Fine, highly-crystallized metal powder is produced at low cost and high efficiency by a method involving: ejecting raw material powder composed of one or more kinds of thermally decomposable metal compound powders into a reaction vessel through a nozzle together with a carrier gas and producing a metal powder by heating the raw material powder at a temperature T2 which is higher than the decomposition temperature of the raw material powder and not lower than (Tm−200°) C. where Tm is the melting point (° C.) of the metal to be produced, while allowing the raw material powder to pass through the reaction vessel in a state where the raw material powder is dispersed in a gas phase at a concentration of 10 g/liter or less, wherein an ambient temperature T1 of a nozzle opening part is set to a temperature of 400° C. or higher and lower than (Tm−200°) C.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for producing a metal powder suitable for electronic applications, and more particularly, to a method for producing a metal powder with a fine, uniform particle size and a high degree of crystallinity which is useful as a conductive powder for use in a conductive paste, a metal powder produced by the method, a conductive paste, and a multilayer ceramic electronic component.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conductive metal powders used in conductive pastes that are used to form electronic circuits, it is desirable that these powders contain few impurities, that the powders be fine powders with a mean particle size as fine as 0.01 μm to 10 μm, that the particle size and particle shape be uniform, and that the powders have good dispersibility with no aggregation. Furthermore, it is also necessary that the dispersibility of the powder in the paste be good, and that the crystallinity be good so that there is no non-uniform sintering.
Especially in cases where such powders are used to form internal conductors or external conductors in multilayer ceramic electronic components such as multilayer capacitors, multilayer inductors and the like, in addition to being finer and having uniform particle size and shape in order to form the electrodes into a thin film, conductive metal powders are required to be resistant to the occurrence of expansion and shrinkage caused by oxidation and reduction during firing and have a high sintering starting temperature in order to prevent structural defects such as delamination or cracking. Consequently, there is a need for sub-micron sized metal powder having a spherical shape, low activity and high crystallinity.
Examples of conventional methods used to produce such a highly-crystallized metal powder include chemical vapor deposition (CVD), in which a vapor of a metal compound such as nickel chloride is reduced with a reducing gas at a high temperature, physical vapor deposition (PVD), in which a metal vapor is condensed in a gas phase, and spray pyrolysis, in which a solution or suspension of a metal compound dissolved or dispersed in water or an organic solvent is formed into fine liquid droplets, followed by carrying out pyrolysis by heating the droplets preferably at a temperature near or not lower than the melting point of the metal, whereby metal powder is produced.
In addition, methods for producing a highly-crystallized metal powder are also known in which pyrolysis is carried out at a high temperature using a solid powder for the raw material and in a state in which the solid powder is dispersed in a gas phase (see Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 2002-20809 and 2004-99992). In these methods, a highly-crystallized metal powder is obtained by supplying a raw material powder composed of a thermally decomposable metal compound powder to a reaction vessel using a carrier gas, and heating the material powder at a temperature higher than the decomposition temperature thereof and not lower than (Tm−200)° C. where Tm is the melting point (° C.) of the metal, in a state in which the material powder is dispersed in the gas phase at a concentration of 10 g/liter or less. Also, in these methods, a highly-crystallized metal powder is obtained by ejecting the raw material powder along with the carrier gas into the reaction vessel through a nozzle under the condition of V/S>600, with V representing the flow rate per unit time of the carrier gas (L/min), and S representing the cross-sectional area of the opening part of the nozzle (cm2).
In the methods described in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 2002-20809 and 2004-99992, since in comparison with spray pyrolysis there is no energy loss resulting from the evaporation of a solvent and the metal compound powder can be dispersed in a gas phase at a high concentration due to the use of a solid metal compound powder as the starting material, a spherical metal powder having a high crystallinity and superior oxidation resistance and dispersibility can be produced with a high efficiency. In addition, a metal powder of an arbitrary mean particle size and uniform particle size can be obtained by controlling the particle size and dispersion conditions of the raw material powder, and since an oxidative gas is not generated from a solvent, these methods are also suitable for producing easily oxidizable base metal powders required to be synthesized under a low oxygen partial pressure. Moreover, in comparison with vapor phase chemical reduction methods and the like, for which it is difficult to produce an alloy of metals having different vapor pressures in an accurately controlled composition, these methods also offer the advantage of being able to easily produce an alloy powder of an arbitrary composition by using a mixture or composite of two or more types of metal compounds.
In the case of the method described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-99992 in particular, a solid raw material powder is ejected into a reaction vessel through a nozzle together with a carrier gas at a high linear velocity such that V/S >600, and, utilizing the rapid expansion of the gas in the reaction vessel, it is subjected to heat treatment at a high temperature and a low concentration in a gas phase and in a highly dispersed state so as not to cause mutual collisions between raw material particles and formed particles, thereby making it possible to easily produce a metal powder having an extremely narrow particle size distribution at a low cost and high efficiency.
There has recently been a strong demand for multilayer ceramic electronic components having a reduced size and increased layering, and in the area of multilayer ceramic capacitors using nickel for the internal electrodes in particular, both the ceramic layer and internal electrode layer are becoming increasingly thin. Consequently, an ultrafine nickel powder is required for use in the conductive paste for these internal electrodes that has, for example, an extremely small mean particle diameter of 0.3 um or less, a minimized inclusion of coarse particles and a narrower particle size distribution.
However, in the case of attempting to produce an even finer nickel powder than in the past using the methods described in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 2002-20809 and 2004-99992, there are problems with respect to a tendency for the particle size distribution to increase along with poor production efficiency and yield.
These problems are presumed to be attributable to the following causes. Namely, in the methods described in Japanese Patent Publication Nos. 2002-20809 and 2004-99992, since nearly one metal particle or alloy particle is formed per particle of raw material, powder, the particle size of the metal powder is dependent on the particle size of the raw material powder. Thus, in order to obtain a finer metal powder, it is necessary to finely pulverize and disaggregate the raw material powder in advance. However, since the cohesive force of a powder increases as it becomes finer, it becomes difficult to disperse in which in addition to requiring an extremely long time for the disaggregation step, requiring a large amount of energy and contributing to poor production efficiency, large particles are formed easily due to re-aggregation. If such large, aggregated particles that are unable to be completely disaggregated are present in the raw material powder in this manner, the particle size and particle size distribution of the resulting metal particles increase. In addition, due to the inclusion of coarse metal particles, there are various detrimental effects on the characteristics of multilayer ceramic electronic components.

Metal powder production method, metal powder produced thereby, conductive paste and multilayer ceramic electronic component


Disclosed herein are devices, systems, and methods for updating alarm limits applied in monitoring one or more medical parameters of a subject. The devices, systems, and methods obtain a measurement of ambient pressure at a defined time point (‘t1’) and compare the measurement of ambient pressure at the defined time point (‘t1’) to a reference ambient pressure. If a difference between the measured ambient pressure values at t1 and the reference ambient pressure is at or above a predetermined threshold, the alarm limits are updated to correspond with the ambient pressure at t1 or a user is alerted to update the alarm limits.

This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of art that may be related to various aspects of the present techniques, which are described and/or claimed below. This discussion is believed to be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of the various aspects of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that these statements are to be read in this light, and not as admissions of prior art.
Medical monitoring devices provide crucial data regarding a patient's medical condition. For example, capnographs measure and provide carbon dioxide (CO2) related parameters in exhaled breath and, as such, may be used to characterize a patient's condition and particularly ventilation functionality.
Medical devices may trigger an alarm, alerting health care providers that a monitored parameter deviates from a threshold value. For example, a capnograph may activate an alarm when deviations or changes in the patient's CO2 levels are detected.

Alarm limits update system for a medical monitoring device


The present invention relates to devices and methods of use thereof for making semiderivative voltammetric and chronoamperometric measurements of chemicals, e.g. neurotransmitters, precursors, and metabolites, in vitro, in vivo, or in situ. The invention relates to methods of diagnosing and/or treating a subject as having or being at risk of developing a disease or condition that is associated with abnormal levels of one or more neurotransmitters including, inter alia, epilepsy, diseases of the basal ganglia, athetoid, dystonic diseases, neoplasms, Parkinson's disease, brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and cancer. The invention provides methods of differentiating white matter from grey matter using microvoltammetry. In some embodiments, regions of the brain to be resected or targeted for pharmaceutical therapy are identified using Broderick probes. The invention further provides methods of measuring the neurotoxicity of a material by comparing Broderick probe microvoltammograms of a neural tissue in the presence and absence of the material.

