A microelectromechanical pressure sensor structure that comprises a planar base and side walls and a diaphragm plate. The side walls extend circumferentially away from the planar base to a top surface of the side walls. The planar base, the side walls and the diaphragm plate are attached to each other to form a hermetically closed gap in a reference pressure, and a top edge of the inner surfaces of the side walls forms a periphery of a diaphragm. The diaphragm plate comprises one or more planar material layers of which a first planar material layer spans over the periphery of the diaphragm. The top surface of the side walls comprises at least one isolation area that is not covered by the first planar material layer.

Field
The present invention relates to microelectromechanical devices and especially to an improved pressure sensor structure and a pressure sensor according to preambles of the independent claims.
Description of Related Art
Pressure is a physical quantity that corresponds to the ratio of force acting on a surface to the area of the surface. A device that can be used as a gauge to measure the pressure is a pressure sensor.
Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems, or MEMS can be defined as miniaturized mechanical and electro-mechanical systems where at least some elements have some sort of mechanical functionality. Since MEMS devices may be created with the same tools used to create integrated circuits, micromachines and microelectronic elements can be fabricated on a piece of silicon to enable various types of devices.
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary structure of a microelectromechanical device for sensing of pressure. Microelectromechanical pressure sensors may comprise a thin diaphragm 10 that is spanned over a gap 12 that provides a reference pressure. The diaphragm deforms due to difference between the reference pressure and an ambient pressure surrounding the sensor. The diaphragm displacement may be translated to an electrical signal with capacitive or piezoresistive sensing.
A MEMS pressure sensor structure is typically formed of patterned layers of material. A MEMS fabrication process may involve combinations of layer depositions, optical lithography, etches and wafer bonding. FIG. 1 shows a side view and a top view of an exemplary structure of a microelectromechanical pressure sensor. The illustrated pressure sensor is an absolute pressure sensor that comprises a body structure formed by a planar base 11 and a side wall layer 13. The side walls formed by the side wall layer 13 extend away from the planar base 11 to form a hollow, the depth of which corresponds with the thickness of the side wall layer 13. In a category of pressure sensor structures, this hollow is hermetically sealed by a diaphragm plate 16 that extends on the side wall layer 13. A part of the diaphragm plate 16 that extends over the circumferential opening of the gap provides a diaphragm 10 whose periphery is defined by the opening. The diaphragm 10 is exposed on one side to the reference pressure of the gap and on the other side to the ambient pressure. This diaphragm 10 thus deforms in response to a pressure difference between the reference pressure and the ambient pressure. The extent of this deformation may be detected, for example, capacitively by arranging electrodes to elements on either sides of the gap and translating with the electrodes the deformation-induced change in the height of the gap into an electric signal.
The material layers of the MEMS sensor structure provide hermetic sealing of the gap so that practically no foreign substances can penetrate the gap after the hollow has been sealed by the diaphragm plate. However, the outer surfaces of the sensor structure are often exposed to ambient conditions that may cause resistive or capacitive leakage and other stray effects to the capacitive measurement results.


Systems and methods are provided for video coding (e.g., encoding and/or decoding). A coding device may include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive a video frame and partition the video frame into a super coding units (SCUs). The processor may be configured to partition each of the SCUs into coding tree units (CTUs) based on a coding mode.

Video coding systems may be used to compress digital video signals, e.g., to reduce the amount of storage and/or transmission bandwidth. Video coding systems may include block-based, wavelet-based, object-based and block-based hybrid systems. Examples of block-based video coding systems may include international video coding standards, e.g., the MPEG-1/2/4 part 2, H.264/MPEG-4 part 10 AVC and latest High Efficiency Video Coding (HEVC) standards.

Systems and methods for coding in super-block based video coding framework

InterDigital Madison Patent Holdings, SAS


The input rotation speed of an automatic transmission is fixed, and an output shaft is fixed. Oil pressure supplied to a measurement subject engagement element is then increased, and a determination is made as to whether or not rotary variation in a turbine rotation speed is equal to or greater than a set value. When the rotary variation reaches or exceeds the set value, an oil pressure controlled variable at this time is measured and stored. Then, on the basis of the measurement data, a correction amount relating to the unique characteristic variation of the automatic transmission incorporated into a vehicle body is determined and written to a TCU.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a characteristic correction system for an automatic transmission, which is capable of obtaining a favorable shift quality by correcting characteristic variation among individual transmissions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Component tolerance typically exists in each constitutional element of an automatic transmission installed in a vehicle such as an automobile, and therefore slight variation in the characteristics of the transmission in its final assembled state due to individual differences is inevitable. To improve the performance of the vehicle, the amount of variation must be suppressed as much as possible, but at the same time, reducing tolerance while ensuring process capability in a production factory may lead to repercussions such as cost increases.
In a so-called direct AT system automatic transmission which controls the engagement (or in other words the oil pressure) of engagement elements such as clutches and brakes by providing each engagement element with a solenoid valve, variation in the shift quality is particularly likely to occur due to manufacturing irregularities in the solenoid valves and engagement elements, deterioration thereof with age, friction, and so on. To reduce this variation in the shift quality and obtain a stable, favorable shift quality, learning control is typically performed during actual travel. However, a considerable amount of actual travel time is required to secure a favorable shift quality through learning control.
Hence, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-14119 proposes a technique that is executed during a test performed on a transmission prior to installation in a vehicle, in which a drive signal applied to a solenoid valve of a hydraulic control device, piston stroke data and engagement pressure data relating to a hydraulic servo for operating an engagement element of the transmission, and so on are obtained as unique data and stored in a memory of an electronic control unit.
Further, in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-286062, the present applicant proposes a technique of measuring a controlled variable of a hydraulic control valve, which maintains the difference between an input rotation speed and a turbine rotation speed of a torque converter at a fixed value, during a completion operation performed on an automatic transmission following assembly, and correcting characteristic variation among individual automatic transmissions on the basis of a difference between a measured value and a reference value of the controlled variable.
If characteristic variation in an automatic transmission is to be corrected without waiting for the promotion of learning through actual travel, it is desirable to be able to obtain data that are unique to each individual transmission and differences between the unique data and reference characteristics quickly and with stability in consideration of the factory task time at the product shipping stage, the time required for a market dealer to reset a learned value during inspection and repair by cutting the power of the electronic control device, and so on. In this regard, however, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-14119 does not disclose a specific method of obtaining unique data, and although in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2004-286062 a unique controlled variable of the transmission can be measured with stability, the measurement time tends to be long, leaving room for improvement.

Characteristic correction system for automatic transmission


An annular seat structure, for use in subterranean well stimulation operations, is operative in conjunction with associated expansion control structure to permit a predetermined number of fracture plug members to axially pass therethrough. In an illustrated embodiment thereof, the annular seat structure is movable between a retracted position having a first interior diameter, and a resiliently expanded position having a second, larger interior diameter. The seat structure has an annular array of rigid ring segments interdigitated with annular gaps that receive radially outwardly projecting portions of an annular resilient liner secured to radially inner surfaces of the rigid ring segments, the outwardly projecting liner portions being secured to circumferentially facing surfaces of the rigid ring segments. An annular spring member coaxially circumscribes the rigid ring segment array, is received in notches formed in the rigid segments, and resiliently biases the seat structure toward its retracted position.

The present invention generally relates to subterranean well fracturing operations and, in representatively illustrated embodiments thereof, more particularly relates to specially designed expandable fracture plug seat structures and associated apparatus for operatively supporting them downhole and selectively permitting and precluding expansion thereof.
In subterranean well stimulation, the ability to perforate multiple zones in a single well and then fracture each zone independently, (typically referred to as "zone" fracturing), has desirably increased access to potential hydrocarbon reserves. Many gas wells are drilled with zone fracturing planned at the well's inception. Zone fracturing helps stimulate the well by creating conduits from the formation for the hydrocarbons to reach the well. A well drilled with planned fracturing zones will be equipped with a string of piping below the cemented casing portion of the well. The string is segmented with packing elements, fracture plugs and fracture plug seat assemblies to isolate zones. A fracture plug, such as a ball or other suitably shaped structure (hereinafter referred to collectively as a "ball") is dropped or pumped down the well and seats on the fracture plug seat assembly, thereby isolating pressure from above.
In order to progressively fracture successive subterranean zones along the length of the wellbore it is necessary to construct the ball seat so that its annular shape is diametrically expandable to permit one or more fracture balls to be forced therethrough on their way to expandable plug seats further downhole to sealingly seat on these lower seats. It is further necessary to selectively preclude diametrical expansion of the seats to permit this sealing engagement between a fracture ball and the seat.
Previously proposed expandable fracture ball seats of this general type have been subject to well known problems, limitations and disadvantages. For example, in order to permit the necessary diametrical expansion of a ball seat it is typically necessary to form one or more radial slits therein which widen as the fracture ball passes through the seat. These necessarily widened slits have proven to be susceptible to having well debris lodged therein which can undesirably prevent proper complete closure of the gaps, when the seat returns to its smaller diameter relaxed position, thereby denigrating the requisite sealing capability of the seat when it is called upon to be sealingly engaged by a fracture ball plug (i.e., when the ball is acting as a plug) and prevent its passage through the circular seat opening.
Additionally, during the high pressure injection of frac slurry into a perforated downhole formation, the plug seat is subject to an abrasive blasting effect of the slurry. In conventionally designed plug seats this causes erosion of the seats, thereby lessening their plug sealing ability. Moreover, conventionally constructed plug seats, due to the driving pressure exerted on the ball plugs, may create stress concentrations on the balls sufficient to deform them and thereby substantially reduce the sealing capability of the associated ball seat.
As can be seen from the foregoing, a need exists for an improved expandable fracture ball seat structure which eliminates or at least reduces the aforementioned problems, limitations and disadvantages associated with previously proposed expandable fracture plug seats as generally described above. It is to this need that the present invention is primarily directed.


