw material(s) of biodegradable plastic in the form of pellets or producing a biodegradable plastic from the pellets, they are exposed to the moisture present in the atmosphere or are heated; thereby, hydrolysis proceeds in the biodegradable plastic and the initial properties of the molded product of the biodegradable plastic are deteriorated or fluctuate. PA1 (b) The biodegradability of the product is unstable. PA1 a biodegradable plastic composition obtained by adding a carbodiimide compound to a biodegradable plastic, and PA1 a method for control of biodegradation rate of biodegradable plastic, which comprises adding a carbodiimide compound to a biodegradable plastic.
For the above reason, several proposals were made on the control of biodegradation rate of biodegradable plastic. Of them, known are, for example, a proposal which comprises adding a hydrolysis enzyme to a biodegradable plastic to shorten the biodegradation time of the plastic [Japanese Patent Application Kokai (Laid-Open) No. 168149/1992] and a proposal which comprises reducing the content of unreacted monomer(s), impurities, chain type or ring type oligomer(s), etc. in biodegradable plastic to extend the biodegradation time of the plastic [Japanese Patent Application Kokai (Laid-Open) No. 12688/1997].
Biodegradable plastics according to the above conventional techniques, however, still have problems such as the following and their biodegradability is not yet controlled at a satisfactory level.

Method for control of biodegradation rate of biodegradable plastic


A method, apparatus and product for hard error simulation and usage thereof. The method comprises obtaining a design of a circuit, which comprises one or more monitoring signals for identifying errors and one or more critical nodes; obtaining a trace of a run of a test of the circuit; and obtaining a hard error fault on a node. The method comprises determining a hard-error test coverage for the hard error fault, wherein the hard-error test coverage is indicative of whether or not the one or more monitoring signals identifies the hard error fault during an execution of the test, and wherein said determining comprises: simulating the execution of the circuit together with the hard error fault and noting whether or not any one or more of the one or more monitoring signals has detected the hard error fault. An indication of the hard-error test coverage may be outputted.

Design simulation is a useful technique which allows engineers to determine the functionality of circuit designs. The simulation may be performed prior to the fabrication of a physical circuit (i.e., in the pre-silicon stage) and may allow for easy tracking of the circuit functionality as the value of each wire in the design at every cycle.
In some cases, fabricated designs may encounter a hard error. A hard error is a defect that occurs at some point in time to a particular product fabricated from said design, a defect that modifies the functionality of the design. A hard error may occur as a result of a fabrication problem, or it may happen a long time after fabrication, when the product is already in use. In some cases, hard errors may be permanent errors that are not rectified even when the design is rebooted.


The present invention is to reduce the maximum magnetization reversal interval of a trellis code. A trellis diagram for the trellis code takes into consideration a constraint condition on the DSV of a code and an inter-symbol-interference for three bits. The minimum squared Euclidean distance is 4. When a non-interleaving encoder and a non-de-interleaving code detector are constructed using the trellis diagram, the maximum magnetization reversal interval of a trellis code to be used is reduced to half of that in a known case while having the error rate and circuit size approximately equal to those in the known case. The trellis diagram has a basic repeating unit for two bits. In the actual apparatus, the trellis diagram is repeatedly used. The present invention is applicable to a read/write apparatus.

