Embodiments of this invention can establish a communications path through a network device in a network for a stream of data served by a server. A host can request to receive the stream of data by sending a request through the network to the server. In response, the server creates a data distribution message and sends it onto the network towards the host. Each network device equipped with the invention receives the data distribution message via unicast communications, acknowledges the data distribution message, and creates a path table for the stream of data, and forwards the data distribution message to the next network device on route to the host. A network device that receives an acknowledgment of the data distribution message establishes at least one path through the network device in the path table for payload distribution messages that carry a stream of data. The stream of data can thus be propagated through a network with only one copy of portions (e.g., packets) of the stream traveling per path in the network, irrespective of the number of recipients served by a network device that receives the stream. Since the portions of data are propagated using standard routing protocols, they may pass or tunnel through network devices not equipped with the invention.

Certain types of communications networks require the ability to support the transmission of streams of data or other information (e.g., voice data, video data or a combination thereof) through the network from a source or transmitting communications device (e.g., a source computer system) to one or more destination or receiving communications devices (e.g., destination computer systems). Using conventional communications technologies such as point to point communications, a source computer system could conceivably transmit a distinct or separate copy of the stream of data using respective distinct individual communications sessions or channels from the source computer system to each destination computer system which is to receive the stream of data. To do so, a source or transmitting host computer system however must replicate packets of information for the stream of data for each of the destination receiving hosts. The source computer system must then establish a communications session to each destination computer system in order to forward one copy of packets of information to each destination computer system. The destination computer systems can then receive, assemble and process their respective packet of information for the stream of data transmitted by the source computer system.
An example of such a point to point communications system is an electronic mail message sent from a single user at a source computer system to multiple recipient users at many different destination or recipient computer systems. A mail program on the source computer system must send a separate copy of the same email message to each recipient computer system. Such point to point communications technologies place a heavy processing burden on the source or transmitting computer systems since the amount of information processing required to transmit the packets of data increases linearly with the number of destination or receiving host computer systems. Moreover, in situations where a source computer system is transmitting large quantities of data, such as when transmitting streams of audio or video data to multiple recipient computer systems, point to point communications techniques can quickly consume large amounts of transmission bandwidth in each network device (e.g., each network router or switch in the network) though which the streams of data pass. Essentially, this results in an inefficient use of network resources (i.e., the routers and/or switches) within the communications network.
To overcome this problem, communications system developers have created a conventional communications protocol called the multicast protocol (or simply multicast or multicasting) that allows for the establishment of a data distribution network within a communications network that avoids transmission of a separate copy of the same data through the same communications devices (i.e., through the same routers or switches) for each destination computer system or other device that wishes to receive the data. Complete details of the operation of the multicast protocol are provided in a request for comment (RFC) documents such as RFC-1112, RFC-1075, RFC-2283 and RFC-1584, each of which are available on the Internet's World Wide Web from the Internet Engineering Task Force (e.g., www.IETF.org), which is an Internet standards organization. The teaching and contents of RFC-1112, RFC-1075, RFC-2283 and RFC-1584 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The multicast protocol is ideally used in conventional networks for the distribution of isochronous data or media that requires delivery from one or more sources to one or more destinations within a certain bounded time frame. Typical examples of such isochronous media are real-time voice or video streams of data.
Conventional implementations of the multicast protocol allow one or more source or transmitting computer systems to provide a stream of data (e.g., stream of audio or video data packets) to multiple recipient destination computer systems over a computer network such as the Internet while only transmitting a single copy of the packets of data which comprise the stream from each source. In other words, as contrasted to point to point communications, a source computer system that uses the multicast protocol no longer needs to replicate and transmit data packets for each intended receiver. Instead, the source computer system can transmit a single copy of the packets for the stream of data. The source computer system addresses each outbound packet of data for a common stream of data with a special multicast Internet Protocol (IP) destination address. A multicast IP destination address is an IP address that exists within a designated IP address space assigned by the Internet Address Numbers Authority (IANA, an Internet standards organization that controls network address assignments) for specific use by the multicast protocol. Multicasting addresses are in the IP address range of 224.2.*.*., where the * indicates a value between 0 and 255. In other words, multicast packets are class D IP address packets, which are also called group addressed packets. A multicast group is a stream of packets of data which are all addressed to the same multicast IP address.
In operation, a source computer system for a stream of data transmits all packets for the stream using the same destination multicast address. Routers within the communications network known as IP multicast enabled routers or "mrouters" take the responsibility of distributing and replicating the multicast addressed packets for a multicast data stream (i.e., packets having the same multicast address) so that the multicast packets reach their proper destination host computer systems. In order for this to occur, a host computer systems coupled to a subnetwork of an mrouter can communicate with the mrouter via a protocol called the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) to express an interest in becoming a member of a certain multicast group.
Specifically, a host computer system can transmit an IGMP group "join" message to an mrouter to which is it is attached in order to "subscribe to" a particular multicast group (i.e., a stream of data). The group join message specifies a particular multicast group or stream (i.e., a particular stream of data packets addressed to a specific IP multicast address) which that host would like to access (i.e., would like to begin receiving). When an mrouter receives a join message from a host computer system for a particular multicast group, assuming that the mrouter is not already receiving packets associated with that multicast group, the mrouter uses a multicast routing protocol such as the Distance Vector Multicasting Routing Protocol (DVMRP) to allow that mrouter to create a multicast path or branch to another mrouter which is already receiving packets of data associated with the multicast group. When the other mrouter that is already receiving packets for the multicast group receives a request from an mrouter that is not currently receiving packets for the multicast group but would like to, the mrouter already receiving the multicast packets creates a branch in the multicast group distribution network such that the multicast group packets are now also delivered along a path in the network to the mrouter that requested receipt of such packets.
A multicast routing protocol such as DVMRP thus allows an mrouter to be "added in" to a distribution network of mrouters which receive and distribute data packets associated with a particular multicast group. In this manner, multicast routing protocols such as DVMRP result in a creation of a distribution tree of mrouters for the data packets associated with multicast groups. When the multicast group packets reach an mrouter in which they must be distributed in different directions (i.e., along different paths to different recipient host computer systems), that mrouter then duplicates the packets and transmits one copy along each different branch of the multicast distribution network. As a result, network traffic over network data links in the multicast distribution network remains much lower than point to point communications and remains the same, irrespective of the number of intended recipients for the stream of data. This is because multicast group traffic (i.e., the packets for a stream of multicast data) are only sent once along each branch of path in the multicast distribution network of mrouters which is established and maintained by a multicast routing protocol such as DVMRP.

Methods and apparatus for transmitting information in a network


A system and method are disclosed for a vehicle that comprises one or more sensors configured to obtain information indicating a physical state of a baby. A wireless transceiver may be included and in communication with a mobile device. The transceiver may be configured to connect mobile device with a camera configured to monitor the baby. A controller may also be in communication with the one or more sensors and the wireless transceiver. The controller may be configured to determine the physical state of the baby utilizing the information obtained from the one or more sensors. The controller may also be configured activate one or more vehicle systems in response to the physical state of the baby and to output on a vehicle display or the mobile device a notification to a user indicating the physical state of the baby.

Under current pediatric recommendations and government regulations, it is recommended that babies and infants be secured within a baby seat while a vehicle is traveling. For newborn or very young babies, the baby seat may be positioned rear-facing making it difficult for the driver or other passengers to observe the babies' current physical state. For older babies or infants that are front-facing, a driver or passenger may not be able to monitor the babies' physical state. It may therefore be desirable to actively monitor a babies' physical state, regardless of positioning, to make the time spent within the vehicle more enjoyable for both the baby and the driver or other passengers.

Baby comfort monitoring system and method


A system and method for monitoring subnet relations in a wireless communication system is disclosed. A wireless communication device is provided and is located in a first subnet. When the wireless communication device executes a handoff to a second subnet, a mobility agent server notifies a virtual operator server of the handoff. As a result of the handoff, a subnet relation is created between the first subnet and the second subnet that is stored and later used to control how the wireless communication device uses power by placing network interface systems that cannot be used in a power-saving mode.

Limiting the energy consumption of computers, especially portables, is becoming increasingly important. New energy-saving computer components and architectures have been and continue to be developed in different aspects such as circuit design, battery technology, semiconductor technology, and communication systems. The problem is to minimize energy consumption while not significantly impacting the effective performance of the wireless device.
Fourth-generation systems will likely not use a single standardized air interface, but a set of different technologies and standards. Additionally, the fixed network system will also be a part of future heterogeneous network systems. Therefore, an intensive effort to reduce power consumption is required.
Handheld portable devices are composed of a combination of digital, mixed signal, and even radio frequency circuits that together perform all of the functionality required to communicate across the heterogeneous wireless environment. The need to communicate with people using different types of equipment can only be solved with software reprogrammable radios. One software radio can communicate with many different radios with only a change in software parameters. Therefore, in a heterogeneous access environment, the software radio is a key technology to integrate multiple systems in a single device.
A typical portable device has an acceptable weight range between 4-12 oz. for most handheld applications based on human factor studies. The well-known nickel cadmium (NiCd) batteries, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries, and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries are popular; however, multiple access systems need more powerful batteries and other technologies to reduce battery drain. Unfortunately, significant improvements in battery technology are not expected in the next few years because battery technology typically only doubles in performance in energy density roughly every 35 years.
One way to reduce energy consumption is to use and develop components that consume less power. Another way is to use components that can enter low power modes by temporarily reducing their speed or functionality. For this scheme, one strategy is to compress TCP/IP headers, which reduces their size by an order of magnitude, thereby reducing the wireless communication activity of a mobile client. Another way is to reduce the data transmission rate or stop data transmission altogether when the channel is bad, i.e., when the probability of dropped packets is high, so that less transmission time is wasted sending packets that will be dropped.
Another method is to use a medium access control protocol that dictates in advance when each wireless device may receive data. In addition, another strategy is to have servers or proxies use information about mobile client characteristics and data semantics to provide mobile clients with versions of data with reduced fidelity and smaller size, which reduces the amount of energy mobile clients must expend to receive the data. For example, a data server might convert a color picture to a black-and-white version before sending it to a mobile client. Of course, it is necessary to design applications that avoid unnecessary communication, especially in the expensive transmit direction.
As set forth above, a need exists for methods and systems that limit energy consumption of mobile clients that does not significantly impact the effective performance of the mobile clients.

