A compensation circuit for use in a high resolution amplified flat panel for radiation imaging. The circuit includes an amplifier having an input terminal to receive amplified signal charge output on a source line by a selected pixel of the flat panel in response to a gate pulse. The amplified signal charge has a DC bias. Switching means is used to connect the input terminal to a potential voltage source when the amplified charge is received. The potential voltage source includes a magnitude substantially the same as the DC bias but opposite in polarity to offset the DC bias.

The present invention relates to imaging systems and in particular to a high resolution flat panel for radiation imaging and to a compensation circuit for an amplified flat panel for radiation imaging.
Flat panels for radiation imaging have been extensively studied for over ten years, and are well known in the art. Examples of flat panels for radiation imaging can be found in the following patents:
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,132,541, 5,184,018, 5,396,072 and 5,315,101 assigned to Philips;
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,785,186 and 5,017,989 assigned to Xerox;
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,382,187, 4,799,094, 4,810,881, and 4,945,243 assigned to Thomson-CSF;
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,182,624, 5,254,480, 5,368,882, 5,420,454, 5,436,458 and 5,444,756 assigned to 3M;
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,079,426 and 5,262,649 assigned to Michigan University;
U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,340,988, 5,399,884, 5,480,810, 5,480,812 and 5,187,369 assigned to General Electric; and
U.S. Pat. No. 5,315,102 assigned to Fuji Xerox.
One type of flat panel radiation imaging system includes a thick amorphous selenium (axe2x80x94Se) film on an array of pixels such as that described in the article entitled xe2x80x9cFlat Panel Detector for Digital Radiology Using Active Matrix readout of Amorphous Selenium,xe2x80x9d by W. Zhao et al., Medical Imaging 96, SPIE Conference, SPIE 2708, February 1996. In this flat panel radiation imaging system, the pixels are arranged in rows and columns with each pixel including a TFT switch. Gate lines interconnect the TFT switches in each row of the array while source or data lines interconnect the TFT switches in each column of the array. The thick amorphous selenium film is deposited directly on top of the TFT switch array and a top electrode overlies the amorphous selenium film.
When x-rays are incident on the amorphous selenium film and the top electrode is biased with a high voltage, electron-hole pairs are separated by the electric field across the thickness of the amorphous selenium film. The holes, which are driven by the electric field, move toward the pixel electrodes (i.e. the drain electrodes of the TFT switches) and accumulate in a storage capacitor in each pixel. This results in a charge being held by the pixel electrodes which can be used to develop an x-ray image.
The charges held by the pixel electrodes are read on a row-by-row basis by supplying gating pulses to each gate line in succession. When a gating pulse is supplied to a gate line, the TFT switches of the pixels in the row associated with that gate line turn on, allowing the signal charges stored in the storage capacitor of those pixels to flow to the source lines. Ideally, the TFT switches of the array should be controlled only by the potential voltage on the gate electrode. However, stray electric fields from the amorphous selenium film and the top electrode, which can be up to 10V/m, can have significant effects on the channel conductance of the TFT switches unless special shielding techniques are used. One such shielding technique is to provide a dual-gate structure in the TFT switches. In these TFT switches, one gate is disposed below the semiconductor channel layer and the other gate is positioned above the semiconductor channel layer. The two gates are electrically connected together. An example of a dual-gate TFT switch is disclosed in xe2x80x9cIEEE Transactions on Electronic Devices-28, No.6, pp.740-743, Jun. 1981xe2x80x9d by F. C. Luo et al.
Also, in medical x-ray imaging systems, signal levels are generally much lower than visible light imaging systems, in order to minimize the exposure of patients to x-rays. Therefore, in order to obtain high resolution, a high signal to noise ratio is extremely important. In order to improve the signal to noise ratio in x-ray imaging systems, amplified imaging pixels for flat panels have been considered such as those described in the xe2x80x9cIEEE Journal of Solid-State Circuits, Vol. SC-4, No.6, pp. 333-342, December 1969xe2x80x9d by S. G. Chamberlain and in the xe2x80x9cProceedings of IEDM""93, pp 575-578, December 1993xe2x80x9d by H. Kawashima et al.
In order to reduce the switch noise caused by parasitic capacitance distributed along the source lines and maximize the signal to noise ratio, a charge amplifier is provided for each column of TFT switches in the pixel array. The charge amplifiers sense the charges on the source lines when a row of pixels is gated and provide output voltage signals proportional to the charges and hence, proportional to the exposure of the pixels to radiation. Unfortunately, by providing a charge amplifier for each source line, two problems result. Firstly, in large format radiation imaging systems which include in excess of one thousand (1000) source lines, the cost associated with the charge amplifiers is significant. Secondly, in high resolution radiation imaging systems that have a small pixel pitch, it is difficult to wire-bond the charge amplifiers to each source line. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved high resolution flat panel for radiation imaging.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a novel high resolution flat panel for radiation imaging and a compensation circuit for an amplified flat panel which obviates or mitigates at least one of the above-mentioned problems.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a flat panel for radiation imaging comprising:
a radiation transducer to be exposed to incident radiation;
an array of pixels on one side of said radiation transducer, each of said pixels including a storage capacitor to store signal charge proportional to the exposure of said radiation transducer to radiation in the vicinity of said pixels;
a plurality of gate lines interconnecting the rows of pixels in said array, said gate lines receiving gate pulses to allow said pixels to be selected on a row-by-row basis;
a plurality of source lines interconnecting the columns of pixels in said array to allow the signal charges held by the storage capacitors of said selected pixels to be sensed, at least one pair of adjacent pixels in each row sharing a source line; and
control means to control selection of the pixels sharing a source line so that the signal charge stored by the storage capacitor of only one pixel of each pair can be sensed by way of a shared source line at a time when said row of pixels is selected.
Preferably, the flat panel has multiple pairs of adjacent pixels in each row that share source lines. In one embodiment, during the first half time period of a gate pulse, the control means biases one pixel of the pairs of pixels sharing a source line to allow the signal charges held by those one pixels to be selected in response to the gate pulse, and during the remaining half time period of the gate pulse, the control means biases the other pixel of the pairs of pixels sharing a source line to allow the signal charges held by those other pixels to be selected in response to the gate pulse.
It is also preferred that the flat panel includes refresh means to refresh the storage capacitors of the pixels after the signal charges held thereby have been sensed. In one embodiment, each row of pixels is refreshed as the next row of pixels is being selected. In a different embodiment, the pixels of the flat panel are refreshed after all of the rows of pixels have been selected.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a compensation circuit for use in a high resolution amplified flat panel for radiation imaging comprising:
an amplifier having an input terminal to receive amplified signal charge output on a source line by a selected pixel of said flat panel in response to a gate pulse, said amplified signal charge having a dc bias; and
switch means to connect said input terminal to a potential voltage source when said amplified charge is received, said potential voltage source having a magnitude substantially the same as said dc bias but opposite in polarity to offset said dc bias.
The present invention provides advantages in that the need for a charge amplifier associated with each column of TFI switches in the array is obviated. This is achieved by allowing adjacent pixels in the rows of the array to share a source line and therefore a charge amplifier. The pixels sharing a source line are gated at different times to ensure that the signal charge stored by only one of those pixels is applied to a shared source line at a time to avoid mixing of signal charges and therefore maintain high resolution.

Compensation circuit for use in a high resolution amplified flat panel for radiation imaging


A fabric vehicle roof is made up of a panel of translucent material. Indicia is printed onto one or both sides of the fabric, with the indicia comprised of non-opaque dyes. The roof is further coated with a water resistant coating and, alternatively, ultraviolet light protectants and other additives.

Recreational vehicles are often very open in that they may have little or no tops or minimal coverage protecting a driver and passenger from outside air. A classic outdoor fun vehicle is a JEEP®. Many variations in custom construction are known for JEEP® vehicles including a fabric roof, also called a soft top. With a soft top, a JEEP® vehicle is still generally open around the sides and back of the vehicle. Similar soft-top type constructions are available with other trucks and off road vehicles. There are also similar constructions with respect to boats where small tops offer some protection from sun and rain but still allow free air flow around a captain and passengers.
Existing vehicle roofs are very limited in their visual creativity. Existing roofs are often made from vinyl or other opaque material to shield sun and water from an occupant in the vehicle. These materials also completely block sunlight from reaching the inside of the vehicle through the top. As a result, these types of tops have very drab appearances.


A manual transmission shifter for operating a pair of transmission control cables includes a shift lever, a base, and a cross having first and second axles defining the first and second intersecting orthogonal axes. The first axle ends are pivotally mounted on the base for pivotal movement. A shift lever bracket mounts the shift lever and has a pair of spaced legs which are pivotally mounted on the second axle ends to enable relative pivotal movement of the shift lever about the second axis. A cable control member is attached at its lower end to one of the control cables and has a pair of spaced flanges at its upper end which are pivotally attached to the second axle outwardly of the shift lever bracket legs to enable pivotal movement of the cable control member about the second axis independent of pivotal movement of the shift lever. A bellcrank is pivotally mounted on the base on a third axis that is coplanar with the orthogonal axes. A control arm mounted on the shift lever bracket has a universal connection to a shoe slidably received in a slot in one leg of the bellcrank. This enables operation of the shift lever and cross about the second axis to operate the one cable without moving the other cable.

