A wire bonding apparatus and method involving a computer 41 that has a height position counter 44 that produces height position signals for a capillary 5 by processing signals from a position sensor 29 that detects the position of the bonding arm 20 in the vertical direction. This computer 41 includes a memory 60, which stores the detected position of the capillary 5 at the time that secondary bonding is performed on a bump that is formed in a normal manner on the second conductor, and a comparator circuit 61, which outputs a “bump not-adhered” signal in cases where the output value of the height position counter 44 is outside the permissible error range of the detected position that is stored in the memory 60.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a wire bonding method and apparatus for connecting a wire to a first conductor and a bump on a second conductor after such a bump has been formed on the second conductor.
2. Description of the Related Art
In wire bonding, since a ball formed on the tip end of the wire is bonded to the first conductor as a primary bonding, the joining properties are good. However, to the second conductor, since the wire without a ball is bonded as a secondary bonding, the joining properties are poor compared to the joining properties of the primary bonding. Accordingly, a unique technique is used, in which a bump is formed on the second conductor, and then the wire is connected between the first conductor and the bump on the second conductor.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) Nos. H10-112471 and 2002-280410, for instance, respectively disclose such a wire bonding method as described above, and it is described in FIG. 3.
As shown in FIG. 3(a), a die 2 on which a bump(s) 2a is formed is mounted on a circuit board 1, which is a lead frame or a board such as a ceramic board or printed board, etc. Wiring 3 is also formed on the circuit board 1. A bump(s) 10 is formed on the wiring 3 beforehand by a wire bonding apparatus. The upper surface of the bump 10 has an inclined surface 12 that is formed so as to be inclined in the opposite direction from the die 2 (first conductor). Accordingly, after a ball is formed on the tip end of the wire 4 by means of an electric torch (not shown), the capillary 5 is lowered and primary bonding is performed on the pad 2a of the die 2 as shown in FIG. 3(a); next, as shown in FIG. 3(b), looping of the wire 4 is performed, the wire 4 is positioned on the upper part of the inclined surface 12 of the bump 10, and secondary bonding of the wire 4 to the inclined surface 12 is performed. Subsequently, the wire 4 is cut.
In the example of FIG. 4, a bump 10 is formed beforehand on the pad 2a, and the inclined surface 12 of the bump 10 is formed on the opposite side from the wiring 3. Accordingly, primary bonding is performed on the wiring 3, secondary bonding is performed on the inclined surface 12 of the bump 10, and the wire 4 is then cut.
The wire bonding apparatus that performs the shaping of the bumps 10 and the connection of the wire 4 has a structure shown in FIG. 5.
A bonding arm 20 which has a capillary 5 on its one end is fastened to one end of a supporting frame 21. The supporting frame 21 is attached to a moving table 23 via a supporting shaft (not shown in the drawings) or a plate spring 22 assembled in a cruciform configuration so that this supporting frame 21 is free to swing upward and downward, and the moving table 23 is mounted on an XY table 24. The coil 26 of a linear motor 25 is fastened to the other end of the supporting frame 21, and the magnet 27 of this linear motor 25 is fastened to the moving table 23. A linear scale 28 is fastened to the rear end of the supporting frame 21, and a position sensor 29 is fastened to the moving table 23 so as to face this linear scale 28. The wire bonding apparatus further has a heater block 31 that heats the device 30. The heater block 31 is raised and lowered by a raising-and-lowering mechanism 32.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) Nos. S58-184734, H6-29343 and S61-163648 (Publication (Kokoku) No. H6-80697), for instance, disclose the wire bonding apparatus of the above-described type.
In structure described above, the supporting frame 21 and bonding arm 20 are caused to swing about the supporting shaft or plate spring 22 by the linear motor 25, so that the capillary 5 is raised and lowered. The moving table 23, supporting frame 21, bonding arm 20 and capillary 5 are moved in the X and Y directions by the XY table 24. The bumps 10 shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) and 4 are formed on the device 30 by the formation of a ball on the tip end of the wire 4 by an electric torch (not shown in the drawings), the raising and lowering movement of the capillary 5, and the opening-and-closing movement of wire cutting clampers (not shown in the drawings) during the cutting of the wire, etc. The wire 4 is connected to the device 30 as shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) and 4 by the formation of a ball on the tip end of the wire 4 by the electric torch (not shown in the drawings), a combination of upward and downward movement and movement in the X and Y direction of the capillary 5, and the opening-and-closing movement of the wire cutting clampers (not shown in the drawings) during the cutting of the wire, etc.
Next, a control of the linear motor 25 and actions of the respective blocks will be described.
The input-output of various types of information required for operation to and from the computer 41 is performed by external input-output means 40. This can be accomplished by manual operation or by operation based on-line communications with an external device. The computer 41 has a control circuit 42, a calculating circuit 43 and a height position counter 44; and the control circuit 42 controls the external input-output means 40, the calculating circuit 43 and a position control circuit 50.
When a height position command for the capillary 5 is inputted into the position control circuit 50 from the control circuit 42, the position control circuit 50 transmits the amount of movement of the capillary 5 to a motor driver 51 as a driving signal 50a. In accordance with this driving signal 50a, the motor driver 51 generates electric power that is used to move the capillary 5 to the designated position. Since such electric power is a product of voltage and current, the actual control of the linear motor 25 can be accomplished by controlling either the voltage or current, or both. Here, the system will be described in terms of the driving current 51a that flows to the linear motor 25. When the driving current 51a produced by the motor driver 51 is applied to the coil 26 of the linear motor 25, a driving force is generated. The supporting frame 21, bonding arm 20 and capillary 5 are caused to swing about the plate spring 22 by this driving force.
The height position counter 44 counts signals from an encoder 52 that converts the signal from the position sensor 29 into a signal format that is suitable for inputting into the computer 41, and also the height position counter 44 generates the actual height position of the linear scale 28. The computer 41 is inputted beforehand with the ratio of the amount of movement of the capillary 5 in the vertical direction to the amount of movement of the linear scale 28 in the vertical direction and with a quantization coefficient (one unit equals several microns). Accordingly, the computer 41 determines the actual height position of the capillary 5 by performing a mathematical operation (by means of the calculating circuit 43) on the value indicated by the height position counter 44 on the basis of the above-described ratio and quantization coefficient.
In cases where no bump 10 is formed on the second conductor, the joining strength between the wire 4 and second conductor 2 in the secondary bonding is poor. Accordingly, it is necessary to examine whether or not a bump 10 is normally formed on the second conductor.
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 2000-306940, for example, discloses inspection for bump if it is formed or not formed (or adhered) at the time of bump formation.
In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 2000-306940, with a utilization of the time constant of the total impedance of the device, wire and internal parts of the circuit during monitoring of the state of electrical continuity with a voltage applied, a voltage is applied to the wire during the period which is from the connection of the ball to the conductor to the cutting of the wire from the attachment root of the ball, and the presence or absence of ball non-adhesion is ascertained by detecting variations in the voltage during the above-described period according to the presence or absence of ball non-adhesion, and specifically by detecting the delay time in the rise of the voltage.
Since bump not-adhered can be detected by the method of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 2000-306940 at the time of bump formation, devices on which a bump is not adhered should not be sent into subsequent processes. However, in this prior art, no great difference is generated in the voltage rise time between the state in which the wire is normally cut (tail cutting) following the raising of the capillary and the state in which no bump is adhered. Accordingly, there is a danger that a "bump not-adhered" situation cannot be judged in a normal fashion. Currently, therefore, devices on which bumps are formed are subjected to an external appearance inspection, which is conducted for all of the devices produced, by an image processing device.