A new geranium cultivar particularly distinguished by its semi-double large magenta violet flowers. The plant itself has vigorous growth, growing to a height of 7-11 cm. as a 4 inch potted plant.

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of geranium, botanically known as Pelargonium hortorum Bailey. The new cultivar is propagated from a seedling resulting from the cross of a violet, single flower, unreleased proprietary, seed parent known as 423-6 and a pollen parent Americana Cherry Rose (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 7,937). Americana Cherry Rose was chosen as one parent to contribute good vigor and habit, along with a semidouble flower, to the hybrid.
This new plant is a product of a planned breeding program intended to create new geranium cultivars with magneta violet colored semi-double flowers, green foliage, with vigorous growth and superior cutting productivity.
The new cultivar was created in 1990 in Gilroy, Calif., and has been repeatedly asexually reproduced by cuttings in Gilroy, Calif., and Guatemala over a three year period. It has also been trailed at Okemos, Mich. It has been found to retain its distinctive characteristics through successive propagations; and this novelty appears to be firmly fixed.


Subterranean oilfield high-temperature devices configured or designed to facilitate downhole monitoring and high data transmission rates with laser diodes that are configured for operation downhole, within a borehole, at temperatures in excess of 115 degrees centigrade without active cooling.

Logging and monitoring boreholes has been done for many years to enhance and observe recovery of oil and gas deposits. In the logging of boreholes, one method of making measurements underground includes attaching one or more tools to a wireline connected to a surface system. The tools are then lowered into a borehole by the wireline and drawn back to the surface ("logged") through the borehole while taking measurements. The wireline is usually an electrical conducting cable with limited data transmission capability. Similarly, permanent monitoring systems are established with permanent sensors that are also generally attached to an electrical cable.
Demand for higher data transmission rates for wireline logging tools and permanent monitoring systems is growing rapidly because of higher resolution sensors, faster logging speeds, and additional tools available for a single wireline string. Although current electronic telemetry systems have evolved, increasing the data transmission rates from about 500 kbps (kilobits per second) to 2 Mbps (megabits per second) over the last decade, data transmission rates for electronic telemetry systems are lagging behind the capabilities of the higher resolution sensors. In fact, for some combinations of acoustic/imagining tools used with traditional logging tools, the desired data transmission rate is more than 4 Mbps.
In addition, while higher data transmission rates are desirable, many tools in current use would have to be completely reworked or replaced to incorporate new data transmission technologies. It would be desirable to facilitate faster data transmission rates with minimal changes to existing tools and equipment.
Furthermore, oilfield application of fiber optics sensors has been progressing in recent years for monitoring of certain parameters. However, many downhole applications require high temperature operations, and optical devices such as laser diodes degrade rapidly or do not operate properly at high temperatures. Therefore, use of fiber optics for communication between surface systems and downhole tools, as well as use of downhole sensors, in high-temperature conditions, within a borehole, has been limited.


Data is shared between a vehicle mounted navigation device and a vehicle mounted user interface device and among a plurality of vehicle mounted user interface devices. In a first location free display that allows a plurality of users to separately have access to the navigation device, external data obtained from the navigation device or from another location free display and its own user data are saved and managed, and shared with the navigation device and the another location free display. It is possible to utilize the external data not owned by itself or the user data of another person with the navigation device or the another location free display and perform a navigation process in an inner space of the vehicle efficiently.

The present invention relates to a vehicle mounted user interface device and a vehicle mounted navigation system, and is preferably applied to a vehicle mounted navigation system in which a navigation device installed near the driver's seat and a plurality of location free displays for use as a user interface device for back seat are linked by radio.
The vehicle mounted navigation system 101 in related art had such a configuration that a display 103 is connected to a navigation device 102, whereby only one user can operate one navigation device 102 at a time, as shown in FIG. 1.
In this navigation device 102, the map data stored in a hard disk drive 104 is read out by a disk reading part 105, and a map screen is generated based on the map data by a map display part 106 and sent out to a screen generation part 111, as shown in FIG. 2.
On the other hand, the navigation device 102 sends out the current position measured by a vehicle position measurement part 107 via the map display part 106 to the screen generation part 111. The screen generation part 111 generates a route guide screen based on the map screen supplied from the map display part 106 and the current position supplied from the vehicle position measurement part 107, and displays it on the display 103.
Also, the navigation device 102 recognizes a request received from a remote controller (hereinafter referred to as a remote control), not shown, in a user request processing part 109 and sends out the request to a User Interface (UI) display part 110.
The UI display part 110 reads the Point Of Interest (POI) data according to the request from a user data storage part 108, and sends out it to the screen generation part 111, which displays the route guide screen reconfigured by adding the site information based on the POI data on the display 103.
In FIG. 3, in which the corresponding parts to FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, a vehicle mounted navigation system 121 has a first location free display 122 and a second location free display 123 for use as a user interface device to the navigation device 102 that are linked by radio. The user on the back seat can employ the first location free display 122 and the second location free display 123 separately.
Since the first location free display 122 and the second location free display 123 have the same circuit configuration, for the sake of convenience, the first location free display 122 is only described, and the second location free display 123 is not described.
The first location free display 122 has data transmitting/receiving part 131 for transmitting or receiving data to or from the navigation device 102 in accordance with a near distance radio communication method, as shown in FIG. 4. For instance, the route guide screen acquired from the navigation device 102 is displayed via a map display part 132 and a screen generation part 133 on a display 134.
In the first location free display 122, a request received from the remote control is recognized by the user request processing part 137 and sent out via a UI display part 136 to the screen generation part 133.
The screen generation part 133 reads the POI data according to the request from a user data storage part 135, reconfigures the route guide screen by adding the site information based on the POI data to the map data, and displays it on the display 134.
In this way, in the vehicle mounted navigation system 121, the first location free display 122 and the second location free display 123 are accessible to the navigation device 102. Each user of the first location free display 122 and the second location free display 123 has separately access to the navigation device 102, whereby one navigation device 102 can be operated by plural users.
In this connection, there is a server system on the Internet which distributes the facility information or personal courses from the information registration apparatus of another person as well, upon a request from the vehicle mounted equipment (e.g., refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-77344).
Also, there is a system in which a navigation support apparatus is shared among a plurality of users by preparing a private external storage device (e.g., refer to Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-321079).
By the way, in the vehicle mounted navigation system 121 of the above configuration, there was a problem that the user of the first location free display 122 and the second location free display 123 separately has access to the navigation device 102 to make the route retrieval, but the route data such as the route retrieval result acquired by the first location free display 122 or the second location free display 123 is owned by each location free display and can not be shared.

Vehicle mounted user interface device and vehicle mounted navigation system


A golf training device and method indicates the proper position and/or motion of the golfer's trail wrist during the club downswing. The device may detect that desired DWLA is attained and provide real-time alerts of same. The device may provide positive feedback in the form of an auditory, tactile, visual and/or other signal.

The modern professional golfer can greatly increase golf ball flight by increasing the speed of the golf club at impact with the golf ball by the proper motion of the trail wrist (right wrist for a right-handed golfer) during the downswing. The professional golfer accomplishes this by correctly timing the release of stored energy in the trail wrist at the point of impact of the golf club face with the golf ball. This proper wrist motion during the downswing is mastered by the forceful unhinging of the trail wrist during the downswing as the golf club approaches the golf ball. Various terms have been used to describe this motion including; "delayed hit," "delayed release," and, more recently, "Lag Tension" and "Lag." The term "Lag" is used herein to denote this motion. Proper and sustained Lag adds a second lever to the first lever formed by the downward motion of the golfer's arms as the golf club is pivoted around a fixed point of the golfer's upper body. By adding proper and sustained Lag to the first lever in the downswing, the golf club speed at the point of impact with the golf ball can be nearly doubled. This coordinated and timed motion of the trail wrist from the top of the backswing to impact with the golf ball is complex and heretofore difficult to master by the training golfer, especially without professional instruction. Because the average duration of this portion of the golf swing is typically less than about a quarter of a second, golf instructors are unable to directly visualize or perceive whether correct downswing trail wrist motion is obtained during the training of golfers. Stop frame video screening of sufficiently high speed and resolution is required for the golf instructor to determine the trainee's wrist motion and correct the faulty motion of the student's trail wrist during the downswing.
The human wrist joint can only move in two planes. The first plane is in the anterior to posterior direction. Dorsal extension (hinging), motion in the anterior direction, allows the dorsum of the hand to move anteriorly from zero degree, unhinged, to about seventy degrees, fully hinged, when the flat plane of the dorsum of the hand is referenced to the flat plane of the anterior surface of the forearm. Dorsal hinging is thereby measured at the dorsal wrist joint angle (referred to herein as "DWJA") formed between the flat plane of the dorsum of the hand and the flat plane of the anterior surface of the forearm at the trail wrist joint. The reciprocal movement of the wrist in this plane in a posterior direction is known as palmer flexion. Motion of the trail wrist with palmer flexion must be avoided during the golf swing from the top of the backswing to impact.
The second plane that the wrist can move is in the superior to inferior direction. Wrist motion in the superior direction is known as radial deviation. The angle for radial deviation is measured from a flat plane along the superior aspect of the base of the thumb in reference to a flat plane along the superior side of the wrist. The normal range of this angle is between zero degrees (uncocked) and a maximal angle of about thirty degrees (cocked). The reciprocal movement of the wrist in this plane in the inferior direction is called ulnar deviation. Ulnar deviation during the downswing must be avoided.
Pronation (thumb rolls toward the body) and supination (thumb rolls away from the body) of the forearm at the elbow joint passively moves the wrist and the hand as a single unit. These motions are not true movements of the wrist joint. Pronation of the trail forearm (right side for a right-handed golfer) and the reciprocal supination of the golfer's lead forearm just at impact ensure the squaring of the golf club face at impact with the golf ball.


