Methods, code, and apparatus are used to ensure that groups of experimental subjects selected for inclusion in a study are matched. Individuals are genotyped and the genotype data is used to determine the extent of mismatch between study groups. If groups show evidence of poor matching, then the genotype data is used to better match the study groups.

A case control association study may be used to identify genetic markers that are correlated with a phenotypic trait of interest, such as a predisposition to a disease, condition, illness, response to a drug, or other physical characteristic. The most useful and interesting associations are those that are functionally linked to the trait of interest. If case and control groups are not carefully matched to have similar genetic compositions, then studies may find spurious associations that have no causal relationship with the trait of interest.
Association studies have frequently been criticized for their inability to distinguish causal associations from spurious ones due to incomplete matching of cases and controls. Accordingly, further inquiry and analysis are always needed after completing an association study to understand the biological bases of any putative associations, and to determine which are likely to be functionally relevant. Following up on spurious associations can be difficult and expensive.
To reduce the likelihood of spurious associations, some studies have employed homogenous groups of individuals having the same ancestry (ethnicity), in some cases an ethnicity with relatively little genetic variation such as groups from Northern Europe and Iceland. The homogeneity of such groups may reduce the incidence of "false positives," i.e., spurious associations between genetic markers and phenotypes that are in fact due to systematically unequal incidence of genetic markers in case and control groups. However, there are various disadvantages to using homogeneous groups in an association study. For instance, in some homogeneous populations, it may be difficult to find enough individuals with the phenotypic trait of interest, such as a particular disease, or it may be difficult to recruit enough individuals willing to participate in a given study. Additionally, the set of predisposing genetic factors in a restricted population may be less likely to be generalizable to or replicable in other populations. Hence, the usefulness of data derived from these studies may be limited.
Accordingly, nonhomogeneous groups (e.g., groups having a mixture of genetic or ancestral backgrounds) are frequently used in association studies. This mixture can occur as a result of combining individuals of geographically or genetically isolated populations in a study group, and/or having individuals of mixed ancestry in such a group. As indicated, study designs having groups of mixed backgrounds can present difficulties when trying to identify causal associations if the incidence of the phenotype of interest is correlated with genetic loci that are not causally-related to the phenotype of interest but whose correlation is simply due to the unmatched nature of the populations being compared. Association studies have traditionally been designed with only limited attention to matching, often limited to the level of "ethnicity matching" by ascertaining self-reported ethnicities from the participants. This self-categorization may be unreliable and may not accurately reflect the detailed population structure of the groups being studied.


A combiner, that optically combines input fibers that propagate pumping light launched from pumping light sources and a relay fiber connected to an amplification fiber, includes: a bundle portion where the input fibers are bundled together; and a melting portion where the input fibers are melted and integrated together. In an interface between the relay fiber and the melting portion, the input fibers are fused together without a gap between the input fibers.

A fiber laser device as described in Patent Document 1 has been realized. This fiber laser device includes a plurality of pumping light sources configured to launch pumping light, a plurality of input fibers configured to be connected to the respective pumping light sources and propagate the pumping light, and an amplification fiber configured to amplify the pumping light, and laser light is launched to the outside from a launch end of a fiber for output. In addition, as a combiner that is used in the fiber laser device, Patent Document 1 discloses a configuration in which a bundle portion in which a plurality of the input fibers are bundled together and a relay fiber that is connected to the amplification fiber are optically combined together through a bridge fiber.

Combiner, fiber laser device, and method for manufacturing combiner


A computer system comprising a central processing unit (CPU) configured to accept coordinate type data from a touchpad or the like. The CPU has an operating system executing thereon with special support for interfacing to the touchpad. The operating system has the following capabilities: (1) mapping out geometric regions of the touchpad and assign the regions to specific region identifiers responsive to application programs and (2) determining the region identifier of a touched region and passing that region identifier to the application program. Support is also provided for changing the units of the commands used to define the regions.

Video graphics computer systems are well known, popular consumer products. A typical system includes a data processing unit that connects to an ordinary television set for displaying images of a game or other application. The data processing unit receives controlling software from a read only memory (ROM) that is usually packaged in the form of a cartridge. The cartridge is removably plugged into the data processing unit. At least one pointing device, such as a mouse, joystick, touchpad, touchscreen, switch pad, or light gun, is also connected to the data processing unit to allow the player to input positional information that is used by the controlling software to execute the application.
The data processing unit typically has a single central processing unit (CPU) and associated volatile and non-volatile memory, including all random access memory (RAM) and bootstrap read-only memory (boot ROM), a television (RF video) signal generator, and an input/output (I/O) processor to interface to the various pointing devices. These devices are in circuit communication. One distinguishing characteristic of these systems is the use of a motherboard or system planar to electrically connect these components together.
Touchpads are coordinate type pointing devices used to input coordinate type data to computer systems. The touchpad is typically a pressure-sensitive bounded plane capable of detecting localized pressure at its surface. When a user touches the surface with a finger, stylus, or the like, the touchpad determines the location being touched and reports via some type of generated signal to the attached computer system the coordinates of that location. In response, the computer performs the function, if any, associated with the location pressed.
Typically one or more regions of the touchpad are assigned to certain functions within the system or within application programs such as entering data or providing directional inputs. The user conventionally is made aware of what function is associated with which region by a template. A template is a sheet with a graphic design and is typically superimposed on the touchpad surface. The graphic design typically delineates or maps out regions of the touchpad surface and the regions are normally labeled to provide a reminder to the user as to which functions are associated with which of the various mapped out regions.
In typical touchpad systems, application programs receive coordinate location data signals from the touchpad. For example, when the touchpad communicates that the pad surface was touched fifteen columns over and twelve rows down, the application program must associate the coordinate location with the function mapped to that particular region. That is, the application program must decode the signal which indicates region of the graphic design was touched thereby determining the function associated with the touched location.
Relying on each application program to determine which region was touched leads to several problems. First, applications become hardware dependent. A particular application must "know" the resolution (the number of rows and columns), overall size, and data format of the touchpad being used, thereby leading to applications possibly being unable to perform with various types of touchpads. As technological advances increase the resolution of the touchpad, existing programs may not have the flexibility to adjust. Second, this requires application programmers to write into the application programs location decoding code. Thus, each application program must have its own region-determining routines, thereby leading to unneeded duplication of effort and possible inconsistencies and even errors in the way touchpad regions are supported.

Computer system with touchpad support in operating system

International Business Machines Corporation


An improved package for heating dry food products is provided. The present invention allows a dry food product to be heated in a microwave oven. The package has barrier properties and at least a portion of an outer surface that is water absorbent, so that the food package may be wetted prior to being heated in the microwave in order to prevent burning of the food products inside.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a food package that facilitates microwave heating of the contents of the package.
2. Description of Related Art
The design and construction of packaging for containers of consumables, such as potato chips, tortilla chips, corn chips or other snack food products, involves consideration of application-specific criteria. For example, many such snack food products are packaged in "pillow" type packages made from flexible packaging film. When the snack food product is relatively dry, a packaging material that provides a high barrier to moisture migration is typically used.
It is also desirable to consume some food products at temperatures above room temperature. This is frequently the case when a food that has been cooked is being consumed. Ideally, a consumer wants to eat the food shortly after it has been prepared so it is still warm. Sometimes, however, the "leftovers" from meals are preserved at low temperature in a container stored inside a refrigerator. The leftovers are then heated in a microwave, on a stove, inside a hot air oven, or other known heating method, shortly before they are consumed. Similarly, many examples of commercially available refrigerated and frozen foods exist in the marketplace, which are also heated shortly before consumption.
In the case of relatively dry food products, cooking and packaging technology enables market participants to store and sell dry food products for weeks or months at room temperature after they have been cooked, before they lose their desirable organoleptic properties, become stale, or become microbially unstable. Such products are known in the industry as shelf stable food products. Shelf stable food products are typically relatively dry—less than 3% moisture—and have been cooked at temperatures above 100° C. to kill any pathogens present in the ingredients. Examples include, snack chips such as potato chips, tortilla chips, fruit chips and vegetable chips, as well as extruded puffs, pretzels and many other cooked, dry food products.
Much like non-shelf-stable foods, shelf stable food products typically have a highly desirable taste. Some restaurants serve warm tortilla chips that have been fried in-house as an appetizer. Dry snack products that are produced commercially are also known to have a highly desirable flavor when sampled shortly after coming off of a product line. However, the prior art fails to disclose a food package that facilitates the heating of a relatively dry food. Consequently, a need exists for a package of food that allows a consumer to easily heat and consume the dry food products inside.


