A method for fabricating DRAM capacitor which includes forming a transistor having a source/drain regions and a gate electrode above a silicon substrate; then, forming sequentially a stack of layers including a first insulating layer, a second insulating layer, a third insulating layer and a hard mask layer over the transistor; subsequently, patterning and etching the hard mask layer. Thereafter, an oxide layer is formed over the hard mask layer, and then portions of the layers are etched to form a capacitor region over the oxide layer and a contact opening exposing a portion of the source/drain region. In the subsequent step, a conducting layer is formed over the oxide layer, the hard mask layer, the sidewalls of the contact opening and the exposed portion of the source/drain region. Next, a polishing method is used to remove the conducting layer above the oxide layer, and then the oxide layer is removed to form a lower electrode. A dielectric layer is then formed over the lower electrode, and finally an upper electrode layer is formed over the dielectric layer.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a method for fabricating a semiconductor device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) capacitor structure and its method of fabrication.
2. Description of Related Art
DRAM is now extensively used in all kinds of integrated circuit devices, and has become an indispensable element to the electronic industries in this information age. FIG. 1 is the circuit diagram of a memory cell or memory unit of a DRAM device. As shown in FIG. 1, the memory cell comprises a pass transistor T and a storage capacitor C. The source terminal of the pass transistor T is connected to a bit line (BL), the drain terminal is connected to a storage electrode 6 of the storage capacitor C, the gate terminal is connected to a word line (WL) and the opposed electrode 8 of the storage capacitor C is connected to a fixed voltage source. Between the storage electrode 6 and the opposed electrode 8, there is a dielectric layer 7. Those who are familiar with the art of semiconductor manufacture may know, the capacitor C is used for storing up digital data, and therefore must have a sufficiently large capacitance to avoid rapid data lost.
In the fabrication of conventional DRAMs having a memory capacity of 1 MB or less, a two dimensional capacitor device, generally known as the planar-type capacitor, is often employed for the storage of digital data. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional planar-type DRAM capacitor. As shown in FIG. 2, a silicon substrate 10 is first provided. Then, a field oxide layer 11 is formed on the substrate 10 to define the active regions. Next, a gate oxide layer 12, a gate layer 13 and source/drain regions 14 are sequentially formed on the substrate 10 constituting a pass transistor T. In a subsequent step, a dielectric layer 7 and a conducting layer 8 are sequentially formed over portions of the substrate neighboring the drain terminal. The region 6 where the dielectric layer 7 and the conducting layer 8 overlap the substrate 10 forms a storage capacitor C. Quite obvious from the above planar-type capacitor structure, a relatively large surface area is required to form a storage capacitor C that has sufficient capacitance. Hence, this design is unable to meet the demand of ever increasing level of integration for DRAM devices.
In general, highly integrate DRAMs, for example, those bigger than about 4 MB memory capacity, requires three dimensional capacitor structures such as the stack-type or the trench-type structure for the capacitor devices.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional stack-type capacitor structure. As shown in FIG. 3, a field oxide layer 11, a gate oxide layer 12, a gate layer 13 and source/drain regions 14 are sequentially formed above a substrate 10 constituting a pass transistor T. Thereafter, an insulating layer 15 is formed over the substrate 10, then a contact opening 14 is etched out exposing portions of a source/drain region 14. Subsequently, a polysilicon layer 6 (functioning as the storage electrode), a dielectric layer 7 and a conducting layer 8 (functioning as the opposed electrode) are sequentially formed over the contact opening, thus establishing a stack-type DRAM capacitor memory cell. The above stack-type capacitor structure is capable of supplying sufficiently large amount of capacitance with relatively good device integrity. However, for higher level of integration, such as in a 64 MB or bigger storage capacity DRAM, even a simple stack-type capacitor structure is insufficient.
On the other hand, another means of increasing the capacitance is to produce a trench-type capacitor. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional views of a conventional trench-type capacitor structure. As shown in FIG. 4, processes very similar to the fabrication of a stack-type capacitor are first performed forming a pass transistor T over a silicon substrate 10. The pass transistor T includes a gate oxide layer 12, a gate layer 13 and a source/drain regions 14. Thereafter, a deep trench is formed by etching the substrate 10 neighboring a drain terminal 14, and then a storage capacitor C is formed inside the trench region. The storage capacitor C is formed on the sidewalls of the trench and comprises a storage electrode 6, a dielectric layer 7 and a polysilicon opposed electrode 8. The above trench-type capacitor is also capable of increasing the surface area of the electrode and hence increasing capacitance. However, etching the substrate 10 to form a trench may cause some damages to the crystal lattice, and leakage current may increase as a result, thereby affecting the operational characteristics of the device. In addition, as the aspect ratio of the trench is increased, the etching rate will correspondingly be reduced, and therefore, fabrication becomes more difficult and productivity is certain to be affected.
In light of the foregoing, there is a need in the art for increasing the capacitance in a DRAM capacitor.


The present invention relates mainly to reaction vessels, to sets of such vessels for automatic immunological assay apparatuses, to automatic immunological assay apparatuses making use of such sets of vessels, and to a method implementing sets of such vessels. According to the present invention, photometric detection is implemented of the luminescence of a reaction mixture found in a reaction vessel, the apparatus and/or the vessel guaranteeing light-tightness so as to prevent entry of external light falsifying the measurement. Advantageously, sets of vessels in accordance with the present invention are made out of a material that is opaque. The present invention is particularly applicable to detecting the presence of a chemical or a biological substance in a sample. The present invention applies mainly to medical analysis and research.

FR 96/12546, WO 91/107662, and WO 96/14582 disclose automatic apparatuses for immunological assay essentially comprising means for supporting, guiding, and stepwise displacement of reaction vessels along a path having a predetermined number of positions, a turntable supporting samples to be analyzed, a turntable supporting reagents, means for taking determined quantities of samples and of reagents, and for injecting said taken quantities into the reaction vessels, means for washing the vessels, means for optically reading the results of the assays, and a controlling computer system enabling preprogrammed assay cycles to be performed corresponding to single-reagent or two-reagent assays, said known apparatuses operating at a rate of about 120 assays per hour to 360 assays per hour for the second apparatus.
The apparatus described in international application WO 96/14582 also differs in that it is designed to operate with reaction modules which are parts molded out of transparent plastics material and comprise a plurality of reaction vessels in alignment that are secured to one another, said reaction modules being mass-produced at a very low cost price, thus making it possible to discard them after a single use. Furthermore, such reaction modules are suitable for stacking, thus making them easier to package and also making it easier to stack them in automatic feed means of the apparatus.
FR 96/12546 proposes apparatus of the above-specified type, comprising means for supporting, guiding, and stepwise displacement of sets of reaction vessels along a path comprising a predetermined number of positions, means for supporting samples to be analyzed, means for supporting reagents, means for taking determined quantities of samples and of reagents, and for injecting the taken quantities into the reaction vessels, together with means for washing the vessels, means for reading the results, and means for feeding sets of reaction vessels and for ejecting sets of used vessels, wherein the path of the sets of reaction vessels is rectangular in shape and has two long sides defined by parallel rectilinear support and guide rails for the sets of vessels, and two short sides defined by means for displacing the sets of vessels transversely over three positions comprising two end positions on the long sides of the path and an intermediate position which constitutes the position for ejecting a set of used vessels and the position for feeding a set of new vessels.
Those apparatuses use color-measuring means for reading results through the light-transparent walls of the vessels.
Automatic apparatuses are also known for performing immunological assay, which apparatuses are provided with means for reading the luminescence of the reaction mixture. The apparatuses of known types comprise a dark chamber fitted with light-measuring means for measuring brightness, means for transferring reaction mixtures from a vessel into the dark chamber, means for washing the dark chamber and transfer means, and means for decontaminating the dark chamber and transfer means. As a result, such automatic immunological assay apparatuses are extremely complex and present a cost price that is high.

Reaction wells, assembly thereof, immunoassay apparatus and method using such well assemblies


A surgical endoscope for manipulation by a surgical robot arm. The surgical endoscope comprises a shaft having a distal end for insertion into a patient and a proximal end. An endoscope interface is attached to the proximal end of the shaft. The endoscope interface is configured to engage a robot arm interface of the surgical robot arm. The endoscope interface comprises an endoscope wedge mechanism moveable between an unlocked position and a locked position. The endoscope wedge mechanism comprises endoscope wedge elements which are displaceable such that collective displacement of the endoscope wedge elements actuates the endoscope wedge mechanism between the unlocked position and the locked position.

