When the position of a stage is detected by interferometers, a converting means converts information detected by the interferometers into information on a position and a velocity of a center of gravity of the stage concerning each of degrees of freedom. PI controllers provided for each of the degrees of freedom determine control amounts for each of the degrees of freedom necessary for movement of the center of gravity by means of (proportional+integral) operation on the basis of velocity deviations in respective directions obtained as differences between values obtained by conversion into velocities from positional deviations of the center of gravity in the .theta., Y, X directions and velocities of the center of gravity in the respective directions. Outputs of the respective controllers are inputted into a converting means which converts the input into control amounts to be generated in motors 12, 14, 16, 18 respectively, and give the control amounts after the conversion as command values to the respective motors. Mutual interference between control means is effectively avoided when the stage is driven by using driving devices of a number larger than the degrees of freedom. The stage apparatus may be applied to an exposure apparatus.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a stage driving and controlling apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a stage driving and controlling apparatus preferably used for driving and controlling a stage on which a substrate such as a wafer or a mask (or reticle) is placed in a measuring apparatus or an exposure apparatus used in a production step for producing semiconductors. The present invention also relates to an exposure apparatus provided with the stage driving and controlling apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
The position or the velocity of a stage in X and Y two-dimensional directions and a rotational direction about the Z axis (hereinafter referred to as ".theta. direction") has been hitherto controlled in an exposure apparatus or the like in order to position the stage at a predetermined position. FIG. 4 shows an example of a driving system for such a stage. In FIG. 4, a stage 80 is driven in the Y and .theta. directions by first and second motors 82, 84 and ball screw mechanisms 86, 88 driven by the motors 82, 84 respectively, and the stage 80 is driven in the X direction by a third motor 90 and a ball screw mechanism 92 driven by the motor 90. In this arrangement, positions of the stage 80 in the Y and .theta. directions are detected by a Yl laser interferometer (Yl INTERFERO.) 94 and a Yr laser interferometer(Yr INTERFERO.) 96, and a position of the stage 80 in the X direction is detected by an X laser interferometer (X INTERFERO.) 98.
FIG. 5 shows an arrangement of a stage driving and controlling apparatus for driving and controlling the stage 80. In FIG. 5, a .theta. position of center of gravity-calculating block (.theta. calculation) 100 is provided for converting positional information from the Yl laser interferometer 94 and the Yr laser interferometer 96 into an amount of rotation about the Z axis at a position of the center of gravity (positional information in the .theta. direction) and outputting the obtained result. Similarly, a Y position of center of gravity-calculating block (Y calculation) 102 is provided for converting positional information from the Yl laser interferometer 94 and the Yr laser interferometer 96 into positional information on the center of gravity in the Y direction and outputting the obtained result. An X position of center of gravity-calculating block (X calculation) 104 is provided for inputting positional information from the X laser interferometer 98 and the positional information on the center of gravity in the .theta. direction fed from the .theta. position of center of gravity-calculating block 100, converting the input into positional information on the center of gravity in the X direction, and outputting the obtained result. It is noted that so-called non-interfering calculation is performed in the three position of center of gravity-calculating blocks 100, 102, 104.
The pieces of positional information on the center of gravity outputted from the three position of center of gravity-calculating blocks 100, 102, 104 are used as primary feedback signals respectively, and they are compared with positional command values in the .theta., Y, X directions (reference input signals for indicating target values) respectively. Positional deviations of the center of gravity in the .theta., Y, X directions are inputted into three motor position-calculating conversion blocks (FIRST, SECOND and THIRD P-C BLOCKS) 106, 108, 110. The pieces of positional information on the center of gravity in the respective directions outputted from the three position of center of gravity-calculating blocks 100, 102, 104 are converted by differentiating circuits (DIF.) 112, 114, 116 into pieces of velocity information on the center of gravity in the .theta., Y, X directions respectively, and they are fed to three motor velocity-calculating conversion blocks (FIRST, SECOND and THIRD V-C BLOCKS) 118, 120, 122.
The positional deviations of the center of gravity in the .theta., Y, X directions are inputted into the first motor position-calculating conversion block 106, and they are converted into positional information at a position of the first motor 82. The positional information at the position of the first motor 82 is converted by a position gain 124 into a target value of velocity at the position of the first motor 82. The positional deviations of the center of gravity in the .theta., Y, X directions are inputted into the second motor position-calculating conversion block 108, and they are converted into positional information at a position of the second motor 84. The positional information at the position of the second motor 84 is converted by a position gain 126 into a target value of velocity at the position of the second motor 84. The positional deviations of the center of gravity in the .theta., Y, X directions are inputted into the third motor position-calculating conversion block 110, and they are converted into positional information at a position of the third motor 90. The positional information at the position of the third motor 90 is converted by a position gain 128 into a target value of velocity at the position of the third motor 90.
The pieces of velocity information on the center of gravity in the .theta., Y, X directions are converted into velocity information at the position of the first motor 82 by the first motor velocity-calculating conversion block 118. The velocity information at the position of the first motor 82, which is used as an internal feedback signal, is compared with the target value of velocity at the position of the first motor 82. A difference between the both is used as an operation signal for a first controller 130. The pieces of velocity information on the center of gravity in the .theta., Y, X directions are converted into velocity information at the position of the second motor 84 by the second motor velocity-calculating conversion block 120. The velocity information at the position of the second motor 84, which is used as an internal feedback signal, is compared with the target value of velocity at the position of the second motor 84. A difference between the both is used as an operation signal for a second controller 132. The pieces of velocity information on the center of gravity in the .theta., Y, X directions are converted into velocity information at the position of the third motor 90 by the third motor velocity-calculating conversion block 122. The velocity information at the position of the third motor 90, which is used as an internal feedback signal, is compared with the target value of velocity at the position of the third motor 90. A difference between the both is used as an operation signal for a third controller 134.
The first, second, and third controllers 130, 132, 134 determine control amounts for the first, second, and third motors 82, 84, 90 respectively by means of proportional operation (P operation) or (proportional+integral) operation (PI operation). The determined control amounts are given as command values to the first, second, and third motors 82, 84, 90.
The P operation referred to herein is included in so-called basic control operations for controllers, which is specified in that an output signal is proportional to an operation signal (deviation), i.e., a control objective is operated in proportion to a deviation. The P operation is a basic control operation in feedback control. A transfer function G(s) of a controller which performs this control operation is represented by G(s)=K.sub.p provided that K.sub.p represents a proportional gain. The PI operation referred to herein is included in so-called basic control operations for controllers, which is specified as a control operation in which an output signal is a synthetic value of a control output proportional to a deviation as described above and a control output proportional to a time-integrated value of the deviation. A transfer function of a controller which performs this control operation is represented by G(s)=K.sub.P (1+1/T.sub.I /s) provided that T.sub.I represents an integral time. The PI operation has been adopted in order to solve a problem that a steady-state deviation remains in the case of the use of only the P operation. Namely, in the case of control by using a control output obtained by adding an integrated value of the deviation (PI operation), even a slight deviation produces a large feedback output with the passage of time. Accordingly, the problem of the steady-state deviation is solved. The controller which performs the P operation is herein referred to as "P controller", and the controller which performs the PI operation is herein referred to as "PI controller".
The conventional apparatus for driving and controlling the stage having three degrees of freedom has controlled the system having three degrees of freedom without interference by converting the information incorporated from the laser interferometers as described above into the position and velocity of the center of gravity, followed by further conversion into the position and velocity at the positions of the motors to perform positional control and velocity control by using the P controllers or the PI controllers provided for each of the motors.
As for an exposure apparatus, especially an exposure apparatus of the full-area exposure system such as a so-called steppers, it is an extremely important task to improve the throughput. For this purpose, it is indispensable to increase the positioning velocity including the movement velocity of the stage. However, when the stage is driven by using a ball screw as described above, the rigidity of the ball screw sometimes becomes a factor to restrict positioning for the stage. Accordingly, a stage having higher rigidity is required. In order to respond to this request, for example, it is conceived that a stage (10) is driven in directions of three degrees of freedom by using four motors (12, 14, 16, 18) as shown in FIG. 2.
However, in the arrangement of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the number of the motors is larger than the degrees of freedom of the stage. Accordingly, if the conventional control system including the controllers arranged for each of the motors is used, it is feared that the following inconvenience arises. Namely, interference between the controllers takes place if any error occurs, such as conversion (non-interfering calculation) errors in the position of center of gravity-calculating blocks, the motor position-calculating conversion blocks, and the motor velocity-calculating conversion blocks resulting from mechanical attachment errors in respective components such as the interferometers, ball screws, and motors, control errors in the controllers, thrust errors in the motors, and uneven movement of the respective driving units. In such a situation, it is difficult to adjust the system, the control response is lowered, and a problem such as deterioration in robust characteristics arises. On the other hand, it is almost impossible to completely avoid the various types of errors as described above.