This invention relates generally to manual transmission shifters and, more particularly, to a manual transmission shifter which operates two control cables that move independently of each other.
Shifters for operating manual transmissions have been in existence for decades. These shifters have taken many forms and have been located in many different positions on a vehicle. Some shifters are mounted directly atop the transmission and control the transmissions by directly moving levers.
Other shifters have been mounted on the vehicle's steering column remote from the transmission and operate the transmission by a series of articulated linkages. Currently, most shifters are floor-mounted at a location remote from the transmission. Recently, vehicles have become smaller, more compact and burdened with under-floor pollution control equipment. This has complicated the use of articulated linkages, because there is no longer an uncluttered straight path between the shifter and the transmission.
Accordingly, so-called "cable shifters" have been developed. These shifters manipulate two Bowden, or push-pull, cables to operate the transmission. An early example of a cable shifter of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,143,560 to Kinkade et al. which features a ball shifter which operates a pair of transmission control cables by moving a shift lever about intersecting orthogonal shift lever axes. One of the control cables is operated directly by a lower extension of the shift lever when the lever is moved about one of the shift lever axes. The other cable is indirectly operated by a bellcrank which is pivoted by movement of the shift lever about the other shift lever axis.
One problem encountered with this type of shifter is lateral flexing movement of the directly-operated cable when the other cable is operated by the shift lever. In an attempt to overcome this problem, a depending pivoted link was interposed between the shift lever and the directly-operated control cable. This arrangement is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,135 to LaRocca et al. which features a similar ball shifter which operates two transmission control cables by moving a shift lever about intersecting orthogonal axes. This arrangement reduces the unwanted lateral flexing movement of the cable. However, this movement is not eliminated and the added pivot point introduces a point of potential looseness, or "play" in the linkage.
It would be desirable to provide a shifter which controls two transmission control cables by moving the shift lever about orthogonal axes to operate one cable without moving the non-operated cable.
It would also be desirable to provide such a shifter which eliminates "play" in the cable control linkage.


A Shotgun Cleaning Shell for cleaning the bore of a shotgun, wherein the shell comprises: a cylindrical shell case, a head connected to an end of the case, a seal connected to the other end of the case, a bead contained within the case, a cord wherein an end of the cord is connected to the bead, at least one cleaning member connected to the cord, a squeegee connected to the other end of the cord, a tubular member connected to the squeegee and wherein the bead is contiguous the other end of the tubular member, a propellant device attached to the head and within the tubular member, wherein, the propellant device propels the bead through a bore of a shotgun, the bead exiting the bore, and wherein a user can propel the at least one cleaning member and the squeegee along the bore of the shotgun.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to a disposable cleaning device for use in shotguns which fits inside a standard shotgun shell casing that mimics traditional cleaning methods and allows the user to simply fire the gun and slowly pull on a cord in order to clean a shotgun bore.
2. Background Art
The use of shotguns is very popular in the United States and abroad. Shotguns, however, like all other guns require regular cleaning in order to keep the gun in the best condition possible. In fact, a shotgun must be cleaned after each use. One of the main areas of shotgun which requires regular cleaning is the bore.
Because of the inconvenience and time required to clean a shotgun, most shotgun owners (as much as 80%) do not clean their shotguns at all.
Currently, there are several basic types of bore cleaning systems known in the art. The first is the most commonly known and most traditional method of using a cleaning "kit". These kits consist of a long rod that can be assembled for running cotton wads laced with solvents or oils down the barrel. The user typically assembles a three part rod which, as an assembly, has one end that that looks like a large version of the "eye of a needle". The user "threads" a thin cotton pad thru the eye and dips it in a bottle of gun bore solvents which when applied repeatedly to the gun bore via the assembled rod acts as a to dissolve much of the residue left in a shotgun bore from use. These solvents are almost always distillates of petroleum based chemicals.
Next, the eye is unscrewed and a metal wire brush is attached to the assembled rod. The user then passes the brush through the bore several times depending on the severity of the glazing or residue build up.
The user then usually does another solvent swipe followed by a dry wad cleaning. After that the user then reattaches the eye and pours gun oil on a threaded cotton pad and coats the bore with gun oil.
The second method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,740,883 issued to Kyle. This patent describes a barrel or bore cleaning device which is simply a shotgun shell containing low density randomly woven resilient organic material which is propelled along the bore when primer in the shell is detonated. The organic material scrapes the bore of the shotgun while it passes through the bore removing the residue in the bore.
A third method is described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,765,740 issued to J. W. Norman. This patent discloses a bore cleaning shell that uses a cleaning wad comprising two spaced apart parallel discs filled with spongy or compressible material between them. A weight assembly comprised of two spaced apart parallel discs which are filled with rigid material between them. The weight assembly is connected to coiled wire springs. When the gun is fired, the weight assembly is moved out of the barrel. The springs then stretch, pulling the cleaning wad through the barrel. Once, fired, the cleaning is essentially complete.
A fourth device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,476,047 issued to D. M. Davis which describes a shell for cleaning a shotgun. In the Davis shell, a piercing needle is used to puncture the thin wall of a seal, allowing compressed gas contained in a chamber to escape the shell and force the contents of the shell through the shotgun barrel. A coarse scrubbing wad then cleans the debris from the barrel. A knife edge crimp slices plastic containers containing cleaning solvent and antirust when the shell is exploded allowing the solvent and antirust to leave the shell.
These various methods, however, tend to force the cleaning materials and solutions through the bore so quickly that the solutions do not have time to act on the residue in the bore. Additionally, many of the previous methods use "gun powder" to propel the cleaning devices, thereby causing the bore to be contaminated with gun powder residue defeating the purpose of the cleaning method. The methods also may potentially cause injury as cleaning materials are shot out of the bore at a high rate of speed. Accordingly, what is needed are improvements in a shotgun cleaning shell which thoroughly clean the bore of a shotgun while eliminating a majority of the potential that injury could be caused.


A handle system for a tool to fit the fingers of a hand of a user. At least two individual segments disposed adjacent to one another along a center sleeve. Projections and cooperating counterbores are formed on the edges of the respective segments such that the segments nest on the handle. The segments are axially slidable with respect to one another to accommodate the fingers of the hand. The segments may have grooves to receive the respective fingers. In a possible alternate embodiment, a center ridge is formed on each segment to be received between the fingers of the user's hand. In a system alternate embodiment, a removable handle system for a tool has individual axially slidable keyed or unkeyed segments on a center member. The center member engages the handle of the tool.

The present invention relates to a handle system for tools and in particular, to individual segments which cover the tool handle and which are contoured, and can move to fit the hand of the user.
Tool handles are configured in many designs intended to facilitate use of the tool by the user. Most handles are configured to be comfortable for the user and many have contours to accommodate the separate fingers of the user's hand.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,091,458 to Sleight discloses an adjustable handgrip which has either separate finger numbers or a tube with finger stalls provided with teeth to improve the grip. The finger members have an inner surface provided with suction cups to hold the members on the handle.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,981,043 to Curry discloses a slidable hand grip for a tool which normally requires the use of two hands. The gripping portion is relatively rigid and is disposed between compressible end pieces.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,617,697 to David discloses a handle adapter constructed in a manner enabling the user to shape the external surface to conform to the grip of the user's hand. The adapter is a pouch with flexible walls which is folded in two and disposed over the handle. U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,495 to Dellis discloses hand grips which are placed on the handle, heated and fitted to the user's fingers. The grip retains the configuration when cooled.
There is a need for a handle for a tool which will accommodate the fingers of any user, irrespective of the size or configuration of the user's fingers and hand. The handle must be self-adjusting to enable use by users with large, medium or small hands. A need further exists for a self-adjusting, universally sized handle system which can be fitted on standard tool handles.


A backlight module includes a frame (55) including a spring element (556), a light guide plate (56) disposed in the frame including an incident surface (561), and a radiation element (59) being pressed onto the incident surface by the spring element. The spring element presses the radiation elements against the light guide plate, and thereby decreases the distance and angle between the radiation elements and the light guide plate. This improves the brightness and uniformity of the emitting luminance of the backlight module.

Conventionally, an LCD device includes a backlight module, a liquid crystal panel, and a frame for accommodating the backlight module and the liquid crystal panel.
FIG. 6 shows a schematic, top view of a conventional LCD 300. The LCD 300 includes a flexible printed circuit (FPC) board 310, a liquid crystal display panel 320, a rubber frame 330, two light emitting diodes (LEDs) 340 cooperatively serving as a light source, and a light guide plate 400.
The FPC 310 connects with the liquid crystal display panel 320, and includes a main circuit area 311 and a light source setting area 312. The light source setting area 312 is an appending portion extending from the main circuit area 311. The LEDs 340 are arranged on the light source setting area 312. The frame 330 includes a depressed portion 331, and the depressed portion 331 has two openings 332.
The LCD 300 can be assembled according to the following sequence: firstly, setting the light guide plate 400 inside the frame 330; secondly, arranging the light source setting area 312 into the depressed portion 331, and placing the LEDs 340 into the openings 332; thirdly, folding the main circuit area 311 to the frame 330 and the light guide plate 400; and lastly, folding the liquid crystal display panel 320 to the frame 330.
However, the above-mentioned conventional liquid crystal display has the following problems.
The sizes of the openings 332 may not precisely match the sizes of the LEDs 340 due to imprecise manufacturing. When this happens, small gaps exist between the LEDs 340 and the light guide plate 400 after assembly. These gaps may diminish the emitting luminance of the light guide plate 400. In addition, the FPC 310 easily bends, thereby changing angles between the LEDs 340 and the light guide plate 400. This can reduce the uniformity of the emitting luminance.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing the negative impact of the above mentioned gaps on the effective utilization of the emitting luminance. X represents the distance between the LEDs 340 and the incident surface (not labeled) of the light guide plate 400 in millimeters (mm), and Y represents the relative emitting luminance of the light guide plate 400 as a function of X. It can be seen that the greater the value of X, the lower the value of Y. That is, the greater the gap, the lower the value of the relative emitting luminance.
What is needed, therefore, is a backlight module and a liquid crystal display device using the same that overcome the above-described deficiencies.