Using subnet relations to conserve power in a wireless communication device


The invention aims at recording a data reduced digital video signal on a longitudinal record carrier (40) by a recording apparatus of the helical scan type. The apparatus is adapted to generate signal blocks of information of the trick play video signal and to generate signal blocks of information of the data reduced digital video signal. A signal block of information of the data reduced digital video signal comprising a first frame (I-frame) and at least one second frame (B- or P frame) of the data reduced digital video signal. The apparatus is adapted to record each time after each other a signal block of information of the digital trick play video signal and a signal block of information of the data reduced digital video signal on the record carrier. A signal block of information of the trick play video signal is recorded in n subsequent tracks (T.sub.2) on the record carrier, where n is a constant integer for which holds n.gtoreq.1, and the directly succeeding signal block of information of the data reduced digital video signal is recorded in m subsequent tracks (T.sub.3 to T.sub.25) directly following the n tracks, where m is an integer larger than 1. The apparatus is further adapted to record the signal block of information of the data reduced digital video signal in such a way in said m tracks that, viewed in the reproduction direction of the tracks on the record carrier, the first frame (I-frame) contained in said signal block is recorded first in the m tracks following the n tracks comprising the trick play video signal and the at least one second frame (B- or P frame) in the signal block is recorded thereafter in the m tracks. m may be variable for subsequent signal blocks of information of the data reduced digital video signal to be recorded on the record carrier. Further, the signal block of information of the data reduced digital video signal recorded in the m subsequent tracks of a group of n+m tracks includes complete frames of information of the data reduced digital video signal. The apparatus is further adapted to carry out an edit mode of operation, where the n trick play tracks (T.sub.2) are used as edit gaps.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to an apparatus of th helical scan type, for recording a data reduced digital video signal in slant tracks on a longitudinal record carrier, the data reduced digital video signal comprising first frames having data reduced video information obtained from video information of a picture that has been subjected to an intra-picture encoding step, and comprising second frames having data reduced video information obtained from video information of a picture that has been reduced in an inter-picture encoding step, the apparatus further being adapted to record a digital trick play video signal in said slant tracks on said record carrier, the apparatus comprising
first input means for receiving the data reduced digital video signal, PA1 second input means for receiving the digital trick play video signal, and PA1 writing means for writing the data reduced digital video signal and the trick play video signal into the record carrier so as to obtain said slant tracks on the record carrier and to a method for recording the data reduced digital video signal.
2. Description of the Related Art
The apparatus in accordance with the opening paragraph is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,807,053, Reference (1) in the List of References that can be found at the end of this application. The known method and recording arrangement provide a recording of a data reduced digital video signal such that reproduction in a feature or trick mode is possible. Feature or trick modes are those reproduction modes in which the transport speed of the longitudinal record carrier is other than nominal, where the nominal transport speed is the speed at which the data reduced digital video signal was originally recorded. Non-nominal transport speeds are transport speeds higher or lower than the nominal transport speed.

Recording of a data reduced digital video signal in slant tracks on a record carrier


Containers for carrying firearm accessories (e.g., cleaning and maintenance supplies and tools) and/or supporting firearms are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a container includes a housing having an exterior side surface, an aperture in the exterior side surface, a storage device at the aperture, and a support structure at the housing. The storage device has a compartment and is movable between (a) a stowed position in which the compartment is positioned within the housing, and (b) a second position in which the compartment is at least partially external to the housing. The support structure is configured to interface with a removable firearm support for carrying a firearm.

Rifles, shotguns, and other firearms should be periodically cleaned and maintained to ensure accuracy and proper operation. Firearms may be supported for cleaning and maintenance by shop vises or other firearm supports that are typically mounted to a table or bench. These devices, however, are not well suited for use while hunting, engaging in target practice, or traveling. To address this problem, several conventional containers for carrying firearm cleaning supplies have been adapted to also support a firearm. For example, one conventional container includes a rigid plastic housing, a lid connected to the housing with hinges, and two forks removably attached to the housing for supporting a firearm. The housing has an opening at the top and an interior cavity with receptacles sized to each receive a fork.
One drawback of conventional containers for carrying firearm cleaning supplies is that it is difficult to retrieve supplies from the housing when a firearm is placed on the forks. For example, in some containers supplies are stored under the forks and the forks must be removed to access the supplies. Moreover, the position of the firearm close to the opening of the housing also inhibits access to supplies in the cavity. Another drawback of conventional containers is that the containers are bulky devices, long and high. As a result, the containers are expensive to ship because shipping rates are based in part on the volume of the package. In addition, because the containers are made of a rigid plastic material, the containers often crack during transit. Accordingly, there exists a need to improve conventional containers for carrying firearm cleaning supplies.

Containers for carrying firearm accessories and/or supporting firearms


Disclosed are implantable ocular drainage devices that include a reversible switch mechanism to control flow through the drainage device. The devices include a drainage tube and a reversible, bi-stable switch mechanism that includes first and second stationary magnets spaced apart from one another and a magnetic or ferromagnetic mobile element moveably disposed in a channel in the housing.

Glaucoma is a common eye disease that results when elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) damages the optic nerve. Glaucoma affects between 60-80 million individuals worldwide, and can result in irreversible blindness. The treatment for glaucoma is to lower IOP and, thereby, preserve the remaining optic nerve. Multiple treatments are available to lower IOP, including topical eye drop medications, lasers, and incisional surgeries such as trabeculectomy, minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries, and implantable drainage devices.
Post-operative hypotony (IOP that is too low) is a serious complication that can result from placement of a drainage device. This complication occurs when a drainage device drains too much aqueous fluid, and the resulting IOP is so low that an eye cannot maintain its form. Hypotony causes poor vision, as the outermost ocular layers, including the retina and choroid, fold and collapse. In this soft, low-pressure state, the eye is at elevated risk for devastating complications, such as a suprachoroidal hemorrhage and hypotony maculopathy.

Glaucoma tube implant with modulated flow


An apparatus which transmits in-band data having a host computer which transmits a data stream to a remote terminal via host and remote modems. A network management device is provided which transmits independent system messages to and from the remote terminal. To insert and delete the independent messages in the data stream without disturbing the existing data stream, a message insertion and deletion processor is provided.

Computer systems are typically accessed from terminals placed in user-convenient locations. In many computer applications, terminals are situated at remote locations. Oftentimes, these locations are scattered throughout a building or a plant site. It may even be desirable to access a host computer from different points in a city or from different cities. In all of these cases, a communication link is needed to transmit data between the host computer and the terminals. A standard communication link used for this purpose is a series of modems connected to a transmission line.
It is frequently desired to transmit independent system messages such as network management commands and responses for management of communication devices over data transmission lines without disturbing the existing data stream. These system messages may be either supporting a specific propriety network management protocol or they may be compatible with standard protocols.

Method and apparatus for in-band data transmission


A MEMS device includes a fixed electrode and a movable electrode arranged isolated and spaced from the fixed electrode by a distance. The movable electrode is suspended against the fixed electrode by one or more spacers including an insulating material, wherein the movable electrode is laterally affixed to the one or more spacers.

A MEMS device, also referred to as microelectromechanical system, is often used as sensor like acceleration sensors, pressure sensors or acoustic wave sensors (microphone). All of these MEMS devices have a movable element, for example a membrane or a cantilever, wherein the motion of the movable element, e.g. caused by a pressure change or an acceleration, may be detected capacitively. Thus, a common variant of a MEMS device comprises a movable electrode as a movable element and a fixed electrode facing the movable electrode so that a distance change between the two electrodes (due to the motion of the movable element) may lead to a capacitive change.
Typically, MEMS devices have an impressed capacitance which is mainly defined by the two electrodes and a parasitic capacitance of the MEMS device. The capacitance change indicative for the motion of the movable element is often relatively small when compared to the entire capacitance of the MEMS device. In order to compensate manufacturing related deviations, especially in connection with the parasitic capacitance, means for offsetting are provided. Thus, there is the need for an improved approach which enables to reduce the parasitic capacitance.


Amplitude or phase modulated un-compensated wobble patterns representing address patterns for track addresses of optical media are generated. A filter is applied to the un-compensated wobble patterns to pre-compensate the un-compensated wobble patterns. When an inverse of the filter is applied to a signal representing the pre-compensated wobble patterns in the presence of noise, the noise is suppressed and the un-compensated wobble patterns are substantially recovered.

Preformatting an optical media with wobbled edge land and groove tracks is an effective method for embedding recording track addresses on the media. Wobble pattern blocks are normally a sequence of frequency, amplitude or phase modulated sine waves and are utilized as building blocks for a complete address field of the media recording tracks. These address fields usually include an index subfield (IF), a timing recovery subfield (TRF) and an address bits subfield (AF).