A clamp head of numerically controlled cutting tool comprising front and rear sleeves and a main shaft. The rear sleeve is provided with a channel, while the tapered main shaft is composed of oil groove and hole. The front and the rear sleeves and the main shaft are united as a unitary body. The front and the rear sleeves are further provided with a nozzle apparatus permitting the coolant to be injected with precision on the working point.

The present invention relates to a numerically controlled tool, and more particularly to improved structures of clamp head of numerically controlled cutting tool.
A numerically controlled cutting tool is a precision machinery, which is a product of modern high technology; nevertheless it is by no means perfect. The clamp head of a numerically controlled cutting tool and its cooling system currently available are not as good as they should be. For example, the main shaft of the clamp head is generally vulnerable to becoming detached from the main body after a prolonged use of the cutting tool, thereby resulting in a potential safety hazard In addition, the cooling system of the cutting tool is defective in that it is less effective in view of the fact that the coolant is injected on the surface of the work piece intended to be worked on rather than on the working point.
As shown in FIG. 1, a clamp head of cutting tool of prior art comprises a rear sleeve 1A fitted with a push shaft 2A provided at lower end thereof with a plurality of clamp jaws 3A slidable in the rear sleeve 1A. The lower end of the rear sleeve 1A is locked in a front sleeve 1A. The rear sleeve 1A comprises at upper end thereof a locking thread 6A. There are a plurality of steel balls 7A between the locking thread 6 and the rear sleeve 1A. A locking shaft 5A is fitted over by a ferrule 8A. The clamp head is attached to the machine tool by coupling the locking shaft 5A with a main shaft 9. The prior art clamp head described above is defective in design in that its main shaft 9A is vulnerable to becoming detached during rotation and that its cooling system is less effective in view of the fact that it can not execute a cooling exclusively on the working point.

Structures of clamp head of numerically controlled cutting tool


An air fuel ratio detecting device has an air-fuel ratio sensor for producing an air-fuel ratio information indicative of the concentration of oxygen in an exhaust gas produced by a burned air-fuel mixture in the internal combustion engine. An air-fuel ratio is calculated on the basis of the air-fuel ratio information. A pressure in the exhaust gas is calculated on the basis of pressure information depending on the pressure of the exhaust gas. The difference between the pressure and a reference pressure which acts on the air-fuel ratio sensor when the air-fuel ratio sensor is placed in a reference environment, is calculated. The air-fuel ratio is corrected with the pressure difference. The corrected air-fuel ratio is free of pressure fluctuations of the exhaust gas, and is highly reliable for accurate air-fuel ratio control. The air-fuel ratio detecting device is effective for improved fuel economy, increased engine output power, a more stable idling engine speed, purified exhaust emission, and improved drivability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an air-fuel ratio detecting device for detecting the air-fuel ratio (A/F) of an air-fuel mixture to be supplied to an internal combustion engine.
2. Related Art
There has been proposed a linear A/F sensor utilizing the oxygen concentration cell capability and oxygen ion pumping capability of zirconia, for detecting whether the air-fuel ratio is on a leaner or richer side of a stoichiometric ratio and also for detecting the value of the air-fuel ratio (see Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 63(1988)-36140).
One conventional linear A/F sensor will be described below with reference to FIGS. 7 through 10 of the accompanying drawings. FIG. 7 shows a linear A/F sensor including a sensor cell 20 and a pump cell 21 which are shown detached from each other, and each includes a stabilized zirconia device. The sensor cell 20 and the pump cell 21 are coupled to each other through an insulation layer 22. The sensor cell 20 and the pump cell 21 have respective diffusion holes 23, 24 defined therein for passing therethrough exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine. The insulation layer 22 has a detecting cavity 25 defined therein into which exhaust gases can be introduced through the diffusion holes 23, 24 by the sensor cell 20 and the pump cell 21. The diffusion holes 23, 24 and the detecting cavity 25 jointly serve as an element for controlling the speed at which the exhaust gases are diffused. The insulation layer 22 also has a reference chamber 25a positioned below the detecting cavity 25 in spaced-apart relation thereto, with the reference chamber 25a being defined between the sensor cell 20 and the pump cell 21. A reference gas such as atmospheric air is introduced into the reference chamber 25a through a communication hole (not shown). As shown in FIG. 8, the sensor cell 20 has porous electrodes 26, 27 of platinum, and the pump cell 21 has porous electrodes 28, 29 of platinum, with the electrodes 26, 27, 28, 29 doubling as a catalyst. The sensor cell 20 has an electric heater 30 for heating itself to a temperature range, e.g., 800.degree..+-.100.degree. C. in order to keep the sensor cell 20 active.
The sensor cell 20 functions as a conventional O.sub.2 sensor for developing an electromotive force if there is an oxygen concentration difference between the electrodes 26, 27. The pump cell 21 also has the same properties as the sensor cell 20, and serves to pump oxygen from a negative electrode to a positive electrode when an electric current (pump current Ip) is caused to flow between the electrodes 28, 29.
A control assembly 31 detects an electromotive force Vs developed by the sensor cell 20, and also controls the pump current Ip through a feedback loop in order to keep constant the electromotive force Vs, i.e., in order to keep an oxygen concentration corresponding to a stoichiometric ratio in the detecting cavity 25 or the diffusion holes 23, 24. Since the pump current Ip continuously varies with respect to the air-fuel ratio, as shown in FIG. 9, the air-fuel ratio can be calculated from the pump current Ip.
More specifically, the control assembly 31 includes a comparator 1 and an integrator amplifier 2 with positive and negative power supplies. The comparator 1 compares the electromotive force Vs and a reference voltage Vref corresponding to the stoichiometric ratio. The output signal from the comparator 1 is integrated by the integrator amplifier 2, whose integral output signal is applied as the pump current Ip to the pump cell 21 through a resistor 5. At this time, a voltage drop across the resistor 5 is detected by a current detector 3 which produces a voltage signal commensurate with the pump current Ip. Therefore, the pump current Ip is detected indirectly by the current detector 3. The output signal of the current detector 3 is applied to an adder 4 which then produces an output signal Vout, in the range of from 0 to 5 volts, representing the air-fuel ratio, according to the following equation: EQU Vout=G.Ip+Vstp
where G is the current-to-voltage conversion gain of a current-to-voltage converter which is composed of the resistor 5 and the current detector 3, and Vstp is a step-up voltage in the range of from 0 to 5 volts.
In the conventional system shown in FIG. 8, the voltage drop across the resistor 5 is applied to a current inversion detector 6 to detect the direction in which the pump current flows, for thereby producing a stoichiometric air-fuel ratio Vstc (see FIG. 10).
With the linear A/F sensor, the pump current Ip is of a value corresponding to the concentration of O.sub.2 (which, if higher, makes the air-fuel mixture leaner) in the exhaust gas, and the concentrations of H.sub.2, CO (which, if higher, make the air-fuel mixture richer), and has a characteristic as indicated by the following equation (1): EQU Ip.varies.(K.sub.1.T.sup.0.75.S/L+K.sub.2.T.sup.-0.5.Pg.S/L) (1)
where K.sub.1 and K.sub.2 are constants that vary depending on the structure of the linear A/F sensor, T the absolute temperature, Pg the partial pressure of oxygen in the measured exhaust gas, S the cross-sectional area of the diffusion hole in the gas diffusion limiting layer, and L the thickness of the gas diffusion limiting layer.
It is known that if the linear A/F sensor is of such a structure as to mainly diffuse the gas with molecules, then the constant K.sub.1 is larger than the constant K.sub.2, making the air-fuel ratio information highly dependent on the temperature, and if the linear A/F sensor is of such a structure as to mainly diffuse the gas with minute holes, then the constant K.sub.2 is larger than the constant K.sub.1, making the air-fuel ratio information highly dependent on the pressure.
In the case where the linear A/F sensor of a structure to mainly diffuse the gas with minute holes is employed, it has been found that, as shown in FIG. 9, the pump current vs. air-fuel ratio curve b which is plotted under a reference pressure acting on the sensor in a reference environment widely deviates from the pump current vs. air-fuel ratio curve a which is plotted under a measured pressure on the sensor on both sides of the stoichiometric air-fuel ratio (where the pump current Ip is zero), with the deviation being greater as the absolute value of the pump current Ip is greater.
With the linear A/F sensor which is of a structure to mainly diffuse the gas with minute holes, no consideration has heretofore been given to the dependency of the air-fuel ratio information produced by the sensor, on the pressure and temperature. It has been customary to control the air-fuel ratio of the fuel injection device through a feedback control loop based on the air-fuel ratio information which is not corrected.
Accurate control of the air-fuel ratio so that it reaches a target value while the internal combustion engine is in operation is very important for improved fuel economy, increased engine output power, stabler idling engine speed, purified exhaust emission, and improved drivability. However, the above conventional air-fuel ratio control process has proven unsatisfactory.

