A method of translating a drawn or imagined model into a numerical format. Working from a paper sketch or interpreted seismic display, the geological horizons and faults are digitized in any order. If the horizon is unbroken, it is digitized continuously as one piece, if it is broken by faulting, it is digitized as a series of elements. Digitizing ceases if the horizon terminates within the model. During preconditioning the boundaries of the model are added as another element. A search is performed and if intersecting elements are found, the shortest limb is deleted. A second search locates elements which do not terminate at an intersection. If the element is from a horizon, it is projected until it intersects another element, if an unconnected fault element, the element is deleted back to its first intersection point. The first phase of cell construction identifies segments which connect only to themselves and produces single segment cells. Remaining segments are used to construct cell units in a clockwise direction by determining the angles made between the final pair of points in the active segment and the first two points on all connecting segments, selecting the segment with the largest angle to continue building the cell. This process is repeated until the starting segment is again encountered. Physical properties are assigned to each cell. The cells are automatically split into microcells defining volumes of space with simply varying properties when the cell properties are convoluted.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to providing two dimensional models of the subsurface physical properties of the earth and more particularly to a method for translating a drawn or imaged model into a numerical format for use in computer calculations.
2. Related Prior Art
Numerical models of rock properties such as velocity are widely used by geophysicists to generate synthetic seismic data and perform seismic image reconstruction.
There are practical problems concerning how a layered earth model can be specified to ensure that no ambiguity exists. Since the model is created for the purpose of numerical calculation, this also introduces practical constraints on how the model must be constructed. The traditional solution has been to set strict rules governing the interface data used to construct the model and the order in which it is input.
There are several commercially available seismic modeling software packages, all of which include a model building element. One choice that is typical in its approach to model building is representing the model as a series of layered interfaces. It achieves the same end as the present invention However, to ensure that there is no ambiguity and for numerical expediency, this system requires that layers be entered in strict sequence, that each layer extends across the entire model and that fictitious layers are needed to create overhanging structures. To comply, the user must enter artificial interface data in addition to the actual horizon data and must take car in organizing it.
Many oil companies, geophysical service companies, universities, and research institutions have their own model building processes. The "layer" approach is common but "cell" or "polygon" models are also used.
An example of a commonly used modeling technique is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,679,174, "Method for Seismic Lithologic Modeling", issued to Valery A. Gelfand, which describes a method of seismic exploration of the subsurface of the earth. Seismic reflection data are gathered in a selected area. The seismic data are combined with available non-seismic data to define an initial two dimensional lithologic model. Based upon the initial model, a set of synthetic seismic data is generated. The degree of correspondence between the set o synthetic reflection data and the gathered seismic data is determined. The initial model-parameters are systematically perturbed during a series of interactions until a desired degree of correspondence has been achieved, resulting in a final lithologic model.
Other United States patents which relate to seismic data processing techniques that relate generally to modeling are as follows.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,999, "Method of Confirming Seismic Data Interpretation", issued to George P. Moeckel et al., describes a method of generating synthetic seismograms for use in determining the accuracy of hypothesized subterranean structures. The method features defining hypothesized detector location corresponding to real detector locations rather than interpolating from arbitrary detector locations generated by specifying of initial ray path angles as input data. The accuracy of the results is obtained with the elimination of interpolation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,054, "Method for Non-Linear Signal Matching", issued to Chittibabu Chittineni, describes a process for non-linear matching of time analog signals, particularly seismic signals, that have generally similar response characteristics but different time bases. The process models the signals to be matched as a stretched version of each signal with additive noise, and a match curve is estimated adhering to a global criterion of maximization of the likelihood function. The global criterion is further optimized in accordance with the principle of path optimality and other important information may also be considered. The match curve may then be used to identify such as correlated signal events, comparison of signal sections, and numerous seismic data processing functions using multi-sensor time analog data input.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,766,574, "Method for Depth Imaging Multicomponent Seismic Data", issued to Norman D. Whitmore, Jr. et al., describes a method for imaging multicomponent seismic data to obtain depth images of the earth's subsurface geological structure as well as estimates of compressional and shear wave interval velocities. In particular, measures are obtained of imparted seismic wave fields incident on reflecting interfaces in the earth's subsurface and of resulting seismic wavefields scattered therefrom. The incident and scattered seismic wavefields are employed to produce time dependent reflectivity functions representative of the reflecting interfaces. By migrating the time dependent reflectivity functions, depth images of the reflecting interfaces can be obtained. For a dyadic set of multicomponent seismic data, the dyadic set of multicomponent seismic data are partitioned so as to separate the variously coupled incident and reflected wavefields in the recorded multicomponent seismic data. The incident and reflected wavefields are cross-correlated to form time dependent reflectivity functions. The time dependent reflectivity functions are then iteratively migrated according to a model of wavefield velocities of propagation to obtain estimates of the compressional and shear wave interval velocity. The migrated reflectivity functions can then be stacked to produce depth images of the earth's subsurface geological structures.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,242, "Depositional Reconstruction for Petroleum Location", issued to Willard M. Hennington, describes an exploration development technique for delineating hydrocarbon accumulations and prospect development. The technique uses existing information and establishes a relationship between present day subsurface structure and stratigraphic prehistoric reservoir development for determination and projection of relative reservoir development, definition and grading of combination structural-stratigraphic type traps, determination of permeability barriers, migration paths, accumulation areas, prospect grading, pressure cells and prediction of fluid movement. Depositional reconstruction results in a summary map which outlines productive areas, shows potential extensions, graded prospects, relative reservoir developments, and the other stratigraphic conditions which control the successful economic exploitation of a potential horizon.
However, all of the foregoing patents illustrate modeling methods that require the use of seismic data or processing techniques in order for their methods to be operative.

Method for creating a numerical model of the physical properties within the earth


Provided herein are systems and methods of monitoring account activity in a streaming media environment. An exemplary system includes a monitoring system, an account creation and management system, and an account payment system. The monitoring system is coupled to the account creation and management system and the account payment system via a network. The processing device of the monitoring system retrieves account information for a first user account. Account information includes user consumption information and user payment information associated with the first user account. The processing device determines a fraudulent account score for the first user account based on at least one of the user consumption information, the user payment information, and account identification information. When the fraudulent account score exceeds an upper threshold, the processing device automatically deletes the first user account from at least one of the account creation and management system and the accounts payment system.

As network-enabled devices and network technology have improved and been increasingly adopted around the world, more and more activities are being performed using local and remote devices in communication through wires or wirelessly. For example, e-commerce allows people to shop from virtually anywhere using a smartphone and a wireless network, such as a cellular network that covers a large geographic area. Increasingly, more and more media, including audio and video, is distributed to consumers over the Internet by service providers operating around the globe.
Those service providers are interested in attracting new customers, who are often required to create a customer account or a user account with any particular service the customers would like to use. Requiring users to create an account may permit a service provider to better provide a benefit to each particular user. For example, an audio streaming service may require users to establish user accounts. The audio streaming service may then collect information associated with that user account, such as preference information that allows the audio streaming service to recommend or provide content that the user is more likely to enjoy than randomly selected content or purely thematic content. In this way, the audio streaming service may provide a benefit to a user that the user may appreciate more than an alternative. For example, the audio streaming service may provide music that the user enjoys more than music played by local radio stations. By providing the improved service, the audio streaming service may be able to charge the user a usage or subscription fee. The user account may also include payment information, such as identifiers and access codes associated with one or more payment sources that permit the service provider to transact with the user on a subscription basis.
Many people may attempt fraud in connection with user accounts associated with such services. A conventional approach to preventing fraud has been to require verifiable information from the potential user at the time of sign up or account creation. For example, a service may require an email address in order to create a new account. The service may send a link or other information to the email address in order to verify that the actor seeking to create a new account has access to that email address. By requiring information from the user at the time of account creation, services may be able to prevent some amount of fraud. However, conventional approaches to fraud associated with user accounts have not been entirely satisfactory.
These drawings will be better understood by those of ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description.

Systems and methods for fraudulent account detection and management


The present invention provides an alignment apparatus and method for successively bringing a plurality of shot regions to be processed on a substrate into alignment with a predetermined reference position. The invention performs a pre-alignment of the substrate and then repeatedly measures the position of wafer marks on selected preparatory sample shot regions using various coordinate systems. The invention determines the both the linear and rotational error in the position of the wafer marks relative to a predetermined reference position and determines the amount of movement of the substrate and reticle necessary to compensate for the error.