It is known to use robots for assisting and performing surgery. FIG. 1 illustrates a typical surgical robot 100 which consists of a base 108, an arm 102, and an instrument 105. The base supports the robot, and is itself attached rigidly to, for example, the operating theatre floor, the operating theatre ceiling or a trolley. The arm extends between the base and the instrument. The arm is articulated by means of multiple flexible joints 103 along its length, which are used to locate the surgical instrument in a desired location relative to the patient. The surgical instrument is attached to the distal end 104 of the robot arm. The surgical instrument penetrates the body of the patient 101 at a port 107 so as to access the surgical site. At its distal end, the instrument comprises an end effector 106 for engaging in a medical procedure.
A typical laparoscopic operation may require several surgical robots, each one carrying an instrument or other implement which is used concurrently with the others at the surgical site. For example, a pair of pincers, a scalpel and an endoscope may all be concurrently manipulated at the surgical site, each of which is attached to a different surgical robot.
Each surgical robot is located around the patient in such a position that its instrument/implement can reach the surgical site via its port and perform the required manipulations at the surgical site. The available space around the patient is limited and is also required by the operating room staff for access to the patient. Ideally, the robot arms are spaced sufficiently far apart that each robot arm can have any joint configuration and not clash with an adjacent robot arm. This spacing can be set by determining the working space of each robot arm to be the total swept volume of the robot arm in all its configurations. If the end of the instrument/implement which interfaces the distal end of the robot arm extends beyond the profile of the distal end of the robot arm, the swept volume of that extension is determined and added to the swept volume of the robot arm to determine the working space of the robot arm. To ensure collisions are avoided, no other apparatus is allowed to encroach into this working space. An alternative approach is to allow one robot arm to be within the working space of another robot arm, but to limit the configurations that one or both of the robot arms can adopt so as to avoid collisions between the two. A complex control system which implements a collision avoidance mechanism is used to accomplish this.
If the end of the instrument/implement which interfaces the distal end of the robot arm is bulky, this also limits the positions at which the port may be located so as to enable access of the instrument/implement to the surgical site of the patient.
Endoscopes are particularly bulky implements due to the optical equipment they house. The end of the endoscope which interfaces the robot arm is typically larger than the equivalent interface on an instrument, and also typically larger than the end of the robot arm to which it attaches.

Mounting an endoscope to a surgical robot


A wheel support bearing assembly includes an outer member inserted in a knuckle, an inner member made up of a hub axle, double rows of rolling elements, and a cover closing an opening of one end of the outer member. The cover includes a sensor connector and a sensor cap. A pulsar ring is mounted on the inner race and a rotation sensor is opposed to the pulsar ring and embedded in the sensor connector. The cover extends over an outer surface of the sensor connector. The cover has a cylindrical portion mounted in an inner peripheral surface of one end of the outer member, which end forms a pilot portion for the knuckle. The cylindrical portion of the cover has an outer periphery provided with an annular elastic member held in contact with an inner peripheral surface of the knuckle.

The anti-lock brake system (ABS) is designed to detect the occurrence of tires being locked during run on a low friction road surface or at the time of panicked braking so that the braking can be relieved to secure a tire grip to improve the maneuvering stability. An ABS sensor for detecting the occurrence of the tire being locked is incorporated in a wheel support bearing assembly.
As such a passive type ABS sensor used in the wheel support bearing assembly, an annular type rotation sensor has been suggested (See, for example, the JP Laid-open Patent Publications No. 5-264562 and No. 8-285879.). This annular type rotation sensor includes a magnetic encoder having a multipolar magnet, and a magnetic sensor having a coil built therein in face-to-face relation with the multipolar magnet and is so operable that when magnetic fluxes passing the magnetic sensor as a result of rotation of the magnetic encoder change, an electric voltage can be induced across the coil to detect the rotation of a vehicle wheel.
Also, as shown in FIG. 10, it is suggested that the magnetic sensor 36 of the structure described above is resin molded together with a connector pin 43 to form a generally cylindrical sensor connector 42, which is in turn press-fitted into a generally cylindrical sensor cap 32 having a bottom surface. This is so designed that as shown in FIG. 11, when the sensor connector 42 is incorporated in the sensor cap 32 and the sensor cap 32 is then press-fitted into a stationary raceway member of the wheel support bearing assembly, the magnetic sensor 36 can be fixed in position in the stationary raceway member through the sensor cap 32. In such case, the magnetic encoder is fixed on a rotatable raceway member of the wheel support bearing assembly in face-to-face relation with the magnetic sensor 36.
In addition, as the wheel support bearing assembly having the rotation sensor built therein, what is shown in FIG. 12 is also available (See, for example, the JP Laid-open Patent Publication No. 9-329611.).
This wheel support bearing assembly with the rotation sensor includes an outer member 60 having an inner periphery formed with double rows of outer raceway surfaces 60a and 60a and serving as a stationary member, an inner member 50 having an outer periphery formed with double rows of inner raceway surfaces 51a and 52a opposed respectively to the outer raceway surfaces 60a and 60a and serving as a rotatable raceway member, double rows of rolling elements (balls) 61 rotatably interposed between the raceway surfaces 60a and 51a and between the raceway surfaces 60a and 52a, an annular tone wheel or encoder wheel 62 fixed on the inner member 50 and having characteristics alternately and equidistantly changing in a circumferential direction thereof, a cover 63 fixed to an inboard open end of the outer member 60, an annular rotation sensor 64 opposed to the tone wheel 62, and a sensor cap 65 fixed to a peripheral surface of an open end of the cover 63. The cover 63 is fixed to the outer member 60 with one peripheral surface of the sensor cap 65 press-fitted into an outer peripheral surface of one end of the outer member 60.
The inner member 50 has one end formed integrally with a wheel mounting flange 53 for the support of a vehicle wheel (not shown) and is made up of a hub axle 51 formed with the inner raceway surface 51a on the outer periphery thereof and a reduced diameter stepped portion 51b axially extending from the inner raceway surface 51a, and an inner race 52 mounted on the reduced diameter stepped portion 51b and formed with the inner raceway surface 52a on the outer periphery thereof.
The cover 63 is made up of a sensor connector 66 made of a synthetic resin and the sensor cap 65 made of a metallic material, and the sensor connector 66 includes a disc portion 66a and a cylindrical portion 66b extending axially from the disc portion 66a. The rotation sensor 64 formed to represent an annular shape is supported embedded on an outer surface side of the disc portion 66a. The cylindrical portion 66b has a free end formed with a recessed groove 67 that extends over the entire circumference thereof and is defined between an large diameter portion 65a and a stepped portion 65b of the sensor cap 65, and a seal ring such as an O-ring 69 is engaged inside the recessed groove 67. In this construction, the cover 63 can be removably mounted on the outer member 60 without impairing the sensor connector 66 made of the synthetic resin and forming a part of the cover 63 while preventing water from flowing into the outer member 60.
However, in the structure shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the sensor connector 42 has an outer periphery press-fitted into the inner periphery of the sensor cap 32 with a predetermined allowance therebetween and the end of the sensor connector 42 is held in abutment with a bottom surface of the sensor cap 32 to complete assemblage of the sensor connector 42 with the sensor cap 32. Because of this, depending on the diametric dimension of the outer periphery of the sensor connector 42 and/or the diametric dimension of the inner periphery of the sensor cap 32, the press-fitting allowance varies considerably and, as a result, a press-fitting load changes, resulting in difficulty in assemblage.
Also, the sensor connector 42 is axially positioned relative to the sensor cap 32 by abutting the end of the sensor connector 42 with the bottom surface of the sensor cap 32 and, therefore, when the necessity arises to perform a fine adjustment of the axial position of the sensor connector 42 in order to increase the accuracy of an output signal of the rotation sensor 64, it often occurs that the fine adjustment to be carried out by pressing the sensor connector 42 deep into the sensor cap 32 cannot be performed easily.
On the other hand, in the rotation sensor incorporated wheel support bearing assembly shown in FIG. 12, a mounting gap of 20 to 100 μm is present between a knuckle N, forming a part of the suspension system, and a pilot portion 68 of the outer member 60 (which is the large diameter portion 65a of the sensor cap 65 in the instance shown) and, therefore, there is a high possibility that salty water and/or dusts may ingress into the gap and rusting may eventually occur accordingly. Once the pilot portion 68 rusts, removal of the outer member 60 from the knuckle N would be difficult to achieve.
In addition, in view of the fact that the seal ring such as the O-ring 69 is engaged in the recessed groove 67 formed in the free end of the cylindrical portion 66b of the sensor connector 66 forming a part of the cover 63, it is possible to avoid an ingress of water inside the outer member 60, but there is the risk that once the pilot portion 68 rusts, the cover 63 is axially displaced by the effect of a volume expansion of the rust, resulting in a disorder of the positional relation between the rotation sensor 64 and the tone wheel 62. Once this positional relation disorders, the accuracy of the output signal of the rotation sensor 64 is impaired and depending on a situation the output signal will fail to emerge.

Bearing assembly having rotation sensor and mounting structure to support sensor cap and connector


The network comprises topographic network devices and communication links interconnecting the topographic network devices. The topographic network devices each have a physical location represented by a topographic coordinate set, and a network address that includes the topographic coordinate set. A message configured for transmission through the network includes a destination coordinate set, which is the topographic coordinate set of a destination network device that is one of the topographic network devices. A topographic network device comprises channels, a coordinate store and a topographic processor. The channels are each configured for connection via a communication link to another of the topographic network devices. The channels include a first channel via which the message is received. The coordinate store stores connected device coordinate sets, which are the topographic coordinate sets of the topographic network devices to which the channels are directly connected. The topographic processor operates in response to the connected device coordinate sets and the destination coordinate set of the message to identify a second channel of the topographic network device to which to forward the message.