Mitsubishi Jidosha Kogyo kabushiki Kaisha


Fluorine-containing compositions for treating substrates to render them oil-, water- and soll-repellant, comprising a fluorine-containing acrylic copolymer and a fluorine-free poly(meth)acrylate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to substrates, in particular home textiles, which have been given an oil-, water- and soil-repellant treatment, and to fluorine-containing compositions for this purpose.
Many substrates, in particular home textiles, for example carpets, acquire oil-, water- and soil-repellant properties by treating, for example, the pile of a carpet with fluorocarbon compounds.
2. Description of the Related Art
According to the literature, particularly good effects are to be obtained by mixtures of fluorocarbon compounds with various fluorine-free substances. DE-A 3 307 420 discloses a mixture of fluorocarbon compounds and organosil-sesquioxanes which are employed for carpet treatment. DE-A 2 149 292 and DE-C 3 002 369 disclose a mixture of water-insoluble fluorocarbon compounds, which, for example, can be in the form of ester or urethane, and water-insoluble polymers which are free from fluorine in the non-vinyl position and have main transition temperatures above 45.degree. C. or 25.degree. C., respectively. Main transition temperatures are melting points or glass transition temperatures. According to DE-A 2 149 292 and DE-C 3 002 369, preferred water-insoluble polymers having a glass transition temperature above 45.degree. C. are, for example, polymethyl methacrylate or poly(methyl methacrylate-co-ethyl methacrylate). It is emphasized here that the compositions for prevention of embedding of dirt should be neither tacky nor rubbery. Common disadvantages of the treatment compositions mentioned are that large amounts of the fluorocarbon-containing compositions, based on the carpet fibre weight, must be employed to achieve good oil-, water- and soil-repellant properties. It is also a disadvantage of the abovementioned treatment compositions that the water-repellant properties of the treated textile floor coverings are not adequate for increased requirements (for example water/isopropanol repellancies greater than 50/50: cf. embodiment examples), even when large amounts are employed. Another disadvantage is that after the treatment with the abovementioned fluorine-containing treatment agents, the textile floor coverings must be heated to at least 70.degree. C., but usually to 100.degree. to 130.degree. C., to acquire the desired effects. However, heat treatments at elevated temperature are expensive and are therefore undesirable, and are sometimes harmful to certain carpet constructions. The treatment compositions according to DE-A 2 149 292 and DE-C 3 002 369 furthermore have the disadvantage that only certain treatment methods produce satisfactory results. However, the treatment method used depends on the treatment plant available and thus cannot be determined beforehand.
EP 552 630 and EP 554 667 furthermore disclose treatment compositions for various substrates which are based only on fluorine-containing copolymers and therefore require higher deposits of the expensive fluorine components on the substrates.

Substrates which have been provided with an oil-, water- and soil-repellant treatment and fluorine-containing compositions for this purpose


One of the two accelerator sensors 165a and 165b is detected faulty by analyzing variation patterns outputted by the two sensors even when the outputs of two sensors remain within their respective normal output ranges. An accelerator control input is determined using the output of the fault-free sensor if a faulty sensor is detected. The fault detector detects the faulty sensor by analyzing variation patterns of outputs of the first and second accelerator sensors when the outputs of the first and second accelerator sensors remain within respective normal output ranges thereof.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a vehicle control technique featuring multiple sensors, and more particularly to a control technique performed when some of the sensors have developed a fault.
2. Description of the Related Art
Two sensors for providing redundant control inputs are sometimes used in order to enhance the reliability of a control system. When the two sensors operate normally, the control inputs obtained therefrom are substantially equal to each other. However, the two control inputs differ greatly from each other when either sensor develops a fault. An important question is how to perform control in such cases.
JPA 9-191501 describes a technique in which control is continued using only one accelerator sensor when one of the two accelerator sensors in an electric vehicle exceeds the upper or lower limit of a normal output range. It is disclosed that when this happens, abrupt variations in torque are limited by a method in which the torque command value presented to a motor control circuit is temporarily delayed or the torque command value is increased substantially rectilinearly.
Such direct control of abrupt variations in torque makes the driver uncomfortable because the resulting torque variations are markedly different from those experienced during normal driving. A need has therefore existed for a technique that would allow a vehicle to remain substantially as maneuverable as during a normal operation even when some accelerator sensors have developed a fault.
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a novel technique for allowing a vehicle to be continuously controlled even when some accelerator sensor has developed a fault.
In order to attain the above and related objects of the present invention, there is provided a control device for controlling a vehicle using first and second accelerator sensors configured to provide an accelerator control input. The control device comprises a fault detector configured to detect that one of the first and second accelerator sensors has developed a fault; and an accelerator control input setting section configured to determine the accelerator control input using an output of a normal sensor other than a faulty sensor when the faulty sensor has been detected by the fault detector. The accelerator control input setting section divides a full range of output signal levels of the normal sensor into a plurality of regions including an opening region in which the accelerator control input increases at a first rate of change, and a closing region in which the accelerator control input decreases at a second rate of change, and determines a change in the accelerator control input depending on which of the plurality of regions contains the output signal level of the normal sensor.
In a preferred embodiment, the fault detector detects the faulty sensor by analyzing variation patterns of outputs of the first and second accelerator sensors when the outputs of the first and second accelerator sensors remain within respective normal output ranges thereof.
The present invention can be realized as a variety of embodiments. Examples include vehicle control devices and methods, vehicles provided with such control devices, computer programs for executing the functions of such control devices and methods, recording media for storing such computer programs, and data signals embodied in a carrier wave including such computer programs.