Stage driving exposure apparatus wherein the number of driving devices exceeds the degrees of freedom of the stage


A biology assembly for educating and demonstrating a biological process. The assembly is comprised of a treated grid formed from a fiberglass mesh. The mesh is then dipped into a nutrient agar. The nutrient may be adjusted to accommodate the microbe being grown. Test chemicals may also be added.

This invention relates to education and demonstration, and in particular to a biology assembly for educating and demonstrating a biological process.
Because of the very small size of microbes and also their slow growth rates, it is very difficult for a student to observe and comprehend relative sizes and growth rates of microbes. The present invention offers a way to alleviate many of the frustrations encountered by students, from lower grade levels through graduate and post graduate levels, as they attempt to view microbes.


A frequency detection circuit includes a filter, a power detector and a voltage comparator. The filter receives and filters a converted signal to generate a filtered signal. The power of the filtered signal relates to a frequency of the converted signal. The power detector generates a voltage according to the power of the filtered signal. The voltage comparator compares the voltage with multiple reference voltages to generate multiple comparison results. At least one of the inductance and capacitance of an LC tank in an amplifier is adjusted according to the comparison results.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method and circuit for calibrating inductance and capacitance, and more particularly, to a method and circuit for calibrating inductance and capacitance by using an image rejection filter to compensate for process variations.
2. Description of the Related Art
Passive components that are used in Radio Frequency (RF) Integrated Circuits (ICs) typically have relatively large process variations. This leads to a direct trade-off between the accuracy of the resonant or resonance frequency and the bandwidth of the circuit.
As a result it is common practice to use relatively low-quality (or called low-Q) resonators in the RF signal path in order to ensure a sufficiently wide bandwidth and, thus, sufficient performance without requiring calibration.
However, the method as described above is not suitable for low bandwidth applications. For example, in the fields of global positioning system (GPS) or Bluetooth communications, because the system operation bandwidth is small, a low bandwidth amplifier is used. Therefore, in low bandwidth applications, high-quality designs are adopted to suppress the out-band spur while achieving low power consumption at the same time.
Accordingly, in low bandwidth systems, a novel method and circuit for calibrating inductance and capacitance to accurately detect the frequency drift caused by process variations and effectively calibrate the inductance and capacitances so as to compensate for the frequency drift caused by process variations are highly required.

Frequency detection circuits, radio frequency signal processing devices and methods for calibrating inductance and capacitance


The present invention relates to nucleotide sequences of Serrate genes, and amino acid sequences of their encoded proteins, as well as derivatives (e.g., fragments) and analogs thereof. In a specific embodiment, the Serrate protein is a human protein. The invention further relates to fragments (and derivatives and analogs thereof) of Serrate which comprise one or more domains of the Serrate protein, including but not limited to the intracellular domain, extracellular domain, DSL domain, cysteine rich domain, transmembrane region, membrane-associated region, or one or more EGF-like repeats of a Serrate protein, or any combination of the foregoing. Antibodies to Serrate, its derivatives and analogs, are additionally provided. Methods of production of the Serrate proteins, derivatives and analogs, e.g., by recombinant means, are also provided. Therapeutic and diagnostic methods and pharmaceutical compositions are provided. In specific examples, isolated Serrate genes, from Drosophila, chick, mouse, Xenopus and human, are provided.

Genetic analyses in Drosophila have been extremely useful in dissecting the complexity of developmental pathways and identifying interacting loci. However, understanding the precise nature of the processes that underlie genetic interactions requires a knowledge of the protein products of the genes in question.
Embryological, genetic and molecular evidence indicates that the early steps of ectodermal differentiation in Drosophila depend on cell interactions (Doe and Goodman, 1985, Dev. Biol. 111:206-219; Technau and Campos-Ortega, 1986, Dev. Biol. 195:445-454; Vassin et al., 1985, J. Neurogenet. 2:291-308; de la Concha et al., 1988, Genetics 118:499-508; Xu et al., 1990, Genes Dev. 4:464-475; Artavanis-Tsakonas, 1988, Trends Genet. 4:95-100). Mutational analyses reveal a small group of zygotically-acting genes, the so called neurogenic loci, which affect the choice of ectodermal cells between epidermal and neural pathways (Poulson, 1937, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 23:133-137; Lehmann et al., 1983, Wilhelm Roux's Arch. Dev. Biol. 192:62-74; Jurgens et al., 1984, Wilhelm Roux's Arch. Dev. Biol. 10 193:283-295; Wieschaus et al., 1984, Wilhelm Roux's Arch. Dev. Biol. 193:296-307; Nusslein-Volhard et al., 1984, Wilhelm Roux's Arch. Dev. Biol. 193:267-282). Null mutations in any one of the zygotic neurogenic loci--Notch (N), Delta (Dl), mastermind (mam), Enhancer of Split (E(spl), neuralized (neu), and big brain (bib)--result in hypertrophy of the nervous system at the expense of ventral and lateral epidermal structures. This effect is due to the misrouting of epidermal precursor cells into a neuronal pathway, and implies that neurogenic gene function is necessary to divert cells within the neurogenic region from a neuronal fate to an epithelial fate. Serrate has been identified as a genetic unit capable of interacting with the Notch locus (Xu et al., 1990, Genes Dev. 4:464-475). These genetic and developmental observations have led to the hypothesis that the protein products of the neurogenic loci function as components of a cellular interaction mechanism necessary for proper epidermal development (Artavanis-Tsakonas, S., 1988, Trends Genet. 4:95-100).
Mutational analyses also reveal that the action of the neurogenic genes is pleiotropic and is not limited solely to embryogenesis. For example, ommatidial, bristle and wing formation, which are known also to depend upon cell interactions, are affected by neurogenic mutations (Morgan et al., 1925, Bibliogr. Genet. 2:1-226; Welshons, 1956, Dros. Inf. Serv. 30:157-158; Preiss et al., 1988, EMBO J. 7:3917-3927; Shellenbarger and Mohler, 1978, Dev. Biol. 62:432-446; Technau and Campos-Ortega, 1986, Wilhelm Roux's Dev. Biol. 195:445-454; Tomlison and Ready, 1987, Dev. Biol. 120:366-376; Cagan and Ready, 1989, Genes Dev. 3:1099-1112).
Sequence analyses (Wharton et al., 1985, Cell 43:567-581; Kidd and Young, 1986, Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:3094-3108; Vassin, et al., 1987, EMBO J. 6:3431-3440; Kopczynski, et al., 1988, Genes Dev. 2:1723-1735) have shown that two of the neurogenic loci, Notch and Delta, appear to encode transmembrane proteins that span the membrane a single time. The Notch gene encodes a .about.300 kd protein (we use "Notch" to denote this protein) with a large N-terminal extracellular domain that includes 36 epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like tandem repeats followed by three other cysteine-rich repeats, designated Notch/1in-12 repeats (Wharton, et al., 1985, Cell 43:567-581; Kidd and Young, 1986, Mol. Cell. Biol. 6:3094-3108; Yochem, et al., 1988, Nature 335:547-550). Delta encodes a .about.100 kd protein (we use "Delta" to denote DLZM, the protein product of the predominant zygotic and maternal transcripts; Kopczynski, et al., 1988, Genes Dev. 2:1723-1735) that has nine EGF-like repeats within its extracellular domain (Vassin, et al., 1987, EMBO J. 6:3431-3440; Kopczynski, et al., 1988, Genes Dev. 2:1723-1735). Molecular studies have lead to the suggestion that Notch and Delta constitute biochemically interacting elements of a cell communication mechanism involved in early developmental decisions (Fehon et al., 1990, Cell 61:523-534).
The EGF-like motif has been found in a variety of proteins, including those involved in the blood clotting cascade (Furie and Furie, 1988, Cell 53: 505-518). In particular, this motif has been found in extracellular proteins such as the blood clotting factors IX and X (Rees et al., 1988, EMBO J. 7:2053-2061; Furie and Furie, 1988, Cell 53: 505-518), in other Drosophila genes (Knust et al., 1987 EMBO J. 761-766; Rothberg et al., 1988, Cell 55:1047-1059), and in some cell-surface receptor proteins, such as thrombomodulin (Suzuki et al., 1987, EMBO J. 6:1891-1897) and LDL receptor (Sudhof et al., 1985, Science 228:815-822). A protein binding site has been mapped to the EGF repeat domain in thrombomodulin and urokinase (Kurosawa et al., 1988, J. Biol. Chem 263:5993-5996; Appella et al., 1987, J. Biol. Chem. 262:4437-4440).
Citation of references hereinabove shall not be construed as an admission that such references are prior art to the present invention.

Protein sequences of serrate gene products

Imperial Cancer Research Technology, Ltd.


A closure that is able to prevent oxygen from entering the container upon which the closure is attached. Preferably, the closure is comprised of one piece wholly molded of plastic, oxygen scavenging or anti-oxidant compounds, and catalysts homogenously mixed therein. More preferably, the closure is a composition of polypropylene or high-density polyethylene with an oxygen scavenger and catalyst intergrated within the polypropylene or high-density polyethylene.