A method and a device for treating dental caries using microwave energy applied directly to teeth at frequencies that are lethal to the bacteria in caries, without being destructive to tooth tissues. The method and a device will have a significant economic and health impact, leading to a reduction in traditional surgical interventions, as well by improving access to care for those with health disparities.

Caries is a multi-factorial disease that involves prolonged colonization of acid-producing bacteria on teeth. Fermentation of dietary carbohydrates by caries leads to a localized drop in pH below a critical value of 5.5, resulting in the demineralization of enamel and potentially damaging underlying tooth structure. Mutans streptococci (Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus) have consistently been shown to be the prominent acid-producing group that is responsible for the development of caries, with lactobacilli species being found in deeper caries progression. In the case of secondary caries (the most prevalent reason for failure of fillings), the bacteria are dominated by Streptococcus spp., Actinomyces spp., and Lactobacillus spp. Thus, managing these species is a key factor in treating either primary or recurrent caries and promoting remineralization.
If left untreated, caries can lead to the progressive destruction of tooth structure, pain, tooth loss, loss of oral function, as well as have systemic health consequences. Although advances have been made in managing caries using non- or minimally-invasive procedures, the overwhelming preponderance of interventions made by dentists for the treatment of caries involves surgical intervention using rotary instrumentation (a "drill"). Following the surgical excision of the diseased portion of a tooth, various materials are then used to reconstruct it (a "filling"). In this traditional "drill and fill" surgical management of caries, which has been the standard of care since the 19th century, access to caries almost always involves the removal of healthy tooth tissue. In addition to this functional and biological cost, a traditional surgical approach has a vast economic impact on health expenditures. While the continuum of caries treatment runs from complete surgical removal with tooth restoration to partial removal and sealing, to sealing only, to leaving existing caries intact and attempting only to promote remineralization via various strategies. With the exception of the first approach, none of these other strategies is completely effective for the treatment of primary caries, as there is reliance on either patient compliance for biofilm management or on the sealing of lesions using restorative materials.
Although various reviews indicate that sealing arrests in situ lesions, its effectiveness is limited by the inability of composite resin restorative materials to perfectly seal a cavity preparation. Clinical trials have confirmed this finding, with caries having been shown to progress in significant numbers of sealed teeth. Thus, the lack of reliable effectiveness combined with the prior discussed factors will preclude many practitioners from adopting conservative approaches for the treatment of caries. The likelihood remains high that dentists will continue to rely on surgical interventions to completely control caries in teeth.
Thus, there exists a need for more effective and practical approaches for the care and elimination of dental caries that can lead to less costly intervention, and lead need to greater integration of less invasive procedures for the treatment dental caries.

Method and device for treating caries using locally delivered microwave energy

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AS REPRESENTED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION


An appliance has a casing and a dispenser. The dispenser includes a dispensing member for dispensing a fluid and is movable between a first position in which at least a part of the dispensing member is located within the casing and a second position in which the dispensing member projects from the casing. The dispensing member is slideable between the first and second positions along a linear path. By providing such an arrangement, the dispenser is able to move along the shortest path between the first and second positions, reducing the space necessary in the appliance to allow the dispenser to move and allowing the drive mechanisms to be correspondingly smaller.

Domestic appliances for dispensing liquids are well known. Examples of these include: coffee machines, water dispensers and juicers. It is useful for these appliances to be as small as possible so that they can fit neatly into a domestic environment. Further, it is aesthetically pleasing for the appliance to have a "clean" appearance. Therefore, it is undesirable for parts to project from the appliance.
It is known for an appliance to have a retractable dispenser. EP 1656863 discloses a mixing head for a beverage production machine. The mixing head is movable on a curved path between open and closed positions. Another example of a liquid dispenser with a movable nozzle is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,622,047. This document discloses a nozzle which moves on a circular or elliptical path between open and closed positions.
The above prior art arrangements are useful in that they provide retractable nozzles or dispensers for convenience and cleanliness purposes. However, these arrangements have the drawback that the retractable nozzles or dispensers move along curved paths between open and closed positions. Therefore, sufficient space is required for both the movement of the nozzle/dispenser along the curved path and for appropriate drive means such as a cam, a pivot or another arrangement. This results in a larger appliance to contain the necessary components.


A semiconductor device formed on a substrate includes at least one metal stack formed on the substrate. A fluorosilicate glass layer is formed on the at least one metal stack, where the fluorosilicate glass layer acts as an interlayer dielectric for the semiconductor device. The fluorosilicate glass layer includes a fluorine-depleted layer at a top portion of the fluorosilicate glass layer that is further away from the substrate. The fluorine-depleted layer is formed by treating the fluorosilicate glass layer with a hydrogen plasma, such as an H2/N2 plasma. The fluorine-depleted layer lessens a likelihood of fluorine atoms in the fluorosilicate glass layer from moving into and thereby corrupting a conducting layer formed above the fluorosilicate glass layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the integration of low-K SiOF as an inter-layer dielectric (ILD). In particular, the present invention relates to integrating fluorosilicate glass (FSG) or SiOF as a full stack inter-metal dielectric, to thereby obtain the benefit of a low dielectric constant (low-k) to improve device performance.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fluorinated SiO2, typically provided by way of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) or by way of high density plasma (HDP), can be used to lower the dielectric constant of SiO2 from, for example, 4.0 to 3.5-3.8. The lowering of the dielectric constant is advantageous for a number of reasons, including the reduction of the capacitance of a semiconductor device, which results in an improved performance of the semiconductor device.
However, fluorine in SiO2 will react with physical vapor deposition (PVD) or chemical vapor deposition (CVD) barrier metals, such as Ti, TiN, Ta, TaN, etc., which are subsequently deposited on the surface of the fluorinated SiO2. This reaction between fluorine and the barrier metals will cause delamination on flat SiOF surfaces, as well as inside via holes. Both of these occurrences are disadvantageous.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a full stack fluorosilicate glass (FSG) as an inter-layer dielectric, whereby the possibility of fluorine leakage to neighboring layers is lessened by treating the FSG with a plasma such that a fluorine-depleted region and a nitrided region are obtained.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an oxide cap on top of nitrided region to provide an additional barrier to the fluorine atoms from moving into adjacent conductive (e.g., metal) layers.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a full stack FSG as an inter-metal dielectric layer using in-situ deposition.
The above-mentioned objects and other advantages of the present invention may be achieved by a method of forming an interlayer dielectric on a substrate. The method includes a step of forming a conducting layer on the substrate. The method also includes a step of forming a first interlayer dielectric layer on the conducting layer by HDP using a high etch/deposition ratio with high bias power, the first interlayer dielectric layer containing fluorine. The method further includes a step of forming a second interlayer dielectric layer on the first interlayer dielectric layer by HDP using a low etch/deposition ratio, the second interlayer dielectric layer containing fluorine. The first and second interlayer dielectric layers collectively form the interlayer dielectric between the conducting layer and any other conducting layers formed above the interlayer dielectric.
The above-mentioned objects and other advantages may also be achieved by a semiconductor device formed on a substrate. The semiconductor device includes at least one conductive layer formed on the substrate. The device also includes a fluorosilicate glass layer formed on the at least one conductive layer, the fluorosilicate glass layer acting as an interlayer dielectric for the semiconductor device. The fluorosilicate glass layer includes a fluorine-depleted layer at a top portion of the fluorosilicate glass. The fluorine-depleted layer lessens a likelihood of fluorine atoms in the fluorosilicate glass layer from moving into and thereby corrupting another conducting layer formed above the fluorosilicate glass layer.
The above-mentioned objects and advantages may still further be achieved by a semiconductor device formed on a substrate. The semiconductor device includes at least one conductive layer formed on the substrate. The device also includes a first fluorosilicate glass layer formed on the at least one conductive layer, the first fluorosilicate glass layer having a thickness greater than a height of the at least one metal stack, where the first fluorosilicate glass layer is formed by HDP with a high etch/deposition ratio. The device further includes a second fluorosilicate glass layer formed on the first fluorosilicate glass, the second fluorosilicate glass layer acting together with the first fluorosilicate glass as an interlayer dielectric for the semiconductor device and having a thickness greater than the thickness of the first fluorosilicate glass layer, where the second fluorosilicate glass layer is formed by HDP with a low etch/deposition ratio.