In various recent read/write apparatuses and communications apparatuses, research and development has been actively conducted on trellis coded modulation (TCM), which is one effective means for reducing the code error rate of digital transmission signals. TCM is a scheme that combines convolutional coding or block coding, both of which take into consideration the characteristics of channels, with decoding such as Viterbi decoding using a trellis diagram based on a state transition diagram of a code. A coding rule is used by a code detector to calculate the likelihood. By increasing the minimum Euclidean distance dmin between trellis code sequences used by the code detector, the error rate of digital transmission signals is reduced.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a digital signal processing circuit in a general read/write apparatus.
An encoder 1 encodes rate m:n input data where m represents the data bit length of unencoded data (prior to encoding) and n represents the data bit length of encoded data (subsequent to encoding). A D/A converter 2 converts the input write code from a digital signal into an analog signal, that is, a write rectangular wave. A read/write unit 3 includes a magnetic head, an optical pickup, a control circuit for controlling the driving of the magnetic head and the optical pickup, and the like. The read/write unit 3 writes the write wave input from the D/A converter 2 in a recording medium (not shown).
The read/write unit 3 reads a signal recorded in the recording medium and outputs an analog read wave to an analog equalizer 4. The analog equalizer 4 equalizes the read wave input from the read/write unit 3 to predetermined target equalization characteristics. An A/D converter 5 converts the input analog equalized wave into an equalized signal, that is, a digital read signal. Recently, maximum likelihood detectors are generally used to serve as a code detector 6. The code detector 6 converts the input digital read signal, that is, the equalized signal, into a code. In other words, the code detector 6 detects a code. A decoder 7 decodes the input detected code at a rate of n:m, generates output data, and outputs the output data.
The A/D converter 5 includes a phase locked loop (PLL). As the PLL, a hybrid digital PLL that only performs phase error detection by a digital unit or a full-digital PLL that performs both phase error detection and signal synchronization by a digital unit may be used.
When equalization by the analog equalizer 4 is insufficient, a digital equalizer may be provided between the A/D converter 5 and the code detector 6.
In code detection using TCM, a coding rule used by the encoder 1 is used by the code detector 6.
Recently, TCPR (trellis Coded Partial Response) that combines TCM and partial response equalization has been extensively discussed to serve as signal processing for magnetic read/write apparatuses. TCPR is a technique for increasing the free squared Euclidean distance by an encoding method and consequently improving the S/N (Signal/Noise: signal-to-noise ratio), whereby high-density recording is made possible. Hereinafter the free squared Euclidean distance may also be referred to as the free distance.
The free distance refers to the minimum Euclidean distance between two different paths, both of which originate in a common state and end in a common state on a trellis diagram representing an output sequence of a partial response channel. The trellis diagram is also referred to as a detection trellis. Viterbi detection is performed on the basis of the trellis diagram. The start state and the end state need not be the same.
One known type of trellis code for use in TCPR modulation is an MSN (Matched Spectral Null) code in which a null point of a code spectrum on the frequency axis matches a null point of a signal spectrum that has been partial-response-equalized by limiting a running digital sum (RDS) or an alternating digital sum (ADS) of a code sequence or both RDS and ADS to finite values.
The characteristics of the MSN code and a code detection method therefor are described in detail by, for example, R. Karabed and P. Siegel in "Matched Spectral-Null Codes for Partial-Response Channels," IEEE Trans. on Info. Theory, vol. 37, No. 3., PP. 818–815, May 1991.
RDS is computed by allocating +1 and −1 to symbols "1" and "0" of a code and computing the sum of symbols from the start point, that is, the initial point, of the code sequence. A code whose digital sum variation (DSV) of RDS is limited to a finite value has a spectral null at a DC component of the power spectrum of the code.
Such a code is known as an MSN code for a dicode channel having 1-D equalization characteristics wherein D is a delay element representing a one-bit delay on the frequency axis. A code whose DSV is limited to a finite value is not limited to the MSN code and is generally referred to as a DC free code. In this case, DSV is two or greater.
For example, the minimum squared Euclidean distance dmin2 of a code detection trellis for the dicode channel is 2. By using a code detection trellis combining the DSV limitation rule and 1-D equalization characteristics, if 2<DVS, equation (1) holds true; if 2=DSV, equation (2) holds true:dmin2=4  (1)dmin2=6  (2)
When duncoded represents the minimum Euclidean distance of unencoded data prior to encoding by the code detector 6, and dcoded represents the minimum Euclidean distance of encoded data subsequent to encoding by the code detector 6, the gain of coding by the code detector 6, that is, the coding gain, is expressed by equation (3):20 log(dcoded/duncoded)dB  (3)
In this case, if 2<DSV, the coding gain is 3 dB; if DSV=2, the coding gain is 6 dB.
Putting the 1-D equalization into practical use without modification is difficult because the 1-D equalization involves very large noise amplification in the high frequency band. In many cases, obtaining a satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio is difficult.
ADS involves, in NRZ modulation, allocation of +1 or 0 to each symbol in a code sequence, multiplication of every other bit by −1, NRZ modulation of the code sequence, and computation of the sum of all symbols from the start point. In NRZI modulation, NRZI modulation is performed on all inverted symbols, and the sum of all symbols from the start point is computed. A code whose A-DSV (Alternating Digital Sum Variation) of ADS is set to a finite range has a null at a Nyquist frequency component of the power spectrum of the code.
Such a code is known as an MSN code on a channel having equalization characteristics of (1+D)x (where x is a natural number). A code whose A-DSV is set to a finite range is not limited to the MSN code and is generally referred to as a Nyquist free code. In this case, A-DSV is two or greater.
(1+D)x equalization is known as being capable of achieving a satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio in read/write apparatuses since noise in the high frequency band of a read signal is suppressed. (1+D)x equalization in a case in which, for example, x=1, that is, 1+D equalization, is generally referred to as PR1 (Partial Response Class-I) equalization. PR1 equalization is put into practical use in, for example, magnetic read/write apparatuses for 3.8-mm streaming tapes and 8-mm streaming tapes.
Such partial response classification was done by Kretzmer. In general, partial response classification that complies with the contents of "Generation of a Technique for Binary Data Communication" by E. R. Kretzmer, IEEE Trans. on com. Tech., pp. 67–68, February 1996 is used.
For example, the minimum squared Euclidean distance dmin2 of a code detection trellis on a PR1 channel is 2. By using a code detection trellis combining A-DSV and PR1 equalization characteristics, if 2<A-DSV, equation (4) holds true; if A-DSV=2, equation (5) holds true:dmin2=4  (4)dmin2=6  (5)
(1+d)x equalization requires a DC component. When this equalization is used in a magnetic read/write apparatus that does not transmit a DC component, generally the DSV of a code must be limited to a finite value in order to prevent degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio of the system. Generally in an optical read/write apparatus that transmits a DC component, the DSV of a code must be similarly limited to a finite value in order to stabilize the PLL and to detect a servo signal.
Codes whose DSV and A-DSV are both limited to finite values have spectral nulls at DC and Nyquist frequency points. Such codes are not limited to MSN codes and are generally referred to as DC- and Nyquist-free codes. In other words, when using MSN codes, magnetic read/write apparatuses employing (1+d)x equalized channels use DC- and Nyquist-free codes.
PR1 MSN codes have already been put into practice by AIT2 (Advanced Intelligent Tape drive II) systems. AIT2 is the standard for 8-mm streaming tape magnetic read/write apparatuses.
DC- and Nyquist-free codes are known as MSN codes for channels with (1−D)(1+D)x equalization characteristics. Since (1−D)(1+D)x equalization suppresses noise in both the low-frequency band and the high-frequency band, including DC, of a read signal, such (1−D)(1+D)x equalization achieves a satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio in read/write apparatuses, and especially in magnetic read/write apparatuses that do not transmit DC components.
In (1−D)(1+D)x equalization, since x=1, that is, (1−D)(1+D), 1−D2 equalization is generally referred to as PR4 (Partial Response Class-IV) equalization. The details of PR4 that has spectral nulls at both DC and Nyquist frequency points are described by Lyle J. Fredrickson in "On the Shannon Capacity of DC- and Nyquist-Free Code", IEEE Transactions on Information Theory, Vol. 37, No. 3, pp. 918–923, May 1991. PR4 has already been put into practice by hard disk drives, consumer digital VCRs (Video cassette recorders), and the like.
For example, the minimum squared Euclidean distance dmin2 of a code detection trellis on the PR4 channel is 2. Using a code detection trellis combining the DSV and A-DSV limitation rules and PR4 equalization characteristics, dmin2 is 4 or 6, as in the case of the dicode channel.
When both the DSV and A-DSV limitation rules are reflected in the code detection trellis, the trellis detector becomes very complicated. Observation on an every-other-bit basis of a PR4 equalized signal having 1−D2 equalization characteristics gives 1−D equalization characteristics. Generally, a PR4 MSN code is easily constructed by interleaving a dicode channel MSN code on a bit-by-bit (bitwise) basis, assuming that the code is distinctively detected on a bit-by-bit basis.
When the dicode channel MSN code, which is a DC free code, is interleaved on a bit-by-bit basis, a write code is a DC- and Nyquist-free code in which both DSV and A-DSV are limited. In this case, null points of the code spectrum perfectly match null points of the PR4 equalization spectrum. The code is the PR4 MSN code.
In other words, the following method is generally used. When an MSN code is used on the PR4 channel, a dicode channel MSN code in which DSV is limited to a finite value is interleaved on a bit-by-bit basis, and a resulting code is recorded on a recording medium. When reading the code, the equalized signal is de-interlieaved on a bit-by-bit basis to detect the code.
As described above, although MSN codes obtain high coding gain, PR4 codes are difficult to put into practice in actual apparatuses.
One cause of this problem is that a known method employs a low coding rate of 4/5 and that the signal-to-noise ratio is greatly degraded in the case of a high linear recording density. Such a known method is thus inapplicable in practice. Recently, however, as disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 11-186917 submitted by the inventor of the present invention and in "High-Rate Matched Spectral Null code" by M. Noda, IEEE Trans. on Magn., vol. 34, No. 4, pp. 1946–1948, July 1998, this weakness is improved by technology concerning MSN codes having a high coding rate of 8/9.
Another cause of the problem of the PR4 MSN code being difficult to put into practice is that the maximum magnetization reversal interval Tmax is increased when the code is recorded. In the case of NRZI recording, the maximum magnetization reversal interval Tmax when the code is recorded is the maximum length of a continuous sequence of data 0 (the maximum run-length)+1. In the case of the PR4 MSN code, the maximum magnetization reversal interval Tmax is increased since two independent dicode channel MSN codes are interleaved on a bit-by-bit basis. In other words, the maximum magnetization reversal interval Tmax of an interleaved code (subsequent to interleaving) is twice as high as the maximum magnetization reversal interval Tmax of a non-interleaved code (prior to interleaving).
In the case of NRZI recording, the maximum magnetization reversal interval Tmax is the sum of the maximum length of a continuous sequence of data 0 (the maximum run-length) and 1. In the case of NRZ recording, the maximum magnetization reversal interval Tmax is equivalent to the maximum run-length.
For example, in magnetic reading apparatuses, a reduction in Tmax of a code has a great favorable influence on the reduction in overwrite noise of a read signal and on PLL stabilization. Specifically, when Tmax of a code is high, information for achieving PLL synchronization is reduced, which may cause a failure.
In the case of a high Tmax, azimuth recording generates a high cross-talk from neighboring tracks, which in turn degrades the quality of read data. As discussed above, a reduction in Tmax of a code is widely known to help improve the performance of read/write apparatuses.
In the read/write apparatuses, especially a helical-scan tape system using a rotary drum, a high-pass filter is formed by a winding inductance of a rotary transformer and a winding DC resistance of a write head. The low frequency components of a recording current waveform are cut off, and it is difficult to write a recording waveform signal with a high Tmax on a magnetic tape.
In general read/write apparatuses, Tmax of a code to be used is generally designed such that approximately Tmax≦9T where T denotes the clock time interval. The above-described rate 8/9 dicode channel MSN code has a Tmax of 7T. In contrast, when this code is interleaved on a bit-by-bit basis, Tmax of the resultant code is twice as high, that is, 14T. In other words, since the two independent dicode channel MSN codes are interleaved on a bit-by-bit basis, Tmax becomes very high, which is inapplicable in practice.


