A semiconductor device and a method of manufacturing the same are provided which comprises a metal interconnection consisting of a titanium-aluminum film with (111) orientation formed on a semiconductor substrate via an insulating film, and an aluminum film or an aluminum alloy film with (111) orientation formed on the titanium-aluminum film by virtue of epitaxial growth. With such structure, electromigration endurance of an aluminum interconnection is improved and a wiring structure of a semiconductor is achieved with high reliability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor device having aluminum interconnection formed of an aluminum film or an aluminum-based alloy film on a surface of a semiconductor substrate.
2. Description of the Prior Art
As interconnection material for the semiconductor devices using semiconductors such as silicon (Si), usually aluminum (Al) film or aluminum alloy film which includes aluminum as a major component and includes silicon (Si), copper (Cu), palladium (Pd), titanium (Ti), scandium (Sc), boron (B), etc. is used. It has been well known that performance of such aluminum interconnection is degraded to reduce reliability due to "the electromigration phenomenon" that aluminum atoms are transported by electrons when a large current flows through the aluminum interconnection. Since such electromigration phenomenon is accelerated in compliance with increase in the current density in the wirings and increase in the temperature of the wirings, it causes a serious problem in the semiconductor devices, particularly, devices which are miniaturized like memory devices, i.e., highly integrated devices or power devices for supplying high density current.
As for an aluminum interconnection for the semiconductor device having high electromigration endurance, aluminum alloy film in which copper, etc. are added into the aluminum film and the like, are used in the prior art. Various improvements have already been proposed. Particularly, it has been known that, when orientation of the aluminum film is evaluated by X-ray diffraction, the aluminum film having high (111) orientation exhibits high electromigration endurance. That finding has been known in the literature Proc. of 29th International Reliability Physics Symposium, 1991, p.97! reported by Kageyama et al. and the literature Japanese Journal of Applied Physics, Vol.32 (1993), pp.4479-4484! by H. Shibata et al., for example. In addition, the relationship between FWHM (Full Width at Half Maximum) of the X-ray diffraction peak from aluminum (111) plane and electromigration endurance has been disclosed in the literature Atomic Transportation in LSI Interconnection, preprint of Stress Problem Society, pp.19-20, Thin Film/Surface Symposium of Institute of Japanese Applied Physics, May 27 1994, Tokyo! reported by Toyoda et al. It has been known that electromigration endurance becomes high as the aluminum interconnection has narrower FWHM of (111) peak by X-ray diffraction.
In general, if (111) surfaces formed as a closely packed surface is used as the surface and boundary surface in the face-centered cubic lattice of the crystal structure, the aluminum interconnection may take (111) orientation since energy of system can be minimized. However, in an aluminum film formed on the silicon oxide film, the extent of the (111) orientation is low and therefore FWHM of (111) peak by X-ray diffraction is as wide as several degrees. This result is due to the following causes.
More particularly, in the manufacturing steps of the semiconductor device, heating temperature of the semiconductor substrate in forming the aluminum film is relatively high, although it is lower than melting point of aluminum or aluminum alloy. For this reason, before the aluminum film is grown as a continuous film, it grows in an island-like fashion, as shown in FIG. 1, at the initial process of a film forming step for the aluminum film. At this time, the surface of the island-like aluminum film 57 forms (111) surface which is most stable in respect of energy. Between the surface of the insulating film 4 as the under-layer and the (111) surface of crystals in the island-like aluminum film 57, there exists an inclination angle determined by the wetting angle, or the contact angle between the aluminum film and the under-layer. For example, an inclination angle of several degrees is obtained if the silicon oxide film is used as the under-layer for the aluminum film. After the aluminum film has been grown as the continuous film with the progress of the aluminum film formation, the surface of the insulating film 4 and the surface of the aluminum film become parallel. However, since relationship between the surface of the insulating film 4 and the (111) surface of the aluminum film is held at the initial state of the aluminum film formation, the surface of the aluminum film and the (111) surface takes an inclination angle of several degrees. In such an aluminum film, when crystal orientation parallel to the surface is measured by X-ray diffraction, intensity for the (111) orientation is weak and electromigration endurance is low. This finding has been widely known in the report proposed by Toyoda et at., for example.
As an example of such aluminum film, aluminum (111) reflection rocking curve measured by X-ray diffraction is shown in FIG. 2 when the 50 nm thick silicon thermal oxide film is formed on the silicon substrate, and the 2 .mu.m thick Al-1% Si film are formed by DC magnetron sputtering. It can be found from the rocking curve that (111) surface of the crystals in the aluminum film is inclined relative to the surface of the aluminum film by an average of 4.5 degrees and that the FWHM of the peak of (111) reflection rocking curve is as wide as about 6.7 degrees so that crystallographic quality of the aluminum film is not always good.
As the approach to improve the degree of (111) orientation of the aluminum film, there are three known approaches, i.e., (a) The aluminum film is epitaxially grown on the titanium nitride (TiN) film which has a lattice constant close to that of the aluminum film, (b) The non-crystalline film (or the amorphous film) is used as the under-layer, and (c) The metal film which is highly reactive to Al is used as the under-layer.
These three approaches will be explained hereinbelow.
(a) It has been known in the report by Kageyama et al. to have the aluminum film epitaxially grown on the titanium nitride (TiN) film which has a lattice constant close to that of the aluminum film (first approach). This approach is intended to improve the degree of (111) orientation of the aluminum film by epitaxially growing the aluminum film on the titanium nitride (TiN) film which has (111) preferred orientation like the aluminum film and has a lattice constant (0.4239 nm) close to that (0.4049 nm) of the aluminum film.
However, the following problems reside in this first approach. First, in this approach wherein the aluminum film is epitaxially grown on the titanium nitride (TiN) film which has a lattice constant close to that of the aluminum film, there is a problem that mismatching between the lattice constant (0.4239 nm) of the titanium nitride film and the lattice constant (0.4049 nm) of the aluminum film is as large as about 4.5%. Although the film can as a rule be epitaxially grown so far as lattice mismatching between the under-layer and the film to be formed is within about 5%, the crystallographic quality and the degree of orientation of the film to be formed is degraded with increase of the lattice mismatching. Therefore, it can be concluded that to use the titanium nitride (TiN) film is not always sufficient from a view point of improving the degree of orientation of the aluminum film by virtue of epitaxial growth.
(b) Next, it has been known in the report by Toyoda et al. to use the amorphous film as the under-layer (second approach). This second approach intends to improve the degree of (111) orientation of the aluminum film by changing the growth mechanism of the aluminum film from island-like growth into layer-like growth by means of increasing surface energy of the under-layer at initial stage of the aluminum film formation.
However, a problem existing in the second approach is that it is difficult to form non-crystalline film without degrading "the degrade step coverage" of the aluminum film. More particularly, there has been known to use precipitation method, quenching method, condensation method, and others as the method of forming the non-crystalline film (amorphous film). In any method, substrate temperature must be set lower than crystallization temperature of the amorphous material during forming the amorphous under-layer film and during forming the aluminum film. This finding has been known in the article by Kinbara et al., i.e., "Generation of Amorphous Thin Film by Evaporation" Applied Physics, Vol.45, No 12, pp.1165-1171, 1976!. In general, crystallization temperature of the metal is lower than that of oxide, etc. For example, for Cr metal it is 220.degree. K. (absolute temperature), and Sn--Cu alloy has about 60.degree. K. For this reason, since the substrate has to be cooled to form the non-crystalline film water or a cooling equipment, cooling apparatus with the use of liquid nitrogen or liquid helium must be equipped. Upon forming the aluminum film on the non-crystalline film, the aluminum film must be formed at the low temperature so as not to crystallize the amorphous film. Therefore, raising the temperature of the substrate with a view to improve step coverage in the recessed portions is limited. In general, although methods of forming the film in vacuum or under low pressure such as vacuum sputtering or evaporation may be used as the method of forming the aluminum film for use in interconnection of the semiconductor device, raising the temperature of the substrate is limited with a view to improve the quality of vacuum if the non-crystalline film is used as the under-film. The second approach is not preferable in this respect.
(c) It has been proposed in Patent Application Publication (KOKAI) 5-90268 to use the metal film which is highly reactive to Al as the under-layer (third approach). This third approach can be enabled since flat growth is advantageous with respect to energy in contrast to aluminum grown at the initial stage is grown in an island-like fashion by combining with each other if the metal film which is highly reactive to Al is located in the under-layer. The aluminum film to be grown flat is formed as a uniaxial orientation film in which (111) surfaces having smallest surface energy of Al are orientated.
However, in the third approach, there is an upper limit in a thickness of the under-metal. In other words, it has been known that rugged surface appears on the under-metal film and therefore the degree of (111) orientation of the Al film formed on the under-metal film is degraded when a thickness of the under-metal film exceeds 50 nm. Such an upper limit in a thickness of the under-metal causes insufficient barrier in the contact hole if the under-metal film is used as the barrier metal between Al and silicon. In the semiconductor device in which contact holes having high aspect ratio are formed, if the upper limit in the thickness of the under-metal film on the flat portion, it is hard to form the under-metal film having a sufficient thickness on the bottom portions and side wall portions of the contact holes. In some cases, uncontinuous under-metal film is formed. Such noncontinuous under-metal film and such under-metal film having an insufficient thickness on the bottom portions and side wall portions of the contact holes is not preferable since they would cause reduction in barrier characteristic or island-like growth of aluminum at the initial stage of growth process of the aluminum film.

