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Patent US20020073177 - Processing content for electronic distribution using a digital rights ... - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsIn general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a method of processing content for distribution over a computer network. The method includes receiving submitted electronic content, accessing identification of at least one of a set of more than one electronic book digital rights management (DRM) systems,...http://www.google.com/patents/US20020073177?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20020073177 - Processing content for electronic distribution using a digital rights management systemAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20020073177 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 09/906,428Publication dateJun 13, 2002Filing dateJul 16, 2001Priority dateOct 25, 2000Also published asCN1494785A, CN100583062C, EP1336272A2, EP1336272A4, US20060120522, WO2002037210A2, WO2002037210A3Publication number09906428, 906428, US 2002/0073177 A1, US 2002/073177 A1, US 20020073177 A1, US 20020073177A1, US 2002073177 A1, US 2002073177A1, US-A1-20020073177, US-A1-2002073177, US2002/0073177A1, US2002/073177A1, US20020073177 A1, US20020073177A1, US2002073177 A1, US2002073177A1InventorsLaurance Brewster, George Clark, Jeffrey Crawford, Edward MarinoOriginal AssigneeClark George Philip, Crawford Jeffrey Walter, Marino Edward John, Brewster Laurance HolmesExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (24), Classifications (11), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetProcessing content for electronic distribution using a digital rights management systemUS 20020073177 A1Abstract In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a method of processing content for distribution over a computer network. The method includes receiving submitted electronic content, accessing identification of at least one of a set of more than one electronic book digital rights management (DRM) systems, and automatically generating an electronic book from the received electronic content for distribution in accordance with the identified electronic book digital rights management system(s). Images(18) Claims(37)
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from co-pending U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/243,259, filed Oct. 25, 2000, entitled �Systems and Methods for Digital Content Submission, Management and Distribution�, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein. [0002] This application relates to U.S. patent application ______, filed on the same day as the present application, entitled �Electronic Content Distribution�; and U.S. patent application ______, filed on the same day as the present application, entitled �Fulfilling a Request for an Electronic Book�.
BACKGROUND [0003] Much like an ordinary printed book, electronic books (�eBooks�) can be used to present text and pictures to readers. [0004] Instead of ink and paper, however, an electronic book is a collection of digital data that software, known as an electronic book reader, can interpret and present on a display. A variety of devices run electronic book reader software such as personal computers, handheld personal digital assistants (PDAs), cellular phones with displays, and so forth. [0005] Electronic books can offer a variety of features not traditionally associated with print books. For example, instead of text and pictures, an electronic book may also store data used to present sound such as music and speech. Further, instead of still pictures, an electronic book can also present animated images. Additionally, by transmitting eBook data over a computer network, eBooks can be delivered to remote locations almost instantaneously. [0006] Unfortunately, in many ways, copying data is easier than photocopying pages of a book. To protect the rights of those trying to sell or otherwise limit access to electronic books from pirating, companies have developed a wide variety of digital rights management (DRM) systems. For example, Microsoft currently offers a �Digital Asset Server� that guards against unauthorized user access to Microsoft Reader eBooks. Similarly, Adobe offers a number of different DRM solutions such as Adobe Content Server. [0007] DRM solutions differ significantly in their approaches to the task of controlling access to eBooks. For the purposes of illustration, however, FIGS. 1 and 2 depict a typical DRM scheme. As shown in FIG. 1, a client 104, such as a PDA or personal computer, can send a message 108 to a server 100 over a network 102 such as the Internet. The message 108 requests access to an eBook and includes credentials of the requester such as the identity of the device 104 and/or reader software making the request. The server 100 uses the credentials to scramble (i.e., encrypt) the data of the requested eBook. As shown in FIG. 2, the server 100 then sends the scrambled data 106 to the requesting client 104. Using its own credentials, the client 104 reader can unscramble (i.e., decrypt) and present the eBook to a user. If a device other than the client 104 receives the eBook data, it should lack the proper credentials needed to perform the unscrambling. SUMMARY [0008] In general, in one aspect, the disclosure describes a method of processing content for distribution over a computer network. The method includes receiving submitted electronic content, accessing identification of at least one of a set of more than one electronic book digital rights management (DRM) systems, and automatically generating an electronic book from the received electronic content for distribution in accordance with the identified electronic book digital rights management system(s). [0009] Embodiments may include one or more of the following features. The electronic content may be received over a network. The method may also include receiving metadata for the electronic content such as an author, a subject, a publisher, and/or a summary; hard copy printing information such as a number of pages, a cover size, and/or a type of binding; and distribution information such as the identification of the DRM(s), street date, and/or authorized retailers. The DRMs may be digital rights management systems offered by non-affiliated vendors. The method may also include transmitting user interface instructions (e.g., markup language instructions) to the network client that enables a submitter to identify electronic content. [0010] In general, in another aspect, the disclosure describes a computer program product, disposed on a computer readable medium, for processing content for distribution over a computer network. The program includes instructions for causing a processor to receive electronic content, access identification of at least one of a set of more than one electronic book DRM systems, and automatically generate an electronic book from the received electronic content for distribution in accordance with the identified electronic book DRM system(s). [0011] In general, in another aspect, the disclosure describes a server that includes at least one network connection, at least one processor, and at least one computer readable medium storing instructions for processing by the processor. The computer readable medium stores instructions corresponding to a set of more than one electronic book digital rights management systems. The medium also stores instructions for receiving electronic content over the at least one network connection, receiving metadata corresponding to the electronic content over the network connection that identifies of at least one of the set of more than one electronic book digital rights management systems, and automatically generating an electronic book from the received electronic content corresponding to the identified electronic book DRM system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0022] I. Introduction [0023]FIG. 3 shows a server 210 that can provide a variety of features that can ease tasks involved in electronic and printed book distribution. To illustrate some of these features, FIG. 3 shows a sample sequence that begins with submission 222 of a title from a publisher 204 and ends with the title's distribution 228 to a consumer 208. [0024] As shown in FIG. 3, a publisher client 204 can submit content 222 for a title to the server 210 over a network 202 such as the Internet. Such content can include data specifying text, graphics, and even multimedia such as music or video. [0025] The publisher client 204 can also submit information about the content known as �metadata�. The metadata can include identifier information such as the ISBN, UPC, or DOI of the work; pricing information for one or more markets in which the work may be sold; bibliographic information such as the author and title of the work; distribution information such as identification of territories where selling the work is authorized, retailers authorized to sell the work, and/or identification of one or more digital rights management systems for protecting the work when distributed electronically; and/or manufacturing information, such as a printing and/or binding specifications, for use in the preparation of hard copies of the work. [0026] The server 210 can automatically prepare the content for distribution. For example, for electronic distribution, the server 210 can automatically format eBook information for distribution of the title in accordance with one or more selected digital rights management systems. For hard copy manufacturing and distribution, the server 210 can automatically prepare the content for printing, for example, by extracting a cover page for color printing and generating bit-map images of book pages. [0027] In addition to the behind-the-scenes work of preparing content for distribution, the server 210 may also provide information to retailers 206, such as Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com, to help display and sell titles. For example, the server 210 may use collected metadata to generate a customized catalog file 224 of content authorized for sale by a retailer 206. The catalog file 224 can include author names, a summary, and/or selected images (e.g., book cover thumbnails). A retailer 206 can use the catalog file 224 to automatically update its web-site's offerings. For example, Amazon.com can automatically generate web-pages for newly available titles identified in the catalog file 224. [0028] The server 210 can also insulate retailer 206 from the technical details of title distribution across multiple digital rights management systems. For example, after a consumer 208 selects an eBook from the retailer's 206 web-site 226, the server 210 can distribute 228 the title to a consumer 208 in accordance with a digital rights management system selected for the content. This frees the retailer 206 from the burden of setting-up, integrating, and maintaining a host of different digital rights management systems that different eBook formats may require. Similarly, for a hard copy, the server 210 can offer a �print-on-demand� service that produces a hard copy of a title for delivery to a consumer or retailer. [0029] Though FIG. 3 depicts a single publisher 204, retailer 206, and consumer 208, the server 210 can support a very large number of each of these entities. Further, while the server 210 may constitute a single computer, the server 210 may instead represent a logical collection of devices. [0030] While the description above highlights a few features offered by the server 210, the server 210 can also offer a wide array of other services such as providing reports (e.g. usage reports, title demand reports, retailer invoices, and publisher compensation) to retailers 206 and publishers 204. A server 210 may offer all of the features described above or only support a limited subset of these services. These and other features are described in greater detail below. [0031] II. Content Submission [0032]FIG. 4 illustrates a scheme that enables a publisher 204 to securely transmit content 230 over a network 202 to a server 210 for subsequent electronic distribution and/or hard copy printing. As shown, in addition to content 230, the server 210 can also receive metadata 232 corresponding to the content. Such metadata can include bibliographic information about the content, �print-on-demand� information used to generate a hard copy of the content, and/or distribution information such as identification of retailers authorized to sell the content and/or identification of one or more electronic book digital rights management (DRM) systems. For security, the server 210 and publisher client 204 can communicate over a secure network connection, such as HTTPS (HyperText Transfer Protocol Secure), that encrypts/decrypts information communicated by the publisher's client 204 and the server 210. [0033] The server 210 can use the received content 230 and metadata 232 to