The invention relates to a device and a process for spraying a product, especially a liquid fuel, into a working space which is external to the device. The device includes a nozzle for prespraying the liquid fuel into a confinement chamber and an outlet for ejection of a presprayed mixture into the working space. An additional pipe is provided for ejection of a gaseous spraying stream into the presprayed mixture inside the working space, at the outlet which ejects the presprayed mixture. The invention is particularly applicable to burners for glass melting furnaces.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process and a device for spraying a liquid product, especially a liquid fuel, into a working space. It applies in particular to the burners for glass melting furnaces.
The pressures which are referred to below are relative pressures.
The invention relates especially to a process for spraying a liquid product into a working space, of the type in which a prespraying of the liquid product is carried out inside a prespraying space other than the working space and a spraying of the presprayed mixture is carried out by making use of a gaseous spraying stream.
The invention also relates to a device for spraying a liquid product into a working space external to the said device, of the type comprising means for prespraying the liquid product, means for feeding the prespraying means with liquid product to be sprayed and means for spraying the presprayed mixture.
2. Description of the Related Art
Processes and devices making it possible to spray or atomize a liquid fuel, especially heavy fuel oil, into fine droplets are known. These droplets, brought into contact with an oxidant, for example oxygen, enable a flame to be maintained.
The characteristics of the flame obtained at the outlet of the spraying device depend on the quality of the spraying of the liquid, in particular on the size of the droplets obtained and on the statistical distribution of their diameters. Furthermore, the nature of the flame obtained also depends on the speed of ejection of the sprayed fluid at the outlet of the spraying device.
Depending on the spraying characteristics, the flames obtained may be soft or hard and may be attached to the end of the spraying device or else detached.
Furthermore, in the application to glass melting furnaces, a device for spraying a liquid fuel must be fit to resist the high temperatures of the order of 1400.degree. C. to 1700.degree. C. prevailing in the furnace. In particular, such a device must be capable of withstanding these temperatures for a certain period of time when it is not in operation. The known spraying processes and devices satisfy the conditions described above only in an imperfect or partial manner.
For example, there is a known spraying device with twin atomizing, comprising a first prespraying chamber into which a prespraying fluid and a liquid fuel are introduced. The outlet of this prespraying chamber opens into a second spraying chamber comprising entry openings for a gaseous spraying stream. The outlet of this second spraying chamber opens into the working space in which the sprayed fuel is inflamed. Such a device presents an explosion risk due to the presence of sprayed fuel in the two consecutive internal spraying chambers, the last one of which is in communication with the working space where the flame is established.
Furthermore, this device is very poorly protected against attack by heat.