A mount having an improved rider support system comprising: a mount; and a rider support system comprising: a seat; and a high friction, low abrasion surface adjacent to a rider's legs. In one embodiment of the invention, the mount further includes an adhesive mounting system. Also, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the high friction, low abrasion surface includes: a surface conforming substrate; a film having an outer textured surface; and an adhesive layer between the surface conforming substrate and the film having an outer textured surface.

(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a mount having an improved rider support system and, more particularly, to a rider support system for a mount having a seat for a rider.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Motorcycle racing is a growing spectator sport. The American Motorcycle Association (AMA) holds races of various classes of motor bikes as part of its Pro Racing tour. Like most racing programs, many sponsors want their logo and a design on a rider's bike, such as on its shroud or air box. These are generally custom painted. For amateur riders, designs these are often pre-printed decals, which are applied to the bike and replaced as needed. These decals are usually made by high volume screen-printing. Specifically, a clear PVC film is printed on the backside in reverse, an adhesive with a protective strip is laminated to the back of the pre-printed film and the decal is die cut out. The rider than removes the protective strip and applies the decal to a selected surface of the bike.
It is also important for the rider to be able to hold on securely to the bike during the ups and downs of the motocross track. One product, which professional riders often use, is called "grip tape." Grip tape is actually sand paper having an adhesive backing and adhered to the surface of the bike adjacent to the rider's legs. The grip tape provides increased friction between the bike and the rider's riding gear that permits the rider to better maneuver the bike. This improved control is especially desirable during motocross racing. In addition, "arm pump" fatigue caused by the rider using his arms trying to hold on may be significantly reduced on a bike having grip tape on the surfaces adjacent to the rider's legs.
One drawback with this product is that the sandpaper wears the rider's clothing, which can be very expensive to replace. In addition, grip tape is not suitable for printed graphics since the sand paper surface would quickly destroy blades used to cut out the shape. However, most pro-riders are well funded and are able to afford new riding gear for each race or as needed.
One product which has been introduced to provide a gripping surface while not ruining the rider's gear is sold under the brand name STOMPGRIP™ traction pads and is available from Stomp Design Inc. of Huntington Beach, Calif. This product was originally designed for snowboarding but is now also sold for motocross. STOMPGRIP™ is a relatively thick vinyl sheet that includes a plurality of raised nubs formed on one surface of a thick sheet of transparent vinyl film. An adhesive surface is applied on the opposite of the film. Like decals, the material is die cut for different shaped motor cycles and applied onto the surface of the bike. However, the size, height and spacing of the nubs of a STOMPGRIP™ traction pad may result in some of the nubs being cut in half when the vinyl sheet is die cut. This causes a sharp surface that the rider's pants may grab the edge and peel it up. Once the edge has started to peel, it continues to do so similarly to conventional package labels.
Thus, there is a need for an improved rider support system that provides increased friction between an area around a motorcycles seat and the rider's legs while, at the same time, does not excessively wear the rider's riding gear or peel easily.

Mount having an improved rider support system


A system identifies a performance bottleneck status in a parallel data processing environment by examining data flow associated with the parallel data processing environment to identify at least one operator, where an operator type is associated with at least one operator, at least one buffer, and a relationship that the buffer has with the operator, where the relationship is associated with the operator type. The system monitors the buffer to determine a buffer status associated with the buffer. The system applies a set of rules to identify an operator bottleneck status associated with the operator. The set of rules is applied to the operator, based on the operator type, the buffer status, and relationship that the buffer has with the operator. The system then determines a performance bottleneck status associated with the parallel data processing environment, based on the operator bottleneck status.

Parallel data processing engines are powerful and efficient means of processing large volumes of data, for example, in data integration and data warehousing scenarios. The data processing applications executed by these engines are typically made up of a complex system of processes and/or threads, which are referred to as "operators", working in parallel to perform all of the required data manipulations. Data is passed from one operator to another via record buffers. Each operator gets the data to be processed from its input buffer, and writes the data it has processed to its output buffer. These buffers are shared with the previous and subsequent operators as their output and input buffers, respectively. The overall throughput of the application is generally determined by the slowest operator in the set, as its rate of consumption and production have a ripple effect throughout the application. A slow operator can create a bottleneck in the process. The entire flow of the process may be affected by a bottleneck, but it is difficult to determine where the bottleneck occurs. It is also difficult to determine if multiple bottlenecks occur, and where they may occur.

Apparatus and method for identifying performance bottlenecks in pipeline parallel processing environment

International Business Machines Corporation


A microelectronic device includes a substrate having a trench extending therethrough between an active surface thereof and an inactive surface thereof opposite the active surface, a conductive via electrode extending through the substrate between sidewalls of the trench, and an insulating layer extending along the inactive surface of the substrate outside the trench and extending at least partially into the trench. The insulating layer defines a gap region in the trench that separates the substrate and the via electrode. Related devices and methods of fabrication are also discussed.

Embodiments of the inventive concepts relate generally to a semiconductor device. More particularly, embodiments of the inventive concepts relate to semiconductor devices having conductive through via electrodes and methods for fabricating the same.
There have been many advances in through-silicon-via (TSV) technology. In TSV technology, it is necessary to electrically isolate a semiconductor substrate from a through via electrode penetrating the semiconductor substrate. This electrical isolation can be accomplished by forming an oxide or other insulating layer around the through via electrode.
With increasing demand for high-speed semiconductor devices, the thickness of an insulating layer interposed between the through electrode and the semiconductor substrate has been increased. However, the increased thickness of the insulating layer may cause increased stress on the through via electrode and/or the semiconductor substrate. Moreover, as an aspect ratio of the through via electrode increases, a step coverage property of the insulating layer may be deteriorated. Accordingly, increasing the thickness of the insulating layer seems to hold little promise. In addition, with the downscaling of semiconductor devices, it can be difficult to provide the insulating layer with a sufficient thickness margin. This difficulty may increase as the through via electrode becomes smaller; for instance, for a cylindrical through via electrode with a small diameter, it can be hard to maintain the thickness margin of the insulating layer. The structure and/or operation of the semiconductor device may be deteriorated due to these difficulties.

Microelectronic devices having conductive through via electrodes insulated by gap regions


A thin film transistor having low off-state current and excellent electrical characteristics can be manufactured. In an inverted staggered thin film transistor including a semiconductor film in which at least a microcrystalline semiconductor region and an amorphous semiconductor region are stacked, a conductive film and an etching protective film are stacked over the semiconductor film; a mask is formed over the etching protective film; first etching treatment in which the etching protective film, the conductive film, and the amorphous semiconductor region are partly etched is performed; then, the mask is removed. Next, second etching treatment in which the exposed amorphous semiconductor region and the microcrystalline semiconductor region are partly dry-etched is performed using the etched etching protective film as a mask so that the microcrystalline semiconductor region is partly exposed to form a back channel region.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a semiconductor device and a display device.
In this specification, a semiconductor device means all types of devices which can function by utilizing semiconductor characteristics, and a display device, an electro-optical device, a photoelectric conversion device, a semiconductor circuit, and an electronic device are all semiconductor devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a type of field-effect transistor, a thin film transistor whose channel region is formed using a semiconductor film that is formed over a substrate having an insulating surface is known. There are techniques in which amorphous silicon, microcrystalline silicon, or polycrystalline silicon is used for the semiconductor film which is used for the channel region of the thin film transistor. A typical application of the thin film transistor is a liquid crystal television device, and the thin film transistor has been put to the practical use as a switching transistor in each pixel included in a display screen.
Further, a technique in which an inverted staggered thin film transistor is used as a switching transistor in a pixel in order to manufacture a large-size television device with high productivity is disclosed (see Patent Document 1). A thin film transistor with high on-state current is needed to manufacture a liquid crystal display device having high definition (a large number of pixels) (e.g., a full high-definition (FHD) liquid crystal display device, a liquid crystal display device with 4K2K resolution, or a liquid crystal display device with 8K4K resolution). Accordingly, a thin film transistor whose channel region is formed using a microcrystalline silicon film, which has higher on-state current than a thin film transistor whose channel region is formed using an amorphous semiconductor film, has attracted attention as a switching transistor in a pixel.

