A method and system to emulate an M-bit instruction set. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are a method comprising fetching at least a portion of an instruction (the instruction from a first instruction set that is not directly executable by a processor), indexing into a table to an index location (the index location based on the at least a portion of the instruction), executing a first series of instructions directly executable by the processor (the first series of instructions pointed to by the table at the index location), and thereby emulating execution of the instruction from the first instruction set.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to processors and more particularly to processors that execute Java™ bytecodes.
2. Background Information
Java™ is a programming language that, at the source code level, is similar to object oriented programming languages such as C++. Java™ language source code is compiled into an intermediate representation based on a plurality "bytecodes" that define specific tasks. In some implementations, the bytecodes are further compiled to machine language for a particular processor. In order to speed the execution of Java™ language programs, some processors are specifically designed to execute some of the Java™ bytecodes directly.
Many times, a processor that directly executes Java™ bytecodes is paired with a general purpose processor so as to accelerate Java™ program execution in a general or special purpose machine. It would be advantageous to provide accelerations, similar to those seen for directly executed Java™ bytecodes, in other languages and development environments.

Method and system to emulate an M-bit instruction set


The invention provides a magnetic induction system and an operating method for it in which the magnetic force can be made to act deeply and widely in any desired direction. The magnetic induction system of the invention contains multiple magnetic field generation means formed of a superconductive bulk magnet, a drive means for arranging the magnetic field generation means at a desired site and angle, and a drive control means for driving the driving means and controlling the position and the angle of the multiple magnetic field generation means so that a magnetic complex can be inducted to the desired position in a body by the synthetic magnetic field formed by the multiple magnetic field generation means, whereby the magnetic complex is inducted to be concentrated in the cartilage defected part.

For example, exfoliative osteochondritis, which is a disease of such that the cartilage of a joint falls out from the bone of the lower layer together with a thin bone fragments, as caused by the blood circulation failure in the bone or the cartilage of a knee joint triggered by injury or sporting activity, much occurs on the inside of a knee, and is seen in teenage children whose osteochondral bonding force during development is weak; and the patients with the disease first complain knee pain and swelling, and their pain worsens in walking or exercise; and when the bone or the cartilage exfoliates in development of the disease, then the knee may feel discomfort when bent or stretched or would fail to bend or stretch. The cartilage does not have a blood vessel and a nerve tissue, and when damaged, the cartilage could not become normal again naturally. Heretofore, there have been employed a method of intentionally damaging the bone in the depth of the damaged part by drilling for bleeding to expect the regeneration of the tissue, and a method of implanting multiple small cartilages so as to fill up the defect, by which, however, an extremely smooth condition intrinsic to joints could not be reproduced.
One example of a conventional medical treatment for regenerative medicine for cartilage injury, capable of reproducing an extremely smooth condition intrinsic to joints, comprises collecting the cartilage tissue of the part of a joint of a patient to which the body weight is not given, in a size of from 5 to 10 mm square using an endoscope, decomposing the tissue with an enzyme to take out the cells from the body, winding them around a medical collagen gel of which the shape is so controlled as to correspond to the shape of the defect, adding the patient's serum thereto, and cultivating it for about 3 weeks. This is fitted in the defect by surgery, then covered with the patient's periosteum and stitched up. In one month to one and a half months, the patient can walk with placing all of his (her) body weight on the surgery site. According to the method, when the surgery site is covered with the patient's periosteum and stitched up, the patient's knee part must be cut and opened to a range of a few tens mm square, which is problematic in that the physical load to be given to the patient is large.
As a conventional therapeutical method capable of reducing the physical load to patient, for example, development of regenerative medicine technology has been promoted, which comprises preparing a complex of cells for medical treatment such as bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells or the like and magnetic particles, injecting the complex into the area around the affected part in the body of a patient with a syringe or the like, applying a magnetic force thereto from outside the body to thereby focus the complex in the affected part so as to cure the injury of the part.
As a magnetic induction apparatus for magnetically inducting an inductee provided with conventional magnetic particles used for disorders such as cartilage injury or the like, by utilizing the magnetic field generated by a magnetic field generator, there has been proposed a structure where a doughnut-shaped solenoid coil magnet is sued and the solenoid coil magnet is arranged to surround the affected part of a patient (for example, see Patent Reference 1).
On the other hand, development of regenerative medicine technology has been promoted, which comprises arranging a permanent magnet outside the body of a patient and around the affected part inside the body of the patient, applying a magnetic force thereto in an arbitrary direction, injecting a complex of cells for use for the medical treatment and magnetic particles into the body by the use of a syringe, and focusing the complex in the affected part in which the complex is desired to be focused, thereby curing the injury (for example, see Patent Reference 2).
On the other hand, for example, there has been proposed a method where a complex magnetic medicine formed by bonding a curative medicine to magnetic particles is administered into the blood vessel of a patient with a syringe or the like, a magnetic field generator formed of a superconductive bulk magnet is arranged around the bed on which the patient lies, the magnet is addressed to the area around the blood vessel branching part upstream the cancer cells of the patient and around the cancer cells, the magnetic medicine occasionally running through the magnetic field along the blood flow circulating in the body of the patient is captured by the magnetic force so as to increase the residual density of the magnetic medicine around the affected part (for example, see Patent Reference 3).

Magnetic induction system and operating method for same incorporation by reference


A motor-vehicle door latch has a housing, a latch mechanism in the housing operable to unlock a vehicle door, and an actuating element. A linkage in the housing is engageable between the actuating element and the latch mechanism and shiftable between a coupled position for operation of the latch mechanism by the actuating element and a decoupled position operatively disconnecting the actuating element from the latch mechanism. A blocking element connected to the linkage is operable to shift the linkage between its coupled and decoupled positions. A drive motor operates the blocking element. A quick-unlock element bears via the blocking element on the linkage.

In motor-vehicle door latches of this type, typically the motor drive moves the locking lever, which is normally configured as a central locking lever, into locked or unlocked positions. Furthermore, in principle also further positions of the locking lever can be achieved, for example such as the so-called antitheft position.
The unlocking process is generally performed with a keyless entry systems. With such a system the user carries an identification device (for example a code card) that initiates a dialog with a control system provided in the vehicle when the vehicle user approaches the vehicle or actuates the outside door actuating element (the door handle). During the course of this dialog, access authorization of the vehicle user seeking access is verified. Once the authorization has been verified, the control system sends a signal to at least one or all of the door latches of the motor vehicle. Then, the motor-vehicle door latch is unlocked with the help of its drive and can then be opened mechanically, for example with the help of the outside door handle.
The problem with this is that an authorized vehicle user seeking access has often already operated the outside door handle while the dialog is still in process or before the associated motor-vehicle door latch has assumed the unlocked position. The reason for this is that the above-mentioned keyless entry systems require a certain response time to carry out the unlocking operation. This response time includes an activation interval in order to activate the system as the vehicle user approaches, an authorization verification interval and finally the actual actuation interval.
In practice, response times of about 100 msec or more are known, which are perceived by the vehicle users as too long compared to conventional motor-vehicle door latch systems. Furthermore, it is possible that the vehicle user has already operated the outside door handle in an attempt to open it before the associated motor-vehicle door latch has assumed the unlocked position. The vehicle user then has to release the outside door handle and perform another confirmation step, which is considered a clear limitation in terms of convenience.
For this reason, quick-unlock systems have been developed that use quick-unlock elements. They all share the basic principle of bridging or shortening the comparatively long unlocking cycle of the locking lever and/or central locking lever in that the quick-unlock element allows the mechanical opening of the associated motor-vehicle door latch practically immediately following actuation of the drive.
In particular, German 102 47 842 provides that shifting of the central locking arrangement from the locked to the unlocked state initially moves the linkage and/or linkage arrangement from the locked into the unlocked state and thereafter moves the inside locking element from the locked to the unlocked state. For this purpose, a quick-unlock lever is provided, the locking lever and the quick-unlock lever being moved to the unlocked and locked states by means of the drive. The quick-unlock lever is connected to the linkage arrangement, specifically via a link rod.
The known configuration has proven useful in principle, however it has an overall uninviting design because the quick-unlock lever is mounted on the locking lever and/or both pivot about the same axis. In addition a custom locking lever is needed for the quick-unlock function.
A similar system is seen in EP 1 288 408. This system offers a further development in that the quick-unlock lever releases the latch mechanism during the course of the quick-unlock operation with the help of the drive, substantially independently of the position of the locking lever. The quick-unlock lever is configured as a one-arm lever that is pivoted on the locking lever.
In the system of EP 1,283,934 [U.S. Pat. No. 6,737,758], the quick-unlock element can be connected to the lock mechanism and/or a locking element in a more or less integral manner. In an alternative system, the quick-unlock element can be configured as a spring-loaded snap-action element that is released by the drive and snaps into its actuation position under spring force.
A motor vehicle door lock of the kind described above is the subject matter of EP 1 283 934 B1. Here, the quick-unlock element is associated with the central locking drive. In particular, the quick-unlock element is configured as a spring a spring-loaded snap-action element that is only released by the central locking drive and then snaps into its actuating position under spring force. This design is relatively complex because the lock mechanism and the central locking drive are separate units.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


The present subject matter relates to a method for rogue vehicle detection. The method includes receiving at least one violation report for a vehicle from at least one mobile communication device. The at least one violation report is indicative of a traffic violation made by the one or more vehicles. The method further includes categorizing the vehicle as a rogue vehicle, based on at least one rogue vehicle detection metric, the at least one rogue vehicle detection metric being determined from the violation report. The method also includes compiling a traffic observation record based on at least one of the violation report and the rogue vehicle detection metric.