An isolation method in which an isolation ring is formed to isolate a semiconductor device from other semiconductor devices on a common substrate. The method is suitable for isolating bipolar devices from CMOS or other devices formed on the same substrate and for preventing base current from being injected into the substrate. The method starts with a substrate having a buried sub-collector and a first isolation region that surrounds the portion of the surface to contain the semiconductor device. The first isolation region extends only part of the distance from the surface towards the buried sub-collector. Layers of polysilicon and dual-tone resist are applied, and a first mask is used with an opaque area aligned over the portion of the surface to contain the semiconductor device. The edge of the opaque region terminates above the first isolation region. After exposure, the properties of the dual-tone resist allow a narrow sub-minimum width trench to be removed from the resist to define an isolation ring. Ion implantation is then used to form a second isolation region extending to the sub-collector to form the isolation ring. Blanket exposure of the resist and further processing allows the semiconductor device to be formed within and automatically aligned with the isolation ring.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method of isolating semiconductor devices constructed on a common substrate. The invention is particularly useful in Bi-CMOS applications in which bipolar semiconductor devices must be isolated from each other and from CMOS devices.
2. Description of Related Art
Bi-CMOS technology permits bipolar and CMOS transistors to be constructed on a common semiconductor substrate. The combination of these two types of devices provides higher performance than CMOS devices alone, without the higher power consumption that would be required for a device constructed entirely from bipolar transistors.
One of the difficulties encountered in implementing bi-CMOS technology is isolating the bipolar devices from other devices on the common substrate. Shallow trench isolation (STI), which may be used for isolation of the CMOS elements, does not provide sufficient isolation for minimum size bipolar devices.
Bipolar devices constructed over a buried sub-collector can be partially isolated with the same STI regions used to isolate the CMOS elements. However, the isolation provided by the STI region is insufficient to prevent current leakage under the STI region. This current leakage seriously degrades device performance. Several approaches have been employed to eliminate the leakage path.
One solution is to use deep trench isolation, deeper than a typical STI region and sufficiently deep that the isolation region extends from the surface to the buried sub-collector. Another approach is to use a thin epitaxial layer such that the depth of the STI isolation region is sufficient to contact the buried sub-collector.
Another solution to the leakage problem is to form a second lightly doped n-type region by ion implantation to the structure above the subcollector. Yet another approach which has been tried, is the use of an additional mask to form an n+ isolation ring under the STI isolation region. All of these approaches, while partially successful, add process complexity, decrease device performance or increase device size.
Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method of isolating semiconductor devices that minimizes additional process complexity and avoids increasing device size.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a method of isolating semiconductor devices wherein the isolation region is automatically aligned relative to the semiconductor device to be isolated by that region.
A further object of the invention is to provide a method of forming the isolation region using dual-tone resist which has the capability of defining three separate regions with a single mask.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

Method of forming a self-aligned, sub-minimum isolation ring


Methods and apparatus for accepting software updates without interruption of ongoing services. Various embodiments are adapted for maintaining service continuity in multi-mode devices such as cellular devices. In one exemplary implementation, unlike prior art solutions (which interrupt user identity module software to implement changes to the network access software), unnecessary updates can be postponed or otherwise scheduled so as to minimize or eliminate service or user experience impact.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of mobile technology and wireless communications. More particularly, one exemplary embodiment is directed to performing user identity module software updates without interruption of ongoing services.
2. Description of Related Technology
Existing mobile devices terminate all running services to update user identity module (UIM) components. Traditionally, this ensured that a mobile device would access the network with the most current UIM software.
However, given the recent growth in multi-mode device popularity, indiscriminately terminating all running services to perform UIM updates can dramatically affect user experience. Specifically, receiving a UIM update for inactive network access software ideally should not trigger a termination event for all running services of the device.
Accordingly, improved methods and apparatus are needed for performing software (e.g., UIM software) updates that do not exhibit such indiscriminant behavior and hence do not adversely impact user service continuity or user experience.

Methods and apparatus for user identity module update without service interruption


Described herein are a method and system for desalinating saltwater using concentration difference energy. A “five stream” dialytic stack is described that can be used to desalinate saltwater at a relatively high recovery ratio. The dialytic stack may include, for example, one or more drive cells having a paired concentrate and a diluent-c chamber in ionic communication with a product chamber that is adjacent to an anion and a cation discharge chamber each filled with diluent-p. The drive cell applies a drive voltage across the product chamber, and when the drive voltage exceeds a desalination voltage of the product chamber, the saltwater in the product chamber is desalinated. The dialytic stack may accept brine discharged from a first desalination plant as saltwater to be desalinated. Processing the brine in the dialytic stack may decrease its volume, decreasing costs associated with treating or otherwise disposing of the brine.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure is directed at a method and system for desalinating saltwater using concentration difference energy. More particularly, the present disclosure is directed at a method and system for desalinating saltwater utilizing a dialytic stack designed to desalinate saltwater at a relatively high recovery ratio.
2. Description of Related Art
Over one quarter of Earth's population does not have adequate access to freshwater. Inadequate access to freshwater is detrimental, as it can lead to disease and malnutrition, limit agricultural development, and inhibit economic growth.
In contrast to freshwater, saltwater is readily available. Saltwater in the form of seawater constitutes about 97% of the water on Earth. Unless seawater is sufficiently desalinated, though, it is not only undrinkable but unsuitable for agriculture. "Desalination" refers to the process of removing anions and cations from saltwater. Seawater typically has a salt concentration of about 3.5% by mass; that is, about 35 grams of dissolved salt per liter of water. Another source of saltwater is salty, underground aquifer water, also known as "brackish water". The salt concentration of brackish water typically ranges from less than 1% to more than 18% salt by mass. In contrast, drinkable water typically has a salt concentration of, at most, about 0.04%.
Several desalination methods are known in the art. One of the most popular methods at present is reverse osmosis ("RO"). RO involves mechanically forcing saltwater through spirally wound, semi-permeable membranes at high pressure. The membranes reject salt from the saltwater to produce both streams of freshwater and a salty, wastewater stream known as "brine". Saltwater that is desalinated using RO requires extensive pre-treatment, however, which increases RO's energy requirements. RO also suffers from performance issues when the temperature of the saltwater is over about 30° C., which can be the case when the saltwater source is water from a warm ocean or power plant inlet, for example.
Another popular method of desalination is multiple effect distillation ("MED") or multi-stage flash ("MSF"). MED and MSF desalinate saltwater by repeatedly evaporating and condensing the saltwater over a series of multiple stages. The source of the energy for MED and MSF processes is usually low pressure steam. The primary drawback of MED and MSF processes is the large amount of thermal energy they consume, which is typically an order of magnitude higher than that used by RO.
Another popular method of desalination is electrodialysis reversal ("EDR"), in which an electric current migrates dissolved salt ions through an electrodialysis stack composed of alternating anion and cation exchange membranes. One problem that occurs when desalinating saltwater using EDR and other methods that utilize ion exchange membranes is that the ion exchange membranes accumulate scaling over time, which inhibits desalination performance. Consequently, removing the scaling from the ion exchange membranes in an efficient manner is desirable.
Furthermore, all desalination processes produce brine in addition to freshwater. This brine typically has a salt mass concentration of about 7% for seawater desalination plants, and is of environmental concern as it is typically discharged back into a marine environment. Consequently, reducing one or both of the volume and concentration of brine from a saltwater plant would be beneficial.

Method for desalinating saltwater using concentration gradient energy


The present invention relates to a method for constructing human skin tissue, in which human skin tissue is reconstructed on a body surface of an immunodeficient non-human animal.

In recent years, attention has been paid to regenerative medicine and regenerative medical care. Regenerative medical care is a type of medical care which by using cells attempts to regenerate the functions of biological tissues and organs which have fallen into functional disorder and dysfunction. In the field of regenerative medicine, almost all organs and tissues are targets for research, and they have already been put to practical use in some areas. Among them, an organ for which a technology for reconstructing self-regenerating tissues and organs has first been established is skin.
In the research field, regenerated skin in an in vitro system has so far been most widely used as a skin model because of its good handling property (Bell E, Ehrlich H P, Buttle D J, Nakatsuji T., Science Mar; 211 (4486): 1052-4, 1981, Tsunenaga M, Horii I, Kuroki T, Tissue Culture (20 (8), 282-285, 1994, Tsunenaga M, Kohno Y, Horii I, Yasumoto S, Huh N H, Tachikawa T, Yoshiki S, Kuroki T, Jpn J Cancer Res Mar; 85 (3): 238-44, 1994). However, it has the disadvantages in that the character thereof can be maintained only for a short period and that the durability against medicine is weak. As a human skin model which can be used to solve the above problems, there is technology in which human skin species are grafted directly onto immunodeficient animals (Yan H C, Juhasz I, Pilewski J, Murphy G F, Herlyn M, Albelda S M, J Clin Invest Mar; 91 (3): 986-96, 1993). This model is a skin model which is considerably close to human skin in situ. On the other hand, availability of fresh human skin is an important factor, and actual situations involve a practical problem in terms of available acquisition of fresh human skin.
A method for grafting a cultured human cell onto an immunodeficient animal to construct regenerated skin has been developed in order to overcome the situation described above. There are a plurality of such methods, and among them, attention has been paid to a spontaneous sorting method (for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (through PCT) No. 50589/2002, Wang C K, Nelson C F, Brinkman A M, Miller A C, Hoeffler W K, J Invest Dermatol. 2000, April; 114 (4): 674-80) in recent years. In this method, primarily cultured keratinocyte isolated from fresh human skin is mixed with a fibroblast to construct reconstructed skin on the skin of an experimental animal. This method provides the advantages that the cell can freely move and interaction between the cells is liable to be caused and that a structure closer to the skin of a living body is available.
However, according to the reports which have so far been given, evaluations are made only for 4 weeks after grafting at the longest, and at the end of this period, at least the surface's state does not reach a smooth state similar to that of human skin. In addition thereto, a decrease in the area of reconstructed skin with the passage of time, which is one of the typical and significant problems in constructing reconstructed skin, has not yet been solved (Boyce S T, Supp A P, Swope V B, Warden G D, J Invest Dermatol 2002 April; 118 (4): 556-7).