Process and device for spraying a liquid product

L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour L'Etude Et L'Exploitation Des Procedes Georges Claude


An electronic device, comprises a cage (10) and a peripheral component (20). The cage comprises an inner sidewall (14), and an external sidewall (12) parallel to the inner sidewall, a receiving slot (15) formed between the inner sidewall and the external sidewall, and a shaft (152) formed at an end of the receiving slot with two ends of the shaft respectively connected with the inner sidewall and the external sidewall. The external sidewall comprises a plurality of hooks (126) thereon, and the hooks are above and across the receiving slot. The peripheral component defines a groove (22) in a side thereof. The groove corresponds to the shaft. The peripheral component further comprises a plurality of holding slots corresponding to the hooks.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to an electronic device, and particularly to an electronic device having holding members for holding a peripheral component.
2. Description of Related Art
Nowadays, it has been popular that an electronic device, such as a personal computer, defines at least one receiving slot for receiving a peripheral component therein. To properly utilize the electronic device, the peripheral component must be positioned in the receiving slot exactly and steadily. However, conventionally, the peripheral component is directly received in the receiving slot without any holding members. Therefore, the peripheral component may be prone to unintentional disengagement from the receiving slot during use or transportation.
Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the industry to overcome the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies.

Electronic device having holding members


A wireless communication device is provided that includes a cellular telephony module to access a cellular network, a wireless communication module to access a non-cellular network, an antenna configured to be in wireless communication with a plurality of compatible and currently accessible communication networks including the cellular and non-cellular networks, a mobile network analyzer operable to determine network information about cellular and non-cellular communication networks, and a mobile network selector to determine, based on network information supplied by the mobile network analyzer whether a currently accessed communication network is sufficiently capable to perform a device activity already initiated or to be initiated by a user.

A substantial number of handheld computing devices, such as cellular phones, tablets, laptops, and E-Readers, are capable of using multiple networks to upload and download information. Examples include WiFi™, Bluetooth™, and cellular (radio) data communication protocols, including Wimax, HIPERMAN, iBurst, EDGE Evolution, EV-DO, Flash-OFDM, 1G, 2G, 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, pre-4G, 4G, 5G, UMTS W-CDMA, and UMTS-TDD. These protocols have divergent properties in terms of data transmission speed, cost, and reliability.
Many handheld computing devices can communicate both through WiFi™, Bluetooth™, as well as through a cellular radio protocol. In most cases, the choice of protocol is determined as a function of a fixed hierarchy of radio protocols. The hierarchy is based on expected speed alone. Two common settings on handheld computing devices are: (a) first switch to WiFi™ data throughput whenever a known network is detected in range and (b) second switch to 4G data throughput whenever a known network is detected in range.
While this simple algorithm is relatively effective under a range of usage scenarios, it provides several substantial limitations. It can fail to provide universally the user with optimal data throughput speed. Under a wide range of circumstances, it can lead users to make use of a network having a high per unit data cost without improving the performance of a chosen application or service. It can shunt multiple users onto a single protocol, thereby causing congestion and reducing reliability. A common result is that users pay higher prices for bandwidth, which is in excess of his or her needs at the time.
There is a need for a data communication protocol selection algorithm that more intelligently assess bandwidth requirements and selects a protocol tailored to such requirements. These and other needs are addressed by the various aspects, embodiments, and/or configurations of the present disclosure.