Many different kinds of packaged products, such as food, beverages and pharmaceuticals, can be adversely impacted through exposure to oxygen. The presence of oxygen in a package can cause oxygen contamination of the product being stored therein. The reaction of oxygen with chemicals present in foods and beverages can impact their odor and flavor. The reaction of oxygen with pharmaceuticals can impact their efficacy.
Molecular oxygen (O2) can react with a number of different compounds that are found in a number of foods and beverages. Molecular oxygen can be reduced by other molecules through the addition of electrons to form, e.g., a superoxide, a hydroxyl radical, or hydrogen peroxide. Each of these reduced forms of oxygen are very reactive and are thus likely to react with a number of products in the food and beverage industry. The reduced forms of oxygen are especially likely to react with the carbon-carbon double bonds found in almost all products with complex organic components. This reaction can cause the rapid degradation of the product. For example, the oxidated product may have an altered odor or flavor. Further, only a slight amount of oxygen is necessary to eventually cause adverse effects in food. While ambient air can have around 21% oxygen, it is desirable to have an oxygen concentration of approximately 50 parts per billion or less in the packaged environment. It is most desirable to create and maintain a packaged environment free of oxygen and its reduced forms.
In order to keep a product in a substantially oxygen-free environment, two conditions are preferable. First, the container may be filled and sealed in a manner that eliminates a substantial amount of oxygen from the interior of the container. Second, the container may maintain an environment free of oxygen.
Numerous methods have been employed to seal a container with little or no oxygen inside of it. One method is to remove oxygen from the package through the use of a vacuum or through inert gas sparging. This method is somewhat effective at removing a majority of the oxygen present in ambient air from the product during packaging. However, using this method to remove substantially all oxygen is often times commercially unfeasible because of cost or time restraints. Other methods for removing oxygen from a container have therefore been developed.
However, even when a container is initially sealed with substantially no oxygen in the container, oxygen may enter the container by, for example, migrating through the container or closure material, especially at the closure/container interface. This is especially a problem with many plastics which, in their natural state, are partially porous as to oxygen. To combat this problem, containers made of plastic have been comprised of multiple layers, including a layer that may be effective in preventing oxygen from entering the closed container, such as is seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,601,732. However, manufacturing containers with multiple layers can be complex, time consuming, and expensive. It is therefore desirable to have a structure that has an oxygen scavenger incorporated therein, thus eliminating the need for multiple layers.


The subject invention relates generally to devices for facilitating the temporary attachment of objects to a steering wheel and has particular reference to a device for removably attaching a fly tyer's vise to a steering wheel or other suitable structure. The preferred embodiment consists of a flat strip of metal bent into the shape of a "U" or a "V" and treated so as to achieve a non-skid, protective surface. Several rubber "spacers" may accompany the device for adaptation to structures smaller in diameter than the standard boat or automobile steering wheel; the device sides may also be indented or expanded to obtain a more secure fit. The device is sufficiently wide to accommodate an optional variety holes and notches for holding fly tying equipment. A piece of impressionable, foam rubber-like material can be attached to the device for stowing completed flies. The device is slipped around a steering wheel, open end facing out. A standard fly tyer's vise can then be attached to the steering wheel by tightening the vise grips around the exposed ends of the device. The device should be of sufficient length such that a fly tyer's vise attached to the lower portion of a steering wheel does not encounter the upper portion of said steering wheel.

Fly fishing is a popular American pastime and the associated typing of fishing flies has risen to the level of an art. Tying flies requires a variety of materials and tools. Perhaps the most essential of them is the fly tyer's vise, exemplified by Gautam, Nov. 13, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 4,969,636, and Doiron, Mar. 30, 1982, U.S. Pat. No. 4,322,065. While the invention of the fly tyer's vise greatly simplified tying flies, fly tying vises are generally cumbersome and require a stable, table top-like structure to which the vise can grip. Such structures are often not readily available on fishing trips when many fisherman prefer to tie flies. The subject invention allows fishermen to use a fly tyer's vise in the convenience of a boat or car with easy access to all necessary equipment and unrestricted use of both hands. Attaching a fly tyer's vise to a steering wheel without the EZ Clip is difficult due to the dimensions of the standard vise and the incompatibility between the flat vise grip surfaces and the rounded or contoured edges of a steering wheel.
A variety of inventions intended for attachment to steering wheels are known in prior art:
1) Sweder, Apr. 17, 1990, U.S. Pat. No. 4,917,130, discloses a make-up compact for mounting on a steering wheel. This device incorporates Velcro fasteners with a resilient, U-shaped spring clip as a means of attachment; PA1 2) White, Feb. 23, 1988, U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,607, features a clipboard for attachment to an automobile steering wheel. The clipboard is affixed to a steering wheel with a flexible hook and Velcro attachment strap; PA1 3) R. W. Thompson, Jan. 31, 1956, U.S. Pat. No. 2,732,642, reveals a metal frame map holder attached to the center of a steering wheel with integrated hooks and springs; PA1 4) V. A. Burrows, Jun. 7, 1955, U.S. Pat. No. 2,710,138, introduced a coin holder secured to a steering wheel by tightening a bolt through the U-shaped base of the device; PA1 5) W. G. Hollingsworth, Jun. 1, 1937, U.S. Pat. No. 2,082,246, offers a smoker's receptacle, employing a metal ring with flanges and screws for steering wheel attachment; PA1 6) P. M. Manion, Dec. 8, 1953, U.S. Pat. No. 2,661,747, presents a map retaining and displaying device for an automobile steering wheel. The device is secured by a spring clamp and bolt with a wing-nut; PA1 7) A. E. Seinecke, Jun. 22, 1926, U.S. Pat. No. 1,589,572, discloses a steering wheel-mounted holder for pipes, cigars, or other objects. The holder is fixed to the steering wheel by way of a metal bracket and screws. The bracket is intended to be installed permanently, while the actual holder can be removed; and PA1 8) A. S. Wells, Feb. 26, 1924, U.S. Pat. No. 1,485,102, presents a match receptacle designed for attachment to a steering wheel by way of a clamp and bolt apparatus.
While the above mentioned devices are well-suited for their intended use, none disclose a removable clip for quickly and firmly attaching a fly tyer's vise to a steering wheel or other structure with similar dimensions. The EZ Clip is inexpensive, portable, effective, and easy to use.

Clip for attaching a fly tyer's vise to a steering wheel or other suitable structure (the "EZ Clip")


A suspension system includes a laterally extending axle and an arm assembly welded to the axle. The arm assembly includes a longitudinally extending arm body having top and bottom surfaces, an axle connector welded to the axle and an end of the arm body, and a plate extending longitudinally over and welded to the arm body top surface, wrapped rearwardly about and welded to the axle connector, and extending longitudinally over and welded to the arm body bottom surface. A method includes the steps of welding an axle connector to an axle; welding a plate to the axle connector, the plate being wrapped rearwardly about the axle connector; and welding an arm body to the axle connector and to the plate, the arm body having top and bottom surfaces, and the plate being welded to each of the top and bottom surfaces.

The present invention relates generally to vehicle suspension systems and, in an embodiment described herein, more particularly provides a suspension system having a high strength arm to axle connection.
In the vehicle suspension system art, it is increasingly important to reduce the weight and cost of manufacturing of a suspension system, while maintaining load carrying capacity and increasing functionality. To this end, many configurations of suspension systems and methods of manufacturing suspension systems have been developed. However, improvements are made in at least one of the goals of reducing weight and cost, or maintaining load carrying capacity and increasing functionality, but not both.
Therefore, it may be seen that improvements exist in the art of vehicle suspension systems, but are not completely satisfactory.

Suspension system having high strength arm to axle connection


Manufacturing a void-free metal-filled contact by forming an insulation layer about 2,000 .ANG. thick between a substrate and a first conductive layer, forming openings, or contact holes, through the dielectric layer, forming a foundation metal system comprising an approximately 150 .ANG. thick Ti layer, an approximately 1,000 .ANG. thick TiN layer, an approximately 150 .ANG. thick Ti layer and an approximately 1,000 .ANG. thick Pt layer, patterning photoresist over the foundation metal system such that developed photoresist remains only where a conductive material is not desired, forming a conductive layer of gold by a plating process, stripping the photoresist, and ion milling to remove the foundation metal system that exists outside the contact holes. A second insulator layer is deposited and etched back until the gold film is exposed. A metal layer is deposited and patterned so that electrical connection can be made between the contacts and other parts of the circuitry.