automatically generate distribution versions of the content. For example, for electronic distribution, the server 210 can automatically prepare a version of the content for distribution in accordance with the identified DRM scheme(s). Similarly, for hard copy printing, the server 210 can automatically generate a version of the content, for example, by preparing an image of each page to be printed. [0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the server 210 includes a content management 214 system that stores and processes the received content 230 and metadata 232. The server 210 also includes a fulfillment system 220 that features instructions for different digital rights management systems. For example, the fulfillment system 220 may support DRMs from non-affiliated vendors. For instance, the system 220 may feature Microsoft Reader Digital Asset Server and Adobe Content Server Digital Rights Management System. [0035] As shown, the server 210 may also include web server instructions 212 that make these features available to a publisher 204 via an Internet web-site. In technical terms, the web server instructions 212 handle HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol) messages exchanged with network clients (e.g., web browsers). These messages can include, for example, instructions for presenting a user interface that transmits information collected from a remote user back to the server 210. Such user interface instructions may be encoded in a variety of ways such as SGML (Structured Generalized Markup Language) instructions (e.g., HTML (HyperText Markup Language) and XML (extensible Markup Language)) or instructions that include conditional statements (e.g., �IF� statements) such as an applet. [0036] FIGS. 5-11 illustrate samples of user interface screens the server 210 may provide to a publisher to collect content and metadata. These sample screens depict stages of a sample process of content submission that includes selecting one or more distribution options, providing information for the selected options, monitoring the processing status of submitted content, and proofing a distribution version of the content. The following sequence may be preceded, for example, by user interface screens that enable a publisher to set up an account. For instance, a publisher may provide banking or credit information for billing and/or compensation. [0037] As shown in FIG. 5, after establishment of an account, content submission can permit user selection of hard copy �print-on-demand� preparation 262 and/or eBook distribution 264 of the content. As shown, a publisher selecting eBook distribution 264 may also select one or more DRM schemes for eBook distribution (e.g., �MS Reader Format� 266 or �Adobe eBook Format� 268). [0038] As shown in FIG. 6, a user interface screen may collect some metadata applicable to both eBooks and �print-on-demand� titles. For example, as shown, the user interface can collect a title 271, a publisher reference number 272 such as an ISBN (International Standard Book Number), a language 273, a list of contributors 270, and a summary annotation 277. The user interface may also collect a publication date 274 and/or a �street date� (the date the publication may first be offered for sale) 276 that represents a date in the future before which the publisher does not want distribution to occur. [0039] As shown, the user interface also enables a publisher to select a method of delivering content 278 to the server. For example, a publisher can select file upload over the Internet, physical delivery of a computer readable medium (e.g., a CD-ROM or floppy), or a hard copy for scanning or other conversion into electronic form. The publisher can similarly specify 279 a mechanism for uploading a book cover image. [0040] Other screens may collect other information from a publisher. For example, other screens may collect an edition number or description, an indication of whether the edition is an abridged edition, whether the content is �large print�, a series ID and/or number, one or more subject matter categories, an audience age range or reading level, and one or more identification codes (e.g., a Library of Congress card number, a Dewey Decimal Classification No., a UPC [Universal Product Code] code, and so forth). [0041] As shown in FIG. 7, a publisher can also specify both list prices and wholesale discounts. The server can use this information to automatically initiate transactions to compensate the publisher for each sale. The publisher may also specify territorial rights. For example, a publisher may not wish, or be permitted, to sell or transmit content beyond particular geographic bounds. [0042] The information collected from a publisher may differ depending on the distribution methods selected. For example, FIG. 8 shows additional information collected for eBook distribution. As shown, the user interface can enable a publisher to select different DRM options 284, 286 supported by selected DRM systems. For example, Adobe Reader options 286 can give a publisher control over consumer printing and copying based on a maximum number of days or copies. [0043] The user interface shown in FIG. 8 also enables a publisher to rate 280 the complexity of the content. For instance, a novel with plain text may be less complex to convert to an eBook than a multi-column, graphic-intensive textbook. The rating scheme may be based on a number of criteria such as the number of columns of text, number of images or tables per page, number of hyperlinks per page, whether the content includes a table of contents, footnotes, and so forth. For example, a rating scheme may be defined as follows: [0044] Based on the rating, the server may determine a fee for processing the content. Additionally, the server can use the rating to determine whether a requested format may be a poor selection. For example, Adobe PDF format provides a fixed page layout regardless of display device and may not be appropriate for material having many columns. [0045] As shown in FIG. 9, information collected for content selected for �print-on-demand� may differ from that collected for ebook distribution. For example, as shown, the user interface may collect user input specifying a type of binding 288 and/or the text 290 to print on the book spine. [0046] Again, after receiving the metadata entered by the publisher and the content, the server can automatically prepare the content for distribution in the publisher selected format(s). After doing so, the server may generate one or more �proofing� copies of the distribution version(s) of the content. For example, the server may prepare and transmit an eBook to the publisher or, in the case of �print-on-demand� content, the server may prepare an Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format) file featuring images of the pages as they would be printed. In either case, as shown in FIG. 10, a publisher can accept 292 or reject 294 the proofing copy by interaction with the user interface. Accepted proofs will be made available for distribution. [0047] As shown in FIG. 11, a publisher can monitor progress of their submitted titles throughout the content submission process. For example, the user interface shown indicates the status of each submitted title. Such statuses include �awaiting material�, �pre-flighting�, and �proofing�. Additionally, selecting a title hyperlink can cause display of more detailed information about the title, such as its corresponding metadata. [0048]FIG. 12 shows a process 240 for automatic handling of content submission. As shown, the process 240 may begin with receipt 241 of content and its corresponding metadata. The process 240 can handle a wide variety of content formats such as Adobe Acrobat PDF, PostScript, QuarkXpress, PageMaker, InDesign, Word, and tagged text formats such as HTML. Many of these content formats do not include conditional statements. [0049] As shown, the process 240 may validate 243 received metadata. For example, the process 240 may ensure that no metadata specifies a wholesale discount over %50. The process 240 may also validate an ISBN number, for example, by verifying the number's check digit. A wide number of other metadata validations may take place such as a request of payment authorization from a publisher's credit source. [0050] After receipt 241 of the content and metadata, the process 240 automatically checks (�pre-flights�) the content for numerous issues which might prevent accurate automatic preparation of a title. For example, the process 240 may verify receipt of all image files and required fonts. Should an error be encountered, the server can automatically notify the publisher and await resubmission. [0051] Assuming the metadata validation 243 and pre-flighting proceeded without significant error, the process 240 can continue converting the received content to selected distribution format(s), for example, by reflowing and repaginating text, replacing images, and so forth. [0052] If the selected distribution format(s) include hard copy distribution 245, the process 240 can automatically perform a number of tasks that prepare the content for printing. For example, for text submissions, the process 240 can parse the content to construct 247 a table of contents. The process 240 can also perform a wide variety of other tasks such as analyzing the structure of text to indent the first paragraph of a new chapter more than other paragraphs. Similarly, the process 240 may alter text, for example, by compressing three consecutive periods into a single ellipses character or using an elongated dash instead of using a simple �-� character. The process 240 may also perform other tasks, such as extracting a cover image from the content. [0053] As shown, the process 240 can calculate 249 a spine width for a manufactured book based on page thickness and the number of pages. The process 240 can also determine a spine image for the binding, for example, by creating an image of the title in a font that fits the spine width. [0054] After automatically generating information for printing the content, the process 240 can generate 250 a proof copy, for example, by e-mailing images of the pages to be printed or by sending a hard copy of the title for publisher review. After review, the process 240 can send 251 the generated information for the title to a manufacturing engine that can control printing of the title on demand, for example, by printing a color cover, printing a book block, and binding the printed cover and book block. [0055] A different sequence may occur if the selected distribution format(s) include electronic book distribution 253. For example, the process 240 may process the content to generate 255 one or more Open eBook (OEB) files. For instance, the process 240 may include extraction of a cover page from submitted content and/or lossy compression of submitted images to reduce the size of any distribution files. [0056] Based on these OEB files, the process 240 may generate 257 DRM specific files. Generation of DRM specific files may include DRM specific conversions. For example, for an Adobe eBook generation may include construction of an Adobe style hyperlinked table of contents, a copyright page updated to include eBook ISBN, and logical page numbers that permit eBook pages to match a title page numbering sequence. For a Microsoft eBook, generation may include construction of a Microsoft style floating hyperlinked table of contents, a copyright page updated to include eBook ISBN, and conversion of non-supported book layouts (e.g., marginal notes, floating art, cross spread images or boxes, conversion of footnotes to endnote, placement of footnote as display text, and placement of images or graphics close to, but not preceding, the callout). Additional advanced features may also be available at the option of the publisher. These can include linked index entries, removal of blank pages, cross- referencing, contextual links, listings of figures and tables, and links from text reference of a figure to the figure or a footnote text reference to an endnote. After proofing 259, the completed DRM specific file is posted 261 to a DRM Engine (described below) for subsequent distribution. [0057] As shown, after generation of a title in the selected distribution format(s), the process 240 may store 260 the title's metadata in a database of metadata corresponding to different titles. As described below, this stored metadata can be used to construct a catalog of titles for a retailer. [0058] III. Catalogs [0059] Retailers often play an important role in publication sales, for example, by handling the tasks of promoting publications. For instance, Amazon.com promotes most of its available publications with a web-page providing a cover image, summary, and reader reviews. Some retailers provide libraries of over one million titles making the maintenance of their offerings a potentially time consuming task. [0060] As shown in FIG. 13, a server 210 can