Method for constructing reconstructed skin


Accessing of adjacent arrays of memory in a semiconductor integrated circuit is facilitated by numbering the arrays of memory in accordance with a digital Gray code in which the addresses of adjacent arrays differ in only one digit. Each array is selected by the full array select address field. Each sense amplifier and I/O circuitry between memory arrays and shared by two adjacent memory arrays is selected by the full array select address field less one bit, that bit being the single address bit that differs between the addresses of the two adjacent Grey code numbered memory arrays. This permits faster decoding and enabling of the sense amplifier and I/O signal circuitry.

This invention relates generally to semiconductor memories such as static and dynamic random access memories, and more particularly the invention relates to the numbering sequence of memory arrays for faster selection of the shared sense amplifier regions between memory arrays.
Data is stored in semiconductor memories in addressable word lines with each word line having a plurality of data bits. The capacity of semiconductor memory integrated circuits has reached multi-mega bit levels, and the memory is organized as a plurality of addressable arrays for accessing stored data and writing data. As shown in FIG. 1, the memory arrays 10-1, 10-3, 10-5, 10-7 have sense amplifiers and input/output (I/O) circuitry 12-0, 12-2, 12-4, 12-6, 12-8 positioned above and below each array and shared by adjacent arrays. Each sense amplifier and I/O circuit is selected if and only if the memory array directly above or below the sense amplifier is selected. The activation of each block of sense amplifiers and I/O circuitry 12 requires the OR gating of the adjacent array select activation signals. The array select activation signals in FIG. 1, i.e. the outputs of inverters 15-1, 15-3, 15-5, 15-7, are ORed together in adjacent pairs to generate the sense amplifier and I/O activation signals i.e. the outputs of inverters 18-2, 18-4, 18-6. With this prior art implementation, the sense amplifier select signal occurs later than do the array select activation signals, that is, later than desirable. The binary coded numbering of arrays in accordance with the prior art does not allow for a direct AND gating of array select address signals to generate the sense amplifier activation signal because a plurality of bits might change between the two numbers. For example, array 1 (binary 001) and array 2 (binary 010) have both of the two least significant bits change between the two binary numbers. Thus, the decoding logic for controlling the shared block of sense amplifiers and I/O circuitry 12-4 requires two AND functions, NAND gates 14-3 and 14-5 followed by inverters which then feed a two input OR function, NOR gate 16-4 and inverter 18-4 to select and enable the block 12-4. Increased delay is encountered in the decoding operation.
The present invention is directed to an improved method of choosing the address decode sequence of memory arrays to allow for faster decoding of the shared sense amplifier and I/O regions between the memory arrays.

Semiconductor memory and method of accessing memory arrays


A substantially leak-free, sealable microvalve that can be repeatedly opened and sealed is presented. The resealable microvalve includes a block with a through via and a sealing plate. The gap between the block and the sealing plate is sealed by a sealing material. The sealing material can be melted when heat is applied and can be solidified when heat is absent. To close the resealable microvalve, heat is applied by flowing a current through a resistive heater and an actuator brings the block and the sealing plate into a contacting position. By removing the heat, the sealing material is solidified and creates a sealed state. To open the resealable microvalve, heat is applied to the sealing material. When the sealing material melts, the actuator moves the block and the sealing plate into a spaced apart position.

The present disclosure relates to the field of microvalves, specifically to a microvalve that can be repeatedly opened and sealed.
A typical structure for a Micro Electro Mechanical System (MEMS) microvalve includes an orifice and a moveable plate that can be actuated to press against the orifice. When the plate does not press against the orifice, fluid can flow through the orifice and therefore through the valve. When the plate is pressed against the orifice, fluid flow through the valve is restricted. Although the flow is restricted, this type of microvalve does not seal fully, and some flow continues through the orifice. The ratio of open flow rate to closed flow rate for valves that have a flow rate when open of at least 1 standard centimeter cubed per minute (sccm) is typically up to about 10,000. This does not provide adequate sealing for long periods of time.
There are valves that provide a substantially leak-free seal; however, the seal of these valves are permanent. A closed valve, which is sealed by solidifying a sealing material, may be opened by melting the sealing material. However, when the sealing material melts, the sealing material drains away, not allowing the valve to be reused without adding more sealing material.
In many of the applications, it may be desirable to use a valve that can be repeatedly opened and closed and can provide a substantially leak-free seal in the closed state and a relatively high flow rate in the open state.

Sealable microvalve that can be repeatedly opened and sealed


It is provided for a resin composition including (A) at least one polyamic acid having the structure represented by the following formula (1):

Since polyimides have a large number of higher-order structures composed of cyclic structures such as a heterocyclic ring and aromatic ring, their molecular chains are hard to move at high temperatures. Due to a large number of higher-order bonds such as double bonds, they have large interatomic bonding energy. The heterocyclic ring and aromatic ring in a polyimide molecule interact with one another within the polymer molecule or between the polymer molecules to form a charge transfer complex, thereby to produce a large coagulation power. Therefore, they have the highest heat resistance in various plastics.
Furthermore, polyimides are excellent not only in heat resistance but also in mechanical properties and electric properties. Specifically, polyimides have high strength, high elasticity, high insulating properties and low dielectric properties. Polyimides are also excellent in chemical resistance, radiation resistance and flame retardance.
A photosensitive polyimide which has been developed recently has been used for a very large-scale integration semiconductor, a polyimide having toughness and strong adhesive force has been used for a launch vehicle, a polyimide having high transparency has been used for an optical communication device, and a polyimide having good injection molding property has been used for heat resistant sliding parts including automobile parts.
Application examples of polyimides having the above-mentioned properties in optical fields are given below: a polyimide prepared by reacting a dianhydride containing a sulfur atom with a diamine containing no sulfur atom is used for a light guide (see Patent Document 1); a polyimide prepared by reacting a dianhydride containing no sulfur atom with a diamine containing a sulfur atom is used for an alignment film of liquid crystal (see Patent Document 2); a mixture of a polyimide having a particular structure and titanium oxide particles is used for a high-refractive index material (see Patent Document 3); and a mixture of a polyamic acid containing no sulfur atom, titanium oxide particles and other particular compound is used for a positive type photosensitive resin composition (see Patent Document 4).
[Patent Document 1] JP-A-2004-131684
[Patent Document 2] JP-A-H05-263077
[Patent Document 3] JP-A-2001-354853
[Patent Document 4] JP-A-2005-208465
In the case where a sulfur atom is introduced into the dianhydride (Patent Document 1), the resultant polyimide has a refractive index of 1.67 to 1.72, but is insufficient in transparency at visible light wavelength (400 to 700 nm). In the case where the polyimide is used for an alignment film of liquid crystal (Patent Document 2), since attention is focused on the conductivity of the polyimide, no reference is made to the refractive index. The invention disclosed in Patent Document 3 uses the polyamic acid prepared by reacting a specific dianhydride with a specific diamine. The diamine used in the invention disclosed in Patent Document 3 has a specific structure in which benzene rings are bonded mainly by an ether group (—O—), and Patent Document 3 discloses only two kinds of diamines having one thioether group (—S—).

Resin composition, cured product and optical parts

Abstract: wherein R1 is independently an alkyl group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a cyano group; a is independently an integer of 0 to 4; R is a tetravalent organic group; n is an integer of 1 to 4; and m is an integer of 1 to 100,000, and (E) an organic solvent.