Integration of low-k SiOF as inter-layer dielectric


A lock guard system for efficiently securing a dead bolt lock mechanism from outside access. The lock guard system includes a stop member comprised of a base including an upper slot and a plate that includes a lower slot for receiving a sleeve and fastener. The stop member connects to an existing dead bolt mechanism by extending the fastener and sleeve through the lower slot into an existing aperture in a covering plate. The stop member is able to adjust about the sleeve and lower slot to allow the dead bolt mechanism to operate both normally or to prevent the knob that controls the dead bolt from rotating.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to door lock devices and more specifically it relates to a lock guard system for efficiently securing a dead bolt lock mechanism from outside access.
2. Description of the Related Art
Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Door lock devices have been in use for years. Typically, door locks and more specifically dead bolts are accessible from both sides of a door. Usually the inside of the door has a knob for controlling the extension and retraction of the dead bolt while the outside of the door utilizes a key for controlling the dead bolt orientation. Unfortunately, dead bolt locks currently used today are able to be unlocked by those with a master key or those who can "pick" a lock to illegally gain access.
While these devices may be suitable for the particular purpose to which they address, they are not as suitable for efficiently securing a dead bolt lock mechanism from outside access. Current dead bolt locks on doors do not always stop those with master keys or those who are able to "pick" a lock from gaining access.
In these respects, the lock guard system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of efficiently securing a dead bolt lock mechanism from outside access.


A pay line system has a novel type of pay line that can be provided in a variety of different display systems, including at least 3×3 reel-type displays, 3×4, 4×3, 3×5, 5×3, 4×5 and 5×4 displays. The pay lines are preferably displayed on 3×5 or 5×3 window formats and comprise “horseshoe” arrays of frames or H-Configuration arrays of frames. The horseshoe arrays may be provided with the horseshoe opening at 180°, 270° with respect to vertical on the screen or with respect to the vertical orientation of a column, and the horseshoe may have three adjacent frames parallel to three of the four sides of the rectangular display created by the columns and rows.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to gaming equipment, especially multi-line and multicolumn wagering displays, particularly reel-type wagering apparatus and displays, and most particularly to the pay lines that are used on such gaming apparatus and displays.
2. Background of the Art
Gaming apparatus where symbols are randomly displayed and predetermined sets of symbols are awarded prizes have been used for entertainment for over one hundred years. These types of systems are generally referred to as slot machines or slot-type machines and the like. These machines had originally been limited to their style and format to the available physical structures that could be used to provide and display the symbols, relying primarily upon the mathematical relationships of a) wagering odds/payouts and the b) statistical distribution of symbols to control the amount of awards provided to players.
Even prior to 1900, machines were available with three reels with symbols provided on each reel at various positions where the reel was allowed to stop spinning (referred to as a stop position in the art), rotating pointers that would identify symbols or awards, rotating racks of cards that would display one card in each of five windows (much like the original digital clocks with each number on a panel), cash machine displays where cards would pop-up just as sales amounts would pop-up in a cash register and spinning wheels that would stop at a pointer. The classic slot machine format of three axially aligned reels having multiple sets of images on each reel became the standard in the industry for many years and still receives the majority of play in today's casinos.
The advent of video gaming technology and touch-screens has advanced the theoretical limits of the types of games and displays that can be used on gaming apparatus. Initially, there was some resistance to the newer video format games, except in the venue of poker-type video games. It has become lore in the industry that the main reason for this is that players wanted the machines to look and act the same as the old machines as a matter of trust in the old gaming apparatus and technical inertia.
Video games are now widely accepted in the industry across many different game styles, from poker games, blackjack, three-reel slots, keno, 3×5 slots (three rows and five columns), bonus events on gaming apparatus and the like. The industry has been slow, however, to take advantage of all the potential opportunities and formats available on gaming apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,580,053 describes a series of pay lines for use in video gaming. That invention consists in a gaming machine having display means arranged to display a plurality of symbols in an array of a predetermined number of rows and columns of symbol locations, game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to pay a prize when a predetermined combination of symbols is displayed on a predetermined line of symbol locations of the array characterized in that the number of possible predetermined lines recognized by the control means is greater than the number of rows plus a number of diagonals of the array, there being at least n+1 lines that use no symbols in at least 1 row, where n is the number of rows.
The downside of many new pay line arrangements is the confusing and unclear definitions of the pay lines. Players may not easily detect a winning combination, and the anticipation of the win is minimized. A new clear, concise shape or pattern is desired.
There is also a desire in the industry for the player to take advantage of all the pay lines available, since playing more pay lines increases the wager. An enticement should be implemented to encourage play of all available pay lines.
It is still desirable in the industry to provide additional formats and variations so that manufacturers can offer the player new games to maintain and stimulate their interest and enjoyment in play. The addition of easily detected pay line shapes and systems will add to the player's enjoyment, anticipation and ultimately more time on the machine.

Horseshoe payline system and games using that system


A charging interface for a motor vehicle, in particular, an electric vehicle, for charging the traction battery, having a charging socket arranged in a vehicle body opening and a closure device for covering the vehicle body opening, the charging socket can be moved in the axial direction of the vehicle body opening and the charging socket is made to move as a result of the closure device being opened.

In an electric vehicle, for charging a traction battery installed in the vehicle, the vehicle is connected to an external power supply via a power cable, wherein the charging process takes a considerable length of time. In an electric vehicle provided with a generator, it may also be necessary from time to time to connect the vehicle to an external power source for charging the battery.
Such a charging interface is disclosed, for example, in DE 10 2007 002 025 A1 for a vehicle having an electromotive drive, in which a vehicle body opening is provided, the vehicle body opening being accessible from the vehicle body and being able to be closed by a cover in which a charging socket is arranged instead of a filler neck.
A charging interface having a locking device is disclosed in DE 196 42 687 A1, by which a charging plug inserted into the charging socket is able to be locked against removal. The locking action exerted by the locking device may in this case be performed by a pivoting cover which in the closed position serves at the same time to cover the charging socket. Alternatively, the locking device may exert a locking action directly on the inserted charging plug, wherein the locking device is used at the same time for locking the pivoting cover in the closed position. More specifically, the known pivoting cover provides a certain degree of protection against rain and snow during the long charging time but is not entirely sufficient for this protection.

Charging interface for an electric vehicle


An amplifier includes an amplification path and multiple offset-compensation feedback paths. The amplification path has multiple amplifier stages, and the feedback paths are coupled to the amplification path. By including multiple feedback paths, such an amplifier can maintain its output DC-offset voltage at a desired level over a full range of amplitudes, i.e., power, of the input signal.