Traffic enforcement agencies are usually involved in monitoring traffic at several locations, and spontaneously enforcing traffic rules on noticing a violation of the same. Due to ever increasing occurrences of traffic violations, demand for vigilant traffic monitoring and enforcement is proportionately increasing. Furthermore, traffic monitoring systems may be provided at specific locations in order to continuously record movement of traffic and report traffic violations to relevant authorities.
Furthermore, in order to monitor individual driving patterns of a driver, static telemetric devices collect driving information of the vehicle. Subsequently, based on the driving pattern of the vehicle, the driver of the vehicle may be provided with certain benefits, which inherently encourages individuals to follow the traffic rules.


There are described sulfated and phosphated saccharide erivatives of the Formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is hydrogen atom or a residue of sulfate, phosphate or L-fucose; R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are hydrogen atom or a residue of sulfate or phosphate, respectively; 1 is an integer of 0 or 1;. m is an integer of 0-15; and n is an integer of 0-21, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, a process for the preparation of the derivatives and salts as well as use thereof, as an anti-inflammatory agent.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to novel sulfated and phosphated saccharide derivatives, process for the preparation of the same and use thereof as well as an anti-inflammatory agent containing the derivative as an effective ingredient thereof.
2. Related Arts
In recent years, many adhesion molecules have been identified which concern direct cell contact between cells per se or cell and exo-cellular matrix. These adhesion molecules are classified into groups of selectin family, immunoglobulin family, integrin family, CD44 and the like in view of those structural characteristics, and elucidation of various functions thereof have energetically been made. Many of cell adhesion molecules belonging to the selectin family concern immunophlogistic reactions.
At the present time, 3 type cell adhesion molecules (L-selectin, E-selectin and P-selectin) have been known as those belonging to the selectin family. Among them, L-selectin is expressed on a lymphocyte, neutrocyte and monocyte, and it has been considered as concerning to homing of the lymphocyte and adhesion of inflamed region to vascular endothelium cells. E-selectin is a protein to be expressed on inflammatory vascular endothelium cells by stimulation of inflammatory cytokine, and mediates the cell adhesion of a neutrocyte, monocyte and the like. While, P-selectin expresses on activated vascular endothelium cells and activated platelets, and mediates cell adhesion between a platelet and leukocyte or the vascular endothelium cell and leukocyte. It become clear that these selectins concern rolling on the surface of vascular endothelium cells of the leukocyte rather than those powerful cell adhesing action thereto, which rolling occurs prior to the cell adhesion "J. IMMUNOL.", Vol. 153,page 3917 (1994)!.
Recently, saccharide ligands recognizing these selectins have been elucidated in molecular level "NATURE", Vol. 367, page 532 (1994); and "BIOCHEMISTRY", Vol. 33, page 1332 (1994)!. Particularly, it has been found that Sialyl Lewis X and Sialyl Lewis A is a common ligand of E-, L- and P-selectins "SCIENCE", Vol. 250, page 1130 (1990); "SCIENCE", Vol. 250, page 1132 (1990); "PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. USA", Vol. 88, page 6224 (1991); "BIOCHEM, BIOPHY. RES. COM.", Vol. 179, page 713 (1991) and "J. BIOL. CHEM.", Vol. 269, page 19663 (1994)!, and various derivatives thereof have been synthesized "PROC. NATL. ACAD. SCI. USA", Vol. 88, page 10372 (1991); "CARBOHYDR. RES.", Vol. 229, page cl (1992); "CARBOHYDR. RES.", Vol. 257, page 67 (1994) and "BIOSCI. BIOTECH. BIOCHEM." Vol. 59, page 1091 (1995)!. Further, it has been found that a sulfated saccharide chain as in that of sulfatides and a phosphated poly alcohols strongly bind to selectins and more particularly to P- and L-selectins and thus such a report has been issued that such compounds may show anti-inflammatory action "CELL", Vol. 67, page 35 (1991); "BIOCHEM. BIOPHY. RES. COM.", Vol. 181, page 1223 (1991); "BIOCHEM. BIOPHY. RES. COM.", Vol. 190, page 426 (1993) and "INT. IMMUNOL.", Vol. 7, page 1107 (1995)!.
On the other hand, an acute lung damage model using cobra venom factor (CVF) has been established as selectin depending inflammation model "J. CLIN. INVEST.", Vol. 88, page 1396 (1991); "J. CLIN. INVEST.", Vol. 90, page 1600 (1992) and "J. IMMUNOL.", Vol. 151, page 6410 (1993)!.
Recently, such reports have been issued as on screening using anti-selectin antibody "J. IMMUNOL." Vol. 152, page 832 (1994)!, Sialyl Lewis X "NATURE", Vol. 364, page 149 (1993) and "J. EXP. MED.", Vol. 178, page 623 (1993)!or sulfatide "INT. IMMUNOL.", Vol. 7, page 1107 (1995)! and the like, and thus it has been recognized that inhibition of cell adhesion due to selectin shows an inflammatory effect in various inflammatory reactions such as ischemia reperfusion disease, asthma, skin inflammation, lung injury due to activated complements, a shock caused by bleeding or external wound and rheumatism.
As sulfatide analogues, P. A. Ward et al. have reported that sulfatide and synthetic sulfated galactose derivatives (containing 2-tetradesyl haxadesyl .beta.-D-galactopyranoside 3-sulfate) shows inflammation inhibition effect, in case of using 2 type lung injury models, namely an inflammatory model caused activation of whole body complements by administration of CVF and another inflammatory model administrated lgG immunocomplex "INT. IMMUNOL.", Vol. 7, page 1107 (1995)!. Further, Y. Suzuki et al. have confirmed through in vitro test using a plastic plate that natural and chemically synthesized sulfated glycolipids containing 2-tetradesyl hexadesyl .beta.-D-galactopyranoside 3-sulfate and 2-tetradesyl hexadesyl O-.beta.-D-galactopyranosyl-(1.fwdarw.4)-.beta.-D-glucopyranoside 3'-sulfate! show a binding specificity to L-selectin "BIOCHEM. BIOPHY. RES. COM.", Vol. 190, page 426 (1993)!. These results give a suggestions that the selectin adhesion inhibitor may be employed as an effective ingredient of a novel curing or preventive drug for its clinical use.

Sulfated and phosphated saccharide derivatives, process for the preparation of the same and use thereof


A daily water bottle consumption system that includes a bottle with a threaded neck and a top opening. Attached to the neck is an intermediate cap with internal threads that selectively connect to the external threads on the bottle's neck. Formed on the intermediate cap is a threaded spout to which a removable lid is attached. The lid includes a cylindrical shaped lid body with a first recessed cavity in which a rotating turn dial is disposed. Disposed between the first recessed cavity and the turn dial is a snap ring that enables the turn dial to be manually turned and click into one of a plurality of coded positions. Formed on the turn dial is a handle which the user grasps and rotates to indicate the number of times the bottle has been filled with a desired liquid in a 24 hour period.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to devices used to track an individual's consumption of water, and more particularly to such devices that allow an individual to track the amount of water daily consumed from a water bottle.
2. Description of the Related Art
It is generally recommended that the average adult drink approximately 60 to 100 fluid ounces of water every day. While plastic water bottles are very popular today, many adults fail to drink approximately 60 to 100 fluid ounces of water every day because there isn't a convenient method for monitoring and recording the total quantity of water consumed in the course of a given day.
Ideally, the device for monitoring and recording the quantity of water consumed by an individual during a 24 hour period should be attached directly on the water bottle so that the amount consumed can be easily recorded and not lost or stolen. The device should also be relatively small so that it does not interfere with the use or change the appearance of the water bottle. Also, the device should be designed so that the recorded amount cannot be accidentally altered during the 24 hour period under normal use conditions.


A method of fast and complete laser removal of inorganic and organic foreign material, including particles down to submicron-sizes and atomic contaminants, such as heavy metals and alkaline elements, from a substrate without any damage to the substrate, carried out by UV laser irradiation of the substrate surface in a reactive oxygen based gas, which comprises carrying out the removal process in the presence of gas containing F and/or Cl atoms in its molecules.