include catalog generation and distribution instructions 218 that can generate a �catalog� 300 of titles a retailer is authorized and desires to sell. The catalog 300 can list titles available to a retailer and can include some or all of the metadata submitted with a title. Additionally, the catalog generation instructions 218 can customize the format of the catalog 300 for a particular retailer 206, for example, to work with software the retailer may use to manage title information. For instance, the retailer 206 may feature software that automatically processes a received catalog 300 to create new web-page information for new titles or amend web-page information for pre-existing ones. [0061]FIG. 14 illustrates an example of catalog 300 generation. As shown, a process 308 selects catalog 300 data from stored metadata records 310. The metadata records 310 correspond to submitted titles and can include information identifying one or more authorized retailers and/or one or more unauthorized dealers. The process 308 can use the information to select metadata records of titles a particular retailer is authorized to handle. [0062] For example, metadata records 302 and 306 designate �Amazon� as an authorized retailer for eBooks of John Grisham's �The Firm� 302 and �The Chamber� 306. Thus, the catalog 300 generated by the process 308 can include records for these titles, for example, as a result of an SQL (Structured Query Language) query for records listing �Amazon� as an authorized retailer. [0063] While the metadata records shown specify individual retailers, a publisher may identify a group of retailers by attributes or a grouping code (e.g., �E-Commerce Vendors�). Additionally, a default set of retailers may apply to metadata records that do not specify a particular set of retailers. [0064] Since different retailers may use different software and/or data formats to process title records, the process 308 can customize the catalog 300 file generated for a particular retailer by using customized formatting information 312. Such formatting information 312 can specify the metadata to include in the catalog 300 and the arrangement and encoding of included metadata. For example, as shown, the catalog 310 features a semi-colon delimited record for each title. That is, a semi-colon separates different fields of the record. Alternatively, catalog 300 records can be encoded in a markup language for easy incorporation into a retailer's web-pages. For example, a record of �<TITLE>The Firm</TITLE><AUTHOR>Grisham</AUTHOR>� includes <TITLE> and <AUTHOR> markup tags that identify the information included in the record. [0065] In addition to text and other data, a retailer may also prefer to receive an image of a book cover for display by their web-pages. Such images may be included as data within a catalog, for example, as JPEG (Joint Picture Experts Group) or GIF (Graphics Interchange Format) image data. Alternatively, each title may have corresponding images stored at a FTP (File Transfer Protocol) site in accordance with a naming convention such as title_xpixelsize_x_ypixelsize.format (e.g., TheFirm� 600_x �400.jpeg). [0066]FIG. 15 illustrates an example of a process 330 that the catalog generation instructions 218 may implement. As shown, the process 330 selects 332 metadata records of titles for inclusion in a retailer's catalog. The selection 332 can feature both �authorization filters� that restrict retailers to titles they are authorized to sell and �retailer defined filters� that prevent retailers from catalog inclusion of works they are not interested in selling or promoting. [0067] The authorization filters can test for a variety of conditions that may prevent inclusion of a work in a retailer's catalog. For example, the filters may eliminate a work from a catalog if the retailer is outside the territory in which the work is authorized to be sold. Similarly, the filters may eliminate a title from inclusion in a catalog if the title has not yet been priced for sale or if the work has not yet been proofed by the publisher. [0068] The �retailer defined filters� enable a retailer to specify characteristics of works that the retailer does not want to sell or promote. For instance, �Bob's Sci-Fi eBook Store� may only be interested in publications categorized as science or science fiction. Thus, in this example, the process 330 may check to limit titles included in a Bob's catalog to only include titles in these categories. Similarly, a retailer, for example, may request only those titles approved by some organization. [0069] As described above, information for titles selected for inclusion in the catalog may be formatted 334 according to retailer preference. After completing the selection 332 and formatting 334, the catalog may be transmitted 336 to the retailer. Transmission may occur, for example, via e-mail or a sequence of HTTP messages. Transmission may alternatively occur by storing the catalog in an FTP (File Transfer Protocol) directory accessible by the retailer. This latter option enables the retailer to control when and how often the catalog information is received. [0070] The process 330 shown in FIG. 15 may be programmed to automatically repeat at a designated interval. For example, a retailer may request automatic generation of a catalog on a daily or weekly basis. For retailers receiving more than one catalog at different times, the process 330 may generate �delta� catalog files that only include changes from a preceding catalog. For example, the catalog may only include new titles authorized for sale by a retailer or new/changed information about titles in a previous catalog or catalogs. [0071] IV. Fulfillment [0072] A server 210 may provide a web-site that enables consumers and/or publishers to request electronic books or �print-on-demand� hard copies of a title. However, as described above, retailers often handle the task of presenting titles to consumers for purchase. For example, Amazon.com allows consumers to search lists and descriptions of different available eBooks. In the case of eBooks, fulfilling purchase requests can add the burden of DRM system maintenance and support to a retailers responsibilities. FIGS. 16-18 illustrate a system that can remove the burden of handling these fulfillment duties from a retailer. [0073] As shown in FIG. 16, a consumer 208 can interact with a retailer 206 over a network 202 through mechanisms selected by the retailer 206 such web-pages, email, and so forth. After a consumer 208 requests 322 an eBook title, for example, by selecting a title from a web-page 320, a fulfillment process 220 provided by a remote server 210 handles distribution of the eBook to the consumer. The server 210 may be the same server 210 providing other features described herein. [0074] As shown in FIG. 17, the retailer 206 transmits fulfillment information 324, such as a URL (Universal Resource Locator) link, to the consumer 208 for each purchased eBook. For example, the retailer 206 may include the URL in an e-mail message sent to the consumer 208 or may include the URL in a dynamically constructed web-page that lists items requested by a consumer 208. [0075] When activated, the link directs a secure message 326 to the server 210. The message 326 encodes identification of the title ordered and identification of the retailer. For example, a consumer may receive a URL having the following format: [0076] https://server.com?parameters=retailerID&itemID [0077] where �https� identifies a secure connection between the consumer 208 and server 210, �server.com� identifies the location of the server 210 in the network, and retailerID and item ID identify the retailer and ordered item SKU (Store Keeping Unit, the product identifying number used by the server 210), respectively. The URL parameters may be encrypted, for example, using Triple DES. Additionally, the URL may feature additional parameters such as a time stamp and/or the results of a hashing of the other parameters to thwart pirate attempts to construct a valid URL. The URL may also include a tracking number assigned by the retailer to the transaction for retailer tracking purposes. As the server 210 may insulate the retailer 206 from DRM tasks, the URL need not include identification of any particular DRM system. [0078] As shown in FIG. 17, when the consumer selects the URL link, the consumer's 208 client no longer needs to interact with the retailer 206, but is instead interacting with the server 210. However, this may be completely transparent to a consumer 208. That is, the consumer 208 may only perceive interaction with the retailer 206. To enhance this effect, the server 210 may provide user interfaces customized for a particular retailer. For example, a server 210 may provide status and error message web-pages that prominently feature the retailer's logo, stylesheet, or other information for each retailer using the server 210. [0079] As shown in FIG. 18, after receiving the eBook request, the server 210 handles distribution 332 of the eBook to the consumer in accordance with the digital rights management system associated with the title. After distribution 332, the server 212 can transmit confirmation 333 to the Retailer 206 describing both successful delivery of the content or, in the event of a failure, what the reason for failure. [0080] As shown, the server 210 supports multiple DRM systems. While each DRM system may operate differently, many share a similar sequence. In a typical scenario, DRM distribution of a title begins when a DRM system attempts to connect to the consumer's 208 reader software. If the reader software is not installed, the system can guide the consumer through a download/installation process. The DRM system then requests credentials (e.g. computer ID, reader software ID) and uses these credentials to �lock� a copy of the ordered title for that consumer. Such locking may occur by encrypting a copy of the title or providing an encrypted voucher needed by the reader software to open a generically encrypted copy of the title. A �locked� copy of the title is then sent to the consumer 208. The consumer's 208 device then automatically launches the reader software associated with the DRM scheme used and loads and presents the title. While the process described above may seem complex, the entire process happens in real-time and, typically, does not take more time than loading a standard web page. [0081] The scheme described above can offer a number of potential benefits. Again, by server 210 handling fulfillment, retailers need not be aware that DRMs are even being used. Additionally, while FIGS. 16-18 illustrate distribution of a title for a single retailer 206, the server 210 can support many different retailers and their consumers simultaneously. Thus, addition of a new DRM system at the server 210 can expand the number and variety of product distribution capabilities of many retailers. [0082] The server 210 may implement DRM handling by bundling instructions for different DRM systems into a DRM Processing Engine. The server 210 may include many different DRM Processing Engines operating in parallel. This technique can permit load balancing between the DRM Processing Engines and provide scalability as the number of fulfillment operations increases. Additionally, new DRM Processing Engines can be added or removed at any time without impacting system availability. [0083]FIG. 19 illustrates a title fulfillment process 350. As shown, the process 350 receives a request for a title 352. The process 350 may then verify security information (e.g., a hash value) received with the request. This may trigger transmission of a confirmation message (e.g., an HTTP message) to the retailer. This provides retailers with virtually real-time confirmation of consumer use of an the order link supplied by the retailer 206. These confirmation messages may be queued for retransmission when a retailer's 206 web-site is down. The confirmation message may include identification of the ordered title and/or a order number, among other information. [0084] As shown in FIG. 19, the process 350 may determine 354 whether to distribute the electronic book to the network client in accordance with one or more business rules applied 354 independent of DRM operation. For example, a business rule may verify that the retailer identified in the request is authorized to sell the title. A different business rule may deny access to a title before a street date specified by the publisher. Yet another business rule may verify that the consumer is not downloading the book to different devices or exceeding a maximum number of downloads. As new requirements emerge, business rules may be created and/or updated. The business rules may be encoded, for example, as boolean expressions or in a programming language such as C and/or SQL (Structured Query Language). If a business rule indicates distribution should not occur 358, the process 350 can transmit 360 corresponding error messages