Semiconductor device having aluminum interconnection and method of manufacturing the same


A data and clock recovery system adapted for use with RZ data. In one embodiment a phase detector provides phase information for low to high data signal transitions only. In another embodiment a clock recovered from rising transitions is mixed with a clock recovered from falling transitions to form a recovered clock signal.

The present invention relates generally to clock recovery circuits and methods and in particular to systems and methods performing clock recovery for return-to-zero (RZ) serial data stream.
Modern communication systems transfer tremendous amounts of data at ever increasing rates. Various transmission schemes and encoding of data are utilized to assist in the transfer. One particular type of encoding scheme for digital data transmission is a return-to-zero (RZ) data stream. A RZ data stream transmits digital data in which a logical one and a logical zero are determined based on voltage pulses having certain or specific characteristics. In particular, a logical one or zero is determined by the voltage during a first half of each bit. The signal returns to a resting state, typically zero volts, during the subsequent or remaining half of the bit. Additionally, there are two types of RZ data, a positive logic RZ data and negative logic RZ data.
In positive-logic RZ data, a logical zero is represented by a voltage that is more negative or less positive then the voltage that represents a logical one. Conversely, in negative-logic RZ data, a logical zero is represented by a voltage that is more positive or less negative then the voltage that represents a logical one.
Another type of encoding scheme for digital data transmission is a non-return-to-zero (NRZ) data in which a logical one and zero are determined by specific and constant direct-current (DC) voltages. Similar to RZ data, NRZ data has two forms, a positive-logic NRZ data and a negative-logic NRZ data. In positive-logic NRZ data, a logical zero is represented by a voltage that is more negative or less positive then the voltage that represents a logical one. Likewise, in negative-logic NRZ data, the logical zero is represented by a voltage that is more positive or less negative then the voltage that represents a logical one.
Typically, the data stream transmitted in either form, as RZ or NRZ data, is transferred optically and then converted to electrical signals. Subsequently, clock and data information are retrieved from the converted electrical signals. However, optimizing the retrieval of clock and data information from the converted electrical signals is sometimes difficult.


Provided herein are sensors and methods for determining properties of single cells, such as cell mass. Sensors disclosed herein include resonant sensors having a suspended platform designed to exhibit a uniform vibration amplitude. Methods are also disclosed for measuring changes in cell mass, changes in cell number, changes in cell viscosity and changes in cell elasticity.

This invention is in the field of microfabricated devices. This invention relates generally to the use of microfabricated resonant sensors for measuring cell properties.
The direct dependence of growth rate on cell mass for individual adherent human cells is not understood. Cells undergo multiplication and differentiation within multi-cellular organisms. Understanding how these events are orchestrated by individual cells and cell populations has been of great interest for nearly 50 years. Direct measurements of changes in mammalian cell mass versus growth rate have been among this quest. Such measurements have the potential of elucidating the intrinsic mechanism for coordination between cell cycle and cell growth, and determining whether the growth rate is proportional to the cell size or whether the growth rate is constant over cell size and cell cycle. The linear growth model is based on the assumption that the rate of biosynthesis is limited by the 'gene dosage' or the amount of DNA that can initiate the transcription process. On the other hand, the exponential growth model is based on the assumption that the increase of cell mass depends on the amount of ribosomal machinery and cytoplasm. Therefore, as a cell grows larger (or heavier), it has a greater capacity to produce more mass and increase the growth rate. Theoretically, the linear growth can maintain cell size-homeostasis without a size-dependent mechanism, whereas the exponential growth requires a size-dependent mechanism for size-homeostasis.
Recently, great strides have been made towards this goal by interferometric measurements of dry cell mass, population measurements of buoyant mass (analogous to dry cell mass) of suspended cells, and volume measurements of gently synchronized sub-populations of suspended mammalian cells. However, the long-term dependence of growth rate versus mass for individual adherent mammalian cells is unknown. While cell volume can be measured through optical methods, determining cell mass is more complicated based on irregularities of cell shape. Because density and volume can have a disproportionate variance with cell mass and cell-type, determining the true mass of a cell can be influenced by these variations. Irrespective of the cell property being reported (dry mass, buoyant mass, etc.), the methods used to obtain these measures report on a fraction of the whole cells true mass.
MEMS-based resonant mass sensors have been extensively studied as biological and chemical sensors. These sensors measure a shift in the resonance frequency of the structure before and after the target attachment, where the shift can be used to calculate the mass of the target entity. Most of these sensors have utilized a miniaturized cantilever beam structure. The cantilever beam structure is useful for extreme miniaturization due to its simple geometry, and therefore higher mass sensitivity can be achieved. However, as is commonly known, these cantilever beam resonant mass sensors have a spatially non-uniform mass sensitivity. The mass sensitivity is at its maximum when the added mass is placed at the free end of the cantilever and the sensitivity decreases to zero as the added mass gets to the fixed end of the cantilever. If the target entities are much smaller than the sensor and a large number of the target entities are to be attached, then one can assume a uniform mass distribution and use an average mass sensitivity, which can be easily obtained with an analytical solution. However, if only a few or a single target entity is to be attached to the sensor, one cannot assume the uniform distribution of the target mass and one needs to adjust the extracted mass with the mass distribution from optical images of cantilevers, or limit the attachment site to the end of the cantilever. However, these approaches reduce the actual mass sensitivity and make the mass sensor less practical to use.

The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois


Systems and methods to cancel noise in a vehicle are disclosed. A first speaker is positioned forward of a steering wheel of a vehicle. The first speaker generates a first signal configured to acoustically cancel noise produced by operation of the vehicle. A second speaker is positioned forward of the steering wheel. The second speaker generates a second signal to acoustically cancel the noise produced by the operation of the vehicle. The first and the second speakers are capable of generating the first and the second signals independently of one another.

Automotive vehicles are designed for efficiency and high performance. The engines and transmissions that provide acceleration and handling can generate undesirable sounds that diminish the driving experience. For example, an engine can produce a high frequency noise that cannot be easily quieted by traditional noise countermeasures. The high frequency noise tones vary with the revolutions per minute (rpm) of the engine and affect passengers differently depending upon their chair positions, height, and posture within the vehicle.

Forward speaker noise cancellation in a vehicle


A rear diffuser on the underbody of a motor vehicle having an air duct which extends at the rear of the motor vehicle counter to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle toward the rear end of the motor vehicle. The air duct has at least one upper wall, which delimits the air duct in the upward direction. The upper wall has a first region, which is coupled in a nonadjustable manner to the motor vehicle and/or to the underbody. The upper wall has a second region, which can be moved relative to the motor vehicle and/or to the underbody. The second region is coupled in a movable manner to the first region by at least one hinge-type region.

Motor vehicles have an underbody which is typically indented and makes a not inconsiderable contribution to drag. There are also known rear diffusers which are formed at the rear of the motor vehicle and form an air duct whose cross section widens upward counter to the direction of travel of the motor vehicle, that is to say toward the rear of the motor vehicle, in order to assign more cross-sectional area to the air flow through the air duct, reducing the air velocity in the air duct and thus generating a vacuum in the region of the underbody with respect to the roadway, which means an increased downforce on the motor vehicle. Rear diffusers of this type are now frequently encountered in motor vehicles for racing because higher cornering speeds can thereby be achieved with a higher downforce. However, such a rear diffuser also always entails increased drag, which can also be disadvantageous at high driving speeds, e.g. on a straight section of the race track. The design of the rear diffuser in a motor vehicle for racing therefore also depends on the profile of the race track on which the motor vehicle is to be moved, in particular on the proportion of bends on the overall race track compared with the proportion of regions which can be driven at high speed or at maximum speed.
In motor vehicles for everyday use, a known rear diffuser is designed to be nonadjustable and is used mostly to provide downforce for the motor vehicle and is also evaluated according to optical standards. Thus, it is found that, although the rear diffuser on a motor vehicle for everyday use makes a contribution to the downforce, it also increases drag, especially if the increased downforce is not required or desired, which also has a negative effect on fuel consumption.
DE 10 2013 105 842 A1, which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a foldable rear diffuser with which it is found that, as a result of the folding operation by means of a hinge, the air flow does not follow the angled folding surface well, and therefore the effect on the reduction in drag is only slight.


