Disclosed are light-duty liquid or gel dishwashing detergent compositions that are especially useful for the manual washing of heavily soiled dishware. Such compositions are in the form of oil-in-water or bicontinuous microemulsions. They essentially contain an alkyl ether sulfate-based anionic surfactant, a polyhydroxy fatty acid amide-based nonionic surfactant component, a suds booster which is preferably an amine oxide, an aqueous liquid carrier, a liquid hydrocarbon such as isoparaffin and an glycol ether microemulsion-forming solvent.

Light-duty liquid (LDL) or gel detergent compositions useful for manual dishwashing are well known in the art. Such products are generally formulated to provide a number of widely diverse performance and aesthetics properties and characteristics. First and foremost, liquid or gel dishwashing products must be formulated with types and amounts of surfactants and other cleaning adjuvants that will provide acceptable solubilization and removal of food soils, especially greasy soils, from dishware being cleaned with, or in aqueous solutions formed from, such products.
Heavily soiled dishware can present special problems during manual dishwashing operations. Articles such as plates, utensils, pots, pans, crockery and the like may be heavily soiled in the sense that relatively large amounts of food soils and residues may still be found on the dishware at the time such soiled dishware is to be manually washed. Dishware may also be heavily soiled in the sense that food soil residues are especially tenaciously adhered or stuck to the surfaces of the dishware to be cleaned. This can result from the type of food soils present or from the nature of the dishware surfaces involved. Tenacious food soil residues may also result from the type of cooking operations to which the soiled dishware had been subjected.
When heavily soiled dishware is to be manually cleaned, very often highly concentrated, or high concentrations of, dishwashing detergent products are used. Frequently, this will involve direct application to the soiled dishware of a liquid or gel product in its undiluted or neat form. For such application, one detergent composition adjuvant which can be especially useful for solubilizing greasy food soils is a liquid hydrocarbon such as isoparaffin. Hydrocarbon materials, however, can be difficult to incorporate into aqueous detergent compositions without causing undesirable separation of the product into discernible oil and water phases.
One approach for incorporating hydrocarbons into aesthetically acceptable dishwashing detergent products involves the preparation of such products in the form of microemulsions. Preparation of stable microemulsions, however, requires selection of the right combination of surfactants, solvents, oil, liquid carrier components and other detergent composition adjuvants.
In addition to being suitable for cleaning dishware, LDL or gel compositions will also desirably possess other attributes that enhance the aesthetics or consumer perception of the effectiveness of the manual dishwashing operation. Thus, useful hand dishwashing liquids or gels should also employ materials that enhance the sudsing characteristics of the wash solutions formed from such products. Sudsing performance entails both the production of a suitable amount of suds in the wash water initially, as well as the formation of suds which last well into the dishwashing process. This typically requires incorporation of suds boosting surfactants which may also need to be incorporated into products in the form of microemulsions.
Given the foregoing, there is a continuing need to formulate manual dishwashing liquids and gels that provide an acceptable and desirable balance between cleaning performance, product form and product aesthetics. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide light-duty liquid or gel dishwashing compositions which are especially effective at removing greasy food soils from dirty dishware when such compositions are used in the context of a manual dishwashing operation.
It is a further object of this invention to provide such compositions in the form of microemulsions that can be used for manual dishwashing in either a direct application to dishware context or in an aqueous dishwashing solution context.
It is a further object of the present invention to realize such compositions that provide suitable and desirable sudsing performance.
It has been found that certain selected combinations of cleaning surfactants, suds boosters, liquid hydrocarbons, microemulsion-forming surfactants and other adjuvants can be made to provide dishwashing compositions that achieve the foregoing objectives. The elements of these selected combinations of ingredients are described as follows:

Light-duty liquid or gel dishwashing detergent compositions which are micro emulsions and which have desirable greasy food soil removal and sudsing characteristics


An overhead lighting fixture containing both visible light sources and UV light sources is disclosed herein. UV light can sanitize/disinfect the surrounding environment after the environment over a period of about 30-45 minutes. In this way, viruses, germs, bacteria, mold, and the like can be destroyed to clean the air and/or surfaces (e.g., furniture). Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention provide a controllable UV lighting assembly that can produce UV light to sanitize/disinfect an area and can be automatically disabled to prevent UV light exposure to those in the area using a motion sensor. The lighting assembly can produce visible light while the UV light source is disabled. According to some embodiments, the duration of UV light production is controlled by a timer for power savings.

It is well-known that viruses, germs, bacteria, mold, and the like present a public health concern. Currently homes, businesses, and public areas are sanitized using chemicals sprayed onto surfaces and wiped away to clean the surfaces and destroy any pathogens thereon. However, this approach is time consuming, inefficient, costly, and fails to address airborne pathogens thereon that are not resting on a surface.
Recently solutions to sanitize and sterilize indoor environments incorporate the use of UV lights to destroy pathogens that may be airborne or resting on surfaces that are exposed to the UV light. However, these approaches currently rely on existing power and control systems which are not well-suited for sanitation using UV light. For example, activating UV lighting in a room occupied by people can potentially harm the occupant's skin, eyes, etc. Moreover, these lighting systems are typically controlled manually using a traditional switch which often leads to UV lights being activated during times when they are not necessarily needed or potentially dangerous to the room's occupants. A safer and more efficient light module and approach to sanitation using UV lighting are needed.