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing contact structures for integrated circuits and more particularly, manufacturing contact structures in submicron design rule integrated circuits by means of gold plating so as to prevent void formation due to self-shadowing during material deposition.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an integrated circuit made by means of prior art processing technology which illustrates the problems inherent in producing a high aspect ratio contact structure.
FIG. 2, shows a silicon substrate 101, wherein semiconductor regions (not illustrated) such as diffusion layers are formed in its surface. In order to provide electrical isolation between these semiconductor regions and electrode wiring regions formed on the surface of silicon substrate 101, an insulation film comprising a silicon oxide film 102 5,000 .ANG. to 6,000 .ANG. thick is formed on the surface of silicon substrate 101 by a CVD method.
Contact holes 103 are formed in silicon oxide film 102 so as to provide physical pathways through it. At the bottoms of contact holes 103 silicon substrate contact regions 101a are exposed. Foundation metal layers 104 are formed on the surfaces of these opened contact regions 101a and on the inner surface sidewalls of contact holes 103, and on the surface of silicon oxide film 102 in portions peripheral to contact holes 103. These foundation metal layers 104 are constructed of 150 .ANG. thick Ti layer 104a, 1,000 .ANG. thick TiN layer 104b, 150 .ANG. thick Ti layer 104c, and 1,000 .ANG. thick Pt layer 104d, which are successively deposited over their surfaces by a sputtering method. Further, a wiring layer comprising Au layer 105 is adhered on the surface of Pt layer 104d of foundation metal layers 104 by non-electrolytic plating treatment, such that the interior portion of contact holes 103 are filled by Au layer 105.
Since the thickness of silicon oxide film 102 described above is 5,000 .ANG. to 6,000 .ANG., contact hole 103 is relatively narrow compared to its depth (i.e. the aspect ratio is high). Further, Ti layer 104a, TiN layer 104b, Ti layer 104c and Pt layer 104d are accumulated as foundation metal layers 104 on the inner surfaces of contact hole 103, making the width of the opening still narrower.
When the interior of contact holes 103 are filled by Au film 105 by a non-electrolytic plating treatment, there is insufficient circulation of new plating liquid toward bottom surface sides 103a of contact holes 103, so that the growth rate of Au layer 105 at the bottom surface sides 103a is less than at the sidewalls 103b. Accordingly, Au film 105 grows in such a manner that it pushes out from the sidewalls of contact holes 103, and as this is happening, the circulation of new plating liquid decreases at the bottom surface 103a, thus decreasing the growth rate of Au film 105 still further at bottom surface 103a. As the plating process continues, Au film 105 closes the contact openings while leaving voids 105a in the interiors of contact holes 103, as shown in FIG. 2.
When Au film 105 is formed in this manner, the contact resistance increases because of the decrease in the degree of coverage of foundation metal layers 104 by Au film 105. Further, over the long term cracks develop from voids 105a which result in a decrease in integrated circuit reliability.
Therefore a need exists for a contact manufacturing process which produces void-free contact structures having low contact resistance and high long term reliability. What is desirable is a method for achieving a low aspect ratio during the contact-plug plating process step, while maintaining the fine line geometries necessary in submicron processing.

Method of manufacturing a contact structure for integrated circuits


A wind driven electric generator apparatus includes a pair of wind-driven, counter-rotating propeller units placed back to back with each other. A first power transmission system is connected to the pair of counter-rotating propeller units for converting wind energy into mechanical energy. A second power transmission system is connected to the first power transmission system. A generator is connected to the second power transmission system for converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Propeller unit orientation means are supported by a first transmission housing for orienting the pair of counter-rotating propeller units with respect to wind that is sensed. Self-adjusting propeller blade angle adjustment means are supported by the pair of counter-rotating propeller units for adjusting propeller blade angles in response to wind that is sensed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wind driven electric generators or alternators, and, more particularly, to a wind driven electric generator apparatus especially adapted for adjusting the orientation of wind driven propeller blades to the wind.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A wind driven electric generator apparatus generally has a number of component subassemblies which include wind-energy-reception means, wind-energy-to-mechanical-energy conversion means, and mechanical-energy-to-electrical-energy conversion means. To go beyond this basic wind driven electric generator apparatus, certain improvements would be desirable.
For example, it would be desirable for a wind driven electric generator apparatus to also include propeller unit orientation means. This is desirable so that the speed of the propeller blades can be controlled so that they do not turn too quickly or too slowly.
It would also be desirable if self-adjusting propeller blade angle adjustment means would be provided. This is desirable so that the optimum effects of the wind can be taken advantage of.
Still other features would be desirable in a wind driven electric generator apparatus. For example, it would be desirable if a wind driven electric generator apparatus would be provided that includes a pair of counter-rotating propeller units. This is advantageous to extract optimum energy from the wind.
Conventionally, an electric generator or alternator is constructed from a relatively small number of relatively large magnetic components. In contrast, the present inventor discloses electric generators and the like which include relatively large numbers of relatively small magnets. The present inventor has discovered that increased economies and efficiencies are obtained thereby.
Conventionally, an electric generator or alternator employs a single rotating armature and a non-rotating or fixed stator. With a single rotating armature and a non-rotating or fixed stator, the breaking of the magnetic lines of flux depends upon the speed of rotation of the single armature. To double the rate of breaking the magnetic lines of flux, it would be required to double the rate of rotation of the armature. Doubling of the rate of rotation of the armature may not be practical for a number of reasons, including wear and tear on bearings. Moreover, in the case of an electric generator that is powered by the wind, it may not be possible to have the wind increase to a sufficient rate to drive a single armature at a doubled rate. In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide an electric generator that can double the rate of the breaking of the magnetic lines of flux without increasing the rate of rotation of a single rotating armature.
Although it is well known to use wind-powered machines to generate electricity, the present invention provides a wind driven electric generator apparatus which has the following combination of desirable features: (1) includes propeller unit orientation means; (2) provides self-adjusting propeller blade angle adjustment means; (3) provides a pair of counter-rotating propeller units; (4) discloses electric generators and the like which include relatively large numbers of relatively small magnets; and (5) provides an electric generator that can double the rate of the breaking of the magnetic lines of flux without increasing the rate of rotation of a single rotating armature. The foregoing desired characteristics are provided by the unique wind driven electric generator apparatus of the present invention as will be made apparent from the following description thereof. Other advantages of the present invention over the prior art also will be rendered evident.

Wind driven electric generator apparatus


A system of circumvention and recovery in a multi-function system. The system includes a plurality of peripherals, at least one event detector and a controller. The plurality of peripherals have different levels of susceptibility to environmental events. The at least one event detector is configured to detect environmental events. The controller is coupled to receive an event detected signal from the at least one event detector. The controller is further configured to control circumvention procedures of each peripheral based on the detected event and the level of susceptibility of the peripheral.

Mission application systems that use commercial off the shelf components (COTS) are prone to failure when they experience hostile environments. For example, the performance of a typical COTS processor that is exposed to certain levels of radiation may suffer, due to latch-up that may result in total loss of processor activity. To accommodate for the effects of radiation, radiation hardened processors have been developed. The performance of these types of processors is not affected by the radiation of various levels. However, radiation hardened processors in comparison to COTS have their limitations, in terms of size, weight, power, instruction per second combined with high cost. With increasing processing demand, this limited Radiation hardened processing dictates the application that can be flown in space. The lack of processing performance of radiation hardened processors is especially crucial in mission application systems designed to travel in space where the speed of processing is an issue.
For the reasons stated above and for other reasons stated below which will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the present specification, there is a need in the art for a system that effectively deals with hostile environments without sacrificing necessary performance to complete a mission.

System of circumvention and recovery in a multi-function system


An object of the present invention is to provide a method that enables the easy and efficient (high yield, high selectivity, low cost) preparation of a fluorine-containing olefin substituted with an organic group or groups from a fluorine-containing olefin.