The main elements of networks for communicating sets of information data are network devices and communication links. The network devices include end-user devices and routers. Routers control the flow of data traffic in the network, between networks and between the network and the end-user devices. Basic information on routers and their use in networks is disclosed by Radia Perlman in the book entitled INTERCONNECTIONS, the second edition of which was published by Addison-Wesley in 1999.
Messages containing information are transmitted through the network in data sets known in the art by such names as packets, frames, cells and protocol data units. In this disclosure, the term packet will be used to describe such data sets. Each packet includes a header that includes a destination address. Each router has a number of channels through each of which the router receives messages from, and transmits messages to, the network device connected by a communication link to the channel. The router typically transmits messages onward through the network via a different channel from the one through which the messages were received.
The router channel to which a given message is sent for transmission is determined by the destination address in the headers of the packets in which the message is contained, and additionally from address information stored in an address table that forms part of the router. The address table is hierarchical and stores address information relating to the network or end-user device connected to each channel of the router. The address information is detailed with respect to the domains of end-user devices connected to the channels and is more general with respect to networks connected to the channels. Specifically, the address information indicates what is connected to each of the channels of the router. For example, the address information might indicate that a packet with a given destination address should be sent through the router to channel n for onward transmission. When the router determines the channel to which to send a packet, there is no guarantee that the channel is connected to a network device that is any closer to the destination of the packet than the router itself.
The conventional network architecture described above works well in many ways. However, it can be inefficient and can result in messages being delayed. Delays are undesirable, and are especially so in new applications such as video streaming and Voice over Internet. With the conventional routing scheme, messages may cross the continent several times and may pass through many routers before reaching their final destination. Before transmitting a message to another network device, each router may store all or part of the message for a storage time that depends on network traffic. The storage time may become very long as the network traffic approaches saturation. This increases the likelihood for messages to be delayed unacceptably, especially at times of high traffic.
Thus, what is needed is a network in which messages are transmitted to their destination by a route that is more direct that the route that typically results from the conventional routing scheme described above. A more direct routing can potentially reduce the number of routers that the message passes through on its way to its destination and, hence, the potential for the message being delayed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Communication network based on topographic network devices

Avago Technologies General IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


Examples of methods and apparatus are provided for comparing and provisioning configurations for a local client having a windows-based embedded image. The apparatus may include a retrieval module of the local client configured to facilitate locating a remote repository server containing a new configuration file, to facilitate obtaining the new configuration file from the remote repository server, and to facilitate obtaining a previous configuration file associated with a previous configuration change successfully applied to the embedded image. The apparatus may include a configuration comparison module of the local client configured to compare the new configuration file with the previous configuration file. The apparatus may include an apply settings module of the local client configured to apply, to the embedded image, one of a new configuration change and the previous configuration change based on the comparison. The new configuration change may be based on the new configuration file.

In order for a client device having an embedded image to apply changes that persist across a reboot of the client device, manual installation of software or drivers and/or a firmware update of the entire image may be needed. This process may involve downloading a customized image and installing the customized image on the client device. However, embedded images can be large in size, and thus, it may be impractical to download and install entire images just to apply changes to the images, especially when desired changes are frequent and/or relatively minor, and/or when there are a large number of client devices that require these changes, for example, in an enterprise environment.

Comparing and provisioning configurations for a client having a windows-based embedded image


An optical reading device for reading information recorded on a track of an optical record carrier, and an optical recording device for recording information on a track of an optical record carrier. Both devices use a radiation source to scan the record carrier (the reading device to read and the recording device to record) and a buffer memory which changes the rate in which the information which is read or to be written enters and leaves the buffer memory. In the reading device, the information read enters the buffer memory at a faster rate than it leave the buffer memory. In the recording device the opposite occurs. As a result, when the buffer memory of the reading device reaches a certain maximum filling level, information read in thereto is interrupted and so is use of the radiation source, such interrupts ending when the filling level of the buffer memory reaches a minimum level. Likewise, when the buffer memory of the recording device reaches a certain filling level, information read out therefrom is interrupted and so is use of the radiation source, such interrupts ending when the filling level of the buffer memory reaches a minimum level.

The invention relates to an optical reading device for reading information recorded in a track of an optical record carrier, which device comprises a radiation source for generating a radiation beam; an optical system for directing the radiation beam via the track onto a radiation-sensitive detector, the radiation beam producing a scanning spot on the record carrier; a driving device for displacing the scanning spot with respect to the record carrier in a longitudinal direction of the track at a given scanning rate; a signal regaining circuit for regaining recorded information on the basis of a detection signal supplied by the radiation-sensitive detector; a load circuit for loading the regained information in an output buffer memory at a given load rate; a signal retrieval circuit for retrieving the information stored in the buffer memory at a given retrieval rate which is lower than the load rate; control means for interrupting the storage of the regained information in the buffer memory for displacing the scanning spot after a given time interval to the track portion where loading was interrupted and for subsequently resuming the storage of the regained signal at an instant when the scanning spot reaches a track position which corresponds to the position where the loading of the buffer memory was interrupted, such that a filling level of the buffer memory remains between given limits.
The invention also relates to an optical recording device for recording information in a track of an optical record carrier, which device comprises a write unit for providing an information pattern in the track in response to a write signal, for which purpose the write unit comprise a radiation source for generating a radiation beam; an optical system for directing the radiation beam via the track onto a radiation-sensitive detector; the radiation beam producing a scanning spot on the record carrier. The device further comprises a driving device for displacing the scanning spot with respect to the record carrier in a longitudinal direction of the track at a given scanning rate; an input buffer memory for storing information to be recorded at a given load rate; a retrieval circuit for retrieving the information from the input buffer memory at a retrieval rate which is higher than the load rate; a control circuit for converting the retrieved information into the write signal; control means for interrupting the retrieval of the information from the input buffer memory, for displacing the scanning spot after a given time interval to the track portion where the retrieval was interrupted and for subsequently resuming the retrieval of the information, such that a filling level of the input buffer memory remains between given limits.
An optical reading device and an optical recording device of the type described in the opening paragraphs are known, inter alia, from EP-A-0.429.139. It is an object of the invention to provide a reading device of the type described and a recording device of the type described which have a low power consumption.
As regards the reading device, this object is achieved in that the device comprises means for switching off at least the radiation source in time intervals in which the loading of the buffer memory is interrupted.
As regards the recording device, this object is achieved in that the device comprises means for switching off the radiation source in time intervals in which the retrieval of the information is interrupted.
By switching off the radiation source during the time intervals when reading and recording are interrupted, the power consumption of the radiation source is considerably reduced. Since this power consumption constitutes a considerable part of the overall power consumption, the invention yields a considerably economy. For the purpose of illustration, it is to be noted that the power consumption of the radiation source in reading devices is approximately half the overall power consumption. Such power consumption economy is particularly advantageous when the invention is used in battery-fed devices.
Optical reading devices and recording devices are usually provided with a focusing element for focusing the radiation beam. A focal point of the radiation beam is held in, such a plane in which information is recorded. To this end the device is generally provided with a feedback focus control controlling a focus actuator on the basis of a focus error signal in such a way that a position of the focal point fixed by the control signal of a focus actuator is retained in the plane of the information layer. In the most conventional focus controls, a focus error signal is derived from the radiation beam reflected by the information layer. The focus error signal is indicative of the focus error only in a limited measuring range of the focal point. The feedback focus control can, therefore, operate in a reliable manner only when the focal point is located within this measuring range. When the reading operation is started, a capturing procedure is performed in which the focal point is brought within the measuring range. Such a capturing procedure is also performed when the focal point is outside the measuring range. By means of known capturing detection circuits, it can be ascertained whether the focal point is present within the measuring range. There is a risk that the focal point is no longer located within the desired range after the radiation source has been switched on again so that the capturing procedure must be repeated. The drawback of such a capturing procedure is that it is relatively time-consuming.