Indoor lighting apparatus including ultraviolet light source


A luminance/chrominance separator includes a high pass filter for separating a high-frequency signal from a composite video signal, an adder for finding a sum signal indicative of a sum of signals before and after one horizontal period with respect to the high-frequency signal, a subtracter for finding a difference between the signals before and after one horizontal period, and a selection circuit for selecting smaller one of the sum and difference signal in absolute value, wherein an output of the selection circuit is used to suppress any leakage of luminance and chrominance signals into the output of a comb filter.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a luminance/chrominance separator for separating a luminance signal from a chrominance signal in a composite video signal as one of television signals.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 21 shows a first example of conventional luminance/chrominance separators. In the drawing, reference numerals 2102 and 2103 denote one line (1H) memories, numeral 2104 denotes a correlation detection circuit, numeral 2105 denotes a comb filter A, 2106 denotes a comb filter B, 2107 denotes a band pass filter (BPF), 2108 denotes a selection circuit, and 2109 denotes a high pass filter (HPF), respectively.
With such a conventional luminance/chrominance separator arranged as mentioned above, when the separator receives an NTSC signal from a terminal 2101, the 1H memory 2102 receives an input signal S1 and outputs an output signal S2 while the 1H memory 2103 receives the input signal S2 and outputs an output signal S3. Shown in FIG. 20A is a relationship between these pixels S1, S2 and S3 in position and the phase of a color subcarrier. As illustrated, the phase of the color subcarrier is inverted for every line.
The comb filter (A) 2105 subtracts the signal S1 from the signal S2 and outputs a signal C1 containing a chrominance signal and low-pass luminance signal, the comb filter (B) 2106 subtracts the signal S3 from the signal S2 and outputs a signal C2 containing the chrominance signal and the low-pass chrominance signal, and the BPF 2107 outputs a signal C3 having the color subcarrier as its center.
The correlation detection circuit 2104 detects a correlation between the processing pixel S2 and the adjacent pixels S1 and S3 and outputs a signal indicative of an optimum filter to the selection circuit 2108. The detection of the correlation and the selection of the optimum filter are carried out, as an example, in the following manner.
That is, the correlation detection circuit 2104 compares the absolute values of high-frequency components of the signals S1, S2 and S3. When the correlation detection circuit 2104 determines that the signal S2 is closer in magnitude to the signal S1, the signals S2 and S1 have a strong correlation therebetween and the comb filter (A) 2105 is selected as the optimum comb filter. When the signal S2 is close in magnitude to the signal S3, the signals S2 and S3 have a strong correlation therebetween and the comb filter (B) 2106 is selected as the optimum one. Further, if a difference between the signals S2 and S1 or S2 and S3 is greater than a threshold, then the signal S2 has no correlation with the signals S1 and S3 so the BPF 2107 is selected as the optimum one. In this way, the selection circuit 2108 selects optimum one of the filters depending on the output of the correlation detection circuit 2104 and then the low-frequency components are removed from the signal C1, C2 or C3 through the HPF 2109 to obtain a chrominance signal. The chrominance signal is subtracted at a subtraction circuit 2110 from the original signal S2 to obtain a luminance signal.
When such a signal as shown, for example, in FIG. 19A is applied to this conventional luminance/chrominance separator, since this signal is switched from red to black at a boundary line, one of the comb filters using strongly correlative pixels is selected for its separation without deterioration.
Variations in the signal of FIG. 19A at the boundary are shown in FIG. 20B, wherein (L-1) and L line signals indicate both red signals, there is a boundary between L and (L+1) lines, and an (L+1) line signal contains no chrominance signal because it indicates black. Under such a condition, when it is desired to separate the L line signal from the input signal, it is judged that the L and (L-1) lines have a strong correlation therebetween because the L line signal is equal in absolute value to the (L-1) line signal. Since the L line signal is not equal in absolute value to the (L+1) line signal, however, the L and (L-1) line signals are used to carry out the luminance/chrominance signal separation.
Meanwhile, when such a signal as shown in FIG. 19B is applied to the luminance/chrominance separator of FIG. 21 having such an arrangement as mentioned above, the applied signal has a curved boundary which slant part varies smoothly. For this reason, signals at the boundary are shown by FIGS. 13A, 13B and 13H. In the illustrated drawing, the signals each represent a half cycle and have a chrominance signal gradually increased in magnitude from the (L-1) line. Accordingly, the prior art luminance/chrominance separator of FIG. 21 judges that the pixel S2 has no correlation with its upper and lower pixels and thus the BPF 2107 is frequently used. However, when the BPF 2107 is used with respect to such a part of the input signal having a weak correlation as an edge part or an upper or lower part, this results in that a high-frequency luminance signal is lost and the resultant image becomes blurry.
When the BPF 2107 is used for a less amount of part of the input signal for the purpose of preventing such a blurry image, this disadvantageously involves the increase of dot disturbance.
In order to solve the above disadvantage, there has been suggested a second conventional luminance/chrominance separator as shown in FIG. 22 (refer to JP-A-62-145992).
The luminance/chrominance separator of FIG. 22 includes an input terminal 2000, one-line (1H) memories 2001 and 2002, minus 1/4 multipliers 2003 and 2005, a 1/2 multiplier 2004, adders 2006 and 2009, a band pass filter (BPF) 2007 for extracting a signal having frequencies in the vicinity of the frequency of a subcarrier, field memory (1F) 2008, a trap circuit 2010 for suppressing the signal having frequencies in the vicinity of the frequency of the subcarrier, a high pass filter (HPF) 2011, an absolute value circuit (ABS) 2012, an amplitude comparison circuit 2013, an amplitude limiting circuit 2014 and a subtracter 2015.
With the second conventional luminance/chrominance separator having such an arrangement as mentioned above, when a discrete NTSC signal S1 is applied to the separator from the terminal 2000, the input signal is delayed at the 1H memories 2001 and 2002 to obtain a signal corresponding to 3 lines.
Assume that the processing signal is an output S0 of the 1H memory 2001. Then a signal before one line corresponds to an output S2 of the 1H memory 2002 and a signal after one line corresponds to the input signal S1. These signals S0, S1 and S2 are applied to the 1/2 multiplier 2004, -1/4 multiplier 2003 and -1/4 multiplier 2005 respectively and outputs of these multipliers are then applied to the adder 2006. The multipliers 2003, 2004 and 2005 and the adder 2006 make up a comb filter. Since the chrominance signal in the NTSC signal is inverted for every line, the output of the adder 2006 comprises almost a chrominance signal because luminance signal components which have a correlation between three lines are canceled each other.
The output of the adder 2006 is further applied to the BPF 2007 which reduces luminance signal components which have little correlation between three lines.
The processing signal S0 is also applied to the field memory (1F) 2008 and then to the adder 2009 where a signal delayed by one field is added to the signal S0 not subjected to the delaying operation. The field memory 2008 comprises, more precisely, a 262-line delay circuit. Thus, the phase of a color subcarrier in the output of the 1F memory 2008 is inverted with respect to the phase of its input signal. For this reason, the output of the adder 2009 contains no color subcarrier because it is canceled each other at the adder 2009.
Further, the output of the adder 2009 is subjected at the trap circuit 2010 to a suppression of its color subcarrier components, subjected at the HPF 2011 to an extraction of its high-frequency components, subjected at the absolute value circuit 2012 to a calculation of absolute value of the output of the HPF 2011, subjected at the amplitude comparison circuit 2013 to an amplitude comparison between a reference value and the absolute value, and then subjected at the amplitude limiting circuit 2014 to a limitation of amplitude of the aforementioned chrominance signal output of the comb filter. The circuit of FIG. 22 judges whether the chrominance signal output of the comb filter corresponds to the original chrominance signal or a cross color noise signal (leakage of the luminance signal into the chrominance signal) and on the basis of such a decision result, adjusts the chrominance signal output.
Explanation will next be made as to the operation of the second prior art luminance/chrominance separator by referring to FIGS. 23-25.
FIG. 23 (A) shows a luminance signal at the current scanning line, FIG. 23(B) shows an output of the HPF 2011 and FIG. 23 (C) shows the output of the absolute value circuit 2012. Since the signal of FIG. 23 (A) has no high-frequency component, luminance/chrominance separation can be carried out from the signal and no cross color noise occurs without use of any comb filter. Accordingly, the output of the absolute value circuit 2012 is as shown in FIG. 23 (C), i.e., is below a reference level S and thus a chrominance (C) signal (in this case, no chrominance signal exists) is output from the amplitude adjustment circuit 2014 as it is.
When the luminance signal is as shown in FIG. 24 (A), the luminance signal has a high-frequency component at its edge part and thus the high-frequency component of the luminance signal leaks into the chrominance signal. In this case, the output of the absolute value circuit 2012 exceeds a threshold level S at its edge part as shown in FIG. 24 (C). Thus, the amplitude limiting circuit 2014 suppresses the leaked cross color signal at the edge part.
When the high-frequency component of the luminance signal has a frequency close to that of the chrominance signal as shown in FIG. 25(A), the output of the absolute value circuit 2012 exceeds the threshold level S as shown in FIG. 25(C), even in which case the unnecessary cross color interference or noise signal (corresponding to part of the luminance signal leaked into the chrominance signal) is suppressed at the amplitude limiting circuit 2014.
However, in the case where a moving picture signal is applied to the second prior art luminance/chrominance separator, no leakage of the luminance signal into the chrominance signal but the adder 2009 outputs a signal, which results in that, in spite of the fact of no leakage of the luminance signal into chrominance signal, the chrominance signal is suppressed.
In addition, the prior art luminance/chrominance separator has had such a problem that the separator can suppress the leakage of the luminance signal into the chrominance signal but cannot suppress the reverse leakage of the chrominance signal into the luminance signal.

Luminance/chrominance separator including cross-talk reducing function


A multi-chamber dispenser for flowable materials includes a cartridge having a plurality of chambers disposed in side by side relationship. A pump has a plurality of longitudinal passageways corresponding to the number of chambers with each passageway being insertable into a chamber. The pump and cartridge are provided with guide structure to assure the proper positioning of the components and to permit the pump and cartridge to be readily mounted together and to be disassembled so that the pump may be used with a different cartridge after the contents have been dispensed.

Various types of dispensers exist for flowable materials such as toothpaste and cosmetic materials, including creams and lotions. Other flowable materials may be food items such as mustard or ketchup. One advantageous form of such dispenser is a rigid pump wherein the materials are dispensed by telescopic movement of one component into the other. Variations of such pumps have included dual-chamber dispensers. Generally, however, poor use is made of the space as a result of the manner in which the chambers are arranged with respect to each other. A further disadvantage with such known dispensers is that the entire dispenser must generally be discarded when the contents have been fully dispensed.