The present invention relates to U.V. laser surface treatment methods, more particularly to removal of any foreign materials from substrate surfaces. For example, such a treatment is the complete stripping of photoresists or the removal of any foreign materials, including those on side walls, formed during Reactive Ion Etching (RIE) or High Dose Ion Implantation (HDI) processes, common in the VLSI/ULSI (Very/Ultra Large Scale Integration) circuits industry. The invention also includes the removal of particles down to sub-micron sizes and atomic contaminants, such as heavy metals and alkaline elements, from substrate surfaces.
In the manufacturing of various products it is necessary to apply a layer of protective material on a surface, which must be removed after a specified manufacturing step has been concluded. An example of such process is the so-called xe2x80x9cphotolithographyxe2x80x9d process, which is widely used in the manufacturing of integrated circuits. In this process, a pattern is created on a surface using a layer of protective material illuminated through a mask, and the surface is then treated with a developer which removes material from the unmasked portions of the surface, therefore leaving a predetermined pattern. The surface is then treated by ion implantation or by etching agents, which introduce the implanted species into, or removes material from, the unmasked portions of the surface. Once these processes are completed, the role of the protecting mask ends and it must be removed. The process is conventional and well known in the art, and is described, e.g., in R. K. Watts, xe2x80x9cLithographyxe2x80x9d, VLSI/ULSI Technology, S. M. Sze, ed., McGraw-Hill, New York, 1988, Chpt. 4.
Two main photoresist stripping methods are known in the modern VLSI/ULSI circuits industry (see D. L. Flamm, xe2x80x9cDry PlasmaResist Strippingxe2x80x9d, Parts 1, 2 and 3; Solid State Technology, August, September and October 1992):
1) Wet stripping which uses acids or organic solvents;
2) Dry stripping, which uses plasma, O3, O3/N2O or UV/O3-based stripping.
Both methods are problematic and far from being complete, especially when taking into consideration the future miniaturization in the VLSI/ULSI industry. The current technology is capable of dealing with devices having feature sizes of about 0.5 xcexcm, but the workable size of the devices is expected to be reduced before the end of the century to 0.25 xcexcm. The expected size changes require considerable changes in the manufacturing technology, particularly in the stripping stage. The prior art photoresist stripping techniques, described above, will be unsuitable for future devices, as explained hereinafter.
Utilizing only the wet stripping method is not a perfect solution, as it cannot completely strip photoresist after tough processes that change the chemical and physical properties of the photoresist in a way that it makes its removal very difficult. Such processes include, e.g., High Dose Implantation (HDI), reactive Ion Etching (RIE), deep UV curing and high temperatures post-bake. After HDI or RIE, the side walls of the implanted patterns or of the etched walls are the most difficult to remove.
In addition, the wet method has some other problems: the strength of stripping solutions changes with time, the accumulated contamination in solutions can be a source of particles which adversely affect the performance of the wafer, the corrosive and toxic content of stripping chemicals imposes high handling and disposal costs, and liquid phase surface tension and mass transport tend to make photoresist removal uneven and difficult.
The dry method also suffers from some major drawbacks, especially from metallic and particulate contamination, damage due to plasma: charges, currents, electric fields and plasma-induced UV radiation, as well as temperature-induced damage, and, last but not least, it suffers from incomplete removal. During various fabrication stages, as discussed above, the photoresist undergoes chemical and physical changes which harden it, and this makes the stripping processes of the prior art extremely difficult to carry out. Usually a plurality of sequential steps, involving wet and dry processes are needed to remove completely the photoresist.
The art has addressed this problem in many ways, and commercial photoresist dry removal apparatus is available, which uses different technologies. For instance, UV ozone ashers are sold, e.g. by Hitachi, Japan (UA-3150A). Dry chemical ashers are also available, e.g., by Fusion Semiconductor Systems, U.S.A., which utilize nitrous oxide and ozone to remove the photoresist by chemical ashing at elevated temperatures. Microwave plasma ashing is also effected, e.g., as in the UNA-200 Asher (ULVAC Japan Ltd.). Also plasma photoresist removal is employed and is commercially available, e.g., as in the Aspen apparatus (Mattson Technology, U.S.A.), and in the AURA 200 (GASONICS IPC, U.S.A.).
More recently, photoresist removal has been achieved by ablation, using laser UV radiation, in an oxidizing environment, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,834. The ablation is due to strong absorption of the laser pulse energy by the photoresist. This process is a localized ejection of the photoresist layer to the ambient gas, associated with a blast wave due to the breaking of chemical bonds in the photoresist and instant heating. The partly gasified and partly fragmented photoresist is blown upwards away from the surface, and instantly heats the ambient gas. Fast combustion of the ablation products occurs due to the blast wave, and may also be due to the photochemical reaction of the IN laser radiation and the process gases. The main essence of the process is laser ablation with combustion of the ablated photoresist, which occurs in a reactive gas flowing through an irradiation zone. The combination of laser radiation and fast combustion provides simultaneous lowering of the ablation threshold of hard parts of the photoresist (side walls). The combusted ablation products are then removed by vacuum suction, or by gas sweeping leaving a completely clean surface.
While U.S. Pat. No. 5,114,834 provides an important novel process, it still does not provide a high throughput, which is industrially convenient, viz., an industrially acceptable number of wafers that can be stripped during a given time. The laser stripping throughput is determined by the stripping rate or by the number of laser pulses needed for providing complete stripping of a unit area of the photoresist per unit of time.
International Patent Application No. PCT/IL96/00138, published under the number WO 97/17166, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference, discloses a method of accelerating a laser stripping process carried out in a reactive gas mixture, comprising carrying out the stripping process in the presence of an accelerating effective amount of NxOy gas, preferably selected from among N2O, NO, NO2, N2O3, N2O4 and NO3. The reactive gas mixture may include oxygen or ozone. While oxygen based chemistry provides a good solution for assisting laser removal of organic materials, it does not give a complete answer for removing inorganic based residues with ablation threshold which exceeds the damage threshold of the substrate. Such residues are formed, for example, on side walls during RIE processes as in etching of metal, polysilicon, contacts, and via holes. The oxygen based gas composition described in WO 97/17166 gives atomic oxygen radicals. These radicals cannot break the strong chemical bonds in inorganic materials, as e.g. Sixe2x80x94O, Sixe2x80x94C, Sixe2x80x94Cl or other metal-oxygen bonds. Therefore the removal of the above mentioned residues containing such bonds is one of the challenges in dry stripping. Another challenge is the removal of submicron particles, as well as metallic contaminants, from silicon wafers or from other substrates. This is extremely important for ULSI technology.
While reference will be made throughout this specification to laser removal of foreign materials from semiconductor wafers, this will be done for the sake of simplicity, and because it represents a well known and widely approached problem. It should be understood, however, that the invention described hereinafter is by no means limited to laser removal of foreign materials from wafers, but it applies, nutatis mutandis, to many other applications, such as cleaning of foreign materials from different objects such as Flat Panel Displays (FPD), lenses, photo-masks, compact disks, magnetic heads etc.
It has now surprisingly been found, that addition of gases, the molecules of which contain fluorine and/or chlorine atoms, to the oxygen-based process gases used for laser removal of foreign materials, including particles and atomic contaminants, such as heavy metals, alkaline elements and atomic elements, in the method described in the aforementioned International Publication No. WO 97/17166xe2x80x94which gases contain at least a gas having the formula NxOy, viz. one or more nitrogen oxides, wherein x and y having the appropriate values for the given oxide or mixtures of the oxides, preferably selected from among N2O, NO, NO2, N2O3, N2O4 and NO3, permits the fast and complete removal of inorganic in addition to the organic foreign materials, for example removal of adhesion promoters and/or antireflection coatings used prior to photoresist application. This effect was also proved even for submicron geometries common in modern and future ULSI industry.
Accordingly, the method of accelerating a Laser Removal Process (LRP) carried out in reactive gas mixture, according to the invention, comprises carrying out the stripping process in the presence of an oxygen based gas and of a gas containing fluorine and/or chlorine in its molecule.
At elevated values of laser energy fluence and/or auxiliary gas irradiation by VUV source (vacuum UV, wavelength lower than 180 nm) one can choose an oxygen-based gas consisting of oxygen, ozone, nitrogen oxide (NxOy) or their mixtures, and a gas containing F and/or Cl atoms in its molecule from among NF3, SF6,SF4, CF4, CF3, NOCl, Cl2O, F2O, HF, F2, Cl2, HCl.
The most preferred gas containing fluorine and/or chlorine atoms in its molecule is nitrogen trifluoride (NF3), due to its lower thermo-dissociation energy. This gas promotes fast and complete laser removal of inorganic foreign materials, including micron and submicron particles and metallic contaminants, as well as preventing any damage to the treated substrates.

Laser removal of foreign materials from surfaces


The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for increasing the perceived quality of displayed images. This is achieved in a variety of ways including the use of a plurality of device specific display characteristics when preparing images for display. It is also achieved through the monitoring of display device and/or ambient light conditions, e.g., on a periodic basis, and using the obtained information when controlling display output. Another approach to improving the perceived quality of displayed images involves the use of information relating to a specific user's ability to perceive image characteristics such as color. By customizing display output to an individual user's own physical perception capabilities and/or viewing characteristics it is possible to enhance the image quality perceived by the individual viewer as compared to embodiments which do not take into consideration individual user characteristics.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for displaying images, and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for increasing the perceived quality of displayed images.
2. Background of the Invention
Color display devices have become the principal display devices of choice for most computer users. The display of color on a monitor is normally achieved by operating the display device to emit light, e.g., a combination of red, green, and blue light, which results in one or more colors being perceived by a human viewer.
In cathode ray tube (CRT) display devices, the different colors of light are generated via the use of phosphor coatings which may be applied as dots in a sequence on the screen of the CRT. A different phosphor coating is normally used to generate each of the three colors, red, green, and blue resulting in repeating sequences of phosphor dots which, when excited by a beam of electrons will generate the colors red, green and blue. As CRT's age, the light output intensity tends to decrease for a given input intensity. Thus, older computer CRT display devices tend to be more difficult to read than new CRTs.
The term pixel is commonly used to refer to one spot in, e.g., a rectangular grid of thousands of such spots. The spots are individually used by a computer to form an image on the display device. For a color CRT, where a single triad of red, green and blue phosphor dots cannot be addressed, the smallest possible pixel size will depend on the focus, alignment and bandwidth of the electron guns used to excite the phosphors. The light emitted from one or more triads of red, green and blue phosphor dots, in various arrangements known for CRT displays, tend to blend together giving, at a distance, the appearance of a single colored light source.
In color displays, the intensity of the light emitted corresponding to the additive primary colors, red, green and blue, can be varied to get the appearance of almost any desired color pixel. Adding no color, i.e., emitting no light, produces a black pixel. Adding 100 percent of all three colors results in white.
Liquid crystal displays (LCDs), or other flat panel display devices are commonly used in portable computer devices in the place of CRTs. This is because flat panel displays tend to be small and lightweight in comparison to CRT displays. In addition, flat panel displays tend to consume less power than comparable sized CRT displays making them better suited for battery powered applications than CRT displays. As the quality of flat panel color displays continues to increase and their cost decreases, flat panel displays are beginning to replace CRT displays in desktop applications. Accordingly, flat panel displays, and LCDs in particular, are becoming ever more common.
Color LCD displays are exemplary of display devices which utilize multiple distinctly addressable elements, referred to herein as pixel sub-elements or pixel sub-components, to represent each pixel of an image being displayed. In displays commonly used for computer applications, each pixel on a color LCD display usually comprises three non-square elements, i.e., red, green and blue (RGB) pixel sub-components. Thus, in such systems, a set of RGB pixel sub-components together make up a single pixel. LCD displays of this type comprise a series of RGB pixel sub-components which are commonly arranged to form stripes along the display. The RGB stripes normally run the entire length of the display in one direction. The resulting RGB stripes are sometimes referred to as "RGB striping". Common LCD monitors used for computer applications, which are wider than they are tall, tend to have RGB stripes running in the vertical direction. While RGB striping is common, R, G, B pixel sub-components of different rows may be staggered or off set so that they do not form stripes. Other LCD pixel sub-component display patterns are also possible. For example, in some devices, each color pixel includes four square pixel sub-components.
While LCD devices offer some advantages over CRT display devices in terms of power consumption and weight, the perceived quality of LCD displays can be significantly impacted by viewing angle. The amount and color of light incident on an LCD device can also have a major impact on the perceived quality of images displayed on the LCD device. In addition, LCDs tend to have response characteristics which can vary widely from display to display and even among the same model displays made by the same manufacturer.
Perceived image quality of a display device depends not only on the physical characteristics of the display device, but also on the viewer's ability to perceive such characteristics. For example, a viewer with a greater sensitivity to one color will perceive an image differently than a viewer with a greater sensitivity to another color. Viewers without the ability to perceive color at all are likely to perceive the quality of a color image somewhat differently than a viewer who can appreciate the supplied color information.
In view of the above, it is clear that physical display device characteristics, viewing conditions, e.g., ambient light, and a user's ability to perceive various image characteristics all have an effect on the perceived quality of an image. Given the quality of current display devices, it is apparent that for many applications improvements in image quality are not only desirable but also important to insure a user's accurate interpretation of displayed images.
In view of the above, it is apparent that there is a need for new and improved methods and apparatus for displaying images such as text and graphics. It is desirable that at least some of the new methods and apparatus be capable of being used with both CRT as well as LCD display devices. Furthermore, in order to enhance the quality of images for specific viewers it is desirable that at least some display methods take into consideration how specific users perceive the images being displayed to them.