Pre-compensated optical tape wobble patterns


A brush core for use in cleaning a substrate is provided. The brush core includes an elongated cylinder having a first end and a second end. The first end of the elongated cylinder is configured to receive a drive hub. The second end is configured to receive fluid into an inner cavity of the elongated cylinder. The inner cavity is configured to distribute fluid to a plurality of fluid channels having a first diameter. The plurality of fluid channels are configured to distribute the fluid to corresponding distribution holes having a second diameter. The brush core further including a plurality of non-fluid distributing pockets defined on the outer surface. The corresponding distribution holes and plurality of non-fluid distributing pockets are configured so that a thickness of a solid portion of the brush core is substantially similar. In one embodiment, the first diameter is less than the second diameter.

As is well known, semiconductor devices are fabricated from semiconductor wafers, which are subjected to numerous processing operations. These operations include, for example, impurity implants, gate oxide generation, inter-metal oxide depositions, metallization depositions, photolithography patterning, etching operations, chemical mechanical polishing (CMP), etc. Although these processes are performed in ultra clean environments, the very nature of many of the process operations is to blame for the generation of surface particles and residues. For instance, when CMP operations are performed, a film of particles and/or metal contaminants are commonly left behind.
Because surface particles can detrimentally impact the performance of an integrated circuit device, wafer cleaning operations have become a standard procedural requirement after certain process steps. Although cleaning operations are rather procedural, the equipment and chemicals implemented to perform the actual cleaning are highly specialized. This specialization is important because each wafer, being at different stages of fabrication, represents a significant investment in terms of raw materials, equipment fabrication time, and associated research and development.
To perform the cleaning operations in an automated manner, fabrication labs employ cleaning systems. The cleaning systems typically include one or more brush boxes in which wafers are scrubbed. Exemplary brush boxes include a pair of brushes, such that each brush scrubs a respective side of a wafer. To enhance the cleaning ability of such brush boxes, it is common practice to deliver cleaning fluids through the brush (TTB). TTB fluid delivery is accomplished by implementing brush cores that have a plurality of holes that allow fluids being fed into the brush core at a particular pressure to be delivered to a brush disposed over the brush core.
As semiconductor design and performance requirements continue to increase, cleaning engineers are also challenged to improve their associated processes. Continued focus has been directed toward ensuring that the consumables used during the cleaning process are uniform. In addition, efforts have been directed to ensuring that fluid distribution is uniformly delivered with the TTB delivery scheme.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved brush core design and corresponding assembly configured to provide for uniform delivery of fluid to a substrate and a brush core assembly flexible in adjusting to a substrate surface to be cleaned.


Disclosed is a method of activating a mobile terminal from mobile network side and a mobile application gateway system. The method comprises: receiving, by a mobile application gateway, a request for activating the mobile terminal, the request including an unique identification number of the mobile terminal; querying, by the mobile application gateway, a HLR for address of a SGSN where the mobile terminal is located; returning, by the HLR, the queried address of SGSN to the mobile application gateway; sending, by the mobile application gateway, the request for activating the mobile terminal to the SGSN; issuing, by the SGSN, a request to the mobile terminal, requiring the mobile terminal to issue a mobile terminal initiated PDP context activation request. The method enables an instant messaging user at a mobile terminal to automatically open an IP connection if there is any message to be received after the IP connection is closed.

Nowadays, a variety of so-called "always online" application programs such as instant message (IM), etc., have been widely used by mobile users to acquire information at anytime and anywhere, so as to keep real-time communication with other mobile users. To remain online all the time, a mobile device has to keep constant IP connectivity via wireless data service, which is expensive and power-consuming from user's perspective, and waste of bandwidth, IP addresses and other resources from wireless operator's perspective. To save money, power and resources, an IM client can offline itself automatically after the user is inactive for a certain period of time, and close the IP connectivity, but the user will be unreachable and lose the benefit of real-time communication brought by instant messaging.
Thus, a solution is needed that enables a user of instant message of a mobile terminal to automatically open an IP connection when there is an instant message to be received after the IP connection is closed.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Activating a mobile terminal from mobile network side

International Business Machines Corporation


A lens retracting structure includes a housing, an image-forming lens set moveably supported on two parallel guide rods inside the housing, and a driving mechanism for moving the image-forming lens set along the parallel guide rods between a first position and a second position by means of the engagement of a threaded coupling member of the image-forming lens set with a threaded shaft which is rotatably driven by a motor of the driving mechanism.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to image-forming lenses and more particularly, to a lens retracting structure.
2. Description of the Related Art
Following fast development of high technology, a variety of high-tech products have been intensively used to satisfy different requirements. It is the market trend to develop products having light, thin, short and small characteristics. In order to meet the requirement for a camera having a small characteristic, the size of the image-forming lens set and the related driving mechanism must be made as smaller as possible. Further, in addition to cameras, an image-forming lens set can also be used in other small mobile electronic products such as cellular telephone.
The image-forming lens set of a camera or mobile electronic product may be made retractable so as to provide zoom-in and zoom-out functions. An image-forming lens set driving mechanism for this purpose is known using a bevel gear transmission mechanism to move the image-forming lens set between the retracted position and the extended position. This design of driving mechanism has a complicated structure and heavy size, resulting in high manufacturing cost and low movement stability.


A flasher for fishing is disclosed. The flasher is an elongated item with its width greater than thickness and with openings at its two opposite ends for the line used in fishing. The flasher is adapted drawable with the line fastened to the opening at the first end. At the first end there is a bending transversal in relation to the flasher centerline, and the opening at the first end is arranged to the side from the flasher centerline.

In particular in trolling a plate-like flasher is used, which is adapted to the line before the lure for attracting fish. When drawing the flasher it creates vibrations in water and in addition, its surface is reflecting. Furthermore, the flasher can change the normal swimming motion of the lure. In other words, the purpose of the flasher is to attract the attention of the fish and in addition to make the swimming motion of the lure even more attractive.
Known flashers, however, have several disadvantages, which complicate their use and affect fishing even negatively. First of all, most flashers require a separate weight to be attached to the front of the flasher to remain under the water. A separate weight increases the resistance to drawing and hampers the rewinding of the line especially when a fish is struck to the lure. On the other hand, the resistance to drawing of known flashers is great even without a weight. Secondly, known flashers function in the desired way only in a specific trolling speed range, which is often very narrow. Thirdly, known flashers lack the possibility of selecting the extent and sense of rotation of the swimming motion. These disadvantageous features make the motion of known flashers irregular and often too fast, the flasher then being rather a repellent. One known flasher is set forth in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,260.


A laparoscopic surgical retractor for use during a laparoscopic spinal procedure, includes an elongated sleeve member having proximal and distal end portions and defining a longitudinal opening therethrough and a valve assembly mounted to the proximal end portion of the elongated sleeve member for sealing a surgical instrument introduced within the longitudinal opening of the sleeve member. The distal end portion is configured for insertion at least partially into an intervertebral space between adjacent opposed vertebrae to distract the adjacent vertebrae. A method for inserting a fusion implant with the use of the retractor is also disclosed.