Backlight module and liquid crystal display device using the same


Disclosed herein is a microwave oven having an improved structure with which foods can be effectively heated. The microwave oven includes: a housing including a cooking chamber having a bottom surface; at least one first reflective portion formed on the bottom surface of the cooking chamber; a magnetron provided to generate microwave radiation; and a tray disposed apart from the bottom surface of the cooking chamber and supporting food to be heated. The at least one first reflective portion extends a given height (h) above a reference level (RL).

1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a microwave oven, and more particularly a microwave oven having an improved structure with which foods can be effectively heated.
2. Description of the Related Art
Microwave ovens are cookware heating foods using a property of electromagnetic radiation called microwaves. Microwave ovens generate heat from the inside of food to heat the food through dielectric heating.
When electromagnetic radiation having a high frequency penetrates into the food, it induces water polar molecules inside the food to rotate, and it produces thermal energy. Food is heated in the microwave ovens due to consumption of this energy.
Quality of food cooked by a microwave oven is determined according to how even temperature distribution inside the food is. To even the temperature distribution inside the food, the microwaves should be evenly applied to the entirety of the food.
Therefore, studies of methods by which microwaves can be evenly applied to food are actively in progress.


A magnetic frame assembly includes an outer portion including an outer perimeter, an inner perimeter, a front side and a back side; an inner portion configurable with said outer portion, said inner portion including an outer perimeter, a front side and a back side, and a magnetic material disposed on at least one of the back side of the outer portion and the back side of the inner portion. The inner perimeter of the outer portion defines a nesting region configurable with the outer perimeter of the inner portion such that said inner portion is removably insertable into said nesting region.

The display of various types of materials (e.g. artwork, photographs, schedules, calendars, etc.) on metallic surfaces may be used to decorate what might otherwise be a relatively unattractive surface, or to provide easy access to important information. Some display materials are designed to include magnetic substances as components in their design in order to facilitate adherence of the display material to the metallic surface. Other display materials which do not include magnetic substances and which are non-magnetic by nature, for example, photographs or pieces of artwork, require the use of a separate magnet to anchor the display material to the metallic surface.
Magnetic frames having an improved configuration which may be used to attractively frame and hold frameable materials on metallic surfaces would be desirable.

Magnetic frame assembly and magnetic frame


To determine an inhomogeneous roadway in μ-split situation during active ABS control and active yaw torque control (YTC) of a front wheel (HM-wheel) on the high-coefficient-of-friction side, it is arranged that at least the following conditions must be satisfied before the μ-split situation is flagged:                a) a front wheel (LM wheel) undergoes ABS control in a pressure reduction phase; a1) the LM front wheel is in the first ABS control cycle;        b) the LM front wheel exhibits a deceleration exceeding a defined threshold;        c) the locking pressure level of the LM front wheel is lower than a defined threshold;        d) the front wheel on the high-coefficient-of-friction side (HM wheel) exhibits a filtered deceleration that is lower than a defined threshold;        e) the vehicle deceleration calculated by ABS is lower than a defined threshold.

The present invention relates to a method of determining an inhomogeneous roadway in a driving situation of vehicles, which are disposed on a roadway having sidewise different coefficients of friction, during active ABS control and active yaw torque control (YTC) of a front wheel (HM-wheel) on the high-coefficient-of-friction side, and to a method of generating an additive additional moment at the steering wheel or at the wheels of a vehicle, in which case the additional moment is applied depending on a driving situation to a roadway with sidewise different coefficients of friction (μ-split).
During braking on inhomogeneous roadways (i.e. roads with different coefficients of friction on the left and the right vehicle side), asymmetrical brake forces occur due to the different coefficients of friction (right-left). The result of the asymmetric brake forces is a yaw torque around the vertical axis of the vehicle, which causes the vehicle to carry out a yaw movement towards the side of the road with the higher coefficient of friction (see FIG. 1).
Vehicles, which are not equipped with the electronic brake system ABS, become unstable in such driving situations since the cornering force of the tires gets lost when the wheels block. The yaw torque resulting from the asymmetrical brake forces causes the vehicle to turn quickly around its vertical axis towards the side with the high coefficient of friction (swerve).
In order to prevent the wheels of the motor vehicle from blocking in consequence of excessive brake pressure generated by the vehicle operator when the brake is applied, with the motor vehicle losing its stability or its steerability as a result, the hydraulic brake system of the vehicle is equipped with an anti-lock control device, i.e. it is configured as a hydraulic brake system with anti-lock control.
When an imminent locked condition of one or more of the vehicle wheels is detected, an anti-lock control device is used to automatically modulate the brake pressure independently of the brake pedal force generated by the operator at least in part of the hydraulic brake system, i.e. the brake pressure is decreased, maintained constant and re-increased long until the tendency to lock no longer prevails. Hence follows that the general objective of anti-lock devices for hydraulic motor vehicle brake systems is to safeguard the directional stability and the steerability of the vehicle as well as shortest possible stopping or braking distances, in particular on slippery roadways and with maximum operation of the service brake system (e.g. during panic stops).
On roadways with coefficients of friction on the right/left side (μ-split) of a remarkably differently high rate, however, the directional and driving stability will be reduced due to the very differently high rates of effective brake forces on the right and the left vehicle wheels. This major asymmetry and imbalance of the effective brake forces on the right and the left vehicle sides will generate a more or less great yaw torque that turns the vehicle about its vertical axis depending on these asymmetric forces. To counteract this condition and preserve the directional and driving stability, i.e. to keep the vehicle on course, the operator would have to manipulate the steering wheel in this situation with an extremely quick reaction for correcting purposes, but even skilled drivers will manage to do so in such emergency situations only rarely to a more or less satisfying degree.
Thus, there is a general conflict of goals in such situations for anti-lock controlled hydraulic brake systems for motor vehicles. One objective is to achieve maximum short braking or stopping distances, on the one hand, however, it is also important to maintain the directional and driving stability as well as the steerability of the vehicle in a braking maneuver, on the other hand.
Therefore, it has meanwhile become the generally binding philosophy of the manufacturers and users of anti-lock controlled hydraulic motor vehicle brake systems to give priority to the preservation of the directional and driving stability as well as the steerability of the vehicle over reaching shortest possible stopping distances.
The ABS control strategy is adapted in such driving situations in order to maintain the directional and driving stability of the vehicle. In this case, at least the two rear wheels undergo anti-lock control according to the so-called 'Select-Low' principle, i.e. depending on the vehicle wheel that is operated with the lowest coefficient of friction at that moment. This implies that in the service situation described above only the same comparatively low brake pressure is applied to the brake of the rear wheel rotating at the higher coefficient of friction μ that is applied to the brake of the other rear wheel that rotates on the lower coefficient of friction, although the first-mentioned wheel could be braked to a greater degree without locking on account of its higher coefficient of friction. Thus, equally great or equally low brake forces are applied to both rear wheels so that these do not contribute to yaw torque generation. Since the rear wheel rotating at the higher coefficient of friction is braked to a less intense degree than possible, this wheel possesses a correspondingly high potential to govern lateral forces what is of benefit to the directional and driving stability of the vehicle.
The price paid for the good directional and driving stability implies in each case longer stopping distances since the vehicle wheels rotating at higher coefficients of friction are braked at a reduced rate in this control principle than the adhesion coefficient prevailing in this case would per se allow.
If the two front-wheel brakes are anti-lock protected individually by devices of their own in an anti-lock hydraulic motor vehicle brake system with rear wheels being anti-lock controlled according to the 'Select-Low' principle, it is conventional practice to weaken the effect of yaw torque, which possibly develops due to differently great brake forces on the right and the left front wheels, by a so-called 'Yaw Torque Limitation (YTL)' that is superimposed on the individual anti-lock control of the two front wheels. The overriding 'Yaw Torque Limitation' ensures that the brake pressure at the front wheel (HM wheel) rotating at the higher coefficient of friction builds up more slowly than it would per se be possible in order to use the resulting delayed buildup of yaw torque to give the operator additional time to react, i.e. for countersteering. Of course, the overriding 'Yaw Torque Limitation' also contributes to an additional certain worsening of the attainable braking and stopping distance.
Document 39 25 828 A1 discloses anti-lock control with YTL which, for the determination of the pressure difference, measures the pressure on the right and left wheel introduced by the driver and determines the admissible pressure difference by way of a comparison between the nominal pressure and the actual pressure. Moreover, DE 41 14 734 A1 describes an anti-lock system with YTL, which manages without pressure sensors and, based on pressure reduction signals, continuously determines a value representative of the pressure difference of the two wheels of the one axle.
Furthermore, DE 44 41 624 A1 discloses a 'Yaw Torque Limitation' which starts a special control mode during braking maneuvers on roadways with μ-split patches. The differences in brake pressure reduction on the front wheels, the vehicle speed, the slip of the LM front wheel, the period of instability of the LM front wheel, and the HM wheel are assessed as prescribed criteria for the activation of the special mode conditions.
There is no special μ-split detection in an anti-lock control with 'Select-Low' and YTL, FIGS. 2a and 2b showing its principal pressure variations. The result is that frequently YTL is detected, even if the vehicle is braking on a homogeneous roadway. When one front wheel enters ABS control, pressure is stopped immediately on the other front wheel, the HM wheel. A so-called sympathy reduction pulse can be carried out after the pressure stop at the high coefficient-of friction wheel when the wheel behavior on the low coefficient-of friction side exhibits a certain dynamics. Further, the difference in pressure develops only slowly. A more precise detection of the inhomogeneous roadway is unnecessary in the YTL because the described behavior does not cause any essential loss in brake efficiency or loss in stability. The two front wheels have the same locking pressure level because the roadway is homogeneous. Therefore, the alleged high coefficient-of-friction wheel is close to the locking pressure level. This is why an undesirable YTL intervention is acceptable.
A motor vehicle with an anti-lock hydraulic brake system with YTL is known in the art (DE 40 38 079 A1). This system compensates the yaw torque developing in a μ-split driving situation during ABS control in that a compensation steering angle, which depends on the difference between the separately controlled brake pressures, is adjusted or superposed on the steering angle predetermined by the driver, respectively. The autonomous compensation steering angle improves the maneuverability in a braking maneuver on inhomogeneous roadways. The μ-split driving situation is determined based on the measured brake pressures or the brake pressures assessed by an assessing algorithm by way of the output data of the ABS valve actuation times.
This μ-split detection for vehicles with active steering, which is based on the calculation of the difference in pressures at the front axle between the wheels on the high and the low-coefficient-of-friction side results in that the detection occurs late. Therefore, the steering intervention cannot be initiated sufficiently early. The braking effect is hence not optimal. The risk of erroneous detection is also given because the wheel behavior is not analyzed. An erroneous YTL detection impairs the comfort or even the stability of the vehicle in an autonomous steering intervention.
In view of the above, it is an object of the invention to provide a μ-split detection in the anti-lock controller which can be used by an active steering system.