Formed articles having improved surface properties, such as wettability, printability, adhesion, antistaticity and clouding resistance, consisting of a polymeric finished article or semi-finished article coated on at least a surface with a polyhydroxethylacrylate layer, preferably prepared by means of plasma polymerization.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to formed articles such as manufactured articles , semi-finished articles (films, sheets, plates, etc.) made of a polymeric material and characterized by improved surface properties in the whole, and to the process for preparing them.
2. Discussion of the Background
The obtained products are broadly utilized in the packing field as they permit to obtain polymeric materials which can be printed without applicating primers and are endowed with a good adhesion along with antistatic electric characteristics as well as with good wettability, printability and clouding resistance (absence of condensate) properties.
In particular, the products obtained according to the present invention can be utilized with particular advantages in the production of sheets for greenhouses for optical components, antistatic containers for electronic components, and the like.
It is known that several technological applicative properties relating to polymers depend on their surface characteristics, more specifically on their hydrophilicity, by which other characteristics such as printability, adhesion, anti-staticity, etc. are conditioned. These are heterogeneous characteristics which raise serious technological problems as regards their simultaneous obtainment in a single finished or semi-finished article. Generally, depending on the final applicative purpose and, therefore, depending on the prevailing characteristics which are to be imparted to the article, particular technological solutions are adopted. By consequence, the resulting products hardly exhibit on the whole all the characteristics, which theoretically the article should exhibit for the particular use it is intended for, but generally they are lacking of one or the other above-cited properties such as, in particular, wettability, printability, adhesion, antistaticity, clouding resistance.
Several methods for individually improving the above-said properties are known in the art. These methods can be divided into chemical or physical surface treatments and additioning treatments.
The former can mainly consist in the chemical attack of the surface by solutions which, depending on the polymer type, can be acid, basic and/or oxidizing. However, this type of treatment involves the use of etching liquids, which are potentially dangerous and/or toxic for the work environment; furthermore it is necessary to dispose of said liquids when the use thereof is no longer required.
To the surface treatments belong also the chemical graftings, as are described for example in U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,694. In this case the drawbacks are the slow procedure and the use of chemical compounds, which are potentially dangerous, toxic for the work environment and difficult to be disposed of.
Another chemical surface treatment, which is utilized in order to obtain a better paintability, consists in applying a primer. This is a substance which gives rise to an intermediate layer between polymer and paint (or adhesive), which enhances the interaction thereof. The main drawback is represented by the necessity of applicating a very thin layer having a prefixed thickness; furthermore, the use of toxic solvents is often required.
Among the physical surface treatments, the most frequently described methods are flashing, corona discharge and the treatment with low pressure plasma. In the first two cases the drawbacks are mainly connected with the difficulty to obtain a uniform treatment on articles having a complex shape; as regards the treatments with corona discharge and with low pressure plasma, a low efficiency and a rapid decay of the effect in the long run are observed.
The other type of procedure for obtaining the hydrophilization of the polymeric surfaces consists in adding the polymer with proper polar chemical compounds tending to migrate to the surface. The drawbacks reside in the difficulty to dose the additive. A wrong dose or a non-homogeneous distribution can result in a lack of efficiency of the additive or in a loss of efficiency in the long run. Furthermore, toxicity problems can arise in the work environment, which are connected with the generation of fumes during the extrusion and molding of the added polymer.
Moreover it must be pointed out that the above-described methods are typically partial, i.e. they are capable of solving only some of the problems depending on the low surface tension (wettability) of the polymers Typically, the flashing, corona discharge and plasma treatments can be utilized to improve the wettability, printability and adhesion, but they are substantially ineffective as regards an improvement in the antistaticity and clouding resistance conversely, the adding can be utilized to improve the antistaticity and clouding resistance, but it is typically ineffective in improving the adhesion and printability.
In conclusion, the prior art--as far as the Applicant knows at present--seems not to be capable of providing a method for the production of articles endowed with a sufficiently wide range of satisfactory characteristics and therefore suited to be directly utilized in a broad field of uses.

Formed articles made of polymeric material and having improved surface characteristics and process for producing them


Prosthetic valves for implantation in a body vessel are provided. Prosthetic valves according to the invention comprise first and second frame members and a graft member at least partially disposed between the first and second frame members. The graft member forms a valve that permits fluid flow through the body vessel in a first direction and substantially prevents fluid flow through the body vessel in a second, opposite direction.

Many vessels in animals transport fluids from one bodily location to another. Frequently, fluid flows in a unidirectional manner long the length of the vessel. Varying fluid pressures over time, however, can introduce a temporary reverse flow direction in the vessel. In some vessels, such as mammalian veins, natural valves are positioned along the length of the vessel and act as one-way check valves that open to permit the flow of fluid in the desired direction, and quickly close upon a change in pressure, such as a transition from systole to diastole, to prevent fluid flow in a reverse direction, i.e., retrograde flow.
While natural valves may function for an extended time, some may lose effectiveness, which can lead to physical manifestations and pathology. For example, venous valves are susceptible to becoming insufficient due to one or more of a variety of factors. Over time, the vessel wall may stretch, affecting the ability of the leaflets to close. Furthermore, the natural valve leaflets may become damaged, such as by formation of thrombus and scar tissue, which may also affect the ability of the valve leaflets to close. Once a valve is damaged, venous valve insufficiency may be present, and can lead to discomfort and possibly ulcers in the legs and ankles.
Current treatments for venous valve insufficiency include the use of compression stockings that are placed around the leg of a patient. Surgical techniques are also employed in which valves can be bypassed, removed, or replaced with autologous sections of veins that include competent valves.
Minimally invasive techniques and instruments for placement of intralumenal medical devices have developed over recent years. A wide variety of treatment devices that utilize minimally invasive technology has been developed and includes stents, stent grafts, occlusion devices, infusion catheters and the like. Minimally invasive intravascular devices have especially become popular with the introduction of coronary stents in the U.S. market in the early 1990's. Coronary and peripheral stents have been proven to provide a superior means of maintaining vessel patency, and have become widely accepted in the medical community. Furthermore, the use of stents has been extended to treat aneurisms and to provide occlusion devices, among other uses.
Recently, prosthetic valves have been developed that include a support frame such as a stent. In these devices, a graft member can be attached to the support frame to provide a valve function to the device. For example, the graft member can be in the form of a leaflet that is attached to a stent and movable between first and second positions. In a first position, the valve is open and allows fluid flow to proceed through a vessel in a first direction, and in a second position the valve is closed to prevent fluid flow in a second, opposite direction. An example of this type of prosthetic valve is described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,833, to Pavcnik for a MULTIPLE-SIDED INTRALUMINAL MEDICAL DEVICE, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. In other examples of prosthetic valves, a tube that terminates in leaflets is attached to a support frame to form a valve. The leaflets open to permit fluid flow in a first direction and close to prevent fluid flow in a second, opposite direction. An example of this configuration is provided in U.S. Pat. No. 6,494,909 to Greenhalgh for AN ENDOVASCULAR VALVE, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Prosthetic valve for implantation in a body vessel


An actuator 100 of the type employing a two-degree-of-freedom vibration system includes: a pair of first mass portions 1, 11; a second mass portion 2 provided between the pair of first mass portions 1, 11; a pair of supporting portions 3, 3 for supporting the pair of first mass portions 1, 11 and the second mass portion 2; at least a pair of first elastic connecting portions 4, 4 which respectively connect the first mass portions 1, 11 to the supporting portions 3, 3 so that each of the first mass portions 1, 11 can rotate with respect to the supporting portions 3, 3; and at least a pair of second elastic connecting portions 5, 5 which respectively connect the second mass portion 2 to the first mass portions 1, 11 so that the second mass portion 2 can rotate with respect to the first mass portions 1, 11. Each of the first mass portions 1, 11 is driven by the application of an alternating voltage, causing the second mass portion 2 to rotate.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an actuator, and in particular relates to an actuator of the type employing a two-degree-of-freedom vibration system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There is known a polygon mirror (rotary polyhedron) as an actuator provided in laser printers, for example. In such a printer, in order to achieve higher-resolution and higher-quality printed output as well as higher-speed printing, it is necessary to rotate the polygon mirror at higher speed. Currently, an air bearing is used to rotate the polygon mirror at high speed with stability. However, there is a problem in that it is difficult to rotate the polygon mirror at much higher speed than the speed available at the present. Further, although a larger motor is required in order to rotate the polygon mirror at higher speed, use of such a larger motor arises a problem in that it is difficult to miniaturize the size of an apparatus in which the polygon mirror is used. Furthermore, use of such a polygon mirror arises another problem in that the structure of the apparatus becomes necessarily complicated, thus leading to increased manufacturing cost.
On the other hand, a single-degree-of-freedom torsional vibrator as shown in FIG. 10 has been proposed since the early stages of research in the field of actuators. Since this vibrator uses flat electrodes which are arranged in parallel with each other, it can have quite simple structure (see K. E. Petersen: "Silicon Torsional Scanning Mirror", IBM J. Res. Develop., Vol. 24 (1980), P. 631, for example). Further, a single-degree-of-freedom electrostatic drive type vibrator obtained by modifying the torsional vibrator described above so as to have a cantilever structure has also been proposed (see Kawamura et al.: "Research in micromechanics using Si", Proceedings of the Japan Society for Precision Engineering Autumn Conference (1986), P. 753, for example).
FIG. 10 shows such a single-degree-of-freedom electrostatic drive type torsional vibrator. In the torsional vibrator in FIG. 10, a movable electrode plate 300 made of monocrystalline silicon is fixed at end fixing portions 300a thereof to the both ends of a glass substrate 1000 through spacers 200. The movable electrode plate 300 includes a movable electrode portion 300c which is supported by the end fixing portions 300a through narrow torsion bars 300b. Further, a fixed electrode 400 is provided on the glass substrate 1000 so as to be opposed to the movable electrode portion 300c through a predetermined electrode interval. Specifically, the fixed electrode 400 is arranged in parallel with the movable electrode portion 300c through the electrode interval therebetween. The fixed electrode 400 is connected to the movable electrode plate 300 via a switch 600 and a power source 500.
In the torsional vibrator having the structure described above, when a voltage is applied across the movable electrode portion 300c and the fixed electrode 400, the movable electrode portion 300c rotates around the axis of the torsion bars 300b due to electrostatic attraction. Since electrostatic attraction is inversely proportional to the square of an electrode interval, it is preferable for this type of electrostatic actuator to have a small electrode interval between the movable electrode portion 300c and the fixed electrode 400. However, in such a single-degree-of-freedom torsional vibrator described above, the movable electrode portion 300c which serves as a movable portion is also provided with the electrode. Therefore, if the electrode interval becomes too small, a movable range (rotation angle) of the movable electrode portion 300c is necessarily limited. On the other hand, in order to enlarge the movable range of the movable electrode portion 300c, it is necessary to widen the electrode interval and this in turn needs a large driving voltage. Namely, such a single-degree-of-freedom torsional vibrator described above involves a problem in that it is difficult to achieve both of low-voltage driving and large displacement.