Multi-chamber dispenser for flowable materials


A method and apparatus that adjusts certain graphics processing procedures based on a selectable speed/quality (S/Q) adjustment gauge. The S/Q adjustment can be tuned within a predetermined range (e.g., 0 to 255) where on one side, speed is represented over image quality while on the other side, image quality is represented over speed. Settings between the ends give proportional representation for speed and quality. A first graphics process determines whether linear or perspective texture mapping processes are to be used on the selected polygon based on: 1) the size of the polygon measured against a predetermined size threshold; and 2) the relative perspective of the polygon measured against a perspective threshold. The S/Q setting alters these thresholds to alter the operation of the first graphics procedure. A second graphics process splits a selected polygon graphics primitive based on the relative perspective of the polygon compared to a predetermined perspective threshold. The S/Q setting alters the predetermined perspective threshold to alter the operation of the second graphics procedure. A third graphics process splits the selected polygon based on: 1) the size of the polygon; and 2) the orthogonal span of the polygon. The S/Q setting alters the operation of the third graphics procedure. Lastly, a fourth graphics process selects either fixed point or floating point calculations for certain graphics operations on the primitive. The S/Q setting alters the thresholds for the selection within the fourth graphics procedure.

It is becoming more common for workstations and general purpose computer systems to be used for visual simulations. Such simulations are particularly useful in high end systems for industrial modeling applications and in lower end systems for entertainment (e.g., simulations, computer games, multi-media applications, etc.). Computer controlled graphics systems display graphics objects on a 2 dimensional (2-D) display; the graphics objects being composed of graphics primitive elements ("graphics primitives") that may include, for instance, points, lines, polygons, etc. represented using three dimensional (3-D) data structures (e.g., x, y, z). As is well known, the object displayed is represented internally by the graphics system with three dimensional (3-D) data structures (e.g., x, y, z) which are transformed into 2-D elements (e.g., x, y) which are then used to render a 2-D image of the 3-D object. The process of rendering images on the screen is complex and includes individually processing graphics primitives and performing texture mapping operations on them.
Texture mapping refers to techniques for adding surface detail to areas or surfaces of the 3-D graphics objects displayed on the 2-D display. Since the original graphics object is 3-D, texture mapping maintains certain perspective attributes with respect to the surface detail added to the object. Generally, texture mapping occurs by accessing encoded surface detail points or "texels" from a memory which stores the surface detail and then transferring the surface detail texels to predetermined points of the graphics primitive that is being texture mapped. More specifically, texture mapping operates by applying color or visual attributes of texels of the (u, v) texture map to corresponding pixels of the graphics object on a display screen. In texture mapping, color values for pixels in (x, y) display coordinate space are determined based on sampled texture map values from (u, v) coordinates. After texture mapping, a version of the texture image is visible on surfaces of the object. The manner in which the texels are accessed and used to provide the perspective is a complex process that can utilize interpolation which increases processing speed but provides only an "estimation" of the true perspective condition.
There are three types of texture mapping including linear, second order homogeneous perspective and second order non-homogeneous perspective. In linear texture mapping, texels of a texture map are generally mapped onto pixels of a 2-D graphics primitive linearly whereby the rate of sampling in texel space (u, v) with respect to the screen coordinate (x, y) update rate is constant, e.g., du/dx and du/dy are constant values. Linear texture mapping is not process intensive. In perspective texture mapping, texels of a texture map are generally mapped onto pixels of a 3-D graphics object that is displayed in 2-D space (x, y) wherein the rate of sampling in texel space with respect to the rate of screen coordinate update rate is not constant. Perspective texture mapping is process intensive and it features an illusion of depth which is created by varying the sampling rate of the texture map during the normal linearly performed polygon rendering process on the display screen.
In one system, a graphics subsystem (accelerator) performs the necessary processing to generate the simulation in real-time using interpolation driven processes to perform texture mapping. Typically, the graphics subsystem includes local memory for storing graphics data in a "display list" and a graphics engine that determines the texture (e.g., texture mapping) to be applied to picture elements (pixels) to form the simulation on the computer systems graphics display. Using techniques that are well understood by those skilled in the art, display images are first decomposed into graphics primitives comprising multiple polygons each of which may be readily rotated or otherwise transposed by the graphics subsystem before being sent to the frame buffer memory. As the perspective of the viewer changes, the displayed images must be redrawn to provide the proper visual perspective. Accordingly, graphics subsystems must be capable of mapping the texture onto the polygons in real-time as the position of the polygons are rotated, translated or otherwise shifted.
To maintain perspective, associated with each vertex of a graphics primitive, is a perspective value, W, that defines the spatial relation of the primitive with respect to its relative distance and position as it might appear to the eye of a viewer when rendered on the display. To perform perspective operations with high image quality, substantial computations are performed by the graphics subsystem. In low cost graphic engines, interpolation driven texture mapping and rendering processes are used to speed the rendering process and limit memory requirements. However, maintaining proper orientation of the texture map with respect to the polygon as the perspective changes and interpolating interior (u, v) texels requires extensive computing power to prevent distortion, artifacts, wavy appearances, alaising or other rendering errors. For images displayed in a video game with, by way of example, a road disappearing into the distance at infinity, the perspective can vary from W=1 for objects near the front of the screen perceived as close to the viewer to W=6 or W=10 (or greater) for objects receding into the distance near the back of the screen. Massive perspective (e.g., W>5) in real-time computer simulations often cause hardware rendering engines perform a relatively large amount of computations (and time) to display the polygon without artifacts. This is especially true if the polygon is texture mapped.
However, in many applications real-time computer simulations do not require high image quality because the screen images rapidly change from frame to frame thereby hiding slight image degradation from the eye. In addition, some graphics elements, due to their small size, do not exhibit well their perspective nature, e.g., notwithstanding the fact that these small elements are displayed with perspective, they appear very linear to the eye. What is needed is a system that is operable between one mode whereby images are rendered in high quality, maintaining all accurate texture mapping, and perspective elements, and a second mode whereby images are rendered in high speed, but with some degradation in their texture mapping and perspective elements. What is further needed is a system also that increases processing efficiency with respect to small polygons whose perspective display closely resembles a linear display. The present invention provides such a system.
There are other factors affecting image quality and system performance. Such factors include mathematical accuracy in computing various color and geometry gradients (slopes), as well as error correction methods used to compensate for various hardware limitations. The greater degree of accuracy and error compensation used increases image quality, but at a cost of slower performance. Again, a system is needed in which a user can select various degrees of quality versus performance regarding these graphical computations and the present invention provides such a system.

Method and apparatus for adjusting graphics processing procedures based on a selectable speed/quality gauge


A method of forming a thin film containing a doping element in a vacuum atmosphere, which includes: supplying a source gas into a processing vessel being under the vacuum atmosphere through a source gas supply unit such that a source of the source gas is adsorbed onto a substrate in the processing vessel; repeating, a plurality of times, a sequence of operations of supplying a doping gas containing the doping element into the processing vessel through a doping gas supply unit, followed by sealing the doping gas inside the processing vessel, followed by vacuum-exhausting the processing vessel; supplying a reaction gas into the processing vessel through a reaction gas supply unit such that the reaction gas reacts with the source to produce a reaction product; and replacing an internal atmosphere of the processing vessel, the replacing being performed between the operations.