Optical reading device and optical recording device


The present invention relates to the use of a buffered acid wash to reduce the amount of oil in cuttings associated with the use of an invert emulsion well fluid. The buffered acid wash is sufficiently acidic as to convert all of the surfactant in the invert oil emulsion from one charge species into another, but substantially prevents the fluid from becoming so acidic as to generate carbon dioxide.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the exploitation of hydrocarbon-containing formations. More specifically, the invention relates to clean up of non-aqueous based well fluids.
2. Background Art
When drilling or completing wells in earth formations, various fluids typically are used in the well for a variety of reasons For purposes of description of the background of the invention and of the invention itself, such fluids will be referred to as xe2x80x9cwell fluids.xe2x80x9d Common uses for well fluids include: lubrication and cooling of drill bit cutting surfaces while drilling generally or drilling-in (i.e., drilling in a targeted petroleum bearing formation), transportation of xe2x80x9ccuttingsxe2x80x9d (pieces of formation dislodged by the cutting action of the teeth on a drill bit) to the surface, controlling formation fluid pressure to prevent blowouts, maintaining well stability, suspending solids in the well, minimizing fluid loss into and stabilizing the formation through which the well is being drilled, fracturing the formation in the vicinity of the well, displacing the fluid within the well with another fluid, cleaning the well, testing the well, implacing a packer fluid, abandoning the well or preparing the well for abandonment, and otherwise treating the well or the formation.
As suggested above, a variety of potential well fluids are available for use, depending on the particular application. One significant class of well fluids is so called xe2x80x9coil-basedxe2x80x9d well fluids. Depending on the application, various hydrocarbons or other non-aqueous fluids may be used as a major component of the well fluid. For example, diesel fuel is commonly used as a principal component of certain well fluids. However, if the environment in the vicinity of the wellbore is particularly sensitive, or is subject to regulations on the use of diesel fuel as a well fluid component, solvent grade minerals oils and organic liquids including esters, paraffins, acetals, glycols, and olefins may be used. When these fluids are manufactured from lower molecular weight components, they may be referred to as synthetic, and their well fluids referred to as xe2x80x9csynthetic-based.xe2x80x9d Both diesel and these latter fluids are included in the term xe2x80x9cnon-aqueous.xe2x80x9d
Throughout the specification, the phrase xe2x80x9coil-in-waterxe2x80x9d is used interchangeably with xe2x80x9cnon-aqueous.xe2x80x9d The phrase xe2x80x9coil-in-waterxe2x80x9d is intended to encompass all non-aqueous-in-water systems, and the term oil is used instead of non-aqueous for convenience only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any fashion. In most non-aqueous fluids, a separate aqueous phase is emulsified into the non-aqueous fluid to provide selected properties desirable for drilling. Generally the aqueous phase is a brine. Because emulsification of oil into water was developed first, these water-in-oil emulsions are often referred to as xe2x80x9cinvert emulsions.xe2x80x9d Typically, if a non-aqueous fluid is used in conjunction with brine, a phase separation between the oil and brine occurs. To secure a stable emulsion, a surfactant capable of emulsifying water into the hydrocarbon is an essential component of non-aqueous well fluids. One particular class of non-aqueous fluids are those which are xe2x80x9creversiblexe2x80x9d (i.e., the emulsion can be converted from a water-in-oil to an oil-in-water emulsion) by the action of a chemical or physical trigger such as pH, oxidizers, heat, light, microwaves, etc.
Non-aqueous fluids are often chosen for use in drilling fluids because of their excellent lubrication properties, their chemical stability, and their minimal chemical impact on certain earth formations that are sensitive to water-based well fluids. These properties permit the drilling of wells having a significant deviation of the well bore trajectory from vertical, as is typical of offshore or deep water drilling operations where highly inclined or even horizontal wells may be drilled. For example, in highly inclined wells, torque and drag on a drilling tool assembly used to drill the well (the xe2x80x9cdrillstringxe2x80x9d) are significant because the drillstring typically lies against the bottom of the well (the xe2x80x9clow side of the holexe2x80x9d), and the risk of the drillstring becoming stuck in the well is high. Use of non-aqueous fluids has been shown to significantly reduce drill string sticking and similar problems encountered during directional drilling.
However, there are some disadvantages of using non-aqueous well fluids. Most notably, the disposal of formation cuttings removed from a well drilled with non-aqueous well fluids is a primary concern, especially for offshore or deep-water drilling operations or particularly remote and sensitive land-based operations. In many cases, environmental regulations require use of expensive synthetic fluids and the cuttings must meet stringent requirements for chemical content before they can be discharged into the environment.
To meet environmental discharge requirements, the cuttings generally must either be washed clean of the oil before disposal at sea or be injected as a slurry into an earth formation or be disposed on land in an environmentally safe manner.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,218,342 (the ""342 patent), issued to Patel, and assigned to the assignee of the present invention, describes a class of suitable surfactants for use in xe2x80x9creversiblexe2x80x9d invert emulsion fluids. In particular, the ""342 patent describes the use of an amine surfactant, which, upon protonation, causes the invert emulsion to xe2x80x9cflipxe2x80x9d and become a regular emulsion. In order to function, the amine surfactant described in the ""342 patent requires that a protonating agent (an acid, for example) be added to the invert emulsion. After a sufficient amount of protonating agent, cited in the patent as mineral and organic acids or systems that generate such acids, is added, the amine surfactant becomes protonated and the emulsion flips from an invert emulsion to a regular emulsion.
The ""342 patent also describes a purification method which includes separating oil-laden cuttings using conventional solids removal methods (such as sift-screening). The oil-laden cuttings are then contacted at least once with an acid solution, again defined as mineral and organic acids, so as to invert the emulsion coating the cuttings. Washing with acid causes the cuttings to convert from being xe2x80x9coil-wetxe2x80x9d to being xe2x80x9cwater-wetxe2x80x9d solids, allowing the substantial removal of the oil from the cuttings. In order to cause the xe2x80x9cflipxe2x80x9d from invert to regular emulsion, the pH of the system is typically lowered to about 2.
A significant, and problematic, side reaction occurs at this low pH. Generally speaking, when well fluids having a pH of greater than about 5.5 (which is typical) are passed through the air, they absorb carbon dioxide. When lime is present in the cuttings (which is often the case in cuttings drawn from the wellbore), the carbon dioxide and lime react to form calcium carbonate. When the pH is lowered below about 5.5, the absorbed carbon dioxide is evolved, resulting in the formation of gas bubbles at the point of acid contact. These gas bubbles very often form stiff foams in the presence of the other chemicals present in the well fluid, causing significant clean-up problems. Because calcium carbonate is also one of the main binders of sandstones, its dissolution can cause nominally acid insoluble rock to decrepitate into fine particles that are difficult to separate from wash fluids. What is needed are methods and compositions for use with invert emulsion well fluids that effectively remove the drilling fluids without decrepitating the rocks or yielding foam-producing carbon dioxide.
In one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for cleaning cuttings arising from the use of an invert emulsion well fluid, which comprises contacting the cuttings at least one time with a sufficient amount of a buffered wash.
Other aspects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description and the appended claims.


A communications system including devices (10, 20) for transmitting and receiving wireless communications over licensed and unlicensed bands is disclosed. On the transmit side, a device (10) includes a plurality of message sources (8A, 8B, 8C) and a smart router (12) function executed by a processor (30) within the device. The smart router (12) function allocates each wireless transmission, or components of a multicomponent wireless transmission, over a licensed wireless link (LLTX) or an unlicensed wireless link (ULTX), by optimizing various factors. The allocation factors include the availability of the unlicensed and licensed channels within range of the transmitting device (10); quality of service parameters such as time delay limits, jitter limits, bandwidth requirements, and the like; cost tolerance and cost per minute factors; power consumption expectations; and a combination of these and other factors. Transmission of the wireless message over the selected wireless links is then carried out. A receiving device (20) may include a smart receiver (22) that resequences the components of a multicomponent transmission for forwarding to output functions (24A, 24B, 24C) of the receiving device (20).

This invention is in the field of wireless communications, and is more specifically directed to adaptive bidirectional communications over multiple frequency bands.
Wireless communications, of many types, have gained increasing popularity in recent years. The mobile wireless (or "cellular") telephone has become ubiquitous around the world, including in those locations in which landline telephone facilities are not available. Mobile telephony has recently begun to communicate video and digital data, in addition to voice, especially as the so-called 2.5G and 3G services are deployed. Wireless modems, for communicating computer data over a wide area network, using mobile wireless telephone channels and techniques, have also been available for some time. Wireless data communications in the computer network context have also become popular. Wireless local area network (LAN) technology, such as that operating according to the well-known IEEE 802.11 standard, has become especially popular in a wide range of installations, ranging from home networks to commercial connectivity such as in airports, coffee shops, and hotels. Short-range wireless data communication according to the "Bluetooth" technology is now becoming popular, permitting computer peripherals to communicate with a personal computer or workstation within the same room.
Mobile wireless telephony is generally carried out over so-called "licensed" frequencies. These licensed frequencies refer to frequency bands in the overall spectrum that are regulated by a government entity, for example the Federal Communications Commission in the United States. Examples of licensed frequency bands include those around 800 MHz for conventional mobile cellular telephony, and those around 1.9 GHz for mobile personal communication services (PCS). Typically, mobile telephone communications are carried out over paired (uplink and downlink) frequencies within the licensed band. The licensing of frequencies permits those parties that have paid for the license rights to have exclusive use of a particular licensed frequency band within a geographical region. This licensing minimizes the likelihood of interfering communications, permitting the exclusive licensee to control traffic in that vicinity and to have recourse against unauthorized transmitters in those bands. These license rights enable the license holders, such as wireless telephone service providers, to invest in mobile wireless communication infrastructure, such as base stations, switching facilities, and the like.
Because of the license fees associated with licensed transmission and the investment in infrastructure, the licensed entities in turn generally charge their customers for use of their infrastructure and services. Typically, these charges are based on usage time, regardless of the data or signal volume used in the communications. Accordingly, licensed entities such as wireless telephone service providers have an interest in increasing the capacity of their licensed frequencies, especially considering that most licensed bands are quite narrow, thus limiting the data volume that can be carried. If the capacity of a licensed band can be increased, the revenue available to the licensed entity for a given infrastructure investment will also increase.
Unlicensed bands are also available in the radio spectrum. As evident from the term "unlicensed", radio transmission of signals in the unlicensed bands involves no license fees, so long as the transmitter complies with certain regulations regarding the use of these allocated unlicensed frequencies. An example of an unlicensed band is the so-called instrumentation, scientific, and medical (ISM) band around 2.4 MHz; other unlicensed bands also exist, including a band at around 900 MHz within the otherwise licensed PCS band, and a band at around 5.2 GHz. As a result, many types of devices now available transmit radio signals in the unlicensed bands, including landline telephones with wireless handsets, wireless local area network (LAN) adapters and access points, Bluetooth computer peripherals, and the like. Current allocations of the unlicensed bands permit a large amount of bandwidth with no license fee, resulting in the deployment of many systems that provide high data rates (on the order of Mbps) and large spectral bandwidths (on the order of MHz). However, a great deal of interference from other unlicensed band users must often be tolerated in these bands.
In recent years, not only has the coverage area of wireless telephony greatly improved, but also wireless LAN access has become widely deployed. It is believed that both of these trends of improving coverage and access will continue. In addition, many indoor locations such as office buildings and conference facilities have implemented both wireless LAN functionality and improved licensed wireless telephone coverage. As a result, many locations are now within range of both wireless LAN access and licensed wireless telephony.
Another trend in the industry is the implementation of additional media sources and applications into mobile handheld electronic devices. For example, personal digital assistants (PDAs) models now include wireless Internet access, including such functions as web browsing, sending and receiving emails, and the like, generally via wireless communication over licensed bands. New generations of mobile wireless telephones (e.g., the so-called "2.5G" and "3G" mobile wireless telephone standards) are also attaining additional functionality, including still and motion video capability, web browsing, and email functionality. So-called "Blackberry" mobile wireless email devices are now also commonplace. Indeed, the line between PDA and mobile telephone devices is becoming somewhat blurred.
By way of further background, dual-mode mobile wireless telephone handsets are known in the art. One type of dual-mode telephone handset provides the capability of either digital or analog transmission, depending upon the availability of digital wireless telephone coverage; in these telephones, the handset transmits and receives digitally when in digital coverage, and switches to analog communication only when digital coverage is not available (considering the higher power dissipation and poorer performance of analog transmission). Another type of dual-mode mobile telephone handset is capable of transmitting using a selected one of multiple modulation techniques, such as GSM, CDMA, or TDMA. The selection may be made upon activation of the mobile handset in connection with a particular service.