The present invention relates to devices and methods of use thereof for determining the presence and concentration of chemicals in a cell, tissue, organ or organism. The invention relates to, inter alia, semiderivative voltammetric measurements and chronoamperometric measurements of chemicals, e.g. neurotransmitters, precursors and metabolites, to identify, diagnose, and/or treat neuropathologies, neurotoxicities, tumors, and brain and spinal cord injuries.
Microvoltammetric indicator microelectrodes pass small but measurable currents while neurotransmitters and metabolites close to the microelectrode surface undergo oxidation and/or reduction (Adams R N et al., 1982, Handbook of Psychopharmacology, pp. 1–74). When an electrode is placed in contact with a solution a phase boundary is created that separates identical solutes into two different types. They are (a) molecules that are at a distance from the microelectrode and (b) those molecules that are close enough to participate in mutual interactions between the surface of the microelectrode and the sample solution interface (Kissinger P T et al., 1996, Laboratory Techniques in Electroanalytical Chemistry, pp. 11–50). Collectively, these interactions are called electrochemistry.
Detection of electrochemical signals from solutions and from anatomic brain sites is termed "faradaic" because the amount of the oxidative and/or reductive species detected at the surface of the microelectrode may be calculated by a derivation of Faraday's Law, the Cottrell Equation,
      i    t    =                    nFAC        0                          D        0                  1          /          2                                    3.14                  1          /          2                                  t                  1          /          2                    wherein i is current at time t, n is the number of electrons (eq/mol), F is Faraday's constant (96,486 C/eq), A is electrode area (cm2), C is concentration of oxygen (mol/cm3), and D is the diffusion coefficient of oxygen (cm2/s). The proportionality between charge and mass of an electrochemical reaction describes the relationship between the charge of each neurochemical in the process of oxidation and/or reduction and the concentration of each neurochemical. The Cottrell Equation relates to quiet solution experiments wherein the potential is instantaneously switched from an initial value Ei to a final potential, then held constant for a fixed time, then switched back to Ei. If material diffuses to a planar electrode surface in only one direction (linear diffusion) then the exact description of the current-time curve is the Cottrell Equation.
Current-time relationships with a circular electrode are defined in electrochemistry by the Cottrell Equation. For a long time, other electrode sizes and experiments using different electrolysis times were considered deviations from the Cottrell Equations that could be considered negligible. However, Wightman et al. observed that linear diffusion is not enough to describe the action that takes place at spherical microelectrodes (Dayton M A et al., 1980, Anal. Chem. 52:948–950). The quiet solution behavior of very small electrodes is different and is better described by a steady state equation in which the radius of the electrode is taken into account (Adams R N et al., 1982, Handbook of Psychopharmacology, pp. 1–74). This equation is suitable for calculating the edge effect or spherical steady-state contribution for even a 300-micron diameter electrode. Such a calculation reveals that the edge effect or spherical steady-state contribution adds approximately 30% current to the linear diffusion component for an electrolysis time of only one second (Dayton M A et al., 1980, Anal. Chem. 52:948–950).
Microvoltammetric circuits using several types of stearate-carbon paste microelectrodes have been developed and refined (Broderick P A, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,433,710; Broderick P A, 1996, EP 90914306.7; Broderick P A, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,903). Reliable separation and quantification of neurotransmitters including norepinephrine, serotonin, and dopamine as well as some of their precursors and metabolites is now possible (Broderick P A, 1989, Brain Res. 495:115–121; Broderick P A, 1988, Neurosci. Lett. 95:275–280; Broderick P A, 1990, Electroanalysis 2:241–245).
One electrode for in vivo electrochemical studies was developed in the laboratory of Ralph Adams (Kissinger P T et al., 1973, Brain Res 55:209). Using carbon paste electrodes with diameters reaching 1.6 mm and Ag/AgCl (3M NaCl) reference electrodes, neurotransmitters including dopamine and norepinephrine and their metabolites were detected (not separated), as a single peak in rat caudate nucleus with finite current electrochemistry and cyclic voltammetry.
Extensive refinements to microelectrodes and to in vivo electrochemistry have been made (Broderick P A, 1990, Electroanalysis 2:241–245). The recent development of a stearate-carbon paste probe along with an electrode conditioning process has resulted in reliable separation and detection of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin (Broderick P A, 1996, EP 90914306.7; Broderick P A, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,903). In addition, other types of microelectrodes with increased sensitivity and reliability continue to be developed (Broderick P A, 1996, EP 90914306.7; Broderick P A, 1999, U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,903). An electrochemically pre-treated carbon fiber electrode allows the differentiation of dopamine from DOPAC (Akiyama R A et al., 1985,Anal Chem. 57:1518), as do microelectrodes used in the instant invention.
Previous in vitro analysis techniques have yielded disappointing results. Prior ex vivo studies attempted to circumvent these problems with the microdialysis technique (During M J et al., 1993, Lancet 341:1607–1610; Lehmann A et al., 1991, Neurotransmitters and Epilepsy, pp. 167–180). Dialysis tubing placed on or within the brain is perfused with artificial CSF or Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution, and the perfusate is then analyzed with High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) with electrochemical detection; this provides information about the extracellular environment. However, this technique has been criticized because of the local gliosis caused by the dialysis probes and the perfusion process that can alter the biochemical parameters under study. In addition, the perfusate is analyzed outside the brain and therefore in contrast to microvoltammetry measurements are not truly in situ or in vivo.
Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterized by transient electrical disturbances of the brain that may be studied by electrophysical techniques. Neurotransmitter data from experimental epilepsy models and in vitro analysis of surgically resected specimens from patients with partial epilepsy have thus far yielded conflicting results. These conflicting results may be due to significant variations between samples as well as choice of controls. Additionally, highly localized changes in epileptic cortex are not detectable using whole tissue homogenates. In general, increased activity in noradrenergic, dopaminergic, and serotonergic systems are believed to reduce cortical excitability and decrease seizure activity (Delgado-Escueta A V, 1984, Ann Neurol. 16(Suppl.): 145–148). However, human temporal lobe epilepsy is a complex disorder that may involve the dysfunction of distinct neuronal systems including the hippocampus and entorhinal cortex, the temporal neocortex, or combinations of these structures. Therefore, the contribution of different neurotransmitter systems to epileptogenesis in a given patient likely varies with lesion location and the etiology of epilepsy. Furthermore, recent studies demonstrating presynaptic inhibitory serotonin autoreceptors,-in hippocampus (Schlicker E et al., 1996, Naunyn Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 354:393–396) and a dual role for norepinephrine in epileptogenesis (Radisavljevic Z et al., 1994, International Journal of Developmental Neuroscience 12:353–361) suggest an even more complex situation.
Recent studies are now defining a syndrome of neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy that has distinct clinicopathologic and electrophysiologic features from mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (Pacia S V et al., 1997, Epilepsia 38:642–654; Pacia S V et al., 1996, Ann Neurol 40:724–730). While both mesial temporal lobe epilepsy and neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy are potentially treatable with surgical resection when seizures are refractory to antiepileptic medication, the type and extent of temporal lobe resection necessary to achieve a seizure free outcome may differ. Neocortical temporal lobe epilepsy patients may require resections tailored to include the epileptogenic zone. These resections may lie outside the boundaries of a standard temporal lobe resection performed for mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. Neurochemistry using microvoltammetry may provide a means for defining the epileptogenic zone in these patients.
Other techniques for detecting neurotransmitters in real time and in vivo fall short of the instant invention. These previous methods such as dialysis have limitations such as those described in During M J et al., 1993, Lancet 341:1607–1610; Ferrendelli J A et al., 1986, Adv. Neurol. 44:393–400; Goldstein D S et al., 1988, J Neurochem 50:225229; Janusz W et al., 1989, Neurosci Res 7:144153; Kawaguchi Y et al., 1998, J Neurosci 18:6963–6976.
In vivo detection of neurotransmitters and other chemicals is also important for diagnosing and treating movement disorders such as spinal cord injuries and brain injuries. Current techniques are limited, in part, in their relative inability to monitor neural chemistry in real time in a freely behaving animal or human which may limit their diagnostic and/or therapeutic efficacy. Movement may be generated by a central pattern generator (CPG), i.e. a neuronal network capable of generating a rhythmic pattern of motor activity either in the presence or absence of phasic sensory input from peripheral receptors.
Central pattern generators have been identified and analyzed in more than fifty rhythmic motor systems and CPG's can generate a variety of motor patterns. A universal characteristic of this wide variety of motor patterns is that they consist of rhythmic and alternating motions of the body or appendages. It is the rhythmicity of these behaviors that make these behaviors appear stereotypic. It is the repetitive quality of these behaviors that enables stereotypic behaviors to be controlled automatically. This automaticity or autoactivity means that there may be little or no need for intervention from higher brain centers when the environment remains stable.
The simplest CPG's contain neurons that are able to burst spontaneously. Such endogenous bursters can drive other motor neurons and some motor neurons are themselves, endogenous bursters. Importantly, bursters are common in CPG's that produce continuous rhythmic movement, such as locomotion. But, locomotion is an episodic, rhythmic behavior and thus, further regulation by neurochemicals becomes necessary. Endogenous bursts (cell firing) of neurons involved in locomotion must be regulated by neurotransmitters and neuromodulators, i.e., substances that can alter the cellular properties of neurons involved in CPG's. Brief depolarizations occur and lead to maintained depolarizations (plateau potentials) that can last for long periods of time. These maintained depolarizations far outlast the initial depolarization and it is these maintained depolarizations that are necessary for rhythmic movements. The generation of rhythmic motor activity by CPG's can be altered by amines and peptides (Grillner S et al., 1987, Trends Neurosci. 10:34–41; Rossignol S et al., 1994, Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 4:894–902), thereby enabling a CPG to generate an even greater variety of repetitive motor patterns. Motor CPG's produce a complex temporal pattern of activation of different groups of motor functions and each pattern can be divided into a number of distinct phases even within a phase. CPG's are time-dependent (Pearson K et al., 2000, Principles of Neural Science, 4th edition, pp. 738–755).
Serotonin is an important neuromodulator for CPG's and can control the CPG underlying the escape swim response in the mollusc, Tritonia diomedea. The dorsal swim interneurons (DSI'S) are a bilaterally represented set of three 5-HTergic neurons that participate in the generation of the rhythmic swim motor program. Serotonin from these CPG neurons is said to function as both a fast neurotransmitter and as a slower neuromodulator. In its modulatory role, 5-HT enhances the release of neurotransmitter from another CPG neuron, C2 and also increases C2 excitability by decreasing spike frequency adaptation. Serotonin intrinsic to the CPG may neuromodulate behavioral sensitization and habituation. Serotonin intrinsic to the DSI enhances synaptic potentials evoked by another neuron in the same circuit (Katz P S, 1998, Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 860:181–188; Katz P S et al., 1994, Nature 367:729–731).
In another mollusc, the pteropod Clione limacina, the CPG for swimming is located in the pedal ganglia and formed by three groups of interneurons which are critical for rhythmic activity. The endogenous rhythmic activity of this CPG was enhanced by 5-HT (Arshavsky Y I et al., 1998, Ann. NY Acad. Sci. 860:51–69). In the pond snail, Lymnaea stagnalis, 5-HT is the main neurotransmitter in its stereotypic feeding circuit (Sadamoto H et al., 1998, Lymnaea Stagnalis. Neurosi. Res. 32:57–63). In the sea slug, Aplysia, the CPG for biting is modulated both intrinsically and extrinsically. Intrinsic modulation has been reported to be mediated by cerebral peptide-2 (cp-2) containing CB1–2 interneurons and is mimicked by application of CP-2, whereas extrinsic modulation is mediated by the 5-HT-ergic metacerebral cell (MCC) neurons and is mimicked by application of 5-HT (Morgan P T et al., 2000, J. Neurophysiol. 84:1186–1193).
In vertebrates, the 5-HT somatodendritic nuclei, the raphe, comprise the most expansive and complex anatomic and neurochemical system in CNS. Raphe nuclei almost exclusively reside along the midline in the rat and in the primate. Fewer reside along the midline, but several exhibit a paramedian organization (Azmitia E C, 1986, Adv. Neurol. 43:493–507). The rostral 5-HT raphe group and caudal linear nucleus sends 5-HT efferents to A9 basal nuclei motor systems and the caudal 5-HT group, whereas the interfascicular aspect of the 5-HTergic dorsal raphe projects efferents to A10 basal ganglia (nuclei) regions (Jacobs B L et al., 1992, Physiol. Rev. 72:165–229).
Electrophysiological studies have shown that the most prominent action of increased 5-HT cell firing, in 5-HT somatodendrites in treadmill locomotion for example, is to increase the flexor and extensor burst amplitude of 5-HT cell firing in dorsal raphe, (DR) somatodendrites for 5-HT, during locomotion (Barbeau H et al., 1991, Brain Res. 546:250–260). Further evidence for 5-HT controlling motor output is seen from studies in which 5-HT, directly injected into the motor nucleus of the trigeminal nerve, increased the amplitude of both the tonic electromyogram of the masseter muscle and the externally elicited jaw-closure (masseteric) reflex (McCall R B et al., 1979, Brain Res. 169:11–27; McCall R B et al., 1980, Eur. J. Pharmacol. 65:175–183; Ribeiro-Do-Valle L E et al., 1989, Soc. Neurosci. Abstr. 15:1283). In fact, Jacobs and Azmitia have proposed that 5-HT's primary function in CNS neuronal circuitry is to facilitate motor output (Jacobs B L et al., 1992, Physiol. Rev. 72:165–229).
Serotonin neurons within 5-HT somatodendrites depolarize with such extraordinary regularity that they exhibit automaticity, i.e., they can act by a CPG and produce plateau potentials. Thus, 5-HT neurons exhibit repetitive discharge characteristics. Increased 5-HT neuronal cell firing in somatodendritic raphe nuclei generally precedes the onset of movement or even increased muscle tone in arousal by several seconds and is maintained during sustained behavior (Jacobs B L, 1986, Neurochemical Analysis of the Conscious Brain: Voltammetry and Push-Pull Perfusion, Ann. NY Acad. Sci., pp. 70–79). Importantly, 5-HT cell firing in raphe nuclei is sometimes phase-locked to repetitive behavioral stereotypic responses. The regular firing of 5-HT somatodendrites in raphe nuclei is activated preferentially. This activation is associated with locomotion and chewing, stereotypic behaviors that are stimulated by CPG's (Jacobs B L et al., 1991, Pharmacol. Rev. 43:563–578). Serotonin intrinsic CPG's have been reported to be responsible for inducing rhythmic motor activity in the spinal cord of the turtle and the lamprey (Guertin P A et al., 1998, Neurosci. Lett. 245:5–8; Harris-Warrick R M et al., 1985, J. Exp. Biol. 116:27–46). The evidence in the lamprey suggests that 5-HT may have a role in the generation of a family of related undulatory movements, including, swimming, crawling, and burrowing, by a single CPG.
In addition to neurological disorders and injuries, the device and methods of use provided herein may be used for for brain cancer diagnosis and treatment. Current imaging technology is limited with respect to tumor visualization in neural tissue. For example, magnetic resonance imaging MRI is limited in its ability to detect tumor infiltration into white matter. This may hinder a physician's ability to render a diagnosis and/or prognosis. It further limits the ability to treat the patient by, for example, hindering a surgeon from defining tumor boundaries to remove the tumor. Alternatively, an inability to visualize cancerous cells or tissue in white matter may hinder a physicians ability to monitor the efficacy of a chemotherapy regimen.