and/or customized screens to the retailer and/or consumer. [0085] After business rule application, the process 350 may determine 362 a DRM system selected for the title. For example, server instructions may use the received retailer ID and the title ID of the request to perform a table lookup of DRM systems associated with the title by the retailer. Thereafter, the title can be distributed 364 in accordance with the determined DRM. As specified by a DRM or business rule, successful downloading of titles may be noted to prevent the consumer from re-downloading the same eBook using the original URL link. Failed downloads may not be recorded to enable a consumer to attempt to re-download in the event of a bad Internet connection. [0086] As shown, the process 350 may log 366 information describing a transaction, for example, by logging information used in billing, determining publisher compensation, business rule audits, determining DRM usage fees, and so forth. [0087] Again, throughout the process 350 illustrated in FIG. 19, retailers and/or consumers may receive status and error messages regarding the progress of their request. Examples of events that can cause notification include the occurrence of unknown errors, completion of a successful download, a determination that a title was not found or available, a determination that the consumer did not order the title from an authorized retailer, a determination that the download attempt exceeded a limit, the occurrence of communication errors, a determination that reader software was not installed or activated, and a determination that the received consumer credentials were incorrect. While the server may offer a predefined set of status and error message web pages, these messages may be customize in real-time to each retailer's specifications. Alternatively, events can trigger a re-direct to a web-page provided by the retailer's web-server. [0088] Again, the process 350 may provide retailers with status information such as confirmation of an order. For example, a server may transmit a confirmation message to a retailer that encrypts the order tracking number, time stamp, and other information. [0089] V. Implementations [0090] The techniques described herein are not limited to any particular hardware or software configuration; they may find applicability in any computing or processing environment. The techniques may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of the two. Preferably, the techniques are implemented in computer programs executing on programmable computers that each include a processor, a storage medium readable by the processor (including volatile and non-volatile memory and/or storage elements), at least one input device, and one or more output devices. [0091] Each program is preferably implemented in high level procedural or object oriented programming language to communicate with a computer system. However, the programs can be implemented in assembly or machine language, if desired. In any case the language may be compiled or interpreted language. [0092] Each such computer program is preferably stored on a storage medium or device (e.g., CD-ROM, hard disk, or magnetic disk) that is readable by a general or special purpose programmable computer for configuring and operating the computer when the storage medium or device is read by the computer to perform the procedures described herein. The system may also be considered to be implemented as a computer-readable storage medium, configured with a computer program, where the storage medium so configured causes a computer to operate in a specific and predefined manner. [0093] Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIGS. 1-2 are diagrams illustrating an example of an electronic book digital rights management system. [0013]FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating different features a server can provide to publishers, retailers, and consumers. [0014]FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating content submission over a network. [0015] FIGS. 5-11 are screenshots of a user interface presented to a publisher. [0016]FIG. 12 is a flow-chart of a process for automatically processing received content. [0017]FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating catalog distribution to a retailer. [0018]FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating catalog generation. [0019]FIG. 15 is a flow-chart of a process for generating a catalog. [0020] FIGS. 16-18 are diagrams illustrating fulfillment of a request for an electronic book. [0021]FIG. 19 is a flow-chart of a process for fulfilling a request for an electronic book. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7124364Nov 21, 2002Oct 17, 2006Contecs:Dd LlcData dictionary methodUS7484172 *Mar 11, 2002Jan 27, 2009Walker Digital, LlcSystem and method for providing a customized index with hyper-footnotesUS7568234Dec 19, 2002Jul 28, 2009Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)Robust and flexible digital rights management involving a tamper-resistant identity moduleUS7613704 *Jan 19, 2005Nov 3, 2009Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.Enterprise digital asset management system and methodUS7680743 *May 15, 2002Mar 16, 2010Microsoft CorporationSoftware application protection by way of a digital rights management (DRM) systemUS7801820Jan 13, 2003Sep 21, 2010Sony CorporationReal-time delivery of license for previously stored encrypted contentUS7832635 *May 30, 2006Nov 16, 2010Sharp Kabushiki KaishaController, information storage device, control method, information storage method, control program, and computer-readable storage mediumUS7962634 *Feb 27, 2007Jun 14, 2011Apple Inc.Submission of metadata content and media content to a media distribution systemUS7983989Sep 18, 2006Jul 19, 2011Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Method and apparatus for importing contentUS8015237 *Feb 27, 2007Sep 6, 2011Apple Inc.Processing of metadata content and media content received by a media distribution systemUS8028893 *Feb 26, 2010Oct 4, 2011Amazon Technologies, Inc.Over-the-air device provisioning and activationUS8355989Nov 15, 2010Jan 15, 2013Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Method and apparatus for importing contentUS8359348Nov 29, 2010Jan 22, 2013Apple Inc.Techniques and systems for electronic submission of media for network-based distributionUS8370419Aug 11, 2011Feb 5, 2013Apple Inc.Processing of metadata content and digital content received by a media distribution systemUS8473479Sep 14, 2010Jun 25, 2013Apple Inc.Media package format for submission to a media distribution systemUS8544749Oct 3, 2011Oct 1, 2013Amazon Technologies, Inc.Over-the-air device provisioning and activationUS8646096Jun 28, 2007Feb 4, 2014Microsoft CorporationSecure time source operations for digital rights managementUS20110238631 *Jun 13, 2011Sep 29, 2011Ricardo CortesSubmission of metadata content and media content to a media distribution systemCN100459780CDec 19, 2002Feb 4, 2009艾利森电话股份有限公司Robust and flexible digital rights management involving a tamper-resistant identity moduleWO2004017664A1 *Dec 19, 2002Feb 26, 2004Ericsson Telefon Ab L MRobust and flexible digital rights management involving a tamper-resistant identity moduleWO2007078108A1 *Dec 28, 2006Jul 12, 2007Samsung Electronics Co LtdMethod and apparatus for importing contentWO2009006102A2 *Jun 24, 2008Jan 8, 2009Microsoft CorpProvisioning a computing system for digital rights managementWO2013008109A1Jun 12, 2012Jan 17, 2013Nds LimitedSoftware drm offline purchaseWO2013172987A1 *Apr 1, 2013Nov 21, 2013Google Inc.Extensible framework for ereader tools, including named entity information* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification709/219International ClassificationG06Q30/00, G06F21/24, G06Q50/00, G06F12/14, G06F21/00Cooperative ClassificationG06Q30/06, G06F21/10, H04L2463/101European ClassificationG06Q30/06, G06F21/10Legal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionSep 19, 2001ASAssignmentOwner name: LIGHTNING SOURCE, INC., TENNESSEEFree format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CLARK, GEORGE PHILIP;CRAWFORD, JEFFREY WALTER;MARINO, EDWARD JOHN;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:012174/0391;SIGNING DATES FROM 20010828 TO 20010905RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google

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text:
This was an average hotel room - Review of Fort Bragg Travelodge - TripAdvisor
“The rom was OK and the breakfast to”
“The room was nothing fancy but all we needed was...”
“We paid $107.00 for the room and in any other...”
This was an average hotel room - Review of Fort Bragg Travelodge
“Do Not Stay here......ever.”
Carpet filthy- had to put down newspaper to walk across floor, after our feet were BLACK...... ,,within 2 minutes of entering our room......
Which was musty in smell, an too small for 2 beds...
We were are on the Cosmos historical train tou, so company is at fault for putting us here...
Again....NEVER,,,,,,stay here.
And... The toilet stopped flushing at 1 am.......,so had to get staff to fix it.....
Ask Angelorange49 about Fort Bragg Travelodge
“Excellent value, great owner/managers.”
Don and Dottie will make you feel like you are visiting friends. Ask them anything about the area restaurants, sights or history.
Simple clean great value, continental breakfast with fresh fruits included.
Ask gayle c about Fort Bragg Travelodge
It was a little pricey for a travelodge. The room was clean and would be a fair deal at $70. Breakfast was fine - there was enough to fill us up. The older gentleman who ran the check in was a really nice guy and was very helpful with local information.
Ask Stvjyn about Fort Bragg Travelodge
“A reasonable choice for an overnighter on the coast.”
Stayed here on an overnight trip to Fort Bragg to meet up with a friend vacationing along the North Coast. The motel is located at the north end of town, about 5 blocks from "downtown".
Not too far from the downtown area, but some of your better breakfast options are at the south end of town, beyond walking distance.
This is a typical motel along the North Coast, looking a bit weather-beaten and dated.
Inside, the room decor is also a bit dated, but clean -- same applies to bath.
The room was spacious and the bed was very comfortable. Small TV; excellent Wi-Fi Internet (access at no charge) Despite the motel sitting on the main drag, the room was reasonably quiet.
Typical continental breakfast consisting of a selection of fruits, cereals. Coffee was OK -- also available via in-room coffeemaker.
No pool, but the coastal weather isn't generally conducive to swimming anyway.
Only complaint was that the TP was more like emery cloth than "oh so soft"; well, that and the low height, short bowls that are typical in motel bathrooms in this class. Makes it easier to rest your chin on your hands and contemplate life, I guess.....
Room Tip: First floor rooms further away from the main road are probably a bit quieter, but no complaints abou...
Ask ConcoursRider about Fort Bragg Travelodge
3 nights at the Ft Bragg Travelodge, no complaints, clean, comfortable room, internet, fridge, microwave all worked well, bed comfortable and good shower. This was home away from home with owners Don and Dottie more than happy to help with directions to local popular spots. First on my list when staying in Ft Bragg for affordability location and friendliness. :)
Ask Joe T about Fort Bragg Travelodge
Tommutant
“Clean hotel, comfy beds, great price, great hosts”
The Travelodge was great. The hosts Don and Dottie are wonderful, very helpful, and great to chat with after a long day on the road. The rooms are not fancy but they are very clean, the beds are comfortable and the shower is hot. The place was also quiet. Don and Dottie made great recommendations about restaurants, places to see in town, etc. They are very personable.
1 Thank Tommutant
Ask Tommutant about Fort Bragg Travelodge
TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Booking.com, Hotels.com, Priceline, Travelocity, Expedia, TripOnline SA, Hotwire, Cancelon, Cheap Tickets, getaroom.com and HotelQuickly so you can book your Fort Bragg Travelodge reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.

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value: This website is an American online travel company that operates a website and mobile app with user-generated content and a comparison shopping website.


text:
Xufeng Cen - Semantic Scholar
Michael Goodfellow8
Xiaoming Ding7
Jae-Hak Lee6
8Guo-Ping Zhao
6Xiaoming Ding
5Min-Juan Xu
5Shu-Jie Xie
Biao Tang, Yucong Yu, +5 authors Xiaoming Ding
Streptomyces sp. fd2-tb can produce streptothricin class antibiotics with broad antimicrobial spectra. To better understand the mechanism of streptothricin biosynthesis and to assess the capacity of this strain in secondary metabolism, we report the draft genome sequence of Streptomyces sp. strain fd2-tb.