Wireless communications system using both licensed and unlicensed frequency bands


A process for producing an ultrafine-milled whole-grain wheat flour which has the full nutritional value of wheat kernels, while retaining the texture of refined wheat flour and an appearance similar to refined wheat flour, and the products which can be made from the ultrafine-milled whole-grain wheat flour. The process can be used for producing an ultrafine-milled coarse fraction. Further, using the process with a variety of other grains is discussed.

Refined wheat flour (white flour) is used to produce a wide range of popular bakery and snack products, including breads, muffins, waffles, pizza crusts, cookies, crackers, and ready to eat cereals, which traditionally have a uniform, light-colored appearance and smooth (non-gritty) texture. Comparatively, products made with traditional whole-grain wheat flour, tend to have a coarser, dense texture and a darker, less consistent appearance. The wheat kernel consists of three fractions, the endosperm, bran, and germ, which are compositionally and morphologically very different. Refined wheat flour is formed primarily from the endosperm of the wheat kernel along with small amounts of bran and germ. The endosperm comprises approximately 82% of the wheat kernel. The function of the endosperm is to provide energy for the embryonic plant during germination of the wheat kernel. The endosperm contains approximately 75% starch and 10-14% protein. Compared to the bran and germ, the endosperm contains low amounts of fiber, lipid, vitamins, minerals, pigments and other phytonutrients. This helps give the refined wheat flour its consistent, fine, starchy texture and off-white color compared to whole-grain wheat flour. While refined wheat flour offers the texture and color consumers desire, it does not have the nutritional value of whole-grain wheat flour. Many consumers, particularly children, prefer the texture, appearance and flavor of bakery and snack products made with refined wheat flour compared to products made from whole-grain wheat flour. It is estimated that only 0.8-1 of the 6.7 servings of grain-based foods that adult Americans (20 years or older) consume per day is whole-grain. The importance of increasing whole-grain consumption is reflected in the changes in recommendations set forth by government and health organization expert groups. In the Healthy People 2010 Report (National Academy Press, 1999), it is recommended that individuals two years and older should consume at least six daily servings of grain products with at least three being whole grains. In the 2000 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (Fifth Edition, USDA, USDHHS, Home and Garden Bulletin No. 232), a separate recommendation was added for grains, specifically, that individuals should choose a variety of grains daily, especially whole grains. The American Heart Association also makes specific recommendations regarding whole grains related to increasing intake of dietary fiber.
Whole-grain wheat flour has increased nutritional value compared to refined wheat flour because it includes the entire wheat kernel, including the bran, germ and endosperm, rather than primarily just the endosperm, FIGS. 1 & 2. Thus, whole-grain wheat flour is higher in fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, lipids and phytonutrients, including phenolic compounds and phytates, which function as dietary antioxidants, along with other nutrients, when compared to refined wheat flour. The use of whole-grain wheat flour in products typically made with refined wheat flour changes the texture and color of the products. Since consumers typically prefer the consistent texture and lighter color of products using refined wheat flour, these effects on product texture and appearance limit the use of traditional whole-grain wheat flour in bakery and snack products. When whole-grain wheat flour is used in bakery and snack products in place of the refined wheat flour, the products typically contain visible bran specks, have a coarser, heavier texture, and a darker color when compared to products made with the refined wheat flour. The differences in texture and color, along with the bran specks within the product makes the product less desirable to most consumers. It has been found that in many instances the increased nutritional value of the products using the whole-grain wheat flour does not overcome the consumers desire to have a consistent texture, light colored product which does not include bran specks. Based on the nutritional value of whole-grain wheat flour versus refined wheat flour, including the fact that the whole-grain wheat flour contains more fiber, protein and other nutrients and less starch, it would be preferred to use whole-grain wheat flour in a variety of prepared products for consumer consumption.
Compared to whole-grain wheat flour, refined wheat flour is higher in calories and starch, while containing only about a fifth of the dietary fiber found in whole-grain wheat flour and about 20% less protein than whole-grain wheat flour, as shown in FIGS. 1 & 2. Recently, health practitioners have been promoting the benefits of less processed, whole-grain foods. In particular, it is suggested that people should consume lesser amounts of processed foods containing high amount of starches and sugars in order to have a healthier overall diet. Refined wheat flour contains high amounts of starch. Further, although enriched refined wheat flour contains thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folic acid and iron added at or slightly above the levels found in the wheat kernel, it does not include fiber, minerals, lipids, and phytonutrients found in whole-grain wheat flour. The fiber, minerals, lipids and phytonutrients that refined wheat flour does include, are generally present in lesser amounts than that found in whole-grain wheat flour, and their presence is largely due to small amounts of bran and germ that are present in refined wheat flour, FIG. 1.
Currently in the United States, consumption of white bread made from refined wheat flour versus whole wheat bread is about 5 to 1. For every five loaves of white bread consumed, one loaf of whole wheat bread is consumed. Given that popular bakery and snack products made with refined wheat flour are low in fiber and do not have the nutritional benefits of their respective whole-grain counterparts, it is important to develop a whole-grain wheat flour that can be used to replace refined wheat flour in bakery and snack products, yet yield products with a desirable texture and appearance that is acceptable to consumers. The development of such bakery and snack products would increase the fiber intake of most of the population. Populations which rely on high fiber diets typically have less heart disease, less hypertension, lower rates of colon cancer, less diabetes, and less obesity. Typically in the United States, individuals consume 12-15 grams of fiber per day, which is half or less of the recommended level. The development of food products which are high in fiber without sacrificing the look and feel of refined wheat flour is desirable.
Three sets of terms are typically used to define wheat of the species Triticum aestivum (common wheat). The first is hard or soft, which relates to the hardness of the kernel. The second is red or white, which relates to the presence or absence of a red pigment in the outer layers of the wheat kernel. Finally, there are winter or spring wheat varieties that are categorized as such depending on when the wheat is planted. Durum wheat is of the species Triticum durum. Durum wheat is distinctly different from common wheat in that it produces very hard kernels and has yellow pigments throughout the endosperm rather than in the outer layers. It is typically used to produce pasta products, while common wheat is used, for example, in breads, cakes, cookies, and crackers.
Refined wheat flour is that flour prepared by grinding and bolting cleaned wheat other than durum wheat and red durum wheat. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires flour to meet certain particle size standards in order to be included in the category of refined wheat flour. That particle size is described as flour in which not less than 98% passes through a cloth having openings not larger than those of woven wire cloth designated "212 μm (U.S. Wire 70)". According to the FDA Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), enriched flour is refined wheat flour which contains 2.9 mg of thiamin, 1.8 mg of riboflavin, 24 mg of niacin, 0.7 mg of folic acid and 20 mg of iron per pound of refined wheat flour. Enriched flour may also contain calcium in the amount of 960 mg per pound of refined wheat flour. In order to meet U.S. FDA guidelines, enriched flour may not contain more than 5% by weight of wheat germ or partly defatted wheat germ.
FDA guidelines for whole wheat flour state that it is prepared by grinding cleaned wheat, other than durum wheat and red durum wheat, which once ground has a particle size wherein not less than 90% passes through a 2.36 millimeter (U.S. Wire 8) sieve and not less than 50% passes through an 850 μm (U.S. Wire 20) sieve. In whole wheat flour (whole-grain wheat flour), the proportions of the natural constituents in the wheat other than moisture remain unaltered as compared to the wheat kernels. The entire wheat kernel is used. Products are considered to be 100% whole wheat when the dough is made from whole wheat flour, bromated whole wheat flour, or a combination of these. No refined wheat flour, or enriched flour is used in these products. Whole-grain wheat flour is considered healthier than enriched refined flour because it contains the entire spectrum of nutrients that are naturally present in the wheat kernel, FIGS. 1 & 2.
Traditionally, whole wheat products are not as finely milled as refined wheat products. In order to produce ultrafine whole wheat flour using a traditional milling flowsheet, further processing of the coarse fraction is required. A multiple pass hammermilling system that would include an intermediate method for sifting the ground product is required to reduce the coarse fraction to a particle size equivalent to that of refined wheat flour. The current technology, which would use hammermills to reduce the coarse fraction for production of ultrafine whole wheat flour, has a low capacity and a high energy usage per ton of product.
Attempts have been made to produce ultrafine whole wheat products, however, these attempts generally were not economically feasible and generally not accepted by the industry. The processes relied on reducing millfeed (coarse fraction) particle size using traditional grinding methods such as rollermills, hammermills, and bran slicers, which cannot economically or efficiently reduce the coarse fraction particles to the ultrafine granulation required. The process is currently uneconomical due to the high amount of energy usage and capitalization which is required to grind the coarse fraction using the rollermills, hammermills and bran slicers. Hammermills, rollermills and bran slicers reduce the particle size of the bran and germ, coarse fraction, by using shear and impact as the primary mode of reduction rather than the more efficient method of particle on particle attrition. This is an inefficient way to grind these portions of the wheat kernel.
A typical whole-grain wheat flourmill does not produce whole-grain wheat flour with a particle size comparable to refined wheat flour. Using current technology, the finest granulation of whole-grain wheat flour that is available in the marketplace has a particle size of only 60% through a U.S. Wire 100 sieve. Thus, the whole-grain wheat flour is generally coarse and unattractive to consumers, and therefore less functional for the baker. A mill flowsheet is a map of the milling process. The traditional whole wheat mill flowsheet is only capable of producing a few types of granular whole-grain flour products, FIG. 3. As such, traditional whole-grain wheat milling technology is not able to achieve adequate particle size reduction to produce whole-grain wheat flour that has similar baking attributes to refined wheat flour.
What is needed is a way to increase the nutritional value of popular bakery and snack products by utilizing whole-grain wheat flour, while retaining the baking attributes and the "look and feel" of a typical refined wheat flour, thereby producing more palatable whole-grain wheat products for consumers. The process should produce an ultrafine-milled whole-grain wheat flour using the entire wheat kernel, that will allow food product developers to use a higher percentage of whole-grain wheat flour in their bakery and snack products in order to improve the finished product's nutritional value. The process should yield an ultrafine-milled whole-grain wheat flour which includes the entire wheat kernel. Thus, the ultrafine-milled whole-grain wheat flour will contain all the nutrients found in the wheat kernel. The ultrafine-milled whole-grain wheat flour should be able to replace refined wheat flour in traditional bakery and snack products, such as breads, muffins, waffles, pizza crusts, cookies, crackers, and ready to eat cereals in order to improve the nutritional value of the products that contain the flour. The texture of the bakery products and snack products made with the ultrafine-milled whole-grain wheat flour should be the same as if refined wheat flour was used. The appearance of such bakery and snack products will be similar to products made with refined wheat flour.