A microwave generator (11) has a parallel connection of series connections of uncontrolled discharge spark gaps (13) and charge storage means (12) which are charged up by way of charging resistors (17) and an inductor (19) common to all parallel connections, from a high voltage generator (26), until the respective spark gaps (13) short-circuit by way of arcs and the storage means (12) are discharged again by way of the inductor (19). The oscillating short-circuit currents which thus occur in stochastic steep-edged manner and which are superimposed on each other in the inductor (19) are emitted by way of an antenna (21) connected in single-pole manner thereto in the form of a high-energy microwave spectrum which is wide-band in accordance with the arc switching speed, with a spectral key point which is determined by the inductor (19). Such an operative system which can be used as a non-lethal interference or jamming device in relation to communication connections and in relation to the function of electronic circuits can be embodied in the size of a manually portable case or also in the form of a payload for a submunition projectile, a rocket or a drone and can thus be used over a wide operative range.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention concerns a microwave generator 1 which includes a charge storage means and an untriggered discharge spark gap which is connected in series therewith.
The invention concerns a microwave generator as set forth in the classifying portion of claim 1.
The function of such a generator is based on the fact that a high voltage storage means, for example an array of capacitors which is first charged up in parallel in accordance with the principle of the Marx impulse voltage source and then connected in series by way of switching spark gaps, is discharged by way of a short circuit spark gap. The resulting steep edge of strongly oscillating discharge currents contains a mixture of very high frequencies, which is emitted in the form of microwave energy by way of the line guide or by way of a separately connected antenna. That wide-band microwave spectrum involves such a high energy density that, in the area around such a microwave generator, radio communication is at least impaired and input circuits of electronic circuit arrangements can be damaged or even destroyed, by virtue of resonance effects.
2. Discussion of the Prior Art
It is known for example from U.S. Pat. No. 4,845,378 A to switch over arrays of capacitors by way of spark gap switches of the above-mentioned kind, in that case for generating an electromagnetic pulse for the simulation of a really triggered nuclear pulse.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,760,311 A provides that a steep-edge voltage pulse can be influenced by electron beams. DE 35 28 338 C1 describes fast explosive-operated magnetic field compression for current amplification for a magnetic field effective as a non-lethal weapon. A comparable technology is used in U.S. Pat. No. 5,835,545 A for a compact intensive radiation source.
Because of the possibility of affecting radio connections the effect of intensive microwave emission as a non-lethal weapon is propagated against enemy communication systems, see DER SPIEGEL, Issue July 1997, pages 53 if, there the end of paragraph 3 of the left-hand column on page 54.


In a path-based distributed restoration algorithm provisioned telecommunications network, the origin and destination nodes of a failed path are apprised of the portions of the path that remain intact by xe2x80x9creusexe2x80x9d messages that are sent from the custodial nodes that are adjacent to the failure. As each reuse message reaches an intermediate node, the node ID of the intermediate node is appended to a field of the message so that, as the reuse messages are propagated along the intact portions of the failed path, a cumulative list of nodes that are encountered by the messages passing from the custodial nodes to the origin and destination nodes is set forth. Thus, the origin/destination node, when in receipt of a reuse message, can read from the field that has the cumulative list of nodes a description of the intact portions remaining from the original path. These intact portions are preferably used only for restoring of the same path that included the portions prior to failure and are not available for restoring any other paths that happened to fail simultaneously.

This invention relates to telecommunications network and more particularly to a messaging method therefor by which the origin and destination nodes of a failed path can receive information on which spans or links remain usable in the failed path.
A telecommunications network comprises a plurality of nodes connected together by spans and links. These spans and links are for the most part fiber optical cables. A path is defined in the network as the connection between the two end nodes by which information or traffic can traverse. One of these end nodes is defined as an origin node while the other is the destination node. There could be a number of paths that connect the origin node to the destination node. And if one of those paths that carries the traffic is disrupted, another path can be used as an alternate for rerouting the traffic. Thus, for such path based approach for restoring disrupted traffic in a telecommunications network that is provisioned with a distributed restoration algorithm (DRA), the origin and destination nodes are taken into consideration.
In a telecommunications network, it is likely that when a fault occurs, only a single link or span along a path is affected. Such catastrophic event may be due to, for example, a cable cut. The remainder of the path through the network on either side of the failure may therefore remain intact and could be used for circumventing the failed portion. Yet a path-based DRA provisioned network nonetheless may disregard the, intact portions and seek a completely different alternate route for restoring the traffic. This can be a problem because indiscriminate selection of a candidate path to restore one failed path can preclude the restoration of other simultaneously, or subsequently failed paths, as damage to a single span in a network can cause the failure of many paths that may happen to pass through the same span. Therefore, a DRA provisioned network must take into account all such end-to-end paths that need to be restored in order to ensure the highest possible degree of restoration following a failure.
There is therefore a need for an improved DRA provisioned path-based restoration scheme that allows the intact portions of a failed path to be ascertained and made available for forming alternate restoration paths, to thereby improve the efficiency and the completeness of the restoration.
To enable the DRA provisioned network to utilize the intact portions of a failed path, the present invention messaging technique provides information to both the origin and destination nodes of a failed path on which spans or links remain intact leading up to the point of failure.
To achieve this end, the failure is first detected by the adjacent custodial nodes bracketing the fault. Each of these custodial nodes adjacent to the failure then would initiate the propagation of a xe2x80x9creusexe2x80x9d message to either the origin node or the destination node. This reuse message has a variable length route information field and an identifier identifying it as a reuse message. As the reuse message is propagated from node to node back to the origin or destination node, each node through which the reuse message passes would append its own unique node identification (ID) to the route information field. Thus, when an origin or destination node receives the reuse message, it can read from the route information field of the reuse message a description of the intact portion of the path.
By allowing the restoration logic to take into account the intact portions of the original paths, better restoration decisions making use of the intact portions of the path can take place. In a preferred embodiment, such restoration logic is only permitted to apply the intact portions to the restoration of the failed path that originally included the portions. In other words, such intact portions are restricted for use in restoring the failed path. Such restriction considerably simplifies the restoration process and avoids the possibility of unforeseen problems.
It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a method of communicating the description of the intact portions of a failed path to the origin and destination nodes of a failed path.
It is yet another objective of the present invention to provide a method of determining the portions of a failed path that remain usable for carrying traffic.
It is moreover an objective of the present invention to provide a method for identifying the reusable links or spans that connect nodes of a failed path so that these links or spans can be used by an alternate path for restoring the disrupted traffic.

System and method for restricted reuse of intact portions of failed paths


There is disclosed a system and method of making an electronic payment from a wireless mobile device. In an embodiment, the method comprises: providing an electronic wallet, the electronic wallet having a persistent store for storing data for one or more payment cards and a wallet security module configured to verify authorized access to the electronic wallet; and permitting access to the data for one or more payment cards stored in the electronic wallet upon verification of authorized access by the wallet security module. In an embodiment, the wallet security module is configured to store one or more of a password and biometric data, and the method further comprises: comparing any subsequently input password or biometric data to a password or biometric data previously supplied by the authorized user and stored in the wallet security module; and if the comparison matches or is within an acceptable range, then permitting access to the data for one or more payment cards stored in the electronic wallet.