For example, the following methods have been reported for preparing fluorine-containing olefins substituted with organic groups.
Non-patent Literature 2 discloses a method for first converting a carbon-halogen (C—X) bond of CF2═CFX (X: a halogen atom other than a fluorine atom) into a carbon-lithium (C—Li) bond by butyllithium, and then performing a C—C bond forming reaction. Non-patent Literature 3, 4 and 5 disclose a method for further converting the Li of a C—Li bond formed as described above into a metal, such as Sn, Si, or the like, and then performing a C—C bond forming reaction.
However, these methods are disadvantageous in that CF2═CFX used as a raw material is relatively difficult to obtain or relatively expensive. Further, because the fluorine-containing lithium reagent having the C—Li bond formed at the first stage is very unstable, it is necessary to conduct the reaction under a low temperature of about −100° C. Therefore, these methods are not practical.
Non-patent Literature 6 to 8 disclose methods of reacting TFE with an organic lithium reagent or an organic magnesium reagent, thereby selectively substituting one fluorine atom. In the formula shown below, Ph represents an optionally substituted phenyl.PhLi+CF2═CF2→PhCF═CF2  (Non-patent Literature 6)PhMgBr+CF2═CF2→PhCF═CF2  (Non-patent Literature 7 and 8)
These methods are disadvantageous in that, in order to obtain the desired product with high selectivity, it is necessary to perform the reaction at a low temperature using a large excess of raw material TFE. When the reaction temperature increases, the reaction progress goes out of control, thereby producing, in addition to the desired product, 1,2-adducts, products with a larger number of substituents, etc. Consequently, the yield of the desired product greatly decreases. When a low nucleophilic organic lanthanide reagent is used, the yield of the desired product does not improve too (Non-patent Literature 9).
Non-patent Literature 10 discloses a method of reacting HFC134a (CF3CFH2) with alkyl lithium and generating a fluorine-containing vinyl lithium by an elimination reaction. It further discloses a coupling reaction of the fluorine-containing vinyl group via a vinyl zinc reagent generated by performing a metal exchange reaction with zinc.
However, this method is disadvantageous in that it requires an excessive amount of expensive alkyl lithium, and it also poses a difficulty in precisely controlling the reaction temperature due to the instability of the fluorine-containing vinyl lithium.
If it were possible to substitute a fluorine atom (F) on an sp2 hybridized carbon atom in the molecule with an organic group using TFE, hexafluoropropene (HFP), etc., which are readily obtainable industrially, in the presence of a transition metal catalyst, the method would be more useful for synthesizing substituted fluorine-containing olefins than the known methods described above.
Generally, there are many reports regarding the methods for introducing a substituent into a nonfluorinated olefin using a transition metal as a catalyst, but there are extremely few reports regarding the methods for conducting a reaction that activates a C—F bond in a fluorine-containing olefin and then generates a C—C bond. This is presumably because the binding energy of the C—F bond in the fluorine-containing olefin is much higher than that of the C—Y bond (Y represents Cl (chlorine), Br (bromine), I (iodine) or the like) of other halogen-containing olefins, and also because the fluorine atom, which is small and hard, makes it difficult to cleave the C—F bond or to perform an oxidative addition reaction of a metal with the C—F bond.
Recently, a method has been reported (Patent Literature 1 and Non-patent Literature 11) wherein the carbon-fluorine bond of tetrafluoroethylene (TFE) is activated using a transition metal catalyst to substitute fluorine with an organic group or groups using an organozinc reagent.
The advantage of this procedure is that the reaction conditions are mild compared to those in the methods described above, and the product selectivity is high. However, this method, is problematic in the handling of the organozinc reagent itself. More specifically, because organozinc reagents exhibit low stability with regard to temperature and humidity, the reaction needs to be conducted under an inert atmosphere. Furthermore, because it is difficult to store reagents for a long period of time, it is often necessary to prepare them at the time of use.
Organic boron reagents are often used in reactions where carbon-carbon bonding proceeds under the presence of a transition metal catalyst. These organic boron reagents exhibit low toxicity compared to other organic metal reagents, and the reagents per se are stable. Among them, boronate derivatives have remarkably advantageous characteristics, such as usability also in water. Due to such characteristics, boronate derivatives allow carbon-carbon bonding to be selectively formed at desired positions even in the presence of a hydroxy group, etc., which cannot coexist with other reagents having a high nucleophilicity, including the organozinc reagents mentioned above.
Organic boron reagents have various advantages as described above. However, the only reaction ever reported is a substitution reaction of a chlorine atom on an sp2 hybridized carbon atom in chlorotrifluoroethylene (Non-patent Literature 12). There are no reports of the use of an organic boron reagent for a substitution reaction of a fluorine atom on an sp2 hybridized carbon atom in a fluorine-containing olefin.

Preparation method for fluorine-containing olefins having organic-group substituents

Abstract: [Solution]

Abstract: The method for preparing a fluorine-containing olefin substituted with an organic group or groups, the method comprising a step of reacting a fluorine-containing olefin with an organic boron compound in the presence of an organic transition metal catalyst containing at least one transition metal selected from the group consisting of nickel, palladium, platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, and cobalt.


When an ignition switch (22) is operated to other than a start position for cranking an engine (20), a switch (relay 28) places a megafuse (30) in circuit with protecting cables to the electric starter motor (18) and alternator (16) to protect against shorts. When ignition switch (22) is operated to start position for cranking the engine (20), switch (28) removes the megafuse (30) from protecting the cables. If a short blew the megafuse (30) before starting, the ignition switch (22) cannot operate the switch (28) and the engine cannot be cranked.

Internal combustion engines that propel motor vehicles are typically electrically started by turning an ignition switch to a start position that causes the engine to be cranked by an electric starter motor. When the engine has started, the switch is released from start position to assume a run position. In start position, electric current flows from a bank of one or more D.C. storage batteries to the electric starter motor that cranks the engine through a set of gears. The amount of current is typically very large, and consequently, heavy electrical cable is typically employed to conduct the current without the presence of any circuit protection device to protect against a short in the cable or the starter motor.
When the cable is routed in a vehicle, attention must be given to the routing path and how the cable is secured to minimize the possibility of a short. Moreover, if a short were to occur in the starter motor itself, even careful routing of the cable would be of no avail.
When the engine is running, an engine-driven alternator generates current for keeping the battery bank charged. To provide some degree of protection against a short, a fusible link may be present in the charging circuit between the alternator and the battery bank. While a fusible link provides some protection against a short between the alternator and battery bank, it does so at the expense of creating additional resistance in the charging circuit from the alternator to the battery. The voltage drop across the fusible link generates wasteful heat and over time may result in less than optimum battery charging that can lead eventually to a weakened battery, a condition that is not desirable, especially in cold weather.
One general aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising an engine that is started by cranking and an electrical system that comprises a D.C. voltage source, an electric motor for cranking the engine, and a first switch that is selectively positionable to plural positions, one of which is a start position for cranking the engine.
A second switch is controlled by the first switch. A first input feed, comprising a circuit protection device, connects the D.C. voltage source to a first terminal of the second switch. A second input feed, that is free of any circuit protection device, connects the D.C. voltage source to a second terminal of the second switch. An output feed connects a third terminal of the second switch to an input terminal of a fourth switch that has an output terminal connected to the electric motor.
When the first switch is in any position other than the start position, the second switch connects the first input feed to the output feed, and when the first switch is in the start position, the second switch connects the second input feed to the output feed.
Another general aspect of the invention relates to a motor vehicle comprising an engine that is started by cranking and an electrical system that comprises a bank of one or more storage batteries, an electric motor for cranking the engine, and a first switch that is selectively positionable to plural positions, one of which is a start position for cranking the engine.
A second switch is controlled by the first switch. A first cable connects a terminal of the battery bank and a first input terminal of the second switch and is free of any circuit protection device. A second cable connects to an output terminal of the second switch for carrying current to the electric motor. A circuit protection device is in a current path from the battery bank terminal to a second input terminal of the second switch.
Placement of the first switch in any position other than the start position places the second switch in a first position that connects the second input terminal to the output terminal, and placement of the first switch in the start position places the second switch in a second position that connects the first input terminal to the output terminal.
Still another general aspect of the invention relates to a method for selectively protecting a cable that carries electric current from a bank of one or more storage batteries in a motor vehicle to an electric motor that cranks an engine in the vehicle when a first switch that is positionable to plural positions is positioned to a start position for starting the engine.
The method comprises when the first switch is placed in start position, causing a second switch to be placed in a position through which the second switch connects the cable to a terminal of the battery bank free of any circuit protection device, and when the first switch is placed in any position other than start position, causing the second switch to be placed in a position that connects the cable to the battery terminal through a circuit protection device.
A circuit protection device is understood to be any device that is intended to function by breaking a current path through itself when current through that path exceeds a rated current for which the device is designed.
The foregoing, along with further aspects, features, and advantages of the invention, will be seen in the following disclosure of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention depicting the best mode contemplated at this time for carrying out the invention. The disclosure includes a drawing, briefly described as follows.

Circuit for protecting against shorts in starter motor and battery charging cables


This present invention is a method and system for providing an up-to-the-minute location of a recipient for delivery of a message. A computerized system imports corporation databases containing employee location codes and delivery preference information (as well as addresses for various message media such as FAX telephone numbers, E-mail addresses, Pager telephone Numbers, etc.) to a database in or accessible by the corporation's Mail Room. The system includes WEB-based and telephone access to this information to allow employees to keep this information up to date.

Timely delivery of messages or parcels is complicated by recipients with jobs that require that they move around during the day. For large corporations which have thousands of employees, relocated employees to new offices can delay the delivery of a package internally for a greater amount of time than it took for the package to be delivered to the corporation. Heretofore an enterprise would have to hire a person, usually referred to as an Administrative Assistant, to keep track of employee locations to assist in the delivery of messages or parcels throughout the day. Tracking employee locations requires a great deal of communication between the administrative assistant and the employee being monitored. Accordingly, the ratio of administrative assistants to people must be small. Often, only the highest level managers are tracked and the others are virtually ignored. Aside from the hour-to-hour whereabouts of employees, the manual method was unacceptably slow in notifying the Mail Room of changes of office locations of people.
It is expected that the corporation database (which is presumed to be "always" up to date) will be imported on a periodic basis so that the database for this system may be kept up to date. Savvy corporations may also use this system's database to update the corporation database. Existing manual methods for keeping the Mail Room up to date on employee or location changes are cumbersome and inherently slow, which means the information in the Mail Room is almost always out of date. This database should be able to be as up to date as the corporation's database. The reduced need for administrative assistants to perform this activity should allow them to focus on more appropriate tasks.
Accordingly, a need exists for a computerized system for tracking the location of employees wherein a computer program keeps track of all of the employee locations and employee preferences concerning message delivery throughout the day to facilitate delivery of messages in a timely manner.