A neutron spectrometer is described. The spectrometer includes a first conversion screen (8) comprising a neutron absorbing material and a phosphor material, a first wavelength-shifting light-guide (14) arranged to receive photons from the phosphor material of the first conversion screen and generate wavelength-shifted photons therefrom and a first photodetector (22) optically coupled to the first wavelength-shifting light-guide and arranged to detect the wave-length-shifted photons. The spectrometer further includes a second conversion screen (12) comprising a neutron absorbing material and a phosphor material, a second wavelength-shifting light-guide (16) arranged to receive photons from the phosphor material of the second conversion screen and generate wavelength-shifted photons there-from, and a second photodetector (24) optically coupled to the second wavelength-shifting light-guide and arranged to detect the wave-length-shifted photons. A neutron moderator material is arranged between the first and second conversion screens to moderate neutrons.

The invention relates to neutron spectrometers.
One of the most challenging tasks that have been set for radiation detectors in the field of Homeland Security is the reliable detection of nuclear weapons and special nuclear materials which may be concealed in cargo crossing international borders. Whilst roughly 1 to 2% of all cargo vehicles carry innocent radioactive materials, typically one in 104 of these are found to be carrying a neutron source. Neutron sources find applications for example in the oil and gas exploration industry, soil moisture gauges, materials analysis and radiography.
A neutron source may be provided by accelerating deuterium ions towards an electrode that has been loaded with tritium. Whilst such sources of neutron radiation can be controlled, other neutron sources are based on radioactive materials which can provide a significant hazard. For example, intense alpha-particle emitters such as Americium-241 or Plutonium-238 are often combined with Beryllium or Lithium metal to provide a neutron source. These sources can be intense and represent a significant hazard in their own right, particularly if they are combined with explosives to provide a so-called "dirty bomb".
FIG. 5 of the accompanying drawings schematically shows neutron spectra produced by various neutron sources. The graph shown in FIG. 5 is a plot of the number of neutrons counted in arbitrary units against energy in MeV. The neutron spectra for an intense alpha-particle emitter of Americium-241 combined with Lithium (AmLi) and Plutonium-238 combined with Beryllium (PuBe) are shown in FIG. 5 (lines 80 and 82 respectively). The figure also illustrates a neutron spectrum generated from a neutron source generated through nuclear fission (e.g., Californium-252), as illustrated by line 84 in FIG. 5.
It is evident from FIG. 5 that each of the neutron sources can be differentiated, because the relative number of neutrons at specific energy levels differs for each source. For example the AmLi source has a high count of neutrons at low energy (e.g. less then 0.5 MeV) and no neutrons having an energy greater than 2 MeV. However, PuBe has a low neutron count at low energies (e.g. less than 1 MeV) and a spread of neutrons having an energy between 1 and 11 MeV.


In the conventional configuration, when using circuits with different logical amplitude levels in mixture, the level converter circuit has been necessarily required, and this has been an element preventing the speeding up. Also when holding the ECL interface and the TTL interfaces in common, the level converter circuit is useless and the total size gets larger. In the present invention, for the semiconductor circuit mixed with the input buffer 1 receiving the signal amplitude voltage of the ECL interface, the input buffer 3 receiving the signal amplitude voltage of the TTL interface, and the MIS or BiMIS driver 2, the level converter circuit is not required by holding each signal amplitude voltage in Common, and it can be speeded up as much as the delayed time caused by the level converter circuit. And the total size of the switching between the TTL input buffer 3 and the ECL input buffer 1 can be reduced because there is no level converter circuit, and the ECL interface and the TTL interface can be easily mixed.

This invention relates to a semiconductor circuit, especially a technology on a circuit on which the ECL, MIS, and BiMIS circuits are in mixture.
Recently to effect a memory with both high speed and high integration, an ECL circuit with high speed controlling the logical amplitude and the semiconductors mixed with an MIS circuit and a BiMIS circuit with low electric power consumption although the logical amplitude extends to the power voltage, are much proposed. However the MIS or BiMIS circuit can not be directly driven by an output signal of the ECL circuit.
Accordingly a level converter circuit has been always required for the semiconductor circuit mixed with an ECL circuit and an MIS or BiMIS circuit.
FIG. 4(a) conventional configuration diagram of a semiconductor circuit mixed with an ECL circuit having an ECL interface, and an MIS or BiMIS circuit. FIG. 4(a) shows an embodiment in which the input buffer 11 is composed of an ECL circuit and the level converter circuit 12 and the driver 13 are composed of MIS or BiMIS circuits.
FIG. 4(b) is a circuit diagram showing an embodiment of the definite circuits of the input buffer 11, the level converter circuit 12, and the driver 13 in FIG. 4(a). In FIG. 4(b), the driver 13 is composed of a BiMIS circuit.
In both FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the power voltages of the points connected with the ECL circuit and the MIS or BiMIS circuit are all V.sub.CC (high electric potential) and V.sub.EE (low electric potential), and the power voltages applied to the ECL circuit and the MIS or BiMIS circuit are all same as V.sub.CC -V.sub.EE. Thus if making the power voltages applied to the ECL circuit and the MIS or BiMIS circuit consistent, the level converter circuit 12 is always required between the ECL circuit and the MIS or BiMIS circuit. Because the signal amplitude voltage of the ECL circuit comes lower than that of the MIS or BiMIS circuit.
Moreover, FIG. 5(a) shows a conventional configuration diagram of an MIS or BiMIS circuit having a TTL interface. FIG. 5(a) shows an example in which the input buffer 14 and the driver 13 are composed of an MIS or BiMIS circuit.
FIG. 5(b) is a circuit diagram showing an example of the definite circuit of the input buffer 14 and the driver 13 in FIG. 5(a). In FIG. 5(b), the input buffer 14 and the driver 13 are composed of BiMIS circuits.
In both FIGS. 5(a) and 5(b), the power voltages of the points connected with the MIS circuit or BiMIS circuit are all V.sub.DD (high electric potential) and V.sub.SS (low electric potential).
Accordingly a conventional construction mixed with an ECL circuit having an ECL interface, and an MIS or BiMIS circuit contains a level converter circuit.
Hereupon, to hold the TTL interface and the ECL interface in common, the level converter circuit becomes an element preventing speeding up and reducing the size.