Method for manufacturing semiconductor device

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


A simple blood sampling device composed of a vacuum chamber, a skin suction portion and a piercing and cutting means.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a simple blood sampling device.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, the numbers of persons suffering from various diseases derived from rich dietary patterns and increased stress, for example, diabetes, have been soaring. Trips to the hospital pose a major inconvenience to patients in their daily activity, so as examinations of blood sugar etc. over the course of the regular day become part of the daily routine, the method of sampling blood has come under attention as a large problem. The problem of the pain involved in the blood sampling becomes an even greater problem when it has to be repeated. In particular, this is becoming a further serious problem in the case of insulin-dependent patients, many of whom are small children. Further, in recent years, diseases transmitted through the blood have become social issues. To prevent AIDS, hepatitus, and other especially serious diseases, some sort of device which enables patients themselves to sample their own blood without problem is needed. However, no device has yet been proposed which enables blood to be sampled painlessly and simply.


Method of, and apparatus for continuously manufacturing elongate articles with a plurality of segments of basically same and slightly different cross-sections, such as upper and side segments of automobile molding members. The apparatus includes a single die head formed with a common orifice and at least one additional orifice, as well as a device for selecting and controlling operational modes of the apparatus. The device may comprise a guide device which is movable between different positions corresponding to respective operational modes of the apparatus, and which serves to guide synthetic resin material extruded from the additional orifice. The guide member maintains in its one position a spaced relationship of synthetic resin materials extruded from the orifices to form one segment, and causes in another position the synthetic resin materials to adhere with each other to form another segment.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of, and an apparatus for manufacturing elongate plastic articles, e.g. molding members for automobiles, having a cross-section which varies in the longitudinal direction of the article.
2. Description of the Related Art
A variety of molding members are widely used for automobiles, such as front or rear window molding members, body side molding members, etc. Among others, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open Publication No. 61-135,824 discloses a windshield molding member which includes an upper segment to extend along an upper edge of a windshield plate, a pair of side segments to extend along side edges of the windshield plate, and a pair of corner portions connecting the upper and side segments into an integral component.
In the known molding members mentioned above, the upper and side segments are generally composed of a synthetic resin material extruded into respectively predetermined cross-sections which are basically same with and slightly different from each other. That is, the upper segment includes a main body which is provided with a first lip section to be engaged with the outer surface of a windshield plate, a second lip section to be engaged with the outer surface of a vehicle body panel, and a leg section to be inserted into a gap between the edge of the windshield plate and the body panel. The leg section has fins on both sides to be engaged with the periphery of the windshield plate and the body panel, respectively, so as to prevent undesirable withdrawal of the lip section out of the gap. The upper segment may have an ornamental film and a core element arranged in the main body and the leg section, respectively, depending upon ornamental and/or functional requirements. On the other hand, the side segment has a basic cross-section which is the same as that of the upper segment, as well as an additional cross-section in the form of a ridge on the first lip section, which is adapted to define a weir or channel extending along a side edge of the windshield plate.
The upper segment without the ridge serves to realize a flush outer surface of the automobile body along the upper edge of the windshield plate, while the ridge on the side segment achieves the functions to guide rain water on the windshield plate to flow along the weir or channel, and to thereby, prevent the rain water from flowing onto side windows across the side segment and the neighboring body panel portion (or pillar) to disturb the driver's sight through the side windows.
In order to manufacture the upper and side segments of mutually different cross-section, it has been a conventional practice to prepare and use two kinds of exchangeable extrusion dies, one for the upper segments and the other for the side segments, which are expensive and make it thus difficult to reduce the production cost of the molding members. Not only the exchange of the dies requires troublesome and time-consuming manual operations, but also it is necessary, after the exchange of the die and commencement of extrusion of synthetic resin material therefrom, to wait for some time until the die begins to stably extrude a continuous body with a desired accuracy of the cross-section.
Alternate use of different dies to produce different segments of basically same cross-section thus proved to be quite disadvantageous in many cases, particularly when a relatively small number of segments of various cross-sections are to be produced in each production lot. Moreover, the use of separate corner segments for connecting the upper and side segments with each other increases the production cost, and may often result in the formation of connection lines between the upper and corner segments and also between the corner and side segments, and hence in an undesirable degradation of the appearance.


A method of data calibration, and in particular sensor calibration, which involves gathering an initial first estimate and then binning the data samples, so that calibration can be performed without the need for a known reference stimulus. The present disclosure relates to calibration of vectors in a measurement system, and in particular to calibration of a correction function for systematic errors in successive data vectors. There is provided a method of determining a vector calibration function comprising: binning successive data vectors; and optimising the binned data vectors once data vectors allocated to a minimum number of unique bins have been observed. The method comprises establishing an initial calibration estimate and where the binning and optimising are performed based on said initial calibration estimate.

It is required in various contexts to calibrate data to take account of systematic errors in the data vectors. At present, calibration must be performed by first generating a known input stimulus, which provides an expectation of an output. Any difference between the expected output and the actual readings is then known to comprise systematic errors and that information can then be used to calibrate further data readings, by making appropriate adjustments to the subsequent actual readings.
However, it is often not convenient to generate a known input stimulus. It can take time to generate the stimulus, interrupting normal operation of the usual data processing functionality. It can also be difficult to apply the known stimulus, for example if it is required to be applied in factory conditions or in some other artificial environment.