System and method for obtaining and tracking up-to the-minute delivery locations of employees via a database system


A system for resequencing data packets is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, the system operates in a parallel packet switch architecture having at least one egress adapter arranged to receive data packets issued from a plurality of ingress adapters and switched through a plurality of independent switching planes. Each received data packet belongs to one sequence of data packets among a plurality of sequences where the data packets are numbered with a packet sequence number (PSN) assigned according to at least a priority level of the data packet. Each data packet received by the at least one egress adapter is further having a source identifier to identify the ingress adapter from which it is issued. The system for restoring the sequences of the received data packets operates within the egress adapter and comprises buffer for temporarily storing each received data packet at an allocated packet buffer location. Furthermore, controller to extract the packet sequence number, the source identifier and the priority level of each stored data packet. And determination means coupled to the storing means and to the extracting means allow to determine for each sequence of data packet the order of the data packets to be output from the egress adapter.

DWDM, which stands for Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing, by merging onto a single optical fiber many wavelengths, is making available long-haul fiber-optic data communications links of huge aggregate capacity. Each wavelength is an independent communications channel which typically operates at OC48c i.e.: 2.5 Giga or 109 bits per Second (Gbps), OC192c (10 Gbps) and in some systems at OC768c (40 Gbps). These rates are part of a family of rates and formats available for use in optical interfaces, generally referred to as SONET, which is a standard defined by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) of which there exists an European counterpart, mostly compatible, known as SDH (Synchronous Digital Hierarchy). Thus, at each node of a network, the data packets or cells carried on each DWDM channel must be switched, or routed, by packet-switches that process and then switch packets between different channels so as to forward them towards their final destination. Ideally, it would be desirable to keep the processing of packets in the optical domain, without conversion to electronic form; this is still not really feasible today mainly because all packet-switches need buffering that is not yet available in an optical form. So packet-switches will continue to use electronic switching technology and buffer memories for some time to come.
However, because of the data rates as quoted above for individual DWDM channels (up to 40 Gbps) and the possibility of merging tenths, if not hundredths, of such channels onto a single fiber the throughput to handle at each network node can become enormous i.e., in a multi Tera or 1012 bits per second range (Tbps) making buffering and switching, in the electronic domain, an extremely challenging task. If constant significant progress has been sustained, for decades, in the integration of always more logic gates and memory bits on a single ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), allowing to implement the complex functions required to handle the data packets flowing into a node according to QoS (Quality of Service) rules unfortunately, the progress in speed and performance of the logic devices over time is comparatively slow, and now gated by the power one can afford to dissipate in a module to achieve it. Especially, the time to perform a random access into an affordable memory e.g., an imbedded RAM (Random Access Memory) in a standard CMOS (Complementary MOS) ASIC, is decreasing only slowly with time while switch ports need to interface channels having their speed quadrupling at each new generation i.e., from OC48c to OC192c and to OC768c respectively from 2.5 to 10 and 40 Gbps. For example, if a memory is 512-bit wide allowing to store or fetch, in a single write or read operation, a typical fixed-size 64-byte (8-bit byte) packet of the kind handled by a switch, this must be achieved in less than 10 Nano or 10−9 second (Ns) for a 40 Gbps channel and in practice in a few Ns only in order to take care of the necessary speed overhead needed to sustain the specified nominal channel performance while at least one store and one fetch i.e., two operations, are always necessary per packet movement. This represents, nowadays, the upper limit at which memories and CMOS technology can be cycled making the design of multi Tbps-class switch extremely difficult with a cost-performance state-of-the-art technology such as CMOS, since it can only be operated at a speed comparable to the data rate of the channel they have to process.
Hence, to design and implement a high capacity packet-switch (i.e.: having a multi Tbps aggregate throughput) from/to OC768c (40 Gps) ports a practical architecture, often considered to overcome the above mentioned technology limitation, is a Parallel Packet Switch (PPS) architecture. It is comprised of multiple identical lower-speed packet-switches e.g., (100) operating independently and in parallel, as sketched in FIG. 1. In each ingress port adapter, such as (110), an incoming flow of packets (120) is spread (130), packet-by-packet, by a load balancer across the slower packet-switches, then recombined by a multiplexor (140) in the egress part of each port adapter e.g., (150). As seen by an arriving packet, a PPS is a single-stage packet-switch that needs to have only a fraction of the performance necessary to sustain the port data rate. If four planes (100, 102, 104 and 106) are used, as shown in FIG. 1, they need only to have one fourth of the performance that would otherwise be required to handle a full port data rate. More specifically, four independent switches, designed with OC192c ports, can be associated to offer OC768c port speed, provided that ingress and egress port adapters (110, 150) are able to load balance and recombine the packets. This approach is well known from the art and sometimes referred to as 'Inverse Multiplexing' or 'load balancing'. Among many publications on the subject one may e.g., refer to a paper published in Proc. ICC'92, 311.1.1-311.1.5, 1992, by T. ARAMAKI et al., untitled 'Parallel "ATOM" Switch Architecture for High-Speed ATM Networks' which discusses the kind of architecture considered here.
The above scheme is also attractive because of its inherent capability to support redundancy. By placing more planes than what is strictly necessary it is possible to hot replace a defective plane without having to stop traffic. When a plane is detected as being or becoming defective ingress adapter load balancers can be instructed to skip the defective plane. When all the traffic from the defective plane has been drained out it can be removed and replaced by a new one and load balancers set back to their previous mode of operation.
Thus, if PPS is really attractive to support multi-Gbps channel speeds and more particularly OC768c switch ports it remains that this approach introduces the problem of packet re-sequencing in the egress adapter. Packets from an input port (110) may possibly arrive out of sequence in a target egress adapter (150) because the various switching paths, here comprised of four planes (100), do not have the same transfer delay since they run independently thus, can have different buffering delays. A discussion and proposed solutions to this problem can be found, for example, in a paper by Y. C. JUNG et al., 'Analysis of out-of-sequence problem and preventive schemes in parallel switch architecture for high-speed ATM network', published in IEEE Proc.-Commun., Vol. 141, No. 1, February 1994. However, this paper does not consider the practical case where the switching planes have also to handle packets on a priority basis so as to support a Class of Service (CoS) mode of operation, a mandatory feature in all recent switches which are assumed to be capable of handling simultaneously all sorts of traffic at nodes of a single ubiquitous network handling carrier-class voice traffic as well as video distribution or just straight data file transfer. Hence, packets are processed differently by the switching planes depending on the priority tags they carry. This does no longer comply with the simple FCFS (First-Come-First-Served) rule assumed by the above referenced paper and forces egress adapters to readout packets as soon as they are ready to be delivered by the switching planes after which they can be resequenced on a per priority basis. Also, the above paper implicitly assumes the use of a true time stamp (TS) which means in practice that all port-adapters are synchronized so as packets from different sources are stamped from a common time reference which is a difficult and expensive requirement to meet.
Another difficulty with a PPS architecture stems from the fact that networks must not only support UC (unicast) traffic (one source to one destination) but also MC (multicast) traffic that is, traffic in which a source may have to send a same flow of packets to more than one destination. Video distribution and network management traffic are of this latter case (e.g., the IP suite of protocols assumes that some control packets must be broadcast). For example, with a 64-port switch there are only 64 UC flows (times the number of priorities) for each source since there are only 64 possible destinations. However, there may have anything from none to tenths of thousands of MC flows to be supported in such a switch, each one being identified by a unique MCid (MC identifier) thus, specifying to what particular combination of more than one destination a packet of a MC flow must be forwarded from a same source. Therefore, to overcome the problem introduced by the transfer delays different in the independent planes a simple numbering of UC packets at source i.e., in each ingress adapter, can be envisaged to allow re-sequencing in the egress adapters. This, however, does fit with MC traffic because of the multiplicity of possible combinations of destinations from a same source. For example, MC packets numbered with a simple complete ascending sequence (n, n+1, n+2, etc.), sent from a same source and received in different combinations of egress adapters, as specified by their MCid, will generally create incomplete sequences of packet numbers since destinations are obviously not all the same from one MCid to another one.
Finally, in the context of a PPS switch, the traditional way of handling packets readout in the egress adapters does no longer fits either. In a traditional single plane switch no disordering in the delivery of the switched packets is introduced by the switching unit (other than the 'disordering' introduced by the handling of packets on the basis of their priorities). This allows forming LL's (linked lists) of packets, per priority, implicitly remembering their order of arrival thus, the order in which they must be forwarded within a priority class. Appending a new element to a LL i.e., always to LL tail, is a relatively easy task even though this must be done at the very high speeds previously mentioned. However, inserting a packet in the right place of a linked list is much more complicated. This requires to first determine where packet must be inserted, since packets are not guaranteed to be received in the right order then, update the links to a next and from a previous element.
Forming LL's has been the subject of numerous publications. For a discussion on this subject, so as to evaluate the difficulties encountered to carry out in hardware, at the speed required by a Terabit-class switch, the insertion of a new element in a LL, one may refer, e.g., to a book by Robert Sedgewick, 'Algorithms', second edition, Addison-Wesley, 1988, ISBN 0-201-06673-4 and more specifically to chapter 3 'Elementary Data Structures'.
Thus, in view of the difficulties of prior art arrangements as mentioned here above, there is a need for a resequencing solution in order to make feasible a PPS architecture in which variable delays can be experienced in the individual switching planes while supporting priority classes of unicast and multicast traffic in view of the implementation of a multi-Tbps switch.
The present invention offers such solution.