1. Technical Field
The present disclosure generally relates to a method and associated instrumentation for implant insertion and, in particular, to a method and instrumentation for insertion of spinal implants to facilitate fusion of adjacent vertebral bodies.
2. Background of the Related Art
A large number of orthopedic procedures involve the insertion of either natural or prosthetic implants into bone or associated tissues. These procedures include, for example, ligament repair, joint repair or replacement, non-union fractures, facial reconstruction, spinal stabilization and spinal fusion. In a typical procedure, an insert, dowel or screw is inserted into a prepared bore formed in the bone or tissues to facilitate repair and healing. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,470,334 to Ross et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,811 to Huebner; U.S. Pat. No. 5,480,403 to Lee et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,511 to Gatturna et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,877,020 to Vich.
Some implants are particularly configured with cavities and bores to facilitate bony ingrowth and enhance anchoring of the implant at the insertion site. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,328,593 to Sutter et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,936,851 to Fox et al.; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,915 to Brantigan. Other specialized implants include fusion cages having internal cavities to receive bone growth stimulation materials such as bone chips and fragments. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,501,269 to Bagby; U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,740 to Ray et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,247 to Michaelson; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,307 to Kuslich et al. These types of implants are particularly well suited for intervertebral spinal fusion procedures necessitated by injury, disease or some degenerative disorder of the spinal disc. Subsequently, there may be progressive degeneration leading to mechanical instability between adjacent vertebrae necessitating, direct fusion of the vertebrae while maintaining a pre-defined intervertebral space. This fusion may be accomplished by the insertion of one or more of the specialized implants as discussed above and also discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,373, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Both anterior (transabdominal) and posterior surgical approaches are used for interbody fusions of the lumbar spine. Fusions in the cervical area of the spine are performed using an anterior or posterior approach as well. Typically, an implant such as a plug, dowel, prosthesis or cage is inserted into a preformed cavity inside the interbody, interdiscal space. Since it is desirable in these procedures to promote a "bone to bone" bridge, connective tissue and at least a portion of the distal tissue is removed. Preferably, relatively deep cuts are made in the adjacent bones in order to penetrate into the softer, more vascularized cancerous region to facilitate bone growth across the implant.
One of the more critical tasks performed in the insertion of a surgical fusion implant, particularly, in intervertebral spinal fusion, is the formation of the implant receiving cavity or bore within the adjacent vertebrae. More particularly, the drilled bore must be equally centered within the intervertebral space and preferably parallel to the vertebral end plates to ensure removal of equal portions of bone from the adjacent vertebrae throughout the length of the cut and subsequent appropriate seating of the implant relative to the vertebral bodies.
Surgical instruments for facilitating spinal fusion implant insertion are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,484,437 to Michelson discloses a method and apparatus incorporating an outer and an inner sleeve arrangement. The outer sleeve has teeth at one end which are driven directly into the posterior surface of the adjacent vertebrae. The inner sleeve is positioned within the outer sleeve and serves to guide instruments such as a drill used to form the implant receiving bore. U.S. Pat. No. 5,487,307 to Kuslich et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,247 to Michelson; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,878,915 to Brantigan disclose similar arrangements. Other arrangements include the use of guide rods which are placed in pilot holes formed in the vertebral bodies. The guide rods guide a bore forming hollow drill into the intervertebral space.
Although current instrumentation and methods associated therewith for enhancing the placement of spinal fusion implants have been generally effective for their intended purposes, there exists certain limitations with the design of this instrumentation which detract from their usefulness. For example, the arrangement disclosed in the Michelson '437 patent and similar arrangements do not provide for automatic alignment of the outer sleeve to ensure that the bore formed by a drill introduced into the outer sleeve is in optimal alignment for a tapping procedure (if required) and reception of the spinal implant. Rather, such orientation is dependent directly upon the skill of the surgeon. Moreover, the outer sleeve, which is mounted only at its extreme distal end to the posterior surface of the adjacent vertebrae, is subject to disorientation or dislodgment during insertion and/or removal of the drill and/or tapping instrument. Similarly, the use of guide rods increases the number of steps required to implant the fusion cage and is also subject to possible misalignment.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/615,379, filed Mar. 14, 1996 discloses a novel method and associated instrumentation to facilitate the introduction of a fusion implant. The instrumentation disclosed in the '379 application ensures optimal alignment of the drilled bore for reception of the fusion implant and, if appropriate, for bore tapping procedures. The instrumentation includes a surgical retractor and a drill. The retractor is configured for distracting adjacent vertebral bodies to facilitate the insertion and application of an implant, for providing a cannula for insertion of auxiliary instruments, e.g., the drill, and for ensuring proper alignment of the instrumentation and accurate insertion of the implant. The instrumentation and method disclosed in the '379 application is well suited for implanting an implant such as the aforedescribed Ray '373 fusion cage.
Over the last few years, the number of laparoscopic/endoscopic procedures has increased. In such procedures, instead of creating a large incision in the patient as in conventional approaches, surgery is performed through small incisions in the patient with trocar cannulas providing access ports for the surgical instrumentation. This minimally invasive approach to surgery results in less trauma to the patient and a quicker recovery time.
Thus, it would be advantageous to provide surgical instrumentation to facilitate minimally invasive spinal fusion procedures and particularly to facilitate minimally invasive placement of spinal fusion implants.

Method and instrumentation for implant insertion


A seat back video display assembly adapted to be positioned in the back of a vehicle seat having an outer skin cover. In one aspect, the assembly may comprise a receptacle member having sidewalls and a back wall so as to define an opening wherein the receptacle member is adapted to be positioned in the back of the vehicle seat. In addition, the assembly may further comprise a carrier member having sidewalls and a back wall so as to define an opening, wherein the carrier member includes at least one fastener that extends from the back wall of the carrier member and engages with the back wall of the receptacle member to secure the carrier member into the receptacle member. Moreover, the assembly may still further comprise a video display unit that is sized so as to be positioned secured within the opening in the carrier member, wherein the video display unit provides video signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to motor vehicles and, in particular, to a headrest for motor vehicle seats having an integrated video screen mounted therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
Seat back video monitors are becoming increasingly popular in vehicles. Originally, these entertainment systems were largely confined to airplanes, however, recently, these systems have become much more popular with cars, trucks and SUVs. These entertainment systems provide the opportunity for passengers to view entertainment or educational video programs during long trips.
Typically, these systems have been installed as aftermarket products where the seat back is modified to accept the video display device, however, more of these systems are being installed as original equipment. Unfortunately, existing systems are often difficult and labor intensive to mount, particularly as an aftermarket product and are also subject to being dislodged.
Generally, the devices are mounted on the outer surface of the seat back where they protrude. In many vehicles, the space between seats and seat backs is limited, hence the protruding video display unit can inhibit the ability of passengers to easily get into and out of the vehicles. Moreover, passenger contact with the protruding video display screen may result in the screens being inadvertently dislodged.
A further difficulty with many existing video display unit designs is that they are not well secured to the seat. This is particularly the case for designs that allow the video display unit to pivot about an axis to improve the viewing angle of the passenger. One common way that these display units are installed is that a bucket is installed into the seat and the peripheral rim of the bucket includes openings that receive pivot posts that extend outward from the housing of the display unit. The pivot posts are positioned within the openings and keepers or caps are then positioned in the openings to prevent the pivot posts from being removed from the openings.
In these designs, the keepers or caps are generally press fit and are exposed to the passenger. Hence, inadvertent contact may result in the keepers or caps being dislodged. Moreover, many of the passengers are children who, through boredom, may attempt to remove the keepers which can result in the video display being dislodged and potentially damaged.
Hence, from the foregoing, there is a need for a seat back video display system and method of mounting that provides more secure mounting of the video display unit. To this end, there is a need for an assembly that is less likely to be dislodged through inadvertent contact and does not have exposed detachable mounting components.

Headrest having an integrated video screen


A Galois field multiplier for GF(2.sup.n), with n=2m, multiplies two n-bit polynomials to produce a(x)*b(x)=a(x)b(x) mod g(x), where g(x) is a generator polynomial for the Galois field and "*" represents multiplication over the Galois field, by treating each polynomial as the sum of two m-bit polynomials: EQU a(x)=a.sub.H (x)x.sup.m +a.sub.L (x) and b(x)=b.sub.H (x)x.sup.m +b.sub.L (x),. with EQU a.sub.H (x)x.sup.m =[a.sub.n-1 x.sup.(n-1)-m +a.sub.n-2 x.sup.(n-2)-m + . . . +a.sub.m+1 x.sup.(m+1)-m +a.sub.m ]x.sup.m EQU a.sub.L (x)=a.sub.m-1 x.sup.m-1 +a.sub.m-2 x.sup.m-2 + . . . +a.sub.2 x.sup.2 +a.sub.1 x+a.sub.0. and b.sub.H and b.sub.L having corresponding terms. Multiplying the two polynomials then becomes: EQU a(x)*b(x)=(a.sub.H (x)x.sup.m +a.sub.L (x))*(b.sub.H (x)x.sup.m +b.sub.L (x))=[(a.sub.H (x)b(x).sub.H)x.sup.m mod g(x) EQU +(b.sub.H (x)a.sub.L (x)+a.sub.L (x)b.sub.L (x))]x.sup.m mod g(x)+a.sub.L (x)b.sub.L (x).. The Galois field multiplier produces four degree-(n-2) polynomial products, namely, a.sub.H (x)b.sub.H (x)=V.sub.3 ; b.sub.H (x)a.sub.L (x)=V.sub.2 ; a.sub.H (x)b.sub.L (x)=V.sub.1 ; and a.sub.L (x)b.sub.L (x)=V.sub.0, in parallel in four m-bit polynomial multipliers. Next, a modulo subsystem multiplies V.sub.3 by x.sup.m and performs a modulo g(x) operation on the product V.sub.3 x.sup.m by treating V.sub.3 as V.sub.3H x.sup.m +V.sub.3L, with V.sub.3H including as a leading term 0x.sup.n-1. The modulo operation is performed by appropriately cyclically shifting (m-(k-2)) versions of an n-bit symbol that consists of the coefficients of V.sub.3H followed by m zeros, summing the results and adding the sum to an n-bit symbol that consists of the coefficients of V.sub.3L, V.sub.3H. The Galois field multiplier for GF(2.sup.n) with n=2m+1 operates in essentially the same manner, with a.sub.L and b.sub.L each including m+1 terms.