Method of controlling an inhomogeneous roadway


A CMOS single chip includes a movable film, at least one support pillar, a base metal layer and a circuit integration. The movable film is disposed on a top layer of the CMOS single chip and has a plurality of through-vias. The support pillar is disposed under the movable film to provide a supporting force of the movable film. The base metal layer is formed under the support pillars and isolated from the support pillars, and faces towards the movable film to form a micro capacitor to sense one of the outside sensing signals. The area of the base metal layer is larger than the area of the movable film. The circuit integration is formed under the base metal layer, or formed under the base metal layer and on the side of the movable film, and connected to the movable film and the base metal layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates to a semiconductor technology, more particularly to a CMOS sensing component with a support pillar.
2. Description of the Related Art
A capacitive plate manufactured by micro electro mechanical system (MEMS) technology can be applied widely, for example, in fields of inertial sensor, sound sensor, fluid sensor, tactile sensor, pressure sensor, and actuator and so on. For nice sensing effect, a comb electrode or mass block is often used in the capacitive plate to achieve better sensitivity. Generally speaking, the capacitive plate manufactured by MEMS process is totally different from a standard Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS) device. Currently, the capacitive plate manufactured by MEMS technology has higher cost, and the capacitive plate manufactured by the standard CMOS process has relative low cost.
The capacitive plate, manufactured by MEMS process or CMOS process, has an essential structure that is movable component. The movable component must be supported well to stably generate desired physical variation (such as deformation or displacement), and then generate the sensing signal according to the physical variation. The way of supporting the movable component is to use at least one support pillar.
Currently, the support pillar, manufactured by MEMS process or CMOS process, is formed by a metal pillar encapsulated with oxide layer and has just normal strength. Therefore, what is need is to develop a support pillar having the same size but better strength, to improve the stability of the movable component and extend lifetime of the movable component.


A method of stimulating seedling growth which comprises applying a coal-derived oxidation product to the medium in which the seedling is growing. The product is in the form of a solution or a slurry having a pH in the range of 2 to 12 and has the following elemental and functional group analysis (on an air-dried basis):. ______________________________________ ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS Element Range (%) ______________________________________ Carbon 30-70 Hydrogen 2-6 Nitrogen 0.1-5 Sulphur 0.1-10 Oxygen 15-45 ______________________________________ FUNCTIONAL GROUP ANALYSIS Functional Group Range (meq/g) ______________________________________ Total acidity 3-13 Carboxylic groups 0.5-12 Phenolic groups 0.5-9 ______________________________________

This invention relates to seedling growth stimulation.
The production of seedlings constitutes a very major market. This market includes seedlings which are produced for sale to others and seedlings which are produced for the producers' own use, e.g. in forest stations. There are many advantages in producing seedlings which grow to a required size quickly and which produce good, strong root growth. Seedling growth stimulants are available on the market, but they tend to be rather expensive.

Coal derived oxidation product for seedling growth stimulation


An apparatus and method for controlling a disk drive is provided. A disk lubricant sweep component for periodically initiates a disk lubricant spreading action. A disk data read check component checks data at one or more LBAs during the disk lubricant sweep. The apparatus may cache data from LBAs that have been checked by the disk data read check component and found correct and record LBAs that have been found correct, so that they can be omitted from subsequent operation of the read check component. The apparatus may further comprise an error checking and correcting component for checking and correcting data found incorrect by reason of a soft error, and an error reporting component for reporting on one or more LBAs that have been checked and found incorrect by reason of a hard error.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a technology for controlling disk drives, and in particular to a technology for controlling read checking of disk data with reduced overhead.
2. Background Information
In certain arrangements of Redundant Arrays of Inexpensive Disks (RAID arrays), facilities are provided for rebuilding data from a failed disk using data from other disks in the array. This is usually achieved by distributing (striping) copies of data from each disk across the other disks in the array, so that it can be retrieved and assembled together on a spare disk if a disk fails.
During RAID array rebuilds, failing hardware and firmware may encounter one or more further errors that prevent array rebuilds from completing and that may result in loss of access to data. When such a double fault occurs within a RAID array, the second fault is typically not discovered until the recovery action to rectify the first fault is implemented.
In a RAID array, when an array member disk is lost due to a hardware or software failure, an attempt is made to rebuild it with a 'spare disk', assuming of course that one is available. This reconstruction is achieved by reading data from the existing available disks. However if in the meantime a logical byte address (LBA) on another disk within the same array has also become corrupted but gone unnoticed—this will cause a problem and is often referred to as a "silent error".
One existing technique to reduce the likelihood of this silent error is an action called "data scrubbing". Depending upon how data scrubbing or any other active data integrity tool has been set up, the error may still not be found until a read is attempted, for the first time, to that particular LBA as part of the attempt to rebuild the array. This 'double hit' means that the array rebuild for the data from that particular LBA area cannot be successfully completed and the data is lost.
A conventional data scrubbing operation as known in the art is instigated by the host operating system and is set up by the customer and tailored for the system's individual needs. In most cases this is configured to run on either on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. In the worse case scenario, LBAs may thus only be checked every 30 days—assuming, of course, that data scrubbing is activated at all.
It would thus be desirable to have a technology for controlling disk drives, and in particular a technology for controlling read checking of disk data with reduced overhead.

Apparatus and method for disk read checking

International Business Machines Corporation


The present disclosure provides a semiconductor structure. The semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a target layer, a plurality of metal pads, a plurality of conductive lines, a plurality of conductive plugs, an isolating liner, and a plurality of metal contacts. The semiconductor substrate has a front surface, a rear surface opposite to the front surface, and an implanted region connected to the rear surface. The target layer is disposed over the front surface. The metal pads are disposed over the target layer. The plurality of conductive lines are disposed within the semiconductor substrate and the target layer and connected to the metal pads. The conductive plugs are disposed in the implanted region. The isolating liner encircles the conductive plugs. The metal contacts are disposed over the conductive lines and the conductive plugs.

Complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) components are well-known and widely used since CMOS components have advantages, such as lower power consumption and higher noise immunity over a wide range of power supply voltages, compared to other MOS technologies.
The CMOS components at least include a substrate, an n-channel transistor, a p-channel transistor, and a p-type region, wherein the n-channel transistor, the p-channel transistor, and the p-type region are formed on the substrate. Grounding means are used for coupling the p-type region to a predetermined potential such as ground potential.
In general, the p-type region for grounding is formed on the front side of the substrate. The depth of penetration of the implanted ions in the p-type region is limited by the implant energy; as a result, the p-type region has a shallow depth compared to the whole substrate, resulting in poor grounding effect and therefore a poor electrical performance of the CMOS components.
Accordingly, it is desirable to ensure the substrate is completely grounded to improve the electrical performance.
This Discussion of the Background section is provided for background information only. The statements in this Discussion of the Background are not an admission that the subject matter disclosed in this Discussion of the Background section constitute prior art to the present disclosure, and no part of this Discussion of the Background section may be used as an admission that any part of this application, including this Discussion of the Background section, constitutes prior art to the present disclosure.