Error insertion preventing ribs (37) fittable into error insertion preventing grooves (23) of an accommodating portion (12) of a housing main body (11) project on the side surfaces of an auxiliary connector (30), and detecting ribs (43) insertable into error insertion preventing grooves (23) are provided on retainers (40). In the case that the auxiliary connector (30) is insufficiently inserted, the error insertion preventing ribs (37) of the auxiliary connector (30) interfere with the detecting ribs (43) of the retainers (40) in the process of mounting the retainers (40) to restricting positions to prevent the mounting of the retainers (40). In this way, the insufficiently inserted state of the auxiliary connector (30) can be detected.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a divided connector.
2. Description of the Related Art
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-331738 shows a divided connector with a housing main body and a separate auxiliary housing in an accommodating portion of the housing main body. Cavities are provided in the housing main body and in the auxiliary housing for accommodating terminal fittings. The divided connector is intended to achieve efficiencies during insertion of the terminal fittings.
The auxiliary housing of the divided connector may inadvertently be left insufficiently inserted during an assembly. Many prior art divided connectors have no means for detecting the insufficient insertion of the auxiliary housing. Other prior art divided connectors detect insufficient insertion with a detector that is added to a conventional construction, thereby leading to an increased number of parts and higher production costs.
The invention was developed in view of the above problem and an object thereof is to detect an insufficiently inserted state of an auxiliary connector housing without increasing the number of parts of a divided connector.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Divided connector and a method of assembling it


The flow of a fluid such as water is controlled through an outlet by detecting sound within an environment at a first time and generating a first profile based upon the content of the sound detected at the first time. The flow of the fluid is further controlled by detecting sound within the environment at a second time and generating a second profile based upon the content of the sound detected at the second time. The flow of the fluid is still further controlled by comparing the second profile with the first profile and controlling a control valve to shut off a supply of the fluid exiting a tap based upon the results of the comparison.

The present invention relates to water control, and in particular to water outlet control that reduces water waste based upon sound variation.
In certain parts of the world, water is abundant. As such, many people use water thoughtlessly or in a manner that leads to water waste. However, fresh, potable water is considered a precious commodity in many parts of the world.
Water that is wasted through water outlets such as taps and showers represents a sizable waste of a valuable and necessary resource. Water can be wasted in a number of manners. For instance, leaving a water tap running for longer than is necessary for an intended use leads to water waste. Additionally, a running water tap can be left open by mistake. As yet another example, a water facet may not be turned off all of the way, so as to drip. Still further, facets, toilets and other water devices can leak.
The problem of water waste is aggregated with each waste. As an example, a running tap may utilize as much as six liters of water per minute. As another example, a regular shower uses up to 45 liters per minute. However, conservation practiced at a small scale by individual consumers can have huge impact in overall efficient use of water resources.

Water outlet control system using sound variation

INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION


An apparatus for energy assisted magnetic recording of a storage disk includes a plurality of dielectric waveguide cores disposed near an air bearing surface of a magnetic recording device. Each waveguide core has a fine ridge feature on a first surface of the waveguide core and configured to receive incident light energy from an energy source. A near field transducer (NFT) is formed at the air bearing surface for focusing light energy received from the waveguide core and transmitting the focused light energy onto the storage disk surface to generate a heating spot. The NFT includes at least one plasmonic metal element disposed above the fine ridge features of the waveguide cores to form an interface for delivering propagating surface plasmon polaritons (PSPPs) to the air bearing surface. Each fine ridge feature is configured with a width approximately equivalent to a width of the heating spot.

High density storage disks are configured with layers of materials that provide the required data stability for storage. The magnetic properties of the media may be softened when writing to the disk to assist changing the bit state. Energy Assisted Magnetic Recording (EAMR) device or Heat Assisted Magnetic Recording (HAMR) technology provides heat that is focused on a nano-sized bit region when writing onto a magnetic storage disk, which achieves the magnetic softening. A light waveguide directs light from a laser diode to a near field transducer (NFT). The NFT focuses the optical energy to a small spot on the target recording area which heats the magnetic storage disk during a write operation. Inefficiencies in the NFT can have a negative impact on the power budget of the laser diode and the EAMR/HAMR system lifetime. Higher NFT efficiency allows for lower laser power demand, relieving EAMR/HAMR system requirement on the total optical power from the laser source, and results in less power for parasitic heating of the EAMR/HAMR head resulting for improved reliability.
In the NFT, plasmonic metal can be used to interface with an energized dielectric waveguide for propagating surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs), which carry out the nano-focusing function beyond the light's diffraction limit. High quality plasmonic metals rely on high density free electrons which have weak mechanical robustness, and are susceptible to damages caused by thermal or mechanical stresses present in an EAMR head. Under these stresses, the service lifetime of the EAMR/HAMR device is limited to NFT failure occurring at the plasmonic metal part having fine (nano-sized) features, such as at a ridge or a pin.

Near field transducer using dielectric waveguide core with fine ridge feature


An optical interconnection circuit structure includes a substrate, an optical waveguide path, a semiconductor optical element, and a supporting base. The supporting base may be the same material as that for the optical waveguide path, as that for the substrate, or as that for the semiconductor optical element. The supporting base has an appropriately shaped surface or surfaces which abut the semiconductor optical element and a fixing material may be used depending on the shapes of the abutting surfaces. The supporting base thus formed ensures that the semiconductor optical element is stably mounted thereon and securely fixed thereto thereby establishing optical interconnection between the optical waveguide and the semiconductor optical element in a highly efficient and very reliable manner.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an optical interconnection circuit structure, and more particularly to an optical interconnection circuit structure in which semiconductor optical devices are mounted and optical waveguide circuits and formed on a common substrate.
(2) Description of the Related Art
The maximum capacity of optical communication systems is advancing and, at the same time, in pursuing high level multifunctional systems, there are strong demands for optical fiber networks which are small, of low cost, highly integrated and highly functional. This means that it is essential for the optical devices for equipment such as optical transmission equipment and optical receiving equipment to also be small, highly integrated and of low cost.
Current practices provided for optical transmission and optical receiving equipment utilize a structure whereby a lens is set up between the optical fiber and either the semiconductor light source or the semiconductor light detector and optical connection is via space. This construction involving a lens and optical connection via space is referred to as "micro-optics". In micro-optics constructions there are difficulties whereby, for example, the lens shape and the shape of the package for the semiconductor light source and the semiconductor light detector restrict how small the construction can be made. Also, in order to have an efficient joint or connection between the optical fiber and the light detector using light in space, it is necessary to align the optical axis very precisely. As this operation demands many fabrication steps in the present circumstances, the cost of this cannot be reduced. Needless to say that this is completely unsuitable for high integration of similar functions or functions of a different variety.
Recently, it has become necessary to enhance bidirectional communication systems, and it is hoped to bring these systems even into the household. At this time, to make this bidirectional communication possible, it is necessary to have an optical device with optical transmission equipment and optical receiving equipment but, if these are constructed individually, the optical transmitting and receiving apparatus is cumbersome and system propagation is hindered. Therefore, although an optical device which incorporates the two functions in one body is preferable, it is difficult to realize this with a micro-optics structure for the above mentioned reasons. With this as background, Henry et al reported their research for "Light Wave Technology" in IEEE (pp. 1530-1539 (1989)) aiming for a smaller, more highly integrated lower cost structure using optical waveguide.
A conventional optical interconnection circuit structure is shown in a schematic plan view in FIG. 1. In the structure shown therein, formed on a substrate 1 are optical waveguides 2, 2a including a splitter function circuit 7. These optical waveguides 2, 2a, a semiconductor light source and the semiconductor light detector for signal detection are respectively and directly coupled optically on the same substrate 1. In FIG. 1, a semiconductor light detector 5a for monitoring the light output from the semiconductor light source 4 is also integrated on the same substrate 1 and is optically coupled with the waveguide 2b, but even if the semiconductor light detector 5a for monitoring the light output from the semiconductor light source 4 is not present, there will still be no problems with the functioning of the transmitting and receiving equipment for bidirectional optical communication. Also, the electronic reception device (not shown) for the semiconductor light detectors 5 and 5a is integrated on the same substrate 1 but even if this electronic device is not on the same substrate, there will still be no problems with the functioning of the transmitting and receiving equipment for bidirectional optical communication. With the optical waveguide 2 as shown in FIG. 1, a small size optical transmitting and receiving device can be achieved. The optical waveguide itself is suitable for mass production using lithographic processes, thus reducing the cost of production.
The semiconductor optical element mounted on the substrate and the optical waveguide formed on the substrate are optically interconnected on the substrate. In order to connect the optical waveguide and the semiconductor optical element optically in an efficient manner in the optical interconnection circuit in which the semiconductor device is fixed to the substrate, it is necessary to adjust the optical axis of the optical waveguide and the semiconductor optical element within all three dimensions to an accuracy of within 1 .mu.m. However, doing this demands a high level of precision when adjusting the optical axis and as this operation requires a large number of fabrication steps, costs cannot be reduced according to the present technology. Consequently, there has yet to be realized a semiconductor optical interconnection fixing means which can overcome the structural problems in a conventional means for optically connecting a semiconductor optical element placed on the substrate with an optical waveguide formed on the substrate and which is simple and yet highly efficient and reliable.