Currently, there are a number of ways in which online transactions may be made via a wireless mobile device. For example, using an Internet browser, a user of the wireless mobile device may browse an online store, and the store may allow the user to create a name/password and to save the credit card information at the online store for future purchases. As another example, a device-based catalogue application (such as Handango's InHand™ client or 30 Second Software's Digby™ client) may allow the user to store credit card information within the catalogue application, and control user access by using an access password for the catalogue application. As a further example, form-filler functionality may be provided on the wireless mobile device with credit card support (e.g. Windows Live™ Toolbar includes credit card form filling options with a password protection).

System and method for making electronic payments from a wireless mobile device


A current-mode analog-to-digital converter based on a current copier circuit with a constant bias current that is independent of the input signals. A second-order incremental .SIGMA.-.DELTA. conversion configuration is implemented. An array of such analog-to-digital converters can be integrated onto the focal plane of an imaging sensor array to achieve column-wise parallel analog-to-digital conversion.

Analog-to-digital conversion is widely used in electronic systems. Some conventional electronic systems package an analog-to-digital converters (ADC) on a separate integrated circuit. To reduce the size, power consumption, and manufacturing and design cost, it is often desirable to integrate ADCs and other functional circuits on a single circuit chip. Such integration also improves the system reliability, noise resistance and chip-to-chip interfacing.
One application for the integrated ADC technology is in the field of semiconductor imaging devices. A typical semiconductor imager includes an array of photo sensors and processing circuits. An optical image captured by the imager is first converted into analog electrical signals and then processed by the processing circuits in either analog mode or digital mode. A digital image sensor senses an optical image and outputs a digital representation of the image. Many applications requires digital image sensors for digital image manipulation, digital data storage and transmission. Therefore, analog-to-digital converters are needed in the signal train of a digital image sensor.
In addition to considerations of circuit size, power consumption, and cost, integrating ADCs with a sensing array of a digital image sensor allows the analog signals to be converted into the digital format at an early stage in the signal chain and thus significantly improves the noise performance. This is in part because an early analog-to-digital conversion reduces signal degradation due to noise and nonlinearities in analog transmission and processing.

On-focal-plane analog-to-digital conversion for current-mode imaging devices


A monotube shock absorber which is capable of high compression damping forces while operating at low pressure for reduced friction is disclosed. The monotube shock absorber includes a pressure tube, a piston assembly, a piston rod, a fixed valve assembly and a floating piston. A variety of methods for securing the fixed valve assembly to the pressure tube are disclosed including use of single piece pressure tubes and pressure tube assemblies. In addition, a method for assembling the monotube shock absorber including an oil filling technique is described.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Shock absorbers are used in conjunction with automotive suspension systems and other suspension systems to absorb unwanted vibrations which occur during movement of the suspension system. In order to absorb these unwanted vibrations, automotive shock absorbers are generally connected between the sprung (body) and the unsprung (suspension/chassis) masses of the automobile.
The most common type of shock absorbers for automobiles are the dashpot type in which a piston is located within a pressure tube and is connected to the sprung mass of the vehicle through a piston rod. The piston divides the pressure tube into an upper working chamber and a lower working chamber. Because the piston, through valving, has the ability to limit the flow of damping fluid between the upper and lower working chambers within the pressure tube when the shock absorber is compressed or extended, the shock absorber is able to produce a damping force which counteracts the vibrations which would otherwise be transmitted from the unsprung mass to the sprung mass. In a dual tube shock absorber, a fluid reservoir is defined between the pressure tube and a reserve tube which is positioned around the pressure tube. A base valve is located between the lower working chamber and the fluid reservoir to also produce a damping force which counteracts the vibration which would otherwise be transmitted from the unsprung portion to the sprung portion of the automobile during stroking of the shock absorber.
A conventional monotube shock absorber typically includes highly pressurized hydraulic fluid because its ability to dampen vibrations is limited by the initial static pressure of the hydraulic fluid. Having to maintain a high initial static pressure is undesirable for a number of reasons. A monotube shock absorber configured to operate at a lower pressure, thus reducing friction at the seals, would therefore be desirable. A monotube shock absorber that does not experience excessive noise caused by cavitation would also be desirable. Furthermore, methods and devices for securing a fixed valve assembly within a tube of a monotube shock absorber would be desirable.

Low pressure high compression damping monotube shock absorber

Tenneco Operating Automotive Company Inc.


In one embodiment, a computer system performs a method for verifying the validity or invalidity of a software routine by learning appropriate invariants at each program point. A computer system chooses an abstract domain that is sufficiently precise to express the appropriate invariants. The computer system associates an inconsistency measure with any two abstract elements of the abstract domain. The computer system searches for a set of local invariants configured to optimize a total inconsistency measure which includes a sum of local inconsistency measures. The computer system optimizes the total inconsistency measure for all input/output pairs of the software routine. In one embodiment, the optimization of total inconsistency is achieved by the computer system which repeatedly replaces a locally inconsistent invariant with a new invariant, randomly selected among the possible invariants which are locally less inconsistent with the current invariants at the neighboring program points.

Throughout the world, computers and embedded computing devices have been incorporated into nearly every facet of daily life. Computers process instructions by interpreting and executing software source code. Source code is typically written by software developers using one or more programming and/or scripting languages. Source code is often lengthy and complex, involving numerous functions and routines. Debugging source code can often be a tedious job for software developers.
In order to make the debugging process easier for software developers, source code is typically written within an integrated development environment (IDE). IDE's are software programs that have many features which are aimed to prevent developers from making mistakes while writing the source code (e.g. code coloring, syntax prompting, etc.). IDE's also provide a means for identifying bugs that the developer may have overlooked and are still present in the code during the time of compilation. However, finding syntactical bugs in the source code is only a small part of debugging software. Functional, or semantic, problems are much more difficult to troubleshoot and solve. Current IDE's have no mechanism for resolving semantic problems within the source code.
Furthermore, in many cases, developers may be uncertain as to the validity as of a certain software function or routine. For example, a developer may have a known input and expected output and may want to know whether a given function or routine will produce the expected output based on the known input. Techniques for validating software typically require the knowledge or learning of invariants at different program points. Invariants are facts about the program that hold at the corresponding program points under all program executions. If the invariant holds true at the program point (i.e. the routine at the program point would allow a first state from the set of states to arrive at the second state), the routine is valid at that program point.
The field of machine learning is broadly concerned with developing algorithms and techniques that allow computers to learn. One way computers can "learn" is by analyzing massive amounts of data and attempting to discover rules or patterns that explain how the data was generated. In a method called "supervised learning", an algorithm can attempt to generate a function that maps inputs to desired outputs. Often, in order to generate such functions, a technique known as probabilistic inference is used. Other forms of machine learning are used to decipher patterns in large quantities of statistical data. To the extent of our knowledge, however, machine learning has not been applied to learning program invariants.

Program verification and discovery using probabilistic inference


The structure of a time-multiplexed physical channel is used to time inter-frequency or inter-system search excursions. A mobile station that receives an instruction to perform a search excursion prepares for the search excursion by detecting the first radio frame of a message frame. Transport format combination indicator bits are extracted from the first radio frame and stored. After the search excursion is performed, the mobile station recalls the stored indicator bits and uses the indicator bits to decode other radio frames of the message frame.

In a code division multiple access (CDMA) system, the vast majority of handoffs happen between cells on the same CDMA channel and use soft handoff procedures. On some occasions, the mobile stations need to perform a handoff between cells on different CDMA channels where such channels are at different radio frequencies (RF), often denoted as inter-frequency hard handoff. On some other occasions, the mobile stations need to perform a handoff from CDMA cells to cells that use a different Radio Access Technology (RAT), often denoted as inter-system or inter-RAT handoff, e.g. a CDMA to analog handover or a handoff between Wideband-CDMA (WCDMA) and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Such situations are typically, but not limited to, either a handoff between different operators, a handoff between different RF channels allocated for capacity reasons, or a handoff between different signal modulation technologies.
Before effecting an inter-frequency or inter-system hard handoff, the mobile station is directed by the base station to tune to the new target frequency, measure the radio environment (e.g., pilot signal strength of the received signals, or RXLEV, RSSI and BSIC for GSM systems, etc.), and report the measurement back to the base station. Such a procedure is specified in TIA/EIA-95-B and in 3GPP TS 25.331v4.1.0 and greatly enhances the probability of success of an inter-frequency or inter-system handoff.
An essential requirement of the measurement on the target frequency, often referred to as "search excursion," is to minimize the disruption of the current service on the originating frequency. The target frequency can be located on the same RAT as the originating frequency, or the target frequency can be located on a different RAT from the originating frequency. Handoffs to a second frequency in the same system or to a frequency in a different system could result in poor signal performance without adequate prior sampling. On the other hand, sampling for long periods of time may cause the signal at the originating frequency to be lost completely. The method described below permits the mobile station to minimize the search time and to limit the disruption of service.