Semiconductor structure and method for manufacturing the same


A microchip apparatus and method provide fluidic manipulations for a variety of applications, including sample injection for microchip liquid chromatography. The microchip is fabricated using standard photolithographic procedures and chemical wet etching, with the substrate and cover plate joined using direct bonding. Capillary electrophoresis is performed in channels formed in the substrate. Injections are made by electro-osmotically pumping sample through the injection channel that crosses the separation channel, followed by a switching of the potentials to force a plug into the separation channel.

Capillary electrophoresis has become a popular technique for separating charged molecular species in solution. The technique is performed in small capillary tubes to reduce band broadening effects due to thermal convection and hence improve resolving power.
The small tubes imply that minute volumes of materials, on the order of picoliters, must be handled to inject the sample into the separation capillary tube.
Current techniques for injection include electromigration and siphoning of sample from a container into a continuous separation tube. Both of these techniques suffer from relatively poor reproducibility, and electromigration additionally suffers from electrophoretic mobility-based bias. For both sampling techniques the input end of the analysis capillary tube must be transferred from a buffer reservoir to a reservoir holding the sample. Thus, a mechanical manipulation is involved. For the siphoning injection, the sample reservoir is raised above the buffer reservoir holding the exit end of the capillary for a fixed length of time.
An electromigration injection is effected by applying an appropriately polarized electric potential across the capillary tube for a given duration while the entrance end of the capillary is in the sample reservoir. This can lead to sampling bias because a disproportionately larger quantity of the species with higher electrophoretic mobilities migrate into the tube. The capillary is removed from the sample reservoir and replaced into the entrance buffer reservoir after the injection duration for both techniques.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,908,112 to Pace describes a micro-machined structure that includes a channel for the separation and a separate channel that meets the separation channel in a T-intersection and contains electrodes to produce electroosmotic flow for injection of sample into the separation channel.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,141,621 to Zare et al. discloses a capillary electrophoresis method and apparatus which applies a potential at two buffer reservoirs located at opposite ends of a capillary column. Samples are introduced without the need to disengage the electyric field, due to the fact that the injector is grounded.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,110,431 to Moring describes a crossing flow pattern using conventional capillary tubing with minimal resolution loss for the purpose of post column introduction of reactive substances to aid in detection.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,092,973 to Zare et al. describes a capillary with rectangular geometry, which certain specified advantages in a capillary electrophoresis technique.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,239 to Hjerten discloses the use of two capillaries to deliver sample by electroendosmotic flow into a closed container whose major exit is through the separating column.
A continuing need exists for methods and apparatuses which lead to improved electrophoretic resolution and improved injection stability.

Apparatus and method for performing microfluidic manipulations for chemical analysis


A tub (1) for a clothes washing-machine, in particular of the domestic type which houses a rotating drum (2) within which the washing load is placed, said washing tub (1) consisting of a peripheral cylindrical housing formed by a tub front section (3) and a tub rear section (4) which are joined at their respective plastic material edges (31, 41), enclosing the drum (2) in their interior, by the fusion welding of the plastic materials of said edges (31, 41), forming a weld bead (5a, 5b) between the tub front section (3) and the tub rear section (4) where the edges (31, 41) are joined by at least two joining lines (51, 52, 53, 54), forming at least one chamber (6, 61) between the edges (31, 41) along at least part of the weld bead (5a, 5b).

This invention, as expressed in the title of this specification, relates to a tub for a clothes-washing machine, in particular of the domestic type which houses a rotating drum inside which the washing load is placed; said washing tub consisting of a peripheral, cylindrical housing formed by a tub front-section and a tub rear-section which are joined together at their respective plastic material edges in order to enclose the drum in their interior by means of the fusion welding of the plastic materials of said edges, forming a weld bead between the front and rear sections.
The majority of the tubs existing on the domestic washing-machine market with moulded plastic washing tubs are joined by means of assembly with clips and/or screws. The joint is carried out by joining, by means of clips, the tub front section with the tub rear section, which incorporates the internal features, already assembled, such as the drum, the shaft, etc.
The joining of tubs by means of welding is not new on the market. Among the different welding techniques existing, the most commonly used is welding by vibration. Said vibration may be produced by means of ultrasonics or by friction, and the melting of the material at the joint is based on the application of pressure in order to produce close contact between the items to be welded. In comparison with the solution of tubs joined by means of clips, welded tubs allow the elimination of screws, clips and also the watertight seal, whose inclusion is rendered unnecessary.
Document EP 601 347 B1 discloses a washing-machine, or combined washing- and drying-machine, in particular of a domestic type, which comprises a plastic washing tub which houses a rotating drum within which the washing load is placed; said washing tub consisting essentially of a peripheral, cylindrical, integral housing, with a rear wall and a flange-shaped front wall which incorporates protrusions, moulded separately for their subsequent joining to protrusions on the front opening of the tub by means of the fusion welding of the plastic materials of which said protrusions are made.
Welding of the tubs is usually carried out by means of placing the flat sides of the protrusions face-to-face. The protrusions of the tub and of the front wall are L-shaped in section, and by means of welding, two edges of the protrusions are mutually joined. The pressure is exerted on both joined edges of the protrusions
Welding forms part of the group of permanent joints, but unlike others such as riveting or sticking, it provides certain advantages, such as the speed of manufacture, the high resistance of the joint, and the versatility of the joining process, applicable to a great number of materials and therefore appropriate for polymers or polymer-based compound materials, as is the case with current washing-machine tubs.


A method and apparatus for generating a TSC in a communication system are provided, in which a pair of sequences A and B having auto-correlation and cross-correlation properties are generated and the TSC is generated by inserting guard sequences Z each having z zero symbols in the most significant bits of the sequences A and B.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a method and apparatus for generating a training sequence code in a communication system, and more particularly, to a method and apparatus for generating and applying a training sequence code in a Global System for Mobile Communication/Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (GSM/EDGE) Radio Access Network (RAN) (referred to as GERAN) system.
2. Description of the Related Art
The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Technology Service Group-GERAN (TSG-GERAN) working group is concentrating on GERAN evolution to improve performance in terms of data rate and spectral efficiency. To improve downlink and uplink performance, high-order Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) schemes, 16-ary QAM (16-QAM) and 32-ary QAM (32-QAM), are added to conventional modulation schemes, Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK) and 8-ary Phase Shift Keying (8-PSK).
A conventional symbol rate 170.833 symbols/s is added to a new symbol rate 325 symbols/s to increase data rate and spectral efficiency. The new symbol rate, which is 1.2 times higher than the conventional symbol rate, is applied to both the downlink and the uplink and is expected to be reflected in the GERAN standardization.
As described above, conventional GERAN systems adopt GMSK and 8-PSK. In GMSK, the bandwidth of binary data is limited by use of a Gaussian low pass filter and then frequency-modulated at a predetermined divide ratio. Due to the resulting continuous switching between two frequencies, GMSK boasts excellent spectral density and high spurious suppression. 8-PSK maps data to a phase-modulated code of a carrier, increasing frequency efficiency. For an EDGE/Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS) system, nine coding schemes, i.e. Modulation and Coding Scheme-1 (MCS-1) to MCS-9, are defined for Packet Data Traffic CHannels (PDTCHs). In real communications, one of various modulation and coding scheme combinations is selected. GMSK is used for MCS-1 to MCS-4, while 8-PSK is used for MCS-5 to MCS-9. An MCS is selected according to a measured channel quality.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a downlink transmitter in a conventional GERAN system.
Referring to FIG. 1, a channel encoder 110 encodes a Radio Link Control (RLC) packet data block (referred to as RLC block) by convolutional coding and punctures the coded data in a predetermined puncturing pattern. An interleaver 120 interleaves the punctured data. For allocating the interleaved data to a physical channel, the interleaved data is provided to a multiplexer 140. RLC/Medium Access Control (MAC) header information, an Uplink State Flag (USF), and a code identifier bit 130 are also provided to the multiplexer 140. The multiplexer 140 distributes the collected data to four normal bursts and allocates each burst to a time slot of a Time Division Multiplex Access (TDMA) frame. A modulator 150 modulates the data of each burst. A training sequence rotator 160 adds a Training Sequence Code (TSC) to the modulated data and rotates the phase of the TSC. The phase-rotated data is provided to a transmitter 170. Additional components needed for transmitting the modulated signal, for example, a digital-to-analog converter will not be described in detail herein.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a receiver in the conventional GERAN system.
Referring to FIG. 2, a radio front end 210 receives bursts in time slots through a receive antenna and provides the received data to a training sequence derotator 220 and a buffer and derotator 260. The buffer and derotator 260 buffers and phase-derotates the data. A modulation detector and channel estimator 270 detects a modulation scheme and estimates channel information using the data received from the buffer and derotator 260. The training sequence derotator 220 derotates the phase of the received data in accordance with the operation of the training sequence rotator 160 of the downlink transmitter. An equalizer 230 equalizes and demodulates the phase-derotated data based on the detected modulation scheme and the estimated channel information. A deinterleaver 240 deinterleaves the demodulated data and a channel decoder 250 decodes the deinterleaved data, thus recovering transmitted data.
FIG. 3 illustrates the structure of a normal burst in the conventional GERAN system.
Referring to FIG. 3, for data transmission, a TSC including 26 or 31 symbols is positioned at the center of the normal burst. Eight TSCs are defined in the standard, for actual use for a GSM network and a Mobile Station (MS). One TSC is allocated to each cell. In a receiver, radio channel state information is estimated from the TSC and an equalizer eliminates noise and interference from a received signal based on the channel estimation information. The receiver also measures channel quality or link quality using the TSC and feeds back the channel quality or link quality measurement to a transmitter so that the transmitter can perform Link Quality Control (LQC).
A conventional TSC is composed of codes with excellent cyclic autocorrelation properties. Hence, the conventional TSC has good characteristics when channel estimation is performed on a single channel, neglecting inter-channel interference. However, a cell is designed in a cellular system such that carrier frequencies are reused with a sufficient distance between them, considering CO-Channel Interference (CCI). As the carrier frequencies are reused more often, the CCI increases, significantly affecting the performance of channel estimation and signal detection. In this context, when the CCI is severe in a cellular system such as GSM, the use of joint channel estimation is preferred for accurate channel estimation. In this case, cross-correlation properties between TSCs have a great influence on the performance of the joint channel estimation. Yet, the present GERAN TSCs were designed with no regard to their cross-correlation characteristics. As a consequence, the TSCs degrade system performance under a CCI environment. Moreover, when the conventional TSCs are extended to high-order modulation schemes such as 16-QAM and 32-QAM used in the GERAN evolution system, they may cause the degradation of system performance.