High-gain multistage amplifiers are often used to amplify signals having relatively small amplitudes, i.e., having relatively low power. For example, such amplifiers are typically used to amplify signals received via optical fibers.
But without adequate offset compensation, such multistage amplifiers often have relatively large output DC-offset voltages. Specifically, each stage of a high-gain amplifier typically generates an unwanted low-frequency, i.e., direct-current (DC), offset voltage at its output node(s). This output DC-offset voltage is defined as a stage's output voltage when the stage's input voltage is 0 Volts (V). Typically, the ideal output DC-offset voltage for a single-ended stage is half way between the stage's supply voltages, and the ideal output DC-offset voltage for a differential stage is 0V. Such an ideal DC-offset voltage allows the stage to generate an amplified high-frequency, i.e., alternating-current (AC), output signal having the largest unclipped peak-to-peak voltage possible for a given set of supply voltages. But if the output DC-offset voltage has a non-ideal level, then the AC output signal's maximum peak-to-peak voltage is reduced by twice the difference between the actual and ideal levels of the DC-offset voltage. For example, suppose a single-ended amplifier stage has +5V and −5V power supplies and an output-voltage range of +4V and −4V. If the stage's DC-offset voltage is an ideal 0V (halfway between +5V and −5V), then the stage can generate an amplified output signal having a peak-to-peak voltage as large as 8V. But if the DC-offset voltage is +1V, then the output signal's maximum peak-to-peak voltage is reduced to 6V. In a multistage amplifier, each latter stage amplifies the DC-offset voltage of each former stage. Therefore, even in amplifiers with relatively few stages having relatively low DC-offset voltages, the cumulative DC-offset voltage at the output of the last stage can be quite large.
Consequently, to maintain the output DC-offset voltage at a desirable level, a multistage amplifier typically includes an offset-compensation circuit. A common type of offset-compensation circuit uses negative feedback to maintain the output DC-offset voltage at a desirable level.
But unfortunately, as discussed below in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, available offset-compensation circuits typically cannot provide desired levels of compensation over a large range of input-signal power or over a large range of amplifier gains.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional differential high-gain multistage amplifier 10 that generates an output signal Vout by amplifying an input signal Vin and that includes a feed-forward amplification path 12 and a single offset-compensation path 14.
The amplification path 12 includes serially coupled differential amplifier stages 161, 162, . . . , and 16n, which have respective input DC-offset voltages Voffin1, Voffin2, . . . , and Voffinn and which generate output DC-offset voltages Voffout1, Voffout2, . . . , and Voffoutn. Each stage 16 has a respective pair of differential input nodes 18a and 18b and a respective pair of differential output nodes 20a and 20b. In addition, the stage 161 has a pair of differential offset-adjust nodes 22a1 and 22b1. A common technique for modeling the input DC offsets Voffin1, Voffin2, . . . , and Voffinn is to include DC-offset sources 241, 242, . . . , 24n, which are serially coupled to the input nodes 18a1, 18a2, . . . , and 18an, respectively. Therefore, Voffout1=Voffin1×Gdc161, Voffout2=(Voffout1+Voffin2)×Gdc162, . . . , and Voffoutn=(Voffoutn−1 +Voffinn)×Gdc16n, where Gdc161, Gdc162, . . . , and Gdc16n represent the DC gains of the amplifier stages 161, 162, . . . , 16n, respectively. Consequently, a relatively small input DC-offset voltage generated by a stage at the front end of the amplifier 10 can cause a relatively large DC-offset voltage Voffoutn across the amplifier's output nodes 20an and 20bn. For example, if the number of stages n=3, Voffin1=1 nanoVolt (nV), and Gdc161, Gdc162, and Gdc163=1000, then Voffout3=1 nV×1000×1000×1000 1 V, which is often too large for proper operation of the amplifier 10.
Furthermore, the amplifier stages 161, 162, . . . , 16n amplify Vin to generate respective output voltages of interest Vsout1, Vsout2, and Vsoutn. Therefore, assuming that Vin is an AC signal, Vsout1=Vin×Gac161, Vsout2=Vsout1×Gac162, . . . , and Vsoutn=Vsoutn-1×Gac16n, where Gac161, Gac162, and Gac16n are the AC gains of the stages 161, 162, . . . , and 16n, respectively.
Consequently, if the output DC-offset voltage Voffout of an amplifier stage 16 is too high, then the stage may clip the output voltage Vsout of interest. Using the well-known superposition theorem, the combined output voltages generated by the stages 161, 162, . . . , and 16n, respectively, are Vsout1+Voffout1, Vsout2+Voffout2, . . . , and Vsoutn+Voffoutn=Vout. Therefore, the signal components of interest Vsout1–Vsoutn"ride" on the offset components Voffout1–Voffoutn, respectively. For example, suppose that Voffoutn is an ideal 0 V and that the differential peak-to-peak range of the last stage 16n is 4 V. Therefore, if Vsoutn is a sinusoid with a peak-to-peak amplitude of 3 V, then the stage 16n generates Vsoutn with no clipping. But if Voffoutn=1 V, then the stage 16n will clip Vsoutn.
To reduce the output DC-offset voltage of the amplifier stages 16 to acceptable levels so as to prevent clipping, the amplifier 10 includes the feedback compensation path 14, which includes a compensator 26 for maintaining the output DC-offset voltage of a selected stage 16—here the stage 162—at a predetermined level. Specifically, the compensator 26 receives the output DC-offset voltage of the selected stage 162 on differential input nodes 28a and 28b, generates on output nodes 29a and 29b a differential correction signal OFFSET ADJUST having a value that is related to the level of the received DC offset, and provides OFFSET ADJUST to a prior stage 16—here the first stage 161. OFFSET ADJUST alters the output DC-offset voltage of the prior stage 161 so as to maintain the output DC offset of the selected stage 162 at the predetermined level. More specifically, in the example shown in FIG. 1, the compensator 26 is a high-gain amplifier that uses negative feedback to maintain the output DC-offset voltage of the stage 162 at or near 0 V. The compensator 26 receives the output voltage Vsout2+Voffout2 from the output nodes 20a2 and 20b2 of the stage 162. Because the purpose of the compensator 26 is to control the level of Voffout2, it filters out the higher-frequency component Vsout2 with a low-pass filter (not shown in FIG. 1) to isolate Voffout2. Then, it generates OFFSET ADJUST from the isolated Voffout2 and provides OFFSET ADJUST to the adjust terminals 22a and 22b of the first stage 161. In response to OFFSET ADJUST, the stage 161 adjusts its output DC-offset voltage Voffout1 to a level that causes Voffout2 to equal or approximately equal 0 V.
Although the feedback path 14 can maintain the output DC-offset voltage Voffout2 of the selected amplifier 162 at a desired level, the last amplifier stage 16n may generate an undesirably large output DC-offset voltage Voffoutn, particularly when Vsoutn is relatively low power. This is because Voffoutn may overpower Vsoutn, thus making Vsoutn difficult to recover. Such low-power Vsoutn is typically caused by Vin having a relatively low power.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an amplifier 30 that attempts to solve this problem by replacing the single feedback path 14 with a single feedback path 32 that is connected to the output nodes 20an and 20bn of the last stage 16n. Except for the different feedback path 32, the amplifier 30 is the same as the amplifier 10 of FIG. 1 and thus like numbers are used to reference like components in FIGS. 1 and 2.
In operation, the compensator 26 receives the differential output voltage Vsoutn+Voffoutn from the output nodes 20an and 20bn of the last stage 16n, filters out the higher-frequency component Vsoutn to isolate Voffoutn, generates OFFSET ADJUST from the isolated Voffoutn, and provides OFFSET ADJUST to the first stage 161. In response to OFFSET ADJUST, the stage 161 adjusts its output DC-offset voltage Voffout1 to a level that causes Voffoutn to equal or approximately equal 0 V.
But a problem with the amplifier 30 is that the output-signal component Vsoutn may be so large that the compensator 26 cannot accurately adjust the DC offset Voffoutn to a desired level. A large Vsoutn is typically caused by a high-power input signal Vin. As discussed above in conjunction with FIG. 1, if Voffoutn and Vsoutn are too large, then the stage 16n may clip Vsoutn. But if the stage 16n clips Vsoutn, then low-pass filtering Vout yields the DC component of the clipped Vsoutn, not the true DC offset Voffoutn. Therefore, the compensator 26 isolates this DC component instead of Voffoutn, and thus erroneously generates OFFSET ADJUST from this isolated component. Consequently, because OFFSET ADJUST is inaccurate, the stage 161 typically does not adjust Voffout1 to a value that causes Voffoutn to equal or approximately equal a desired level such as 0 V.
Therefore, referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, although the offset-compensation path 14 renders the amplifier 10 well suited for a relatively large voltage signal Vsoutn and the offset-compensation path 32 renders the amplifier 30 well suited for a relatively small Vsoutn, neither the amplifier 10 nor the amplifier 30 works well over an entire of amplitudes for Vsoutn. And because the amplitude of Vsoutn is proportional to the power of Vin neither the amplifier 10 nor the amplifier 30 works well over an entire range of powers for Vin.

Amplifier having multiple offset-compensation paths and related systems and methods

Avago Technologies Fiber IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.