Quality of displayed images with user preference information


A method for determining when to perform an operation on a computing device is described. The computing device receives a direction to perform an operation. A deferral configuration including at least one criterion is also received. The computing device determines whether a criterion is met and defers performance of the operation if it is met. The computing device performs the operation if a criterion is not met.

Computer and communication technologies continue to advance at a rapid pace. Indeed, computer and communication technologies are involved in many aspects of a person's day. Computers commonly used include everything from hand-held computing devices to large multi-processor computer systems.
Computers are used in almost all aspects of business, industry and academic endeavors. More and more homes are using computers as well. The pervasiveness of computers has been accelerated by the increased use of computer networks, including the Internet. On a network, one or more servers may provide data, services and/or may be responsible for managing other computers. The managed computers are often referred to as nodes. A computer network may have hundreds or even thousands of managed nodes.
Most companies have one or more computer networks and also make extensive use of the Internet. The productivity of employees often requires human and computer interaction. Improvements in computers and software have been a force for bringing about great increases in business and industrial productivity.
Maintaining and supporting computer systems is important to anyone who relies on computers. Whether a computer or computing device is in a home or at a business, at least some maintenance and/or support is often needed. For example, problems with computer hardware may arise at times. In addition, computer hardware is often upgraded and replaced with new components. Similarly, computer software is also frequently upgraded or replaced. New computer hardware and software is continually being integrated into systems across the world. Furthermore, computer systems may need to be scanned in order to detect and mitigate security threats.
Often, end-user issues may arise when a computing device is in need of performing maintenance or some other operation but also needs the use of system resources to accomplish an important objective, such as running a critical application or displaying a presentation. For example, if an end user's presentation to a large group of people is interrupted or slowed by an operating system update, the end user may be frustrated or disappointed with his computer's performance.
As shown from the above discussion, there is a need for systems and methods that will improve the ability to manage and support computer systems while avoiding or managing interruptions or performance degradations with an end user's computer use. Improved systems and methods may enable a person performing computer support to meet system maintenance needs while satisfying the end-user's need for system resources to meet their objectives.

Determining when to perform a maintenance operation on a computing device based on status of a currently running process or application on the computing device


A method and apparatus are disclosed for a wireless communication device to simultaneously receive at least two signals. Two receiver portions are provided in the wireless communication device. A first receiver portion is configured to receive a first communication signal. A second receiver portion is configured to receive a second communication signal. The two receiver portions are configured to convert the first and second communication signals to a common frequency band. The common frequency band may be an intermediate frequency band or baseband frequency band. The converted first and second communication signals are combined in the common frequency band using an adder or other signal combiner. The combined signal is processed in a single signal processor. The communication device is able to resolve each of the received signals when the first communication signal is a narrowband signal and the second communication signal is a wideband signal, such as a spread spectrum signal.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to wireless communication devices. More particularly, the invention relates to receivers in multimode wireless communication devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
A vast array of wireless communication devices is available for consumer use. The communication devices include pagers, two-way radios, and wireless phones, such as cordless phones, cellular phones, and personal communications service (PCS) phones.
The multiple wireless devices typically operate in different frequency bands and different communication systems that operate according to detailed specifications. Within a particular type of wireless communication device there may be a number of different specifications that make it difficult for a single device to operate in more than one communication system. For example, in the field of wireless phones there are numerous specifications and standards.
Wireless phone systems may be based on code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), frequency modulation (FM), or some other modulation techniques. A wireless phone configured to operate within a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) system may be inoperable in a CDMA system.
A GSM system is typically designed to support one or more GSM standards, such as the standards offered by the "3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)" and embodied in the 3GPP specification where the term "3GPP specification" refers to all GSM specifications including those covering GSM Evolution (GSM EDGE), Global Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and GSM 3G. The 3GPP specification is provided in a set of documents provided by Technical Specification Groups (TSG) including specifications in series 01 through 13 for GSM only prior to Rel-4, series 21 through 35 for 3G/GSM R99 and later, and series 41 through 52 for GSM only for Rel-4 and later.
A CDMA system may be designed to support one or more CDMA standards such as (1) Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA)/Electronic Industries Association (EIA) "TIA/EIA-95-B Mobile Station-Base Station Compatibility Standard for Dual-Mode Wideband Spread Spectrum Cellular System" (the IS-95 standard), (2) the standard offered by a consortium named "3rd Generation Partnership Project" (3GPP) and embodied in a set of documents including Document Nos. 3G TS 25.211, 3G TS 25.212, 3G TS 25.213, and 3G TS 25.214 (the W-CDMA standard), (3) the standard offered by a consortium named "3rd Generation Partnership Project 2" (3GPP2) and embodied in a set of documents including "C.S0002-A Physical Layer Standard for cdma2000 Spread Spectrum Systems," the "C.S0005-A Upper Layer (Layer 3) Signaling Standard for cdma2000 Spread Spectrum Systems," and the "C.S0024 cdma2000 High Rate Packet Data Air Interface Specification" (the cdma2000 standard), and (4) other standards.
Currently wireless devices, such as a wireless phone, may operate in a first mode but be capable of operating in a plurality of operating modes. When signal quality for a communication link using the first mode may degrades to an unacceptable quality of service, the wireless device can attempt to hand off the communication link from a base station in a first cell to a base station in a second cell. However, the second base station may operate in a different operating mode than the first base station. Thus it may not be possible for the wireless device to remain in the first operating mode. In such a case, the wireless device may need to negotiate a hand off to a base station using a second operating mode. Unfortunately, the first and second operating modes may use communication channels in different frequency bands and may also use incompatible modulation techniques.
As an example, a wireless phone operating in a GSM mode may establish a communication link in a first frequency band with a GSM base station. The wireless phone may then move to the edge of the GSM base station coverage area such that the quality of service of the communication link is degraded. The wireless phone may attempt to hand off the communication link to another GSM base station, but there may not be any other GSM base station that can provide a communication link having an improved quality of service. However, there may be a UMTS base station operating in a WCDMA mode that is able to provide to the wireless phone a communication link having an improved quality of service. However, the UMTS base station may operate in a frequency band that is different from the frequency band used by the GSM base station. Additionally, the WCDMA operating mode requires significantly different signal processing than the GSM operating mode.
The UMTS specification includes provisions for implementing a hand off from a WCDMA operating mode to a GSM operating mode. For example, one manner of accomplishing an inter-mode hand off is by using a compressed mode of operation. In compressed mode the WCDMA information is compressed into a segment of time to allow the wireless phone to simultaneously receive both GSM and WCDMA communications in a time duplexed manner. However, operating in the compressed mode is highly complex. Information in the WCDMA uplink and downlink are compressed to allow time division duplex operation. Additionally, the GSM operating mode uses time division duplex operation. The timing issues that must be controlled in the compressed operating mode make it difficult to implement a wireless phone using compressed mode.
In a second example, the wireless phone may implement two distinct receivers. A first receiver may operate in the GSM operating mode and the second receiver may operate in the WCDMA operating mode. The GSM and WCDMA receivers operate independently to receive and demodulate the respective signals. However, this design occupies a large volume within the wireless phone and minimizing total volume of the wireless phone is desired. Additionally, the two receivers operate simultaneously for only brief periods of time when the phone is negotiating an inter-mode hand off. Thus, the two receiver implementation provides a receiver that is idle for the majority of time. The additional parts needed for the two receiver implementation also increase the total cost of manufacturing the wireless phone.
Thus, what is needed is a manner of configuring a wireless device, such as a wireless phone, to simultaneously operate in multiple modes. The wireless device should be able to simultaneously communicate over multiple communication links using multiple communication modes. A wireless phone using the configuration should be able to simultaneously operate in a GSM mode and a WCDMA mode without using compressed mode. Thus, the wireless phone should be able to negotiate an inter-mode hand off without operating in compressed mode.