Calibration of vectors in a measurement system


A quick acting clutch, the quick acting clutch comprising: a friction plate; a clutch plate movably mounted to the friction plate about a center of rotation of the friction plate and the clutch plate, the clutch plate being configured to rotate with respect to the friction plate; an actuator arm pivotally mounted to at least one of the friction plate or the clutch plate, the actuator arm being configured to amplify movement of a first end of the actuator arm and rotational movement of the friction plate relative to the clutch plate moves the first end of the actuator arm; and a lock pawl pivotally mounted to the clutch plate for movement between a locking position and an unlocking position, the lock pawl and a second end of the actuator arm each being configured to contact each other and rotational movement of the friction plate with respect to the clutch plate causes movement of the first end to be amplified at the second end such that the second end of the actuator arm and the actuator arm contacts the lock pawl and the lock pawl is moved from the locking position to the unlocking position.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to an apparatus and method for taking up slack in a vehicle seat belt. More particularly, the present invention relates to a quick acting clutch for a seatbelt retractor.
Vehicles are provided with a seat belt and a seat belt retractor. Once the seat belt has been extended or unwound and a tongue is engaged into a latching or buckle device, it is desirable to retract or wind up an excess amount of the seat belt webbing.
Vehicle seat belts are also provided with an automatic winding device that, upon sensing of a predetermined condition will wind up a predetermined amount of slack or amount of seat belt webbing during a predetermined activation event (e.g., a massive deceleration or vehicle conditions sensed before an accident). This device employs a motor, which is energized to wind up the seat belt. During operation, a pretension signal will be sent to a motor of the retractor to retract a portion of the seat belt when an imminent danger or predetermined condition is detected.
Upon receipt of the pretension signal, the seatbelt retractor will respond by quickly tensioning the belt to a predetermined level and thereafter a pyrotechnic pre-tensioner and inflatable cushion deployments will follow if an event (e.g., collision) occurs. Some of the features of a seatbelt retractor are: it removes seat belt slack when an imminent danger is detected; and the seatbelt retractor will pull and hold an occupant in a designated position prior to the collision occurring. In addition, the seatbelt retractor is configured to work in harmony with a pyrotechnic pre-tensioning device in order to maximize the distance between the belted occupant and other parts of the vehicle.
If the imminent danger is avoided and no longer present (e.g., collision avoided), the seatbelt retractor is configured to reset itself and remain on a standby mode for the next pre-tensioning signal. In order to engage and disengage the motor from the spool containing the seat belt webbing a clutch mechanism is required to allow the motorized mechanism to i) engage and turn the spool on the seatbelt retractor when the motor receives an electrical signal from a control module, and to ii) disengage from the seatbelt retractor for normal everyday use, wherein extraction and retraction effort on the webbing is at a low comfortable level.
Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a clutch mechanism that quickly engages and disengages in response to sensed vehicle conditions.


A metal forming apparatus utilizes the combination of a wedge shaped die half and a complementary shaped cavity in a frame to shape metal blanks. The cavity includes a metal forming mechanism located adjacent a surface adapted to receive a blank to be shaped. The die half is moveable between an inoperative position outside the cavity and an operative position within the cavity. With the die half in the cavity, the metal forming mechanism can apply the necessary force to shape the metal blank in accordance with the die shape. Forming can be attained through the use of pressurized fluid applied against the blank, mechanical or hydraulic ram forces or the like. After shaping is finished, the die half is withdrawn from the cavity, the die half carrying with it the shaped metal part for part recovery and initiation of another forming cycle.

In the prior art, various methods and apparatus have been proposed to shape or form metals, both in the hot or cold state. When forming sheet metal, often times a press is used. The press is usually driven by mechanical or hydraulic action and contains a male die or punch and a female die. In use, a metal blank is placed between the dies and subjected to mechanical or hydraulic press forces by one die being driven against the other die. The dies are appropriately shaped to impart a given shape or form to the metal blank. One particular application of this type of metal forming entails manufacturing the internal and external plates for stamped mufflers.
In place of mechanical or hydraulic forces, high pressure fluid can be employed to form a given metal part. U.S. Pat. No. 5,435,163 to Schafer discloses an apparatus for hydraulically shaping a hollow body. The apparatus includes a stationary base, a die fixed on the base and formed with a cavity having an inner surface and axially oppositely open ends so that a tubular workpiece can be held in the cavity with ends of the workpiece exposed at the cavity ends. A pair of pistons fittable with the workpiece ends are arranged at the cavity ends. Actuators are provided which can displace the pistons toward each other and against the ends of the workpiece in the cavity. The hydraulic liquid is fed at high pressure through one of the pistons to an interior of the workpiece in the cavity to deform the workpiece. The hydraulic shaping described in the Schafer patent is commonly referred to as hydroforming and is often used in the manufacture of exhaust system components, particularly, tubular components.
The metal forming methods described above are not without their disadvantages. First, metal forming presses are extremely expensive, costing as much as $500,000 or more. With this expense, it is often necessary to operate these presses in a batch manner. That is, the presses are employed to produce a large number of pressed parts at one time. The pressed parts are subsequently integrated into a continuous manufacturing line to assemble and/or manufacture a desired component. As an example, stamped mufflers may comprise two internal plates and two external plates. When using a mechanical or hydraulic press, a large number of each of the muffler components are stamped in a batch operation. The stamped plates are then later assembled to form the stamped muffler. With the combination of a batch operation and a continuous operation, manufacturing productivity is compromised. Moreover, given the high rate of speed of mechanical presses, it is difficult to perform a quality control operation after each stamping, i.e., stampings may be done at the rate of one per second. Consequently, total quality control may require intermittent checks at the batch pressing operation and subsequent checks as part of the continuous manufacturing operation, thereby slowing down overall productivity.
Methods and apparatus employing hydroforming techniques are also disadvantageous. Many times, due to the high pressures required to form metal parts, an external force must be applied to the hydroforming dies to assure that they do not separate from the part to be formed. However, since the pressures used in hydroforming are extremely high, e.g., 1500 bar, it is difficult to keep the die halves together without resorting to complex and expensive devices.
The hydroforming and mechanical or hydraulic presses described above also require complex tooling. This tooling not only contributes to increases machinery cost, but requires longer lead times prior to initiating production runs.
In view of the drawbacks of the above-described prior art apparatus used to shape metal, a need has developed to provide an improved metal forming apparatus and method which overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages.
In response to this need, the present invention provides a metal forming apparatus and method which is low in cost so it can be integrated in a continuous production or manufacturing line effectively. The inventive apparatus and method also require simpler tooling to minimize cost and does not require long lead times or the use of external forces other than those required for metal shaping.

Metal forming apparatus and method of use


A breast prosthesis has an adhesive element which forms a continuous surface conforming to the back section of the prosthesis which faces the user. One side of the adhesive element is detachably secured to the back section of the prosthesis and the other side of the adhesive element is detachably adhered to the user. The adhesive element is formed from an inner body which is lined with material. The breast prosthesis has a flat annular region on its back section and an elevated edge along the perimeter of the flat annular region. A gap is provided in the elevated edge at an upper region of the prosthesis. The adhesive element extends to the inner surface of the elevated edge and has a projection conforming to the gap.

The present invention relates to a breast prosthesis having an adhesive element secured to the back of the breast prosthesis. The breast prosthesis is removably adhered to the skin of a user with such an adhesive element. Breast prostheses of this type are also referred to as adhesive prostheses.
Breast prostheses of this type having an adhesive element are problematic in that the manufacture of a permanent and reliably adhering adhesive element, which adheres even after multiple uses, is extremely difficult.

Breast prosthesis having an adhesive layer

Thämert Orthopädische Hilfsmittel GmbH & Co. KG


A method of providing etched alignment marks on a semiconductor workpiece that has a substantially planar surface, such as one that has been polished, for supporting accurate alignment of the workpiece in subsequent process operations. The surface of the semiconductor workpiece includes two layers of materials that abut at the workpiece surface. For example, the workpiece may include a layer of insulative material such as silicon dioxide forming several vias and a layer of conductive material such as tungsten forming plugs in the vias. The method includes etching the substantially planar surface to reduce a height of one of the materials below the height of the other material. For example, the tungstein plugs can be etched to a height that is below the height of the surrounding silicon dioxide. The location where the silicon dioxide abuts the tungsten produces a small bump. This bump then serves as an alignment mark for subsequent operations. Furthermore, such subsequent operations will replicate, and/or enhance, the topographical distinction of the alignment mark.