Optical interconnection circuit structure


A self-locking clamping apparatus is provided for coupling a tool unit to a tool supporter. The clamping apparatus includes a pair of locking spheres, a canister member that is matable with the tool unit and which includes a pair of opposing apertures for admitting the locking spheres, and a lock rod reciprocally movable within the canister member along an axis and having opposing ramp portions for radially moving the locking spheres through the canister apertures into locking engagement with the tool unit. The ramp portions are inclined at a small angle of approximately 5.degree. with respect to the axis of movement of the lock rod to render the lock rod self-locking as a result of stiction between the surfaces of the ramp portions and the locking spheres. The small angle of the ramp portions allows the use of a small, lightweight pneumatic actuator which may be powered by shop air. Finally, a biasing mechanism in the form of one or more coil springs prevents the lock rod from being shaken out of a locked position from externally applied vibration.

This invention generally relates to an improved lock rod clamping apparatus for detachably connecting a tool unit to a tool supporter, and is particularly concerned with such an apparatus having a self-locking lock rod that can be pulled into a locking position by -means of a low pressure, pneumatic actuator. The lock rod may further include recesses adjacent to its ramp portions for receiving one or more locking spheres.
Clamping mechanisms for detachably connecting a tool unit to a tool supporter are well known in the prior art. Such mechanisms are typically used in machining operations where the tool unit holds a cutting insert that is moved into and out of cutting engagement with a rotating workpiece. The clamping apparatus allows different tool units holding different cutting inserts to be quickly attached to and detached from the tool supporter which in turn is connected to a lathe or other device, that controls the movement of the tool unit with respect to the workpiece.
One of the commercial clamping mechanisms includes a cylindrically-shaped canister member that is matable with the tubular end of a tool unit and which includes apertures for admitting locking elements into locking engagement with recesses present in the tool unit. The locking elements, which are typically spherical, are radially moved through the apertures in the canister member by means of a reciprocating lock rod having cams that engage the locking elements. Examples of such clamping mechanisms are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,708,040; 4,747,735; 4,836,068, and 4,932,295, each of which is assigned or co-assigned to Kennametal Inc., located in Latrobe, Pa.
A side, cross-sectional view of such a prior art clamping mechanism 35 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. Such a mechanism 35 includes a cylindrically-shaped canister member 39 mounted within a housing 41 formed from a coupling member 43. The canister member 39 includes a pair of opposing apertures 54a,b in the form of cylindrical bores through the tubular wall of the member 39. The walls 56 of the apertures 54a,b, are orthogonal with respect to the axis A of reciprocation of the lock rod 60. The inner diameter of the cylindrical bores forming the apertures 54a,b closely approximates the outer diameter of spherical locking elements 57a,b. The reciprocating lock rod 60 includes a distal end 62 that is slidably mounted within the cylindrical interior of the canister member 39. The distal end 62 of the lock rod 60 includes cams 64a,b which include spherical depressions 66 that taper off into ramp portions 68. The proximal end 69 of the lock rod 60 is connected to an actuator 73 formed from a stack of Bellville washers 74 that are slidably and concentrically disposed around the proximal end 72.5 of the canister member 39. These springs 74 are captured between support plate 45 and a spring retainer 73.5 connected to the proximal end 69 of the lock rod, and provide a pulling force that draws the lock rod 60 into the position shown in phantom. In this position, the ramp portions 68 of the cams 64a,b radially push the locking spheres 57a,b through the cylindrical apertures 54a,b in the canister member 39 and into engagement with angled wall portions 30 present in the frustro-conically shaped tool unit 10. This engagement lockingly secures the tool unit 10 to the tool supporter 37.
While such a prior art locking mechanism has proven its capability of quickly, conveniently, and rigidly attaching a tool unit to a tool supporter, the applicant has observed several areas where the performance of such a mechanism may be improved. Specifically, the applicant has observed that if the clamping mechanism could be modified to render the lock rod self-locking, then the need for any kind of device for continuously applying a large pull-back force on the rod to maintain it in a locked position could be eliminated. Presently, this pull-back force is provided by spring-type actuators such as Bellville washers, or hydraulic cylinder-type actuators. Such actuators serve not only to draw the lock rod into the position illustrated in FIG. 4, but to maintain the lock rod in such a position until it is desired to disengage the clamping mechanism from the tool unit.
The applicant has also observed that if the amount of pull-back force necessary to pull the lock rod into a locking position (which may be about 2000 pounds) could be lowered, then the spring-type or hydraulic actuators used in the prior art could be replaced with a smaller and lighter pneumatic cylinder. Such a pneumatic cylinder could advantageously be powered by the 80 psi compressed air available in virtually all machine shops.
It would further be advantageous if the resulting gripping force could be increased, thereby also increasing tool rigidity and cutting accuracy.
Finally, it would be advantageous if all of these objects could be achieved with only a minimal amount of modification to the shapes of existing parts so that a conventional clamping mechanism of the type previously described could easily be converted into such a clamping mechanism.

Self-locking clamping apparatus for coupling a tool unit to a tool supporter


Systems and methods for multi-focus imaging are disclosed. An imaging system may suggest multiple regions of interest to a user based on a preview mode of a scene of interest. The user may select a plurality of the suggested regions of interest for a multi-focus image. The imaging system calculates the autofocus parameters for each of the multiple regions of interest and captures single images of each of the regions of interest when the shutter button of the camera is pressed. The imaging system then generates a multi-focus image from the multiple images.

Field of the Invention
The systems and methods disclosed herein relate generally to multi-focus imaging.
Description of the Related Art
To take high quality images with a camera, the exposure and focus levels should be well adjusted to the objects within the scene of interest. However, in many circumstances, it can be difficult to obtain an optimal exposure and focus level for all objects within the scene. For example, it may be difficult to maintain objects in focus that are scattered at different distances along an axis (commonly the z-axis) defining the screen depth that extends from the camera lens to infinity. The depth of field is typically the area of the z-axis in which objects of the scene of interest are in focus. When the camera lens is zoomed in, the depth of field is shallower than when the camera lens is zoomed out. For this reason, it can be difficult to maintain focus on several objects located at different positions along the depth of field z-axis.

System and method for multi-focus imaging


A beauty cap has a plurality of sponge rollers, and a strip of material simulating hair wrapped around each roller and attached to the cap to simulate a user having her hair wrapped in curlers.

This invention is related to hair coverings, and more particularly to a cap worn by a user to simulate the user's hair being wrapped in rollers. The user may be a busy mother who has to leave her house in a hurry, a mother convalescing from childbirth, or a cancer patient waiting for new growth of hair and who does not desire to wear a full wig.
The preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a cap formed of an outer layer of and an inner layer of nylon material of a soft cotton fabric. An elastic band is stitched around the border of the cap to assist in retaining it on the user's head.
A plurality of soft sponge rollers are each covered with a cloth simulating natural hair. The simulated hair is attached to the outside surface of the cap in a suitable arrangement. Each roller is connected to its wrapping by a conventional clip, commonly used to retain hair on a roller.
The simulated hair may be chosen of a selected color, such as grey, black, off-black, brown, red, brunette or blond. Various ornamental accessories may be attached to the rollers, such as a long sash tied either in the front or the back, fake bangs mounted in the front to cover part of the forehead or the nap of the neck and having the same color as the simulated hair.
Still further objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains upon reference to following detailed description.