Shared receive path for simultaneous received signals


A semiconductor memory array for operation in a data storage system with at least one semiconductor memory chip for the storage of user data and one memory controller for control of the at least one semiconductor memory chip includes at least one unidirectional, serial signal line bus for control and address signals connected with the memory controller, directly connecting at least one semiconductor memory chip with the memory controller and serially connecting with each other the semiconductor memory chips among each other by 1-point-to-1-point connections.

Against a background of steadily increasing processor operating speed in computers, such as personal computers, workstations, and servers, it is essential that the operating speed of semiconductor memories is increased to prevent performance losses. Thus, in the last few years, memory modules have been developed with high-speed and high-density memory blocks, such as DDR-DRAMs (Double Data Rate Dynamic Random Access Memory) of the generation stages 1, 2 and 3 in which it was possible to improve the operating speed and structural density.
In a conventional DIMM semiconductor memory module with DDR-DRAMs as semiconductor memory chips, two or four ranks per semiconductor memory module are provided, for example, where one rank each may be arranged on the front or, respectively, the rear side of the semiconductor memory module, or two (2) ranks each may be arranged in stacks on one same side of the semiconductor module, respectively. According to common definition, "rank" is understood as the number of semiconductor memory chips (DRAMs) necessary to occupy the complete bit width of a signal bus connecting the semiconductor memory units with a memory controller. Accordingly, with a bus width of 64 bit or, respectively, 72 bits including an error correction block ECC (Error Correction Code), 16 (or, respectively, 18 with ECC) semiconductor memory chips are required per rank with 4 bit data width or 8 (respectively, 9 with ECC) semiconductor storage chips with 8 bit data width. For example, 4 ranks with 8 bit wide memory units each are realized in registered DIMMs in which the control and address bus is buffered. More precisely, on an x8 based DIMM with 4 ranks on the front and rear side of the wiring board, two ranks each of 8 memory blocks each are wired to each other at several wiring levels by vias and signal wiring runs passing through the wiring board.
In a conventional memory chip topology, for example, in DDR3 DRAMs, the individual memory chips are connected by a flyby topology with the memory controller. The control and address signal pins of the individual memory chips are each connected in series to a flyby bus.
A major disadvantage of the flyby topology is the too narrow bandwidth for high data rates of 1.6 Gbit/s/pin, for example, and a too low structural density. An improved semiconductor memory array by which a wide bandwidth and a high structural density can be realized even at high data rates of at least 1.6 Gbit/s/pin is desirable.

Semiconductor memory array with serial control/address bus


A lithographic apparatus is provided with a diffuser unit including a fluid that includes diffuser particles that are able to diffuse rays in a beam of radiation used to illuminate an object, for example a mask or a wafer. The diffuser particles may be solid particles or gas bubbles in a liquid. The fluid and the diffuser particles may be moved, for example perpendicularly to the beam of radiation, or perpendicularly to a scanning direction of the beam of radiation in a scanning lithographic apparatus, in order to improve the diffusion action. As the radiation to illuminate is diffused and homogenized, subsequent illumination is improved. The apparatus may be used to manufacture CCD's and the like, since when viewed by the human eye they show a homogeneity preferably better than 0.02%.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a diffuser unit, a lithographic apparatus, a method for homogenizing a beam of radiation, a device manufacturing method and a device manufactured thereby.
2. Description of the Related Art
A lithographic apparatus is a machine that applies a desired pattern onto a target portion of a substrate. Lithographic apparatus can be used, for example, in the manufacture of integrated circuits (ICs). In that circumstance, a patterning device, such as a mask, may be used to generate a circuit pattern corresponding to an individual layer of the IC, and this pattern can be imaged onto a target portion (e.g. including part of one or several dies) on a substrate (e.g. a silicon wafer) that has a layer of radiation-sensitive material (resist). In general, a single substrate will contain a network of adjacent target portions that are successively exposed. Known lithographic apparatus include steppers, in which each target portion is irradiated by exposing an entire pattern onto the target portion at once, and scanners, in which each target portion is irradiated by scanning the pattern through the beam of radiation in a given direction (the "scanning" direction) while synchronously scanning the substrate parallel or anti-parallel to this direction.
In a lithographic apparatus it is important to have a good homogeneity of the intensity of the beam of radiation used therein. A better homogeneity, usually expressed as a uniformity value, allows a more constant quality of the details and structures which are obtained in the lithographic process. In the present context, uniformity relates to the variation of the received energy per area on the surface of the object to be illuminated, or more precisely, uniformity=(maximum dose−minimum dose)/(maximum dose+minimum dose). Herein, dose is the cumulated amount of received energy per area. Note that this may relate to overall uniformity, i.e. over all of a relevant area, or to local uniformity, i.e. over only part of the relevant area. Uniformity is preferably as low as possible, with an optimum of 0, i.e. a low value relates to good uniformity. Note that for lithography with a patterned beam of radiation, there are at least two objects which are illuminated, the patterning device and the substrate. Since the substrate is illuminated with a patterned beam, there will be inherent non-uniformities, and uniformity improvement will in this case most often relate to illumination of the patterning device. In all cases, it will be easy to identify the object or surface which is to be illuminated with a beam that is as uniform as possible.
In known lithographic apparatus there is often a built-in diffuser unit. Herein diffuser unit relates to a unit, constructed and arranged to make the beam of radiation more homogeneous, i.e. more uniform, before it strikes a surface to be illuminated, such as a patterning device (e.g. a mask). Known diffuser units are static. This means that they have a certain predetermined and constant influence on the distribution of radiation in the beam of radiation. Even though in theory, i.e. with an extremely constant radiation distribution in the beam of radiation, very good uniformity is obtainable, the known apparatus has the disadvantage that, when there is a slight change in the distribution, which may be due to various causes, the new distribution may be worse than before, even with the known diffuser unit. In other words, the known apparatus does not always offer the desired uniformity of the beam of radiation.

Diffuser unit, lithographic apparatus, method for homogenizing a beam of radiation, a device manufacturing method and device manufactured thereby


Methods for printing using printing systems comprising a flexible intermediate transfer member (ITM) disposed around a plurality of guide rollers at which encoders are installed, and an image-forming station at which ink images are formed by droplet deposition by print bars onto the ITM, can include measuring a local velocity of the ITM under one of the print bars, determining a stretch factor for a portion of the ITM based on a relationship between an estimated stretched length fixed physical distance between print bars, controlling an ink deposition parameter according to the stretch factor so as to compensate for stretching of the reference portion of the ITM.

Various printing devices use an inkjet printing process, in which an ink is jetted to form an image onto the surface of an intermediate transfer member (ITM), which is then used to transfer the image onto a substrate. The ITM may be a flexible belt guided over rollers. The flexibility of the belt can cause a portion of the belt to become stretched longitudinally, and especially in the area of an image forming station wherein a drive roller that is downstream of the image-forming station can impart a higher velocity to the belt than an upstream drive roller, i.e., a drive roller that is upstream of the image-forming station. This difference in velocity at the drive rollers keeps a portion of the belt taut as it passes the print bars of the image-forming station. In some cases the tautness-making can lead to the aforementioned stretching. The terms 'longitudinally', 'upstream' and 'downstream' are used herein relative to the print direction, i.e., the travel direction of ink images formed upon the belt.
The portion of the belt that was stretched between the upstream and downstream drive rollers may become unstretched after passing the downstream drive roller, or stretched to a lesser degree, and when images are transferred from the belt to substrate at an impression station, inter-droplet spacing of an image may be different than it was at the time that the image was formed at the image-forming station. In other words, a stretch factor characterizing an extent of stretching at the impression station will often be different from a stretch factor characterizing an extent of stretching at the image-forming station. It is, therefore, necessary to compensate for the different stretching factors.
The following co-pending patent publications provide background material, and are all incorporated herein by reference in their entirety: WO/2017/009722 (publication of PCT/IB2016/053049 filed May 25, 2016), WO/2016/166690 (publication of PCT/IB2016/052120 filed Apr. 4, 2016), WO/2016/151462 (publication of PCT/IB2016/051560 filed Mar. 20, 2016), WO/2016/113698 (publication of PCT/IB2016/050170 filed Jan. 14, 2016), WO/2015/110988 (publication of PCT/IB2015/050501 filed Jan. 22, 2015), WO/2015/036812 (publication of PCT/IB2013/002571 filed Sep. 12, 2013), WO/2015/036864 (publication of PCT/IB2014/002366 filed Sep. 11, 2014), WO/2015/036865 (publication of PCT/IB2014/002395 filed Sep. 11, 2014), WO/2015/036906 (publication of PCT/IB2014/064277 filed Sep. 12, 2014), WO/2013/136220 (publication of PCT/IB2013/051719 filed Mar. 5, 2013), WO/2013/132419 (publication of PCT/IB2013/051717 filed Mar. 5, 2013), WO/2013/132424 (publication of PCT/IB2013/051727 filed Mar. 5, 2013), WO/2013/132420 (publication of PCT/IB2013/051718 filed Mar. 5, 2013), WO/2013/132439 (publication of PCT/IB2013/051755 filed Mar. 5, 2013), WO/2013/132438 (publication of PCT/IB2013/051751 filed Mar. 5, 2013), WO/2013/132418 (publication of PCT/IB2013/051716 filed Mar. 5, 2013), WO/2013/132356 (publication of PCT/IB2013/050245 filed Jan. 10, 2013), WO/2013/132345 (publication of PCT/IB2013/000840 filed Mar. 5, 2013), WO/2013/132339 (publication of PCT/IB2013/000757 filed Mar. 5, 2013), WO/2013/132343 (publication of PCT/IB2013/000822 filed Mar. 5, 2013), WO/2013/132340 (publication of PCT/IB2013/000782 filed Mar. 5, 2013), and WO/2013/132432 (publication of PCT/IB2013/051743 filed Mar. 5, 2013).