Process for producing an ultrafine-milled whole-grain wheat flour and products thereof

ConAgra Foods Food Ingredients Company, Inc.


Methods of protein production in continuous perfusion mammalian cell culture bioreactors are provided. Methods for continuous perfusion culture by allowing cells to self-regulate the rate of addition of perfusion medium to the bioreactor via a pH change are presented. Compositions comprising the perfusion medium as well as the process advantages of using hi-end pH control of perfusion or HIPCOP are also presented.

Microorganisms or single cells of multicellular species are grown in various ways, including batch, fed-batch, continuous cultures, continuous cultures with cell retention (perfusion) or combinations thereof. Batch cultures require that a microbe or cell, for example, yeast, bacteria or fungal inoculums, is grown in a closed culture system on a limited or constant amount of growth medium. In batch cultures, there are a number of growth phases that the microbe passes through before cell death due to consumption of nutrients in the medium and production of toxic metabolites. Fed-batch cultures are similar to batch culture methods except that the batch culture is fed with nutrient medium in a fermentor or bioreactor without removing growth culture or growth products. As expected, the volume of the culture fluid in the bioreactor increases over time but typically high cell densities are achieved in this method of culture as compared to batch culture. Continuous cultures, in which the bioreactor volume remains constant and fresh medium is added and culture fluid is removed continuously, are another operational mode. In such a culture additional cell division is likely to occur, particularly if there is a continuous removal of cells from the bioreactor. Continuous cultures can also employ a cell retention device which retains all or nearly all cells within the bioreactor. When cell retention is employed cell densities can be much higher in the bioreactor as higher rates of medium flow in and out of the bioreactor (higher perfusion rates) are possible without the risk of cell washout. It is also possible to combine modes of bioreactor operation.
Due to the limits of feed volume addition and the problem of amino acid counter ion, miscellaneous osmolyte, and cell growth inhibitor accumulation, the fed-batch mode of bioreactor operation of cell production, for example, Chinese hamster ovaries (CHO) cell production, of protein therapeutics is inherently limited with respect to the cell densities and productivities that are achievable. Lactic acid, a growth inhibitor secreted during cell growth, is especially problematic. Lactic acid is produced by the breakdown of glucose in the cells and causes the bulk pH to drop as its concentration increases. Although lactic acid can be neutralized to lactate with the addition of a base titrant during cell culture, the addition of base results in large changes in osmotic strength of the growth medium due to ion accumulation. Both the rise in osmotic strength due to lactate accumulation, and the lactate ion itself can ultimately slow cell growth and can cause loss of cell productivity. Other efforts to reduce lactic acid formation include limiting glucose concentration, substituting alternative six-carbon sugars such as galactose, fructose, or mannose for glucose, and/or manipulating certain enzymes or substrate membrane transporters during cell culturing. More recently, high-end pH-controlled delivery of glucose has been shown to limit lactic acid secretion during fed-batch culture (Luan et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,429,491 B2 and Gagnon et al., Biotechnol. Bioeng., 2011; 108: 1328-1337).
Continuous or perfusion culture with cell retention can overcome some of these limitations, but suffers from the disadvantages of large volume media consumption, long times to reach peak cell densities and complications with cell retention devices. Therefore, there still remains a need for an alternative culture method that overcomes the limitations associated with fed-batch and/or conventional continuous perfusion cultures.

Cell-controlled perfusion in continuous culture


An electrodeless discharge lamp device comprises an induction coil, a pair of cores 1a, 1b, and thermal conductor 2. The cores 1a, 1b are configured to generate a high-frequency electromagnetic field for exciting a discharge gas with receiving a high frequency electric power. Each of the cores is arranged to give an overall circumference around which the induction coil is wound. The thermal conductor is formed into an approximately cylindrical shape and inserted into the space so as to be thermally coupled with the cores for radiating heat generated at the cores. The core has its inside face at least center portion of which is spaced radially from the thermal conductor by a predetermined distance.

An electrodeless discharge lamp device for lighting an electrodeless discharge lamp having a bulb filled with a discharge gas is long-provided.
The electrodeless discharge lamp device comprises an electric power coupler. The electric power coupler is described as a coupler. The coupler is inserted into a cavity formed to a bulb filled with a discharge gas. FIG. 12 shows the coupler. As shown in FIG. 12, the coupler includes an induction coil (not shown) a pair of semi-cylindrical cores 1a, 1b (FIG. 12 shows the core 1b only), a thermal conductor 2, and a coil bobbin. The induction coil is configured to receive a high frequency electricity and then to generate a high frequency electromagnetic field for exciting the discharge gas. A pair of the cores 1a, 1b is arranged to form approximately cylindrical shape around which the induction coil is wound. The thermal conductor 2 is formed into a cylindrical shape and thermally coupled with the cores 1a, 1b. The thermal conductor 2 is for radiating heat generated at the cores. The coil bobbin is disposed between the cores 1a, 1b and the induction coil to intermediate between the cores 1a, 1b and the induction coil.
The cores 1a, 1b are made of a soft magnetic material having a good high frequency magnetic characteristic. The soft magnetic material is such as Mn—Zn ferrite. The cores 1a, 1b are respectively formed with an opening plane. The cores 1a, 1b are arranged to face each of the opening planes to form approximately cylindrical shape core as a whole.
The thermal conductor 2 is made of a material having a high thermal conductivity. The material having a high thermal conductivity is such as aluminum or copper, or alloy which is made of the aluminum and the copper. The thermal conductor 2 is inserted into a space formed between the cores 1a, 1b. The thermal conductor 2 shown in the FIG. 12 is integrally formed at its lower end with a base which is configured to support the thermal conductor. The base is formed at its circumference of a lower end with a flange 20. The thermal conductor 2 is configured to transfer the heat generated at the cores 1a, 1b to the flange 20 for radiating the heat from the flange 20 to an outside.
The coil bobbin 5 includes a winding body 50 and a pedestal 51. The winding body 50 is formed into a cylindrical shape having a small diameter, and is for covering the core 1 and the thermal conductor 2. The pedestal 51 is formed into a cylindrical shape having a large diameter, and is formed to attach the flange and to surround the base. A part of the winding body 50 which is configured to surround the circumference of the core 1 is formed around its circumference surface with the recess for winding the induction coil around.
The core 1 and the thermal conductor 2 is arranged to cooperatively form a space therebetween. The space is filled with an elastomeric resin such as a silicon rubber 4. The silicon rubber 4 is for adhering the core 1 and the thermal conductor 2, and is for thermally couples the core 1 with the thermal conductor 2. By this means the core 1 is prevented from excessive increasing of temperature of the core 1 by the silicon rubber 4 (for example, see Japanese Patent application no. H6-196006, paragraph [0008] to [0011], to [0020] and FIG. 1).
In addition, the above electrodeless discharge lamp is dimmed by applying a first high frequency electricity and a second high frequency electricity, alternately. The first high frequency electricity is set to have a frequency to light the electrodeless discharge lamp. The second high frequency electricity is set to have a frequency to light out the electrodeless discharge lamp. Furthermore, the first high frequency electricity is applied over a first period. The second high frequency electricity is applied over a second period. The electrodeless discharge lamp is operated by switching the first period and the second period, alternately. In this manner, the electrodeless discharge lamp is commonly dimmed (for example, see Japanese Patent application no. 2000-353600, paragraph [0005], [0014] to [0019] to [0020] and FIG. 1 to 4).
However, in the case that the above electrodeless discharge lamp is controlled by the above dimming control system with using the well known coupler at 50 percent dimming, the coupler generates noise rated at about 45 decibels at a location 20 centimeter away from the bulb. The above noise level generated from the coupler is unacceptable level in common lighting.
In the above dimming control system, voltage waveforms applied to the induction coil shows an abrupt increase in voltage such as surge which is generated at the time of switching the frequency for relighting the bulb. The abrupt increase in voltage causes vibrations of the core 1
In addition, as shown in FIG. 13, the elastomeric resin 4 is held at a space between the core 1 and the thermal conductor 2, thereby being pushed out from the space between the core 1a and core 1b. Therefore, center portions of an inside of the cores 1a, 1b directly come into contact with the thermal conductor 2. That is, the vibration of the core 1 is directly transferred to the thermal conductor 2. As a result, it is considered that the coupler causes an intense noise.