CAM based system and method for re-sequencing data packets

International Business Machines Corporation


A dual damascene method of fabricating an interconnection level of conductive lines and connecting vias etches a via opening in a first insulating layer. A photoresist layer that the defines the conductive wiring is deposited and patterned on the first insulating layer after the via opening has been created. The via opening and the conductive wire opening in the resist layer are then filled with the conductive material, such as copper. The resist layer may then be removed and a second insulating layer provided over the first insulating layer.

The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor device manufacturing, and more particularly, to the process of providing interconnection structures that interconnect integrated circuits in semiconductor devices.
In very and ultra large scale integration (VLSI and ULSI) circuits, insulating or dielectric material, such as silicon dioxide, of the semiconductor device is patterned with several thousand openings for the conductive lines and vias which are filled with conductive material, such as metal, and serve to interconnect the active and/or passive elements of the integrated circuit. The interconnection process is used for forming the multi-level signal lines of metal, such as a copper, in an insulating layer, such as polyimide, of a multi-layer substrate in which the semiconductor devices are mounted.
Damascene is an interconnection fabrication process in which grooves are formed in an insulating layer and filled with metal to form the conductive lines. Dual damascene is a multi-level interconnection process in which, in addition to forming the grooves of single damascene, the conductive via openings are also formed. In the standard dual damascene process, the insulating layer is coated with a resist material which is exposed to a first mask with the image pattern of the via openings and the pattern is anisotropically etched in the upper half of the insulating layer. After removal of the patterned resist material, the insulating layer is coated with a resist material which is exposed to a second mask with the image pattern of the conductive lines in alignment with the via openings. During anisotropic etching of the openings for the conductive lines in the upper half of the insulating material, the via openings already present in the upper half are simultaneously etched in the lower half of the insulating material. After the etching is complete, both the vias and the grooves are filled with metal. The excess metal was removed by CMP (chemical mechanical polishing) techniques. One of the advantages of dual damascene processing is that it permits the filling of both the conductive grooves and the vias with metal at the same time, thereby eliminating process steps. Furthermore, with single damascene, since two different metal deposition steps were used, an interface exists between the conductive via and the conductive wiring.
One dual damascene method described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,705,430 uses a sacrificial via fill. In this method, a first layer of insulating material is formed with via openings. The openings are filled with a sacrificial removable material. A second layer of insulating material is disposed on the first layer. Using a conductive line pattern, aligned with the via openings, conductive line openings are etched in the second insulating layer and, during etching, the sacrificial fill is removed from the via openings. The sacrificial material is not etchable by the etchant performing the conductive line openings and, after formation of the conductive line openings, the sacrificial material is removed with an etchant to which a first insulating layer is resistive or less selective. Conductive material is then deposited in the conductive line and the via openings.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,635,423 describes a simplified dual damascene process for multilevel metallization and interconnection structure. An opening for a via is initially formed in a second insulative layer above a first insulative layer with an etch stop layer therebetween. A larger opening for a trench is then formed in the second insulative layer while simultaneously extending the via opening through the etch stop layer and the first insulative layer. The trench and the via are then simultaneously filled with conductive material. Alternatively, the via is defined on the etch-stop layer. The resist layer is then deposited and masked for the trenches. The large opening for the trench and the smaller opening for the via are simultaneously etched. The trench and the via are then simultaneously filled with conductive material.
Although both of the above described processes provide the desired dual damascene structure, there is a continuing goal of simplifying the process even further and thereby making it less expensive.
There is a need for a dual damascene process that is less complicated than known dual damascene processes, yet still attains the desired dual damascene structure without an interface between the via and the conductive wiring. There is also a need for a method of producing a metal structure without using CMP techniques.
These and other means are met by embodiments of the present invention which provide a method of forming a conductive wiring and a via in which a via opening is formed in a first insulating layer. A conductive wiring mask layer is deposited and patterned over the first insulating layer so that an opening in the conductive wiring mask layer is provided over the via opening. Conductive material is then deposited in the via opening and in the conductive wiring mask layer opening to form the conductive wiring in the via.
Since the conductive wiring mask layer is used in the present invention to receive the deposited conductive material to form the conductive wiring, a separate step of etching of insulating material to form a conductive wiring opening is unnecessary. This greatly reduces the overall etching requirements and costs of manufacture.
In certain embodiments of the invention, the conductive wiring mask layer is removed after the depositing of the conductive material in the via opening and the conductive wire mask layer opening. A second insulating layer, comprising benzocyclobutene (BCB), for example, is deposited over the first insulating layer and the conductive wiring. Hence, certain embodiments of the present invention provide the same dual damascene structure as in the known processes, with a via formed within a first insulating layer, and conductive wiring within a second insulating layer. This is accomplished, however, without etching of the second insulating layer.
The earlier stated needs are also met by other embodiments of the present invention which provide a method of forming a layered conductive structure in a semiconductor device comprising the steps of forming an opening in a first insulating layer and patterning a resist layer on the first insulating layer. A space is defined in the resist layer that is located over the opening. The opening in the first insulating layer and the space in the resist layer are simultaneously filled with conductive material to form the layered conductive structure.
The present invention provides the advantage of forming integral layered structures without etching a second layer. This has significant cost advantages over methods which employ etching of the second layer, while still providing conductive structures that are integrally formed. Hence, the completed layered conductive structure will not have an interface between the conductive material of the first and second layers. This embodiment is not restricted to conductive vias and wiring, but rather may be used to create other forms of layered conductive structures.
The present invention also provides, in certain embodiments, an article comprising a first insulating layer with a conductive structure in the first insulating layer. A photoresist layer is provided over the first insulating layer, with an opening in the photoresist layer that is disposed over the conductive structure. Conductive wiring fills the opening in the photoresist layer and contacts the conductive structure. In conventional articles, conductive structure is provided in a first insulating layer which has been etched, and the conductive wiring that contacts the conductive structure is provided in a second insulating layer that has been likewise etched. The present invention has the advantage of avoiding the etching of the second insulating layer and instead providing a conductive wiring in a photoresist layer. The article of the present invention may be used to provide interconnections by further processing of the article, including removing the photoresist layer and depositing a second insulating layer over the first insulating layer and the conductive wiring.
An advantage of the present invention is that it eliminates the requirement of CMP removal of excess metal during the filling process.
The foregoing and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


The present invention relates to a light source unit having at least one LED sub light source unit. Each LED sub light source unit includes three types of LEDs: phosphor converted green LED, orange-red LED with a wavelength of 614 nm-622 nm, and blue LED with a wavelength of 460 nm-476 nm. Light generated by the three types of LEDs is mixed to generate white light.

The traditional illuminating devices for operation theatre lighting use either halogen or discharge lamps as light source. Light from various lamps is reflected onto a big reflector via an optical device and subsequently focused onto an area to be illuminated. More recently, color and white LED based illuminating devices have been utilized.
In the prior art, a variety of light emitting diodes (LED) are used as light sources inside an operation theatre lighting device. However, none of the existing fixtures are able to generate and provide the illumination area with a homogeneously distributed white lighting with adjustable correlated color temperature (CCT), high color rendering index (CRI) and high optical efficiency. Furthermore, existing prior art technology could not remedy the color separation (also called discoloration) effect that typically occurs when a person (i.e. a surgeon) obscures the light from the fixture with his or her body parts.

Light source unit, an illuminating device equipped with the light source unit and medical equipment


A modular cleaning, display, and storage rack for firearms is disclosed for holding or displaying one or more pistols. The firearms rack can hold one or more pistols for cleaning and/or displaying. The firearms rack can also be folded flat for easy storage and/or transport. Multiple racks can be nested or stacked together and occupy less space than a single rack. The rack includes a base, and a plurality of support rods disposed in a spaced apart relation and hingedly operable relative to the base. In an open condition, the plurality of support rods are angularly disposed above a top surface of the base. The firearm is supported on the support rod by insertion of the support rod into the barrel of the firearm. In a closed position, the plurality of support rods are oriented such that they are substantially aligned with a back surface of the base.

The present invention relates to firearms, and more particularly to racks for the carriage of firearms.
Storing and/or displaying pistols can take up a good deal of space. If not properly stored, the firearm can become scratched, such as when the firearm is laid flat on a surface or otherwise loosely carried.
While pistol racks are helpful for displaying and/or storing pistols, they are often bulky and difficult to store when not in use. Likewise, most pistol racks do not assist the firearms owner with cleaning and maintenance of their firearm.
As can be seen, there is a need for improved rack for the cleaning, display, and storage of firearms.