Digital printing system with flexible intermediate transfer member


A touch sensor system, including a substrate, capable of propagating surface acoustic waves; and a reflective array formed on said substrate, said reflective array having a plurality of reflective elements, each reflective element reflecting a portion of an incident surface acoustic wave. The reflective array is formed of an organic matrix. The organic matrix is preferably chemically bonded to the substrate, and is preferably a thermoset resin. The resulting reflective arrays are preferably stable under changes in moisture between 0% and 60% RH at temperatures between about 0.degree.-50.degree. C. The organic matrix can also be used in a humidity or chemical sensor.

This invention relates to acoustic structures for interaction with surface acoustic waves, and more particularly to such structures suitable for arrays of acoustic reflectors in acoustic touch sensors and to organic matrix materials for making such structures.
"Surface acoustic waves" (SAW), as used herein, refers to acoustic waves for which a touch on the surface leads to a measurable attenuation of acoustic energy. Several types of surface acoustic waves are known. The vast majority of present commercial products are based on Rayleigh waves, which maintain a useful power density at the touch surface because they are bound to the touch surface. Mathematically, Rayleigh waves exist only in semi-infinite media. In practice it is sufficient for the substrate to be 3 or 4 wavelengths in thickness, leading to quasi-Rayleigh waves that are practical equivalents of true Rayleigh waves. Herein, it is understood that Rayleigh waves exist only in theory and a reference thereto indicates a quasi-Rayleigh wave. Like Rayleigh waves, Love waves are surface-bound waves. While Rayleigh waves have vertical and longitudinal particle motion and both shear and pressure/tension stresses associated therewith, Love waves have only horizontal particle motion (parallel to touch surface) and only shear stress associated therewith. Other surface-bound waves are known.
Another class of surface acoustic waves relevant to acoustic touchscreens are plate waves. Unlike surface-bound waves, plate waves require the confining effects of both the top and bottom surfaces of a substrate to maintain a useful power density at the touch surface. Examples of plate waves include symmetric and anti-symmetric Lamb waves, zeroth order horizontally polarized shear (ZOHPS) waves, and higher order horizontally polarized shear (HOHPS) waves.
SAW devices are used as touch sensors, signal filters, and in other applications. A common touch sensor design has two sets of transducers, each set having a different axis aligned respectively with the axes of a physical Cartesian coordinate system defined by a substrate. An acoustic pulse or pulse train is generated by one transducer, propagating as a Rayleigh wave along an axis which intersects an array of reflective elements, each element angled at 45.degree. and spaced corresponding to an integral number of acoustic wavelengths. Each reflective element reflects a portion of the wave along a path perpendicular to the axis, across an active region of the substrate, to an opposing array and transducer which is a mirror image of the first array and transducer. The transducer in the mirror image array receives an acoustic wave consisting of superposed portions of the wave reflected by the reflective elements of both arrays, directed antiparallel to the emitted pulse. Wavepaths in the active region of the sensor have characteristic time delays, and therefore any wavepath attenuated by an object touching the active region may be identified by determining a timing of an attenuation in the composite returning waveform. A second set of arrays and transducers are provided at right angles to the first, and operate similarly. Since the axis of a transducer corresponds to a physical coordinate axis of the substrate, the timing of an attenuation in the returning wave is indicative of a Cartesian coordinate of a position on the substrate, and the coordinates are determined sequentially to determine the two dimensional Cartesian coordinate position of the attenuating object. Other acoustic touch position sensor designs may be used. Illustrative designs are disclosed in U.S. Re Pat. No. 33,151; U.S. Pat. No. 4,642,423; U.S. Pat. No. 4,644,100; U.S. Pat. No. 4,645,8870; U.S. Pat. No. 4,700,176; U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,914; U.S. Pat. No. 4,791,416; U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,212; U.S. Pat. No. 4,880,665; U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,427; U.S. Pat. No. 5,162,618; U.S. Pat. No. 5,177,327; U.S. Pat. No. 5,234,148; U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,521; U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,521; U.S. Pat. No. 5,329,070; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,451,723; all incorporated herein by reference.
The maximum acoustic path length traveled by the acoustic pulse is a useful metric in acoustic touchscreen design, because most materials, e.g., glass, have a relatively constant acoustic power loss (dB per unit length): the greater the path length, the greater the attenuation. In many cases, this attenuation limits the design of the touchscreen. Therefore it is generally desirable to have high acoustic efficiency. Thus, for example, greater numbers of transducers may be deployed to allow larger substrates, and likewise, with smaller substrates, acoustic paths may be folded to reduce the number of transducers.
The array of reflective elements forms a critical part in the design of an acoustic touchscreen. Because the elements are placed along the path of the acoustic wave, it is generally desired that the ratio of reflection to absorptivity be maximized, allowing sufficient wave energy to reach the end of the array while reflecting sufficient wave energy to allow reliable detection of the touch.
Generally, SAW propagation efficiency is maximized by the wave's interaction with a brittle material such as glass and avoiding materials which appear viscous to it. In fact, it is the inefficient propagation of the surface acoustic wave due to interactions with environmental effects which enables SAW-based chemical or humidity sensing by measuring the signal loss due to the interactions.
Present commercial acoustic touchscreens typically are built from soda-lime glass and placed immediately in front of a display device such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), with the reflective arrays disposed at the periphery of the substrate, outside of the active sensing area and hidden and protected under a bezel. The reflective elements each generally reflect of order 1% of the SAW power, dissipating a small amount and allowing the remainder to pass along the axis of the array. Thus, array elements closer to the transmitting transducer will be subjected to greater incident acoustic energy and reflect a greater amount of acoustic power. In order to provide equalized acoustic power at the receiving transducer, the spacing of the reflective elements may be decreased with increasing distance from the transmitting transducer, or the acoustic reflectivity of the reflective elements may be altered, allowing increased reflectivity with increasing distance from the transmitting transducer.
An acoustic beam incident on a reflector produces a transmitted (unreflected) portion, a reflected portion, and an absorbed portion. An optimal reflector material is one with minimal acoustic absorption. More precisely it is desirable to maximize the ratio of reflected power to absorbed power. The mass of material deposited can be adjusted to achieve a desired ratio of reflected to transmitted power.
Present reflective arrays are generally a chevron pattern of raised glass frit interruptions on a soda-lime glass substrate. The interruptions typically have heights or depths on the order of 1% of the acoustic wavelength, and therefore only partially reflect the acoustic energy. Glass frits such as those in touchscreens from Elo TouchSystems, Inc., Fremont, Calif., are near optimal in this regard. When cured (fused), they have a high mechanical quality factor or Q, which is a measure of quality and freedom from internal damping, or more technically, the quotient of the resonant frequency and the bandwidth. This leads to minimal acoustic absorption by the reflectors.
Glass frit is generally supplied as a printable gel-like ink comprising a mixture of solvents, organic binders imparting thixotropic properties, and fine particles of "solder glass" (a mixture of zinc and lead oxides). The glass frit is screen-printed onto the substrate and transformed into a hard glassy substance by a high temperature (over 400.degree. C.) cure in an oven to evaporate the solvents, burn off the binders, and sinter together the remaining fine particles of solder glass. The substrate carrying the printed reflector pattern is necessarily subjected to the same high temperature during sintering. Thus, the choice of substrates is restricted: Tempered glass looses its temper at such curing temperatures and CRT faceplate glass cannot be used because of the heat sensitivity of the CRT's other components. Another limitation is the presence of heavy metals whose potential for leaching out by, e.g., the acetic acid found in some glass cleaners is a health hazard.
The glass frit cure process is a significant cost component. Ovens are a major capital expense and consume significant amounts of electric power. Conveyor ovens require considerable floor space, while batch ovens disrupt a smooth manufacturing flow. The cure process takes time, about one hour for a conveyor oven and about eight hours for a batch oven. Thus, it is desirable to supplement or replace the glass-frit process.
Polymers tend to be more acoustically absorptive than glass, and even a small amount thereof deposited as reflectors on a touchscreen can cause significant acoustic attenuation. Therefore, in comparison with glass frit systems, the ratio of the transmitted signal to the minimally acceptable received signal amplitude will be less for polymers, typically exceeding 6 dB in a 14 inch touchscreen.
In addition to their significant acoustic attenuation properties, many polymers are hydrophilic. An epoxy may absorb up to 10% moisture. This absorption may result in delamination of an epoxy film from a substrate such as glass. Thus, many epoxies have poor bonding ability to glass under a range of environmental conditions.
Epoxies have been used as absorbers of acoustic waves. U.S. Pat. No. 4,090,153 teaches filled epoxy resin as an absorber of Rayleigh waves propagating on the surface of a piezoelectric substrate. U.S. Pat. No. 4,510,410 relates to filled ultraviolet (UV) light curable resin acoustic wave absorbers for piezoelectric substrates. The patent presents data (FIG. 3) showing that the actual absorption rises with increasing specific gravity (filler loading) and considers reflections off the absorbers to be parasitic. U.S. Pat. No. 5,400,788 relates to a tungsten filled epoxy employed as an absorber of pressure waves. U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,955 relates to a tungsten filled epoxy employed as a beam dump (a structure for diverting and eliminating beam energy from a normal acoustic beam path). While a portion of the acoustic waves may be reflected, in this case the goal is to attenuate as much of the wave as possible. The preceding four patents are incorporated herein by reference.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,113,115 and 5,138,215, incorporated herein by reference, relate to unfilled polymer acoustic reflectors, making similar use of polymer Rayleigh-wave reflectors on a piezoelectric substrate, for diverting beam energy from the active acoustic path. U.S. Pat. No. 5,138,215 describes a transmit reflective array, a receive reflective array, as well as the polymer array which serves as a "beam dump" array. The beam-dump array is referred to as the "third" or "auxiliary" array. The patent does not teach that the transmit or receive arrays may be formed of polymer. In a beam dump system, the goal is to make the absorption of acoustic waves efficient, while preventing the introduction of parasitic waves. In sharp contrast to the transmit and receive arrays, the ability of the beam-dump array to transmit an acoustic beam down its axis is not of particular concern.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,260,913 discloses encasing SAW devices to shield them from environmental influences. Low modulus potting materials absorb Rayleigh waves, so wave modes other than Rayleigh, such as horizontal shear waves, are employed. "Acoustic Properties of Particle/Polymer Composites for Transducer Backing Applications" by Grewe et al. from 1989 Ultrasonics Symposium, and "Ultrasonic Measurement of Some Mineral Filled Plastics" by Lees et al., IEEE Transactions on Sonics and Ultrasonics, Vol. SU-24, No. 3, May 1977, disclose using tungsten loaded epoxies for acoustic purposes. However, these references do not suggest the use of such materials for reflective arrays or printable inks.
As is evident from the above discussion, polymeric acoustic reflectors are desirable for acoustic touchscreens in which the substrate is tempered glass, the faceplate of a CRT, or another substrate which cannot tolerate the high cure temperatures of glass frits. However, the use of polymers poses serious problems for the design engineer, being limited by the polymer's (a) adhesion to a suitable substrate; (b) acoustic absorptivity; (c) mechanical stability toward a range of environmental conditions; and (d) acoustic property stability over a range of environmental conditions; and (e) availability of a process for fabrication into quality reflective elements. These factors have proven sufficiently complex that extant systems have continued to employ glass frits on soda lime glass substrates.