As an apparatus which forms a thin film (e.g., silicon nitride (Si—N) film) on a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer (hereinafter, referred to as a "wafer"), there is known a batch type vertical heat treatment apparatus which forms a film on each of the wafers received in a vertical reaction tube at a time. A specific film forming method using such an apparatus includes a so-called ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition) technique that alternately supplies, a plurality of times, for example, a silicon-containing source gas and a reaction gas (e.g., ammonia (NH3) gas) for nitriding the source gas.
An object to which the silicon nitride film is applied may include a sidewall for protecting a lateral side of a gate electrode, among for example, a variety of parts constituting a semiconductor device. Specifically, a substantially cylindrical layered structure of a gate insulation film followed by a gate electrode is formed on a surface of a wafer. A silicon nitride film is formed to cover the structure. Thereafter, a mask is formed leaving only the silicon nitride film on a lateral surface of the structure. Subsequently, the silicon nitride film is subjected to a wet etching by, e.g., an etchant such as a hydrofluoric acid (HF) solution, thus forming the sidewall. Subsequently, contact electrodes for wiring between the gate electrode and drain and source regions are formed by performing, e.g., a sequence of processes of forming an insulation film such as a silicon oxide film; forming through-holes in the insulation film; and filling the through-holes with a metal material. The drain and source regions are formed in the vicinity of the gate electrode on the surface of the wafer.
In recent years, with the miniaturization of a wiring structure, the area between the gate electrode and the contact electrodes tends to be narrowed. A parasitic capacitance also tends to occur between the gate electrode and the contact electrodes. Therefore, to suppress an electrical coupling between the gate electrode and the contact electrodes, a dielectric constant (k value) of the sidewall should be properly lowered. As an example, doping the silicon nitride film with oxygen (O) is under consideration.
However, when the silicon nitride film is doped with oxygen, the sidewall is prone to be etched in the wet etching process. As such, in a case where the silicon nitride film is applied as the sidewall, doping the silicon nitride film with both oxygen and carbon (C) is under consideration as way to obtain an etching resistance of the sidewall.
As described above, the doping of the silicon nitride film with carbon generates a composition where a portion of the silicon element in a basic skeleton structure (Si—N) is replaced with the carbon element, which fails to obtain a thin film having a desired composition ratio. In a film forming cycle of alternately supplying the source gas and the reaction gas, the thin film is doped with the carbon element using a carbon-containing gas separate from the source gas and the reaction gas. This causes a concentration gradient of gas in the reaction tube in a vertical direction, which results in a variation in composition ratio of thin films between wafers. In other words, it is difficult to form a thin film having a desired composition ratio for each wafer in the reaction tube.
There are known a method of changing a processing pressure when a source gas is supplied or a method of supplying a source gas while stopping a process of exhausting a processing atmosphere, in the ALD process. In addition, there is known a method of repeating, a plurality of times, a step of supplying an ozone (O3) gas and a step of exhausting a processing atmosphere. However, such methods do not describe the aforementioned problems and related techniques.

Film forming method, film forming apparatus and storage medium


A process is provided for preparing spiro-hydantoin compounds of the formula II

A key event in an immune response involves the migration of leukocytes to a disease site. During an inflammatory response, leukocytes are recruited to the site of injury and are extravasated by a series of cellular interactions involving cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion. The administration of compounds that inhibit these cellular interactions of leukocytes provides a route for treating inflammatory or immune diseases.
One family of molecules that serves an important adhesive function is integrins. Integrins are expressed on cell surfaces and function in cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion. Integrins are alpha-beta heterodimers: each integrin has an alpha (α) subunit non-covalently bound to a beta (β) subunit. There are four known integrins having a β2 or CD18 subunit, which comprise the CD11/CD18 integrin subfamily, namely, Lymphocyte Function-associated Antigen 1 (LFA-1) (CD11a/CD18 or αLβ2); Macrophage Antigen 1 (Mac-1) (CD11b/CD18 or αMβ2); p150, 95 (CD11c/CD18 or αXβ2); and αDβ2. The CD11/CD18 family of integrins is also referred to as Leukointegrins as they are expressed on the surface of various leukocyte cells, and they mediate a number of inflammation-related cellular interactions. See Diamond et al., "The Dynamic Regulation of Integrin Adhesiveness," Current Biology, Vol. 4 (1994) at pp. 506-532.
When activated, the integrins bind to extracellular ligands and induce adhesion. Ligands to LFA-1 and Mac-1 comprise the intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM) ICAM-1. The primary CD11/CD18 integrin is LFA-1, which also binds with ICAM-2 and ICAM-3. The interaction between the CD18 integrins, particularly LFA-1, and ICAMs mediates antigen presentation, T-cell proliferation, and adhesion between the endothelium and activated leukocytes, which is necessary for leukocytes to migrate from the circulatory system into tissue. Compounds inhibiting CD18 integrins, ICAMs, and/or the LFA-1: ICAM interaction have demonstrated a wide range of utilities in treating inflammatory or immune diseases. Compounds that reportedly inhibit LFA-1/ICAM for use as anti-inflammatory agents include thiadiazole-based compounds (see Intern. Pub. No. WO 99/20,618, "Thiadiazole Amides Useful as Anti-Inflammatory Agents" filed by Pharmacia & Upjohn Co.; and WO 99/20,617, also to Pharmacia and Upjohn); and thiazole compounds linked to phenyl and pyrazole rings (Sanfilippo et al., "Novel Thiazole Based Heterocycles as Inhibitors of LFA-1/ICAM-1 Mediated Cell Adhesion," J. Med. Chem., Vol. 38 (1995) at pp. 1057-1059). Small molecules that reportedly are antagonists to the binding of ICAMs with CD18 integrins include various benzylamines and 2-bromobenzoyltryptophan compounds (see Intern. Pub. No. W099/49,856, "Antagonists for Treatment of CD11/CD18 Adhesion Receptor Mediated Disorders, " filed by Genentech, Inc.), and 1-(3,5 dichlorophenyl) imidazolidines (see Intern. Pub. No. WO98/39303, "Small Molecules Useful in the Treatment of Inflammatory Disease, " filed by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. See also Boehringer patent applications WO 01/07052, WO 01/07048, WO 01/07044, WO 01/06984, and WO 01/07440). Hydantoin compounds are disclosed in Intern. Pub. No's WO 00/59880, WO 00/39081, WO 02/02522, WO 02/02539 (all to Abbott Laboratories). LFA-1 antagonist compounds are also claimed in WO 02/059114 (to Genentech), WO 02/42294 (to Celltech), WO 01/51508 (to Science and Technology corporation), WO 00/21920 and WO 01/58853 (both to Hoffmann-LaRoche), WO 99/11258, WO 00/48989 and WO 02/28832 (all to Novartis). Hydantoin compounds are disclosed in Intern. Pub. No. WO 01/30781 A2 (published May 3, 2001) to Tanabe Seiyaku Co. Ltd, "Inhibitors of αLβ2 Mediated Cell Adhesion," and in Intern. Pub. No. WO 02/44181 (published Jun. 6, 2002), "Hydantoin Compounds Useful as Anti-Inflammatory Agents", to the present assignee and having common inventors herewith.
U.S. patent application Publication 2004/0009998 A1 (to present assignee), incorporated herein by reference, discloses aryl or heteroaryl substituted spiro-hydantoin compounds that are effective as antagonists of Leukointegrins and/or ICAMs. The reference also discloses various processes to prepare these spiro-hydantoins, such as a multistep synthesis that includes the introduction and subsequent removal of protecting groups.
However, there are recognized difficulties associated with the adaptation of the disclosed multistep synthesis for preparing such spiro-hydantoin compounds to larger scale, such as production in a pilot plant or on a manufacturing scale. Desired in the art is a process suitable for the production of these aryl or heteroaryl substituted spiro-hydantoin compounds in larger quantities than typically prepared by laboratory scale processes. Also desired is a process that optionally provides facile separation of enantiomeric mixtures to allow the preparation of a specific enantiomer of these substituted spiro-hydantoin compounds. Additionally, there exists a need for crystalline forms of the aryl and heteroaryl substituted spiro-hydantoins as well as certain intermediates which may exhibit desirable and beneficial chemical and physical properties.
The present invention is directed to these, as well as other important aspects.

Crystalline forms and process for preparing spiro-hydantoin compounds

Abstract: wherein Z is N or CR4b; K and L are independently O or S; Ar is an optionally substituted aryl or heteroaryl; A2 is a linker, G′ is a linker; Q is a linker; and R2, R4a, R4c, and Rh are defined in the specification. The process optionally includes the enantiomeric separation of intermediates to allow preparation of enantiomers of the spiro-hydantoin compounds of formula II. Substituted spiro-hydantoin compounds may be prepared from the spiro-hydantoin compounds of formula II. The spiro-hydantoin compound of formula II and the substituted spiro-hydantoin compounds are useful in the treatment of immune or inflammatory diseases. Also, provided are products made by the instant inventive process and crystalline forms (prepared by any process) of the substituted spiro-hydantoin compound, 5-[(5S,9R)-9-(4-Cyanophenyl)-3-(3,5-dichlorophenyl)-1-methyl-2,4-dioxo-1,3,7-triazaspiro[4.4]non-7-ylmethyl]-thiophene-3-carboxylic acid, including solvates and salts thereof, as well as methods of use thereof. Crystalline forms of certain intermediates are provided.