The disclosures of the following priority application(s) are herein incorporated by reference:
Japanese Patent Application Laid Open No. 09-210315 filed Aug. 5, 1997.
1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an alignment apparatus and method which permit mask patterns to be precisely aligned with pattern transfer objective regions on a substrate, in accordance with coordinates predicted on the basis of, for example, a statistical technique. More specifically, the present invention is concerned with an alignment apparatus and method suitable for use in an Enhanced Global Alignment (EGA) process.
2. Description of Related Art
Semiconductor devices and liquid crystal display devices are produced by apparatus and methods that employ a lithographic process in which a reticle pattern, i.e. a mask pattern, is transferred to successive shot regions on a wafer or a glass plate coated with a photo-resist. The lithographic process is performed using a projection optical system having a projection exposure device such as a stepper. This process requires a high degree of precision of alignment between the reticle patterns, through which the exposure is to be performed, and circuit patterns which have already been formed on the respective shot regions on the wafer.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,617 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 61-44429) discloses a method of Enhanced Global Alignment (EGA), which realizes a high degree of precision of alignment between the reticle patterns and circuit patterns. According to this method, coordinate positions of alignment marks (wafer marks), provided on preselected sample shot regions on a wafer, are measured and the results of the measurement are statistically processed to determine the coordinate positions of the shot regions.
The alignment in accordance with the EGA technique is a kind of fine alignment. In order that the fine alignment be executed satisfactorily, it is necessary that a search alignment be performed such that the wafer marks on the sample shots regions fall within the sensing coverage of the alignment sensor without fail.
FIG. 9 shows a wafer 51 on which alignment is performed in accordance with the conventional EGA technique. A multiplicity of shot regions are allocated to the surface of the wafer 51 at predetermined pitches in two orthogonal directions, which will be referred to as the X and Y directions, respectively. Preselected shot regions, e.g., three shot regions, among these shot regions are provided with different search alignment marks WX, WY and Wxcex8, respectively, roughly indicating the positions in the X, Y and rotational (xcex8) directions. Each of the other shot regions is provided with a wafer mark 55 indicative of a two-dimensional position and composed of X-axis wafer mark 54X and Y-axis wafer mark 54Y.
In the actual EGA process, the search alignment marks and the wafer marks are formed on the boundaries between adjacent shot regions. Such boundary regions are also referred to as xe2x80x9cstreet regions.xe2x80x9d In the EGA process, ten shot regions C1 to C10, which are distributed substantially at a constant pitch in the circumferential direction, are selected as sample shots regions from among all the shot regions.
As the first step of the process, measurements are sequentially executed by a search alignment sensor. More specifically, the Y coordinate of the Y-axis search alignment mark WY, the Y coordinate of the xcex8-axis search alignment mark wxcex8 and the Y coordinate of the X-axis search alignment mark WX are sequentially measured. A conversion parameter composed of a rotational angle and an offset, necessary for converting the sample coordinate system on the wafer 51 into a stationary coordinate system of a wafer stage, is determined based on the results of the measurement. Coordinate positions of the sample shots are then determined on the stationary coordinate system to thereby, complete the search alignment.
Thereafter, the wafer marks 55 on the sample shots C1 to C10 are successively moved into the sensing area of a fine alignment sensor so that the coordinates of these wafer marks 55 on the stationary coordinate system are measured. The coordinates of the shot regions on the stationary coordinate system are determined through a statistical processing of the results of measurement. Exposure is then performed for each of the shot regions while aligning the shot regions in accordance with the coordinate positions on the stationary coordinate system. It is thus possible to achieve a high degree of overlay accuracy through the EGA process.
The conventional EGA alignment essentially requires a search alignment in order to ensure that the wafer marks of the sample shots fall within the sensing area of the fine alignment sensor. For example, in the case of the wafer shown in FIG. 9, it is necessary that the wafer be moved to three different positions in order to measure the positions of the search alignment marks WX, WY and wxcex8. Subsequently, the wafer is moved to ten positions for the purpose of measuring the positions of the wafer marks 55 on the ten sample shots. Consequently, a considerably long time is required for the alignment. As a result, the throughput of the exposure is undesirably reduced.
Another disadvantage encountered with the known alignment process is that the area on each shot region available for the circuit pattern is limited. This is due to the necessity of using both search alignment marks and fine alignment wafer marks which are to be formed on the shot regions or on the street line regions which are defined between adjacent shot regions.
Further, a complicated positioning control is required for the wafer stage in the conventional EGA adjustment. The degree of freedom of correction is also limited because the position of each shot region is finally corrected by controlling the position of the wafer stage in accordance with the results of the fine alignment executed by using the EGA process.
The present invention provides an alignment apparatus and method for aligning the position of each of the shot regions on a wafer based on the results of a statistical processing of the measured positions of a preselected number of the shot regions on the wafer. The alignment of the present invention employs a reduced number of measurement marks and is performed in a shorter processing time, as compared with known techniques, without impairing the measuring accuracy.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an alignment apparatus and method for successively bringing a plurality of shot regions to be processed on a substrate into alignment with a predetermined reference position. The shot regions to be processed are arranged on the substrate in accordance with design array coordinates so that a mask pattern is transferred to each of the shot regions successively. In this apparatus and method, m measurement objective regions are selected from among the plurality of shot regions. The selected measurement objective regions are successively brought into a predetermined measuring area to measure the coordinates of the measurement objective regions. A statistical computation is performed on the measured coordinates of the selected measurement objective regions thereby computing a linear error of the actual coordinates of each of the shot regions on the substrate from the design array coordinates. Then, relative correction on the position to which the substrate is to be moved is performed in accordance with the computed linear error.
The alignment method of the present invention comprises: (1) selecting k pieces of a preparatory measurement objective region from among the m pieces of measurement objective region; (2) determining the array coordinates of the plurality of shot regions based on the outline of the substrate; (3) successively bringing the k pieces of preparatory measurement objective region into a predetermined measuring area in accordance with the determined array coordinates, thereby measuring the coordinate positions of the k pieces of preparatory measurement objective region; (4) processing the results of the measurement of the coordinate positions of the k pieces to calculate parts (e.g., parts of the offset and parts of the rotation) of the linear errors of the actual array coordinates of the plurality of shot regions with respect to the design array coordinates; (5) updating the measured coordinate positions in accordance with the results of the calculation; (6) successively bringing (mxe2x88x92k) pieces of the measurement objective region (B1 to B8) into the predetermined measuring area based on the array coordinates corrected in accordance with the computed linear errors, thereby measuring the coordinate positions of the (mxe2x88x92k) pieces of the measurement objective regions; and (7) performing a statistical computation on the updated coordinate positions and the measured coordinate positions of the (mxe2x88x92k) pieces of the measurement objective regions, thereby computing the linear error of the actual coordinates of each of the plurality of shot regions from the design coordinates.
The alignment method of the present invention has been accomplished with alignment sensors having wide sensing areas with which high degrees of accuracy can be achieved in the rough alignment (pre-alignment) process based on the object outline employed in wafer loader systems of exposure apparatuses. Thus, in the pre-alignment of the present method, the array coordinates of the shot regions to be processed are determined with such an accuracy that causes alignment marks attached to the measurement objective shot regions to fall within a sensing area sensible by an alignment sensor which is employed in the subsequent steps. It is therefore not necessary to employ a separate step of search alignment for the purpose of enabling the sensing area of the alignment sensor to encompass the alignment marks, as is required in the known prior art processes. Consequently, the number of the marks to be used can be reduced because the marks which are used for search alignment in the known processes can be eliminated.
However, if the alignment sensor is of an image processing type, there is a risk that errors are involved in the positions detected at a peripheral region of the sensing area due to distortion of the image forming optical system. Prolongation of the detection time, as well as an increase in the detection error, tends to occur even with other types of alignment sensors if the alignment marks are positioned in a peripheral region of the sensing area.
Therefore, in accordance with the method of the present invention, the positions of the k pieces of preparatory measurement objective regions are successively measured, and the parts of the linear errors, such as offset and rotation, are then determined. Thus, correction based on the determined linear errors has been effected on the determined coordinate positions when the positions of the remaining measurement objective regions are measured. Therefore, the alignment marks carried by these measurement objective regions are located in the vicinity of the center of the sensing area provided by the alignment sensor. Consequently, the detection error can be reduced and, since the alignment marks are detectable from a smaller area around the center of the sensing area, the time required for the detection is also reduced.
Further, the results of the measurement of the positions of the k pieces of preparatory measurement objective regions obtained through the correction performed in the fourth step, are used in the computation of the final linear error. This permits the number of the alignment marks of the measuring objects to be reduced almost to the same number as that employed in the fine alignment step of the known process. Consequently, the number of the marks to be measured and hence, the processing time inclusive of the measuring time, are reduced.
Preferably, the fourth step is executed such that the k pieces of preparatory measurement objective regions are again brought into the predetermined sensing area, based on the array coordinates corrected based on the calculated linear error, so that the coordinate positions of the preparatory measurement objective regions are measured again to update the data concerning the coordinate positions. This repeated measurement offers a higher accuracy of the measurement because the second measurement is performed while the alignment marks on the k pieces of preparatory measurement objective regions are located sufficiently close to the center of the sensing area presented by the alignment sensor.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the alignment method of the first aspect employs, as the k pieces of preparatory measurement objective regions, a first preparatory measurement objective region and a second preparatory measurement objective region. In addition, the third and fourth steps include the steps of: bringing the first preparatory measurement objective region into the predetermined measuring area based on the array coordinates determined in the first step, thereby measuring the coordinate position of the first preparatory measurement objective region; processing the results of the measurement of the coordinate position to compute an offset which is a component of the linear error of the actual array coordinates of the plurality of shot regions; correcting the array coordinates in accordance with the computed offset; measuring the coordinate position of the first preparatory measurement objective region again based on the array coordinates corrected in accordance with the computed offset; bringing the second preparatory measurement objective region into the predetermined measuring area based on the determined array coordinates determined, thereby measuring the coordinate position of the second preparatory measurement objective region; and processing the results of the measurement of the coordinate position of the second preparatory measurement objective region to compute an angle of rotation which is another component of the linear error of the actual array coordinates of the plurality of shot regions; correcting the array coordinates in accordance with the computed rotation angle; and measuring the coordinate position of the second preparatory measurement objective region again based on the array coordinates corrected in accordance with the computed rotation angle.
These features achieve the correction of offset and rotation, through the measurement of positions of two preparatory measurement objective regions. Such a correction improves the accuracy of measurement of the remaining measurement objective regions.
In the alignment method of the present invention, the linear error calculated in the fifth step may be corrected through a control of the position of the mask pattern. Exposure apparatus perform a demagnification projection at an image contracting ratio of approximately xc2xc or ⅕. Thus, if the laser interferometer associated with the mask and the laser interferometer associated with the substrate have almost the same detection accuracy, an error of detection performed by the laser interferometer associated with the mask appears on the substrate in a magnitude reduced at the same ratio as the demagnification performed by the projection exposure apparatus. Therefore, when the projection is conducted in a manner to demagnify the mask pattern image, it is preferred that the correction of position be effected by controlling the position of the mask pattern so that misalignment can be effectively reduced.
The correction of misalignment through the control of the mask pattern position offers a higher speed of alignment as compared with the case where the correction is effected merely by the control of position of the substrate. Furthermore, the accuracy of correction of non-linear errors can be improved corresponding to the projection demagnification, when the correction is performed through the control of the mask pattern position.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention are described in or are apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments.