The invention relates generally to aligning a semiconductor wafer workpiece for processing operations and, more particularly, to a method of providing etched alignment marks on a semiconductor workpiece that has a substantially planar surface, thereby supporting accurate alignment of the workpiece for subsequent process operations.
Generally, integrated circuit technology is based on the ability to form numerous transistors structures on a single semiconductor substrate (die). When forming the structures, a plurality of die are often simultaneously fabricated on a single workpiece based on a semiconductor wafer. Fabrication generally represents a predetermined sequence of processing operations, some operate on the workpiece as a whole, while others operating on one portion of the workpiece at a time. For the latter group of processing operations, in order to process a specific portion of the workpiece, a machine performing the processing operation must be able to accurately and reliably align with the desired portion, perform the processing operation, and then "step" to a next portion. By correctly aligning to the desired portion of the workpiece, the structures being created in the processing operation correctly align with underlying structures previously formed.
Alignment methods typically require the existence of several topographical alignment marks. Usually, the marks are predetermined "bumps" that appear on a top surface of the workpiece. Because the top surface of the workpiece is naturally non-planar, i.e., the surface contains numerous "ridges and valleys," many bumps are available to serve as alignment marks. As a result, the processing machines can attain very accurate and reliable alignment based upon detection of back reflection for ("contrast") off the topographical alignment marks.
For many processing operations, it is often desirous to have a substantially planar workpiece surface. To obtain topographical planarity of the workpiece surface, planarization methods such as chemi-mechanical polishing can be performed on the entire workpiece. The reasons for obtaining the topographical planarity of the workpiece surface, as well as the details of the various planarization methods, is beyond the scope of the present invention and will therefore not be further discussed.
As can be readily seen, the desire to have a substantially planar workpiece surface reduces or eliminates the number and size of the alignment marks. As a result, with a substantially planar workpiece surface, it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to obtain accurate and reliable workpiece alignment for subsequent operations. The conventional solution to this problem is to only partially polish a workpiece surface, thereby retaining some topographical bumps with which to align the workpiece. Therefore, the conventional solution requires the planarization method to achieve only marginal planarity. However, if the planarization method works too well, difficulties in alignment arise. Furthermore, if the planarization method works too poorly, the benefits of planarization are diminished.
Therefore, what is needed is a method for creating a substantially planar workpiece surface while still retaining reliable alignment marks.


The operater controlled bilingual or multilingual toy is a toy, such as a doll, with a programmable controllable voice synthesizer. The circuit of the toy, when activated, synthesizes a first random phase selected from a bank of phrases. When activated a second time the circuit of the toy will reproduce that first phrase as a translated phrase in a second language. After a specified elapse of time, or a continued reactivation within a specified period of time, this process is repeated by the choice of a second, third, and so forth randomly accessed phases. Each of the phrases is followed by a translation of that phases. If neither the manual switch or a second motion switch is operator activated within a predetermined time, the toy will turn itself off.

The field of the present invention is concerned with toys such as dolls which have electronic speech synthesizer which will produce a phrase or sentence in a first language and, after a selected delay, the speech synthesizer will produce a useful translation of the phrase of sentence of the first language into a second language such as English. This toy could likewise be used to teach vocabulary words. Three or more languages may be programmed into this doll or toy. The present invention will allow a playful way of reinforcing language study.
The present invention is concerned with several fields. It is concerned with toy forms such as a doll, stuffed animal or robot. The figure may be covered in appropriate material to convey the theme of the toy. It is concerned with reinforcing the teaching of languages or it may teach certain sounds such as those of animals, machines, or toy robots. The means of providing speech for these toys is electronic voice synthesizers and an electronic storage of the phrases for a first language and the smooth translation of the phrases of the first language into a second, third, or more languages.
When the on switch is activated said voice synthesizer will produce a random phrase from a selected group or phrases or sentences in a first language. After a programmed delay, a useful translation of said produced random phrase or sentences of said first language will be synthesized in a second language.
It is to be noted that the mechanism which produces the programed delay between the first sentence or phrase and the translation of the first phrase may be specified by either a simple time period or a stimulus such as pushing a part on the doll, or movement of the toy, or sound or light.
A further teaching of the present invention is that if the toy is idle for period of time, the toy will automatically turn itself off to save battery power
The present invention teaches that the dress or physical aspects of the doll or toy will reflect the culture or theme of the first language that is in the speech synthesizer cycle.
In addition, the individual units of the present invention may be merchandised in a kit to reflect a social situation. That is two or more dolls may be dressed with accessories so that they my imitate those whom would be acting as if in a social situation such as attending an international ball.
There are a number of doll and toys that speak after an interaction with the child. U.S. Pat. No. 5,501,627, Ekstein, teaches a toy that gives a verbal response to a stimulus from a child. U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,653 McKeffery describes s doll that responds with random phrase to spoken words or touch. U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,363 teaches a doll that responds to the heat of the child as the child approaches that doll. U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,024,571, 5,946,658, and 5,842,146 teach that toys can be used to respond to the actions of the child and can be used to teach foreign languages. U.S. Pat. No. 6,053,797 teaches a doll that responds to mechanical stimulation through sensors located on various parts of the body.
The object of the present invention is a toy that can entertain and teach foreign language phrases or produce a kind of sound that requires interpretation. This process of the present invention has a speech synthesizers which will create one of a number of phrases followed by the translation of the phrases or in a second language. This process is provided either by squeezing a switch on the toy, by time delay, by other external stimulation, or by electronic means as described in the detailed description of the invention.


Particulate filling devices and methods are disclosed that utilize a swivel connector, a mounting surface connected to the swiveling connector, and several obstacles mounted on the mounting surface. The obstacles are positioned consecutively to form a helix-pattern.

Catalyst is loaded into tubes within a reformer, heater or reactor vessel. The loading is a precursor to carrying out a reaction within such vessel. It is helpful to improve the efficiency of the loading process in order to improve the efficiency of the resulting reaction and to speed up the catalyst loading and clean-up processes.

Filling tubes with catalyst and/or other particulate


An expanded implement handle grip for placing over an implement handle of a spoon, fork, knife, toothbrush, hand tool, or the like has been devised which has improved concave features within the hollow, interior space thereof. These concave features, which include, but are not limited to dimples, grooves, spiral grooves, indentations, impressions, channels, depressions, hollows, slits, and the like, to permit the implement handle to be easily inserted into the grip, but nevertheless more effectively held by the expanded implement handle grip while being employed by a user with limited dexterity or strength. Other optional features such as sinuous slits, enlarged ends, and roll-inhibiting features allow the expanded implement handle grip to have improved function.