Methods and systems for product authentication include the storage of product authenticity data in integrated circuit (IC) chips of verification objects for physical association with authentic products. The IC chips are operable to determine verification data using the stored product authenticity data, and may include private key encryption, private algorithm and/or count processing functionality for verification data determination. A verification server(s) is utilized to receive an inbound message(s) from an electronic device(s) that includes test data obtained by the electronic device(s) from an integrated circuit chip at a product of interest, and in response thereto, to send an outbound message to the electronic device(s) indicative of verification or non-verification of authenticity of the product of interest, based upon identification or non-identification of an association between the test data and product authenticity data. Each outbound message is dependent upon determining the presence of an association utilizing stored data and optional algorithmic and count processing functionality. The electronic device(s) may be a smart phone(s) having a mobile product authentication application downloaded thereto for use in obtaining the test data that may or may not correspond to verification data determinable by a verification object.

The fraudulent misrepresentation of the authenticity of consumer and other products continues to present problems in the marketplace. The problems typically arise when products are labelled, packaged or otherwise marketed so that consumers, including resellers, believe they are purchasing authentic products produced or authorized by a trusted source of the products, when in fact the purchased products are not authentic and do not meet the same quality, design, material and labor sourcing and/or other standards of the authentic products. Further, problems can arise in situations where fraudulently misrepresented component products are purchased and placed in inventory of a purchaser for subsequent incorporation in to a finished assembled product in which the functionality of the component product is critical to the performance of the finished assembled product. The noted problems are particularly pronounced in marketplaces where product distribution sources are difficult to independently qualify for purposes of product authenticity and/or to otherwise hold accountable for non-authenticity of products they distribute.
Unfortunately, consumers of non-authentic products often have little or no practical recourse after purchase. And, even if the party from whom the purchase was made allows for reimbursed return of a non-authentic product, such party often has little or no practical recourse. Moreover, the reputation of the selling party may be damaged, particularly in instances where the disaffected consumer shares the experience with others, e.g. via social media. Further, from a compounded liability standpoint, the purchasers of fraudulent component products may incur additional damages in instances where such components fail in a finished assembled product.

Method and system for product authentication


A livestock production building includes an automatically controllable ventilation system which provides ventilation to livestock containment rooms. Incoming air may be heated, cooled and/or filtered, and is mixed and tempered before being delivered to livestock rooms. Substantially all exhaust air is filtered to mitigate environmental impact.

1. Technical Field
This disclosure relates to livestock production buildings and more particularly deals with production building ventilation and temperature control systems.
2. Background Art
The optimum feeding and finishing conditions for livestock, and particularly hogs and pigs, are a function of the total environment in which they live. Therefore, proper temperature and ventilation control are important to their growth, health and welfare. These same conditions are necessary to provide a comfortable and healthy working environment for the animal caretakers.
Additionally, it is important to provide cooling air to reduce or prevent temperature stress on the livestock. However, it is also important to avoid dramatic temperature changes which may in itself cause temperature shock or stress to the livestock. Therefore, as well as controlling the rate, velocity and direction it is important to facilitate the tempering of cooler intake air before it comes into contact with the livestock. During periods of hot weather, the combination of air temperature and the heat produced by the livestock requires a substantial volume of cooling air. The optimal ambient condition depends on the number, type and age of the livestock in the building; for example, younger and smaller pigs require less cooling air because they put off less body heat and are not as closely confined.
Little cooling air is required during cold weather. Nevertheless minimal ventilation is still required to remove moisture and for the health of the livestock and the workers. Under cold weather conditions a minimum fresh air supply is required but the temperature of the fresh air must be controlled to prevent temperature shock to the livestock. This fresh air must also be evenly distributed throughout the pig space.
Moreover, if the environment in which animals are raised has favorable conditions, such as temperature and ventilation, the amount of feed necessary to produce livestock yielding a given amount of meat is reduced and efficiency of the livestock production operation is increased.
Current livestock ventilation apparatus have many inadequacies primarily due to the fact that ventilation apparatus merely draw a ventilating air flow through the buildings. Such apparatus failed to properly control the air flow velocity, rate and distribution of the incoming fresh air.
One known prior art apparatus discloses an animal production building with pit ventilation through a slatted floor using both intake and exhaust fan. Air is accumulated in the attic and is pushed and pulled through the ceiling past the animals into the pit.
Another known prior art apparatus discloses a livestock consignment house having a slatted floor, a disposal pit, and a reversible fan in the roof such that air may be pushed or pulled past the animals through the pit.
One problem with existing livestock production buildings relates to the environmental impact of the exhaust air. This air may be subject to environmental regulations aimed at preserving or improving local air quality in the vicinity of livestock production facilities.
Another problem of the current livestock production buildings is the potential for contamination of the incoming air. This contamination may introduce pathogens to, and/or promote sickness in, the livestock population housed in the building.
One problem with the existing livestock production buildings relates to the conditioning of the intake air. For example, the blending and mixing of intake air may fail to provide a constant temperature range or may blend stale air with incoming fresh air.
Another problem of the current livestock production buildings is the loss of building heat with the exhaust air during cold weather.

Individual room duct and ventilation system for livestock production building


A method and system for using integration objects with enterprise business applications is disclosed. A method comprises importing external objects having a first format for a first enterprise application into a second enterprise application; using integration objects to transform the first format external objects into second format external objects formatted for the second enterprise application; and using the second format external objects in the second business application.

According to one observer, if the lifeblood of today's corporations is information, then their arteries are the "inter-application interfaces" that facilitate movement of data around the corporate enterprise. This has more recently become known as an "application network".
For the typical organization, the application network has grown organically into a collection of ad hoc application integration programs. This menagerie has had a very serious impact on businesses as it increases the time for implementing new applications, prevents senior management from getting a clear picture of the business and, in short, clogs the corporate arteries. In spite of the fact that application integration has become crucial to a competitive corporation's survival, it has nevertheless been acceptable in the prior art to handcraft or "hack" custom code for such purposes at enormous long-term cost to the corporation. Long-term application integration decisions have, likewise, been made at the lowest possible levels based solely on individual project criteria. Because of the decidedly difficult nature of these problems, an effective enterprise application integration (EAI) solution has yet to be found.
The advent of the Internet, client/server computing, corporate mergers and acquisitions, globalization and business process re-engineering, have together forced corporate information technology (IT) departments to continually seek out new, and often manual, ways to make different systems talk to each other—regardless of how old some of those systems may be. In the ensuing chaos, inadequate communications systems have had a debilitating effect on IT's abilities to move as fast as the business needs it to.
Recent trends in IT have only exacerbated this problem by increasing—often by an order of magnitude—the amount of inter-application interfacing needed to support them. Most recently, enterprise applications have performed such functions as data warehousing and enterprise resource planning (ERP), and facilitated electronic commerce. A brief review of these three technologies would, therefore, be helpful in understanding the long-felt but as yet unresolved need for EAI.
Data warehousing techniques require large volumes of clean historical data that must be moved, on a regular basis, from many operational systems into the warehouse. Source data is usually structured for online transactional processing (OLTP), while the typical data warehouse also accommodates online analytical processing (OLAP) formats. Therefore, the source data must undergo extensive aggregation and reformatting as it is transferred to the warehouse.
A typical data warehouse according to the prior art is populated in four steps: (a) extracting the source data; (b) cleaning such extracted data; (c) aggregating the cleaned, extracted data in a number of dimensions; and (d) loading the warehouse. Each warehouse source requires the building of a specific data extraction, cleansing, aggregation, and load routine. Forrester Research estimates that the average large company has approximately four data warehouses. In two years, it is expected that this number will grow to six. The average amount of data contained in each warehouse is also expected to double in size in that same period—from about 130 gigabytes to about 260 gigabytes.
The problems associated with such large amounts of data growing at an ever-increasing pace is exacerbated by the quality of source data. According to a study conducted by the META Group, typical data warehouses are being loaded today with as much as 20% poor quality data. That same study indicates that about 70% of its respondents used extraction, cleansing and loading processes that were coded by hand. With respect to the required aggregation processes, anecdotal evidence also reveals that as much as 50 hours of computer time may be required to complete this function alone. It is readily apparent that significant maintenance efforts would be involved with programs coded in such a manner.
On the other hand, typical ERP systems are essentially large, integrated packaged applications that support core business functions, such as payroll, manufacturing, general ledger, and human resources. Implementing an ERP system, however, can be an overwhelming process for a number of reasons.
First and foremost, the corporation is buying a product and not building a solution. This means that business units within the corporation must adapt to the product and how it works, not the other way around. Furthermore, today's ERP systems cannot replace all of a corporation's custom solutions. They must, therefore, communicate effectively with other legacy systems in place. Finally, it is not a typical for a corporation to employ more than one and completely different ERP system because a single vendor cannot usually meet every organizational need.
As a result, the options for getting data into and out of an ERP system preclude known approaches used for data warehousing. Each ERP system has a proprietary data model that is constantly being enhanced by its vendor. Writing extract or load routines that manipulate such models is not only complicated, but is also discouraged by the vendor since data validation and business rules inherent in the enterprise application are likely to be bypassed. Instead, ERPs require interaction at the business object level, which deals with specific business entities such as general ledgers, budgets or accounts payable.
Electronic commerce in one form or another has been around for many years. In essence, it got its start with electronic data interchange (EDI). EDI permitted companies to communicate their purchase orders and invoices electronically, and continued to develop such that today's companies use EDI for supply chain management. However, not until the more recent exploding use of online Internet websites to buy, sell, and even auction, items of interest has there been such a dire need for robust, effective EAI.
Applications get developed in order to accomplish a specific business objective in a measured time frame. In a typical large organization, different teams of people using a wide assortment of operating systems, DBMSs and development tools develop hundreds of applications. In each case, the specific requirements are satisfied without regard for integration with any other applications.
Several powerful trends are driving the market for application integration. For example, significant developments in peer-to-peer networking and distributed processing have made it possible for businesses to better integrate their own functional departments as well as integrate with their partners and suppliers. The aforementioned Internet/"intranet"/"extranet" explosion is also fueling the demand for a new class of "human active" applications that require integration with back-end legacy applications. Tremendous growth around the world in the adoption of enterprise application software packages also requires integration with back-end legacy applications. Finally, message oriented middleware (MOM)—products such as IBM's MQSeries message queuing product—are becoming increasingly popular. Once customers realize the benefits of simple one-to-one application connectivity with MOM, their interest in many-to-many application integration increases significantly.
The key problem with many-to-many application integration (or even one-to-many integration) is that number of potential data transformations needed to connect all systems is very large. It may be as much as the square of the number of systems multiplied by the number of object types. To make this problem tractable, it is desirable to have methods to separate the semantic translation of objects from format translations and to have metadata-driven tools to perform the format translations.
In today's rapidly changing environment, the concerted efforts of thousands of developers worldwide are focused on developing a system that satisfies the need for disparate applications to communicate with each other, without the necessity of embedding multiple, customized application-specific translation schemes. This as yet unfulfilled need is grounded in the imperative of the global economy.