Aligning apparatus and method for aligning mask patterns with regions on a substrate


Nitrogen-containing substituents of aliphatic or aromatic compounds can be reduced by treatment with a reagent comprising (i) at least one complex of a transition metal of group 4 or 5 with a multidentate or unidentate organic or inorganic ligand and (ii) a reducing agent. The reaction is conducted optionally in the presence of an aliphatic or aromatic amine, and/or in the presence of an inert organic solvent.

In Ser. No. 08/211,983 a process is described for the reduction of the chlorine content of polychlorinated hydrocarbons such as, for example, polychlorinated benzene and polychlorinated biphenyls. The process utilizes a reagent comprising (i) at least one complex of a transition metal of group 4 or 5 with a multidentate or unidentate organic or inorganic ligand and (ii) a reducing agent such as a hydridoborate. Typical of the first component is bis-(.eta..sup.5 -cyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride (titanocene dichloride) while sodium tetrahydridoborate is representative of the latter.
Various methods are employed in reducing nitrogen-containing substituents on aliphatic and aromatic compounds to amines. For example, the reduction of nitro substituents to amines involves reducing agents such as iron, zinc, or tin with acid; hydrogen with a catalyst such as platinum, palladium, or nickel; hydrogen with a catalyst; and sulfides.
Nitroso substituents and hydroxylamines can be reduced to amines by the same reagents which reduce nitro compounds. N-Nitroso compounds are similarly reduced to hydrazines. Azo, azoxy, and hydrazo substituents can be reduced to amines using metals, notably zinc, and acids, and sodium hydrosulfate as reducing agents. Diborane reduces azo substituents to amines.
Nitro substituents have been reduced to intermediates within the sequence, such as azoxy, with sodium arsenite, sodium ethoxide, glucose, and potassium borofluoride. The most common reducing agents for reducing nitro substituents to azo compounds are lithium aluminum hydride, and zinc and alkali. Other intermediate substituents within the sequence, such as nitroso, are reduced to azo compounds with lithium aluminum hydride as well. Zinc and sodium are the most common agents used in reducing nitro substituents to hydrazo compounds. Nitro substituents have also been reduced to hydrazo compounds electrolytically, or with lithium aluminum hydride mixed with a metal chloride such as titanium tetrachloride or vanadium trichloride, or hydrazine hydrate and Raney nickel.
On aliphatic compounds, lithium aluminum hydride reduces nitro substituents to amines, but nitro substituents on aromatic compounds are reduced to azo compounds. Lithium aluminum hydride does not generally reduce azo compounds (these are the products from lithium aluminum hydride reduction of nitro compounds), but these substituents can be reduced to hydrazo compounds by catalytic hydrogenation.
Most metal hydrides, such as sodium borohydride, reduce nitro substituents on aromatic compounds to azo and azoxy compounds, leaving the aromatic ring intact.


A novel method and apparatus is disclosed for electronically sensing a negative and a positive in a novel integral film structure of the instant development type using light of different wavelengths so as to produce reflected light from the negative and the positive which are indicative of the luminance characteristics and the chrominance characteristics of the image. The novel integral film structure has a filter which allows the negative to be scanned. Specifically, the filter transmits incident radiation in the range of wavelengths other than a select range of wavelengths to which silver halide emulsion layers are sensitive and blocks the transmission of radiation in the range of wavelengths to which the silver halide emulsion layers are sensitive.

Presently, research continues on developing a method and an apparatus for producing high resolution copies and in particular enlargements from a silver halide based instant image recording medium. In a silver halide instant image recording medium, such as a diffusion transfer integral film unit, copies of the original image are presently produced by sensing the light reflected from the positive. Typically, light within the visible spectrum which illuminates the positive is reflected therefrom to be sensed in three color separated spectral ranges, such as red, green, and blue to produce a recorded image. The recorded image may then be high pass filtered to increase its sharpness and tonescale mapped to improve its color correlation to the original image. Copies produced according to this method, however, may have no better resolution than the original positive.
The limit of the resolution of the positive in diffusion transfer integral film is primarily due to the lateral diffusion of dye which is inherent to the development of an image within a diffusion transfer integral film. In one type of integral film, a pod within the film unit is ruptured, after exposure, and reagent is forced between the surfaces of a negative and an image receiving layer, forming a new stratum comprising white pigment, opacifying dyes, alkali, water, and polymeric thickener. In exposed areas of the film unit, the silver halide functions so as to immobilize the associated image dye. In unexposed areas of the film unit, mobile image dye migrates through the overlying layers of the negative and through the pigmented reagent layer to reach the image receiving layer where it is mordanted and immobilized.
Some of the mobile image dye does not migrate from locations in the negative, directly onto corresponding locations in the image receiving layer, but instead laterally diffuses through the negative and the reagent layer onto locations in the image receiving layer that are not orthogonal with their initial locations in the negative. This results in the positive having a reduced resolution and one that is substantially lower than the resolution associated with the negative.
The positive is then viewed through a transparent polyester support by light reflected from the white pigment layer while the higher resolution negative remains obscured behind an opaque support layer. Accordingly, copies of the positive have a lower resolution when compared with the resolution of the negative.