Method and system for performing handoff in wireless communication systems


An exemplary treatment system can be provided which can include a laser system configured to emit at least one laser beam, and an optical system configured to focus the laser beam(s) to a focal region at a selected distance from a surface of a tissue. The focal region can be configured to illuminate at least a portion of a target. The optical system can cause an irradiation energy transferred to the focal region of the laser beam(s) to (i) generate a plasma in a first region of the tissue adjacent to the target, and (ii) avoid a generation of a plasma in a second region of the tissue. The optical system has a numerical aperture that is in the range of about 0.5 to about 0.9. An exemplary method can also be provided to control such treatment system.

Affecting biological tissue with optical (light) energy has gained widespread use over the past few decades. Optical energy is a form of electromagnetic energy. In the electromagnetic spectrum, optical energy can typically range from the infrared regime (longer wavelengths) to the ultraviolet regime (shorter wavelengths). Treatment of biological tissue with optical energy typically involves introducing the optical energy into the tissue.
When optical energy is directed onto or into biological tissue, there are three primary interactions that can occur. First, some portion of the energy may be reflected from the surface of the tissue. Such reflection may be wavelength-dependent, and the traction of reflected energy can be reduced, e.g., by appropriate selection of energy wavelength, reducing variations in refractive index in the optical path (e.g., by using certain waveguide materials, providing a material coatings such as a gel on the tissue surface, etc.), and by selecting an appropriate angle of incidence of the beam on the tissue surface.
Optical energy can also be scattered by components in the tissue, which leads to local changes in direction of a portion of the optical beam energy. In some instances, scattering near the tissue surface can lead to a portion of the optical energy being scattered back out of the tissue surface (remission). If a tissue is relatively thin, some of the optical energy may pass through the tissue and exit it, usually after some scattering has occurred.
The primary mechanism of interest for affecting tissue is absorption. Energy absorbed by tissue components can produce several effects. For example, energy absorption can lead to generation/enhancement of vibrational modes of molecules and local heating effects. Local absorption of high-intensity optical energy (generally over short timeframes) can even produce vaporization (or ablation) of tissue, where local tissue components are broken down and converted to a gaseous state. Such photo ablation can produce rapidly-expanding small vapor bubbles in the tissue, which can generate mechanical (as well as thermal) disruption of nearby tissue, or ejection of tissue fragments from the tissue surface. Optical energy absorption can also lead to electron transitions, where electrons in an atom or molecule can be excited to a higher (quantized) energy state. These absorption mechanisms are linear, in which the absorption is substantially independent of the intensity of the optical energy. The relative extent and efficiency of the absorption processes depend on many factors, including the nature of the absorbing material/component, the wavelength(s) of the optical energy, etc.
The three classes of optical energy sources typically used to affect biological tissue are: 1) low power light sources such as lamps and light-emitting diodes; 2) intense pulsed light (IPL) sources; and 3) lasers. IPL sources, such as flashlamps, generally provide high-intensity pulses of non-collimated light beams having a range or spectrum of electromagnetic energy wavelengths. In contrast, lasers produce intense collimated beams of energy that are composed of one or more discrete wavelengths of coherent (in-phase) light. Lasers are preferred for many types of optical treatments because the effects of the optical energy can be better controlled when tissue is irradiated with a known wavelength of light.
Lasers can provide optical energy as a continuous wave (CW), with a continuous beam of energy, or as a series or sequence of energy pulses. Pulsed lasers can be generated by so-called Q-switching, mode locking, or in some cases by mechanical or electro-optical shuttering. Pulsed lasers are known in the art, and can be constructed to provide many combinations of wavelength, pulse duration, and pulse intervals, as well as different amounts of energy per pulse. Laser beams can also be shaped using various waveguides and/or lenses, etc., to produce energy beams having various beam shapes, widths, and focal characteristics. Accordingly, certain lasers and their operating parameters can be tailored to produce a broad range of effects in biological tissues.
It has been observed that application of light or optical energy of certain wavelengths can be strongly absorbed by chromophores, which are certain molecules or portions thereof that are particularly efficient absorbers of certain wavelengths of light. Chromophores can also govern the apparent color or appearance of certain tissue regions. Chromophores in biological tissue are often located in certain pigmented cells or structures, such as melanosomes or hair follicles. One common chromophore in skin tissue is melanin, which determines the general skin color of people. Hemoglobin in blood is another common biological chromophore. Chromophores in tissue can also be introduced from an external material, such as the light-absorbing nanoparticles of skin tattoos or some topically-applied compounds. Other chromophores that may be present in biological tissue can include, e.g., tattoo inks, sebaceous glands, subcutaneous fat, hair bulbs, lipids in cell membranes, fat surrounding organs, blood vessels, and drug components.
A key concept in affecting biological tissue with optical energy is selective photothermolysis, where characteristics of optical energy used to irradiate biological tissue are selected to provide preferential absorption of such energy by certain chromophores, with relatively little energy being absorbed by other regions of tissue that do not contain the chromophore(s). Selective or preferential absorption of the optical energy by chromophores can lead to local heating of the adjacent tissues, which can lead to thermal damage or necrosis of cells, physical changes in the heated tissue (e.g. coagulation, denaturation of collagen, etc.), and even vaporization of tissue.
Another factor affecting light/tissue interactions is the local thermal relaxation time. For example, in selective photothermolysis, the thermal heating and tissue damage can be localized to chromophore-containing regions if the duration of local irradiation is relatively short compared to the local thermal relaxation time, which is a characteristic time in which a small source of heat will diffuse into the surrounding tissue. In contrast, longer local irradiation times can lead to more widespread thermal damage arising from diffusion of heat away from the preferential absorption site. General principles of selective photothermolysis are described, e.g., in R. R. Anderson et al., Selective Photothermolysis: Precise Microsurgery by Selective Absorption of Pulsed Radiation, Science, Vol. 220, No. 4596. pp. 524-527 (1983).
Irradiation of biological tissue with high-intensity optical energy can vaporize or ablate tissue, as noted previously. Certain ablative lasers can be used, e.g., to effectively cut tissue using light energy, and are common in many ophthalmic procedures such as corneal refractive surgery. For example, precise ablation of corneal tissue can be achieved using nanosecond pulses of an ArF excimer laser, which emits light at a wavelength of 193 nm. The very short pulse durations minimize thermal damage away from the focused zones of direct irradiation.
Irradiation of tissue with high-intensity optical energy beams can also lead to dielectric breakdown of tissue components and formation of a plasma. For example, focused laser pulses with very short durations (e.g., on the order of a few nanoseconds or less, often pico-second or femto-second pulse durations) and very high power densities (e.g., 10{circumflex over ( )}10 W/cm2 or more) can produce an electric field strength that is high enough to tear electrons away from atoms. At very high local power densities, a plasma may be formed in the tissue, in which free electrons absorb even more energy and collide with other atoms and molecules, ejecting more electrons (ionization) that also absorb energy from the optical energy beam. This can produce a chain reaction that results in a plasma formation, which is often accompanied by rapid local expansion and mechanical shockwaves in the tissue. These effects can be used to generate certain types of damage and vaporization of the tissue. Plasma formation is an example of a non-linear process that depends on the presence of a high optical power density, and does not occur at the low optical power densities (expressed in units, e.g., of W/cm2) typical of lamps. IPLs, and continuous wave lasers. A pulsed laser source, typically focused to achieve sufficiently high power density over very short time intervals, is used. Once a plasma is formed, the free electrons and ions within the plasma absorb incoming light, which sustains the plasma until the end of the laser pulse.
There are many known uses for plasma formation in materials. For example, pulsed laser etching within glass or other transparent materials is an industrial example of a plasma formed by dielectric breakdown. In the medical field, posterior capsule cutting by a focused Q-switched laser after cataract removal is an example of using dielectric breakdown to generate a plasma that can locally vaporize tissue. More generally, dielectric breakdown at the focal spot of a Q-switched nanosecond or picosecond laser, which depends on power density, is commonly used in ophthalmology to cut structures within the eye by locally scanning or moving the laser focal point within the structure desired to be cut.
Plasma formation in tissue is often accompanied by a visible spark or flash of light and audible sound. Further absorption of the optical energy becomes non-linear in the plasma, where the absorption scales as the fourth power of the beam intensity. The heated electrons and ions can have extremely high temperatures on the order of 10{circumflex over ( )}5 K and local pressures on the order of kilobars. Because of the very high power densities and mechanisms of optical (or dielectric) breakdown, formation of plasma in tissue tends to be nonselective with respect to the presence of chromophores.
Therefore, it may be desirable to provide method and apparatus that can selectively produce plasmas and associated damage mechanisms in biological tissue, without generating excessive damage to non-targeted tissue or producing other undesirable side effects.