Organic matrix for acoustic reflector array


A method for forming a contact to a substrate is disclosed. The method includes providing a substrate, the substrate being doped with a first dopant; and diffusing a second dopant into at least a first side of the substrate to form a second dopant region, the first side further including a first side surface area. The method also includes forming a dielectric layer on the first side of the substrate. The method further includes forming a set of composite layer regions on the dielectric layer, wherein each composite layer region of the set of composite layer regions further includes a set of Group IV semiconductor nanoparticles and a set of metal particles. The method also includes heating the set of composite layer regions to a first temperature, wherein at least some composite layer regions of the set of composite layer regions etch through the dielectric layer and form a set of contacts with the second dopant region.

Solar (photovoltaic) cells convert sunlight into electricity. Using an inexhaustible source of energy, the use of solar cells represents an alternative to fossil fuels that generate pollution contributing to global warning. However, in order to be economically viable, the electricity generated from solar cells must cost substantially less, either by reducing manufacturing costs or likewise by increasing efficiency.
Referring now to FIG. 1, a simplified generic photovoltaic cell is shown. Here, a solar cell is configured as an absorber with a collecting junction. In a typical silicon photovoltaic cell the absorber 103 is made up of an emitter 104 and a base region. Typically the base region is doped with atoms that create acceptor sites (e.g. boron) known as p-type silicon and the emitter region is doped with atoms that create donor sites (e.g. phosphorous) known as n-type silicon. The difference in electrostatic potential between these two regions forms the collecting junction at their interface.
In a process called photo excitation, absorbed photons of light generate electron hole pairs which are then free to move through the absorber 103 by a process of diffusion. If a diffusing carrier reaches the edge of the p-n junction it is collected and will generate current. To extract this current from the device it is necessary to include metal contacts on both the emitter and base regions. When located on the front side these metal electrodes must be patterned to allow incident light to enter the cell. In addition, the front surface of a solar cell is typically covered with a dielectric layer. This layer acts to both reduce the number of carriers lost to recombination at the front surface and to reduce the amount of light reflected from the front surface of the device. Since a dielectric does not conduct current it is necessary for the front metal electrode to contact directly to the silicon underneath this layer.
Performance of the solar cell device depends, at least in part, on the electrical contact (preferably, an ohmic contact) between electrode 105 (generally positioned above the dielectric layer) and emitter layer 104 (generally positioned below the dielectric layer). High contact resistance generally leads to a high total series resistance of the solar cell, which tends to adversely affect the fill factor (FF) and thus the overall efficiency of the solar cell. Furthermore, unwanted parasitic loss mechanisms, such as junction shunting caused by direct physical contact between the front metal and the base, will tend to result in a low junction shunt resistance which may also reduce the efficiency of the device.
To further improve the collection of carriers from within the bulk, a BSF (back surface field) layer 106 may also be added. Minimizing the impact of rear surface recombination, BSF layer 106 tends to repel those oppositely charged carriers that are located closer to the back-side. That is, the interface between BSF layer 106 and wafer absorber 103 tends to introduce a barrier to minority carrier flow to the rear surface, resulting in higher levels of minority carrier concentrations in the wafer absorber. For example, for a p-type wafer, Al (aluminum) or B (boron) may be added to repel electrons. In contrast, for an n-type wafer, P (phosphorous) may be added to repel holes. By enhancing the collection of carriers from within the bulk the efficiency of the device is improved.
The application of metal to the solar cell to create the front-side and back-side electrodes, or metallization, is generally one of the main efficiency and cost-determining steps in solar cell processing. For example, one approach of preparing front-side metal grids is to evaporate highly conductive metal layers through pre-defined shadow masks prepared, e.g., by photolithography. While yielding contact of higher quality, such approaches are not practical in the manufacturing environment where low cost and high throughput are required. An alternate approach to forming front-side metal grids includes using nickel and copper electroplated grooves, referred to as buried contacts. However, a problem with this approach is that it is also cost-intensive.
Yet a third widely used approach to front metal grids involves using screen printing technology. See, e.g., J. H. Wohlgemuth, S. Narayanan, and R. Brenneman, Proc. 21st IEEE PVSC, 221-226 (1990); J. F. Nijs, J. Sclufcik, J. Poortmans, S. Sivoththaman, and R. P. Mertens, IEEE Trans. on Elect. Dev. 46, 1948-1969 (1999). Here, the front metal grid is formed from a silver-based paste which is deposited on substrates (or material layers thereon) using a squeegee to force the paste through a screen comprised of wire mesh and a patterned emulsion. The silver-based paste typically consists of several main components, including (1) Ag particles that are typically less than about 1 μm in size, (2) a glass frit, which contains a variety of metal oxides, and (3) an organic binder.
Alternatively, the rear electrode may be formed using an Aluminum based paste which is deposited in a similar manner to the front side of the device. After deposition of both electrodes the paste is fired at a temperature of about 800° C.-900° C. During this firing process, the glass frit in the Ag based past removes the front surface dielectric layer allowing the metal to contact to the emitter layer underneath. On the rear side the firing cycle causes the Al to form a BSF layer simultaneously with electrode formation.
However, there are several disadvantages with the screen printing process described above which limit the efficiency and add complications to manufacturing. It is therefore desirable to find ways to improve this process.

Methods for forming composite nanoparticle-metal metallization contacts on a substrate


An information storage device, by which only information outputted in a state desired by a user can be stored and disclosed with minimum time and trouble of the user, is provided. After FAX transmission, the FAX image is displayed and an inquiry concerning whether to store the FAX image or not is conducted. When the user performs an operation designating registration of the FAX image in a database (i.e. when a registration command button is pressed by the user), the FAX image is registered in the database. When the user performs an operation designating discard of the FAX image (i.e. when a discard command button is pressed by the user), the FAX image is discarded. Since the user can decide whether or not to register the FAX image in the database after checking the image to be registered, registration of undesired image in the database can be prevented.

Aspects of the present invention relates to an information storage device having a storage function for storing inputted information and outputting the stored information afterward, such as an MFP (Multi Function Peripheral) having a plurality of input units for inputting information to the device and output units for outputting the information.
MFPs (Multi Function Peripherals), capable of automatically creating, presenting and publishing a Web page of a document (for example, as the object of processing, including diagrams, tables, etc.) in response to simple and easy operations by a user (like those for printing, copying, etc.), have recently been known, as described in Japanese Patent Provisional Publication No. HEI 11-195128 (as shown the second embodiment of the Publication). The MFP converts documents described in page description languages (PDLs) such as PostScript, images read by a scanner, etc. into HTML files, JPEG files, etc. and stores the files on a hard disk. In response to a browsing request from a personal computer on a network, the HTML files, JPEG files, etc., which have been stored on the hard disk are transmitted to the requesting personal computer via the network according to the request.
With such an MFP, Web pages are automatically created when the user lets the MFP execute printing, copying, etc. without the need of performing complicated operation. The created Web pages are then viewable from personal computers on the network, and the pages are easily handled.
However, in the MFP described in the above patent document, the user has to decide ahead of time whether to let the machine perform printing or copying or to let the machine store the document (the object of processing) on the hard disk in the form of Web pages, and give an instruction to the MFP according to the decision. Thus, in cases where the user has already instructed the MFP to store documents (objects of processing) on the hard disk as Web pages, even when a print output or copy output desired by the user is not obtained (e.g. when the object of printing is not fit in the print medium (paper, etc.), when characters printed out are faint and patchy and can not be read, when a figure or diagram is unclear, etc.), the document as the object of processing is stored on the hard disk as Web pages in the undesired state. In this case, the user does not recognize the undesired state of the document (stored on the hard disk as Web pages) until he/she checks the Web pages, by which the document in the form of the Web pages in the undesired state are repeatedly disclosed until the user notices the state. After noticing the undesired state, the user then needs to delete the undesired Web pages from the hard disk, which can be difficult for some users or annoying to others.
The problems described above are involved not only in the MFP of the above patent document but also in any information storage device having a storage function for storing inputted information and outputting the stored information afterward (such as MFPs having a plurality of input units and output units).