Method and apparatus for scanning of image in integral film structure


A silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material having blue-, green-, and red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layers contains a pyrazoloazole-type compound which releases a development inhibitor in at least one layer and contains an acylacetamide-type yellow coupler having a novel acyl group in at least one layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material and, more particularly, to a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material in which sharpness, color reproduction, and storage stability are improved, and dye stability after development is significantly improved, by using a combination of a pyrazoloazoletype compound excellent in storage stability and hue and a novel acylacetamide-type yellow coupler.
2. Description of the Related Art
As a silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, a material is generally used which contains three types of color couplers which couple with the oxidized form of an aromatic primary amine-based color developing agent to form three colors of yellow, magenta, and cyan.
As the yellow coupler, an acylacetamide coupler represented by a benzoylacetanilide coupler or a pivaloylacetanilide coupler is generally used. The benzolyacetamide-type coupler generally has a high coupling activity with an aromatic primary amine developing agent during development and can form a yellow dye having a large molecular absorptivity coefficient. However, the benzoylacetamide-type coupler is low in dye stability when stored in a dark place. The pivaloylacetamide-type coupler, on the other hand, has a high dye stability but is low in coupling reactivity during development and has only a small molecular absorptivity coefficient. To obtain a sufficient dye density, therefore, a large amount of color-forming couplers must be used, resulting in disadvantages in both image quality and cost.
Studies have been made on an acyl group of the acylacetamide-type yellow coupler, and, for example, U.S. Pat. No. Re 27,848 discloses couplers having a 7,7-dimethylnorbornane-1-carbonyl group or a 1-methylcyclohexane-1-carbonyl group as a modification of a pivaloyl group. These couplers, however, are low in coupling activity and can produce only dyes having small molecular absorptivity coefficients; i.e., these couplers are not sufficiently satisfactory.
JP-A-47-26133 ("JP-A" means Published Unexamined Japanese Patent Application) discloses couplers having a cyclopropane-1-carbonyl group or a cyclohexane-1-carbonyl group. However, these couplers are still unsatisfactory because dyes produced by these couplers are low in stability and the couplers are poor in spectral absorption characteristics.
For this reason, a demand has arisen for a yellow coupler having good color forming properties (a high coupling reactivity of the coupler and a large molecular absorptivity coefficient of the produced dye) and a high dye stability and also having excellent absorption characteristics in which the edge of spectral absorption on the long-wavelength side is cut sharply and an amount of unnecessary absorption in a green region is small.
A silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material, on the other hand, is required to have a high sharpness, a good color reproduction, and a high storage stability and is also required to have a high dye stability after development. Especially in recent years, it has become necessary to further improve the image quality with decreases in format and size. However, the above requirements cannot be satisfactorily met only by improving the sharpness by decreasing the thickness of layers by using couplers having good color forming properties to reduce the amount of couplers or high-boiling organic solvents, or only by improving the saturation of colors without increasing the amount of couplers (without degrading the sharpness) by using couplers having good color forming properties.
The use of development inhibitor-releasing compounds (DIR compounds) for the purpose of improving the photographic performance, such as sharpness and color reproduction, is proposed in, e.g., JP-A-2-154256, JP-A-1-105947, JP-A-63-210927, JP-A-62-228151, JP-A-62-166334, JP-A-61-286852, JP-A-53-15136, and JP-A-50-36125. Since, however, these patents do not use the compounds of the present invention, the results obtained by these patents are unsatisfactory in color reproduction and poor in dye stability after development. Magenta-forming pyrazoloazole-type compounds which are chemically stable and capable of improving color reproduction are disclosed in, e.g., JP-A-61-28947, JP-A-62-24252, and JP-A-3-142447. However, these couplers are still unsatisfactory in sharpness when used singly and, when used in combination with conventional yellow couplers, cannot satisfactorily meet the requirements in color reproduction and dye stability.

Silver halide color photographic light-sensitive material


In an electrostatic printer (1) paper (11) is first conditioned by being thoroughly dried by rollers (13 and 15), which also immobilize the paper so that it does not wrinkle. The paper is then kept hot on flat plate 17 before it moves into the transfer nip of intermediate transfer drum (5) and transfer roller (7). The paper does not wrinkle on the plate and toner image is transferred to a wide range of papers with exceptional quality and consistency.

Transferring and fixing the final image with heat is widely standard in electrophotographic apparatus. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,225 to Britto et al, Ser. No. 07/945,195, filed Sept. 15, 1992, heating is in two stages, the final stage being the paper pressed between a member carrying the image and a heated transfer roller. Immediately preceding that stage is a heated, flat plate on which the image receiving surface of the paper is pressed prior to the transfer at the final stage. The path over the plate and to the nip of the final stage is straight.
The foregoing patent to Britto et al is assigned to the same assignee to which this invention is assigned. This invention preferably employs those two stages and the straight-path for transfer. This invention also employs a prior stage in which the paper is thoroughly dried under heat and immobilizing pressure prior to moving over the heated plate. This dries and apparently otherwise conditions the paper to achieve excellent, consistent results with a wide range of papers.
In the Britto et al apparatus the transfer location has a relatively small second transfer roller, and that roller could be heated sufficiently high to effect transfer without unduly heating the larger, first transfer roller or being so hot as to cause fumes or emissions. In this invention, a large transfer roller may be one of the two rollers at the transfer location.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,204,722 to Thompson et al preheats the paper on a flat plate and mentions a purpose of driving "out excess moisture from the paper, particularly on the side to which the toner is to be transferred."Such heating is not the preheating under immobilizing pressure of this invention.

Imaging apparatus with paper preconditioning for transfer


A process for the regioselective N-alkylation of 2-alkyl-5,6,7 or 8-substituted-4(3H)-quinazolinones in the presence of lithium salts.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a process for the regioselective N-alkylation of 2-alkyl-5,6,7 or 8-substituted-4(3H)-quinazolinones in the presence of lithium salts to give 2-alkyl-3-substituted-5,6,7 or 8-substituted-4(3H)-quinazolinones. This process has the advantages of providing a high yield of purer product in a more efficient and less costly way.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The compounds prepared by the process of the present invention namely the 2-alkyl-3-substituted-5,6,7 or 8-substituted-4(3H)-quinazolinones compounds of the following Formula I: ##STR1## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and X are defined hereinafter, are important intermediates useful in the preparation of therapeutic 2,3,6-substituted quinazolinones which are useful as angiotensin II receptor blocking agents. The 2,3,6-substituted quinazolinone compounds and uses for such compounds are described in European Patent Application No. EP-497150-A.
As described in this application, the usual method used to prepare these 3-substituted quinazolinones involves reacting compounds of the formula: ##STR2## where R.sup.1, and X are defined hereinafter, with an alkylating agent of the formula: R.sup.2 Br, where R.sup.2 is as defined hereinafter, in the presence of bases such as potassium or sodium carbonate or potassium t-butoxide. However, a significant amount of the isomeric O-alkylated compound of the formula: ##STR3## where R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and X are defined hereinafter, is formed and is in many cases difficult to remove from the desired product.
Accordingly, this prior art process for the preparation of 2-alkyl-3-substituted-6-substituted-4(3H)-quinazolinones generally give rise to appreciable quantities of undesired by-products.
It has now been found that 2-alkyl-3-substituted-5,6,7 or 8-substituted-4(3H)-quinazolinone compounds may be advantageously synthesized via reaction of the appropriate alkylating reagent in the presence of lithium salts to produce the desired N-alkylated product without the presence of O-alkylated contaminates.

Process for the regioselective n-alkylation of quinazolinones


Provided are a copolymer having enough biocompatibility to be used in a medical material application, and a method of forming a crosslinked body, which involves modifying a substrate surface with the copolymer so that the surface may be biocompatible. More specifically, a protein adsorption-suppressing effect and a cell adhesion-suppressing effect, which are features of a phosphorylcholine group, are imparted to the substrate surface. It has been found that the object is achieved by a copolymer containing a phosphorylcholine constitutional unit, a hydrophobic constitutional unit, and a photoreactive constitutional unit at a specific ratio.

A phosphorylcholine group-containing polymer has excellent biocompatibility typified by blood compatibility. Accordingly, the phosphorylcholine group-containing polymer has been utilized in an application where a coating of the polymer is formed on the surface of a substrate poor in biocompatibility to make the surface biocompatible. Specifically, the polymer has been applied to surface treatment agents for various medical devices, such as an artificial heart, an artificial lung, an artificial vessel, and a contact lens (Non Patent Literature 1).
In such application, the polymer is often used as described below. The polymer is bonded to the substrate surface to which biocompatibility is to be imparted by physical bonding or chemical bonding to form a hydrous coating gel on the substrate surface. In order to perform the physical bonding on the substrate surface, for example, a method involving introducing a comonomer having a hydrophobic group into the polymer having a phosphorylcholine group to perform the physical bonding, or a method involving introducing an ionic group into the polymer to perform ionic bonding is used.
In each of those methods, however, part of the structure of the polymer needs to be substituted with another functional group, and hence the function of a phosphorylcholine group cannot be sufficiently exhibited. Further, when an affinity between the polymer and the substrate is insufficient, the durability of the coating becomes insufficient and hence the coating peels. Meanwhile, a phosphorylcholine group-containing polymer having introduced thereinto a chemical bonding group is chemically bonded to the substrate surface. Accordingly, even when the number of functional groups to be introduced is small, the polymer is bonded to the substrate and hence a coating having relatively high durability can be formed (Patent Literature 1). In this case, however, the presence of a functional group on the substrate surface is an indispensable condition. In addition, in general, bonding between molecules of the phosphorylcholine group-containing polymer does not occur, and hence the durability has not been sufficient. Further, the step of inactivating an unreacted functional group at the time of the chemical bonding through a posttreatment is also required, and hence the phosphorylcholine group-containing polymer having introduced thereinto a chemical bonding group has involved many problems in practical use.
In view of the foregoing, a phosphorylcholine group-containing polymer having photoreactivity has been proposed (Patent Literature 2). Even when a substrate having no chemical bonding functional group on its surface is selected, the polymer can be bonded to the surface of the substrate. In addition, the polymer is excellent in coating formability. However, the polymer has an azido group, and hence sufficient management is needed to secure safety at the time of its production and at the time of its transportation, and stability after the production. Therefore, the polymer has involved problems in terms of supply stability and scale-up property to be solved before its provision to the market.
Sufficient pursuits have not been made on a polymer that has a photoreactive group to be bonded to a substrate surface to be made biocompatible and that is used for forming, on the substrate surface to be made biocompatible, a stable crosslinked body for covering the substrate surface, and a crosslinked body thereof.