Method and apparatus for selective treatment of biological tissue


A dumbbell assembly (10) includes a pair of receptacles (12, 14, 60, 82) which are containers adapted to receive and secure weighted plates (28). The receptacles (12, 14, 60, 82) are integrally molded or rigidly secured to opposite ends of a handle bar (18, 88). In one embodiment, the handle bar (18) includes a tube (24) housing at least one spring (16) and a pair of shafts. The spring (16) biases a push platter (46) away from the tube (24) and toward an outer end (36) of the receptacle (12). The weighted plates (28) are admitted into the receptacles through apertures in sidewalls thereof and retained between the spring-biased push platter (46) and the outer end 36 of the receptacle 12. In another embodiment, each end of a handle bar (88) is integrally molded or rigidly secured to a receptacle (82), which is a grooved solid shell with mated first and second portions (90, 92). The first and second portions 90 and 92 are separable, for receiving the weighted plates (28), and mated, for securing weighted plates (28) therein. Both the first and second portions (90, 92) of the receptacle (82) include a series of grooves (100) on an outer wall (102) for seating an elastomeric ring-shaped band (104). Both the first and second portions (90, 92) include a series of ribs (99) defining spaces (96) formed on an inner wall (98) which position the plates (28). The mated portions (90, 92) of the receptacle (82), and the weighted plates (28) within, are secured when an elastomeric band (104) is seated in one of the grooves (100) in the outer wall (102) of each receptacle (82).

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a dumbbell assembly and, more particularly, to a dumbbell assembly with removable weights.
2. Description of the Related Art
Dumbbell assemblies are used by people to build body muscle through exercise consisting of repetitious movement of weight. A typical dumbbell assembly includes plates constituting the weight to be lifted; a handle bar, which is a shaft supporting the plates, and a locking means, which secures the plates to the handle bar by preventing the plates from sliding off the end of the shaft. The current method of securing the plates to the shaft consists of a lock collar, which, after sliding the plates onto the shaft, is also slid onto the shaft. After locking the collar in place, the plates are retained on the end of the shaft and the assembly can be safely lifted. The changing of plates is somewhat time consuming.


Polymeric polyol ester additives for metal working applications are described that have lower pour points and improved solubility in API Group II and III basestocks. The polymeric polyol ester contains linear monocarboxylic acid, alkanedioic acid, alk(en)yl substituted succinic acid or anhydride, trihydric alcohol and pentaerythritol.

Metalworking operations include for example, rolling, forging, hot-pressing, blanking, bending, stamping, drawing, cutting, punching, spinning and the like and generally employ a lubricant to facilitate the operation. Lubricants generally improve these operations in that they can provide films of controlled friction or slip between interacting metal surfaces and thereby reduce the overall power required for the operations, and prevent sticking and decrease wear of dies, cutting bits and the like. Sometimes the lubricant is expected to help transfer heat away from a particular metalworking contact point.
Metal working fluids often comprise a carrier fluid and a multitude of specialty additives. The carrier fluid imparts some general lubricity to the metal surface and carries/delivers the specialty additives to the metal surfaces. Additionally, the metal working fluid may provide a residual film on the metal part thereby adding a desired property to the metal being processed. The specialty additives can impart a variety of properties including friction reduction beyond hydrodynamic film lubrication, metal corrosion protection, extreme pressure or antiwear effects, etc.
Carrier fluids include various petroleum distillates including American Petroleum Institute Group I-V basestocks and/or water. Group I basestocks are primarily direct fractional distillation products of petroleum. Group II and III basestocks are further refined petroleum products such as hydrotreated distillation products that have reduced amounts of unsaturation (e.g. less than 1 wt %) and cyclic distillation products. The specialty additives can exist within the carrier fluid in a variety of forms including as dissolved, dispersed in, and partially soluble materials. Some of the metal working fluid may be lost to or deposited on the metal surface during the working process; or may be lost to the environment as spillage, sprays, etc; and may be recyclable if the carrier fluid and additives have not degraded significantly during use. Due to entry of a percentage of the metal working fluid into process goods and industrial process streams, it is desirable if the components to the metal working fluid are eventually biodegradable and pose little risk of bioaccumulation to the environment.
Polymeric polyol esters exhibit compatibility with and some solubility with both hydrocarbon oils and water carrier fluids, depending on molecular structure, molecular weight etc. The polymeric polyol esters are biodegradable and if they do not contain other heteroatoms pose little risk of bioaccumulation. Polymeric polyol esters from pentaerythritol are known as additives for metalworking but suffer from compatibility problems at some temperatures with some lubricant basestocks materials.

Polymeric polyol esters used in metalworking fluids


An insulator unit for a multipurpose flow module, such as a plate reactor, comprising a plurality of thermally insulating layers arranged in a sandwich structure with a plurality of plates, to provide thermal insulation across the sandwich structure.

In a continuous plate reactor, or a flow module for other purposes, a stack of two or more flow plates are clamped together with optional heat exchanger plates, barrier plates and/or end plates, forming one or more flow channels. The plates are clamped together under high pressure in order to ensure good sealing of the flow channels. Different parts of the reactor may need to be thermally insulated from adjacent parts of the reactor to reduce problems associated with transfer of heat. Adjacent flow channels may need to be insulated from each other in order to minimize any thermal crosstalk between reaction channels. End plates of the reactor may need to be thermally insulated from the rest of the stack of plates in order to maintain good sealing of flow channels in the stack. Upon subjection to steep temperature gradients, such as during rapid heating or cooling of a flow plate, such end plates may deform and thereby fail to maintain a uniform pressure distribution and thus good sealing in the stack of plates.
Insulator plates made out of polymer materials with suitable insulating properties, such as PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), suffer from the drawback that they may deform plastically under high pressure and high temperature leading to reduced performance and reusability.


A driver IC, which is mounted on an active matrix substrate by means of COG, is provided. The driver IC includes an input-output circuit, an internal circuit region having a plurality of internal circuits, a plurality of substrate-coupling bumps coupled to the input-output circuit, and at least one dummy bump. The dummy bump is placed facing opposite to one of the plurality of internal circuits which becomes an object of light shielding.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a bumped IC comprising a light-shielding dummy bump, as well as a display device and an electronic device using the bumped IC.
2. Related Art
In a liquid crystal display device, for example, there is a technique known as chip-on-glass (COG), wherein a driver IC is mounted, without a package, directly on wiring drawn out on the part which is an extension of one of two glass substrates, between which a liquid crystal is encapsulated.
Here, when light enters into an IC chip, the operating voltage changes, for example, to cause malfunction or operation stoppage, and therefore the reliability of the IC is lowered. Especially for an IC chip comprising an analog circuit, the possibility of causing an error in the circuit due to the effect of light is higher than that for an IC chip comprising a digital circuit.
The thickness of a metal wiring layer and a polyimide layer in the IC is 1 μm or less, which do not have a light-shielding effect.
As a conventional light-shielding measure, there are known techniques such as: a configuration to provide a tube-shaped heat-shrinkable film, which has light shieldability, on a mounting unit of an IC chip (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 11-24605); a configuration to provide a light-shielding layer on a surface (the surface not facing opposite to the glass substrate).of an IC chip or an LCD screen (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-56478); or a configuration to place a light-shielding sheet member on a surface facing opposite to the mounting surface of an IC chip on a glass substrate (Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2001-154601).
Mounting a tube-shaped heat-shrinkable film for the purpose of light shielding is complicated and puts a heavier burden on module manufacturers who assemble liquid crystal display devices. Further, in the COG mounting method, the light entered from a side surface of a glass substrate spreads inside the glass substrate and reaches inside an IC chip even if light-reflecting coating is applied on the back surface of the glass substrate.
Therefore, the present invention aims to provide a bumped IC which can surely shield the light at a region to be shielded from the light, as well as a display device and an electronic device using the bumped IC.

Bumped IC, display device and electronic device using the same


A mounting assembly for converting a two wheel vehicle to a three wheel vehicle. The mounting assembly includes a swing arm assembly having two arms connected by an intermediate member with each of the arms having a pivotal connector attached to one of their ends. A third link has a first end pivotally connected to the intermediate member and a second end free of the swing arm assembly. The mounting assembly may be adapted to fit the frames of Harley Davidson V-Rod model motorcycles by using arm extensions that connect the swing arm shaft assembly to the frame of the motorcycle.

The present invention generally relates to methods and devices for converting two wheel motorcycles into three wheel motorcycles and in particular relates to an assembly for attaching the frame of a motorcycle to a two wheel axle.
Three wheel motorcycles or tricycles are becoming increasingly popular and there are numerous methods of connecting the frame of a two wheel motorcycle to a two wheel axle assembly in order to construct the three wheel motorcycle. Two examples of these methods may be seen in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,884,717 and 5,499,689. Devices such as in U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,717 fix the two wheel axle assembly to the motorcycle frame in a very rigid manner. When such a three wheel motorcycle makes a turn, there is no possibility of sideways movement of the rear axle relative to the frame. This arrangement results in a stiffer and less forgiving ride. U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,689 improves this situation by connecting the motorcycle frame to the axle assembly with joints which may pivot to some degree. While the device in U.S. Pat. No. 5,499,689 operates well with some motorcycles, it is not as satisfactory with other motorcycles, such as many Harley Davidson models, which tend to experience more vibration.