A single input level shifter, which performs a stable level-shifting operation without increasing its area when used with a thin film transistor (“TFT”) having a variety of different characteristics, and includes an intermediate voltage signal providing unit for providing an intermediate voltage signal having a voltage between a supply voltage and an input signal voltage, an inverting unit for receiving the intermediate voltage signal and providing an inverted intermediate voltage signal, and a voltage signal comparing unit for comparing the intermediate voltage signal with the inverted intermediate voltage signal and providing the supply voltage or the ground voltage according to the comparison. A TFT liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device employs the single input level shifter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a single input level shifter and a thin film transistor ("TFT") liquid crystal display ("LCD") device using the same, and more particularly, to a single input level shifter that can perform a stable level-shifting operation without increasing its area when used with TFTs having a variety of different characteristics, and a TFT LCD device using the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
As personal computers and television sets get smaller, lighter, and thinner, the demand for smaller, lighter, and thinner display devices increases. In order to meet this demand, flat panel display devices such as liquid crystal display ("LCD") devices have been developed to replace cathode ray tubes ("CRT").
LCD devices are display devices that apply an electric field to a liquid crystal material injected between two substrates and having an anisotropic dielectric constant. LCD devices also adjust the intensity of the electric field and adjust the amount of light transmitted onto the substrates, thereby generating a desired image signal. Examples of common LCD devices include portable flat panel display devices, and thin film transistor ("TFT") LCD devices that use TFTs as switching elements.
In general, a TFT LCD device includes a display unit having a plurality of gate lines that transmit a scan signal, a plurality of data lines that transmit gray-scale voltages in response to an image data signal, where the plurality of data lines are isolated from and cross the plurality of gate lines, and a plurality of pixels arranged in a matrix and having switching elements connected between the plurality of gate lines and the plurality of data lines. The TFT LCD further includes a gate driving unit that provides the scan signal to the gate lines, a data driving unit that provides the gray-scale voltages to the data lines, a timing control unit that provides a logic signal, and a level shifter that level-shifts the logic signal and transmits the level-shifted logic signal to the gate driving unit or the data driving unit.
Here, the level shifter receives a digital logic signal from the external timing control unit and amplifies the signal so as to drive the gate driving unit or the data driving unit.
A conventional level shifter for an LCD device will now be described with reference to FIG. 1. The level shifter includes metal oxide semiconductor ("MOS") transistors made of layers of silicon, an insulting oxide layer, and a metal gate. An MOS transistor is a voltage-controlled switch that has three connection points including a source, a drain, and a gate. A p-channel type, or PMOS transistor for short, and an n-channel type, or NMOS transistor for short, are made from materials with different affinities for electrons. Conduction for the PMOS transistor is based on holes, and conduction for the NMOS transistor is based on electrons.
In a case where an input signal IN input to the level shifter of FIG. 1 is low, a PMOS transistor MP5 is turned on and an inverted signal INB of the input signal IN, i.e., a high level, is applied to a PMOS transistor MP2 and an NMOS transistor MN2. As a result, the PMOS transistor MP2 is turned off, the NMOS transistor MN2 is turned on, and a ground voltage is provided as an output signal OUT. On the other hand, when the input signal IN is high, an NMOS transistor MN3 is turned on, and the inverted signal INB applied to the PMOS transistor MP2 and the NMOS transistor MN2 is low. As a result, the PMOS transistor MP2 is turned on, the NMOS transistor MN2 is turned off, and, in an ideal situation, a supply voltage is provided as an output signal OUT. Thus, the level shifter provides a voltage signal, i.e., the supply voltage, which has a larger voltage than the input signal.
However, the level shifter of FIG. 1 comprises a plurality of TFTs that can perform a stable level-shifting operation only when the size of the high-level voltage of the input signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined voltage. Due to a high threshold voltage, a low field effect mobility μ, or large subthreshold swing, the TFTs operate stably only at voltages above the threshold voltage. Thus, when the voltage level of the input signal is equal to or less than the threshold voltage, an NMOS transistor is not sufficiently turned on and cannot invert the input signal. When the input signal cannot be inverted, the output signal OUT of the level shifter is maintained at a high level or a low level, but the voltage level of the output signal OUT is less than that of the supply voltage. In addition, the level-shifting operation may vary depending on the field effect mobility or subthreshold swing, and the deviation of the threshold voltage.
In U.S. Pat. No. 6,404,230, a level shifter for an LCD device is disclosed that level-shifts an input signal by separately applying the input signal and an inverted signal of the input signal. However, since an interconnection for transmitting the input signal and an interconnection for transmitting the inverted signal of the input signal are required, the area of the level shifter increases, and the number of output terminals of a timing control unit increases.
In Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 2003-0051920, a level shifter for an LCD device is disclosed that level-shifts an input signal by separately applying an input signal and a reference voltage. However, since an interconnection for transmitting a reference voltage is coupled with an interconnection for transmitting other voltage signals, and a stable reference voltage cannot be transmitted, malfunctions may occur.

Level shifter with single input and liquid crystal display device using the same


An image capturing apparatus or reproducing apparatus which allows a user to easily obtain a desirable sound and image is provided. The image capturing apparatus or reproducing apparatus includes: an image capturing section for capturing an image of a subject; a recording section for recording a sound surrounding the image capturing section; a threshold sound volume storage section for storing a specified threshold sound volume; a sound extraction section for extracting the sound within a part of period including the sound having the volume larger than the threshold sound volume stored in the threshold sound volume storage section among the sound recorded by the recording section; a data storage section for associating each of a plurality of images captured by the image capturing section with each of a plurality of sounds extracted by the sound extraction section in the order of capturing and recording, and for storing the same; and a data output section for synchronizing the captured image with the sound which are associated and stored in the data storage section and outputting the same.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an image capturing apparatus, an image capturing method, a reproducing apparatus, a reproducing method and a program. Particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for capturing images, an apparatus and a method for reproducing images and a program for the image capturing apparatus and the reproducing apparatus.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, a digital still camera which can record not only static images but also moving images on a memory card, associate a sound detected by a microphone at capturing the static images and the moving with the images and record the same is known as described in Patent Application Publication No. 7-154734, for example.
For example, however capturing the images of birds using such camera, a surrounding noise is recorded along with the chirp of birds, so that the reproduced sound is not good. In that case, the sound other than the chirp of birds is eliminated, or the sound recorded when the surrounding noise is less is reproduced, so that the images can be preferably viewed. Additionally, it is favorable for users that images and sounds are easily appreciated without complicated works such as editing the images and sounds after image-capturing.

Image capturing apparatus, image capturing method, reproducing apparatus, reproducing method and program


The present disclosure discloses method and a content rendering system for providing multimodal content to selective users during visual presentation. The method includes identifying plurality of users attending visual presentation based on login and user details provided during registering to visual presentation. One or more keywords is determined in visual presentation associated with one or more auxiliary content based on narration by a presenter. The one or more auxiliary content corresponding to each of the one or more keywords is retrieved. The method includes identifying one or more users from plurality of users allowed to receive one or more auxiliary content based on user details and predefined auxiliary mapping details. The one or more auxiliary content is combined with corresponding one or more keywords in visual presentation. Thereafter, combined auxiliary content along with the visual presentation is provided to users in respective user devices.

Nowadays, visual communication plays an important role in every meeting taking place in various organizations. Generally, presentation of common content to multiple class of users is challenging. During a course of presentation, some users may be interested in data, such as, numbers, while some others may be interested in pictures, graphs and the like. Thus, it becomes difficult to cater to multiple classes of users. In a common presentation, sometimes, some data may be sensitive, which is not required to be rendered to all users present in the presentation. For example, while presenting quarterly results of a company, an overall profit or loss is important for shareholders of the company, while department heads are interested in business unit wise profits relevant for their units, and interest of sales head lies in geographical distribution of sales of products. However, finance head is interested in quarter on quarter and year on year profits. In general, apart from common content, users who are part of the presentation are interested in different parts of the content.
Conventional systems provide an aspect of rendering additional content to specific users. However, in such conventional systems, each individual user is provided with a unique version due to which maintaining different user specific versions in a database becomes difficult and requires huge memory for storing these versions. Typically, the additional content is provided on a personal basis, which means, for each user, entire data streaming is personalized, and requires separate streaming as well as separate content generation and storage. Thus, resulting in utilization of more resources and bandwidth. Currently, there are no mechanisms to provide an auxiliary data which is a sensitive data to different users at different time-periods without need of maintaining customized data streams for each individual user.
The information disclosed in this background of the disclosure section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

Method and system for providing multimodal content to selective users during visual presentation


A nozzle change magazine for laser beam machine which improves machining efficiency of a laser beam machine by installing a nozzle change magazine for laser machining tools equipped with a torch and a nozzle replaceably attached to the tip of the torch. A setup station for laser machining tools is installed outside a machining area of a laser beam machine. It includes a nozzle station which replaces a nozzle at the tip of the torch. The nozzle change station has a large number of magazines and changes the nozzle at the tip of the laser machining tool.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a nozzle change magazine which makes it possible to use unskilled operators in operating a laser beam machine, maximize machining quality and productivity for each material and workpiece thickness, and accomplish long, unattended operation.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are known laser beam machines capable of changing a nozzle automatically (see, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 6-23580 (Patent Document 1)). With such a laser beam machine, the nozzle is changed on a table and can be indexed using power of X-axis and Y-axis tables.
With the nozzle change mechanism described above, since the nozzle is attached and detached by being screwed in and out, if the nozzle is misaligned mechanically with a nozzle holder due to adhesion of dust or the like, the number of turns of the screw may deviate, preventing the nozzle to be screwed fully into the nozzle holder, and thus making it impossible to check whether the torch is clamped or unclamped, which may cause an accident.
Also, in most cases, the mechanical center axis of the torch does not coincide with its optical axis. To align nozzle position with the optical axis, an adjustment screw is used. This in turn may cause misalignment between nozzle center and mechanical center.
Since nozzle change position is designed to align with the mechanical center, the nozzle holder does not align with the nozzle center, making it impossible to change the nozzle.

Nozzle change magazine for laser beam machine


An electrostatographic recording method and apparatus includes an auto cycle-up routine for establishing readiness of various stations including a toning station for proper operation. In the automatic cycle-up routine proper operation of a toning station warmer is determined by a controller. The controller then establishes a first cycle-up duration when the toning station warmer is determined to be operating satisfactorily and a second and longer cycle-up duration when the toning station warmer is determined to be not operating satisfactorily.