A system for isolating a dump sitting on the ground has three different structures which are installed under the dump sequentially, as needed. The first structure includes a tunnel driven longitudinally through the ground underneath the dump and an array of drainage pipes passing through the ground and each having a lower end opening into the tunnel and an upper end at the surface. The second structure includes a water barrier in the ground around at least some of the drainage pipes. The third structure includes a water-impervious mass of backfill in a slit underneath the barrier and having a lower end at the tunnel and an upper end at the surface.

In order to prevent toxic materials in a ground-level or above-ground dump from leaching into the water table underneath the dump, it is known to install under the dump a leach field from which liquids can be drawn, to prevent them from working themselves deeper into the water table. Such a system does not provide a high degree of protection, as liquid can leak past the leach-field pipes. Furthermore such pipes must normally be installed before the dump is made, that is they cannot be installed readily under an existing dump.
It is also known, for example from German patent document 3,617,956 filed 28 May 1986 by Hans Richter to isolate an existing dump by driving under it a succession of tunnels parallel to a central longitudinal tunnel. As each tunnel is driven, a liquid-stopping membrane and/or drainage pipes are installed. The area behind the driving machine is filled with stowing material derived from the face cutter of the machine to prevent caveins, and any excess such material, which may be stone, earth, or clay depending on the ground composition, is conveyed to the surface. Such a procedure is extremely complex and expensive.
In another known system two slit tunnels are driven directly under the dump by longwall-mining techniques, starting from a central longitudinal service tunnel. This forms a basically horizontal barrier directly underneath the dump that can be provided with a vapor barrier and/or a drainage system. Horizontally lateral leaching of pollutants in the dump can still take place, unless expensive vertical slit shafts are subsequently cut to join with the outer edges of the horizontal slit and thereby fully isolate the dump.
A significant problem with the known dump-isolating systems is that they require that the geology underneath the dump be meticulously surveyed to determine the percolation rate, presence of aquifers, and so on in order to be able to apply the correct solution. Furthermore the known systems are often more elaborate than what is necessary to do the isolating job, so that value is lost.


A metal nitride powder can be made by heating a reactant powder that includes an oxide or hydroxide of Al, Ti, or Zr to a reaction temperature in a nonreactive atmosphere. The heated reactant powder is contacted with a gaseous reactant mixture comprising a nitrogen source and a carbon source. The molar ratio of nitrogen to carbon in the gaseous reactant mixture is at least about 15. The reactant powder is maintained at the reaction temperature for a sufficient time to convert a portion of it to metal nitride powder.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in non-oxide ceramics, such as metal nitrides and carbides, that possess high temperature strength and corrosion resistance. Among these materials, aluminum nitride (AIN) is especially important because of its unique physical properties. For example, AIN has a thermal conductivity close to that of metals and more than 10 times that of alumina (Al.sub.2 O.sub.3), a coefficient of thermal expansion comparable to silicon and silicon carbide, a high electrical resistivity, and mechanical strength comparable to alumina ceramics.
Metal nitride powders can be made in various ways. For example, a metal oxide powder, such as Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, zirconia (ZrO.sub.2), or titania (TiO.sub.2), can be mixed with an excess of a carbonaceous powder and heated to a temperature above 1100.degree. C. in a nitrogen-containing atmosphere. The metal nitride powder formed by this method is, however, mixed with unreacted carbonaceous powder that detracts from the properties of the metal nitride powder. The unreacted carbonaceous powder can be removed by oxidizing it at temperatures between about 600.degree. C. and about 700.degree. C. At these temperatures, however, a portion of the metal nitride powder also can oxidize.
U.S. Pat. 4,975,260 to Imai et al. teaches an alternate method for making a metal nitride powder by reacting a metal oxide or metal hydroxide powder with a gaseous mixture of ammonia (NH.sub.3) and a hydrocarbon at a temperature ranging from 1300.degree. C. to 1600.degree. C. Although this method is an improvement over some prior art methods, it still leaves residual carbon in the metal nitride product. Moreover, it requires a temperature of at least 1300.degree. C. As with any synthesis process, it is desirable to keep energy consumption as low as possible.
Therefore, what is needed in the industry is a method of making metal nitride powder at a relatively low temperature.


An intravascular metal stent having a tubular wall and a biocompatible coating on at least a major part of the wall surface which coating has a thickness of less than 4 xcexcm and contains a diamond like amorphous material, preferably DLN.

The present invention relates to an intravascular stent which is coated with a specific biocompatible composition.
It is known that heparin, phosphorylcholine and certain polymer coatings may decrease the thrombogenicity of coronary stents. However they do not appear to reduce neointimal hyperplasia and in-stent restenosis. A large variety of vasoactive substances can easily be embedded in the polymer network without firm chemical bonds. Consequently they potentially can act as an intramural slow release formulation for vasoactive drugs.
Numerous tubular stent designs are now on the market. Many of them consist of a radially expandable metal network, either in the form of a fine wire mesh, of a corrugated ring structure or of a slotted metal tube wall wherein a recurring pattern of holes are cut (e.g. by laser cuting). The stent wall has a thickness of between 0.08 and 0.20 mm and the metal is preferably stainless steel, tantalum or NITINOL. Stents can also have an expandable tubular metal spring like structure (coil stent). Examples of stent structures are known from e.g. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,739,762, 4,856,516, 5,133,732, 5,135,536, 5,161,547, 5,158,548, 5,183,085, 5,282,823, from WO 94/17754, from European patent applications Nos. 0282175, 0382014, 0540290, 0621017, 0615769, 0669114, 0662307, 0657147 and from European patent application 0791341 of applicant.
Diamond like amorphous material such as diamond like nano composition (DLN) are known from WO97/40207 and WO98/33948.
The use of DLN as biocompatible coating for medical devices is for example known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,493, WO 97/40207 and WO 96/39943. U.S. Pat. No. 5,352,493 and WO96/39943 disclose the application of DLN as biocompatible coating for medical devices such as orthopedic devices. WO 97/40207 describes the application of DLN for coating of hip prostheses. In contrast with the above mentioned applications, the coating of intravascular implants, such as stents must meet more severe requirements. The coating needs not only to meet the requirement to be biocompatible, but has to decrease or even to avoid thrombogenicity and histiolymphocytic inflammatory foreign body reaction. Neointimal hyperplasia has to be avoided since it can result in a narrowing or even in a closing of the blood vessel cavity. The narrowing of the blood vessel cavity after implantation of a stent is known as in-stent restenosis.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an intravascular stent coated with a biocompatible material in order to avoid thrombogenicity, histiolympocytic inflammatory foreign body reaction and neointimal hyperplasia. As a consequence the risk for in-stent restenosis is decreased or avoided.
The object of the invention is met by using a new class of biocompatible materials for coating at least a major part of the wall surface of the stent with a coating thickness of preferably less than 4 xcexcm and most preferably between 0.05 and 3 xcexcm. The material used according to the invention contains a diamond like amorphous material. Since the coating resists repeated deformation, it can be applied to a stent with a radially expandable metal mesh or metal coil structure.
The diamond like amorphous material in the coating is preferably a diamond like nano composition (DLN) comprising interpenetrating networks of a-C:H and a-Si:O. Such coatings and methods to apply them are known i.a. from WO 97/40207, PCT/EP97/01878 and WO98/33948. A representative coating of a-C:H and a-Si:O comprises 30 to 70 at % of C, 20 to 40 at % of H, 5 to 15 at % of Si and 5 to 15% of O. For applying these coatings to stents, the latter are preferably in their expanded state, not only radially but also they are longitudinally (axially) stretched to a certain extent if the mesh or spring structure so permits. This allows a substantially uniform deposition of the biocompatible diamond like material (DLN) using plasma-assisted CVD-processes. The plasma is created from a siloxane precursor. A Si-doped DLC can also be deposited; a silane precursor is then used.


A hypodermic syringe includes a barrel, the barrel having two stop portions in the rear side, a radially compressible constraint member mounted in the barrel and stopped between the stop portions of the barrel, and a plunger holding a rubber stopper and axially movably inserted through the constraint member into the inside of the barrel, the plunger having a breaking portion, and front stop flange, which is stopped against the constraint member upon back stroke of the plunger after use of the syringe for enabling the user to break the breaking portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a hypodermic syringe and, more particularly, to such a hypodermic syringe having a plunger pull-out stopping structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Regular hypodermic syringes are commonly designed having the plunger breakable after use of the syringe. A safety hypodermic syringe of this design has a stop flange formed on the inside wall of the barrel for stopping the plunger in position for breaking. However, this stop flange cannot positively stop the plunger inside the barrel. If the user pulled the plunger backwards from the barrel with an excessively high pulling force after use of the syringe, the plunger may be moved over the stop flange out of the barrel. If increasing the size of the stop flange is increased to prevent the plunger from falling out of the barrel, the installation of the plunger in the barrel becomes difficult.