Three wheel motorcycle conversion assembly


The present invention provides a human pathogenesis-related protein (HPRP) and polynucleotides which identify and encode HPRP. The invention also provides genetically engineered expression vectors and host cells comprising the nucleic acid sequences encoding HPRP and a method for producing HPRP. The invention also provides for agonists, antibodies, or antagonists specifically binding HPRP, and their use, in the prevention and treatment of diseases associated with expression of HPRP. Additionally, the invention provides for the use of antisense molecules to polynucleotides encoding HPRP for the treatment of diseases associated with the expression of HPRP. The invention also provides diagnostic assays which utilize the polynucleotide, or fragments or the complement thereof, and antibodies specifically binding HPRP.

Some plants are genetically resistant to viral infection. Infection of these cultivars with a virus such as tobacco mosaic virus induces a defense response that includes the synthesis of a family of related proteins collectively known as pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins. PR proteins are relatively small (ca. 10-20 kDa), resistant to proteases, soluble in acidic buffer, and found primarily in the extracellular spaces of leaves and roots. The synthesis of PR proteins may be part of a primitive immunological response in plants including tobacco, tomato, and elder. For reviews, see Matthews, R. E. F. (1980), in Comprehensive Virology vol. 16, Plenem Press, New York, N.Y.; pp. 297-359, and van Loon, L. C. (1985) Plant Mol. Biol. 4:111-116.
Proteins with sequence homology to plant PR proteins have been identified in various insects and animals. For example, wasp, hornet, and yellow jacket venom allergens, human and rodent testes-specific antigens, and human glioma PR protein (GLIPR) are all related to plant PR proteins (King, T. P et al. (1990) Protein Seq. Data Anal. 3:263-266; Lu, G. et al. (1993) J. Immunol. 150:2823-2830; Charest, N. J. et al. (1988) Mol. Endocrinol. 2:999-1004; Kasahara, M. et al. (1989) Genomics 5:527-534; Murphy, E. V. et al (1995) Gene 159:131-135).
GLIPR was cloned from an astrocytoma cDNA library (Murphy, E. V. et al., supra). Astrocytomas, and the more malignant glioblastoma, are the most common form of tumors in the brain, accounting for more than 65% of primary human brain tumors (Morris, J. H. and Schoene, W. C. (1984) in The Pathological Basis of Disease, W. B. Saunders, Philadelphia, Pa.; pp. 1401-1456). GLIPR is expressed almost exclusively in tumors and cell lines derived from gliomas, but not in other tumors, cell lines, normal adult or fetal tissues (Murphy, E. V. et al., supra).
Normal astrocytes function as supporting cells for neurons and as immune cells in the central nervous system. Following infection, astrocytes function as antigen-presenting cells and modulate the activity of lymphocytes and macrophages (Beneviste, E. N. (1992) J. Physiol. 263:C1-C16; Merrill, J. E. (1992) Dev. Neurosci. 14:1-10). Astrocytomas, derived from glial cells of the astrocyte lineage, constitutively express many cytokines and interleukins that are normally produced only after infection by a pathogen (de Micco, C. (1989) J. Neuroimmunol. 25:93-108; Merrill, J. E., supra).
GLIPR is a small protein with a molecular weight of 24 kDa. Secondary structure analysis predicts that GLIPR is mostly .beta.-sheet. GLIPR and other PR family proteins share a conserved His-Glu-His triad of amino acid residues that are appropriately spaced to form a metal-binding domain. As other PR family proteins, GLIPR also contains the conserved domain that is characteristic of extracellular proteins.
The discovery of polynucleotides encoding human pathogenesis-related protein and the molecules themselves, provides a means to investigate tumorigenesis and the response to infection. Discovery of molecules related to human pathogenesis-related protein satisfies a need in the art by providing new diagnostic or therapeutic compositions useful in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer, infectious diseases, and neurological disorders.


A saw blade clamp unit for holding saw blade in a manner to permit machining of side faces of hard material tips provided upon the teeth of the saw blades. The saw blade clamp unit clamps a saw blade tooth adjacent to a saw blade tooth tip being machined, holding the saw blade. The clamping mechanism of the clamp unit is arranged to form a lateral reference position for the tooth to be machined, with the tooth being set to the required grinding position during the clamping operation.

This invention relates to apparatus for facilitating the machining or grinding of predetermined regions of workpieces.
In particular, the present invention is concerned with the grinding of the side faces of hard material tips mounted to the teeth of saw blades.
Machines are known for the grinding of the side faces of such tips whether on circular or linear i.e., band saws in which both side faces are ground in a single operation.
Generally, after the side faces of a tip have been ground the tooth tip is broadest at its leading i.e., cutting edge and diminishes in width from the leading edge to the rear face of the tip. In addition, the side face grinding is such that the tip tapers from the top face of the tip towards the bottom of the tip.
As is well known, the purpose of the side face grinding is to produce side faces which are mutually inclined at predetermined angles to the planes of the side faces of the blade body and teeth. In addition, generally speaking the grinding must be such that the side faces are symmetrically ground with respect to the blade body so that corresponding points on the both side faces of a tip are equidistant from the medial plane of the blade body, except where the grinding is intended to produce an asymmetrical arrangement. To achieve this it is important, during the grinding of the tips on the teeth on the blade, that the blade/tooth should not deflect from the required correct grinding position. Firmly clamping the blade against displacement with respect to the grinding wheels is necessary.
Following completion of the machining/grinding of each saw tip blade tooth, successively indexing the saw blade to bring the next tip to be machined to the location of the machine at which the side grinding wheels are able to grind the side faces is required. This position can be termed the grinding station. During this indexing operation the clamping of the blade has to be released so that the blade is free to be moved by an indexing finger or the like which is arranged to advance the next tooth whose tip is to be machined/ground to the grinding station. Indexing involves pushing against the tooth in question while at the same time guiding the blade through the blade clamping means. At the completion of the indexing operation the blade is reclamped to prevent movement of the blade.
In known machines the usual practice involves clamping the body blade well below the gullets of the teeth so that the clamping arrangements when released do not impede the indexing operation, and so that they do not impede operational movements of the grinding wheels themselves. This mode of clamping relies upon the strength of the blade body, assuming that grinding wheel pressures upon a tip will not distort the tooth with respect to the blade body. However, in practice distortion can occur, leading to an incorrectly machined tip.
A further difficulty arises in relation to the known clamping arrangements because with known machines it is necessary to remove the clamping arrangements from one side of the blade to enable a blade to be removed. In this connection it is convenient to bear in mind that some blades, especially band saw blades, can be twenty or more centimetres deep so that blade changing is a relatively complex and time consuming operation, particularly if it is not possible conveniently to remove the blade clamping arrangements.
As indicated above, an important requirement for the machining of saw blade tips is that their side faces should be machined or ground so that the resulting ground side faces are symmetrically positioned with respect to the medial plane of the saw blade body. In other words, it is usually required that each tip should project to the same extent to either side of this medial plane.
Hitherto it has been presumed that with the known machines and their associated blade clamping arrangements that this conditon of symmetry (when required) is always achieved even though before the grinding operation the tips may have projected unequally to opposite sides of a tooth tip. In other words, it has been assumed without respect to initial individual widths of the tips in relation to the saw blade body, after grinding the required dimensions and angles for the side faces had been achieved.
Industrial users of, for example, band saw blades, have been demanding thinner and thinner saw blades and associated tips so that the amounts of wood wasted during sawing operations such as reducing a tree trunk to planks is reduced. In addition, since one of the most effective materials for the production of saw blade tips, namely the material known under the trade name Stellite, is comparatively expensive, further consequence of thinner blades is that the tips will also be small/thinner in size, reducing the amount of Stellite required for each tip.
It has been found that the presently available clamping arrangements are not adequate for holding a saw blade during the side face grinding of tips on the teeth of saw blades which are thinner than those conventionally contemplated. Whenever a tip on such thin saw blades is not initially symmetrically positioned with respect to the medial plane of the blade body, the pressures exerted by the grinding wheels during grinding distorts the tooth with respect to the clamped blade body medial plane. Consequently where such distortion has occurred the tip remains effectively offset with respect to the medial plane of the blade body and the face angles may well be incorrectly formed since the grinding operation has not removed the excess thickness to one side of the blade. The use of such saw blades whose side faces are not ground to the correct angles and size are very inefficient in operation and become rapidly damaged.


Aspects of the present invention relate to systems and methods for color image hue shifting. Some aspects relate to processes by which reference hue values and corresponding hue shift values are used to modify color hue values in a non-perceptually-uniform color space. Some aspects relate to processes that generate a hue shift table for modifying image hue values.

Images can be generated by many methods and may be displayed or output as hard copy using a plethora of devices. In some cases, image hues may need to be adjusted to compensate for differences in display or output device characteristics. These adjustments may be based on a user preference and/or colorimetric standards and parameters.