Identification, diagnosis, and treatment of neuropathologies, neurotoxicities, tumors, and brain and spinal cord injuries using microelectrodes with microvoltammetry

The Research Foundation of the City University of New York


An automatic, portable water bottle filling apparatus includes an elongated frame that defines a continuous conveying path with opposite first and second ends; a conveyor system that moves bottles along the conveying path; a water filling station adjacent to the conveying path second end that is configured to fill an empty bottle with liquid from the user's water source; a capping station positioned downstream from the water filling station that is configured to close a filled bottle with a cap; a sensor system configured to detect the presence of an empty, uncapped bottle at the water filling station; and a controller that automatically controls operations of the water filling station, capping station and conveyor system in response to signals received from the sensor system.

According to the Beverage Marketing Corporation, bottled water emerged as the second largest commercial beverage category by volume in the United States in 2003, and has continued to grow at a significant pace. Bottled water consumption is growing even more rapidly on a global scale but in the U.S., volume is unparalleled. In 2007, total volume of bottled water in the U.S. surpassed 8.8 billion gallons, which translates to over 29 gallons per person. The growth has been even more impressive in terms of plastic water bottles sold: from 3.3 billion in 1997 to 15 billion in 2002, to over 35 billion in 2007.
The dramatic increase in the use of plastic water bottles has raised concerns regarding the amount of energy used to produce the plastic bottles and the environmental impact of disposing/recycling these bottles. It is estimated that less than twenty-five percent of all plastic water bottles in the U.S. are recycled. As such billions of plastic water bottles each year go into the trash or become litter. Some cities in the U.S. have considered banning plastic water bottles and/or imposing a tax of up to 25 cents per bottle.
An alternative to buying bottled water is to fill reusable bottles with water from the tap. Unfortunately, many find this inconvenient and time consuming compared with bottled water purchased from a store.