The high-affinity biosynthetic pathway for converting acetate to acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is catalyzed by the central metabolic enzyme acetyl-coenzyme A synthetase (Acs), which is finely regulated both at the transcriptional level via cyclic AMP (cAMP)-driven trans-activation and at the post-translational level via acetylation inhibition. In this… (More)
Biao Tang, Feng Xie, +12 authors Guoping Zhao
The complete genome of methanol-utilizing Amycolatopsis methanolica strain 239T was generated, revealing a single 7,237,391 nucleotide circular chromosome with 7074 annotated protein-coding sequences (CDSs). Comparative analyses against the complete genome sequences of Amycolatopsis japonica strain MG417-CF17T, Amycolatopsis mediterranei strain U32 and… (More)
Streptomyces yangpuensis sp. nov., isolated from soil.
Biao Tang, Yucong Yu, +4 authors Xiaoming Ding
A novel Gram-stain-positive strain with sandy aerial mycelium and golden yellow substrate mycelium, designated fd2-tbT, was isolated from a soil sample collected in Shanghai, China, and its taxonomic status was established by phylogenetic analysis. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain fd2-tbT belonged to the genus Streptomyces and was related… (More)

value: This website is an artificial-intelligence backed search engine for academic publications developed at the Allen Institute for AI and publicly released in November 2015. It uses advances in natural language processing to provide summaries for scholarly papers.


text:
Stephen John Proctor - Semantic Scholar
Penelope R.A. Taylor78
Anne M. Dickinson50
Graham H. Jackson46
Anne L. Lennard37
Brian Angus30
80Penelope R.A. Taylor
62Anne M. Dickinson
54Graham H. Jackson
38Anne L. Lennard
31M M Reid
Gail L Stark, Katrina M Wood, Fergus Jack, Brian Angus, Stephen J Proctor, Penelope R Taylor
This study evaluated the incidence and outcome of Hodgkin's disease (HD) in older patients using a population-based approach. In total, 102 patients (52 men, 50 women) aged >or= 60 years presented in the Northern Health Region of England (population of 3.09 million) between 1 January 1991 and 31 December 1998 and were studied prospectively. The age-specific… (More)
A new subtype-specific monoclonal antibody for IAP-survivin identifies high-risk patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and improves the prognostic value of bcl-2.
Tryfonia Mainou-Fowler, Lynn Marie Overman, +5 authors John J Anderson
Anti-apoptotic factors including IAP-survivin and bcl-2 are involved in carcinogenesis and predict for disease outcome for patients with cancer. We used RT-PCR and specific primers to generate two recombinant IAP-survivin proteins; one encoding for the full-length protein and the second comprising the survivin sequence incorporating amino acids 98 to 142.… (More)
De novo acute myeloid leukaemia in patients over 55-years-old: a population-based study of incidence, treatment and outcome. Northern Region Haematology Group.
P R Taylor, M M Reid, A N Stark, N Bown, P J Hamilton, S J Proctor
A 4-year prospective study of de novo acute myeloid leukaemia in patients aged 56 years and over was undertaken in the Northern Region of England (population 3.09 million). The study was conducted to assess the incidence and outcome of treatment in all elderly patients diagnosed between January 1, 1988 and December 31, 1991. Two hundred cases de novo AML… (More)
Graham H. Jackson, Jonathon Wallis, Joanne Ledingham, Anne Lennard, Stephen J. Proctor
A number of cytotoxic agents have been implicated in the production of widespread pulmonary alveolar damage. We present a case of life-threatening alveolitis in a patient on hydroxyurea for chronic myeloid leukaemia. The clinical course suggests that the alveolitis was induced by the hydroxyurea. This is the first reported case of hydroxyurea-induced… (More)
C N Robson, A D Lewis, +5 authors I D Hickson
We have reported previously (C. N. Robson et al., Cancer Res., 46: 6290-6294, 1986) the isolation of a Chinese hamster ovary cell line, designated CHO-Chlr, that exhibits resistance to bifunctional nitrogen mustards while maintaining the normal parental level of sensitivity to several other alkylating agents. We have compared the rate of formation and… (More)
Autologous bone marrow transplantation for high-grade lymphoid malignancy using melphalan/irradiation conditioning without marrow purging or cryopreservation. The Northern Regional Bone Marrow…
P J Carey, S J Proctor, P Taylor, P J Hamilton
We report the safety and efficacy of 34 consecutive autologous bone marrow transplant (ABMT) procedures performed in adult patients with high-grade lymphoid malignancy after remission induction therapy. Fifteen patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and six with high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) received pretransplant conditioning with… (More)
Michal Sieniawski, Nithia Angamuthu, +9 authors Anne L Lennard
Enteropathy associated T-cell lymphoma (EATL) is a rare type of peripheral T-cell lymphoma. At present, there are no standardized diagnostic or treatment protocols for EATL. We describe EATL in a population-based setting and evaluate a new treatment with aggressive chemotherapy and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). From 1979 onward the Scotland… (More)
Low incidence of myelodysplastic syndrome following transplantation using autologous non-cryopreserved bone marrow.
P R Taylor, G H Jackson, A L Lennard, P J Hamilton, S J Proctor
Chromosomal abnormalities are increasingly used to risk stratify adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Published data describing the age-specific incidence of chromosomal abnormalities and their prognostic relevance are largely derived from clinical trials. Trials frequently have age restrictions and low recruitment rates. Thus we investigated these… (More)


text:
Patent US20050017275 - Novel field effect transistor and method of fabrication - Google PatentsSearch Images Maps Play YouTube News Gmail Drive More »Sign inAdvanced Patent SearchPatentsThe present invention is a novel field effect transistor having a channel region formed from a narrow bandgap semiconductor film formed on an insulating substrate. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the narrow bandgap semiconductor film. A gate electrode is then formed on the gate dielectric. A pair...http://www.google.com/patents/US20050017275?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US20050017275 - Novel field effect transistor and method of fabricationAdvanced Patent SearchPublication numberUS20050017275 A1Publication typeApplicationApplication numberUS 10/922,317Publication dateJan 27, 2005Filing dateAug 18, 2004Priority dateNov 27, 2002Also published asCN1332437C, CN1717798A, EP1565936A2, EP1565936B1, US6825506, US7176075, US7180109, US20040099966, US20040113210, US20050133866, WO2004051712A2, WO2004051712A3Publication number10922317, 922317, US 2005/0017275 A1, US 2005/017275 A1, US 20050017275 A1, US 20050017275A1, US 2005017275 A1, US 2005017275A1, US-A1-20050017275, US-A1-2005017275, US2005/0017275A1, US2005/017275A1, US20050017275 A1, US20050017275A1, US2005017275 A1, US2005017275A1InventorsRobert Chau, Doulgas Barlage, Been-Yih JinOriginal AssigneeChau Robert S., Doulgas Barlage, Been-Yih JinExport CitationBiBTeX, EndNote, RefManReferenced by (6), Classifications (28), Legal Events (1) External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, EspacenetNovel field effect transistor and method of fabricationUS 20050017275 A1Abstract The present invention is a novel field effect transistor having a channel region formed from a narrow bandgap semiconductor film formed on an insulating substrate. A gate dielectric layer is formed on the narrow bandgap semiconductor film. A gate electrode is then formed on the gate dielectric. A pair of source/drain regions formed from a wide bandgap semiconductor film or a metal is formed on opposite sides of the gate electrode and adjacent to the low bandgap semiconductor film. Images(4) Claims(8)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of semiconductor integrated circuits and more specifically to a depleted substrate transistor (DST) and its method of fabrication. 2. Discussion of Related Art Modern integrated circuits today are made up of literally hundreds of millions of transistors integrated together into functional circuits. In order to further increase the computational power of logic integrated circuits, the density and performance of the transistors must be further increased and the operating voltage (Vcc) further reduced. In order to increase device performance and reduce operating voltages, silicon on insulator (SOI) transistors have been proposed for the fabrication of modern integrated circuits. Fully depleted SOI transistors have been proposed as transistor structure to take advantage of the ideal subthreshold gradients for optimized on current/off current ratios. That is, an advantage of SOI transistors is that they experience lower leakage currents thereby enabling lower operating voltage for the transistor. Lowering the operating voltage of the transistor enables low power, high performance integrated circuits to be fabricated. FIG. 1 illustrates a standard fully depleted silicon on insulator (SOI) transistor 100. SOI transistor 100 includes a single crystalline silicon substrate 102 having an insulating layer 104, such as buried oxide formed thereon. A single crystalline silicon body 106 is formed on the insulating layer 104. A gate dielectric layer 108 is formed on a single crystalline silicon body 106 and a gate electrode 110 formed on gate dielectric 108. Source 112 and drain 114 regions are formed in the silicon body 106 along laterally opposite sides of the gate electrode 110. Unfortunately, the amount of gate oxide scaling and gate length scaling that can be reliably and uniformly achieved with today's structures and processes is becoming limited. Thus, what is desired is a novel transistor structure which enables further Vcc scaling and improved electrical performance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a silicon on insulator (SOI) transistor. FIG. 2 is an illustration of a cross-sectional view of a field effect transistor in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 3A-3G illustrates a method of forming a field effect transistor in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION The present invention is a novel field effect transistor and its method of fabrication. In the following description numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, one of ordinary skill in the art, will realize that the invention may be practiced without these particular details. In other instances, well-known semiconductor equipment and processes have not been described in particular detail so as to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present invention. The present invention is a novel field effect transistor and its method of fabrication. The transistor of the present invention has an ultra high channel mobility formed from a narrow bandgap semiconductor, such as InSb. Because a channel is formed from a narrow bandgap material (less than 0.7 eV at room temperature) it has a high channel mobility and saturation velocity which results in more drive current for lower voltages. Large drive current with low voltages enables a transistor to be operated at low operating voltages, such as less than 0.5 volt. The transistor can be formed on an insulating substrate so that a depleted substrate transistor (DST) can be formed. The use of an insulating substrate prevents leakage of junction charge into the substrate. The source and drain regions of the transistor can be specially engineered to help prevent or reduce leakage currents associated with narrow bandgap materials. In one embodiment of the present