Low voltage biCMOS circuit having ECL and TTL input buffers and no intervening level-shift circuits


A gun sight enhancement applied to the sights of a gun to aid in the visual alignment of the sights on a target. Contrasting color dots are applied to the front and rear sights of the gun. The contrasting colors between the front and rear sights enhances the visual aligning of the sights on target. A kit is provided with at least three paint colors; yellow, orange and green. The paint is a tough durable coating that remains resilient to expand and contract with the expansion and contraction of the sights.

Aiming sights for rifles/pistols and firearms in general (hereafter referred to collectively as guns) as contemplated for the present invention includes a pair of appendages applied to the top surface of a gun barrel. There are commonly a front sight and a rear sight and they are carefully aligned along the axis of the gun barrel. By lining up the two sights with the target, the gun barrel is aligned accordingly and a bullet propelled along the path of the barrel axis should strike the target.
Gun sights as described have existed for many decades. Whereas aligning the two sights with a target will achieve the desired accuracy, a very slight misalignment will cause a miss. It is important that a shooter be able clearly to distinguish between the front and rear sights and to place the sights in precise alignment. (One type of sight arrangement includes a U-shaped appendage at the rear end of the barrel and an I-shaped appendage at the front end. The I of the front sight is positioned precisely in the center of the U to align the barrel axis with the target.) A slight blurring of the sights, i.e., where the front and rear sights are not clearly distinguishable is a major problem for many shooters. Different individuals with varying eyesight deficiencies may not have the visual acuity needed to achieve this distinction. The present invention is directed to enhancing the visual acuity of shooters, primarily older shooters but enhancing the acuity for all types of shooters.


An on-board diagnostic system of a vehicle comprises disabling diagnostic operation, such as a misfire monitor, based on road roughness. In one example, the disabling of the diagnostic operation is based on brake actuation and degradation of an anti-lock braking system.

Various engine components of a vehicle perform different control operations. Diagnostic components may be used in a control system to provide error outputs to indicate that an engine operation is not normal. However, the roughness of a road surface may create false positives (alpha errors) in the diagnostic components. For example, an emission oriented on-board diagnostic system (OBD II) in a vehicle may include a misfire monitor to detect misfires that may cause an overall rise in hydrocarbon emissions. The misfire monitor can be prone to false positives under extreme road surface conditions. In another example, the roughness of the road may result in an inaccurate estimation of a road surface frictional coefficient which is used to control four wheel driving and automatic braking. Thus, some engine or vehicle control operations may not be accurately performed under a rough road condition.

Rough road detection system used in an on-board diagnostic system


This invention predicts that intra mode prediction is more effective for the macro blocks where motion estimation in inter mode prediction fails. This failure is indicated by a large value of the inter mode SAD. This invention performs intra mode prediction for only macro blocks have larger inter mode SADs. The definition of a large inter mode SAD differs for different content. This invention compares the inter mode SAD of a current macroblock with an adaptive threshold. This adaptive threshold depends on the average and variance of the SADs of the previous predicted frame. An adaptive threshold is calculated for each new predictive frame.

Spatial domain intra mode prediction an important tool in advanced video coding standards such as H.264 and AVS which improve coding efficiency over older standards. The H.264 intra prediction allows three modes, intra 16×16 (I16×16), intra 8×8 (I8×8) and intra 4×4 (I4×4) based on the prediction block size. For a predictive frame the encoder decides to encode a macroblock in the intra mode when motion estimation and the inter mode prediction fail to find a good match from the reference frame. The encoder computes a measure of similarity for both the best intra prediction mode and the best inter prediction mode. This measure of similarity is often the sum of absolute differences (SAD). The encoder then selects the mode with minimum SAD (best similarity). The computation of SAD for best intra prediction mode is not trivial and requires several arithmetic operations to search through all the allowed intra prediction modes. When using dedicated memory based hardware architecture with different hardware accelerators for intra mode and inter mode prediction, there will be additional transfer of data from external memory to hardware accelerator internal memory to compute intra prediction SAD. Switching off intra mode search completely results in noticeable video quality artifacts. Thus there is a need in the art to reduce the computational complexity and data transfer needs of intra prediction.