Portable and automatic bottle filling/capping apparatus and methods


This invention relates to a centrifugal apparatus for testing the waterproofness of an article of footwear. The centrifugal apparatus may also be used to test other apparel such as gloves, socks, waders, pants, and hats.

New and different shoe constructions have recently entered the marketplace that are waterproof yet do not possess the traditional waterproof bootie insert that previously provided the waterproofness to shoes and boots. Some of these boots and shoes having the bootie were often tested for leaks by using a bootie testing machine such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,799,384 in which the footwear article was gripped by means for gripping such as inflatable gripper or clamps and injected with air so as to inflate the article. The article was then immersed in a tank of liquid (water) after which an inspection was made to determine if a stream of bubbles evolved indicating a leak. Some waterproof shoes however do not have a long enough upper so as to be gripped by this type of apparatus. Further, although the bootie testing machine is very useful in testing the bootie inserts, difficulties are encountered in testing the entire shoe or boot containing the booties as they are too bulky and thus do not facilitate the creation of a seal in order for the shoe to be tested. Also, in testing of some shoes and boots containing the booties and shoe inserts, testing often required that the inserts be removed from the shoe or boot for testing. As mentioned above, some of the new footwear articles now commercially available do not possess inserts.
With new footwear constructions not incorporating the bootie construction and for shoes that do not have a sufficient upper to be gripped, a new apparatus and test method for leak testing is needed.
Besides footwear, an assortment of waterproof apparel are entering into the marketplace at record speed. These items are said to be waterproof, however, many possess small leaks due to flaws and ruptures created during manufacturing.
These waterproof apparel are likewise tested by equipment and techniques which also fail to detect many of these small leaks. These techniques include a leak detector system wherein an article of clothing is placed within a chamber and water droplets are introduced at a specified velocity and drop size so as to simulate rain. The article is then visually inspected to determine if any water entered the inside surface. Alternatively, a series of sensors may be placed within the article to see if any water leaked through as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,339.
Other methods include filling the article of clothing such as a glove with air and testing for gas leaks as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,209. Alternatively, the article may be filled with water and with any openings closed off so that water is allowed to penetrate through any damaged or unsealed area due to hydrostatic forces. As can be imagined, many of these test methods require complicated and costly equipment or require a significant amount of time in order to determine if any leaks exist. Even with these test methods, a substantial number of leaks may still go undetected.
There is a need for a simple apparatus to test the waterproofness of a waterproofed article of clothing that is more expedient and is more effective in detecting microscopic leaks than the methods which presently exist.

Centrifuge test apparatus for footwear and apparel


A pulsed-laser anneal technique includes performing an implant of a selected region of a semiconductor wafer. A co-constituent implant of the selected region is performed, and the pulsed-laser anneal of the selected region performed. A pre-amorphizing implant of the selected region can also be performed. In one embodiment, the implant of the selected region is performed as an insitu implant. In another embodiment, the co-constituent implant is performed as an insitu non-donor implant. In yet another embodiment, the implant and the co-constituent implant of the selected region are performed as an insitu donor and co-constituent implant.

High dopant activation in source/drain or tip regions of a semiconductor device can significantly improve device performance, i.e., by reducing Rext. Pulsed-laser anneal processes can produce highly active "superactive" regions in a device by melt and rapid regrowth of the doped region. These regions, however, are susceptible to deactivation by subsequent thermal processes.
While pulsed-laser "melt" anneal processes for source-drain formation are not common in high-volume manufacturing, available literature generally describes a pulsed-laser "melt" anneal process as including pre-amorphizing implant in source/drain (such as a silicon implant), a source-drain implant (such as a phosphorous implant), followed by the pulsed-laser anneal process. The pulsed-laser anneal process is targeted to melt the amorphous material without melting the underlying substrate in which the boundaries of the source and drain are defined by the amorphizing implant conditions. The melt process produces super-activated regions having abrupt, box-like dopant profiles. Another common, closely related technique omits the pre-amorphizing implanting step and relies on fine control of the laser energy to control the depth of the super-active region. Depending on species and precise process parameters, raw activation levels of up to 100% can be achieved.
One key challenge in integrating such processes is retaining high activation levels through the remainder of the manufacturing process. Deactivation from subsequent thermal processes reduces net activation back towards equilibrium levels in the final product, thereby reducing the overall benefit of the melt-and-anneal process.
It will be appreciated that for simplicity and/or clarity of illustration, elements depicted in the figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. The scaling of the figures does not represent precise dimensions and/or dimensional ratios of the various elements depicted herein. Further, if considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding and/or analogous elements.

Method for forming superactive deactivation-resistant junction with laser anneal and multiple implants


A program recommendation apparatus that recommends a program to a user that is in accordance with the user's preference, by taking into account the importance of keywords used in classifying programs' contents into correct categories. The program recommendation apparatus has a category dictionary containing words as keywords, where each of the keywords is stored in association with contribution factors assigned with respect to categories respectively, searches program information of each program in an EPG for the keywords contained in the category dictionary, for any found keywords, obtains category summations of contribution factors of the found keywords for each of the categories, calculates category evaluation values of the program according to the category summations of the contribution factors, and recommends one or more programs to the user according to a degree of similarity between the category evaluation values of the programs and user preference factors.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a program recommendation apparatus that recommends a program that matches a user preference with use of television program information such as an EPG (electronic program guide).
2. Background Art
A program recommendation apparatus performs program recommendation to determine recommended programs by performing category analysis for programs that a user has watched in the past, and categorizing programs broadcast in the future, and deciding recommended programs using the result of category analysis for watched programs and the result of categorizing future programs.
Category analysis is performed using a category dictionary and an EPG every time a user performs a record presetting. A category dictionary is a dictionary in which categories and a plurality of keywords for each category are registered. When a user performs a record presetting, a program recommendation apparatus extracts a program description from the EPG, which corresponds to the record-preset program. Then the number of keywords existing in the description is counted for each category. A program description contains many words. In addition, there are many keywords for each category. Whenever a word used in a program description matches a keyword of a category, the occurrence of matching keyword in the category is incremented by 1. Then eventually, it is possible to know which category of keywords the description of the record-preset program includes the most. Here, programs that a user has watched include programs selected by chance through channel selection processing. On the contrary, a user intended to watch record-preset programs. When description of such record-preset programs includes a large number of keywords belonging to a certain category, it means that the user has a strong preference toward programs grouped in the category. The above-described counting processing is repeated for a month every time a record presetting is performed. Then eventually, the user's tastes for program categories can be known. In the above way, the category analysis reveals program categories of a user's preference.
On the other hand, the categorizing is performed using an EPG and a category dictionary at regular timings such as at the beginning of a week or a month. More specifically, the program recommendation apparatus obtains an EPG at the beginning of a week or a month, and extracts description text of a program that is to be broadcast in the future. Then the number of keywords included in the description text is counted. Once the result of the counting for each category is obtained, a category to which the largest number of words included in the description text belongs is known. A program is considered to belong to a particular category if the description of the program includes many words belonging to the particular category. In this way, a category to which a program to be broadcast in the future belongs is revealed according to the categorizing.
The category analysis reveals categories of programs that a user has watched, and the categorizing reveals to which category each program to be broadcast in the future belongs. As a result, future programs belonging to the category of programs that the user has watched many times are recommended to the user. According to the processing, a user will be reminded of a program that matches his preference but is easy to be missed.
Some program recommendation methods use a technology of assigning different weights to the result of counting directed to each category of future programs, according to the result of counting for each category resulting from the category analysis, thereby recommending higher-rank programs from the result of the weighing. As can be understood, the processing such as category analysis and categorizing described above largely depend on keyword search with use of a category dictionary.
Some keywords are very important for a category, while other keywords are not so important. Important keywords to a category are keywords only used in the programs of the category. In this sense, important keywords are special keywords while not so important keywords are general words that can be used in programs in other categories. For example, suppose there are keywords "accommodations" and "France" for a category of "travel". As the word "accommodations" reminds most people of "travel", "accommodations" is a keyword very important to and closely associated with the category of "travel". On the contrary, the keyword "France" is a general word which can also be used in many categories other than "travel" Therefore the keyword "France" is not so important for the category of "travel". It is not guaranteed that only important keywords to a category appear in the program description text in an EPG. In a category dictionary, words included in a program description are registered as keywords. Therefore, even when a keyword is not important for a category, it has a chance of being important for another category. In conventional category analysis and categorizing, only the number of keyword appearing in program descriptions is a focus of attention, and so the category analysis and categorizing cannot accurately incorporate a user's preference and programs' contents. This inhibits recommendation of proper programs that are in accordance with a user's preference.
It is also difficult to classify programs' contents into one category or represent a user's preference by one category.