Hypodermic syringe having plunger pull-out stopping structure


A method of process cost analysis that includes determining a per-unit cost function for executing a process step, determining a percentage-of-acceptable-parts function for executing a process step, and receiving production data into memory. The production data corresponds to a measured quality metric of the executed process step. The method further includes determining a probability density function for the received production data, executing on a processor a correlation routine for cross-correlating the cost function with the probability density function of the production data to provide a first cross-correlation, and executing on the processor the correlation routine for cross-correlating the percentage-of-acceptable-parts function with the probability density function of the production data to provide a second cross-correlation. The method includes determining an average effective per-unit cost to produce a resultant of the process step by dividing the first cross-correlation by the second cross-correlation.

Statistical process control (SPC) typically entails the application of statistical methods to monitor and control a process to ensure that the process operates at its full potential to produce conforming product. Under SPC, a process may behave predictably to produce as much conforming product as possible with the least possible waste. While SPC has been applied most frequently to controlling manufacturing lines, it applies equally well to any process with a measurable output.
In general, SPC can be used to examine a process and the sources of variation in that process using tools that give weight to objective analysis over subjective opinions and to determine the strength of each source numerically. Variations in the process that may affect the quality of the end product or service can be detected and corrected, thus reducing waste as well as the likelihood that problems will be passed on to a customer. With an emphasis on early detection and prevention of problems, SPC generally has a distinct advantage over other quality methods, such as inspection, that apply resources to detecting and correcting problems after they have occurred.


A power conversion apparatus according to an embodiment includes a case that can be provided on a mounting wall surface and places therein an electric reactor and a power conversion board for performing power conversion between a predetermined power generator and a commercial electric power system. The case is sectioned into a central area and first and second side areas that sandwich the central area therebetween. The electric reactor is arranged in the central area.

A system that supplies energy obtained from sunlight or the like is recently developed. To use an electric power generated by sunlight or the like in a standard home requires a power conversion apparatus that converts the generated DC power into AC power and supplies the converted AC power.
For example, a power conditioner that boosts the DC power generated by solar cells by using a booster circuit and then converts the boosted DC power into AC power substantially the same as that of AC power source-based AC power by using an inverter circuit is known as the power conversion apparatus.
The conventional technology has been known as disclosed in, for example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2011-160568.
However, the conventional power conversion apparatus still requires improving the apparatus itself to have the configuration further suitable for wall mounting as a wall-mounted apparatus for standard home.
In other words, the conventional configuration including the configuration of the power conversion apparatus disclosed in Japanese Laid-open Patent Publication No. 2011-160568 is that a comparatively heavy electric reactor is arranged at one side of a case among components that are housed in the case to constitute the power conversion apparatus. Therefore, its centroid leans to one-side edge and thus a wall-mounted state easily becomes unstable.


A method, a computer program product and a device, the method may include: receiving a first signature and first control metadata; the first control metadata is indicative of at least one control plane message that was exchanged between a RAN and a core network and was intercepted by a probe; the at least one control plane message relates to a first entity that belongs to or is coupled to the RAN; processing information packets received by a policy enforcer to provide information packet signatures, the information packets undergone an address translation process before being received by the policy enforcer; and enforcing a policy associated with the first entity, the enforcing affects an information packet that is associated with an information packet signature that equals the first signature; wherein the address translation process does no corrupt the first signature.