Intra/inter mode decision for predictive frame encoding


The present invention describes the method and system of applying filter synthesis technique to distributed amplifier design. The method for synthesizing a distributed amplifier comprises the steps of determining an appropriate filter design characteristic, computing inductor and capacitor values, converting the equivalent values into a distributed amplifier with response characteristics that mirror that of the chosen filter. Applying filter synthesis techniques to distributed amplifier design results in predictable amplifier response characteristics. Filter synthesis techniques are used to design filters with controllable characteristics such as gain, cut-off frequency, and roll-off slope. Depending on the desired filter characteristics, appropriate inductor and capacitor sizes can be determined. Transferring these chosen inductors and capacitors sizes to the distributed amplifier results in amplitude and phase responses that behave like a preferred embodiment or prototype filter.

This invention relates to distributed amplifier circuit design, more particularly to the application of filter synthesis techniques for controlling distributed amplifier characteristics.
Distributed amplifiers are common circuits found in numerous applications such as telecommunications, sensing, and instrumentation. A principal feature of distributed amplifiers is that it provides broad frequency amplification with nearly uniform gain and delay response. Synthesis of these amplifiers has been primarily based on synthetic transmission line construction, i.e. uniform unit cells. This structure poses several disadvantages, the two most significant being large gain ripple and large group delay variation as the signal frequency approaches the band-edge. The effect of these performance limitations is significantly distorted signals, e.g. pulse waveforms. Reducing or eliminating gain and/or delay variations maintain the integrity of the signal as it passes through the distributed amplifier. To date, the primary approach to improving the response of distributed amplifiers has been to reduce the size of the uniform sections. This is an incomplete approach that also degrades circuit performance. Numerous other improvements have also been documented, but none address the problems of gain and delay variation. As the speed of digital signal transmission increases and higher frequencies are used, the detrimental effects of gain and delay variations increase as well.
Accordingly, there is a need for a distributed amplifier that produces a more uniform gain and delay over a wide bandwidth.
The present invention describes the method and system of applying filter synthesis techniques to distributed amplifier design. The method for synthesizing a distributed amplifier comprises the steps of determining an appropriate filter design characteristic, computing inductor and capacitor values, converting the equivalent values into a distributed amplifier with response characteristics that mirror that of the chosen filter.
Applying filter synthesis techniques to distributed amplifier design results in predictable amplifier response characteristics. Filter synthesis techniques are used to design filters with controllable characteristics such as gain, cut-off frequency, and roll-off slope. Depending on the desired filter characteristics, appropriate inductor and capacitor sizes can be determined. Transferring these chosen inductors and capacitors sizes to the distributed amplifier results in amplitude and phase responses that behave like the preferred embodiment or prototype filter. Advantageously, this method of utilizing filter-based L-C (Inductor-Capacitor) sizes provides improved performance of the distributed amplifier; e.g. minimal amplitude variation, minimal delay variation, controlled roll-off characteristics.

Method of distributed amplifier design utilizing filter synthesis techniques


A physical automatic repeat request method implemented by a base station having a transmitter and a receiver. A physical layer, at the transmitter receives data and formats the received data into packets having a particular encoding/data modulation. The physical layer transmit the packets and retransmits packets upon failure to receive a corresponding acknowledgment for a given packet. An adaptive modulation and coding controller in the transmitter collects retransmission statistics and adjusts the particular encoding/data modulations using the collected statistics.

The present invention relates to wireless communication systems. More particularly, it relates to a modification to such systems by employing a physical layer (PHY) automatic repeat request (ARQ) scheme.
Proposed broadband fixed wireless access (BFWA) communication systems, using either single carrier-frequency domain equalization (SC-FDE) or orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) plan on using a high speed downlink packet access (HSDPA) application. This application will transmit downlink packet data at high speeds. In BFWA, a building or group of buildings are connected, either wirelessly or wired, and operate as a single subscriber site. The data demand for such a system is quite high for the single site's multiple end users requiring large bandwidths.
The current proposed system employs a layer 2 automatic repeat request (ARQ) system. Data blocks unsuccessfully transmitted to the subscribers are buffered and retransmitted from layer 2. The data blocks stored in layer 2 are typically large, are transmitted for high signal to noise ratio (SNR) reception, are received with a low block error rate (BLER), and are infrequently retransmitted. Additionally, layer 2 ARQ signaling is typically slow requiring large buffers and long retransmission intervals.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have alternatives in addition to a layer 2 ARQ system.

Method for physical layer automatic repeat request for a base station


A new and distinct Coprosma repens named ‘COPJOH02’ is disclosed, characterized by vibrant burgundy foliage with a bright pink margin and shiny, narrow leaves. Plant habit is upright and plants are useful for colorful Winter plantings. The new cultivar is a Coprosma repens, typically suited for ornamental container and landscape use.

The new cultivar is the result of chance discovery in a commercial nursery in Suffolk, England. The inventor, John Lord, a citizen of England, discovered the new variety as a single branch, naturally occurring mutation growing in a commercial planting of the parent variety Coprosma repens 'JWNCOPPS' U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,607. The discovery was made in the Summer of 2008.
After selecting and isolating the new cultivar, the inventor continued evaluating and testing the new variety. A final selection of the new cultivar 'COPJOH02' was made in the same commercial nursery in Summer of 2010. First propagation was performed by vegetative cuttings during the Summer of 2008. After the final selection of 'COPJOH02' during 2010, 2 additional generations have been propagated. This subsequent propagation has shown the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type.