Program recommendation apparatus, method and program used in the program recommendation apparatus


An inner subassembly for assembling a valve assembly includes a spool defining a central bore that extends axially through the spool forming a spool annular wall, and including a spool cone tip that is disposed at the first axial end, as well as a hydraulic activation ridge extending radially outwardly from the spool annular wall, and that is disposed axially between the second axial end and the first axial end. The spool may further define a first bypass bore. A stem defines a first flow bore that aligns with the first bypass bore.

Hydraulic hammer assemblies, hydraulic pumps, and hydraulic motors often employ valves that provide various functions. One valve may prevent the unwanted reversal of fluid flow (sometimes referred to as a check valve). Another valve may allow flow to bypass the apparatus (sometimes referred to as a bypass or relief valve). Typically, these valves are separate from each other, taking up space in the apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,992,450 A to Parker et al. discloses a pump assembly (33) including a cartridge valve assembly (39) having a poppet member (69) biased toward a closed position (FIG. 4) when a pilot portion (51) is closed, under the influence of an electromagnetic actuator (53), so that flow entering an inlet port (65) flows out an outlet opening (61). When the actuator (53) is not energized (FIG. 1), a pilot poppet (89) and armature (93) are biased to an open position (FIG. 5) by a pilot spring (94), so that fluid in the inlet port (65) flows through an orifice (71) in the poppet member (69) and through the pilot portion (51) to a system reservoir (R), creating a pressure differential across the poppet member (69), and opening a tank port (67). Flow is then from the inlet port (65) to the tank port (67), thus operating in a "bypass" mode. Under excessive inlet pressure, the pilot portion (51) also serves a pressure relief function.
As can be seen, a need exists for a bypass valve, and a reverse check valve that take up that take up less space in an apparatus. More specifically in some applications, a bypass function when lubricant is running low may be desirable without using a solenoid or other electrical circuitry.

Pilot operated bypass valve with reverse check


The invention aims at securely generating an internal supply voltage when turning on the power supply of internal circuits in a semiconductor integrated circuit where the operation voltage is low, and securely resetting the internal circuits. The voltage generator generates an internal supply voltage supplied to the internal circuits based on the reference voltage by using the external supply voltage supplied from the exterior. That is, the voltage generator forcibly supplies the external supply voltage as internal supply voltage when the power-on reset signal is activated. Therefore, when the external supply voltage is low at the time of turning-on of the power, and the voltage generator does not operate normally, the internal supply voltage can be securely generated following the external supply voltage so as to be supplied to the internal circuits.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor integrated circuit having a power supply circuit that generates an internal supply voltage using an external power supply voltage, and a method for generating the internal supply voltage in the semiconductor integrated circuit.
2. Description of the Related Art
Recently, portable equipment driven by batteries has come into wide use. It is requested that a semiconductor integrated circuit mounted in the portable equipment is of a low power consumption specification in order to ensure a long life of the batteries. In many cases, this type of a semiconductor integrated circuit has a voltage generator that generates an internal supply voltage whose voltage is lower than an external supply voltage by using the external supply voltage supplied from the outside thereof, and low power consumption has been achieved by supplying the internal supply voltage into predetermined circuits. Recently, a semiconductor integrated circuit is internally provided with a plurality of voltage generators, wherein a plurality of kinds of internal supply voltage is respectively supplied into the major circuit blocks.
FIG. 1 shows an example of the major circuits to generate an internal supply circuit in a semiconductor integrated circuit.
A reference voltage generator 1 has a current-mirror circuit 1a, and generates reference voltage VREF by using an external supply voltage VEXT. A power-on reset circuit 2 inactivates a power-on reset signal POR (that is, to make the power-on reset signal enter a lower level) when the external supply power VEXT exceeds a predetermined value. The current-mirror circuit 1a has a function by which the reference voltage VREF is forcibly made into the external supply voltage VEXT upon receiving a high-leveled power-on reset signal POR. The reference generator 1 generates the reference voltage VREF, following the external supply voltage VEXT, by the power-on reset signal POR when the external supply voltage VEXT is low and the reference voltage VREF cannot be generated by the current-mirror circuit la. That is, the reference voltage VREF can be steadily generated where the external supply voltage VEXT is low.
A voltage generator 3 has a differential amplifier 3a composed of a current-mirror circuit, and a regulator 3b composed of a pMOS transistor. The differential amplifier 3a controls the regulator 3b upon receiving the reference voltage VREF and the fed-back internal supply voltage VINT. The regulator 3b generates an internal supply voltage having predetermined drive capacity.
An example in which the reference generator is controlled by the power-on reset signal POR is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. Hei-130170.
However, the current supply capacity of supply voltage VEXT generated by batteries is lower in comparison with the current supply capacity of general power supplies. Therefore, for example, when the respective circuits of semiconductor integrated circuits mounted in portable equipment operates as a whole when the power is turned on, there are cases where the supply voltage VEXT is temporarily lowered.
FIG. 2 shows the voltage waveform when the supply voltage VEXT is lowered.
As the external supply voltage VEXT is temporarily lowered when the power is turned on, the differential amplifier 3a of the voltage generator 3 shown in FIG. 1 does not operate normally, and a feedthrough current occurs. Resultantly, such a problem occurs, by which the internal supply voltage VINT does not rise to a normal level. In particular, the above-described problem is likely to occur where the differential amplifier 3a is composed of a CMOS circuit. The reason resides in that the external supply voltage VEXT supplied is required to be greater by two or more times than the threshold voltage of a transistor in order to steadily actuate the differential amplifier 3a (current-mirror circuit). That is, the CMOS differential amplifier has a smaller operating margin at its low voltage side.
Further, generally, in a semiconductor integrated circuit mounted in portable equipment, the operational voltage is reduced in order to lower the power consumption (For example, the external supply voltage is 2.5V). Since the threshold voltage of the transistor scarcely depends on the external supply voltage, the ratio of the threshold voltage of the transistor to the external supply voltage VEXT is increased, wherein the above-described problem is still likely to occur.
In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the timing of generation of the internal supply voltage VINT shifts, wherein as the power-on reset signal POR is inactivated (going to a low level) before the internal supply voltage VINT is raised to a normal voltage, circuits that are required to be reset in the semiconductor integrated circuit will be activated before a normal internal supply voltage VINT is supplied. As a result, these circuits are not correctly reset, there is a possibility of the portable equipment being hung up.
On the other hand, as described above, the reference voltage generator 1 generates the reference voltage VREF, following the external supply voltage VEXT, by a power-on reset signal POR when the power is turned on. However, when the voltage generator 3 for receiving the reference voltage VREF has a CMOS differential amplifier 3a, the voltage generator does not operate normally in a region where the external supply voltage VEXT is low even if the voltage generator 3 receives the reference voltage VREF following the external supply voltage VEXT. Therefore, the voltage generator 3 cannot generate a normal internal supply voltage VINT.
An object of the present invention is to reliably generate an internal supply voltage when an external supply voltage supplied to a semiconductor integrated circuit is low and, in particular, to quickly raise the internal supply voltage following the external supply voltage when the power is turned on.
Another object of the present invention is to securely generate an internal supply voltage in a voltage generator having a CMOS current-mirror circuit even when the supply voltage supplied to the CMOS current-mirror circuit is low.
Still another object of the present invention is to reliably reset an internal circuit supplied with the internal supply voltage.
According to one of the aspects of the semiconductor integrated circuit in the present invention, the semiconductor integrated circuit has a voltage generator and a power-on circuit. The voltage generator generates an internal supply voltage supplied to internal circuits under control of the reference voltage by using an external supply voltage supplied from the exterior. The power-on circuit inactivates a power-on reset signal which resets at least one of the internal circuits (predetermined internal circuit(s)) when both the external supply voltage and the internal supply voltage exceed a predetermined value. The voltage generator forcibly supplies the external supply voltage as the internal supply voltage when the power-on reset signal is activated. Therefore, the internal supply voltage is generated following the external supply voltage when the external supply voltage is low and the voltage generator does not normally operate as in the case where the power is turned on.
According to another aspect of the semiconductor integrated circuit in the present invention, the voltage generator has a differential amplifier and a regulator. The differential amplifier outputs a differentially amplified signal upon receiving the reference voltage and a voltage that fluctuates depending on the internal supply voltage. Under control of the output of the differential amplifier, the regulator generates an internal supply voltage by using the external supply voltage. Since the power-on reset signal controls the differential amplifier or the regulator, the regulator is forcibly turned on when the power-on reset signal is activated. As a result, when the differential amplifier does not normally operate or the reference voltage is not normally generated because the external power voltage is low, the internal supply voltage is generated following the external supply voltage.
According to another aspect of the semiconductor integrated circuit in the present invention, the differential amplifier has a CMOS current-mirror circuit. The CMOS current-mirror circuit, in general, requires for its operation an external supply voltage twice or more greater than the threshold voltage of a transistor. That is, the differential amplifier composed of a CMOS current-mirror circuit has a small operation margin at the low supply voltage side. The internal supply voltage can be reliably generated even where such CMOS current-mirror circuit is used in the voltage generator.
According to another aspect of the semiconductor integrated circuit in the present invention, the voltage generator has a transistor for connecting an external supply line supplied with an external supply voltage, to an internal supply line supplied with an internal supply voltage. The transistor is forcibly turned on to connect the external supply line and the internal supply line when the power-on reset signal is activated. Therefore, when a circuit for generating the internal supply voltage in the voltage generator does not operate normally due to a low external supply voltage(when the power-on reset signal is activated), the internal supply voltage is generated following the external supply voltage.
According to another aspect of the semiconductor integrated circuit in the present invention, the semiconductor integrated circuit has a plurality of voltage generators. The power-on circuit has a plurality of reset signal generators corresponding to the internal supply voltages generated by the voltage generator and the external supply voltage, respectively. Each reset signal generator inactivates a reset signal when the external supply voltage or the internal supply voltage exceeds a predetermined value. The power-on reset signal is inactivated in response to a reset signal which has been activated latest while activated in response to a reset signal which has been activated earliest. Consequently, the internal circuit for receiving a power-on reset signal can be reliably supplied with a supply voltage at a predetermined value required for its operation and can be reset to a predetermined state when the power-on reset signal is inactivated. Furthermore, the internal circuit immediately terminates its operation at the time of activation of the power-on reset signal.
According to another aspect of the semiconductor integrated circuit in the present invention, the semiconductor integrated circuit has a voltage generator for generating an internal supply voltage lower than the external supply voltage. The power-on circuit has a logical operation circuit and a level shifter. The logical operation circuit logically operates the reset signals and outputs the operation result as a power-on reset signal. The level shifter receives the reset signal corresponding to the internal supply voltage lower than the external supply voltage to raise a logic level of the reset signal on the high voltage side and supplies the raised reset signal to the logical operation circuit. Therefore, it is possible to simply generate the power-on reset signals by using the logical operation circuit. The high level of the reset signal is raised to a predetermined value by the level shifter, which enables transmission of the high level to the logical operation circuit with reliability and secure operation of the logical operation circuit. In particular, in the case where the operation circuit is composed of CMOS, the flow of feedthrough current can be prevented.
According to one of the aspects of a method for generating internal supply voltages in a semiconductor integrated circuit in the present invention, under control of a reference voltage, an internal supply voltage to be supplied to an internal circuit is generated by using an external supply voltage supplied from the exterior. The power-on reset signal for resetting at least one of the internal circuits (predetermined internal circuit(s)) is inactivated when the external supply voltage and the internal supply voltage both exceed a predetermined value. Further, the external supply voltage is forcibly supplied as an internal supply voltage when the power-on reset signal is activated. Therefore, the internal supply voltage is generated following the external supply voltage even when the voltage generator for generating an internal supply voltage does not normally operate due to a low external supply voltage such as in a case where the power is turned on.
According to another aspect of the method for generating internal supply voltages in a semiconductor integrated circuit in the present invention, a plurality of kinds of internal supply voltage is generated to be supplied into the internal circuits. Reset signals respectively corresponding to supply voltages are inactivated when the external supply voltage and each internal supply voltage exceed a predetermined value. The power-on reset signal is inactivated in response to the reset signal which has been inactivated latest while activated in response to the reset signal which has been activated earliest. Consequently, the internal circuit for receiving a power-on reset signal can be reliably supplied with supply voltage at a predetermined value required for its operation and can be reset to a predetermined state when the power-on reset signal is inactivated. Furthermore, the internal circuit immediately terminates its operation at the time of activation of the power-on reset signals.