Information storage device and information storage method


Systems and methods for interactive objects including illuminated surfaces are provided. An interactive object includes a flexible substrate comprising a soft material that is non-transmissive to light. The interactive object includes a plurality of holes extending from an inside surface of the flexible substrate to an outside surface of the flexible substrate to form a light-transmissive pattern at one or more locations of the flexible substrate. An illuminated surface is positioned adjacent to the inside surface of the flexible substrate with its front surface extending along at least a portion of the inside surface of the flexible substrate at the one or more locations including the plurality of holes. The interactive object includes one or more electronic components electrically coupled to the illuminated surface to control the illuminated surface to provide a visual output.

An interactive object such as an interactive garment, garment accessory, or garment container may include a light source and optionally a touch input device such as a capacitive touch sensor that is configured to detect touch-input. The light source may be controlled by circuitry incorporated into the object. For example, the light source can provide an output based on input received via the circuitry from a remote computing device such as a smartphone.
While it is known to incorporate light sources with interactive objects, the effective integration of light sources with flexible materials from which interactive objects are often formed remains a problem. For instance, many interactive objects utilize a flexible substrate to construct the object. In these cases, it can be difficult to fully integrate a light source into the interactive object. Such problems may be even more difficult where the light source is an illuminated surface such as a display whose luminescent output may be limited.
Accordingly, there remains a need for an interactive object having a light source that is fully and effectively integrated within the interactive object. Additionally, there remains a need for manufacturing processes that can efficiently and effectively manufacture such objects.

Interactive object having light-transmissive pattern with controlled hole-shape


A laser driver comprises a PNP transistor current source, an inductor coupled to the PNP transistor current source, a switch coupled to the inductor, and a current sink coupled to the switch. The PNP transistor current source supplies a first current to a laser if the switch is closed and a second current to the laser if the switch is open. The PNP transistor current source, inductor, switch, and current sink are on a single semiconductor chip.

Fiber optic transceivers are used in a variety of applications, including storage area networks (SANs), local area networks (LANs), Fibre Channel, Gigabit Ethernet, and synchronous optical networks (SONET) applications. Fiber optic transceivers can be used as the network interface in mainframe computers, workstations, servers, and storage devices. Fiber optic transceivers can also be used in a broad range of network devices, such as bridges, routers, hubs, and local and wide area switches.
Fiber optic transceivers include a fiber optic receiver and a fiber optic transmitter. The fiber optic receiver converts optical serial data to electrical serial data and the fiber optic transmitter converts electrical serial data to optical serial data. A majority of fiber optic transceivers include power control circuits, diagnostic circuits, and other circuits for enhancing the functionality of the fiber optic transceivers.
Fiber optic transmitters include a laser driver and a transmitter optical subassembly (TOSA). Laser drivers provide a bias current and a modulation current to a laser to control the optical output power of the laser. Typically, laser drivers control the bias and modulation currents over temperature and as the laser ages to maintain constant output power of the laser. Laser drivers can be single ended or differential. A single ended laser driver provides the modulation current and the bias current to one side of a laser with the other side of the laser coupled to a common or ground. For a differential laser driver, both sides of the laser are coupled to the laser driver circuit.

Optical system laser driver with a built in output inductor for improved frequency response


A method and apparatus for making a drip irrigation device by continuously extruding a tube and simultaneously feeding a plurality of dripper units in succession within the tube as it is extruded. Each dripper unit is arrested as it arrives at a first location which is a short distance downstream of the extrusion head where the extruded tube is still tacky, and is then moved transversely to bring it into light contact with the tacky surface of the extruded tube to cause the dripper unit to lightly adhere to the tube and to begin to move axially with it. A short distance downstream of the first location where the dripper unit has attained the same axial velocity as the extruded tube, the dripper unit is pressed into firm bonding contact with the tacky inner surface of the extruded tube.

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for making drip irrigation devices, and particularly to such devices including a tube having a plurality of dripper units bonded to a surface of the tube with each unit extending for only a part of the circumference of the tube.
One of the serious problems in making drip irrigation devices of the foregoing type is the bonding of the dripper units to the tube at the time of extrusion of the tube. The dripper units are generally bonded by pressing them against the tube. Ideally, the velocity of the dripper units should be zero relative to that of the tube at the instant of bonding to avoid creating stresses in the bond and/or weakened portions in the tube. This is presently accomplished by accelerating each dripper unit in the axial direction until its velocity reaches that of the tube being extruded, and then displacing the dripper units transversely into contact with the tube when both the tube and the dripper units are travelling at exactly the same linear velocity. However, as a practical matter it is difficult to control the acceleration and transverse displacement of the dripper units to assure that the dripper units will be brought into contact with the tube at the precise instant that both are travelling at the same linear velocity.

Method and apparatus for making drip irrigation devices


The invention relates to a method of making optically and chemically pure levetiracetam and to the levetiracetam produced by such process.

Levetiracetam is an antiepileptic drug indicated as adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures in adults with epilepsy. The chemical name for levetiracetam, a single enantiomer, is (S)-α-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide.
British Pat. No. 1,309,692 describes the compound α-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineactamide (melting point 122 degrees C.) and states that compounds of this type can be used for therapeutic purposes, for example for the treatment of motion sickness, hyperkinesia, hypertonia and epilepsy.
Moreover, it also mentions that these compounds can be applied in the field of memory disorders in normal or pathological conditions.
It is also known that α-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide possesses a protective activity against aggressions of the central nervous system caused by hypoxias, cerebral ischemia, etc. (Pharmazie, 37/11, (1982), 753–765).
U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,943 discloses the levorotatory isomer of α-ethyl-2-oxo-1-pyrrolidineacetamide, which has the absolute S configuration, a method for making the isomer and pharmaceutical compositions containing the same. U.S. Pat. No. 4,696,943 discloses that the levorotatory isomer has a 10 times higher protective activity against hypoxia and a 4 times higher protective activity against ischemia compared to the known racemic form.


A device for preventing a roller mounted retractable awning from deploying comprising a mounting bracket adapted to secure the device to the support arm of an awning, a locking band configured to encircle the awning roller, an extension member provided between and interconnecting the mounting bracket and the locking band so that said locking band is aligned transverse to the longitudinal axis of the mounting bracket and an actuator operatively associated with the locking band for engaging a roller of a retractable awning to prevent rotation and deployment of the awning.

Locking devices for retractable awnings on a recreational vehicle are known. The lock prevents rotation of the awning drum when the awning is in a retracted position. Th awning is prevented from deploying when the recreational vehicle is being driven along a highway.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,078 to Frey, Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,759,396 to Quinn disclose recreational vehicle awning locks having ratchet mechanism for locking the drum. U.S. Pat. No. 4,705,148 to Zindler discloses a recreational vehicle awning lock having a clutch brake within the drum whereas U.S. Pat. No. 5,848,629 provides a pair of locking pawl in the drum.
Because the prior art locks are complicated, they are expensive to manufacture. Complex lock designs also require careful maintenance due to the great number of moving parts. Further, because an awning lock on a recreational vehicle is subjected to substantial vibration and stress and exposure to variable weather conditions, the complex lock designs of the prior art are subjected to frequent failure. In addition, none of the prior art awning locks are adapted for use on a pre-existing awning that has already been installed on a recreational vehicle. Rather, the prior art locks require replacement of the entire awning with a new awning having and integral lock. This is not desirable for obvious reasons. Finally, prior art awning locks are not easily adapted to be removed from an awning. In those instances where the prior art lock is somehow removed from the awning, the roller tube or the recreational vehicle is usually damaged by permanent screw holes drilled into the recreational vehicle or the upright arm of the awning.


An apparatus for continuously transporting, separating, and changing the path of webs in machines for processing webs prior to further processing are disclosed. A web consisting of at least one ribbon of material is conveyed by a pair of nip rollers arranged in a first transport path. When it is desired to separate and convey the web, for example when the web is of insufficient quality, a separating flap pivotally mounted on a first rotary axis located above the first transport path pivots downward cutting and directing the web to a second transport path. A blade flap pivotally mounted on a second rotary axis located below the first transport path opens and closes the transport path to the web. When the blade flap is in the closed position it bridges a gap between a lower guide and a guide section to allow the conveyance of a web through the first transport path.

U.S. Pat. No. 3,866,902 is directed to a device for selecting and separating defective printed products from a stream of printed products being conveyed through the device. A cam controlled roller lever having two arms serves to unlock a lever which activates a deflecting flap. Setting the regulating distances of such a roller lever and deflecting flap, however, is time consuming. Moreover, processing of webs passing through is not possible with such a device.
British Patent GB 2 061 235 is directed to a deflection arrangement for a stream of overlapping printed products. In this device a flap, which is arranged in a gap between conveyor belts, can be rotated up and down. In the up position, the flap deflects individual printed sheets onto a transport path situated below the flap. This device, however, only operates to deflect printed sheets.

Apparatus for continuously transporting, separating, and changing the path of webs