Method and system for using integration objects with enterprise business applications


A discharge lamp having a starting assembly is provided for use with existing high frequency electronic ballasts. The lamp comprises a light-transmissive envelope and has a discharge sustaining fill of an inert gas mixture of krypton and argon. The starting assembly comprises at least one conductive path attached to the outside or inside surface of the envelope or embedded in the envelope.

Standard T8 lamps utilizing only argon as the inert fill gas have a lower lumen efficacy, expressed as lumens per watt, as compared to argon/krypton energy efficient T8 lamps. These lower wattage T8 lamps yield reduced positive column power through addition of krypton to the fill gas. The addition of krypton reduces energy consumption in fluorescent lamps because krypton, having a higher atomic weight than argon, results in a lower wattage gradient in the positive column with lower heat conduction losses per unit length of discharge in the lamp. These lamps are known as GE Watt-Miser® lamps. However, the addition of krypton increases the peak voltage required to start the lamp, such that the lamp will not start on some ballasts, including many rapid start and programmed start ballasts. Thus, it is desirable to produce both a high efficiency lamp containing krypton capable of starting and operating on all existing ballasts so that the lamps can be rated for "Universal Operation on all ballasts".
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, a starting assembly is used to effect reliable starting of lower wattage fluorescent lamps with or without krypton in the fill gas. The starting assembly provides an easier path for the electrons to flow during starting of the lamp thereby reducing the peak starting voltage requirement of the lamp.
One conventional starting aid consists of a conductive metal strip attached to the outside of the lamp. In a typical embodiment, the metal strip on the outside of a 1.5-inch (120 mm) circumference T12 fluorescent lamp is approximately ¼ inch (6 mm) wide and extends the length of the lamp. This method has several disadvantages. The major disadvantage is that the metal strip starting aid covers a relatively large percentage of the subtended circumference of the lamp envelope of approximately 5%. Since the metal strip extends nearly the entire length of the lamp envelope, it thereby covers approximately 5% of the surface area of the lamp envelope and therefore it absorbs or reflects approximately 5% of the light emitted by the lamp. Even though some of the light reflected by the metal strip is redistributed inside the lamp and is re-emitted, nonetheless the total emission of the lamp is reduced by a substantial amount of more than 1% due to absorption of light by the strip and inefficiencies inside the lamp. A second disadvantage of the wide metal strip is that it is visible to the customer at distances of four feet or more. Another disadvantage is that the metal strip is typically manually attached to the lamp with an adhesive and an insulating cover to prevent electric shock to the installer. This manual manufacturing process significantly increases the cost of manufacturing.
Another conventional starting aid consists of applying a conductive coating, such as tin-oxide, over the entire inside surface of the light transmissive envelope. Similar to the metal strip above, a major disadvantage to this method is that it covers 100% of the total surface area of the light transmissive envelope of the lamp, and the tin oxide coating absorbs some of the light emitted by the lamp. Thus, the tin-oxide also typically blocks over 1% of the lumens generated by the lamp. Another disadvantage is that the tin oxide coating creates potential safety and lamp breakage concerns during the manufacturing process. Additionally, from an environmental perspective, a corrosive agent is required during the coating process. Still yet another disadvantage to this method is that it doesn't optimally perform on T12 lamps utilizing an electronic ballast.
Yet another conventional starting aid is using the metal lumiaire into which the lamp is mounted as the starting aid. However, as will be seen below the starting voltage required to start the lamp increases as the distance between the lamp and the starting aid increases. Thus, the greater the distance between the lamp and the starting aid the less efficient will be the starting aid. Further, this invention relaxes the requirements on the distance between the lamp and the metal luminaire, and even enables the use of non-conducting (e.g. plastic) luminaires, or even the elimination of the luminaire, while still providing excellent starting of the lamp.
To overcome the above-mentioned problem and disadvantages, the present invention claims that lower wattage fluorescent lamps can be made to start on all ballasts by adding a starting assembly to the lamp comprising an array of conductive paths to either the inside or outside surface of the lamp or by imbedding the conductive paths inside the lamp envelope.

Energy efficient fluorescent lamp having an improved starting assembly and preferred method for manufacturing


A button is disclosed that includes a die cast button body for which a secondary or an additional process (e.g., a squeeze process) is unnecessary and for which a degree of freedom for design of the upper surface center of the button body can increase. A shank of a fastening member is provided with a shank distal end having a small diameter, a shank proximal portion having a larger diameter than that of the shank distal end, and a shank stepped portion. A shank receiving space of the button body for receiving the shank is provided with a shank receiving small diameter portion which receives the shank distal end and which has an axial length larger than that of the distal end, a shank receiving large diameter portion which receives a distal side part of the shank proximal portion, and a shank receiving stepped portion. The shank receiving stepped portion has a stepped portion edge boundary with the small diameter portion. When the button is attached to cloth, the shank receiving stepped portion bumps into the shank stepped portion, causing the stepped portion edge to stick into the shank proximal portion.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a button mainly for use as a decorative button for a denim product, a leather product or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
In jeans or the like, there has often been used a decorative button of such a type that a bar (a button body) is fastened with a rivet, and the cloth is sandwiched between the bar and the rivet. The bar of the decorative button is made by squeezing a metal plate or the like. However, a solid die cast product is more easily manufactured in large amounts, is resistant to impact, and is not easily deformed. In addition, the outer shape of the bar can variously be designed in accordance with a die. In Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 63-303642 ("the '642 application), one example of such a die cast bar is disclosed.
In a die cast bar 30 disclosed in the '642 application, a leg portion 16 of a rivet member 10 which has passed through cloth is received in an axial hole 36, and the received part of this leg portion 16 is pressed in the vertical direction and collapsed so as to expand outwardly in the radial direction, whereby the bar is fixed to the cloth (see FIG. 5 of the '642 application). In the die cast bar 30, after die casting, a central projection 34 of the bar 30 needs to be squeezed so that the expanded part of the pressed leg portion 16 is not detached from the axial hole 36 (see FIGS. 3 and 4 of the '642 application). Therefore, the manufacturing of the bar is laborious and increases cost. Furthermore, at the time of the pressing, a force to deform the leg portion 16 is transmitted from the closed bottom (the upper end) of the axial hole 36 to the center of the upper surface of the bar 30, whereby the design of this upper surface center is limited. For example, it is difficult to thin this upper surface center or to embed glass or the like vulnerable to impact in this part.