Semiconductor integrated circuit and method for generating internal supply voltage in semiconductor integrated circuit


Some embodiments of the invention provide a GUI for a media editing application that provides visual cues (e.g., colors and/or lane sets) for media clips that are assigned different tags (or roles) in a media presentation. The GUI of the media application of some embodiments displays media clips of a composite media presentation, in which at least some of the media clips are associated with tags. The GUI also provides GUI controls for associating media clips associated with different tags with different colors and for displaying the media clips based on the clips' associated color. In some embodiments, the GUI includes a tool for arranging clips into groups based on assigned tags. The tool of some embodiments, upon selection, defines a set of lanes for each tag and displays any anchored clip that is associated with a tag in the set of lanes associated with the tag.

Digital graphic design, image editing, audio editing, and video editing applications (hereafter collectively referred to as media content editing applications or media editing applications) provide graphical designers, media artists, and other users with the necessary tools to create a variety of media content. Examples of such applications include Final Cut Pro® and iMovie®, both sold by Apple, Inc. These applications give users the ability to edit, combine, transition, overlay, and piece together different media content in a variety of manners to create a resulting media project. The resulting media project specifies a particular sequenced composition of any number of text, audio, image, and/or video content elements that is used to create a media presentation.
Various media editing applications facilitate such composition through a graphical user interface (GUI) whereby designers digitally manipulate graphical representations of the media content to produce a desired result. However, in many cases, the designers experience inconvenience in managing and organizing the various types and groups of graphical representations of the media content because of the shortcomings of the existing applications. Moreover, as media projects grow in size and complexity, it is increasingly difficult to manage and organize the various media content used in a media project.


Granulated activated carbon is produced by an improved process which involves carbonizing pellets of a styrene-divinyl benzene copolymer matrix with concentrated sulfuric acid at temperatures up to at least 750.degree. C., followed by activation at temperatures of 800.degree. C. to 900.degree. C.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a process for producing granulated active carbon by carbonizing pellets of a styrene-divinyl benzene copolymer matrix with concentrated sulfuric acid at elevated temperatures.
2. Description of the Related Art
German Patent Application 196 00 237 describes a process for converting ion exchangers or their prestages, i.e., polymer pellets without functional groups, into high-value adsorbents on a carbon basis. Polymer pellets based on styrene and some divinyl benzene are especially suitable.
The process disclosed in German Patent Application 196 00 237 is as follows: Sulfuric acid is added at the beginning of the carbonization process. This prevents the polymer pellets from baking together and bursting, and results in a clear increase in yield. The sulfuric acid leads to sulfonization of the aromatic rings with formation of sulfonic (--SO.sub.3 H) groups and their decomposition with subsequent interlacing via radicals and sulfur bridges. The starting material can be in macroporous or gel-type form.
Because water is formed during sulfonization in accordance with the equatio n EQU H+HOSO.sub.2 OH.fwdarw.SO.sub.2 OH+H.sub.2 O
and this water would slow the reaction, it is important to continually remove the formed water. This can be done by means of a nitrogen flow, for example.
Complete sulfonization is important for various reasons. Incomplete sulfonization of the polymer pellets leads to inadequate interlacing, especially in the interior of the pellets, so that monomers could easily split off and gas outbreaks could occur, causing the outer shell of the pellets to burst.
Although bursting can be prevented by special temperature programs, products with low vibration density are nonetheless obtained, because complete carbonization and activation result in pellets that are very open-pored in the interior. Vibration weight is very important when a certain mass is to be located in a small space. For this reason, "light" pellets, i.e., products with low vibration density, are less in demand.
Complete sulfonization can be achieved using the process described in German Patent Application 196 00 237, especially when the upper limit of the stated range for the sulfuric acid quantity is approached. However, attention must be paid to many process parameters. For example, there must be a careful and relatively long temperature program as well as exactly dosed nitrogen rinsing, because it is only the moisture, not the sulfuric acid, that is to be removed. Furthermore, not all starting materials behave the same way. For example, anion exchangers can be sulfonized easily using this process, whereas prestages are much more difficult to sulfonize, regardless of whether they exist in macroporous or gel-type form.