Data stored on magnetic media, such as a magnetic disks, are typically stored in encoded form, so that errors in the stored data can possibly be corrected. The errors may occur, for example, because of inter-symbol interference, a defect in the disk, or noise. As the density of the data stored on the disk increases, more errors are likely, and the system is required to correct greater numbers of errors, which include greater numbers of burst errors. A burst error is typically defined as a contiguous number of symbols in which the first symbol and the last symbol are erroneous. The speed with which the system corrects the errors, including the burst errors, is important to the overall speed with which the system processes the data.
Prior to recording, multiple-bit data symbols are encoded using an error correction code (ECC). When the data symbols are retrieved from the disk and demodulated, the ECC is employed to, as the name implies, correct the erroneous data.
Specifically, before a string of k data symbols is written to a disk, it is mathematically encoded using an (n, k) ECC to form n-k ECC symbols. The ECC symbols are then appended to the data string to form an n-symbol error correction code word, which is then written to, or stored, on the disk. When the data are read from the disk, the code words containing the data symbols and ECC symbols are retrieved and mathematically decoded. During decoding, errors in the data are detected and, if possible, corrected through manipulation of the ECC symbols [for a detailed description of decoding see, Peterson and Weldon, Error Correction Codes, 2nd Ed. MIT Press. 1972].
To correct multiple errors in strings of data symbols, the system typically uses an ECC that efficiently and effectively utilizes the various mathematical properties of sets of symbols known as Galois fields. Galois fields are represented "GF (P.sup.M)", where "P" is a prime number and "M" can be thought of as the number of digits, base "P", in each element or symbol in the field. P usually has the value 2 in digital computer and disk drive applications and, therefore, M is the number of bits in each symbol. The ECC's commonly used with the Galois Fields are Reed Solomon codes or BCH codes.
Reed Solomon and BCH encoding and decoding operations involve a plurality of Galois field multiplication operations. The Galois field multiplication operations are modulo g(x), which is the generator polynomial of the Galois field. The modulo g(x) operation, also denoted mod g(x), for g(x)=g.sub.n x.sup.n +g.sub.n-1 x.sup.n-1 + . . . +g.sub.1 x+g.sub.0 is defined as p(x) mod g(x)=r(x), where r(x) is the remainder of p(x) divided by g(x). Accordingly, EQU x.sup.i mod g(x)=x, for i<n EQU x.sup.n mod g(x)=g.sub.n-1 x.sup.n- +g.sub.n-2 x.sup.n-2 + . . . +g.sub.1 x+g.sub.0 EQU x.sup.n+1 mod g(x)=g.sub.n-1 x.sup.n-1 +g.sub.n-2 x.sup.n-2 + . . . g.sub.1 x+g.sub.0)+g.sub.n-2 x.sup.n-1 +g.sub.n-3 x.sup.n-2 + . . . +g.sub.1 x.sup.2 +g.sub.0 x EQU x.sup.n+j mod g(x)=d.sub.j,.sub.n-1 x.sup.n-1 +d.sub.j,.sub.n-2 x.sup.n-2 + . . . d.sub.j,.sub.1 x+d.sub.j,.sub.0
The conventional Galois field multiplication operation over GF(2.sup.n) involves three steps: multiplying two degree-(n-1) polynomials a(x) and b(x) together bit-by-bit to produce a degree-(2n-2) polynomial c(x); mapping the x.sup.2n-2, x.sup.2n-3, . . . x.sup.n terms of c(x) to: ##EQU1## and exclusive-OR'ing the terms of the summation to the x.sup.n-1, x.sup.n-2, . . . x.sup.0 terms of c(x). This conventional method involves, in the first step, 2n-1 bit computations to produce the degree-(2n-2) polynomial and, in the second step, a complicated mapping scheme. For example, Galois field multiplication over GF(2.sup.8), with g(x)=x.sup.8 +x.sup.4 +x.sup.3 +x.sup.2 +1 includes the relatively complicated mapping of the sequence c.sub.14, c.sub.13 . . . c.sub.8 to the sequence c.sub.11 +c.sub.12 +c.sub.13, c.sub.10 +c.sub.11 +c.sub.12, c.sub.9 +c.sub.10 +c.sub.11, c.sub.8 +c.sub.9 +c.sub.10 +c.sub.14, c.sub.8 +c.sub.9 +c.sub.11 +c.sub.12, c.sub.8 +c.sub.10 +c.sub.12 +c.sub.13, c.sub.9 +c.sub.13 c.sub.14, c.sub.8 +c.sub.12 +c.sub.13. For larger Galois fields the mapping is even more complicated.
One known prior system avoids the complicated mapping by performing sequential modulo g(x) operations. Such a system uses the results of a previous x.sup.i b(x) mod g(x) computation to determine x.sup.i+1 b(x) mod g(x)=x[x.sup.i b(x) mod g(x)]mod g(x). The iteration involves one shift and one exclusive-OR operation of two n-bit symbols. While each iteration is straight forward, the entire operation is slow, particularly for larger Galois fields, because of the number of iterations that must be performed.
Larger Galois fields, that is, fields larger than GF(2.sup.8) are being used more and more as the density of the data increases. The larger fields are necessary to produce the longer data codewords that are required to protect the data. Consequently, Galois field multiplication operations over the larger fields must be performed to both encode and decode the data codewords. What is needed is a Galois field multiplier that is less complex than the conventional Galois field multipliers, and produces the product relatively quickly.


A data structure generation system. The system includes a knowledge base configured to store data structure components as objects in an object-relational hierarchy. Each object is configured to have a precedence, to include one or more rules, and to include content. The knowledge base may be coupled to a data structure assembly facility configured to retrieve one or more cross-referenced data structure components from a database. The one or more data structure components are configured to have a precedence level, and may be processed in a processor to generate a tree having a root node. The tree may be processed beginning at the root node, and objects of low precedence may be overidden with objects of high precedence.

Embodiments of the invention relate to the creation of documents (such as contracts, forms, user manuals, instructional texts, and others). More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to the creation of documents by assembling document components and applying precedence and rules to create a desired document.
Document production systems that insert customer-specific content into a pre-fabricated document are known. For example, in some known systems a boilerplate document is produced using word processing software. The boilerplate document is then reviewed and revised by a document developer, and stored in a storage device, such as a disk drive of a computer. The boilerplate document is then made available for use to an end-user, such as a bank or loan officer. The end-user retrieves the boilerplate document from the storage device and enters specific content into the document, such as names, addresses, prices, etc. Once the desired content is inserted into specified locations on the document, the completed form is printed.
Other document systems use a conventional relational database scheme to test specific input information against a table of rule sets which, in turn, are directly linked to various boilerplate clauses. For example, when working with insurance forms, a rule set is assigned to each insurance policy clause and each endorsement clause. The insurance and endorsement clauses and rule sets are stored in a memory coupled to the main processor. Each rule set includes at least one rule that must be satisfied in order to include the associated clause in the document. After entering customer-specific parameters into the computer, such as desired insurance coverages and the policy holder's state of residence, each and every rule in each and every rule set is evaluated to determine whether a particular clause is to be included in the document. In order to print a document, a printer database containing a redundant copy of each insurance and endorsement policy clause is utilized to supply the appropriate clauses.
Other known systems include those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,666,130 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,242. While these systems are different from one another in several ways, both systems use SGML (standard generalized markup language).

Document creation system and method using knowledge base, precedence, and integrated rules


Embodiments prevent or substantially reduce diffusion of a P-type impurity into a channel region in a PMOS transistor having a dual gate. Some embodiments include forming a device isolation film on a semiconductor substrate, forming a channel impurity region in an active region of the semiconductor substrate, and forming a gate insulation layer including a silicon oxide layer and a silicon oxide nitride layer on the semiconductor substrate. Also, the embodiments can include forming a polysilicon layer containing an N-type impurity on the gate insulation layer, and forming a gate electrode by selectively ion-implanting a P-type impurity into the polysilicon layer formed in a PMOS transistor region of the circuit region. The embodiments further include forming a conductive metal layer and a gate upper insulation layer on the gate electrode, and forming a gate stack in a gate region.