A circuit device manufacturing method is provided, wherein contaminants attached to the top surfaces of conductive patterns 21 are removed using plasma to thereby improve the adhesion of conductive patterns 21 to a sealing resin 28. By selective etching of a conductive foil 10, separation grooves 11 are formed, thereby forming conductive patterns 21. A semiconductor element 22A and other circuit elements are mounted onto desired locations of conductive patterns 21 and electrically connected with conductive patterns 21. By irradiating plasma onto conductive foil 10 from above, contaminants attached to the surfaces of separation grooves 11 are removed.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a circuit device manufacturing method and particularly relates to a circuit device manufacturing method wherein plasma is irradiated onto a conductive foil to remove residues attached to the top surface of the conductive foil.
2. Description of the Related Art
Due to being employed in portable telephones, portable computers, etc., circuit devices that are set in electronic equipment have been demanded since priorly to be compact, thin, and lightweight. In order to meet such demands, semiconductor devices called CSP's (Chip Size Packages), which are equivalent or slightly larger in size to a chip, have been developed. However, with a general type of CSP, a supporting substrate, such as a glass epoxy substrate, ceramic substrate, etc., was required as an essential component for supporting the entire device. Since the supporting substrate is a thick member, the overall size of the semiconductor device tended to be large.
In view of the above problem, a circuit device, with which a supporting substrate is made unnecessary, has been developed. A method for manufacturing such a circuit device shall now be described.
As shown in FIG. 10(A), a conductive foil 100, formed of copper or other metal, is prepared and conductive patterns 100A are formed so as to realize predetermined electrical circuits. A known etching process using an etch resistant mask may be carried out as the method of forming separation grooves.
Referring to FIG. 10(B), circuit elements are affixed onto the top surfaces of conductive patterns 100A. As the circuit elements, chip elements 103, such as capacitors, resistors, etc., and semiconductor elements 102, etc., are affixed. Furthermore, the electrodes of semiconductor elements 102 are electrically connected to conductive patterns 100A via metal wires.
Referring to FIG. 10(C), covering by a sealing resin 105 is carried out. The circuit elements that were affixed in the prior step are covered and sealing resin 105 fills separation grooves 101 of conductive foil 100 as well.
Referring to FIG. 10(D), conductive foil 100 is etched from the rear surface and conductive foil 100 is thereby removed until the sealing resin 105 that fills separation grooves 101 becomes exposed. The respective conductive patterns 100A are thereby separated electrically. Forming of a solder resist, forming of external electrodes, etc., are then performed. Lastly, by dicing sealing resin 105 at locations indicated by the alternate long and short lines, the respective circuit devices are separated. A circuit device, which does not require a supporting substrate, was manufactured by processes such as the above.
As an art for removing contaminants attached to the top surfaces of patterns formed of metal, there is the art of plasma irradiation. A method of irradiating plasma onto a lead frame, on which a semiconductor element is mounted, to remove contaminants attached to the top surface shall now be described with reference to FIG. 11.
The configuration of a lead frame 110, which has been subject to a lead frame processing step, an element mounting step, etc., shall now be described with reference to FIG. 11(A). A semiconductor element 112 is mounted onto an island 114, which has been formed to a land form, and a plurality of leads 111 are disposed so as to surround island 114. Leads 111 correspond to electrodes provided on the top surface of semiconductor element 112 and the respective electrodes are electrically connected via metal wires 113 to leads 111.
The plasma irradiation step shall now be described with reference to FIG. 11(B). First, lead frame 110 is set in a sealed container. Gas is then introduced into the container and plasma gas is generated by a discharge. The top surface of lead frame 110 is cleaned by the collision of radicals or ions existing in the plasma gas with the top surface of lead frame 110.
However, with the above-described circuit device manufacturing method, there was the problem that the top surface of conductive foil 100 becomes contaminated due to the processes carried out prior to sealing by resin. Organic residues contained in the etchant used in the step of forming separation grooves 101, dust in the air, etc., are considered to be the contaminants. When sealing by sealing resin 105 is performed with such contaminants attached to the top surface of conductive foil 100, the force of attachment of sealing resin 105 to conductive foil 100 may decrease.
Also, with the method of cleaning a lead frame by plasma irradiation as shown in FIG. 11, since complex shapes are formed so as to form island 114 and leads 111, the plasma irradiation causes localized increases in electric potential to occur in lead frame 110. There was thus the problem of current flowing into semiconductor element 112 via metal wires 113 due to such localized potential differences in the lead frame and damaging a CMOS and other elements formed on the top surface of the semiconductor element. There was also the problem that, due to lead frame 110 becoming high in temperature in the plasma irradiation step, the leads become deformed and metal wires 113 become disconnected.
This embodiment of invention has been made in view of such problems and a main object of this embodiment of invention is to provide a circuit device manufacturing method, wherein cleaning and roughening of the top surface of a conductive foil is performed by irradiating plasma onto the top surface of the conductive foil. Another object of this embodiment of invention is to provide a circuit device manufacturing method that resolves the problems of breakage of a semiconductor element, etc., that occur in the process of removing contaminants attached to the top surfaces of conductive materials by use of plasma.

Circuit device manufacturing method including mounting circuit elements on a conductive foil, forming separation grooves in the foil, and etching the rear of the foil


A multi-function emergency device combining a flashlight mounted on a housing with one or a plurality of beacons. A terrestrial location of the device is determinable by GPS or cellular triangulation. A first beacon employs visible light for responders to follow to the terrestrial location while a second beacon employs invisible light to transmit a secret beacon that cannot be seen without the aid of a viewer. A message may be encoded into the second beacon and deciphered.

In emergencies and during natural disasters and the like, power from the grid is frequently interrupted as is phone service. Additionally, personnel such as police and firemen who respond to emergencies and police incidents frequently are in need of both reliable portable lighting as well as a beacon to warn motorists or others approaching the location.
An additional need for first responders is for personal safety. Entering a possible crime location, fire or other incident, first responders such as firemen and police are in need of the ability to provide their position to others who might follow their arrival at an incident site. Firemen, police, security personnel and other first responders can become lost or trapped or injured at the very location to which they have been dispatched to help. Such first responders as police and security personnel in addition, can become victims of criminal behavior or even hostages.
It is therefor advantageous that such first responders and even common citizens have an emergency device that provides light as needed. A further need is the ability to provide a tracking signal or beacon to third parties regarding the location of the person carrying the device which is passive or may be initiated by the user manually. Still further, for such first responders, it is advantageous if the device can not only broadcast a locating signal, but also optionally a message that may be discerned by other first responders.
In cases where first responders are security related it is especially advantageous if the broadcast component of the device is able to do so surreptitiously. This hidden communication ability will provide first responders in trouble, due to criminal activity, the ability to send a hidden message to subsequent responders of not only their location, but optionally elements of their current situation.
Further, in the circumstances where an individual was to have a physical health problem such as a heart attack, to pass out, or be a victim of a gunshot or other injury, or is otherwise incapacitated, some means for automatic signaling to subsequent responders to broadcast the condition of the individual or their specific location would be most helpful.
As such, there is an unmet need for a multi-functional emergency device that provides the user with a plurality of functions during an emergency situation. Such a device should provide a means for illumination of the surroundings of the user. Such a device should be adapted to alert third parties to the presence of the user in situations such as on a dark roadway. Such a device should be able to passively monitor the user's location, and provide a beacon should subsequent first responders be required to aid the user. Finally, such a device should provide for communication from the user to subsequent first responders in a fashion that is not easily detected by others proximate to the user. This communication should be either be preprogrammed, or optionally initiated and customized by the user in real time to allow the user to send customized messages as to their current predicament if needed and do so without being discovered.