In a video game device which performs a video game wherein a game character or unit moves through a plurality of paths including a plurality of branch points according to an instruction of a player, a first movement control unit displays branch-direction indications enabling the player to select one of a plurality of first branch directions at a branch point on a path in the video game, so that a selected one of the plurality of first branch directions is received from the player. A second movement control unit displays preceding-branch-direction indications enabling the player to select, in advance, one of a plurality of second branch directions at a branch point on a following path in the selected first branch direction, so that a selected one of the plurality of second branch directions is received from the player.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a video game control program and a video game device.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is known a video game of the type in which the expression by a vast map is possible and a plurality of paths with a plurality of branch points exist in the middle of the map. In the video game of this type, in accordance with the instructions of the player, a game character (or a group of game characters units) is moved through the paths, and a battle or the like is conducted between the game character and the enemy-side game character which will be encountered on the way.
Conventionally, the move instructions in the video game of this kind are inputted from an input unit provided with buttons, a joystick, a mouse, or a touch panel being operated by the player. There are two movement control methods. The first movement control method is to continuously instruct the direction of movement of the game character or unit from the current position to the destination. The second movement control method is to specify a next destination of the game character or unit on the visual field image or the map image such that no input operation to the buttons or the like is needed until the specified next destination is reached.
In the conventional video game device, the move instructions for movement of the game character or unit are inputted as described above, but the following problems are pointed out.
In the case of the first movement control method, the input operation of the buttons etc. must be continued until the destination is reached, and there is a problem that the input operation of the buttons etc. becomes a serious burden for the player when performing a video game having a long movement path.
In the case of the second movement control method which specifies a next destination on the visual field image or the map image, the input operation of the buttons is slightly easier than that of the first movement control method. However, after the specified next destination is reached, it is necessary to again specify a further next destination on the visual field image or the map image. If many branch points appear on the plurality of paths, the next destination has to be specified frequently, and there is a problem that the operation to specify the next destination frequently becomes troublesome.
Moreover, in the case of the second movement control method which specifies a next destination on the map image, specifying a distant position considerably distant from the current position is permitted. However, in such a case, the system (video game program) automatically sets up an intermediate path according to the shortest path method or the like, and it is difficult to move the game character or unit along a desired movement path so as to match the player's intension.

Video game control program and video game device


The present disclosure provides an improved welding process for joining two components of which at least one comprises a brass alloy. In one exemplary embodiment, an intermediate part that includes a metal material different from a brass alloy may be arranged between the components such that it is in contact with the components in marginal regions. The intermediate part may then be heated during the welding process such that it enters into a connection having material continuity with the components in the marginal regions.

The present disclosure relates to welding. More particularly, it relates to a method of joining two components using a welding process wherein at least one of the components comprises a brass alloy.
The joining of components using welding is generally known. However, the welding of brass proves problematic due to the zinc that is contained therein, which vaporizes during the welding process. Because explosive zinc vaporizations continuously occur throughout the process, high-quality welds of brass components can in particular only be realized with great difficulty using conventional arc welding processes. The same applies to the laser welding of brass. Namely, with a focused laser beam, a large portion of the zinc vaporizes in the melt so that a deep cut arises in the weld. If work is in contrast carried out using a defocused laser beam, the weld widens and the explosive zinc vaporizations are reduced; but at the same time, the welding depth is also reduced to only a few tenths of a millimeter. There is yet another difficulty in that that the laser radiation is only slightly absorbed by brass under certain circumstances. As a result, welding brass can require a considerably higher laser performance than is required when, for example, welding steel. Given these shortcomings, there is a need in the art for an improved method of welding brass.

Method of joining two components using a welding process


An image processing apparatus uses an edge component of an input image in which a little low-frequency component of a dark part is retained as a luminance signal, synthesizes a large blurring component generated from the input image as a color component, and realizes a taste of natural watercolor paintings in which gradation is not inverted from a bright part to the dark part when a color is placed on a rough line drawing in watercolor-like processing.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image processing apparatus and an image processing method that add an effect such as a watercolor painting to digital image data.
2. Description of the Related Art
Image processing can be performed to add a taste of a watercolor painting to digital image data. Features of the watercolor paintings may include a light color typical of the watercolor painting, a feeling of color bleeding, and further, a remaining rough line drawing. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-242533, when a predetermined closed area is colored, the colored area is moved in a random direction by a predetermined distance, the colored area is set at a location which deviates from the closed area, and the colored area is colored with a light color toward the periphery from the center of the colored area.
Thus, the Laid-Open No. 2008-242533 proposes a method that can express the color bleeding feeling of the paints. Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-232441, images are spatially grouped according to a similar color and color subtraction is performed in the same group so that the images are represented by one same color. Thus, the Laid-Open No. 11-232441 proposes a method that expresses a taste of the watercolor painting which is realized by limited paints.
In the method of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-242533, since all color information is first lost before coloring, the taste of the watercolor paintings may be expressed with the small number of colors. However, since the colored area has a color different from an input image, it is difficult to retain an atmosphere of the input image. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-232441, while the number of colors is certainly decreased, boundaries between the groups, that is, edges, are expressed by generating a mixed color by colors represented by the respective groups. By this method, the boundaries are fused, and as a result, it is difficult to express the effect of the rough line drawing.

Image processing apparatus and image processing method