Devices for enhancing the ability of a person to hold and grip an object, tool, or implement are well known in the art. Such devices are typically used by people who have limited dexterity or strength, such as a person with arthritis or someone who has suffered injury to the hands, or someone born with a physical disability. These augmented handles are also used by children, particularly as they learn to use table utensils, and also by people to facilitate the holding of many kinds of objects, particularly objects which are tiresome to hold for periods of time.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,072,955 discloses hand grips for use with shopping bags, parcels tied with strings or wire and the like, the bails of buckets, baskets and other containers, handles on cooking implements, such as pots and pans, and numerous hand tools, such as screw drivers and the like.
A turnbuckle wrench comprising an elongated slotted body is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,682,023. The link of the turnbuckle is fitted within the slot and the wrench rotated to tighten or loosen the turnbuckle. Retaining elements hold the wrench onto the turnbuckle.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,035,865 discloses that implements of the hand-manipulated type may be equipped with spherical handles that can be easily grasped by persons afflicted with arthritis. The spherical handle has a diameter that permits the sphere to be retained against the person's palm between the thumb and a finger without bending internal joints.
Despite the plurality of patented and unpatented devices on the market, there remains a need for an expanded implement handle grip which can be used on a plurality of different kinds of utensils, tools, and devices, which permits the user to firmly grasp the handle, and which is comfortable and easy to hold.
It would be desirable and advantageous if a new expanded implement handle grip could be devised and discovered which would overcome the disadvantages of some of the prior art devices, and which could be readily and inexpensively manufactured.


The present invention provides methods/techniques and apparatus for displaying an angulation of a cassette and thus a patient at a time when an x-ray image is taken to provide for a better comparison of day to day improvement of the patient. More specifically, the present invention, allows a movable object to roll freely within in a passageway within an enclosure in relation to an angulation of a cassette. In order to correlate the position of the movable object in the enclosure with the angle at which the cassette is currently placed, a plurality of markers are disposed in or protruded from the inner surface of the passageway. Based upon the position of the movable object in relation to a particular marker at the time an x-ray is taken, the user can identify the angulation at which the cassette is currently positioned.

The portable chest x-ray (CXR) is one of the most commonly requested diagnostic medical tests performed in hospitals throughout the world. Portable CXRs are performed nearly daily on some of the sickest patients in hospitals, including those with pleural effusions, support lines and tubes. Thus, patients who require CXRs the most, are in the intensive care unit of the hospital.
A portable CXR is obtained typically at a patient's hospital bed when the patient is too sick to travel to the radiology department for an optimal upright posterior-anterior (PA) and lateral CXR or upright abdomen. Upright images more effectively evaluate effusions, e.g., as fluid settles due to gravity. Conversely, any trapped air rises and when found together in the same cavity with fluid, (e.g., such as in hydropneumothorax, abscess or empyema), an air-fluid level (for example) can be detected. Air collections (i.e., collections of trapped air) alone can also be realized in erect projections. If one does not know the degree of upright projection, however, one cannot rule out the presence of air. Additionally, abdomen portable projections are often obtained in decubitus positions. In this position the patient is placed on their side to make use of gravity and perpendicular x-ray beams to demonstrate free air, or air fluid levels.
The portable CXR is usually not imaged at a fully upright position because the x-ray source would have to be placed nearly in the patients lap in order to achieve a fully upright position and thus obtain a similar erect orientation as would be obtained in a radiology department. Instead, most CXRs are obtained at 45 degrees or less, often due to patient condition, or a technologist style/training. Accordingly, many portable CXRs are obtained at 45 degrees or less (though the exact angle is unknown to the medical community, due to the lack of a device to measure such an angle), often due to the patient's condition, or the style or training of the technologist or technician operating the CXR.
For this reason, portable radiography, such as CXRs, has been well documented as often being inconsistent, inaccurate and inadequate due to the inability to consistently and repetitively place the patient at a specific angle in relation to gravity. As stated above, in order for a radiologist to achieve an optimal quality of interpretation, the technologist must attempt to position a patient in the most upright position. In reality, however, the patient's position must also be balanced with his or her condition and their ability to achieve this nearly upright position. Positioning the patient in the most upright position provides for the best evaluation of effusions, rules out the presence of free air, and/or allows for a more accurate detection of air-fluid levels. Optimally, the images are obtained at similar angles each day to allow for accurate comparisons between each consecutive day.
Unfortunately, there are many instances where clinicians will order a CT (Computed Tomography) to differentiate effusion from consolidation (infection such as pneumonia), or to simply compare effusions since upright angulation is rarely truly known due to complications in angulation consistency. Thus, the patient is exposed to about 100 times more radiation; hundreds of dollars of increased expenditures for the more expensive technology and dangerous patient transport to the radiology department.
FIGS. 7A, B illustrate a comparison of a patient in an upright position and in a nearly supine position (lying down) taken by CXRs on different days. This comparison shows the change in opacification (representing effusion) depending on cassette (and hence a patient) angle. FIG. 7A shows an upright CXR demonstrating a left pleural effusion. The up arrow, used in conventional x-ray images, indicates an upright projection to the radiologist. However, there is no rule as to how "upright" the patient is among technologists; rather, this is a subjective decision based on the technologists choice and how busy they are. Additionally, there is no current method to evaluate technologist performance. FIG. 7B is more supine and shows the effusion distributed as a hazy ill-defined opacity over the lower left hemithorax (i.e., the left side of the chest).
Not knowing the degree of angulation in which each CXR is taken makes objective comparison of the amount of effusion impossible in most cases. For example, the right hand image can falsely indicate improvement of effusion. However, the next day (not shown here) could demonstrate an image similar to FIG. 7B (i.e., showing no effusion). Conversely, the two exams could falsely represent changing consolidation rather than effusion itself, leading clinicians to believe there is a worsening infection. Of note, effusions often mask or mimic consolidations (x-ray indicators of pneumonia). Misunderstanding of physiological process of portable x-ray exams, enhanced by an unknown patient angulation; too often leads to unnecessary use of CT (higher radiation and cost), as noted above.
Additionally, effusions often indicate the severity of a patient's condition and at times require drainage. Accordingly, increasing effusion over time is one indicator of the need for immediate thoracentesis (drainage of developing effusion). Thus, accurately quantifying or identifying the presence of an effusion, through use of an angulation measurement is highly necessary and at times a matter of life or death.
As also can be seen by FIGS. 7A, B there are currently no adequate quantitative markers on conventional x-ray images that indicate the degree/angle at which the x-ray image was taken. That is, conventional x-ray images only differentiate between supine and non-supine positions (i.e., upright and lying down).
Thus, there is a need for a device and method for more accurately quantifying the angulation at which an x-ray, for example, a CXR is taken. It would be particularly desirable to provide such a device and method that would allow the radiologist or providing physician to determine the degree of angulation by a glance as well as having left and right markers for every x-ray. Such devices preferably would be simple in construction and less costly than prior art devices.

Radiographic marker that displays an angle in degrees on portable X-rays

The United States of America, as Represented by the Secretary, Department of Health and Human Services


A method, implemented on a processor, provides content segments to a first resource, the first resource having a first video. The method includes identifying and extracting contextual information from one or more second resources, the second resources having one or more associated second videos; processing the extracted contextual information in relation to a set of criteria, the set of criteria based on a content of the first video; selecting one or more content segments based on the set of criteria; and providing, to the first resource one or more of the selected content segments to be displayed with the first video.

The Internet has become a popular medium for delivery, viewing, and sharing of videos. Many Web sites are devoted to video viewing and sharing. These Web sites may also provide content segments, other than the videos, to be viewed by customers that visit the Web sites to acquire, view, and share videos. The content segments may be intended to relate in some fashion to the content of the videos. In some circumstances, the content of a Web page providing a video may be examined to help determine the subject matter of the video. However, information derived from the Web page content may not be sufficient to accurately determine the video's topic.

Contextual-based serving of content segments in a video delivery system