Electrostatographic apparatus use electrostatically charged toner particles to develop electrostatic images on an imaging member. Charged toning particles are applied to the electrostatic image at a toning station. The developed images are then transferred to a receiving sheet. The quality of the toner image produced by such apparatus is substantially affected by the charge on the toner.
One class of toning stations controls the charge and presentation to the imaging member of the toner particles through the use of two component developers in which one component is the toner and the other is a particulate carrier, for example, a magnetic carrier. The charge on the toner particles is generated by triboelectrification of rubbing against the carrier particles.
In order to provide a stable charge over the relative humidity range to which such devices are exposed, it is proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,701,550 filed in the name of Loftus et al, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, to provide a heater surrounding the toning station. The heater acts as a supplementary source of heat and thus control of relative humidity in the developer station, particularly for use at times when the development station's rotatable magnetic core is not rotating, for example, when the copier/printer apparatus is off, at idle or at rest. When the toning station's rotatable magnetic core is operating, tribocharging of the toner particles is occurring and then will cause the toner charge to mass ratio to increase or decrease, depending upon type of toner, to a level suitable for acceptable performance. With two component developers, the lower limit of the charge to mass ratio (Q/m) for acceptable performance is most often defined by contamination of the device by toner dust as a result of low charge toner particles being thrown from the developer. The presence of toner of low Q/m may also provide unacceptable tone scale in image rendition. The upper limit to the charge level at which performance is acceptable may be due to limits of the latent image forming process on the photoconductive image member or to artifacts produced at high toner charge levels during transfer of the toned image to a receiver or to pick up of developer (carrier) in the image background.
In a copier/printer apparatus it is important to have ready availability of the apparatus for making of copies or prints. Where the copier apparatus is turned off, say overnight, or is subject to an auto cycle-off due to nonuse, the production of the first copy will depend upon the ability of the apparatus to restore the toner particles to within the appropriate Q/m range and for the apparatus to proceed with its set-up routine to determine that the various stations are functioning properly and their electrophotographic (EP) processing set points are appropriately set. If a heater is associated with the toning station and is heating during idle time of the apparatus the problem of relative humidity affecting Q/m of the toner is reduced. The set-up routine can then proceed appropriately as the apparatus cycles-up for readiness for printing or copying. A problem arises, however, when various malfunctions associated with the heater are detected. For example the heater may be determined to be not functional or a thermistor control therefor is determined not to be operative or the temperature of the development station is determined to be above set point and the heater is on but should not be on, or the temperature is below the temperature set point for the development station and the heater is off but should be on. Such problems can affect the ability of the toner in the toning station to reach charge equilibrium, i.e. settle within a Q/m range suited for imaging.
It is an object of the invention to provide a copier/printer apparatus and method which provides for a controlled auto set-up routine that accommodates errors associated with the heater of the toning station so that first copy or print availability is efficiently controlled.

Electrostatographic method and apparatus with improved auto cycle up


A hydrocarbon adsorber and a thermoplastic resin combined and formed to a porous scavenger for insertion into the air intake system of a motor vehicle engine. The resulting porous scavenger adsorbs volatile hydrocarbon molecules from raw fuel remaining in the air intake when the engine is shut off. The adsorbed molecules are then stripped or purged from the scavenger and reintroduced into the air intake when the engine is next started.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to compositions for adsorbing hydrocarbon molecules that have vaporized and more particularly to compositions and structures useful in hydrocarbon-fueled engines such as generators, motor vehicles and similar applications for scavenging hydrocarbon molecules from raw fuel that may be present in one or more systems of the engine including but not limited to the air intake system.
2. Description of Related Art
As automotive emission requirements have become much more stringent, the emission of hydrocarbons from sources other than the fuel tank and the exhaust of motor vehicles is subject to increasing federal regulation. Significant levels of hydrocarbon emission may come from such diverse sources as vehicle tires, seats and other interior and exterior components. However, a major source of hydrocarbon emission is the raw fuel that remains in the engine air/fuel intake system of the motor vehicle after the engine is shut off.
Accordingly, this invention is particularly concerned with the adsorption or scavenging of hydrocarbon molecules emitted from raw fuel in the air intake system of a vehicle. When the vehicle engine is operating fuel is consumed through combustion and hydrocarbon emissions from the intake system are very low or non-existent. When the vehicle engine is turned off, raw fuel may remain within the intake manifold runners, fuel injectors, cylinders having an open intake valve, and at times in a crankcase ventilated under a positive pressure. This raw fuel, unless dealt with, will evaporate after the vehicle engine is turned off and can be a significant source of undesirable hydrocarbon emission. A major portion of the raw fuel evaporates through the air intake system of the engine.
In the past, carbon particles, especially activated carbon and zeolites have been used to scavenge or adsorb hydrocarbon molecules. These scavengers have typically been used in a bulk form, or as bags of loose particles. Occasionally bags or loose particles of a hydrocarbon scavenger, such as activated carbon are found within fiber or ceramic like structures. While bags of loose carbon particles adsorbed hydrocarbons relatively efficiently, they are not easily adapted to adsorbing hydrocarbons from the intake systems of motor vehicles. Moreover, these prior arrangements while being effective to scavenge hydrocarbons from the immediate environment, they are not set up to give up or deliver the adsorbed hydrocarbon in any meaningful or efficient manner.
Activated carbon particles bound within fiber or ceramic like structures provide a more usable physical form but the adsorption characteristics of such structures are poor because large portions of the carbon surface are masked or bound to the supporting structure thus limiting the capacity of the structure to adsorbed hydrocarbons. Also, fiber or ceramic-based adsorbing elements generally have a low effective surface area so there is an undesirably high surface area to air flow ratio. These elements also are usually substantially rigid and this increases the difficulty of incorporating them into engines and particularly into the air intake system of a motor vehicle engine.


A system and apparatus includes a nozzle formed on a first surface of a substrate, and a fluid passage in the substrate and fluidically connected to the nozzle, the fluid passage being nonlinear along at least a portion of its length and having a cross section that varies along its length, wherein the fluid passage has a width near a second surface of the substrate that is different from a width near a bottom of the fluid passage. A system and apparatus includes a nozzle formed on a surface of a substrate, and a fluid passage defined in the substrate and fluidically connected to the nozzle, the fluid passage having a first portion that substantially lies on a first plane, a second portion that substantially lies on a second plane different from the first plane, and a connecting passage fluidically connecting the first portion to the second portion.

Printing high quality, high-resolution images with an inkjet printer generally requires a printer that accurately ejects a desired quantity of ink at a specified location on a printing medium. Typically, a multitude of densely packed ink ejecting devices, each including a nozzle and an associated ink flow path, are formed in a printhead structure. The ink flow path connects an ink storage unit, such as an ink reservoir or cartridge, to the nozzle. The ink flow path includes a pumping chamber. In the pumping chamber, ink can be pressurized to flow toward a descender region that terminates in the nozzle. The ink is expelled out of an opening at the end of the nozzle and lands on a printing medium. The medium can be moved relative to the fluid ejection device. The ejection of a fluid droplet from a particular nozzle can be timed with the movement of the medium to place a fluid droplet at a desired location on the medium.


Disclosed herein are methods for forming photolithography alignment markers on the back side of a substrate, such as a crystalline silicon substrate used in the manufacture of semiconductor integrated circuits. According to the disclosed techniques, laser radiation is used to remove the material (e.g., silicon) from the back side of a substrate to form the back side alignment markers at specified areas. Such removal can comprise the use of laser ablation or laser-assisted etching. The substrate is placed on a motor-controlled substrate holding mechanism in a laser removal chamber, and the areas are automatically moved underneath the laser radiation to removal the material. The substrate holding mechanism can comprise a standard chuck (in which case use of a protective layer on the front side of the substrate is preferred), or a substrate clamping assembly which suspends the substrate at its edges (in which case the protective layer is not necessary). Alternatively, a stencil having holes corresponding to the shape of the back side alignment markers can be placed over the back side of the substrate to mitigate the need to move the substrate to the areas with precision.