A system installed with a vehicle for evaluating operation of the vehicle with respect to environmental factors includes: (a) operational sensors for sensing data relating to operational factors of the environmental factors; (b) an operational information store coupled with selected sensors for storing operational data received from the selected sensors relating to the operational factors; (c) an operational standards store for storing operational standards associated with operating the vehicle; (d) an operational standard compliance evaluation unit coupled with the information store and coupled with the standards store for effecting comparison of the operational data with the operational standards to ascertain an operational comparison result, and determining whether the vehicle complies with the standards based upon the comparison result; and (e) an operational report and store unit coupled with the compliance evaluation unit for receiving the operational determination and generating at least one report relating to the operational determination.

Prior art systems monitoring vehicle operation may be generalized as maintenance management systems or vehicle health management systems having no overt focus on addressing environmental concerns such as compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations or management of carbon credits. Such a characteristic of maintenance management systems relating to aerospace vehicles is particularly environmentally significant because such vehicles may be cited as contributors to global warming or climate change.
Currently available systems monitoring vehicle operation, such as maintenance management systems, are not known to comprehensively address environmental issues. According to the US Department of Energy, vehicles may produce several times their weight in greenhouse gases each year. Transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions may account for as much as 29 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the US, and as much as 5 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Other environmental issues may also be related with vehicle operation and maintenance such as recycling materials and fluids, safely disposing of hazardous materials and modifying maintenance schedules to minimize environmental impact.
There is a need for a system and method for evaluating operation of a vehicle with respect to a plurality of environmental factors.

System and method for evaluating operation of a vehicle with respect to a plurality of environmental factors


Apparatus and methods for pressurizing well operations fluids. An example apparatus may include a plurality of pressure exchangers each operable to receive a first fluid via a low-pressure inlet, receive a second fluid via a high-pressure inlet to thereby pressurize and then discharge the first fluid via a high-pressure outlet, and discharge the clean fluid via a low-pressure outlet. The apparatus may further include a fluid control device fluidly connected with the pressure exchangers downstream from the low-pressure outlets. The fluid control device may be a pump operable to draw the clean fluid discharged via the low-pressure outlets and thereby reduce the pressure at the low-pressure outlets and the low-pressure inlets.

A variety of fluids are used in oil and gas operations. Fluids may be pumped into the subterranean formation through the use of one or more high-pressure pumps. Dirty fluids, such as solids-laden fluids containing insoluble abrasive solid particles, can reduce functional life and increase maintenance of the high-pressure pumps.
Pressure exchangers utilized in oilfield pumping can create a variety of problems, some of which relate to flow rate and pressure control on the low-pressure side of the pressure exchangers. Pressure exchangers create a relatively high pressure drop, which is at least partially caused by high-pressure fluids (e.g., up to about 20,000 pounds per square inch (PSI)) flowing through relatively constricted pathways at relatively high velocities. On the high-pressure side of the pressure exchangers, such losses are negligible, being on the order of 50 PSI. However, on the low-pressure side, in combination with line friction and pressure drop across a control valve, the pressure drop can exceed the pressure capability of conventional mixers (i.e., blenders). Increasing the output pressure of the mixers increases internal wear rate substantially more than the increase in pressure, leading to frequent equipment failure or repair.

Pressure exchanger low pressure flow control


A fabric request controller implements flow control for data cells to a network or switch fabric. The fabric request controller issues request messages to the fabric switch and receives back corresponding grant messages. The fabric request controller includes a credit counter for metering the number of allowable outstanding requests. A fake request vector component periodically issues fake requests to compensate for information loss on the switch fabric.

A. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to data switching and routing, and more particularly, to data flow control over a switch fabric.
B. Description of Related Art
Routers receive data on a physical media, such as optical fiber, analyze the data to determine its destination, and output the data on a physical media in accordance with the destination. Routers were initially designed using a general purpose processor executing large software programs. As line rates and traffic volume increased, however, general purpose processors could not scale to meet these new demands. For example, as functionality was added to the software, such as accounting and policing functionality, these routers suffered performance degradation. In some instances, the routers failed to handle traffic at line rate when the new functionality was turned on.
To meet the new demands, purpose-built routers were architected. Purpose-built routers are designed and built with components optimized for routing. They not only handled higher line rates and higher network traffic volume, they also added functionality without compromising line rate performance.
A purpose-built router may include a number of input and output ports from which it transmits and receives information packets. A switching fabric may be implemented in the router to carry the packets between ports.
Flow-control refers to the metering of packet flow through the network and/or through the router. For example, it may be desirable to limit the number of packets transmitted from a particular port of the router in order to ensure that the router's switching fabric is not overloaded. One known method of implementing flow-control controls flow on a per-queue basis. One disadvantage of per-queue flow control is that it may not evenly distribute flow across all elements of the system. For example, in a system using a switch fabric, the fabric may become congested even though there is per-queue flow control.
It is therefore desirable to efficiently implement flow control without the performance degradation caused by conventional per-queue controls.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Credit-based flow control over unreliable links


A trench shield assembly (12) having first and second shield walls (14, 16) maintained spaced apart by a plurality of spacer struts (30) at the front end of the shield walls and an archway (32) secured at the rear end of the shield walls. Each shield wall is constructed from a plurality of beams (18) that are stacked on top of each other and secured together. Each beam includes a central web (20) and first and second face flanges (22, 24). When stacked and secured, the first face flanges define a first exterior skin (26) of the shield wall and the second face flanges define a second exterior skin (28) of the shield wall. The ends of the spacer struts project through transverse passages (44) defined in the shield walls. Stops (46) formed on the spacer struts, at a location spaced from the ends of the struts, limit the degree of insertion of the struts into the transverse passages. A locking plate (50) is secured to each projecting end of the struts to prevent withdrawal of the struts from the passages.

During construction it is often necessary to shore up an excavated earth wall. For example, the laying of pipe within a deep trench typically requires a portable trench shield or trench box to be positioned within the portion of the trench in which a new section of pipe is to be placed. The walls of the trench shield protect the workers from collapsing earth. As each piece of pipe is laid, the trench shield is dragged forwardly within the trench by heavy equipment for placement of the next section of pipe.
It is thus desirable to have a trench shield assembly that is strong, has a high section modulus, and is durable such that it will safely shield workers and withstand handling by heavy equipment.
Various trench shield systems have been developed which include first and second parallel shield walls that are spaced apart by spreader bars. To lighten the weight of the shield walls while providing structural integrity, the shield walls are often of hollow construction.
One such example of a conventional hollow shield wall is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,345,857 to Krings. An internal frame for the shield wall is constructed from parallel horizontal members that are spaced apart on vertical pipes. An outer skin is then secured to either side of the framework.
Another conventional shield wall is disclosed by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,992,887 to Fisher. The disclosed shield wall is constructed from a frame having horizontal and vertical members over which metal skins are secured. The inner surfaces of the shield walls carry cylindrical collars that are received within the ends of cylindrical spacer beams, to spread and maintain two opposing shield walls apart from each other.
Yet another conventional hollow shield wall construction is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,383 to Nieber. Metal skins are secured over an inner skeletal framework. The inner surface of the shield walls also include cylindrical collars that are received within the ends of cylindrical spacer beams to spread opposing shield walls apart.
Such conventional hollow shield walls have a drawback in that the outer skins are easily pierced by heavy equipment, allowing the interior framework of the shield wall to fill with soil and water. This substantially adds to the weight of the shield walls, making them difficult to reposition within the trench and to transport to other construction sites. Further, it has been found that the sectional strength of such conventional hollow-skinned shield walls is somewhat less than desirable.
An additional drawback of conventional trench shield systems, such as those disclosed by the Fisher '887 and Nieber '383, is the propensity for heavy equipment to sometimes knock the spacer beam collars off of the inside surfaces of the shield walls. At the least, this necessitates repair of the shield wall; at the worst, it could potentially result in injury.