MOS (metal oxide silicon) devices are being made smaller and smaller according to a need for high-integration of semiconductor devices. For example, channel width is being reduced to sub-micron levels to increase the operating speed and current drive capability of semiconductor devices.
In a CMOS (complementary metal oxide silicon) semiconductor device a MOS device is generally used together with an NMOS transistor in which a P channel MOS transistor and an N-channel MOS transistor are formed in one semiconductor device so as to perform a complementary operation. Accordingly dual gates have been used. Dual gates generally reinforce the semiconductor function of a channel surface layer and therefore produce a desired symmetrical low-voltage operation. In fabricating a CMOS semiconductor device employing a dual gate, boron or BF2 is generally used to dope the polysilicon gate electrode of a PMOS transistor.
Unfortunately, when boron has been used as the impurity, it has been likely that the boron would penetrate a thin gate insulation layer and diffuse into the channel during a subsequent annealing process, etc. This diffusion of boron into the channel decreases the mobility of charges in the channel. Also, impurity depletion in the gate electrode may occur and may further form a P-type impurity layer near the channel connecting the source and drain. This results in an increased operating voltage, which of course hinders high integration. Furthermore, the operating voltage becomes unpredictable since boron does not always diffuse into the channel, making high integration even more difficult. This diffusion problem may become even more serious when BF2 is used as the impurity to make a shallower and narrower source/drain because boron is even more likely to diffuse when fluorine reactions are present.
Describing the aforementioned impurity depletion in the gate electrode in more detail, the solubility of solid boron in polysilicon is generally low. Therefore, even if the penetration of boron is high, the boron may not be distributed evenly within the polysilicon gate layer and a depleted region could form in the gate electrode adjacent to the gate insulation layer. If a depletion region forms adjacent to the gate insulation layer, a voltage applied to the gate electrode will not have a sufficient influence upon the channel. Therefore, the formation of a depletion region is another cause of an increase in the threshold voltage.
A conventional method of fabricating a transistor of a DRAM (dynamic random access memory) semiconductor device will be described according to the prior art, referring to FIGS. 1a to 1v.
Referring to FIG. 1a, a pad oxide layer 12, a molding polysilicon layer 14 and a hard mask layer 16 are formed on a semiconductor substrate 10 that is doped with a P-type impurity.
Referring to FIG. 1b, a photoresist is deposited on the hard mask layer 16, and the photoresist is patterned through a photolithography process to expose a portion of the hard mask layer 16. The hard mask layer 16 is selectively etched through the patterning of photoresist to expose the molding polysilicon layer 14, thus defining an active region A.
In FIG. 1c, the molding polysilicon layer 14, the pad oxide layer 12 and the semiconductor substrate 10 are partially removed to form a trench T.
Referring to FIG. 1d, the surface of the exposed molding polysilicon layer 14 and semiconductor substrate 10 is selectively oxidized through a thermal oxide process by using the hard mask layer 16 as an oxide stop mask, and a device isolation film 18 is formed. The substrate is flattened so as to partially expose the semiconductor substrate.
In FIG. 1e, a photoresist 20 is deposited on the semiconductor substrate 10, and the photoresist 20 is partially etched to expose a cell region X of the semiconductor substrate 10. A P-type impurity of a low dose such as boron or BF2 is selectively ion-implanted into the active region of the cell region X by using the photoresist 20 as an ion implantation mask, to form a channel impurity region 22 of low density, and then the photoresist 20 is removed.
With reference to FIG. 1f, the photoresist 20 is deposited on the semiconductor substrate 10, and the photoresist 20 is partially removed to expose an NMOS transistor region N of the circuit region Y of the semiconductor substrate 10. A P-type impurity of a low dose such as boron or BF2 is ion-implanted into the NMOS transistor region of the circuit region Y by using the photoresist 20 as an ion implantation mask to form the channel impurity region 22 of low density, and then the photoresist 20 is removed.
With reference to FIG. 1g, the photoresist 20 is deposited on the semiconductor substrate 10, and the photoresist 20 is partially removed to expose a PMOS transistor region P of the circuit region Y of the semiconductor substrate 10. An N-type impurity of a low dose such as phosphorous or As is ion-implanted into the PMOS transistor region of the circuit region Y by using the photoresist 20 as an ion implantation mask to form the channel impurity region 22 of low density. Then the photoresist 20 is removed.
In FIG. 1h, a gate insulation layer 24 is formed with a predetermined thickness on the semiconductor substrate 10 through the use of a silicon oxide layer subject to a thermal oxide process, and a polysilicon gate electrode 26 is formed on the gate insulation layer 24.
In FIG. 1i, the photoresist 20 is deposited on the substrate, and the photoresist 20 is partially removed to expose the gate electrode 26 of the NMOS transistor region N of the cell region Y and the circuit region X by using the photolithography process. An N-type impurity is implanted into the gate electrode 26 of the NMOS transistor region N of the cell region Y and the circuit region X, and then the photoresist 20 is removed.
In FIG. 1j, the photoresist 20 is deposited on the substrate, and the photoresist 20 is partially removed to expose the gate electrode 26 of the PMOS transistor region P of the circuit region Y by using the photolithography process. A P-type impurity is implanted into the gate electrode 26 of the PMOS transistor region P, and then the photoresist 20 is removed.
In FIG. 1k, a conductive metal layer 28 is formed on the gate electrode 26, and a gate upper insulation layer 30 is formed on the conductive metal layer 28 by using a silicon nitride layer, etc.
Referring to FIG. 11, the photoresist (not shown) is deposited on the gate upper insulation layer 30, and the photoresist is partially removed through a photolithography process. Next, the gate upper insulation layer 30, the conductive metal layer 28 and the gate electrode 26 are partially removed to expose a portion of the gate insulation layer 24 by using the photoresist as an etch mask, and then the photoresist is removed.
In FIG. 1m, the photoresist 20 is deposited on an entire face of the substrate, and the photoresist 20 is partially removed to expose the cell region X. A N-type impurity of a low dose such as phosphorous or As is ion-implanted into an exposed source/drain region (S/D) by using the photoresist 20 and the upper insulation layer 30 as an ion implantation mask to form a first impurity region 32 of low density, and then the photoresist 20 is removed.
In FIG. 1n, the photoresist 20 is deposited on an entire face of the substrate, and the photoresist 20 is partially removed to expose the NMOS transistor region N of the circuit region Y. An N-type impurity of a low dose such as phosphorous or As is ion-implanted into the S/D by using the photoresist 20 and the upper insulation layer 30 of the circuit region Y as an ion implantation mask to form the first impurity region 32 of low density, and then the photoresist 20 is removed.
In FIG. 1o, the photoresist 20 is deposited on an entire face of the substrate, and the photoresist 20 is partially removed to expose the PMOS transistor region P of the circuit region Y. A P-type impurity of a low dose such as boron or BF2 is ion-implanted into the S/D by using the photoresist 20 and the upper insulation layer 30 as an ion implantation mask to form the first impurity region 32 of low density, and then the photoresist 20 is removed. Subsequently, in order to reduce a lattice defect of the semiconductor substrate 10 generated by the ion implantation, an annealing process of high temperature, e.g. about 800° C., is performed.
With reference to FIG. 1p, a silicon nitride layer is formed on an entire face of the substrate, and a spacer 34 is formed on a sidewall of the gate electrode 26.
In FIG. 1q, the photoresist 20 is deposited on an entire face of the substrate, and the photoresist 20 is partially removed to expose the NMOS transistor region N of the circuit region Y. An N-type impurity of a high dose is ion-implanted by using the photoresist 20, upper insulating layer 30, and the spacer 34 as an ion implantation mask to form a second impurity region 36 of high density, and then the photoresist 20 is removed.
In FIG. 1r, the photoresist 20 is deposited on an entire face of the substrate, and the photoresist 20 is partially removed to expose the PMOS transistor region P of the circuit region Y. A P-type impurity of a high dose is ion-implanted by using the photoresist 20, the upper insulating layer 30, and the spacer 34 as an ion implantation mask to form the second impurity region 36 of high density, and then the photoresist 20 is removed.
In FIG. 1s, an interlayer insulation layer 38 is formed with silicon oxide on the semiconductor substrate 10 and then the interlayer insulation layer 38 is flattened to expose the gate upper insulation layer 30 and the spacer 34 through a chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) or an etch-back.
In FIG. 1t, the photoresist 20 is deposited on the substrate, and the photoresist 20 is partially removed to expose the interlayer insulation layer 38 provided over the S/D of the cell region X. Further, parts of the interlayer insulation layer 38 are removed to expose the gate insulation layer 24 above the S/D by using the photoresist 20 as an etch mask, and then the photoresist 20 is removed.
With reference to FIG. 1u, an N-type impurity of a high dose is ion-implanted by using the interlayer insulation layer 38, the upper insulation layer 30 and the spacer 34 as an ion implantation mask to form the second impurity region 36 of high density in the S/D of the cell region X, and then the photoresist 20 is removed. After the ion-implantation process, the annealing process of high temperature, e.g. about 800° C. is performed.
In FIG. 1v, the gate insulation layer 24 is removed (not shown) from the S/D of the cell region X, and a pad polysilicon layer 40 is formed by using polysilicon containing a conductive impurity on the semiconductor substrate 10. The pad polysilicon layer 40 is flattened through CMP or etch back so as to partially expose the spacer and the upper insulation layer 30. Then, the annealing process of a high temperature is performed, thus reducing possible defects on the surface of the semiconductor substrate 10 comprising the S/D below the pad polysilicon layer 40.
Though not shown in the drawing, an interlayer insulation layer is formed on the pad polysilicon layer 40. Further, the interlayer insulation layer above the source region is removed to form a first contact hole, and a bit line contact is formed to be electrically connected to the pad polysilicon layer 40 through the first contact hole. Then, another interlayer insulation layer is formed on the substrate, and both interlayer insulation layers above the drain region are removed, thus forming a second contact hole. Thereon, a storage electrode electrically connected to the pad polysilicon layer 40 of a cell transistor through the second contact hole, a dielectric layer and a plate electrode are formed sequentially, thereby completing a capacitor of a memory cell.
However, there are problems in the method of fabricating the transistor of semiconductor device according to the prior art. When ion-implanting the P-type impurity into the gate electrode of the PMOS transistor region, the P-type impurity penetrates the gate insulation layer during a subsequent annealing process and diffuses into the channel. This results in a drop in device performance.
Furthermore, ion-implanting impurities into the gate electrode must be performed several times. Thus, the ion-implantation process is complicated, lowering productivity. Embodiments of the invention address these and other limitations in the prior art.