Electrodeless discharge lamp device and lighting fixture using the same


A multilevel encoding scheme for transmitted data that encodes data in a multilevel code wherein the amplitude of any transition is always exactly one level during any time interval. A single-level transition between any two adjacent levels during a time interval represents a logical "1"; no transition during a time interval represents a logical "0". In a specific embodiment, modulation is limited to three defined amplitude levels equally space in amplitude and encoding is according to a three-level code. A four-bit to five-bit encoding scheme may be used to distribute bits for minimizing d.c. offset. The input data is preferably further scrambled to minimize aberrations in the emissions spectrum of signal carried over unshielded media.

This invention relates to an encoding technique suitable for high-speed local area network communications. It is contemplated that serial information is to be transmitted at data rates in excess of 100 MBaud over media and distances of interest (up to 50 meters on unshielded twisted pair cabling or Type "D" inside wiring (DIW), and up to 200 meters on Type 1 shielded cabling). The particular field of application is in Fiber Distributed Data Interface (FDDI).
FDDI is a high-speed Token Ring LAN protocol used primarily on fiber optic networks at data rates in excess of 100 MBaud. According to the FDDI Physical Media Dependent (PMD) layer protocol, encoding is Non Return to Zero Invert (NRZI) with a 4-bit to 5-bit conversion/translation at 125 MBaud which guarantees no more than a 14% deviation from a reference d.c. level.
FDDI allows two types of network stations or nodes on an electrically-connected ring. One class, Class A, may couple to a primary and a redundant secondary ring simultaneously. Another class, Class B, may be coupled to only one ring at a time. Class B nodes use a single connection to carry both incoming and outgoing lines of a ring. However, because of the dual fiber configuration of the primary ring, Class A nodes and Class B nodes can be interconnected only through an interfacing device referred to as a wiring concentrator. The wiring concentrator provides connection points into the primary ring that are suitable for Class B type connections.
The connection between Class B nodes and the wiring concentrator may be optical fiber or copper twisted pair wire, such as IBM Type 1 shielded wire. It would be advantageous to use Data Grade high twist wire or conventional telephone DIW unshielded twisted pair, particularly in a building already wired with such wiring. However, it has been considered difficult, if not impossible, to use such wiring at data rates comparable to the fiber optic speeds of 100 MBaud. As a consequence, there is a constraint on the rate of data exchange which prevents the use of such wiring in the connection between a Class B node and a data concentrator. Due to near-end crosstalk and attenuation, it is necessary to reduce high-frequency components in the modulated signal. Moreover, due to impulse noise, it is necessary to increase power levels to achieve the bit error rate of 10.sup.-12 BER necessary for reliable data transfer. However, FCC standards require that emission levels be limited in the range of 30 MHz to 1 GHz. Current FDDI modulation schemes cannot meet these constraints on unshielded twisted pair wiring. What is needed is a scheme for communication of baseband signals on copper wiring which is capable of data rates comparable to that of fiber optic cables while satisfying the stated constraints.

Method and apparatus for multilevel encoding for a local area network


A medical device having a surface graft matrix comprising carboxyl-functional groups located on the device, the surface graft matrix comprising an outer portion; and one or more biomolecules covalently coupled to the surface graft matrix, wherein a majority of the biomolecules are located in the outer portion of the surface graft matrix. The surface graft matrix can also be loaded with a pharmaceutical agent.

Infection has become the most serious complication associated with the application of implantable medical devices. Treatment of these infections is difficult and most often necessitates removal of the implanted device. Technological refinements in materials and design and increasing surgical experience has lowered the incidence of infectious complications; however, infection remains a continuing cause of morbidity and mortality.
Approaches to reduce device-related infections initially were focused on improvements of the surgical technique, including modification of the operating room area and the use of prophylactic antibiotics at the time of surgery. Despite the introduction of these meticulous aseptic measures the occurrence of device-related infections could not be completely eliminated.
An alternative approach is to focus on the implant itself, and consequently on modification of the device to enhance infection-resistance by providing surfaces on the device that promote appropriate integration of the surrounding tissue(s) with the device surface. The underlying concept is that when rapid colonization and integration of the device surface with tissue cells is encouraged, the implant surface will be protected from bacterial colonization.
One method of promoting tissue integration is through the use of collagen immobilized on the surface of the device because collagen materials promote a favorable tissue response. They provide a more physiological, isotropic environment that has been shown to promote the organization of different cell types into three-dimensional tissue-like structure. See, for example, Akita et al., Cell Tissue Res., 274, 91-95 (1993); and Berthod et al., Biomaterials, 14, 749-754 (1993). Implant studies have demonstrated that collagen-immobilization promotes favorable integration of tissue(s) with the implanted material. See, for example, Shimizu et al., Biomat., Med. Dev., Artif. Org., 6, 375-391 (1978); Kinoshita et al., Biomaterials, 14, 209-215 (1993); and Okada et al., J. Biomed. Mater. Res., 27, 1509-1518 (1993).
One method of coating synthetic polymers with collagen involves a physical deposition of collagen, such that a laminar material results, as disclosed by Shimizu et al., Biomat., Med. Dev., Artif. Org., 5, 49-66 (1977). One drawback to this method is that the collagen materials are prone to delamination in a moisture-abundant environment such as that typically experienced by implanted medical devices.
Another method of providing a collagen-coated device involves covalently coupling collagen to a synthetic polymer substrate, as disclosed by Okada et al., Biomaterials and Clinical Applications, Elsevier Science Publishers B.V., Amsterdam, The Netherlands, pp. 465-470, 1987. The method includes graft copolymerization of acrylic acid, after which collagen is covalently coupled to the grafted poly(acrylic acid) chains, resulting in a blend-like matrix of collagen and poly(acrylic acid) chains. This construction is schematically depicted in FIG. 1, where the poly(acrylic acid) chains 12 are grafted to the surface 10 of a device. Collagen 14 is contained within the matrix formed by the chains 12. Thus, the collagen is not located primarily at the surface. Thus, biological activity may be reduced as proper expression and accessibility are hampered.

Medical device with biomolecule-coated surface graft matrix


A system and an apparatus for capturing a digital image of a particular gemstone from which specific and unique data can be extracted using digital image processing analysis, which data is used to positively identify a single gemstone from a database of gemstone images.