Third Generation (3G) Wireless Networks
3G wireless networks may interface with external networks such as the internet. Third generation (3G) wireless networks have a General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) core network that facilitates the transmission of Internet Protocol (IP) packets between the 3G wireless network and the internet. The GPRS core network may use a GPRS tunneling protocol that allows users of the 3G wireless network to be coupled to external packet switched networks (such as the Internet) while moving from one location to the other. The GPRS may include various components such as the Service GPRS Support Node (SGSN) and Gateway GPRS Support node (GGSN). The SGSN can interface with a Radio Network Controller (RNC).
The functionality of the different 3G wireless network components is known in the art and defined in various known standards. One non-limiting explanation relating to the SGSN, the RNC and the GGSN can be found in www.wikipedia.org.
Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN)—The Gateway GPRS Support Node (GGSN) is a main component of the GPRS network. The GGSN is responsible for the interworking between the GPRS network and external packet switched networks, like the Internet and X.25 networks. From an external network's point of view, the GGSN is a router to a sub-network, because the GGSN 'hides' the GPRS infrastructure from the external packet switched network. The GGSN may perform a network address translation (NAT) process which may corrupt address information about various entities of the RAN (or those which are coupled to the RAN) that participate in this exchange of information.
When the GGSN receives data addressed to a specific user, it checks if the user is active. If it is, the GGSN forwards the data to the SGSN serving the mobile user, but if the mobile user is inactive, the data is discarded. On the other hand, mobile-originated packets are routed to the right network by the GGSN. The GGSN is the anchor point that enables the mobility of the user terminal in the GPRS/UMTS networks. In essence, it carries out the role in GPRS equivalent to the Home Agent in Mobile IP. It maintains routing necessary to tunnel the Protocol Data Units (PDUs) to the SGSN that service a particular MS (Mobile Station).
The GGSN converts the GPRS packets coming from the SGSN into the appropriate packet data protocol (PDP) format (e.g., IP or X.25) and sends them out on the corresponding packet data network. In the other direction, PDP addresses of incoming data packets are converted to the GSM address of the destination user. The readdressed packets are sent to the responsible SGSN. For this purpose, the GGSN stores the current SGSN address of the user and his or her profile in its location register. The GGSN is responsible for IP address assignment and is the default router for the coupled user equipment (UE). The GGSN also performs authentication and charging functions. Other functions include subscriber screening, IP Pool management and address mapping, QoS and PDP context enforcement. With LTE scenario the GGSN functionality moves to SAE gateway (with SGSN functionality working in MME).
Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN)—a Serving GPRS Support Node (SGSN) is responsible for the delivery of data packets from and to the mobile stations within its geographical service area. Its tasks include packet routing and transfer, mobility management (attach/detach and location management), logical link management, and authentication and charging functions. The location register of the SGSN stores location information (e.g., current cell, current VLR) and user profiles (e.g., IMSI, address or addresses) used in the packet data network) of all GPRS users registered with this SGSN components.
Radio Network Controller (RNC)—the RNC is a governing element in the UMTS radio access network (UTRAN) and is responsible for controlling the Node Bs that are coupled to it. The RNC carries out radio resource management, some of the mobility management functions and is the point where encryption is done before user data is sent to and from the mobile. The RNC connects to the Circuit Switched Core Network through Media Gateway (MGW) and to the SGSN (Serving GPRS Support Node) in the Packet Switched Core Network. The logical connections between the network elements are known as interfaces.
The interface between the RNC and the Circuit Switched Core Network (CS-CN) is called Iu-CS and between the RNC and the Packet Switched Core Network is called Iu-PS. Other interfaces include Iub (between the RNC and the Node B) and Iur (between RNCs in the same network). Iu interfaces carry user traffic (such as voice or data) as well as control information Iur interface is mainly needed for soft handovers involving 2 RNCs though not required as the absence of Iur will cause these handovers to become hard handovers . . . ub, Iu and Iur protocols all carry both user data and signaling (that is, control plane).
Signaling protocol responsible for the control of the Node B by the RNC is called NBAP (Node-B Application Part). NBAP is subdivided into Common and Dedicated NBAP (C-NBAP and D-NBAP), where Common NBAP controls overall Node B functionality and Dedicated NBAP controls separate cells or sectors of the Node B. NBAP is carried over Iub. In order for NBAP to handle common and dedicated procedures, it is divided into: NodeB Control Port (NCP) which handles common NBAP procedures and Communication Control Port (CCP) which handles dedicated NBAP procedures. Control plane protocol for the transport layer is called ALCAP (Access Link Control Application Protocol).
Basic functionality of ALCAP is multiplexing of different users onto one AAL2 transmission path using channel IDs (CIDs). ALCAP is carried over Iub and Iu-CS interfaces. Signaling protocol responsible for communication between RNC and the core network is called RANAP (Radio Access Network Application Part), and is carried over Iu interface. Signaling protocol responsible for communications between RNCs is called RNSAP (Radio Network Subsystem Application Part) and is carried on the Iur interface.
Fourth Generation (4G) Wireless Networks
4G networks can include a RAN that in turn may include components such as the enhanced Node B (eNodeB) that is the hardware that is coupled to the mobile phone network that communicates directly with mobile handsets.
4G networks can have a System Architecture Evolution (SAE) architecture. The SAE has a flat, all-IP architecture with separation of control plane and user plane traffic (www.wikipedia.org). The main component of the SAE architecture is the Evolved Core network (EPC), also known as SAE Core. The EPC will serve as equivalent of GPRS networks (via the Mobility Management Entity, Serving Gateway and PDN Gateway subcomponents).
FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art 4G network that is coupled to the Internet 230 and to a user equipment (UE) 210. It is noted that multiple UEs are coupled to the 4G network and are arranged in cells. The prior art 4G wireless network includes eNodeB 212, ePDG (Evolved Packet Data Gateway) 216, ANDSF (Access Network Discovery and Selection Function) 214, MME (Mobility Management Entity) 218, SGW (Serving Gateway) 220, HSS (Home Subscriber Server) 222 and PGW (PDN Gateway) 224.
FIG. 1 illustrates UE 210 as being coupled to eNodeB 212 and to ePDG 216, eNodeB 212 and ePDG 216 as being coupled to SGW 220. PGW 224 as being coupled between SGW 220 and the Internet 230, and MME 218 as being coupled between HSS 222 and eNodeB 212.
MME 218 is the key control-node for the LTE access-network. It is responsible for idle mode UE (User Equipment) tracking and paging procedure including retransmissions. It is involved in the bearer activation/deactivation process and is also responsible for choosing the SGW 220 for a UE at the initial attach and at time of intra-LTE handover involving Core Network (CN) node relocation. It is responsible for authenticating the user (by interacting with the HSS).
The Non Access Stratum (NAS) signaling terminates at the MME 218 and it is also responsible for generation and allocation of temporary identities to UEs. It checks the authorization of the UE to camp on the service provider's Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and enforces UE roaming restrictions. The MME 218 is the termination point in the network for ciphering/integrity protection for NAS signaling and handles the security key management. Lawful interception of signaling is also supported by the MME 218. The MME 218 also provides the control plane function for mobility between LTE and 2G/3G access networks with the S3 interface terminating at the MME 218 from the SGSN. The MME 218 also terminates the S6a interface towards the home HSS 222 for roaming UEs.
SGW 220 routes and forwards user data packets, while also acting as the mobility anchor for the user plane during inter-eNodeB handovers and as the anchor for mobility between LTE and other 3GPP technologies (terminating S4 interface and relaying the traffic between 2G/3G systems and PGW 224). For idle state UEs, the SGW 220 terminates the DL data path and triggers paging when DL data arrives for the UE. It manages and stores UE contexts, e.g. parameters of the IP bearer service, network internal routing information. It also performs replication of the user traffic in case of lawful interception.
PGW 224 provides connectivity from the UE to external packet switched networks by being the point of exit and entry of traffic for the UE. The PGW 224 can perform a NAT process that corrupts address information. A UE may have simultaneous connectivity with more than one PGW 224 for accessing multiple PDNs. The PGW 224 performs policy enforcement, packet filtering for each user, charging support, lawful Interception and packet screening. Another key role of the PGW 224 is to act as the anchor for mobility between 3GPP and non-3GPP technologies such as WiMAX and 3GPP2 (CDMA 1× and EvDO).
HSS 222 is a central database that contains user-related and subscription-related information. The functions of the HSS 222 include functionalities such as mobility management, call and session establishment support, user authentication and access authorization. The HSS is based on pre-Rel-4 Home Location Register (HLR) and Authentication Center (AuC).
ANDSF 214 provides information to the UE about connectivity to 3GPP and non-3GPP access networks (such as Wi-Fi). The purpose of the ANDSF 214 is to assist the UE to discover the access networks in their vicinity and to provide rules (policies) to prioritize and manage connections to these networks.
ePDG 216—the main function of the ePDG 216 is to secure the data transmission with a UE coupled to the EPC over an untrusted non-3GPP access. For this purpose, the ePDG 216 acts as a termination node of IPsec tunnels established with the UE.
Non Access Stratum (NAS) Protocols—The non-access stratum (NAS) protocols form the highest stratum of the control plane between the user equipment (UE) and MME. NAS protocols support the mobility of the UE and the session management procedures to establish and maintain IP connectivity between the UE and a PDN GW. They define the rules for a mapping between parameters during inter-system mobility with 3G networks. They also provide the NAS security by integrity protection and ciphering of NAS signaling messages. EPS provides the subscriber with a "ready-to-use" IP connectivity and an "always-on" experience by linking between mobility management and session management procedures during the UE attach procedure
Complete NAS transactions consist of specific sequences of elementary procedures with EPS Mobility Management (EMM) and EPS Session Management (ESM) protocols.
The MME protocol stack consists of S1-MME stack to support S1-MME interface with eNodeB 212 and S11 stack to support S11 interface with Serving Gateway. MME 218 supports the S1 interface with eNodeB 212. The integrated S1 MME interface stack consists of IP, SCTP and S1AP.
SCTP (Stream Control Transmission Protocol) is a common transport protocol that uses the services of Internet Protocol (IP) to provide a reliable datagram delivery service to the adaptation modules, such as the S1AP. SCTP provides reliable and sequenced delivery on top of the existing IP framework. The main features provided by SCTP are (A) association setup: An association is a connection that is set up between two endpoints for data transfer, much like a TCP connection. A SCTP association can have multiple addresses at each end. (B) Reliable Data Delivery: Delivers sequenced data in a stream (Elimination of head-of-line blocking): SCTP ensures the sequenced delivery of data with multiple unidirectional streams, without blocking the chunks of data in other direction.
S1AP (S1 Application Part) is the signaling service between E-UTRAN and the Evolved Core network (EPC) that fulfills the S1 Interface functions such as SAE Bearer management functions, Initial context transfer function, Mobility functions for UE, Paging, Reset functionality, NAS signaling transport function, Error reporting, UE context release function, Status transfer. MME S11 Interface support MME supports S11 interface with Serving Gateway. The integrated S11 interface stack consists of IP, UDP and eGTP-C.
SGW (Serving Gateway) protocol includes: S11 control plane stack to support S11 interface with MME, S5/S8 control and data plane stacks to support S5/S8 interface with PGW, S1 data plane stack to support S1 user plane interface with eNodeB, and S4 data plane stack to support S4 user plane interface between RNC of UMTS and SGW of eNodeB.
SGW supports S11 interface with MME and S5/S8 interface with PGW. The integrated control plane stack for these interfaces consists of IP, UDP and eGTP-C.
SGW supports the S1-U interface with eNodeB and S5/S8 data plane interface with PGW. The integrated data plane stack for these interfaces consists of IP, UDP, eGTP-U.
PGW (Packet Data Network Gateway) protocols include S5/S8 control and data plane stacks to support S5/S8 interface with SGW. PGW supports S5/S8 interface with Serving Gateway. The integrated control plane stack for the S5/S8 interfaces consists of IP, UDP, eGTP-C. The integrated data plane stack for the S5/S8 interface consists of IP, UDP, eGTP-U.
In existing 3G and 4G networks, none of the network elements have a good understanding of what is happening in the radio network. For example, there is no accurate picture of how many users are attached to a particular cell, how many users are active or idle, how saturated the cell is, etc.
Without this detailed understanding of the Radio Access Networks (RAN), any video or data optimization solutions are not efficient. In some cases, the optimization solutions can cause under utilization of the radio network or even worse, not address over utilization due to inaccurate modeling.
As indicated above, each of these 3G and 4G networks interfaces with a packet switched external network such as the Internet via a network address translator (NAT) that performs a NAT process that results in corrupting masking address information (or otherwise losing such address information) about entities of the RAN (or entities coupled to the RAN) that exchange information packets with the internet. A non limiting example of such a NAT process includes compressing a range of IP addresses to a much smaller range of IP addresses that may indicate to the packet switched external network that the information packet is associated with the RAN.

Policy enforcer in a network that has a network address translator


A process cartridge of an image forming apparatus includes a seal member to seal a first gap between an end portion of a developer bearing member and a frame, and a sealing portion that seals a second gap between the frame and an end portion of the seal member. The frame includes an injection inlet through which elastomer has been injected into the second gap for forming the sealing portion, a storage portion that is a space surrounded by a second surface of the frame and a wall protruding from the second surface and in which elastomer spilling out of the second gap is stored, and a protruding portion that protrudes, from the second surface of the frame, further than the wall of the storage portion. The protruding portion contacts a conveyed recording medium when the process cartridge is mounted in an apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus.

Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a developing apparatus that develops an electrostatic latent image formed on a photosensitive drum, a process cartridge that forms a developer image on the photosensitive drum and is detachably attached to an apparatus main body of an image forming apparatus, and the image forming apparatus that forms an image on a recording medium by using a developer.
Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in an image forming apparatus that uses electrophotographic techniques, a photosensitive drum charged by a charging roller is exposed by an exposure apparatus, and an electrostatic latent image is thereby formed on the photosensitive drum. The electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum is developed as a toner image by a developing apparatus, and the toner image on the photosensitive drum is transferred to a sheet such as a paper sheet. Subsequently, the toner image transferred to the sheet is fixed to the sheet by being heated and pressurized by a fixing apparatus.
Herein, in recent years, the charging roller, the photosensitive drum, the developing apparatus and the like are integrated as a process cartridge in the image forming apparatus. In addition, the process cartridge is detachably attached to the apparatus main body of the image forming apparatus. With this, by replacing the process cartridge, it is possible to perform, for example, replacement of process means such as the photosensitive drum and addition of toner. According to the process cartridge system described above, a user can perform the maintenance of the image forming apparatus, and hence it is possible to easily perform the maintenance of the image forming apparatus.
Herein, the frame of the developing apparatus in the process cartridge is conventionally formed by coupling a first frame and a second frame. In addition, by coupling the first frame and the second frame, a toner storage portion in which toner is stored, a developing chamber in which a developing roller is disposed, and an opening for conveying the toner from the toner storage portion to the developing chamber are formed in the developing apparatus. Further, conventionally, a seal member is provided in a gap between the developing roller and the frame in the vicinity of each of both end portions in the direction of the rotation center axis of the developing roller such that the toner does not leak from the gap between the developing roller and the frame.
In addition, conventionally, due to the displacement of the position of the seal member relative to the frame that is caused when the developing apparatus is assembled and the tolerance of the seal member, a gap has been formed between the seal member and the frame. To cope with this, in a technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-025345, in order to seal the gap between the seal member and the frame, elastomer is injected into the gap between the seal member and the frame. Specifically, an injection inlet for injecting liquid elastomer is provided in the frame, and the elastomer is poured into the gap between the seal member and the frame by injecting the elastomer into the injection inlet.
In the case of this configuration, it is proposed to adopt a configuration in which a fence for storing the elastomer spilling out of the injection inlet is provided (Japanese Patent Application Laid-open No. 2007-025345). The elastomer having spilled out of the injection inlet is stored in the fence provided around the injection inlet. With this, the injected elastomer is prevented from jutting out from the contour of the frame.
In recent years, the size of the image forming apparatus has been reduced. In order to reduce the size of the image forming apparatus, it is conceivable to adopt a configuration in which the fence for storing the elastomer is exposed to the path of the sheet conveyed in the image forming apparatus. However, when the elastomer or the fence for storing the elastomer is exposed to the path of the sheet, in the case where the sheet is curled, there is a possibility that the sheet comes into contact with the elastomer or the fence and jamming (paper jamming) is thereby caused.

Developing apparatus having a sealed developer bearing member, process cartridge, and image forming apparatus


A method and apparatus for remotely operating at least one remote controlled appliance through a monitor station of a video interphone. The appliance itself being capable of operation by a remote control device. The monitor station includes a receiving input, a central processing unit, a memory, select keys and at least one output. The remote control device is used for generating a coded signal to the receiving input which filters the received coded signal for feeding a clean envelope of the coded signal to the central processing unit. The central processing unit processes the envelope and generates counted data pertaining to the envelope and indexes and stores the counted data into the memory. One of the select keys is assigned for retrieving and feeding the counted data to the output on the basis of the indexing. The output regenerates the coded signal for operating the appliance.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention is related to video interphone system and to wired or wireless control, including IR and RF, used for remotely operating electrical devices and appliances.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Wired or wireless remote control devices including InfraRed (IR) or RF transmitter for remotely operating electrical appliances such as television receivers, DVD or VCR recorders, audio players, air conditioners, motorized curtains, lighting and other electrical appliances in homes and apartments employ serial or other coding that are configured for operating only with a specific appliance, manufactured by a specific manufacturer. The problem is that each manufacturer of a given appliance uses proprietary technologies for the remote controlling of the appliance with randomly selected frequencies, bandwidth, clocks, signal levels, signal polarities, modulation, protocols and coding techniques, all of which makes the remote control of appliances by different manufacturers incompatible. This prevents  the use of a remote control panel for a mixture of appliances and/or systems produced by different manufacturers. The result is that control panels, including panels that employ the well known IR or RF remote control signals for a specific appliance cannot be used with other appliances that are installed in the same house or apartment. This state impedes the advances in home automation, the concept of which is the controlling of different appliances from the same control panel. Current home automation systems therefore mandate the use of interfaces, relay boxes and extensive re-programming of control panels for the integration of different appliances into home automation control system, which is complicated, time consuming and costly. Such a method and apparatus for utilizing unknown remote control signal for integrating remote control keys with video interphone system is also disclosed in U.S. application Ser. No. 11/024,233 dated Dec. 28, 2004.

Method and apparatus for remotely operating appliances from video interphones or shopping terminals


In one embodiment, a processor includes a frontend unit having an instruction decoder to receive and to decode instructions of a plurality of threads, an execution unit coupled to the instruction decoder to receive and execute the decoded instructions, and an instruction retirement unit having a retirement logic to receive the instructions from the execution unit and to retire the instructions associated with one or more of the threads that have an instruction or an event pending to be retired. The instruction retirement unit includes a thread arbitration logic to select one of the threads at a time and to dispatch the selected thread to the retirement logic for retirement processing.

Advances in semi-conductor processing and logic design have permitted an increase in the amount of logic that may be present on integrated circuit devices. As a result, computer system configurations have evolved from a single or multiple integrated circuits in a system to multiple cores and multiple logical processors present on individual integrated circuits. A processor or integrated circuit typically comprises a single processor die, where the processor die may include any number of processing elements, such as cores, threads, and/or logical processors.
Increasingly, multithreading is supported in hardware. For instance, in one approach, processors in a multi-processor system, such as a chip multiprocessor ("CMP") system, may each act on one of the multiple software threads concurrently. In another approach, referred to as simultaneous multithreading ("SMT"), a single physical processor is made to appear as multiple logical processors to operating systems and user programs. For SMT, multiple software threads can be active and execute simultaneously on a single processor without switching. That is, each logical processor maintains a complete set of the architecture state, but many other resources of the physical processor, such as caches, execution units, branch predictors, control logic and buses are shared. For SMT, the instructions from multiple software threads thus execute concurrently on each logical processor.
Processors have to deal with a variety of events, such as, for example, faults, traps, assists interrupts, and dedicate a good amount of logic to that. That logic becomes more complicated if the processor is an out-of-order processor and supports SMT. Every cycle cores can potentially have to process a significant number of events. They are both internal (usually related to execution of instructions) or external (e.g., interrupts). A conventional multi-threaded processor supports 2-way SMT and has deployed solutions for the same problems. But it was based on logic that was either not blindly scalable to a larger number of threads or incurred in significant logic replication. For example, event evaluation and prioritizations was done for all threads in parallel. This requires replication of the event logic for each of the threads. The logic looks at "what the other thread is doing" and assumes only 2 threads are present in the system (e.g., a computer system or electronic device), for example, in deciding whether to initiate an event process if a thread is sleeping by checking if the other thread has finished the exclusive access of certain processing resources (e.g., global registers).

Scalable event handling in multi-threaded processor cores


The present invention provides an amphiphilic molecular sieve containing a lipophilic group on the outside and a hydrophilic group on the inside and a production method thereof. The production method comprises: dispersing the nano-ZSM-5 molecular sieve into toluene, adding an organosilane containing a lipophilic group and reacting at 60-100° C. for 4-16 h, to obtain a molecular sieve containing a lipophilic group; placing the molecular sieve containing a lipophilic group in a mixed solution of sodium hydroxide solution and ethanol and reacting at 60-95° C. for 20-60 min, to obtain a molecular sieve containing a lipophilic group on the outside; dispersing the molecular sieve containing a lipophilic group on the outside into toluene, adding an organosilane containing a hydrophilic group and reacting at 60-100° C. for 4-16 h, to obtain the amphiphilic molecular sieve containing a lipophilic group on the outside and a hydrophilic group on the inside. The present invention also provides a molecular sieve obtained by the above production method, which does not destroy the characteristics of the original molecular sieve and has hydrophilic and lipophilic amphiphilic properties.

Zeolite is an important inorganic nanoporous material, and the potential demand for zeolites in terms of catalytic activity, selective adsorption, thermodynamic stability, water/chemical resistance and the like continues to grow. Therefore, in order to further investigate the physicochemical properties of the framework, it is indispensable to develop novel zeolite materials containing various elements and functional groups.
Organic functionalized zeolites can control the interaction between multiple organic and inorganic guest species by changing the surface properties, so its range of application will be further expanded. Although the use of organosilane has succeeded in adding new functions to zeolites, this method inevitably leads to structural defects, because the organic groups located in the micropores may destroy their microporosity.
The organic-inorganic hybrid zeolite is synthesized by linking with an organosilane containing a methylene group connecting to two silicon atoms instead of a siloxane. Astala and Auerbach (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2004, 126, 1843) proved the high stability of methylene-introduced LTA and SOD framework structures with density functional theory. Jones et al (Nature 1998, 393, 52; Microporous Mesoporous Mater. 1999, 29, 339; Mesopor. Mater. 1999, 33, 223; Microporous Mesoporous Mater. 2001, 42, 21) succeeded in synthesizing *BEA molecular sieves, which were functionalized by the use of organic groups on the end groups for shape selection and reaction. This method successfully applied new functions to inorganic substrates using the organosilane. Likewise, this strategy of substituting lattice oxygen atoms with methylene will impart zeolites with new functionality and lipophilic/hydrophobic surface properties. However, this method is merely an introduction of a certain property of either lipophilicity or hydrophilicity, and the introduction of a single group is realized.

Amphiphilic molecular sieve containing lipophilic group on the outside and hydrophilic group on the inside and production method thereof