Method and apparatus for generating training sequence code in a communication system


A decarbonating apparatus has a dehumidifying section for adsorbing humidity contained in waste gas and a decarbonating section for adsorbing CO2 contained in the dehumidified waste gas. The decarbonating section includes a decarbonating drum rotor loaded with a CO2 adsorbent having a honeycomb structure and arranged so as to adsorb CO2 contained in the waste gas, a heated gas supply pipe for supplying a heated gas so as to desorb CO2 adsorbed by the CO2 adsorbent, a purge gas supply pipe for supplying a purge gas so as to purge desorbed CO2, and a cooling gas supply pipe for supplying a cooling gas so as to regenerate the CO2 adsorbent. The decarbonating drum rotor is rotated to successively pass through the adsorption region, the desorption region, the purging region, and the regeneration region.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-015892, filed Jan. 25, 2000 the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for continuously adsorbing and removing CO2 from waste gas discharged from a boiler of a thermal power plant or from a combustion furnace of an incinerator.
In order to prevent global warming, it is required to regulate release of CO2 (carbon dioxide) gas, which is a greenhouse effect gas, into the atmosphere. One of methods of suppressing the release of the carbon dioxide gas into the atmosphere is to decarbonate waste gas from a thermal power plant or the like by physical adsorption before the waste gas is released into the atmosphere.
An apparatus for physically adsorbing carbon dioxide gas contained in waste gas having four adsorption towers loaded with an adsorbent, which are operated in parallel, is known to the art. In this case, a granular adsorbent or an adsorbent of honeycomb structure is loaded in each adsorption tower. In the apparatus, supply of waste gas at a low pressure and low temperature, carbon dioxide adsorption under pressure, carbon dioxide desorption by heating, and recovery of desorbed carbon dioxide under a reduced pressure are successively repeated in these four adsorption towers so as to carry out the carbon dioxide adsorption and the regeneration of the adsorbent continuously. However, the conventional apparatus is defective in that the apparatus includes four adsorption towers and, thus, requires a large site.
Japanese Patent Disclosure (Kokai) No. 6-91128 discloses another apparatus for physically adsorbing and removing carbon dioxide contained in waste gas. In this apparatus, waste gas of a low temperature and a high pressure and a regenerating gas of a high temperature and a low pressure are allowed to flow counter-currently through a drum rotor loaded with a granular adsorbent. The drum is rotated while allowing these gases to flow through it so as to carry out continuously adsorption of carbon dioxide gas contained in the waste gas and desorption of carbon dioxide gas adsorbed by the adsorbent.
However, in this apparatus, the waste gas itself having a low temperature and a high pressure is used for cooling the adsorbent. Therefore, carbon dioxide gas within the waste gas is unlikely to be adsorbed until the adsorbent heated by the regenerating gas of a high temperature is cooled sufficiently, leading to the defect that the recovery rate of carbon dioxide gas is low. Also, since the flow rate of the waste gas is markedly lowered in the case of using a granular adsorbent, it is necessary to introduce the entire amount of the waste gas from a flue into the apparatus for processing the waste gas. In addition, in order to prevent the granular adsorbent from being moved and distributed unevenly in accordance with rotation of the drum, it is necessary to arrange a plurality of partitioned chambers within the drum, leading to a complex construction of the apparatus.
An object of the present invention is to provide a decarbonating apparatus simple in construction, not requiring a large space, and capable of continuously recovering carbon dioxide gas from waste gas with a high recovery efficiency.
According to the present invention, there is provided a method for decarbonating waste gas, comprising steps of: rotating a drum rotor loaded with a CO2 adsorbent having a honeycomb structure; allowing the waste gas to flow through a region of the drum rotor so as to permit CO2 contained in the waste gas to be adsorbed by the CO2 adsorbent; supplying a heated gas to a region of the drum rotor so as to desorb CO2 from the CO2 adsorbent; and supplying a cooled gas to a region of the drum rotor so as to regenerate the CO2 adsorbent, wherein these steps are performed simultaneously so as to permit the CO2 adsorbent within the rotating drum rotor to be subjected successively to the CO2 adsorption step, the CO2 desorption step and the regeneration step.
According to the present invention, there is provided a decarbonating apparatus, comprising: a drum rotor loaded with a CO2 adsorbent having a honeycomb structure, the CO2 adsorbent being arranged so as to adsorb CO2 contained in waste gas that is allowed to flow through a region thereof; a heated gas supply pipe for supplying a heated gas to a region of the drum rotor so as to permit adsorbed CO2 to be desorbed from the CO2 adsorbent; a cooling gas supply pipe for supplying a cooling gas to a region of the drum rotor so as to regenerate the CO2 adsorbent; a heated gas recovery pipe for recovering the heated gas that has flowed through the CO2 adsorbent; and a cooling gas recovery pipe for recovering the cooling gas that has flowed through the CO2 adsorbent, wherein the drum rotor is configured to rotate with successively passing through the adsorption region for adsorbing CO2 contained in the waste gas, the desorption region to which the heated gas is supplied, and the regeneration region to which the cooling gas is supplied.
In the present invention, it is desirable to provide a purge region, for purging the CO2 desorbed from the CO2 adsorbent, between the desorption region and the regeneration region. It should be noted that the CO2 desorbed from the CO2 adsorbent by the heating gas can be removed to some extent accompanying with the heating gas. However, it is more desirable to employ purging with a purge gas for achieving removal of the desorbed CO2 without fail.
Namely, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for decarbonating waste gas, comprising steps of: rotating a drum rotor loaded with a CO2 adsorbent having a honeycomb structure; allowing the waste gas to flow through a region of the drum rotor so as to permit CO2 contained in the waste gas to be adsorbed by the CO2 adsorbent; supplying a heated gas to a region of the drum rotor so as to desorb CO2 from the CO2 adsorbent; supplying a purge gas to a region of the drum rotor so as to purge CO2 desorbed from the CO2 adsorbent; and
supplying a cooling gas to a region of the drum rotor so as to regenerate the CO2 adsorbent, wherein these steps are performed simultaneously so as to permit the CO2 adsorbent within the rotating drum rotor to be subjected successively to the CO2 adsorption step, the CO2 desorption step, the CO2 purging step and the regeneration step.
A decarbonating apparatus for carrying out the method described above comprises: a drum rotor loaded with a CO2 adsorbent having a honeycomb structure, the CO2 adsorbent being arranged so as to adsorb CO2 contained in waste gas that is allowed to flow through a region thereof; a heated gas supply pipe for supplying a heated gas to a region of the drum rotor so as to permit adsorbed CO2 to be desorbed from the CO2 adsorbent; a purge gas supply pipe for supplying a purge gas to a region of the drum rotor so as to purge CO2 desorbed from the CO2 adsorbent; a cooling gas supply pipe for supplying a cooling gas to a region of the drum rotor so as to regenerate the CO2 adsorbent; a heated gas recovery pipe for recovering the heated gas that has flowed through the CO2 adsorbent; a purge gas/CO2 recovery pipe for recovering the purge gas that has flowed through the CO2 adsorbent and CO2 purged from the CO2 adsorbent; and a cooling gas recovery pipe for recovering the cooling gas that has flowed through the CO2 adsorbent, wherein the drum rotor is configured to rotate with successively passing through the adsorption region for adsorbing CO2 contained in the waste gas, the desorption region to which the heated gas is supplied, the purging region to which the purge gas is supplied, and the regeneration region to which the cooling gas is supplied.
In the present invention, it is desirable to provide a dehumidifying section on the high temperature side of the decarbonating section. It should be noted that the CO2 adsorbent adsorbs humidity in preference to CO2. Therefore, if the waste gas contains humidity, the CO2 recovery rate is lowered. Therefore, when CO2 is adsorbed by the CO2 adsorbent after the waste gas is dehumidified, it makes possible to increase the CO2 recovery rate.
Namely, according to still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for decarbonating waste gas, comprising steps of: rotating a dehumidifying drum rotor loaded with a humidity adsorbent having a honeycomb structure and a decarbonating drum rotor loaded with a CO2 adsorbent having a honeycomb structure, the drum rotors being arranged in series; allowing the waste gas to flow through a region of the dehumidifying drum rotor so as to permit humidity to be adsorbed by the humidity adsorbent, followed by allowing the dehumidified waste gas to flow through a region of the decarbonating drum rotor so as to permit CO2 to be adsorbed by the CO2 adsorbent; supplying a heated gas to a region of the dehumidifying drum rotor so as to desorb humidity from the humidity adsorbent, together with supplying a heated gas to a region of the decarbonating drum rotor so as to desorb CO2 from the CO2 adsorbent; supplying a purge gas to a region of the dehumidifying drum rotor so as to purge humidity desorbed from the humidity adsorbent, together with supplying a purge gas to a region of the decarbonating drum rotor so as to purge CO2 desorbed from the CO2 adsorbent; and supplying a cooled gas to a region of the dehumidifying drum rotor so as to regenerate the humidity adsorbent, together with supplying a cooled gas to a region of the decarbonating drum rotor so as to regenerate the CO2 adsorbent, wherein these steps are performed simultaneously so as to permit the humidity adsorbent within the rotating dehumidifying drum rotor to be subjected successively to the humidity adsorption step, the humidity desorption step, the humidity purging step and the regeneration step and so as to permit the CO2 adsorbent within the rotating decarbonating drum rotor to be subjected successively to the CO2 adsorption step, the CO2 desorption step, the CO2 purging step and the regeneration step.
A decarbonating apparatus for carrying out the method described above comprises a dehumidifying section for adsorbing humidity contained in waste gas, and a decarbonating section for adsorbing CO2 contained in the dehumidified waste gas, wherein the dehumidifying section includes: a dehumidifying drum rotor loaded with a humidity adsorbent of a honeycomb structure, the humidity adsorbent being arranged so as to adsorb humidity contained in the waste gas that is allowed to flow through a region thereof; a heated gas supply pipe for supplying a heated gas to a region of the dehumidifying drum rotor so as to permit adsorbed humidity to be desorbed from the humidity adsorbent; a purge gas supply pipe for supplying a purge gas to a region of the dehumidifying drum rotor so as to purge humidity desorbed from the humidity adsorbent; a cooling gas supply pipe for supplying a cooling gas so as to regenerate the humidity adsorbent; a heated gas recovery pipe for recovering the heated gas that has flowed through the humidity adsorbent; a purge gas/humidity recovery pipe for recovering the purge gas that has flowed through the humidity adsorbent and humidity desorbed from the humidity adsorbent; and a cooling gas recovery pipe for recovering the cooling gas that has flowed through the humidity adsorbent; in which the dehumidifying drum rotor is configured to rotate with successively passing through the adsorption region for adsorbing humidity contained in the waste gas, the desorbing region to which a heated gas is supplied, the purging region to which the purge gas is supplied, and the regeneration region to which the cooling gas is supplied, and wherein the decarbonating section includes: a decarbonating drum rotor loaded with a CO2 adsorbent having a honeycomb structure, the CO2 adsorbent being arranged so as to adsorb CO2 contained in the waste gas that is allowed to flow through a region thereof; a heated gas supply pipe for supplying a heated gas to a region of the decarbonating drum rotor so as to permit adsorbed CO2 to be desorbed from the CO2 adsorbent; a purge gas supply pipe for supplying a purge gas to a region of the decarbonating drum rotor so as to purge CO2 desorbed from the CO2 adsorbent; a cooling gas supply pipe for supplying a cooling gas to a region of the decarbonating drum rotor so as to regenerate the CO2 adsorbent; a heated gas recovery pipe for recovering the heated gas that has flowed through the CO2 adsorbent; a purge gas/CO2 recovery pipe for recovering the purge gas that has flowed through the CO2 adsorbent and CO2 purged from the CO2 adsorbent; and a cooling gas recovery pipe for recovering the cooling gas that has flowed through the CO2 adsorbent; in which the decarbonating drum rotor is configured to rotate with successively passing through the adsorption region for adsorbing CO2 contained in the waste gas, the desorption region to which the heated gas is supplied, the purging region to which the purge gas is supplied, and the regeneration region to which the cooling gas is supplied.
In the above decarbonating apparatus, it is desirable to fix the dehumidifying drum rotor and the decarbonating drum rotor to the same shaft so as to be rotated at the same speed in order to increase the CO2 recovery rate. Also, in order to increase cooling effect on the adsorbent performed by the cooling gas, it is desirable that the heated gas and the purge gas are allowed to flow concurrently with the waste gas, and the cooling gas be allowed to flow counter-currently to the waste gas. Further, in order to decrease energy for recovery, it is desirable to arrange heat exchangers for performing heat exchange between each of the heating gases supplied to the dehumidifying drum rotor and the decarbonating drum rotor with the waste gas on a high temperature side.
The decarbonating apparatus of the present invention is arranged in, for example, a flue of waste gas. In this case, each of the dehumidifying drum rotor and the decarbonating drum rotor is mounted such that a part the drum rotor is positioned within the flue, with the other part positioned outside the flue. Also, the heated gas supply pipe, the purge gas supply pipe, the cooling gas supply pipe for each of the drum rotors and the recovery pipes corresponding to these supply pipes are arranged outside the flue.
Also, it is possible for the dehumidifying drum rotor and the decarbonating drum rotor, which are included in the decarbonating apparatus of the present invention, to be connected directly to a low temperature side of an air heater comprising a rotor for performing heat exchange between the waste gas discharged from a combustion furnace and combustion air to be supplied to the combustion furnace.
Further, the present invention provides an air heater having the decarbonating apparatus of the present invention integrally incorporated therein. Namely, the air heater of the present invention comprises an air heater main unit including a rotor performing heat exchange between the waste gas discharged from a combustion furnace and combustion air to be supplied to the combustion furnace, and a dehumidifying section for adsorbing humidity contained in the waste gas and a decarbonating section for adsorbing CO2 contained in the dehumidified waste gas, which are incorporated in the low temperature section of the air heater main unit. The dehumidifying section and the decarbonating section have similar constructions to those described in conjunction with the above decarbonating apparatus.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter.