As the popularity of owning polished gemstone jewelry has increased dramatically in the second half of the 20th century and since then, the relative importance of a gemstone to the overall net worth of gemstone buying population has increased. In particular, diamonds are no longer just baubles of the rich. As either a discretionary luxury item or an essential engagement ring, the cost of diamonds can be large relative to the household budget of the general population of buyers, but the value, especially the emotional value, can make one particular diamond, to one particular person, virtually priceless beyond monetary value altogether. Any lost or stolen diamond can be replaced quite easily, especially if it was insured by the owner. But, the loss of a diamond imbued with the sentiment of one's marriage commitment, or any one of the other innumerable special remembrances a person may have, is an emotional loss that cannot be filled by a substitute. While other gemstones such as sapphire, ruby, emerald, or tanzanite are not as valuable as diamond, they often hold strong sentimental value to the owner. This makes keeping one's gemstones safely in his or her possession at all times very important to the owner. Not that that would be a bad idea under any circumstance, but it points to two basic underlying facts. First, gemstone owners are just not able to pick their specific gemstone out of crowd of gemstones if they are substantially similar in size. Even if there are only two from which to choose it is very difficult. Second, due to the diamond grading system, diamonds that may appear to be generally similar in appearance, size, and description to the naked eye of a layman can be wildly dissimilar in dollar value. This difference gives a dishonest person motivation to try to switch one diamond for another, an inferior cheap one for a high quality valuable one, because the owner is unlikely to be able to tell the difference.
If gemstone owners could be certain to tell the difference between one gemstone and another, that is, if they could easily identify their own gemstone(s) versus all the others out in the universe, they would not only feel more comfortable wearing them in public and displaying them generally, but also in trusting them to the custody of a third party, such as a jeweler when they need to have their jewelry repaired or reset. Having the ability to identify a gemstone would be valuable to the consuming public just for the benefit of reducing the anxiety they feel about wearing a most prized possession. The idea that if their gemstone were ever lost or stolen, it might be recoverable because it is identifiable, or the notion that an unscrupulous jeweler wouldn't even attempt to deceive them because they would know it instantly, is a real and knowable benefit to the average consumer. Having such ability would also have a real monetary benefit in lower insurance premiums, or even recovery of a lost or stolen item, as well as the protection it would give the owner against being the victim of an outright fraud.
Attempts to create methods of identifying one gemstone from another have been ongoing. At the most advanced level, polished diamonds are sent to grading laboratories where trained technicians, using microscopes and their subjective judgment, based on their training and years of experience, will describe each diamond in terms of a grade on a number of commonly observable characteristics. This is generally referred to as the four Cs grade of the diamond, color, cut, clarity and carat weight. When this analysis includes mapping of the natural flaws in the diamond material itself, that is, when there are observable flaws to be seen, it allows a pretty good method of identifying one diamond from another. However, it is not practical for a consumer to learn or practice diamond grading, it is an expense every time it is performed by the laboratory, and it is time consuming, taking weeks to get results. And of course it requires the owner to let the gem out of his or her possession for all that time, to an extent defeating the entire purpose of having the gem verified in the first place. Moreover, if the diamond has no flaws or only slight flaws, discriminating one versus another of similar grade can be very difficult.
The other most common approach to doing field identification of diamonds is to simply mark them in such a way as to be unique, such as with a readable serial number or a symbol. There are at least two common methods of accomplishing this marking: laser engraving the girdle, that is, the equator or waist line of the diamond, and plasma etching or engraving a surface, most commonly the table surface or top usually flat facet of the diamond. Both of these methods have certain practical flaws.
With laser engraving the inscription is very small, requiring magnification to be visible. The printing itself is a very crude burning process which is difficult to read. Further, it is quite easy and inexpensive to remove a laser mark and to produce another mark of the same exact type. This means swapping a diamond with a laser engraved serial number on it is no substantial barrier. Additionally, once the diamond is mounted in a ring or jewelry, the mounting prongs will many times block the inscription from view, so even if a consumer were are able to magnify the image large enough to read, which is not particularly easy, the consumer still may not be able to see it.
The other alternative, plasma etching or engraving of the table, results in a marking that is also not easily readable without significant magnification. Although special inexpensive inscription viewers have been developed for consumers, such a viewer may not always be on the person when the person may be desire to use it. And though the inscription is not easily removed, and it is not easily duplicated (it is often impossible to duplicate), it is still not widely adopted by the jewelry industry. This can be because of a number of factors, including that it is a new technology, that it is relatively costly to apply in small quantities, and that it is not widely available as it requires very expensive high-technology equipment and skilled technicians. There is also an industry bias, and from there a consumer bias, against the idea of etching the top surface of a diamond, because of the perception that it could harm the value of the diamond. This bias can usually be overcome by educating consumers about the benign nature of this technique.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,468,786 and 8,035,807, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety, and invented by the same inventors as the present invention and owned by the same assignee, disclose a less expensive and more effective viewer (referred to hereinafter as an Engraved Gemstone Viewer) using the concept of illuminating the surface of the polished diamond in such a way as to create a spectral light reflection much like that of a mirror. The Engraved Gemstone Viewer is effective but lacks the convenience of being with the person at all times that engraving might be needed to be viewed, and further, lacks a way to memorize the image for later recall, comparison analysis, or remote communication of the information contained in the image.
Thus, there is a need for a gemstone identification system that is accurate over 90% of the time; is easy to use by the general public without special skills or training; is deployable on short time notice and produces results quickly; has a method of recording data for later recall and communication to third parties, such as the police; does not change or alter the gemstone in a detrimental way; is not be easily defeated or susceptible to fraud; is conveniently and widely available to consumers; and is inexpensive.

Gem identification method and apparatus using digital imaging viewer


A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered. The system also comprises an interface to receive a nonvolatile storage device, which is operable to mount and unmount one or more hot pluggable mass storage devices. In a further embodiment, the interface is operable to prohibit write caching data to be written to the nonvolatile storage device, and to restrict mounting nonvolatile storage devices to authorized users.

Computerized wagering games have largely replaced traditional mechanical wagering game machines such as slot machines, and are rapidly being adopted to implement computerized versions of games that are traditionally played live such as poker and blackjack. These computerized games provide many benefits to the game owner and to the gambler, including greater reliability than can be achieved with a mechanical game or human dealer, more variety, sound, and animation in presentation of a game, and a lower overall cost of production and management.
The elements of computerized wagering game systems are in many ways the same as the elements in the mechanical and table game counterparts in that they must be fair, they must provide sufficient feedback to the game player to make the game fun to play, and they must meet a variety of gaming regulations to ensure that both the machine owner and gamer are honest and fairly treated in implementing the game. Further, they must provide a gaming experience that is at least as attractive as the older mechanical gaming machine experience to the gamer, to ensure success in a competitive gaming market.
Computerized wagering games do not rely on the dealer or other game players to facilitate game play and to provide an entertaining game playing environment, but rely upon the presentation of the game and environment generated by the wagering game machine itself. Incorporation of audio and video features into wagering games to present the wagering game, to provide help, and to enhance the environment presented are therefore important elements in the attractiveness and commercial success of a computerized wagering game system. Presentation of the wagering game often includes animation, video, and three-dimensional graphics, in addition to sophisticated multichannel audio music and sound effects.
Player preferences regarding such things as multimedia preferences, progress in a game, and amount of money wagered can be stored in a nonvolatile storage device such as a USB flash drive that the user can carry and insert in a wagering game system before or during play. Such devices can also be used to carry multimedia or new code to a wagering game system, such as to update the executable game code or change the video or sound presented during a wagering game. But because a user or game technician can freely insert or remove such a nonvolatile storage device at any time, there is a risk that it will be removed while data transfer to or from the nonvolatile storage device is in process or incomplete.
It is therefore desired that use of a removable or hot-pluggable nonvolatile storage device be managed in a wagering game system.

Removable mass storage device in a wagering game machine


A locking device for a switch cabinet has at least one locking rod for locking the door of the switch cabinet. An actuating element for displacing longitudinally the at least one locking rod for locking and unlocking the door is provided. A handle is connected to the exterior of the door so as to be foldable and rotatable. The handle has a transmission shaft for coupling the handle to the actuating element which is activated by rotating the handle. A plate-shaped member is connected to the exterior of the door and has a depression for receiving the handle. In its folded position the handle is flush with the plate-shaped member. The plate-shaped member has a receiving portion adjacent to the depression. At least one lock for locking the handle is positioned in the receiving portion at an angle relative to the plane of folding of the handle. A transmission element is coupled to the lock and slidable within the receiving portion for locking and unlocking the handle when acted upon by the lock. The depression has two opposite ends with a cutout. The transmission shaft is supported at and extends through one of the cutouts.

The present invention relates to a locking device for switch cabinets etc. comprising an actuating element for displacing in the longitudinal direction at least one locking rod for locking the door whereby the actuating element for its actuation is coupled with a handle that is connected to a transmission shaft and mounted to the exterior of the door which handle is foldable, and further comprising a plate-shaped member arranged on the exterior of the door and provided with a depression for receiving the handle in a flush arrangement, wherein the handle is lockable with a lock positioned within the plate-shaped member. A locking device of the aforementioned kind is, for example, known from WO 93/06324 in which the lock is positioned on an extension of the handle within the plate-shaped member for locking the handle at its end face.
Such locking devices are subject to regulations according to which the handle for opening the locking device must be pivoted in the direction of the center of the door panel so that the direction of rotation of the handle is thus predetermined and different for a right-hand, respectively, left-hand door. This is disadvantageous because manufacturers of switch cabinets etc. must have in stock doors with fixedly mounted locking devices with a pivotable handle for right-hand as well as left-hand doors. This is, of course, expensive. It is, in general, possible to dismount and remount the pivot handle when the door is to be changed from a right hand to a left hand door; however, demounting and remounting of the locking device with pivotable handle requires a considerable expenditure. For example, the locking device known from WO 93/06324, as can be easily seen from the disclosure, cannot be changed over without a considerable expenditure.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a locking device with a folding handle with which a change over of the door from a right-hand to a left-hand use is simplified.

Locking device for right and left handed doors with folding handle