invention, the source/drain regions are formed from a metal, such as platinum, aluminum, and gold which can form a �Schottky� barrier with the narrow bandgap semiconductor film used to form the channel region so that a barrier to change injection is formed. In another embodiment of the present invention, the source and drain regions can be formed from a wide bandgap semiconductor film, such as InAlSb, GaP and GaSb. The use of a large bandgap semiconductor in the source/drain region (and special bandedge engineering between the source/drain semiconductor and channel region semiconductor), next to narrow bandgap channel region reduces the leakage current of the device. The use of special band engineered source/drain regions and an insulating substrate helps minimize the large junction leakage current associated with narrow bandgap materials. A field effect transistor 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2. Field effect transistor 200 is formed on an insulating substrate 202. In an embodiment of the present invention, insulating substrate 202 includes an insulating film 204 grown on a substrate 206. In other embodiments, other types of insulating substrates, such as but not limited to hafium oxide, zirconium oxide, and barium titanate (BaTiO3) may be used. Transistor 200 includes a channel region 208 formed from a narrow bandgap, less than 0.5 eV, semiconductor film formed on insulating substrate 202. In an embodiment of the present invention, the channel region is formed from an InSb (Bandgap=0.17 eV) compound. In other embodiments, the channel region is formed with a PdTe (Bandgap=0.31 eV) or InAs (Bandgap=0.36 eV) compound film. In an embodiment of the present invention, the InSb compound is doped with n type impurities, such as arsenic, antinomy and phosphorous to a level between 1�1017-1�1018 atoms/cm2 to fabricate a p type device. In another embodiment of the present invention, the channel region 208 is doped with p type impurities, such as boron to a level between 1�1017-1�1018 atoms/cm2 to fabricate a n type device. In another embodiment of the present invention, the channel region 208 is an undoped or intrinsic semiconductor film having a narrow bandgap. In an embodiment of the present invention, the channel region is formed to a thickness of approximately {fraction (1/3)} the gate length (Lg) of the device. Utilizing a thin film, less than 10 nanometers, enables a fully depleted substrate transistor (DST) to be formed with Lg of 30 nm. The use of a narrow bandgap channel region enables ultra high mobility and saturation velocities and hence high performance and low Vcc for logic applications. Transistor 200 has a gate dielectric 210 formed on the thin film channel region 208. Although the gate dielectric 210 can be a grown dielectric, such as SiO2 or silicon oxynitride, the gate dielectric is preferably a deposited dielectric so that is can be formed at lower temperatures, less than 500� C., and thereby be compatible with the narrow bandgap channel region film (e.g., InSb). In an embodiment of the present invention, the gate dielectric 210 is or includes a high dielectric constant film. A high dielectric constant film has a dielectric constant of greater than 9.0 and ideally greater than 50. A high dielectric constant film can be a metal oxide dielectric, such as but not limited to tantalum pentaoxide (Ta2O5), titanium oxide, hefium oxide, zirconium oxide, and aluminum oxide. The gate dielectric layer 210, however, can be other well known high dielectric constant films, such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) or barium strontium titatanate (BST). Utilizing a high dielectric constant film enables a gate dielectric to be formed relatively thick between 20-3000 Å and ideally about 200 Å for a high dielectric constant (k>100) material. A thick gate dielectric layer helps block gate leakage current of the device. Any well known techniques, such as vapor deposition or sputtering can be used to deposit gate dielectric film 210. In an embodiment of the present invention, a low temperature process, between 200-500� C., is used to deposit the gate dielectric. Transistor 200 includes a gate electrode 212 formed on a gate dielectric 210. In an embodiment of the present invention, gate electrode 212 is a metal gate electrode, such as but not limited to tungsten (W), tantalum (Ta), titanium (Ti) and their silicides and nitrides. In an embodiment of the present invention, the gate electrode is formed from a film having a work function between n type silicon and p type silicon, such as a work function between 4.1 eV and 5.2 eV. In an embodiment of the present invention, the gate electrode is formed of a metal or film having a midgap work function. A metal gate electrode is desirable when a metal oxide dielectric is used because they are compatible with metal oxide dielectrics and can be directly formed thereon. Gate electrode 212 has a pair of laterally opposite sidewalls 214 and 216 which run along the gate width of the device. The distance between the laterally opposite sidewalls defines the gate length (Lg) of the device. In an embodiment of the present invention, the gate electrode 212 is formed with a gate length of 300 nanometers or less. The gate width (Gw) of the transistor is the distance the gate electrode extends over the channel region in a direction perpendicular to the gate length (i.e., into and out of the page of FIG. 2). Gate electrode 212 need not necessarily be made of a single film, but may be made from multiple films to form a composite gate electrode which may include, for example a metal film, silicon films, and silicides. When a metal oxide dielectric is used a metal film should be formed directly on the metal oxide dielectric. In an embodiment of the present invention, gate electrode 212 is formed to a thickness between 500-1000 Å. In an embodiment of the present invention, gate electrode 212 is formed utilizing a low temperature less than 500� C. and preferably less than 350� C., process such as sputtering. Transistor 200 includes a source region 220 and drain region 222. The source region 220 and drain region 222 are formed on insulating substrate 202 as shown in FIG. 2. The source region 220 and drain region 222 extend into and out of the page of FIG. 2 along the laterally opposite sidewalls 214 and 216 of gate electrode 212. Gate electrode 212 on gate dielectric 210 slightly overlaps the source region 220 and the drain region 222 as shown in FIG. 2. Ideally, the overlap is less than approximately 10% of the gate length on each side. The source region 220 is separated from the drain region 222 by a channel region 208 as shown in FIG. 2. In an embodiment of the present invention, the source region 220 and the drain region 222 are formed of materials which surpress parasitic transistor leakage due to the low bandgap of the channel region. In an embodiment of the present invention, the source region 220 and drain regions 222 are formed from a wide or high bandgap semiconductor material. When forming the source 220 and drain 222 region from a semiconductor material, the band gap of the semiconductor film of the source 220 and drain 222 regions should have a bandgap which is greater than the bandgap of the channel region. In an embodiment, the bandgap of the source and drain semiconductor material is at least 0.2 eV and ideally at least 0.5 eV greater than the bandgap of the semiconductor film 208 in the channel region. The bandgap offset between the source/drain semiconductor 220 and 222 film and the channel semiconductor film 208 prevents carrier injection over the barrier. In an embodiment of the present invention, the source region 220 and drain region 222 are formed from a III-V compound semiconductor having a larger band gap compared to the channel region semiconductor, such as but not limited to InP (Bandgap=1.35 eV), GaSb (Bandgap=0.75 eV), GaP, and GaAs (Bandgap=1.43). However, other semiconductor materials, such as germanium (Bandgap=0.67 eV) having a suitably large bandgap can be used. The source/drain semiconductor film can be a polycrystalline film or a single crystalline film. The semiconductor film 220 and 222 can be doped to a concentration level between 1�1020-1�1021 atoms/cm3 with n type impurities, such as arsenic, antimony or phosphorous in order to form a n type MOS device (NMOS) and can be doped to a concentration level between 1�1020-1�1021 atoms/cm2 with p type impurities, such as boron or gallium when forming a p type device (PMOS). By forming the source 220 and drain 222 regions with a wide or large bandgap material and placing them next to the narrow or small bandgap channel region 208 a barrier is created which suppresses parasitic transistor leakage which would normally occur with a low bandgap channel region. In another embodiment of the present invention, the source region and drain regions are formed from a metal film. In an embodiment of the present invention, the source and drain regions are formed from a metal or film (�Schottky metal�), such as but not limited to platinum (Pf), aluminum (Al) and gold (Au) which can form a �Schottky� barrier with the semiconductor film of the channel region 208. The �Schottky� barrier which is created by placing the metal source and drain regions in contact with the semiconductor film of the channel region forms a barrier to electric flow from the source and drain regions into the channel region. In this way, a bias is needed in order to inject carriers from the source 220 and drain 222 into the channel 208. In an embodiment of the present invention, the source region and drain regions are formed from a metal film, such as but not limited to titanium nitride (TiN), tantalum nitride (TaN) and hefium nitride (HfN). The use of an insulating substrate and special band engineered source/drain regions surpresses parasitic transistor leakage due to the low bandgap of the channel region material (e.g., InSb). In this way, transistor 200 can function as a low power, high performance device. Transistor 200 can be operated in a fully depleted manner wherein when transistor 200 is turned �ON� the channel region 208 fully depletes thereby providing the advantageous electrical characteristics and performance of a fully depleted substrate transistor (DST). That is, when transistor 200 is turned �ON� an inversion layer at the surface of region 208 is formed that has the same conductivity type as the source and drain regions and forms a conductive channel between the source and drain regions to allow current to flow there between. A depletion region which is depleted of free carriers is formed beneath the inversion layer. The depletion region extends to the bottom of channel region 208, thus, the transistor can be said to be a �fully depleted� transistor. Fully depleted transistors have improved electrical performance characteristics over non-fully depleted or partially depleted transistors. For example, operating transistor 200 in a fully depleted manner, gives transistor 200 an ideal or very sharp subthreshold slope. Additionally, by operating transistor 200 in a fully depleted manner, transistor 200 has improved drain induced barrier (dibble) lowering which provides for better �OFF� state leakage which results in lower leakage and thereby lower power consumption. In order to operate transistor 200 in a fully depleted manner, the thickness of channel region 208 is ideally ⅓ of the gate length (Lg) of the transistor. FIGS. 3A-3G illustrate a method of forming the field effect transistor 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Fabrication of field effect transistor in accordance with the present invention begins with an insulating substrate 300 having a narrow bandgap semiconductor film, such as InSb formed thereon. In an embodiment of the present invention, the substrate is an insulating substrate 300 such as shown in FIG. 3A. In an embodiment