Method for decarbonating waste gas and decarbonating apparatus

The Tokyo Electric Power Company, Incorporated


A lightning protection device which is capable of avoiding electrical current, which is being induced in the blades of wind turbine, from being passed to parts of the wind turbine that may be damaged or destroyed by the electrical current. The electrical current is passed along by electrical conductors extending from the blades to a stationary part of the wind turbine. A flange for mounting the hub of the wind turbine to the main shaft is provided where the electrical conductors lead either through or past the mounting flange.

Different kinds of means are known for protecting electrically fragile parts of wind turbines from lightning. One kind of means is intended for avoiding the electrical current from a lightning striking the blades of the wind turbine from entering the generator and other electrical and electronic components situated in the top of the wind turbine. This is done by conducting the electrical current from the blades to the tower of the wind turbine and to the ground.
WO 01/86144 describes a wind turbine with such a lightning protection system. The lightning protection system comprises a rod mounted to the blades of the wind turbine. The stick is mounted at the base of the blades. The rod is intended as lightning conducting means conducting the lightning from the base of the blades to a conducting ring mounted co-axially around the main shaft, outside the housing of the nacelle. From this conducting ring the electrical current is conducted through the machine carrying elements provided in the nacelle and further on to the tower along a slip means provided at the yawing gear. Thereby, the conducting of the electrical current is independent of the actual rotary position of the machine carrying elements in the nacelle compared to the tower.
The apparatus described in the above WO-publication is said to be capable of ensuring that no electrical current from the lightning damages the electrical and electronic components. However, the invention is not so described as to enable the person skilled in the art to obtain this object. Also, the means by which the lightning protection is provided has disadvantages. Firstly, providing a separate conducting ring outside and around the entire nacelle demands a very large ring and when mounted, though very difficult, inflicting the aerodynamic properties of the wind turbine nacelle. Also, how the large conducting ring is suspended in relation to the machine carrying elements of the nacelle is not described. Accordingly, the mounting of the conducting ring, which, as mentioned, is one of the major disadvantages of the apparatus, is not mentioned. Therefore, the person skilled in the art will not only be posed to the disadvantages apparent from the description, i.e. the large conducting ring, but will also have to apply a very inventive skill in order to overcome the problem of how to mount the large conducting ring.
DE 197 48 716 describes a lightning protection system comprising at least two conductors inside the turbine blade. The one conductor leads to one side of a transformer, said transformer being capable of generating electrical current in the conductor for heating the blade. However, the one conductor also functions as lightning conductor. In this case, the conductor is connected either directly to the hub as shown in FIG. 1, or to a separate ring provided around the main axle and outside the nacelle of the wind turbine as shown in FIG. 2, or to a separate lightning rod as shown in FIG. 3 and situated outside the nacelle and conducting the lightning voltage to any metal part in the vicinity of the lightning rod.
EP 0 718 495 describes a lightning conductor very like the one shown and described in WO 01/86144. Thus, a separate conductor ring is provided around the main shaft outside the nacelle. A conductor plate, also provided outside the nacelle conducts the lightning form the separate conductor ring to the tower of the wind turbine and therefrom to the ground. The lightning voltage is passed from the turbine blade via a spark gap to the separate conductor ring, from the separate conductor ring via a spark gap to the separate conductor plate and from the separate conductor plate via a spark gap to the tower.
EP 1 154 537 describes a lightning conductor comprising a slip ring provided around the main shaft and brushes passing lightning voltage from the slip ring to a fixed structure secured to the body of the wind turbine. The fixed structure serves as a protection shield for the generator of the wind turbine. The lightning voltage is passed from lightning conductors in the blade along an exteriorly placed cable to the slip ring, and from the slip ring to brushes and the protection shield being part of the fixed structure of the turbine.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a lightning protection means for a wind turbine, said means providing the necessary protection of the electrical and electronic components of the wind turbine, and being easy to install, both in the sense of the craftsman-like skills necessary, and also in sense of the number of and the type of components used, seeing that the lightning protection means is to be installed and serviced in the nacelle of the wind turbine, high above ground level or sea level.