Method of fabricating transistor of DRAM semiconductor device


A seal (1) includes a first component (7) and second component (9), the first component including a first material having a high thermal and oxidation and wear resistance, and the second component (9) including a second material that is different from the first material and has a high spring load maintenance. The seal (1) is applied to a combustion chamber for a gas turbine, where the first component (7) extends between the casing wall of the combustion chamber and adjacent liner segments (4). The spring load of the second component (9) provides a seal also in the case of vibrations in a combustion chamber. The lifetime of the seal (1) is increased due to the individual materials, which are optimally chosen for the functions of high thermal and wear resistance and spring load maintenance respectively. The seal is further applied to the sealing between adjacent stationary blade platforms in gas turbines.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention pertains to a seal with high temperature and high wear resistance and to the particular application of the seal in a combustor for a gas turbine or between blade platforms in a gas turbine.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
Seals applied in high temperature environments such as in combustors for gas turbines, in industrial gas turbine technology, steam turbine technology, and aerospace technology are required to withstand high temperatures for a given time duration. In many cases, due to vibrations present in such systems, they are also required to provide a seal over a varying distance and a high wear resistance.
A combustor for a gas turbine includes thermal protection liners placed along the inner circumference of the inner wall of the combustor casing. Such a combustor typically has a conical or a cylindrical shape. The liners are arranged in segments along the inner wall. The temperatures within the combustor rise up to 1200 or 1400° C., such that the liner segments and casing wall must be cooled in order to ensure a significant lifetime. A cooling is realized, for example, by the circulation of air that is between the inner casing wall and the liner segments. In order to control the flow of cooling medium and/or limit the volume of necessary cooling medium (because the cooling medium is costly), seals are placed between adjacent liner segments. In a gas turbine for power generation or aircrafts, the cooling medium can be air or steam.
Large vibrations occur in combustors for gas turbines during operation and in particular during operation at low emission levels. For this reason, spring loaded seals are used as they provide a sealing effect over a large range about a nominal distance. In order to withstand the rubbing against adjacent components, they are furthermore provided with a wear resistant coating. The lifetime of such seals is either determined by the lifetime of the coating, which is the time, in which the coating rubs off mechanically or is depleted as a result of other factors such as oxidation and/or corrosion.
A further problem encountered in the design of such seals is the limited time, for which materials maintain a spring load during exposure to elevated temperatures.
In a gas turbine seals are applied between platforms for stationary blades or stator blades in order to seal the hot gas region from cooling regions for the blades. High performance seals are required in order to minimise the cooling fluid volume and to prevent any hot gas from entering the cooling passages. Such seals must withstand the high prevalent temperatures in the gas turbine as well as perform in situations with large vibrations and large thermal expansions of individual components.
EP 1 306 589 discloses an annular high temperature seal intended for resistance to high temperature stress relaxation. It includes one component having either a single layer or a two-layered system, where the two layers extend over the entire length of the seal. The material or materials for this one component are one of solid solution hardened alloys, precipitation hardened metallic alloys, or dispersion hardened alloys.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,761,102 discloses a sealing ring, in particular a gasket or washer, shaped in a "C" in cross-section with a spring member placed between the inner arms of the "C".

High temperature seal and methods of use


Reagents and methods to cloak and uncloak RNA polymers and applications thereof are provided. Photocloaking molecules are used to label RNA polymers. Radiant energy is used to remove photoreleaseable protecting adducts and revert a RNA polymer to its native form.

Ribonucleic acid (RNA) is a polymeric molecule existing in biological cells in several forms and having various functions. Much like deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), RNA is a chain of nucleotides, which formulate a sequence. Each nucleotide is composed of a nitrogenous base, a 5-carbon sugar (e.g., ribose), and at least one phosphate group. The four canonical bases of RNA are adenine (A), cytosine (C), guanine (G), and uracil (U); however, several other noncanonical bases are often incorporated into the polymer, such as, for example, inosine (I) or methyl-7-guanosine (m7G). Many naturally occurring and designer modified nucleosides are known and can be incorporated into the RNA polymer. (See, e.g., Cantara, W. A., et al., Nucleic Acids Research, 2011, 39(Database issue), D195-D201; Inaki, Y., Prog. Polym. Sci., 1992, 17, 515-70; and Appella, D. H., Curr. Opin. Chem. Biol., 2009, 13, 687-96; the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference).
The primary structure of RNA is typically in a linear, single-stranded polymer. The nitrogen bases in an RNA polymer allow it form various secondary structures (e.g., helices, loops, bulges, junctions) dependent on complementary regions of the polymer. Complementary regions can be held together by hydrogen bonding creating helical or junctional regions. The complementary regions also form loops and bulges in unpaired regions between the complementation.
The unique primary and secondary structures of various RNA polymers give rise to its various functions. Messenger RNA (mRNA) uses its primary structure to carry genetic information from DNA to the ribosomes to synthesize proteins. Transfer (tRNA) and ribosomal (rRNA) are short polymers that take advantage of their secondary structures to assist the ribosome in the protein synthesis. Ribozymes are polymers that fold into secondary structure that is capable of enzymatic-like activity. Many other classes RNAs exist, including those that are involved in gene expression (e.g., microRNA (miRNA), small interfering RNAs (siRNA), Piwi-interacting RNAs (piRNA), riboswitches)), and RNA processing (e.g., small nuclear RNAs (snRNA), small nucleolar RNAs (snoRNA)).
Beyond the better-studied messenger RNAs, the largest fraction of cellular RNA consists of noncoding species, including not only tRNAs and rRNAs, but also a growing range of other long and short noncoding species, including snRNA, miRNA, snoRNA, long noncoding RNAs (IncRNA), circular RNAs (circRNA), and tRNA fragments (tRF). (See, e.g., Cech, T. and Steitz, J. A. Cell 2014, 157, 77-94; Butcher, S. E. and Brow, D. A. Biochemical Society Transactions, 2005, 33, 447; Hannon, G. J. Nature 2002, 418, 244-51; Wilson, R. C. and Doudna, J. A. Annu. Rev. Biophys., 2013, 42, 217-39; Dieci, G., Preti, M., and Montanini, B. Genomics 2009, 94, 83-88; Chen, L. L., Nat. Rev. Mol. Cell Biol., 2016, 17, 205-11; Lee, Y. S. et al. Genes Dev., 2009, 23, 2639-49; and Keam, S. P. and Hutvagner, G. Life, 2015, 5, 1638-51; the disclosures of which are each incorporated herein by reference.) The biological functions of a major fraction of these RNA species remain to be characterized, and their interactions with other RNAs, proteins, and small molecules remain elusive. Recent advancements in next-generation RNA sequencing and in structure mapping have been important in characterizing RNAs, but the field will benefit greatly from new methods as well. (See, e.g., Guo, J., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 2008, 105, 9145-50; Spitale, R. C., et al., Nat. Chem. Biol., 2013, 9, 18-20; Spitale, R. C., et al. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: RNA, 2014, 5, 867-81; and Merino, E. J., et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2005, 127, 4223-31; the disclosures of which are each incorporated herein by reference.)

The Board of Trustees of the Leland Stanford Junior University


An automatic depth of cut control for use with concrete saws. The control allows an operator to set a maximum depth of cut for which the concrete saw can be used at. Further, the control allows the user to move the concrete saw from one location to another without needing to reset the depth of cut.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to depth of cut control for saws, and in particular to depth of cut control for concrete saws.
2. Background Information
Concrete saws are used to cut grooves in concrete surfaces so as to control the cracking which inevitably occurs as the concrete cures or hardens. They are used to cut grooves to form a fracture line in the surface of the concrete such that if and when the concrete does crack, it will crack along the cut line. This is done to prevent heaving and irregular surfaces which would inevitably occur otherwise.
The typical concrete saw is a self-propelled unit which has a main power engine which is used to drive a rotary, diamond-tipped saw blade, and an electrically driven hydraulic system which is used to raise and lower the saw.
The typical concrete saw has a mainframe and a set of rear drive wheels which are affixed to the mainframe and can be driven at a selectable speed. Attached to the mainframe is a sub frame with a second set of wheels, which is movable, normally by means of an independent hydraulic system to raise and lower the front of the concrete saw and the saw blade. This is done so that the saw blade can be elevated above the surface either for repair or replacement of the blade, or to move the saw from one location to another. The sub frame is then lowered down until the saw blade engages the concrete, and starts to cut into it. The operator can then continue to lower the blade as it cuts into the concrete to a selected depth of cut.
In selecting the depth of cut, there are a number of variables which include the diameter of the saw blade being used, depth of the concrete, the speed at which the blade is turning, and the drive speed at which the concrete saw is advanced along the line of cut. In general, the thicker the concrete surface the deeper the cut should be, yet the cut should not be so deep as to ensure complete fracturing along the cut line which subjects the concrete surface to inevitable fracture, and the possibility of heaving such as that induced by freezing of the subsurface and inevitable thawing during the change of seasons.
While devising a method of measuring the depth of cut might seem to be a simple matter, it is not in that depth of cut has to be calibrated for bearing diameters of the saw blades that are used on a concrete saw. And, for the topography, for example whether or not the cut is vertical on an inclined concrete surface such as those encountered on roads, sidewalks and driveways.
Accordingly, it is the object of this invention to provide a depth of cut apparatus which is adjustable in that it can be easily recalibrated for varying conditions and sizes of saw blades, and also will automatically stop at a preselected depth of cut when the saw is lowered the concrete surface being cut.
The present invention is an apparatus/method for use with concrete saws (or other cutting devices which have elevationally adjustable means for cutting grooves, slots, or trenches in the surface of a material at a selectable depth of cut). The invented apparatus automatically resets the depth of cut after the elevation of the saw or other cutting device has been changed from a selected depth of cut to another depth or elevation. One embodiment of the invented apparatus is utilized with a concrete saw having a rotating saw attached to elevationally adjustable means which is movably attached to a frame. The invented apparatus having a means for determining the elevation of the saw blade, relative to the surface of the material to be cut attached to the elevation means. The invented apparatus further having a means for identifying the elevation of the saw or other cutting device, relative to the surface of the material being cut, when the saw or other cutting device is cutting at a preselected depth of cut. The invented apparatus further having a means for automatically stopping elevational movement of the saw or other cutting device at the elevation of the preselected depth of cut when the elevation of the saw or other cutting device is adjusted to return it to the preselected depth of cut.
Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description wherein I have shown and described only the preferred embodiment of the invention, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated by carrying out my invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of modification in various obvious respects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and description of the preferred embodiment are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

Automatic depth of cut control for concrete saw


A transducing head includes a substrate, a writer having a writer core, and an electrical connector for grounding the writer, wherein the electrical connector electrically connects the writer core to the substrate.