This invention provides a multi-screen display system, which unifies the control relating to each image on a multi-screen. The multi-screen display system receives images from a plurality of image sources, and displays the received images at the same time on the multi-screen of a display device. In the multi-screen display system, a multi-screen control part determines a type of each image source and a display region where a multi-screen control cursor is positioned on the multi-screen. The multi-screen control part determines a role of the multi-screen control cursor in the display region according to the type of the image source of an image displayed in the display region where the multi-screen control cursor is positioned. The multi-screen control part controls generation of the multi-screen control cursor and the operation thereof so that the multi-screen control cursor can play the determined role.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to a multi-screen display system and method, which enables the simultaneous display of image data inputted from a plurality of image sources on a display unit.
2. Description of Related Art
In recent years, image data supplied from a DTV (digital television) and a DVD (digital video disk), a PC personal computer and the like are increasingly displayed on a multi-screen of a large display unit such as a liquid crystal projector and a plasma display. Accordingly, there is the necessity of displaying a combination of image data supplied from different image media on this large display unit, which is regarded as a central device for multimedia, in homes. Therefore, the image display system needs to have a function of displaying a plurality of images at the same time. A currently proposed large display unit has a function of arbitrarily arranging and displaying, on a screen, the image data supplied from a plurality of different media connected thereto to thereby display a plurality of image data at the same time. More specifically, a multi-screen display system is constructed by using the large display unit as a multi-screen viewer.
If, however, PC image data are displayed on the screen of the above-mentioned conventional multi-screen display system, the image data should be edited and changed by operating a cursor or mouse of a PC. This is because a cursor generating means and an application control are provided inside the PC. If a broadcast image of an interactive integrated digital broadcasting system, etc. is laid out as a part of a display on a multi-screen, the resolution of the image is converted to a resolution intended by a broadcasting station and then an action must be taken to change the display on the broadcasting screen. This is because currently-expected broadcast images construct a menu screen with the resolution intended by the broadcasting station. If the user converts the resolution to display the multi-screen, an interactive selection and the like may become impossible. For this reason, the conventional multi-screen display system is not capable of performing the unified control of different media by using the large display unit as a central control means. In other words, a user interface cannot be operated easily.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multi-screen display system and method that realizes the unified control relating to each image on the multi-screen.
The above object can be accomplished by providing a multi-screen display system comprising input means for inputting images from a plurality of image sources, display means having a multi-screen capable of displaying the inputted images, image source determining means for determining a type of each of the image sources, layout determining means for determining a layout of display regions for arranging the inputted images on the multi-screen of the display means, cursor control means for generating a multi-screen control cursor for inputting commands on the multi-screen and controlling operation thereof, and display region identifying means for identifying a display region on the multi-screen of the display means in which the multi-screen control cursor is positioned, and wherein the cursor control means determines a role of the multi-screen control cursor in the display region where the multi-screen control cursor is positioned according to a type of an image source of an image displayed in the display region, and the cursor control means controls generation of the multi-screen control cursor and the operation thereof so that the multi-screen control cursor can play the determined role.
This enables the unified control of the images on the multi-screen.
The multi-screen display system is preferably characterized in that the plurality of image sources includes at least one image source providing an interactive operational environment, and the cursor control means sets a role of the multi-screen control cursor corresponding to the interactive operational environment when an image source of an image displayed in the display region where the multi-screen control cursor is positioned provides the interactive operational environment. This enables the control to be achieved on the multi-screen suitably for the interactive operational environment.
The multi-screen display-system is preferably characterized in that the at least one image source providing the interactive operational environment has a cursor generation controlling function of generating a cursor on the at least one image source and controlling operation of the cursor, and the cursor control means has control transfer means operable if the image source of the image displayed in the display region where the multi-screen control cursor is positioned has the cursor generation controlling function, for transferring control relating to the generation and operation of the multi-screen control cursor to the cursor generation controlling function of the image source having the cursor generation controlling function so that the multi-screen control cursor is switched to the cursor generated by the image source having the cursor generation controlling function. The edition and change of the images at the image source side having the cursor generation controlling function can be performed on the multi-screen, not at the image source side.
The image source having the cursor generation controlling function is an information processing apparatus including a personal computer and a workstation.
The multi-screen display system is preferably characterized in that the image source having the cursor generation controlling function is provided with a serial bus, and the cursor control means has a serial bus connected to the serial bus of the image source, and the control transfer means reconstructs the connection of the serial bus of the cursor control means and the serial bus of the image source while the image source is operating, and then transfers the control relating to the generation and operation of the multi-screen control cursor to the cursor generation controlling function of the image source.
Therefore, the control relating to the generation and operation of the cursor can easily be transferred to the cursor generation controlling function of the image source.
The serial bus of the image source and the serial bus of the cursor control means are universal serial buses or serial buses conforming to an IEEE 1394 standard.
The multi-screen display system is preferably characterized in that the plurality of image sources includes at least one image source having a cursor generation controlling function of controlling the cursor control means to generate an interactive cursor for moving and changing exclusively interactive select buttons, and if the image source of the image displayed in the display region where the multi-screen control cursor is positioned has the cursor generation controlling function, the cursor control means turns off a display of the multi-screen control cursor to generate the interactive cursor according to the cursor generation controlling function of the image source and controls operation of the interactive cursor. Therefore, image sources can be changed on the multi-screen.
The multi-screen display system is preferably characterized in that the plurality of image sources includes at least one image source having a cursor generation controlling function of controlling the cursor control means to generate the multi-screen control cursor, and if the image source of the image displayed in the display region where the multi-screen control cursor is positioned has the cursor generation controlling function, the cursor control means generates the multi-screen control cursor according to the cursor generation controlling function of the image source and changes size, color and movement amount of the multi-screen control cursor according to a resolution of the display region where the image of the image source having the cursor generation controlling function is displayed. The cursor can be operated in a comfortable manner suitable for the screen.
The image source having the cursor generation controlling function provides a digital broadcasting according to an integrated digital broadcasting system.
The multi-screen display system is preferably characterized in that if the multi-screen control cursor on the multi-screen is located in a display region of the digital broadcasting according to the integrated digital broadcasting system, the cursor control means converts a position of the multi-screen control cursor to a position desired by a provider of the integrated digital broadcasting system, and wherein if the converted position of the multi-screen control cursor is within a region of a button property of changing interactive scenes, the cursor control means takes an action to change scenes according to a scenario of the digital broadcasting when received. Therefore, the scenes can be changed without fail.
The above object can be accomplished by a multi-screen display method which comprises a receiving step of receiving images from a plurality of image sources, displaying the received images on a multi-screen of one display unit, an image source type determining step of determining a type of each of the image sources, a layout determining step of determining a layout of display regions, for arranging the received images on the multi-screen of the display unit, a cursor generating step of generating a multi-screen control cursor for inputting commands on the multi-screen and operating the multi-screen control cursor, a display region identifying step of identifying a display region on the multi-screen of the display means in which the multi-screen control cursor is positioned, and a cursor control step of determining a role of the multi-screen control cursor in the display region where the multi-screen control cursor is positioned according to a type of an image source of an image displayed in the display region, and controlling generation of the multi-screen control cursor and operation thereof so that the multi-screen control cursor can play the determined role.
This enables the unified control of the images on the multi-screen.
The multi-screen display system is preferably characterized in that the plurality of image sources includes at least one image source providing an interactive operational environment, and the cursor control step sets a role of the multi-screen control cursor corresponding to the interactive operational environment when an image source of an image displayed in the display region where the multi-screen control cursor is positioned provides the interactive operational environment. This enables the control on the multi-screen suitably for the interactive operational environment.
The multi-screen display method is preferably characterized in that the at least one image source providing the interactive operational environment has a cursor generation controlling function of generating a cursor on the at least one image source and controlling operation of the cursor, and if the image source of the image displayed in the display region where the multi-screen control cursor is positioned has the cursor generation controlling function, the cursor control step transfers control relating to the generation and operation of the multi-screen control cursor to the cursor generation controlling function of the image source having the cursor generation controlling function so that the multi-screen control cursor is switched to the cursor generated by the image source having the cursor generation controlling function. The edition and change of the images at the image source side having the cursor generation controlling function can be performed on the multi-screen, not at the image source side.
The image source having the cursor generation controlling function is an information processing apparatus including a personal computer and a workstation.
The multi-screen display method is characterized in that the image source having the cursor generation controlling function is provided with a serial bus, and the cursor control means has a serial bus connected to the serial bus of the image source, and wherein the cursor control step comprises reconstructing the connection of the serial bus of the cursor control means and the serial bus of the image source while the image source is operating, and then transferring the control relating to the generation and operation of the multi-screen control cursor to the cursor generation controlling function of the image source. Therefore, the control relating to the generation and operation of the cursor can easily be transferred to the cursor generation controlling function of the image source.
The serial bus of the image source and the serial bus of the cursor control means are universal serial buses or serial buses conforming to an IEEE 1394 standard.
The multi-screen display method is characterized in that the plurality of image sources includes at least one image source having a cursor generation controlling function of controlling the cursor control means to generate an interactive cursor for moving and changing exclusively interactive select buttons, and wherein if the image source of the image displayed in the display region where the multi-screen control cursor is positioned has the cursor generation controlling function, the cursor control step turns off a display of the multi-screen control cursor to generate the interactive cursor according to the cursor generation controlling function of the image source and controls operation of the interactive cursor. Therefore, change of the image sources and the like can be performed on the multi-screen.
The multi-screen display method is characterized in that the plurality of image sources includes at least one image source having a cursor generation controlling function of controlling the cursor control means to generate the multi-screen control cursor, and wherein if the image source of the image displayed in the display region where the multi-screen control cursor is positioned has the cursor generation controlling function, the cursor control step generates the multi-screen control cursor according to the cursor generation controlling function of the image source and changes size, color and movement amount of the multi-screen control cursor according to a resolution of the display region where the image of the image source having the cursor generation controlling function is displayed. Therefore, the cursor can be operated in a comfortable manner suitable for the screen.
The image source having the cursor generation controlling function provides a digital broadcasting according to an integrated digital broadcasting system.
The multi-screen display method is preferably characterized in that if the multi-screen control cursor on the multi-screen-is located in a display region of the digital broadcasting according to the integrated digital broadcasting system, the cursor control step converts a position of the multi-screen control cursor to a position desired by a provider of the integrated digital broadcasting system, and if the converted position of the multi-screen control cursor is within a region of a button property of changing interactive scenes, the cursor control step takes an action to change scenes according to a scenario of the digital broadcasting when received. Therefore, the scenes can be changed without fail.


A crimp fitting has a monolithic and homogeneous female socket configured to receive and be crimped to an end portion of a tube. The socket comprises an annular wall and an axial opening. The annular wall comprises at least one internal shoulder that protrudes radially inward from the annular wall. A seal ring in the female socket has a C-shaped cross section and is configured to be arranged around the end portion of the tube to be joined with the fitting. The C-shaped seal ring compresses against the internal shoulder after the fitting is crimped with the tube with the C-shaped seal ring arranged around the end of the tube.