of the present invention, insulating substrate 300 includes a lower monocrystalline silicon substrate 302 and a top insulating layer 304, such as a silicon dioxide film, metal oxide or silicon nitride film. Insulating layer 304 isolates narrow bandgap semiconductor material 306 from substrate 302 and in an embodiment is formed to a thickness between 200-2000 Å. Isolating or insulating layer 304 is sometimes referred to as a �buried oxide� layer. Substrate 302 can be a semiconductor substrate, such as but not limited to a silicon monocrystalline substrate and other semiconductor substrate. Narrow bandgap semiconductor film 306 can be formed on insulating substrate 300 with any suitable method. For example, narrow bandgap semiconductor film 306 can be formed onto an insulating substrate 300 utilizing a transfer process. In this technique, first a silicon wafer has a thin oxide grown on its surface that will later serve as the barrier oxide 304. Next, a high dose hydrogen implant is made into a narrow bandgap semiconductor film substrate to form a high stress region below the surface of the narrow bandgap semiconductor substrate. The narrow bandgap semiconductor wafer is then flipped over and bonded to the surface of the oxide 304 layer formed on the silicon substrate 302. The narrow bandgap semiconductor substrate is then cleaved along the high stress region created by the hydrogen implant. This results in a structure with a thin low bandgap semiconductor film 306 formed on top of the buried oxide film 304 which in turn is formed or on top of the single crystalline substrate 302. Well known smoothing techniques, such as HCl smoothing or chemical mechanical polishing can be used to smooth the top surface of the low bandgap semiconductor film 306 to its desires thickness. In an embodiment of the present invention, the semiconductor film 306 is an intrinsic (i.e., undoped) narrow bandgap semiconductor film. In other embodiments, narrow bandgap semiconductor film 306 is doped to a p type or n type conductivity with a concentration level between 1�106-1�1019 atoms/cm3. Semiconductor film 306 can be insitu doped (i.e., doped while it is deposited) or doped after it is formed on substrate 300, for example, by ion implantation 307. Doping after formation enables both PMOS and NMOS devices to be fabricated easily on the same insulating substrate 300. The doping level of the narrow bandgap semiconductor material determines the doping level of the channel region of the device. Next, as shown in FIG. 3B, a photoresist mask 308 is formed on narrow bandgap semiconductor material 306. Photoresist mask 308 can be formed by well known technique, such as by masking, exposing and developing a blanket deposited photoresist film. The photoresist mask 308 covers the portion of low bandgap semiconductor material 306 which is to become the channel region of the transistor. After forming photoresist layer 308, the narrow bandgap semiconductor film 306 is anisotropically etched in alignment with the photoresist mask utilizing well known techniques to completely remove the narrow bandgap semiconductor material 306 from locations 312 and 314 on oxide 304 where the source and drain regions are to subsequently be formed. After etching the narrow bandgap semiconductor material the portion of the narrow bandgap semiconductor material that remains provides the channel region for the transistor. Next, as shown in FIG. 3C, the photoresist mask 308 is removed with well known techniques and a film 316 used to form the source and drain regions blanket deposited over substrate 300. In an embodiment of the present invention, film 316 is a large or wide bandgap semiconductor material, such as a III-V compound semiconductor, such as but not limited to InAlSb, InP, GaSb, GaP, and GaAs. In another embodiment of the present invention, the source/drain material 316 is formed from a metal, such as platinum, aluminum and gold which forms a Schottky barrier with narrow bandgap material 306. It is to be appreciated that the source/drain material 316 is formed in contact with the sidewall of the narrow bandgap semiconductor material 306 as shown in FIG. 3C. The source/drain film 316 is ideally blanket deposited by a low temperature, less than 500C, process such as sputtering or molecular beam epitaxy. The source/drain film 316 will typically be deposited to a thickness at least as thick as the narrow bandgap semiconductor film 306. Next, as shown in FIG. 3D, source/drain film 316 is planarized so that it becomes substantially planar with the top surface of narrow bandgap semiconductor material 306. Source/drain film 316 can be planarized with well known techniques, such as but not limited to chemical mechanical polishing and plasma etch back. Next, as shown in FIG. 3E, a gate dielectric layer 318 is formed on narrow bandgap semiconductor film 306. Gate dielectric layer 318 is ideally a deposited dielectric film. In an embodiment of the present invention, gate dielectric layer 318 is a high dielectric constant dielectric film, such as a metal oxide dielectric as described above. A deposited dielectric will blanket deposit over all surfaces of substrate 300 including the narrow bandgap semiconductor film 306 and film 316 used to form the source and drain regions. Any well known technique, such as vapor deposition or sputtering can be used to deposit gate dielectric 318. In an embodiment of the present invention, a low temperature process, between 200-500� C., is used to deposit gate dielectric layer 318. Gate dielectric layer 318 can be formed to a thickness between 20-3000 Å and ideally between about 20-200 Å. Next, as shown in FIG. 3F, a gate electrode film or films 320 are blanket deposited over gate dielectric layer 318. Gate electrode film 320 is ideally a metal film, such as tungsten, titanium and tantalum and their suicides and nitrides as set forth above. A photoresist mask 322 is then formed with well known techniques, such as masking, exposing and developing to define locations where the gate electrode of the device is to be formed. The photoresist mask 322 is formed over and completely covers the patterned narrow bandgap semiconductor material 306 used to form the channel region of the device. The photoresist mask can be made slightly wider than the narrow bandgap semiconductor channel region 306 in order to ensure complete gate coverage of the channel region and to account for misalignment. Next, as shown in FIG. 3G, the gate electrode film 320 is etched in alignment with photoresist mask 322 to define a gate electrode 320 for the device. The gate electrode completely covers the patterned narrow bandgap semiconductor film used to form the channel of the device. Additionally, at this time, the gate oxide layer formed on the source and drain regions 316 can be removed also. Next, if desired, such as when a wide bandgap semiconductor material is used as film 316 to form the source and drain regions, a source/drain implant 324 can be utilized to dope the source and drain regions 316 to the desired conductivity type and concentration. This completes the fabrication of a field effect transistor having a channel region formed from a narrow bandgap semiconductor film and specially engineered source and drain regions which prevent undesired carrier injection into the channel. Thus, a novel transistor having a high channel mobility and saturation velocity which can be operated at low operating voltages, such as less than 0.7 Vcc, has been described. Referenced byCiting PatentFiling datePublication dateApplicantTitleUS7812370 *Jul 25, 2007Oct 12, 2010Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Tunnel field-effect transistor with narrow band-gap channel and strong gate couplingUS7834345Sep 5, 2008Nov 16, 2010Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Tunnel field-effect transistors with superlattice channelsUS8354695Sep 13, 2010Jan 15, 2013Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Tunnel field-effect transistor with narrow band-gap channel and strong gate couplingUS8587075 *Nov 18, 2008Nov 19, 2013Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Tunnel field-effect transistor with metal sourceUS20100123203 *Nov 18, 2008May 20, 2010Krishna Kumar BhuwalkaTunnel Field-Effect Transistor with Metal SourceUS20130137236 *Jan 14, 2013May 30, 2013Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.Tunnel Field-Effect Transistor with Narrow Band-Gap Channel and Strong Gate Coupling* Cited by examinerClassifications U.S. Classification257/289, 257/E29.297, 257/E29.271, 257/E29.296, 257/E21.411, 257/E21.425International ClassificationH01L29/45, H01L29/49, H01L21/336, H01L29/786, H01L29/78Cooperative ClassificationY10S438/936, H01L29/78696, H01L29/78684, H01L29/78681, H01L29/66742, H01L29/66643, H01L29/4908, H01L29/458, H01L29/7839European ClassificationH01L29/66M6T6F11F, H01L29/66M6T6F15, H01L29/49B, H01L29/45S2, H01L29/78H, H01L29/786S, H01L29/786F, H01L29/786GLegal EventsDateCodeEventDescriptionAug 11, 2010FPAYFee paymentYear of fee payment: 4RotateOriginal ImageGoogle Home - Sitemap - USPTO Bulk Downloads - Privacy Policy - Terms of Service - About Google Patents - Send FeedbackData provided by IFI CLAIMS Patent Services©2012 Google


text: Mauro GomezBirth DateSeptember 7, 1984BirthplaceBani, Dominican RepublicExperience1 yearCollegeNonePositionFirst BaseCareerAVGHRRBIOBP.275217.324Go toMauro GomezStatsSplitsGame LogShop Mauro Gomez PicturesBOSTON, MA - JULY 18: Jacoby Ellsbury #2 of the Boston Red Sox is congratulated by teammate Mauro Gomez #50 after scoring in the first inning against the Chicago White Sox during the game on July 18, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)Mauro Gomez Photos »11 of 17

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Racial disparities in congenital heart... [Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI
Display Settings:AbstractFormatSummarySummary (text)AbstractAbstract (text)MEDLINEXMLPMID ListApplySend to:Choose DestinationFileClipboardCollectionsE-mailOrderMy BibliographyCitation managerFormatSummary (text)Abstract (text)MEDLINEXMLPMID ListCSVCreate File1 selected item: 22391831FormatSummarySummary (text)AbstractAbstract (text)MEDLINEXMLPMID ListMeSH and Other DataE-mailSubjectAdditional textE-mail"SPAM" filtering software noticeAdd to ClipboardAdd to CollectionsOrder articlesAdd to My BibliographyGenerate a file for use with external citation management software.Create File
Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2012 Mar;13(2):218-9. doi: 10.1097/PCC.0b013e31822f112e.Racial disparities in congenital heart disease: beyond red and blue.Soskolne G, Collins JW Jr, Fineman JR, Fuentes-Afflick E.Comment onEffect of race on the timing of the Glenn and Fontan procedures for single-ventricle congenital heart disease. [Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2012]Effect of race on the timing of the Glenn and Fontan procedures for single-ventricle congenital heart disease.Ingaramo OA, Khemani RG, Markovitz BP, Epstein D. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2012 Mar; 13(2):174-7. PMID: 22391831 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE] Publication Types, MeSH TermsPublication TypesCommentEditorialMeSH TermsAfrican Americans/statistics & numerical data*European Continental Ancestry Group/statistics & numerical data*Fontan Procedure/statistics & numerical data*Healthcare Disparities*Heart Defects, Congenital/ethnology*Heart Ventricles/surgery*Hispanic Americans/statistics & numerical data*HumansLinkOut - more resourcesFull Text SourcesLippincott Williams & WilkinsOvid Technologies, Inc.MedicalCongenital Heart Defects - MedlinePlus Health InformationHealth Disparities - MedlinePlus Health InformationHispanic American Health - MedlinePlus Health Information
Effect of race on the timing of the Glenn and Fontan procedures for single-ventricle congenital heart disease.