When fabricating an integrated circuit, and as is well known, a series of layers are deposited on a substrate (usually a crystalline silicon substrate) and are patterned and etched to form a circuit. For the circuit to work properly, it is important that each subsequent layer be aligned with the previously formed layer or layers, at least within some permissible tolerance.
To align the various layers, and referring to FIG. 1A, a substrate 12 having a photoresist applied thereon (not shown) is placed in a photolithographic chamber 10, sometimes referred to as a "stepper" or "scanner." In the stepper 10, a mask or reticle 27 is used to pattern the photoresist. As the patterned photoresist ultimately dictates the positioning of the underlying circuit layer to be etched, its alignment is critical.
To bring the substrate 12 into alignment with the mask 27, an image of some structure on the mask and some structure 24 on the wafer are compared using well-known optical analysis equipment 14, with such images being received by optical sensors 20. If alignment is needed, the optical analysis equipment 14 can control the positioning of a chuck 16 on which the substrate 12 sits via motor stages 18, which, for example, can move the chuck 16 along the X-axis, Y-axis, or rotational θ-axis as appropriate. Such alignment is usually assessed at numerous locations around the substrate 12's perimeter, which accordingly requires reference to a plurality of alignment structures 24 on the substrate 12, as shown in FIG. 1B. However, reference to a single alignment marker could also be used.
Although alignment structures 24 can constitute an actual active portion of the circuit being fabricated, a dedicated inactive structure is usually formed for this purpose—what is referred to as an alignment marker. Referring to FIG. 1B, such alignment markers 24 are typically formed outside of the active integrated circuit area 22 on the wafer, i.e., in the area in which the substrate will be scribed or "diced" for later insertion into packages. A simple "cross" pattern is illustrated for the alignment marker 24, but as one skilled in the art will understand, such markers can come in a variety of different shapes and sizes (e.g., chevrons, gratings, squares, etc.), depending on the alignment task be performed. Typically, more than one alignment marker 24 is fabricated on the substrate 12 as shown, which may range from approximately 20 to 500 microns in size.
However, alignment markers appearing on the side of the substrate from the problem that such markers may eventually become coverd with opaque materials during later processing steps, and hence may become difficult for the opitcal sensors 20 to "see," as discussed at length in above-incorporated U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/840,324.
Accordingly, the prior art has experimented with the use of back side alignment markers. As their name suggests, back side alignment markers are located on the opposite side of the substrate from the front side where the active circuitry is formed. The processing steps used to form the active circuitry on the front side generally do not appreciably affect the back side; for example, materials deposited on the front side of the substrate will generally not find their way to the back side, except in trace amounts. Accordingly, back side alignment markers generally remain unaffected during processing of the substrate, and therefore remain visible to the optical sensors 20 for alignment purposes.
An exemplary stepper chamber 30 relying on the use of back side alignment markers 27 is shown in FIG. 2. Such a chamber is generally similar to the chamber 10 of FIG. 1, but includes holes 17 in the bottom of the chuck 16 aligned with the backside alignment markers 27. Mirrors 15 direct light between the back side alignment markers 27 and the optical sensors 20 to allow the alignment markers 27 to be "seen" for alignment purposes. Alternatively, channels through the chuck and parallel to the substrate 12's surface can carry the optical path between the back side alignment markers 27 and the optical sensors 20, such as is disclosed in http://www.minanet.com/documents/ASML.pdf (Sep. 25, 2003), which is submitted herewith and which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.
However, back side alignment markers still suffer from processing difficulties, as illustrated by the process of FIG. 3, which shows how such back side alignment markers are traditionally formed. FIG. 3A shows in cross section a blank or stating substrate 12, which again is usually a silicon crystalline substrate. The substrate 12 has a front side 12a and a bottom side 12b. Prior to fabrication of the integrated circuit on the front side 12a, the front side is highly polished, rendering the front side 12a to near perfect smoothness at the atomic level that is appropriate for the formation of transistors and the like. The back side 12b is generally also smooth, but usually not as smooth as the front side 12a.
Traditionally, the back side alignment markers 27 are formed using traditional photolithography techniques. However, care must be taken to protect the near-perfectly smooth front side 12a, as this surface is easily scratched. If scratched, the electrical structures (such as transistors) eventually formed at the front side 12a will "leak" current and otherwise may perform poorly from an electrical standpoint. Accordingly, before formation of the back side alignment markers 27, a protective layer 40 is formed on the front side 12a, as shown in FIG. 3B. Typically, this protective layer 40 constitutes a silicon dioxide or silicon nitride layer.
With the front side 12a protected, photolithography processing on the back side 12b can now begin. Accordingly, and referring to FIG. 3C, the substrate 12 is inverted and placed front side 12a down onto a work surface 42, which varies throughout the back side alignment marker formation process but which initially would comprise a photoresist spinning apparatus. A photoresist 41 is deposited (spun) on the back side 12b, and is moved to a stepper apparatus, where it is exposed using a mask having the desired back side alignment marker 27 pattern (not shown) and developed to expose the back side 12b through the photoresist (FIG. 3D). The substrate 12 is then moved to an etching chamber (not shown) where the alignment marker is etched into the back side 12b using the remaining photoresist as a masking layer (FIG. 3E). Thereafter, the remaining photoresist 41 is stripped (not shown), and the protective layer 40 is etched away (not shown), thus leaving the back side alignment marker 27 on the back side 12b of the substrate 12 (FIGS. 3F and 3G). Thereafter, the substrate 12 can be processed to form an integrated circuit, using the back side alignment marker 27 (or markers) to align the substrate 12 with each mask during sensitive photolithography steps in chamber 30 (FIG. 2).
However, it should be appreciated from the foregoing that formation of the back side alignment markers 27 involves a lot of preparation—protective layer formation, photoresist deposition, patterning and removal, etching, removal of these layers, etc.—before processing of the substrate 12 can begin in earnest to form active useful structures on the front side 12a. Accordingly, the art would be benefited by improved methods for forming back side alignment markers, and in particular methods that forego these additional steps. This disclosure provides solutions.

Methods for forming backside alignment markers useable in semiconductor lithography


A light emitting element assembly for mounting to a panel. The assembly includes a housing configured to receive a light emitting element therein. In addition, the assembly includes a bezel having at least one latch arm extending from a surface of the bezel, wherein the bezel is configured to detachably engage a surface within the housing. The bezel is further configured to retain the assembly in a position relative to the panel. The assembly also includes a mounting structure having the light emitting element operably mounted therein.

Recent technological advances in low voltage light sources, such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), now present low voltage light sources as suitable candidates as light sources. Low voltage light sources operate at a small fraction of the electrical power of conventionally used light sources and are an attractive option due to generally lower cost and higher efficiency than conventionally used light sources.
A specific use of an LED based light may be a small pin light emitting element assembly for spot illumination. These pin spot lights may be panel mounted for directing the illumination. In some proposed applications, the entire pin spot light assembly must be sufficiently small to fit in restricted spaces. Additionally, the light emitting assemblies must be accessible for repair or replacement. Conventional designs provide the latches outside of the lamp housing. This makes the overall size of the bezel used to mount the lamp assembly to the panel very large. The bulky external latch configurations make the assembly less pleasing aesthetically and also make it difficult to package the light emitting assemblies in extremely tight locations. The minimization of space occupied by these light emitting assemblies is often an issue with applications, such as automotive interior lighting.
What is needed is a light emitting element assembly and system that is capable of being mounted in areas having restricted space and also being capable of easy installation and disassembly for repair, replace and/or upgrade individual components of the assembly.

Panel mount light emitting element assembly


A brake adjustment monitoring system for displaying the status of the brake adjustment of each of the vehicle's brakes and warning the vehicle operator of a serious maladjustment. The inventive device includes a push rod movement measuring device coupled to each push rod for providing a first signal representative of the linear motion of the push rod to a first position and a second signal representative of the linear motion of the push rod to a second position, the first and second positions indicating successively greater linear motion of the push rod and thereby representing greater degrees of maladjustment of each brake, an alarm, a display and an electronic switch operably coupled to the push rod movement measuring device for providing the first and second signals to a microcontroller, the microcontroller for processing the first and second signals, for providing an alarm signal to the alarm and for providing a display signal to the display.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to vehicle brake adjustment monitoring systems and more particularly pertains to a new Brake Adjustment Monitoring System for displaying the status of the brake adjustment of each of a vehicle's brakes and warning the vehicle operator of a serious maladjustment.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The use of vehicle brake adjustment monitoring systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, vehicle brake adjustment monitoring systems heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements.
Known prior art vehicle brake adjustment monitoring systems include U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,509; U.S. Pat. No. 4,879,964; U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,438; U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,069; U.S. Pat. No. 4,855,712 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,603.
While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new Brake Adjustment Monitoring System. The system is for use with a vehicle having an air brake system including a plurality of air chambers, each air chamber being secured to an undercarriage of the vehicle by an air chamber mounting bracket such that it is stationary with respect thereto, the air brake system further including a plurality of push rods having a threaded extension at one end thereof, the push rods being movable with respect to the undercarriage and extending from each air chamber for linear motion with respect thereto, and a braking mechanism including a slack adjuster operably connected to each push rod threaded extension through a push rod clevis. The inventive device includes a push rod movement measuring means coupled to each push rod for providing a first signal representative of the linear motion of the push rod to a first position and a second signal representative of the linear motion of the push rod to a second position, the first and second positions indicating successively greater linear motion of the push rod and thereby representing greater degrees of maladjustment of each brake, an alarm means, a display means and a switching means operably coupled to the push rod movement measuring means for providing the first and second signals to a controller means, the controller means for processing the first and second signals, for providing an alarm signal to the alarm means and for providing a display signal to the display means.
In these respects, the Brake Adjustment Monitoring System according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of displaying the status of the brake adjustment of each of the vehicle's brakes and warning the vehicle operator of a serious maladjustment.