As discussed in co-owned U.S. Pat. No. 9,145,992, (which is incorporated by reference herein), metal crimp fittings can be used to join metal tubes together in a manner such that the joints are leak free at gauge pressures in excess of 2,000 psi (13.8 MPa). Such fittings are particularly suited for use in connection with HVAC/refrigeration or plumbing. However, such crimp fittings often rely on the use of O-rings or other types of sealing elements that are not capable of resisting high temperatures. Thus, such fittings are not well suited for use in connection with medical gas, i.e., oxygen piping that is required to withstand a pressure of 300 psi (2.07 MPa) after experiencing temperatures in excess of 1,000° F. (538° C.) for approval testing. At such temperatures, polymeric materials melt and/or become ineffective at maintaining pressure seals.
Medical gas piping is typically required to operate at maximum pressures of less than 100 psi (0.69 MPa). However, because medical gas lines can contain pressurized oxygen, the building codes and specifications require such lines to be capable of withstanding the high temperatures associated with minor fires. Additionally, because at least some of such oxygen is ultimately inhaled, there are typically strict requirements related to the cleanliness of the tubing and joints used in medical gas piping. Thus, the fittings and tubing used must be formed out of materials that can be cleaned and that do not pose any health risks, and that can withstand an oxygen rich environment. The tubes used in medical gas piping are hard drawn copper and the joints are axially swaged/brazed. While conventional brazing techniques can be used to join copper tubes, brazing can have disadvantages. For example, brazing typically involves the use of a torch, which creates an inherent fire risk during installation. This can be problematic or prohibited in situations where tubes need to be joined in buildings while such buildings are open to the public. In addition, a protective gas must be charged into the connection before brazing to prevent oxidization of the interior surfaces and contamination of the medical gas lines. Aspects of the following disclosure overcome these issues.
As discussed below, tubes may to be connected to each other using a crimp fitting and crimping technique rather than a soldering or brazing technique. Moreover, the fitting disclosed below utilizes a metal-to-metal seal that is capable of maintaining pressure seals at pressures in excess of 300 psi (2.07 MPa) and withstanding temperatures in excess of 1000° F. (538° C.). That being said, the fittings, although particularly suited for use in connecting medical gas piping, can also be useful in connecting other types of plumbing such as water lines. The fittings are preferably annealed and used to join hardened tubes.
Reference numerals in the written specification and in the drawing figures indicate corresponding items.

Crimp fitting for medical gas piping and method of use


A method and apparatus for quantum computing. A computer-program source code, data, and unsubstantiated output variables are converted into a class of computable functions by a program compiler. The computable functions are encoded, and a continualization method is applied to the encoded functions to determine a first-order, time-dependent, differential equation. Variational calculus is employed to construct a Lagrangian whose minimum geodesic is the solution for the first-order, time-dependent, differential equation. The Lagrangian is converted into a quantum, canonical, Hamiltonian operator which is realized as an excitation field via an excitation generator. The excitation field is repeatedly applied to a quantum processor consisting of a lattice of polymer nodes to generate an intensity-versus-vibrational-frequency spectrum of the lattice nodes. The average vibrational spectrum intensity values are used as coefficients in an approximating polynomial of the encoding function to determine the substantiated output variables, or program output.

Computer technology has evolved at an amazing rate in the past few decades. Further increases in the density of semiconductor integrated circuits may soon end due to the practical difficulties in patterning features with dimensions smaller than the wave length of ultraviolet light and soft x-rays. Ultimately, features cannot possibly be smaller than the length scale of single atoms and molecules.
At the molecular level, quantum effects may provided huge advantages as well as problems not encountered at larger dimensions. Quantum computing has recently emerged as a possible approach to developing smaller computing devices that operate on the atomic level. In general, a traditional computer encodes information in a series of bits for computation that are manipulated via Boolean logic, which is based on binary mathematics. For example, a 32-bit digital computer generally manipulates one or several 32-bit operands during execution of a single instruction. A single instruction generally produces one or several 32-bit result values, each representing one of 232 different possible result values. Thus, a single instruction maps one or several operands to one or several results, each within a range of 232 values. On the other hand, a typical quantum computer utilizes the +½ and −½ nuclear spin states for isotopes such as 13C and 19F to represent the Boolean logic one and zero. In addition, the nuclear spin is also a quantum mechanical object that can exist in a superposition of +½ and −½ nuclear spin states. In theory, a typical 32-quantum-bit quantum computer can produce any combination of 232 values (i.e., 232! combintations) as a result of executing an instruction, providing for massive parallelism. However, in order to take advantage of the inherent ½-spin state of isotaopes such as 13C and 19F, the processor must be operated at temperatures near absolute zero.
Computer manufacturers, engineers, and physicists have recognized the need for quantum computers that can handle the increasing demand for speed and computational volume and that are capable of operating at room temperature.

Method and programmable apparatus for quantum computing


The disclosure relates to a grid-controlled X-ray source, a space X-ray communication system and a space X-ray communication method. The structure of the grid-controlled X-ray source is: one end of the filament is grounded and the other end is connected with the anode of a power supply, the thermionic cathode is located at the side of the filament and the emergence hole thereof faces the filament, the modulation grid is an electrode plate with a small hole which faces the emergence hole of the thermionic cathode, the electronic beam focusing electrode is located on the two sides of the small hole of the modulation grid to form a focusing channel facing the small hole, an electronic beam is focused by the electronic beam focusing electrode and then transmitted to the metallic target anode, wherein the transmitting surface of the metallic target anode faces the outlet of the focusing channel and the other surface is connected with the anode of the power supply, and the output window is located on an reflection path of the electronic beam which is from the metallic target anode. The disclosure solves the technical problems that the signal-to-noise ratio of communication is low, the error rate error rate of communication is high and the speed of communication is low when an X ray is used for implementing communication in the conventional art, and has the advantages of long communication distance and the low error rate of communication.

With very short wavelength and strong penetration capacity, an X ray can achieve a penetration rate of 100% at an atmospheric pressure of less than 10−4 Pa when the photon energy of the X ray is more than 10 keV (namely, the wavelength of that is less than 0.12 nm), which is nearly unattenuated transmission. That is to say, a long-distance space communication can be implemented by a very small transmission power. In another scenario, a satellite needs to pass through a plasma zone in which the radio wave is completely shielded when returning to the earth, but in the plasma zone, and then the satellite can pass through the plasma zone by the X-ray communication. Therefore, compared with other communication ways, the X-ray communication has the advantages of low transmission power, long transmission distance, high confidentiality, freedom from electromagnetic interference in space environment and wide communication band, by which the real-time communication among space satellites in the future can be expected to be realized.
Dr. Keith Gendreau from Goddard Center Flight Center of America had proposed that a point-to-point communication among space satellite aircrafts could be realized by an X ray in 2007, and he also built an experimental facility of this proposal. As shown in FIG. 1, an Ultraviolet Light-Emitting Diode (UV-LED) is modulated at a transmitting end by a digital signal, and then the modulated ultraviolet light which is emitted by the UV-LED irradiates a "photoelectric emission X-ray tube", wherein the "photoelectric emission X-ray tube" consists of an ultraviolet photoelectric cathode, a Micro-channel Plate (MCP) and a metallic target anode. The photoelectric cathode receives ultraviolet light and converts it into photoelectrons, and the photoelectrons are multiplied by the MCP, and then are accelerated in anodic electric field (Va) to bombard a metallic target, so as to generate a modulated X-ray pulse. In a receiving end, the modulated X-ray pulse is converts into a modulated electric pulse by a Si-PIN photodiode sensitive to the X ray, and then the modulated electric pulse is filtered and is processed by a demodulation circuit to be reverted into a digital signal.
To sum up, obviously, the scheme of Dr. Keith Gendreau mainly has the following defects:
1) The signal-to-noise ratio of communication is low and the error rate of communication is high: The photoelectric emission current of the photoelectric cathode is direct ratio to the power of incident light, but the photoelectric cathode will be subject to damage in perpetuity if the power of the incident light increases to a certain value, so that the current (Ia) cannot be too large. Therefore, in the scheme of Dr. Keith Gendreau, the transmission power (Ia*Va) of the modulated X-ray pulse source cannot be very large, accordingly, the communication signal-to-noise ratio is low and the error rate is high.
2) the speed of communication is low: In the scheme of Dr. Keith Gendreau, since both of scattering and focusing for the X ray are all difficult to be realized, a large-area Si-PIN photoelectric diode is adopted to detect an X-ray pulse in order to implement long-distance communication. The large-area Si-PIN photoelectric diode utilizes internal photoelectric effect, and the time resolution is only the magnitude of millisecond, so the communication speed is limited. The disclosure is to provide a space X-ray communication scheme in order to overcome the defects above.

Grid-controlled X-ray source and space X-ray communication system and method

XI'AN INSTITUTE OF OPTICS AND PRECISION MECHANICS OF CAS


Some embodiments include a construction having a horizontally-extending layer of fluorocarbon material over a semiconductor construction. Some embodiments include methods of filling openings that extend into a semiconductor construction. The methods may include, for example, printing the material into the openings or pressing the material into the openings. The construction may be treated so that surfaces within the openings adhere the material provided within the openings while surfaces external of the openings do not adhere the material. In some embodiments, the surfaces external of the openings are treated to reduce adhesion of the material.

Conventional processes may include fabrication sequences having one or more steps in which multiple openings associated with a semiconductor construction are to be filled with insulative material. However, fluid dynamics and other parameters may lead to under-fill within some openings (the under-fill may be particularly problematic relative to larger openings if there is a distribution of openings of different sizes), and excess material (overburden) across regions of the semiconductor construction between openings, and/or across smaller openings if there is a distribution of openings of different sizes.
It would be desirable to develop new methods for filling multiple openings with insulative material. It would also be desirable if such new methods could be extended for utilization with other materials besides insulative materials; such as, for example, conductive materials, etc.