Modular cleaning, display, and storage rack for firearms


A unitary or one-piece acoustical cabinet grille frame and a method for making the one-piece grille frame. In the unitary acoustical cabinet grille frame a sound-transmissible fabric is integrally bonded or fused to serrations in a slot within the shaped plastic face. In the method for manufacturing the one-piece acoustical cabinet grille frame, a sound-transmissible fabric is placed over a shaped plastic face. A heated fusion blade having the configuration of the slot is placed over the sound-transmissible fabric. The fabric is forced into contact with the plastic serrations in the slot and the plastic serrations are plasticated or melted. The sound-transmissible fabric is then fused with the plastic. Finally, the heated fusion blade is removed from the slot and the plastic is allowed to cool.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cabinet grille having a face composed of a decorative sound transmissible fabric. Such frames are widely employed as a face place or covering for sound speakers commonly used in television, radio, stereo, and other similar sound systems.
For many years, the manufacturing of speaker cabinets has required the use of two components to provide face accented detailing. Herein, we provide a means whereby one may apply a decorative sound transmissible fabric in a specific localized area to a decorative shaped plastic substrate for the transmission of sound through the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior to the present discovery, the market was forced to use a product which had no face accented detailing without the use of a separate component part as an insert. A description of the patented products currently available is as follows:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,410 (Howell) discloses a speaker cover made of a flaccid material. The material has a band of felt, Velcro.RTM., along its outer border. A speaker is provided with a hook fastener, Velcro.RTM., along its outer border. The material is fastened to the speaker by contacting the band of felt with the hook fastener. The speaker cover is thereby attached to the speaker.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,322,979 (Cassity et al.) discloses a two-piece speaker cover assembly. The first piece is a speaker cover that can be made from cloth-like material which can be stretched over the frame body. The second piece is a molded frame body having a channel with a first rib and a second rib. The channel, first rib and second rib are located on the side of the frame body facing the speaker. In addition, the channel does not contain any serrations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,325,455 (Kirkpatrick) discloses a two-piece speaker grille. The first piece is a cover that is made from a stiffened, resilient, fibrous cloth material which covers a grille. The second piece is the grille and it includes a groove, which does not contain any serrations.
German Patent 27 38 526 (Hennel) discloses a loudspeaker box having a front cover plate and a frame. The frame contains beading to which a cover may be fixed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,480 (Gate et al.) discloses a cover that can be fixed to an electrical instrument, including a loudspeaker. The cover contains two types of fastening lugs which fit into slots in the casing of the instrument.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,698 (Smith) discloses a frameless pierced metal speaker. German Patent 27 38 295 (Gaus) discloses a speaker frame made from a metal-plastic-metal sandwich. U.S. Pat. No. 5,113,968 (Lemmon) discloses a three-piece speaker grill assembly containing a perforated screen detachably connected to a grill with a pad between the grill and screen. U.S. Pat. No. 4,650,031 (Yamamoto) discloses a cabinet for a loudspeaker. U.S. Pat. No. 4,919,227 (Chicoine) discloses a speaker grille which has two sets of misaligned sound transmitting holes.
None of these patents discloses a unitary or one-piece acoustical cabinet grille frame having a sound-transmissible fabric integrally bonded or fused to a shaped plastic face of the grille frame.

Method of molding an acoustical cabinet grille frame


The present invention relates to obtaining vector data for a hand-drawn curve having coordinate values input from a pointing device and a thickness and/or density in accordance with pen pressure values. In order to reduce the amount of data input from the pointing device and obtain vector data therefor in real time, the coordinate data and pen pressure data are extracted independently of each other so as to reduce the amount of data stored in a memory and used for plotting or display.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for obtaining vector data for a line having coordinate values input from a pointing device and a thickness and/or density in accordance with pen pressure values, a computer program for executing the method, and an associated image processing apparatus.
2. Description of Related Art
Known image processing apparatuses and image processing software have displayed a line having a thickness and/or density responsive to pen pressure when a user inputs a line via a pointing device, such as the combination of a pen and tablet or digitizer.
With this type of image processing apparatuses in the past (whether they were dedicated image processing apparatuses or general-purpose computers running image processing software), because the data sent from the pointing device is coordinate value data and pen pressure data for each pixel, a large amount of data is involved. For this reason, some method is used to compress the data used for plotting and image-processing the input data. The method generally used of reducing the amount of data is that of determining the arithmetic mean of a prescribed number of continuous data.
When applying this arithmetic mean processing, a part of a line that exhibits a sudden curve is smoothed out too much by taking the arithmetic mean, imparting rounding thereto, thereby presenting the problem of not being able to plot the line as input by an operator. In the same manner, a sudden change in pen pressure is also smoothed by the arithmetic mean, so that the change in pen pressure cannot faithfully reproduced.
Although high-resolution apparatuses (with a large number of display pixels) are available for the purpose of faithfully following an input curve and the pen pressure from a pointing device, if the input data is stored as is in this case a large amount of memory capacity is required to store the input data. An additional problem is that of a large amount of time being required to process the large amount of data used for creating and editing illustrations and the like.
Hand-drawn strokes are subject to effects of a shaky hand or unsteady hand, so that they are not smooth, and considerable experience is required in order to eliminate shakiness, making it quite difficult to achieve the curve intended by the user. There is known software for smoothing hand-drawn strokes, but such smoothing processing does not start, or the results of the processing could not be displayed until a stroke (path) of a hand-held pen comes to an end, thereby presenting the problem for the user of a delay in the verification of the results.

Method for generating vector data for a hand-drawn curve


A method and computer program for resetting the value of a coupon based on market information is provided. The program receives a request for valuation of a coupon from a retailer, accesses market demand information for a product corresponding to the coupon, determines a market demand value based on the market demand information, determines a coupon value based on the market demand value, and provides the coupon value to the retailer.

Discount coupons have long been distributed by manufacturers to market their products and by retail stores to attract consumers to their particular stores. For decades advertisers have issued coupons that can be taken to a redemption center, such as a retail store, and redeemed for some value or at a discount toward the purchase of an item.
In general, a marketing professional analyzes the market for a particular product or service. The analysis may include many factors including, for example, inventory, age of the product on hand, competitor pricing, and manufacturing costs. Based on the analysis, a decision is made on whether or not a discount coupon should be issued. If it is decided to issue a coupon, the value of the coupon is determined. If the value of the coupon is set too low, the customer may not be motivated to purchase the product. If the value is set too high, the amount of profit from the sale may be unacceptable. A discount coupon may be printed and distributed to perspective customers. The customer may then redeem the coupon for the determined value when purchasing the product or service.
One problem with conventional discount coupons is that there may be a considerable time delay from when the value of the coupon is set and when the coupon is redeemed. This time may range from months to years for coupons shipped with products. During the time between when the value of the coupon is set and when the coupon is redeemed, the market for the product may change. Changes in the market may result in the value of the coupon being less than optimal. One method of solving this problem commonly used by advertisers is to specify an expiration date for the discount. Setting an expiration date on a coupon has its drawbacks as well. If the time the coupon is valid is too short, the coupon may expire before it has had a chance to be effective in the market. If the time the coupon is valid is too long, the market may change resulting in the value of the coupon being less than optimal.
Another method of solving the time delay problem is implementing faster distribution technologies, for example, issuing coupons electronically over the Internet. This reduces the time delay from when the coupon value is set to when the coupon is available to a customer; however, there may still be a time delay from when the coupon is available and when the purchase is made. Additionally, this solution may only be valid if the potential customer can be targeted using the faster distribution method.
What is therefore needed is a method, which overcomes the above disadvantages.

Method, program, and system for resetting the value of a coupon based on market information


Provided is a laundry dryer. The laundry dryer includes a drying drum for inserting laundry in, a base, and a cabinet enclosing the drying drum and the base. The base includes an outside air intake port that suctions indoor air, an air passage for moist air from the drying drum to pass through, and an impurity descending slot recessed a predetermined depth at a front of the outside air intake port for impurities to fall into.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a dryer, and more particularly, to a laundry dryer with a structure for preventing impurities such as lint from entering the drying drum together with outside air.
2. Description of the Related Art
A drum dryer is a home appliance that dries laundry by circulating hot, dry air within a drying drum to dry laundry inserted therein.
Drum dryers are divided into condenser dryers that circulate air between the drying drum and a heater to dry laundry inside the drum, and vented dryers that direct air heated by a heater into the drying drum to dry laundry, after which the air is exhausted from the drying drum to the outside.
In further detail, in a vented dryer, air that has been heated while passing through a heater flows into the drum, and then leaves the drum by passing through a lint filter installed at the front of the drum, removing it of lint. The air that passes through the lint filter then flows through an exhaust assembly formed at the bottom of the dryer, to be exhausted to the outside.
In a vented dryer, air from outside the dryer enters the drying drum through an intake, and after the air in the drying drum dries the laundry therein, it is exhausted to the outside. However, in the related art, where air is drawn into the drum from outside the dryer, there is a need to prevent dust and lint from entering the drum. In other words, impurities in the outside air that enters the drum through the intake can contaminate laundry in the drum.

Laundry dryer and impurity entry preventing structure for the same