Process for producing granulated activated carbon


A microfluidic component having a microfluidic channel is joined to an array component having a flexible array substrate. In an embodiment, the array component includes a prefabricated flexible array that couples with the microfluidic component in modular fashion. The modular architecture provides for different combinations of microfluidic components and array components that can be used to create customized processing and analysis tools.

Arrays (such as DNA, RNA, or protein arrays) are known and are used, for example, as diagnostic or screening tools. Such arrays, also known as molecular arrays, include regions of usually different probe molecules (typically biomolecules, such as polynucleotides or polypeptides) arranged in a predetermined configuration on a substrate. These regions (sometimes referenced as "array features") are positioned at respective locations ("addresses") on the substrate. The arrays, when exposed to a sample, will undergo a binding reaction with the sample and exhibit an observed binding pattern. This binding pattern can be detected upon interrogating the array. For example, all biomolecule targets (for example, DNA) in the sample can be labeled with a suitable label (such as a fluorescent compound), and the label then can be accurately observed (such as by observing the fluorescence pattern) on the array after exposure of the array to the sample. Assuming that the different biomolecule targets were correctly deposited in accordance with the predetermined configuration, then the observed binding pattern will be indicative of the presence and/or concentration of one or more components of the sample.
Currently, the vast majority of arrays of polynucleotide probes are built on glass substrates. A large body of work has been done to develop probe attachment surfaces based on silane chemistry or on coatings that attach to glass. Since most of the assays are fluorescence based, intrinsically low fluorescence provided by a glass substrate is a significant advantage. Glass has the disadvantages of being rigid and brittle and difficult to attach to other materials.
Arrays of biomolecules typically are fabricated on substrates either by depositing previously obtained biomolecules onto the substrate in a site specific fashion or by site specific in situ synthesis of the biomolecules upon the substrate. In array fabrication, the quantities of biomolecules available are usually very small and expensive. Additionally, sample quantities available for testing are usually also very small, and it is therefore desirable to simultaneously test the same sample against a large number of different probes on an array. These conditions require use of arrays with large numbers of very small, closely spaced features. Depending on configuration, from about 1 to about 20 (or more) of such arrays can be fabricated on a rigid substrate (such as glass). Such a substrate must be manually or machine placed into a fabricating tool, and the substrate is later cut into substrate segments, each of which may carry one or several arrays. To produce many more arrays requires placing and aligning of individual substrates in the fabricator. Furthermore, precisely cutting a substrate, such as glass, after the expensive arrays have been fabricated on the substrate leads to some loss due to breakage. The substrate segments that are successfully cut are typically placed individually in some apparatus for exposure to samples, again requiring repeated handling to expose many samples to respective arrays.
It would be desirable to provide a means by which many arrays can be conveniently fabricated on a substrate and prepared for use, which could reduce the need for handling and which would allow for ready exposure of the substrate to required reagents. Co-owned applications U.S. Ser. No. 10/032,608 to Lefkowitz et al. (filed on Oct. 18, 2001), U.S. Ser. No. 01/037,757 to Schembri (filed on Oct. 18, 2001), and U.S. Ser. No. 10/167,662 to Lefkowitz et al. (filed on Oct. 18, 2001) provide teaching that addresses these issues by describing a flexible substrate material suitable for use in fabricating arrays. Flexible arrays formed on these materials provide some advantages over arrays formed on glass. The flexible substrate material is more convenient and less costly to handle during manufacturing since the manufacturing processes are continuous and employ standard techniques from web processing (a.k.a. converting) technologies. Such array substrates may have numerous surface modifications, increasing the overall cost of the array. Published U.S. Patent Application 2002/0098124 A1 to Bentsen et al. discloses methods of making microfluidic devices by using polymer films in a roll-to-roll manufacturing process.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,391,558 to Henkens et al. discloses electrochemical methods of detecting biomolecules that are complementary to and specifically hybridize with biological probes such as nucleic acid or peptide nucleic acid probes. U.S. Pat. No. 6,235,538 to Hanas discloses a method of detecting compounds that are potentially toxic to biological systems using zinc finger proteins or peptides as probes.
One technique for providing signal detection for a microfluidic system involves a single photodiode which is bonded onto a microfluidics chip as disclosed in the article entitled "An Optical MEMS-based Fluorescence Detection Scheme with Applications to Capillary Electrophoresis," by Kramer et al. (SPIE Conference on Microfluidic Devices and Systems, September 1998, SPIE Vol. 3515, pages 76-85.) Although a single photodiode is bonded onto the microfluidics chip, the photodiode is simply an electrical transducer and has no electronics signal processing or system control capability.
As described in the article entitled "Microfabricated Devices for Genetic Diagnostics," by Mastrangelo et al. (Proceedings of the IEEE, Vol. 86, No. 8, August 1998, pages 1769-1787), electronics have also been integrated directly onto the same substrate as a microfluidic system. Fabricating both microfluidic and electronic components on the same substrate is not only more costly and difficult than fabricating microfluidic components, but also limits the selection of materials and processes available to fabricate the components. A microfluidic component fabricated on or in silicon can have electrical and data analysis components fabricated directly onto the silicon substrate as described by Mastrangelo, et al. However, this is not easily achieved on polymer or glass substrates.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,403,317 to Anderson describes a method for electronically detecting hybridization on a nucleic acid array by altering temperature of the array surface and detecting a change in the range or rate of temperature alteration upon binding of a target molecule.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,168,948 to Anderson et al. describes a miniaturized integrated nucleic acid diagnostic device and system which includes a nucleic acid extraction zone including nucleic acid binding sites. U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,595 to Anderson et al. describes miniaturized integrated nucleic acid diagnostic devices for performing sample acquisition, preparation, and analysis operations, including particular methods for mixing fluids. PCT application WO 94/05414 to Northrup et al. reports an integrated micro-PCR apparatus for collection and amplification of nucleic acids from a specimen.
As molecular arrays are used more, a variety of form factors are being used. One strategy is to pack a large number of features on a single array, so that the features may be screened all at once. An alternate strategy is to selectively screen a relatively small number of sequences. An array with fewer sequences may be smaller and thus use smaller samples and pose cost and convenience advantages over a large array. It would therefore be desirable to have an array format that is convenient and economical to use.
Microfluidic technology is utilized to create systems that can perform chemical and biological analysis on a much smaller scale than previous techniques. Microfluidic systems for analysis, chemical and biological processing, and sample preparation may include some combination of the following elements: pre- and post-processing fluidic handling components, microfluidic components, microfluidic-to-system interface components, electronics components, environmental control components, and data analysis components. To create smaller, more powerful analysis systems, it is desirable to integrate polymer or glass substrates with electronics components to provide on-system signal detection and processing.
As microfluidic systems reduce in size and increase in complexity, there is a growing need for convenient methods of combining microfluidic structures with useful methods of analysis. What is needed is an analysis system that is easy and cost-effective to produce and is convenient to use.
Furthermore, in view of the cost or difficulty of obtaining samples for analysis, it is desirable to have a system that can perform analyses on very small quantities of sample.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


In a method for dynamically updating a cellular-phone-unique-encryption key previously stored in, and common to, each of a cellular phone and an associated home location register (HLR) for providing security in a cellular-phone-network operation, a random number and shared secret random data generated at least partly based on the random number are transmitted and verified between the cellular phone and the associated HLR. A previously stored version of the cellular-phone-unique-encryption key is then dynamically updated in both the cellular phone and in the HLR by independent calculations based on an algorithm using the shared secret random data and the previously stored version of the cellular-phone-unique-encryption key. In this manner, the cellular-phone-unique-encryption key is dynamically updated as desired, e.g., each time a user initiates a call, and the latest version of the cellular-phone-unique-encryption key independently calculated by the cellular phone and the HLR is not transmitted during the updating process, thereby substantially eliminating the possibility of the latest version of the cellular-phone-unique-encryption key being intercepted during transmission by unauthorized parties.