The present invention relates generally to magnetic data storage and retrieval systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a transducing head having a writer grounded to a substrate.
Hard disc drives (HDDs) generally include a transducing head that reads data from and writes data to a magnetic storage medium, such as a disc having a number of concentric data tracks that store data in the form of localized magnetic fields, or bits. The transducing head includes a reader or read head. Several layers typically form the reader, including a top electrode, a bottom electrode and a magnetoresistive (MR) read sensor positioned between the top and bottom electrodes. The electrodes may also function as shields, where the shields ensure that the read sensor only reads that information stored directly beneath it on the magnetic disc.
As the read sensor is positioned above the localized magnetic fields of the rotating magnetic disc, a sense current passed through the MR read sensor allows detection of a time-dependent magnetic field modulation of a magnetization of the read sensor. Different types of MR read sensors are known, including current perpendicular to plane (CPP) readers and current in plane (CIP) readers. A CPP MR read sensor can be of a number of giant magnetoresistive (GMR) read sensor types, including, but not limited to, a tunneling giant magnetoresistive (TGMR) element or a spin valve (SV) element.
GMR read sensors have a series of alternating magnetic and nonmagnetic layers. The resistance of GMR read sensors varies as a function of the spin-dependent transmission of the conduction electrons between the magnetic layers separated by the nonmagnetic layer and the accompanying spin-dependent scattering, which takes place at the interface of the magnetic and nonmagnetic layers and within the magnetic layers.
GMR read sensors using two layers of ferromagnetic material separated by a layer of nonmagnetic electrically-conductive material are generally referred to as SV read sensors. The layers of a SV read sensor include a nonmagnetic spacer layer positioned between a ferromagnetic pinned layer and a ferromagnetic free layer. A magnetization of the pinned layer is fixed in a predetermined direction, typically normal to an air bearing surface (ABS) of the SV read sensor, while a magnetization of the free layer rotates freely in response to an external magnetic field. An antiferromagnetic material is typically exchange coupled to the pinned layer to fix the magnetization of the pinned layer in a predetermined direction, although other means of fixing the magnetization of the pinned layer are available.
GMR read sensors using two layers of ferromagnetic material separated by a layer of nonmagnetic electrically-insulating material are generally referred to as TGMR read sensors. The layers within a TGMR read sensor include an ultra-thin tunnel barrier layer positioned between a ferromagnetic pinned layer and a ferromagnetic free layer. As with SV read sensors, a magnetization of the free layer is allowed to rotate with respect to the pinned layer.
The transducing head also includes a magnetic writer, the writer including a writer core. The writer core generally includes an upper pole and a lower pole. A back via connects the upper and lower poles at a location spaced from the ABS. Disposed between the upper pole and lower pole is a writer coil, the writer coil including a number of turns of a conductor. A current passed through the writer coil creates a magnetic field. Modulation of the magnetic field generated by current in the writer coil allows the writer to record data by inducing a magnetization pattern on the magnetic disc.
A transducing head with a CPP reader typically uses the upper and lower shields to bring the sense current into and out of the reader. Because the MR read sensor is highly sensitive to noise, the upper and lower shields are isolated from noise sources. Noise generally refers to any undesired charges or currents introduced to the transducing head. The writer core is electrically isolated from the MR read sensor because the writer core can generate noise. In some CPP head configurations such as those with TGMR heads, an insulator, for example alumina (Al2O3) or silicon-dioxide (SiO2), generally insulates the upper shield of the reader from the lower pole of the writer. In such designs, there is a danger of discharge across the insulator between the writer and the reader. Such a discharge to the highly sensitive MR read sensor poses a risk of thermal breakdown of the MR read sensor, causing performance degradation.
The transducing head is supported above the disc by a slider, the slider comprising a substrate. Typically, the reader is placed upon the substrate. The writer is typically placed adjacent the reader. An insulating basecoat is typically disposed between the reader and the substrate.
Bleeder resistors are well-known as a means of electrically connecting the reader and the substrate across the basecoat to limit damage due to electrostatic discharge (ESD) and/or electrical overstress (EOS). ESD generally describes actual discharges, while EOS describes a condition where the circuitry is exposed to voltages or currents that are higher than under normal operating conditions, such as may be experienced during electrical testing; however, because ESD and EOS refer to functionally related conditions, use of either term is hereafter intended to contain the other term. ESD typically arises from triboelectric charging or induction. The reader bleeder resistor generally is a thin film resistor, having a resistance on the order of 1-3 Mega-ohms (MΩ), connected by a pair of vias to the reader and to the substrate. The reader bleeder resistor grounds the reader, typically grounding the reader to the electrically conductive substrate, to minimize or prevent ESD or EOS damage to the highly sensitive MR read sensor. The substrate is connected to the suspension assembly, which positions the transducing head relative to the disc. The suspension assembly is connected to the substrate with a conductive adhesive.
Reader bleeder resistors function to reduce accumulation of electrostatic charges on the reader, and thus limit damaging ESD events. A resistance of the reader bleeder resistor is selected to provide a path so that electrostatic charges on the highly sensitive reader are dissipated through the reader bleeder resistor to the substrate.
These reader bleeder resistors primarily protect the reader during fabrication of the HDD. However, because MR read sensors are highly sensitive to noise, reader bleeder resistors are constrained to high resistances to avoid introducing noise from the substrate to the reader. High resistances greatly reduce the likelihood of noise traveling through the reader bleeder resistor.
CPP heads use top and bottom magnetic shields to bring current into and out of the reader. The shields carry the sensor output to the preamp, and must therefore be isolated from noise sources, including the magnetic core of the writer. The preamp provides some control over voltages in the top and bottom shields. In traditional CIP heads, the shields and writer core are typically shorted together through a shared pole. However, some CIP configurations have the shields and writer core electrically isolated. In many CPP heads, such as TGMR heads, the writer core is electrically isolated. Isolation of the writer core allows the writer core voltage to "float", meaning the voltage of the writer core can fluctuate independent of other elements in the transducing head. The floating voltage of the writer core can reach voltages of one volt or more due to capacitive coupling to the writer coil and also due to tribocharging with the disc.
A number of factors may generate ESD or EOS during fabrication and/or operation of the HDD. During operation, longitudinal and perpendicular writers may exhibit a writer core voltage of one volt or more from tribocharging of the pole tip features during ABS contact with particles or with the magnetic disc. Additionally, during fabrication, charged objects may contact the transducing head causing ESD or EOS.
Both the reader and writer are sensitive to discharges. Discharges generate heat, which leads to a risk of core-to-coil and coil-to-reader thermal breakdown. Even writer core voltages of less than one volt create damaging discharges between the transducing head and the magnetic disc. Discharges also lead to damaged discs, and material from the disc can be transferred to a surface of the transducing head. Such material transfer generates defects on the disc, creates deposits on the surface of the transducing head that induce further contact between the head and the disc, and also affects the fly characteristics of the slider.
In addition, many designs, such as those utilizing TGMR heads, have a separating oxide that insulates the upper shield of the reader from the lower pole of the writer. In such designs, there is a danger of discharge across the separating oxide between the writer and the reader. Such a discharge to the highly sensitive MR read sensor poses a risk of damages to the MR read sensor, causing performance degradation.
Thus, a transducing head is needed to improve drive reliability by grounding the writer to control ESD between the transducing head and the disc, both in frequency and magnitude.


Two types of corner couplings together with horizontally extending and vertically extending beams form a multi-cornered paneled frame structure. One coupling connects, with suitable connectors, horizontally and inwardly extending panels to the horizontally extending beams and the other coupling connects, with suitable connectors, vertically extending panels to said horizontally extending beams and to the vertically extending beams. Other suitable connectors secure the two types of couplings to each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a structural frame assembly for use in making showcases, furniture, fixtures, buildings and the like. More particularly, the invention concerns utilizing elongated beams, couplings or connectors, and panel members (top, bottom and/or intermediate) connected together in a manner that provides a sturdy, easily assembled and disassembled structure.
2. Description of the Prior Art
There are numerous prior art devices using beams, couplings or connectors, and panel members connected together in various ways to form structures of various shapes and sizes. Examples of such prior art devices are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,018,539; 2,389,899; 2,649,320; 3,436,047; 3,680,620; 3,901,613; 4,070,847; 4,368,936; 4,461,596; 4,585,365; 4,864,795; 4,932,808; 4,905,443; and 5,011,323. However, none of those devices is similar to the structure described and claimed herein.


A television and remote control system, where the television receives data over a channel and produces outputs that create a television display. The television also receives notifications over a data connection indicating events that are other than the television display, like emails, alerts and the like. The television displays visual and audible notifications and mutes those notifications based on commands from a remote control.

Viewers are bombarded with notifications they have no control over, on many connected devices they possess.
Most consumers with smart phones are used to receiving unsolicited notifications in the form of audible tones and icons that display at the top of their screen. Few of these notifications are important to the user because they fall into the category of application updates, weather alerts, advertising and other non-emergency type notifications. Personal computers, tablets and portable multimedia devices are also starting to receive alerts in the form of icons appearing on the screen and audible alerts.
Of all connected devices the television is probably the most immersive device owned by the average consumer and the device that offers the most escape from reality. Internet connected televisions and other connected consumer devices such as DVD players, connected internet radios and other multimedia devices such as gaming consoles can receive and display notification messages relating to numerous events. The list of possible events includes such things as application updates, messages or email received, preset alarms, electronic programming guide notices and numerous other alerts.
Television content has for some time had watermarked icons, messages and animations embedded into content broadcasted over the airwaves, cable television and satellite delivered content. These can be very annoying, especially if the content is "paid for on demand" or through a paid subscription service.