Effect of race on the timing of the Glenn and Fontan procedures for single-ventricle congenital heart disease.Ingaramo OA, Khemani RG, Markovitz BP, Epstein D. Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2012 Mar; 13(2):174-7. Racial/Ethnic disparities in risk of early childhood mortality among children with congenital heart defects.
Racial/Ethnic disparities in risk of early childhood mortality among children with congenital heart defects.Nembhard WN, Salemi JL, Ethen MK, Fixler DE, Dimaggio A, Canfield MA. Pediatrics. 2011 May; 127(5):e1128-38. Epub 2011 Apr 18.
Racial and ethnic disparities in mortality following congenital heart surgery.
Racial and ethnic disparities in mortality following congenital heart surgery.Benavidez OJ, Gauvreau K, Jenkins KJ. Pediatr Cardiol. 2006 May-Jun; 27(3):321-8. Review Racial and ethnic differences in access to medical care.
[Med Care Res Rev. 2000]
Review Racial and ethnic differences in access to medical care.Mayberry RM, Mili F, Ofili E. Med Care Res Rev. 2000; 57 Suppl 1:108-45. Review Cardiovascular risk in special populations II: hypertension.
[Prev Cardiol. 2009]
Review Cardiovascular risk in special populations II: hypertension.Liebson PR. Prev Cardiol. 2009 Fall; 12(4):189-97. See reviews...
Turn Off Turn On Racial disparities in congenital heart disease: beyond red and blue.
Racial disparities in congenital heart disease: beyond red and blue.Pediatr Crit Care Med. 2012 Mar ;13(2):218-9. doi: 10.1097/PCC.0b013e31822f112e.

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Patent US7623344 - Method and apparatus for mounting a fan in a chassis - Google Patents
A fan mounting apparatus includes a base having a fan support. An elongated handle extends from the base for positioning the base in a chassis. A securing member is located adjacent a distal end of the elongated handle for securing the base in a chassis. The fan mounting apparatus may be used to couple...http://www.google.com/patents/US7623344?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US7623344 - Method and apparatus for mounting a fan in a chassis
Publication number US7623344 B2
Application number US 11/199,725
Also published as US20070035923
Publication number 11199725, 199725, US 7623344 B2, US 7623344B2, US-B2-7623344, US7623344 B2, US7623344B2
Inventors Christopher Beall, Alex Z. Rodriguez
Patent Citations (31), Referenced by (15), Classifications (8), Legal Events (8)
Method and apparatus for mounting a fan in a chassis
US 7623344 B2
FIG. 2 b is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the fan mounting apparatus of FIG. 2 a.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a fan module used with the fan mounting apparatus of FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.
FIG. 4 a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a first fan positioning feature used with the fan mounting apparatus of FIG. 2 a and the fan module of FIG. 3.
FIG. 4 b is a top view illustrating an embodiment of the first fan positioning feature of FIG. 4 a.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a second fan positioning feature used with the fan mounting apparatus of FIG. 2 a, the fan module of FIG. 3, and the first fan positioning feature of FIG. 4 a.
FIG. 6 a is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a chassis used with the fan mounting apparatus of FIG. 2 a, the fan module of FIG. 3, the first fan positioning feature of FIG. 4 a, and the second fan positioning feature of FIG. 5.
FIG. 6 b is a cut away perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the chassis of FIG. 6 a.
FIG. 7 a is a flow chart illustrating an embodiment of a method for mounting a fan in a chassis.
FIG. 7 c is a rear perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the fan module of FIG. 3 positioned in the fan mounting apparatus of FIG. 2 b.
FIG. 7 d is a front perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the fan module and the fan mounting apparatus of FIG. 7 c.
FIG. 7 e is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the fan module and the fan mounting apparatus of FIG. 7 d being coupled to the chassis, the first fan positioning feature, and second fan positioning feature of FIG. 7 b.
FIG. 7 f is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of the fan module and the fan mounting apparatus of FIG. 7 d coupled to the chassis, the first fan positioning feature, and second fan positioning feature of FIG. 7 b.
FIG. 7 g is a top view illustrating an embodiment of the fan module and the fan mounting apparatus coupled to the chassis, the first fan positioning feature, and second fan positioning feature of FIG. 7 f.
FIG. 7 h is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a plurality of the fan module and the fan mounting apparatus of FIG. 7 d coupled to the chassis, the first fan positioning feature, and second fan positioning feature of FIG. 7 b.
FIG. 7 i is a perspective view illustrating an embodiment of a plurality of the fan module and the fan mounting apparatus of FIG. 7 d coupled to the chassis, the first fan positioning feature, and second fan positioning feature of FIG. 7 b.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, 3, 7 a, 7 c, and 7 d, the method 700 proceeds to step 704 where the fan mounting apparatus 200 with the fan module 300 is provided. The fan module 300 is positioned adjacent the base 202 of the fan mounting apparatus 200 such that the front surface 302 a of the fan module 300 is adjacent the fan support slot 204. The fan module 300 may then be positioned in the fan support slot 204 such that each of the fan couplers 202 cb engages a respective coupling aperture 308 on the fan module 300, securing the fan module 300 in the fan support slot 204, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 c and 7 d. The fan plug 310 is then coupled to the plug coupler 206 by positioning the plug mount 310 a in the plug slot 206 a, such that the fan plug extends from the bottom surface 202 b of the base 202 of the fan mounting apparatus 200 and adjacent the alignment member 208. In an embodiment, the fan 306 may be operated to move air through the fan aperture 304 and the airflow passageway 202 ca.
Referring now to FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, 3, 4 a, 4 b, 5, 7 a, 7 c, 7 d, 7 e, 7 f, and 7 g, the method 700 proceeds to step 706 where the fan mounting apparatus 200 is mounted to the chassis 600. The fan mounting apparatus 200 with the fan module 300 coupled to it, illustrated in FIGS. 7 c and 7 d, is positioned adjacent the channel entrance 606 b such that the bottom surface 202 b of the base 202 on fan mounting apparatus 200 is adjacent the fan guide feature 410 on first fan positioning feature 400, as illustrated in FIG. 7 e. The fan mounting apparatus 200 is then moved in a direction A such that the guide members 210 aa on the arms 210 a of the fan mounting apparatus 200 enter the guide channel 410 c defined by the guide beams 410 a and 410 b, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 f and 7 g. With the guide members 210 aa in the guide channel 410 c, the fan module 300 may be guided into the fan channel 606 using the distal end 210 b of the handle 210. As the fan mounting apparatus 200 approaches the channel bottom 606 a, the alignment member 208 on the fan mounting apparatus 200 engages the fan alignment aperture 506 a. The engagement of the alignment member 208 with the fan alignment aperture 506 a lines up the fan plug 310 with the fan socket 610 a. Continued movement of the fan mounting apparatus 200 in the direction A engages the fan plug 310 with the fan socket 610 a and also results in the beveled surface 214 aa on locking member 214 a of securing member 214 engaging the front surface 402 c of the first fan positioning feature 400. Engagement of the locking member 214 a and the front surface 402 c causes the securing member to deflect away from the front surface 402 a such that the locking surface 214 ab engages the front surface 402 a, securing the fan mounting apparatus 200 to the chassis 600. Furthermore, the interference fit members 210 aa a on each guide member 210 aa provides an interference fit between the fan mounting apparatus 200 and the first fan positioning member 400, providing a tight fit which reduces vibration of the fan mounting apparatus 200 in the chassis 600. With the fan mounting apparatus 200 secured to the chassis 600, the fan plug 310 is electrically coupled the fan socket 610 a, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 f and 7 g. In an embodiment, a plurality of fan mounting apparatus 200 may be secured in fan guide features 412, 414, and 416 in the same manner as the fan mounting apparatus 200 was secured the fan guide feature 410, as illustrated in FIG. 7 h. With the fan mounting apparatus 200 secured in the chassis 600, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 h and 7 i, distal ends 210 b of the handles 210 are positioned adjacent the channel entrance 606 b and the fan modules 300 are positioned adjacent the heat sinks 608 a, 608 b, 608 c, and 608 d. To remove a fan mounting apparatus 200, the release tab 214 may be deflected away from the front surface 402 a such that the locking surface 214 ab disengages the front surface 402 a and the fan mounting apparatus 200 may be moved in a direction B and out of the fan channel 606 in chassis 600. Thus, a method and apparatus are provided which allow a fan module 300 to be mounted in and removed from a chassis 600 at the bottom of fan channel 606 safely, ergonomically, and without regard to visual obstructions.
US6711013 Apr 23, 2002 Mar 23, 2004 Dell Products L.P. Active heat sink utilizing hot plug fans
US20010024358 * Feb 8, 2001 Sep 27, 2001 Bonet Sandra E. Multiple-fan modular cooling component
US8614893 * Apr 1, 2011 Dec 24, 2013 Nec Corporation Information processing apparatus and information processing apparatus holder operation method
US20110248610 * Apr 1, 2011 Oct 13, 2011 Tomohiro Ueno Information processing apparatus and information processing apparatus holder operation method
U.S. Classification 361/679.48, 361/695, 454/184
European Classification G06F1/18S, G06F1/20
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BEALL, CHRISTOPHER;RODRIGUEZ, ALEX Z.;REEL/FRAME:016881/0145


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US women's track and field team prepare to dominate Olympics - BBC News
US women's track and field team prepare to dominate Olympics 2 August 2012 Last updated at 11:43 BST The US women's track and field team has been warming up at a stadium in East London not far from the Olympic Park. They hope to dominate proceedings once the athletics gets underway. The BBC spoke to some of their medal hopefuls.

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