The use of cellular phones for both personal and business related communication has become much more commonplace today. With the increase in use of cellular phones, theft of the encryption keys for the cellular phones has become more prevalent, so much so that cellular phone service providers have begun to look for methods to prevent encryption key theft and the resultant unauthorized cellular phone usage.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,004, issued Aug. 5, 1997 to Holbrook, relates to a method and apparatus for the detection of cellular-phone fraud. To prevent fraud, a central processing facility allows communication service between a cellular phone and a recipient only upon proper authentication. Authentication is carried out using a request for service message sent by the cellular phone to the central processing facility. The request for service message includes both an identification code specific to the cellular phone and an authentication code which represents a cumulative total of the prior usage of the cellular phone. Based upon the identification code, the authentication code is compared by the central processing facility to a previously stored authentication code for the cellular phone. Communication between the cellular phone and the recipient is allowed only if the transmitted authentication code and the stored authentication code match within established tolerances. Update of the authentication code occurs at the end of communication to reflect the additional usage of the cellular phone. This method, however, may be subject to an ever increasing discrepancy between the cumulative usage authentication code in the cellular phone and the stored authentication code in the central processing facility. Further, it may be possible to intercept the data transmitted in the request for service message, monitor the length of the call, and use that data to fraudulently place a call at a later time.
Another example of an attempt to deter cellular-phone fraud is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,490,201, issued Feb. 6, 1996 to Moberg et al. This patent relates to a method for updating a database of a home location register (HLR) with only minimal losses of processing capacity in the database of a visitor location register (VLR) in a GSM-type (i.e., Global System for Mobile communication) mobile telephone system. Updating of the HLR database is accomplished by sending a reset-message from the HLR to the VLR which identifies the HLR database to the VLR database. In response, the VLR database determines if any of the cellular phones with which it had radio contact belong to the HLR requesting an update. If such is the case, the VLR compares time point data of the radio contact with the cellular phone and if it was before the time point of the receipt of the reset-message, the VLR will send update data to the HLR. This method, however, relies on an intermediary between the HLR and the cellular phone which may be prone to error. For instance, the method must rely on the accuracy of the VLR database in determining proper ownership of the cellular phones and the proper recordation of time points of the radio contacts and the reset-message. Further, this method of data transmission is similarly subject to interception.
Yet another example, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,404, issued Apr. 4, 1995 to Novorita, relates to a method for updating encryption key information in a communication unit. Updating is carried out when a key management controller transmits a key updating message, including an identification variable and a re-key session number, to a communication resource allocator. The communication resource allocator then transmits the key updating message to the communication unit. Upon receipt, the communication unit compares the identification variable to an internal identification variable. If the identification variables match, the communication unit then compares the received re-key session number to a re-key session number stored in memory. If the re-key session numbers do not match, the communication unit contacts the key-management controller to receive updated encryption key information. This method similarly suffers from the disadvantages of relying on the identification procedure being carried out correctly, as well as from the disadvantages of requiring an initial communication of the message by an intermediary. Also, the updated encryption key information is subject to interception during transmission.
Thus, as can be seen from the above examples, an improved method for dynamically updating cellular phone encryption keys is necessary.

Method for dynamically updating cellular phone unique encryption keys


Various embodiments provide techniques for implementing speech recognition for context switching In at least some embodiments, the techniques can enable a user to switch between different contexts and/or user interfaces of an application via speech commands. In at least some embodiments, a context menu is provided that lists available contexts for an application that may be navigated to via speech commands. In implementations, the contexts presented in the context menu include a subset of a larger set of contexts that are filtered based on a variety of context filtering criteria. A user can speak one of the contexts presented in the context menu to cause a navigation to a user interface associated with one of the contexts.

Many computer applications provide a variety of different contexts and graphical user interfaces by which a user can interact with the applications. For example, a video game typically includes different user interfaces that enable a user to access various functionalities provided by the video game. Some user interfaces may enable a user to customize certain portions of the game, such as game arenas for game play, vehicles available for game play, and so on. Other user interfaces may enable a user to participate in various types of game play, such as single player game play, multiplayer game play, and so on. While these different user interfaces can provide a more interesting and diverse game experience, current ways of navigating between the various user interfaces can be cumbersome.

Speech recognition for context switching


A phase-locked loop circuit, a phase converter module thereof and a phase-locked controlling method are disclosed herein. The phase converter module is suitable for a phase-locked loop circuit including a digitally-controlled oscillator (DCO) for generating an oscillator output signal and a divider for converting the oscillator output signal into N-phased oscillator output signals. The phase converter module includes a period extender, a phase finder and a time-to-digital converter. The period extender is configured for extending the N-phased oscillator output signals into M*N-phased oscillator output signals corresponding to M oscillation period of the digitally-controlled oscillator. The phase finder is configured for sampling the oscillator output signal with the M*N-phased oscillator output signals to calculate an estimated value of the fractional phase part. The time-to-digital converter is configured to calculate a precise value of the fractional phase part within one sub-period.

A phase-locked loop (PLL) is an electronic control system that generates an oscillating signal having a fixed phase relationship (e.g., synchronized or having a fixed gap) with a reference signal. A phase-locked loop circuit automatically raises or decreases a frequency of a controlled oscillator until the frequency matches the reference signal in both frequency and phase. An all digital PLL (ADPLL) is a digital system implemented with digital logics. An ADPLL circuit may include a time-to-digital converter (TDC). The TDC is configured for sampling the oscillation signal at a predetermined resolution, and feeding the sampled signal back to the phase detector, so as to raise or lower the frequency of input signals of the ADPLL circuit.

TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.


A vent free gas fireplace comprises a housing and a firebox within the housing spaced-apart from the housing walls to provide top, bottom, rear and side plenums. The side plenums are divided into upper and lower side plenums. Room air enters the lower side plenum and passes into the rear plenum, the combustion chamber and the upper side plenum. Exhaust gases pass from the combustion chamber through a catalytic converter and into the top plenum. The hot exhaust gases are combined with room air from the rear plenum and pass into the upper side plenums, combining with additional room air, and then out into the room.

Traditional masonry wood burning fireplaces comprise a large masonry firebox and a masonry chimney which extends upwardly above the roof of a house to vent the combustion gasses formed when the wood burning fireplace is used. These fireplaces have been and continue to be very popular. Unfortunately, they suffer from a number of drawbacks. For example, such fireplaces are fixed in place and require the room to be built and decorated around the fireplace. Because their heating efficiency is also very low, they do not make very good room heaters. Moreover, they need to be cleaned continuously due to ash accumulation.
Factory built gas fireplaces on the other hand overcome many of the drawbacks suffered by the traditional masonry fireplaces. Depending on the design, gas fireplaces can be highly efficient and hence good room heaters. They may be free standing units which can be located anywhere in a room, zero clearance units designed to abut a wall or fireplace inserts which fit into existing masonry fireboxes. As used herein "factory built gas fireplaces" is meant to include free-standing gas fireplaces, zero clearance gas fireplaces and gas fireplace inserts using natural, propane or butane gas.
Most gas fireplaces require venting, generally from the top or rear of the fireplace. For example, rear direct vent fireplaces comprise an intake air vent and an exhaust vent which extend rearwardly through an exterior wall of the room in which the unit is located.
Gas fireplaces typically comprise room air plenums below, adjacent the sides and/or rear and above the firebox. A convection current is created whereby room air is pulled into the bottom plenum, passes upwardly in the side and/or rear plenums into the top plenum and thereafter exits the fireplace from the top plenum. As the room air circulates around the firebox, heat is transferred from the firebox to the circulating room air so that the temperature of the air exiting the top plenum, is substantially increased.
In a direct vent gas fireplace, combustion air from outside the house or building is delivered to the combustion chamber typically through an intake vent and an intake plenum which extends behind the firebox and, in some cases, below the firebox. Combustion air from the intake plenum passes into the combustion chamber through one or more openings in the bottom wall or at the bottom of the rear wall or side walls of the firebox.
In vented gas fireplaces, exhaust gas is typically passed from the combustion chamber directly into an exhaust vent. To maximize heating efficiency, some gas fireplaces employ one or more baffles within the combustion chamber to increase the residence time of the hot gasses within the combustion chamber thereby maximizing heat transfer through the glass front and through the firebox walls to room air circulating around the firebox.
Vent free units, in which exhaust gasses are vented directly into the room are also known. In such fireplaces, the combustion gasses are tightly controlled to prevent formation of excessive amounts of carbon monoxide and undesirable hydrocarbons. Such tight controls require a clean burning flame. This makes it difficult to simulate the aesthetically pleasing, but relatively dirty yellow flames of wood burning fireplaces in a ventless fireplace.