Semiconductor constructions having fluorocarbon material


A time-of-flight mass spectrometer in which sample ions are generated from a target and are focussed into an ion beam that is incident onto a detector. A barrier that defines an aperture in the path of the ion beam is positioned to block ions having an extra large deviation from an average time-of-flight of the ions, thereby improving resolution. The aperture can be adjusted to adjust a tradeoff between sensitivity and resolution. Alternatively, the position of the aperture or the bias on an einzel lens can be adjusted to control this resolution.

This invention relates in general to Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometers and relates more particularly to special structures for increasing the resolution of such mass spectrometers.
In the figures, the first digit of a reference numeral indicates the first figure in which is presented the element indicated by that reference numeral.
In a typical time-of-flight spectrometer, a sample is ionized by a short pulse of localized energy to produce an initial region of ions that is localized both spatially and temporally. These ions are accelerated by an electric potential and are usually allowed to drift through at least one field-free region before they reach a detector that detects the reception of these ions. Within these field-free regions, the ion trajectories within this beam are substantially parallel so that the beam does not become unduly large when it reaches the next element within the spectrometer.
The electric field accelerates each ion to a velocity proportional to the square root of the ratio of the ion charge to the ion mass so that the time of arrival at the detector is inversely proportional to the square root of the mass of each ion. Therefore, a timer is started at the time of the energy pulse and the measured interval until a given group of ions reaches the detector is utilized to identify the charge to mass ratio of these ions. A mass spectrum of the sample is generated from the intensity of detected ions as a function of time. A time-of-flight spectrometer provides the significant advantages that a complete mass spectrum is produced by each pulse, that many mass spectra can be produced per second and that there is no limit on the mass range.
The initial velocity of an ion affects its time-of-flight. In the discussions which follow, the ion optical elements have cylindrical symmetry about the direction of the ion acceleration and drift. This direction will be referred to herein as the "longitudinal direction". The direction perpendicular to the direction of ion acceleration will be referred to as the "lateral direction". Likewise, the components of an ion's initial velocity will be referred to herein as the "longitudinal component of the initial velocity" and the "lateral component of the initial velocity".
It is well known (see, for example, the article R. Frey, et al A High-Resolution Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer Using Laser Resonance Ionization, Z. Naturforsch., Teil A, (1985) Vol. 40, pp, 1349-1350) that the resolution of mass peaks is increased by reducing as much as possible the initial spatial and temporal dimensions of the spacetime region in which ions are generated and by countering peak broadening due to kinetic energy differences of the ions at the time of generation. If ions are generated over a significant time interval, then the measured time of flight will not be equal to the actual time of flight for each ion. It is therefore important to minimize the temporal spread of ion generation. If the spatial spread of ion generation is significant, then these ions will have unequal spatial paths. More significantly, since the ions are generated in an accelerating electric field, if they are generated over a significant spatial interval along the direction of this electric field, then the ions will receive a significant spread of energies. Because identical ions accelerated to different energies will have different time-of-flight values, such energy spreads will degrade the resolution of the time-of-flight spectrum.
An ion reflector is utilized to compensate for the part of the time-of-flight differences that arises from initial differences in the longitudinal component of the drift velocity. For ions of equal charge-to-mass ratio, those ions with a larger initial positive longitudinal component would arrive at the detector earlier than ions with zero longitudinal component. At the ion reflector, the higher energy ions penetrate farther into the reflector, thereby spending a greater time in the reflector than those with zero initial longitudinal component. The reflector parameters are selected so that the differential times spent in the ion reflector compensate for the time-of-flight differences resulting from the longitudinal velocity component differences of the ions.
In the article by Frey, et al, a gridless ion reflector is presented to avoid the perturbations introduced by an ion reflector utilizing conductive grids. A laser pulse is used to ionize a gaseous sample because a laser has the extremely small spatial and temporal width needed to produce high resolution. Also, the laser can be tuned to enable selective ionization of one sample component and the wavelength of the laser can be selected to produce ions either with or without fragmentation of the initial particles.
In addition to the use of a reflector to compensate for initial potential energy differences of ions, other techniques are available to prevent initial kinetic and potential energy differences from degrading resolution. As taught in the article M. Yang, et al, A Reflectron Mass Spectrometer With UV Laser-Induced Surface Ionization, International Journal of Mass Spectrometry and Ion Processes, 75 (1987) 209-219, the initial potential energy spread is substantially eliminated by adsorbing sample molecules onto the surface of a prism and then directing the laser beam through the prism onto these adsorbed sample molecules. This surface is perpendicular to the electric acceleration field so that all of these particles have the same initial potential energy. To avoid ionizing gas molecules above the surface, the laser beam is directed to internally reflect off of the metallized surface on which the particles are adsorbed.
Other factors identified in this article as affecting resolution include: the flatness of electric grids; and the stability and accuracy of the delay time generator. This latter problem is addressed in the following patent issued to Yvon Le Beyec, et al.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,694,168 entitled Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry issued to Yvon Le Beyec et al on Sep. 15, 1987 is directed to the accurate detection of neutral and ionized fragments from particles that decay during flight in the spectrometer. Sample ions are produced by bombardment with a high energy primary ion from a 2-particle decay process. A time-of-flight timer is started in response to detection of the 2nd of these 2 decay particles, thereby providing accurate activation of this counter.
The article X. Tang, et al, A Secondary Ion Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer With An Ion Mirror, International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, (1988) pp. 42-66 provides a detailed analysis of operation and errors of this system. Daughter ions have substantially the same velocity as the parent, and therefore are equivalent to parent ions in the ion spectrum. However, the lower energy of daughters means that they spend a shorter time in the mirror, thereby separating them from the parent particles in the spectrum. This separation improves sensitivity compared to systems without an ion mirror. To enable determination of decay rates, a movable target enables the distance from the ion source to the reflector to be varied. An adjustable iris preserves the angular acceptance angle as this distance is varied. A long flight path is utilized for improved resolution and a short path is utilized for higher efficiency, which is useful in the low intensity correlation measurements.
Because of the above-listed advantages of secondary ion time-of-flight mass spectrometers, it is desirable to extend the application of such mass spectrometers to the high mass ions encountered in medical and biological applications. Fortunately, the article R. J. Beuhler and L. Friedman, Threshold Studies Of Secondary Electron Emission Induced By Macro-Ion Impact On Solid Surfaces, Nuclear Instruments and Methods, 170 (1980), p. 309-315 teaches that the actual rate of secondary electron emission is much greater for high mass secondary ions than is predicted by the classical analysis which treats the incident primary ion as a single particle having an ability to scatter high mass secondary ions according to the classical principles of conservation of energy and momentum. Instead, to explain the much higher than expected rate of generation of secondary electrons by very high mass ions, this article concludes that the incident ion must be treated as a collection of its component layers of atoms, each of which can separately contribute energy to the secondary electron formation process. Because of this, time-of-flight mass spectrometry for typical biological molecules is feasible in spite of their very high mass.
In the article Georges Slodzian, Microanalyzers Using Secondary Ion Emission in the text Applied Charged Particle Optics, edited by A. Septier, Academic Press, 1980, the ion optics section utilizes an immersion lens followed by an einzel lens.
In the article J. Orloff and L. W. Swanson, An Asymmetric Electrostatic Lens For Field-emission Microprobe Applications, J. Appl. Phys. 50(4), April 1979, p. 2494, an asymmetric lens is analyzed for use as the accelerating element in high current (tens of nanoamperes) electron beams for submicron beams. This type of lens has the advantage of providing continuous voltage variability of focus while maintaining a fixed image and object distance.

Time-of-flight mass spectrometer with an aperture enabling tradeoff of transmission efficiency and resolution


A Silicon Carbide (SiC) semiconductor device having back-side contacts to a P-type region and methods of fabrication thereof are disclosed. In one embodiment, an SiC semiconductor device includes an N-type substrate and an epitaxial structure on a front-side of the N-type substrate. The epitaxial substrate includes a P-type layer adjacent to the N-type substrate and one or more additional SiC layers on the P-type layer opposite the N-type substrate. The semiconductor device also includes one or more openings through the N-type substrate that extend from a back-side of the N-type substrate to the P-type layer and a back-side contact on the back-side of the N-type substrate and within the one or more openings such that the back-side contact is in physical and electrical contact with the P-type layer. The semiconductor device further includes front-side contacts on the epitaxial structure opposite the N-type substrate.

Silicon Carbide (SiC) power devices provide superior performance over power devices formed in other material systems. In particular, SiC power devices have numerous advantages over Silicon (Si) power devices such as, for example, higher breakdown field (˜10×) and thus, for the same breakdown voltage, lower specific on-resistance and faster switching; higher thermal conductivity (˜3×) and thus higher current densities; and higher bandgap (˜3×) and thus higher temperature of operation. Power devices are typically vertical devices. As such, current flows through a vertical power device between one contact on a front-side of the power device and another contact on a back-side of the power device.

Semiconductor devices in SiC using vias through N-type substrate for backside contact to P-type layer