Lightning protection means for a wind turbine


A reference signal transmission method performed by at least one base station, the method including: determining a sequence of a reference signal; performing an inverse Fourier transform (IFT) based on the determined sequence of the reference signal; and transmitting a reference signal generated by performing the IFT through a plurality of continuous symbols. The sequence of the reference signal is determined to satisfy a condition that each of at least one subcarrier signal included in the reference signal continues in a boundary between adjacent two symbols.

The present disclosure of the following description relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting a reference signal, and a method of determining a sequence of a reference signal.
A communication system may include a core network, for example, a mobility management entity (MME), a serving gateway (SGW), a packet data network (PDN) gateway (PGW), a base station (e.g., a macro base station, a small base station, and a relay), a user equipment (UE), and the like. Communication between the base station and the UE may be performed using a variety of radio access technology (RAT), for example, 4-th generation (4G) communication technology, 5-th generation (5G) communication technology, wireless broadband (WiBro) technology, wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, and wireless personal area network (WPAN) technology.
In a communication system, a UE may generally transmit and receive data through a base station. For example, if data to be transmitted to a second UE is present, a first UE may generate a message including the data to be transmitted to the second UE and may transmit the generated message to a first base station to which the first UE belongs. The first base station may receive the message from the first UE and may verify that a destination of the received message is the second UE. The first base station may transmit the message to a second base station to which the verified destination, that is, the second UE belongs. The second base station may receive the message from the first base station and may verify that the destination of the received message is the second UE. The second base station may transmit the message to the verified destination, that is, the second UE. The second UE may receive the message from the second base station and may acquire the data included in the received message.
A reference signal may be transmitted and received between a UE and a base station. The reference signal may be used for various purposes. For example, the UE or the base station may perform synchronization or may estimate a position of the UE using the reference signal. As one of positioning methods using RAT, the UE may estimate a position of the UE by measuring a difference in time of arrival (ToA) between positioning reference signals (PRSs) received from a plurality of base stations. In this case, the UE may need to independently measure each of the positioning reference signals received from the plurality of base stations. Therefore, each of the base stations may transmit a positioning reference signal using a different resource element.
A conventional reference signal may be discontinuous in a boundary between symbols due to characteristics of orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM). The UE may move a fast Fourier transform (FFT) window within a single OFDM symbol to analyze a received signal. Since a degree of freedom (DoF) that allows the UE to move or shift the FFT window is limited, it is difficult to acquire a sufficient number of snapshot vectors to analyze a reference signal. In addition, if an FFT window of the UE is deviated from a valid period of a symbol, subcarrier orthogonality may not be guaranteed or an amount of information that the UE may acquire from the reference signal may decrease.

Method for transmitting reference signal and apparatus using the same


A method for detecting moving objects in a blind spot of vehicle is provided, comprising: taking a sequence of images of said blind spot region, partitioning each of said images of said sequence into blocks, identifying moving blocks which have moved between consecutive images of said sequence, determining a direction and a distance of said movement of said moving blocks; grouping adjacent moving blocks, for which directions within a predetermined direction interval and distances within a predetermined distance interval have been determined, and determining said moving objects based on said step of grouping. A corresponding blind spot detection device is provided as well.

For vehicles it is known that even with rear view mirrors a certain region in the back of the driver of the vehicle, i.e. a blind spot region, cannot be observed easily. In case of lane changes of the vehicle dangerous situations can occur, when a moving object in the blind spot region, for instance another vehicle which is intending to passing on the nearby lane, is not observed by the driver of the vehicle.
Thus, automotive manufacturers are currently investigating safety applications to introduce blind spot information systems to the vehicles. Such blind spot information systems are currently based on active sensors like radar, sonic and LIDAR (laser scanner). Infrared or stereo cameras are often used, since they provide information about the depth. Video is also considered but mainly for front view applications.
It is an object of the invention to provide an improved method and device to detect moving objects in a blind spot region of a vehicle.
The object is solved by a method, a blind spot detection device and a computer program product.
Further embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.
Further details of the invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description.

Method for detecting moving objects in a blind spot region of a vehicle and blind spot detection device


Thin-film transistors (TFTs) having characteristics comparable to those of a single-crystal silicon wafer are provided. A buffer film made from silicon oxide is formed on a first amorphous silicon film. A nickel acetate solution containing a metal element such as nickel for promoting crystallization of silicon is applied to the first amorphous silicon film. The laminate is heat-treated to form a nickel silicide layer. The nickel silicide layer is then patterned. A second amorphous silicon film is formed and heat-treated to grow crystals. Thus, monodomain regions which can be regarded as single crystals are formed. Active layers of TFTs are formed from these monodomain regions.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of fabricating a semiconductor device using a crystalline thin-film semiconductor and, more particularly, to a method of fabricating thin-film transistors (TFTs).
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, transistors (known as TFTs) using a thin-film semiconductor formed on a substrate made of glass or quartz have attracted attention. In particular, a thin-film semiconductor having a thickness of hundreds of thousands of angstroms is formed on the surface of the substrate of glass or quartz. Transistors (gate-insulated field-effect transistors) are formed, using this thin-film semiconductor.
It is known that these thin-film transistors can be applied to active matrix liquid crystal displays. In such an active matrix liquid crystal display, hundreds of thousands of pixels or more pixels are arranged in rows and columns. TFTs are arranged as switching devices for these pixels, respectively, to provide a high-speed display with high information content.
Of these TFTs used in such active matrix liquid crystal displays, TFTs using amorphous thin silicon films have been put into practical use. However, these TFTs using amorphous thin silicon films have the problem that their characteristics are poor. For example, where an active matrix liquid crystal display having higher display performance should be constructed, the characteristics of the TFTs using amorphous thin silicon films are not satisfactory.
Furthermore, an integrated liquid crystal display system has been proposed. In this system, the peripheral driver circuit is made up of TFTs similarly to switching devices for pixels. All of these TFTs are packed on a single substrate. Unfortunately, TFTs using amorphous thin silicon films cannot construct the peripheral driver circuit because of their low operating speed. Especially, with TFTs using amorphous thin silicon films, it is difficult to fabricate a practical P-channel type. That is, the characteristics are so poor that any practical device cannot be obtained. Hence, there is the fundamental problem that CMOS circuits cannot be built.
In addition, a technique for forming an integrated circuit for processing or storing image data or the like integrally with a pixel region and a peripheral driver circuit on the same substrate has been proposed. However, with TFTs using amorphous thin silicon films, an integrated circuit capable of processing image data cannot be constructed because of their poor characteristics.
A further technique for fabricating a higher-performance TFT from a crystalline silicon film is known. The characteristics of this higher-performance TFT is much better than those of a TFT using an amorphous thin silicon film. In this known technique, after formation of the amorphous silicon film, a heat treatment or laser irradiation is performed to change the amorphous silicon film into a crystalline silicon film. This crystalline silicon film obtained by crystallizing the amorphous silicon film generally has a polycrystalline or crystallitic structure.
Where a TFT is fabricated, using a crystalline silicon film, characteristics much better than those obtained when an amorphous silicon film is used can be obtained. The mobility of a TFT is one index used to evaluate its characteristics. An N-channel TFT using an amorphous silicon film has a mobility of 1 to 2 cm.sup.2 /Vs or less. An N-channel TFT using a crystalline silicon film has a mobility of more than about 100 cm.sup.2 /Vs. A P-channel TFT using a crystalline silicon film has a mobility of more than about 50 cm.sup.2 /Vs.
However, a crystalline silicon film obtained by crystallizing an amorphous silicon film has a polycrystalline structure and many problems due to crystal grain boundaries exist. For example, some carriers move through the grain boundaries. This severely limits the withstand voltage of the TFT. Furthermore, when it is operated at a high speed, a variation or deterioration in characteristics tends to occur. Additionally, carriers moving through grain boundaries increase the OFF current, or leakage current.
Where one attempts to construct an integrated active matrix liquid crystal display having a higher device density, it is desired to form a peripheral circuit on one glass substrate, along with a pixel region. In this case, in order to drive hundreds of thousands of pixel transistors arranged in rows and columns, TFTs arranged in the peripheral circuit are required to handle large currents.
In order to obtain TFTs capable of treating large currents, it is necessary to adopt a structure having an increased channel width. However, if the channel width of TFTs using a crystalline silicon film is increased, the resulting withstand voltage makes it impossible to use the TFTs in practice. Furthermore, the threshold value varies so greatly that the TFTs cannot be put into practical use.
When one tries to construct an integrated circuit for processing image data from TFTs using crystalline silicon films, it has been impossible to obtain practical integrated circuit (capable of replacing the prior art IC) because of variations in threshold value and by aging effects.

Method of fabricating semiconductor device

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.