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Polypeptide growth factors are a class of natural biological mediators that regulate the proliferation, differentiation, motility and matrix synthesis of nearly all cell types. These properties, demonstrable in vivo, have led to the proposal that such factors play important roles in soft and hard tissue repair. Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) is a well characterized example of such a polypeptide growth factor.
PDGF is a peptide hormone produced by blood platelets which influences the regulation of a broad array of biological systems including wound repair, arteriosclerosis, neoplasia, embryogenesis and bone marrow fibrosis. PDGF is a mitogen, that is, a substance which induces mitosis of cells and thus cellular proliferation. In wound repair, PDGF elicits both chemotactic and mitogenic responses in fibroblasts, smooth muscle, glial cells, etc. Injury to the endothelium lining the vessel wall is believed to cause platelets to adhere to exposed connective tissue at the wound site, with the concomitant release of PDGF. The released PDGF is thought to chemotactically recruit many cell types including fibroblasts, monocytes, glial and smooth muscle to migrate into the site of the wound. Increased proliferation of these cells leads to accelerated tissue regeneration and wound healing.
It has been demonstrated that the mitogenic properties of PDGF can be augmented by the addition of growth factors. For example, Antonaides et al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,861,757 and 4,874,746 showed that a combination of PDGF and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) or transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-.alpha.) had a greater effect on cell mitogenic activity than PDGF alone.
The effect of combining PDGF with other compounds is less clear. Levenson et al. in J. Biol. Chem.,260:8056-63 (1985), showed that the synthetic glucocorticoid, dexamethasone, acts synergistically with cartilage-derived growth factor (CDGF) to enhance the stimulation of DNA synthesis in quiescent Swiss 3T3 cells, while having only a neutral effect with PDGF. In addition, Levenson et al. showed that the addition of dexamethasone to PDGF-stimulated cultures had no effect on DNA synthesis over that observed with PDGF alone. | {
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The present invention relates to useful improvements in action skill games and has for its purpose the improvement of the eye-hand coordination of the game players. Action games developing and improving the eye-hand coordination of the players are well known in the art and take many and varied forms. The present invention facilitates the development of the eye-hand coordination of the game players while permitting the players to freely roam about over an unbounded area.
Goldfarb, et al, U.S. Pat. No. 4,039,188, discloses and claims a toy aircraft action skill game in which a playing board has collapsible aircraft disposed at both ends. Each of the aircraft include means for propelling a projectile in the direction of the other aircraft with the intent to strike the target. The targeted aircraft, after having been struck repeatedly, assumes a simulated crash position, thereby designating the winner. The Goldfarb game is, however, limited to the area of the playing surface and requires that hard projectiles be launched by the aircraft.
Weise, German Pat. No. 891,369, discloses a toy aircraft game in which means are provided for the aircraft to assume a broken or struck position. Weise, however, fails to disclose means for improving the eye-hand coordination of the game player and does not disclose the actuating means of the present invention.
Consequently, a novel and unique game for improving the eye-hand coordination of the players while permitting the players to play over an unbounded area is desirable. The impact means for actuating the destruction mechanism of the game should, in the interest of safety, be of a type which will not cause injury to the players. Additionally, it is preferable that the impact means be of the type whereby parts cannot be lost and thereby render the game inoperable. | {
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Bi-orientation undergone by the container during its blow molding induces residual stresses in the material. Such residual stresses are released during hot-filling, causing a deformation of the container that might make it unsuitable for use—and hence for sale.
In order to decrease deformation of the container during hot-filling, it is known to heat set the container, whereby the blow molding is conducted within a mold provided with sidewalls heated at a predetermined temperature between 80° C. and 180° C., and the container is held against the sidewalls at the end of the blow molding for a predetermined time (generally several seconds).
However, heat setting solves only part of the problems of deformation of a hot-fill container. Indeed, while cooling, the product and the air above the liquid in the capped container undergo a decrease in volume that tends to make the container retract.
Several solutions have been considered for decreasing the visible effects of such retraction. These solutions generally concern the shape of the container.
For example, it has been proposed to equip the body of the container with deformable side panels that bend inwards under the effect of the retraction and bend back outwards when the container is opened. Such containers must be handled with care by the user because of the flexibility of the body, which may result in accidental spraying.
U.S. Pat. Appl. No. 2008/0047964 (Denner et al, assigned to CO2PAC) discloses a container comprising a pressure panel located in the bottom portion of the container.
According to Denner, the pressure panel is movable between an outwardly-inclined position and an inwardly-inclined position to compensate for a change of pressure inside the container. In order to alleviate all or a portion of the vacuum forces within the container, the pressure panel is moved from the outwardly-inclined position by a mechanical pusher after the container has been capped and cooled, in order to force the pressure panel into the inwardly-inclined position. The inversion of the pressure panel from the outwardly-inclined position to the inwardly-inclined position reduces the internal volume of the container.
However, Denner fails to address the problem of badly (either over—or insufficiently) filled containers, along with the problem of cap leakage. Such problems frequently arise with hot filling, wherein the air volume (also called headspace) between the product and the cap undergoes important variations of pressure. In particular, air pressure in the headspace during inversion of the pressure panel might exceed the sealing capability of the cap and thereby lead to undesired air leaks. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a system for the adsorption and destruction of volatile organic compounds (VOC's) in gaseous streams which uses a single dual-function bed.
2. Related Art
Gas streams containing volatile organic compounds exhausted to the atmosphere are a source of pollution that contributes to smog and ozone at ground level. The removal of volatile organic compounds from these gas streams has been accomplished by thermal oxidation, catalytic oxidation or adsorption.
The quantity of VOC's in the gaseous streams, such as exhaust or by-product fumes from manufacturing, printing or painting, are quite low, generally in the range of 50 to 500 parts per million. Thus the gaseous stream per se is generally too dilute to serve as a fuel source. Furthermore, because of the large volume of the gaseous stream, sending the entire stream to a flare or other destruction unit is impracticable.
The conventional practice is to first capture the VOC's, e.g. by adsorption, then to desorb the VOC's in a concentrated form which can then be recovered or destroyed.
Adsorption is used to collect volatile organic compounds from a gas stream at temperatures below about 180.degree. F. In a conventional adsorption system, two or more beds of adsorbent material are used. The gas stream is passed through one bed of adsorbent material which removes VOC's. The other bed, which contains previously adsorbed VOC's, is regenerated by desorbing the VOC's in a gas stream that is heated above 180.degree. F. In some cases, the organic compounds are desorbed into a gas flow which is at a lower flow rate than the original gas stream. This results in a gas stream of a higher concentration of organic compounds. This stream can subsequently be chilled to achieve solvent recovery or incinerated by thermal or catalytic oxidation to destroy the pollutants.
Adsorbent materials include activated carbon, alumina and silica gels and molecular sieves. The amount of VOC's an adsorbent material will adsorb, depends on attributes of the particular adsorbent material such as surface area, pore size, surface composition and particle size, as well as the flow rate of the gas stream, the concentration of VOC's and the relative humidity.
In conventional adsorption systems, a hot gas is used to desorb the VOC's. In activated carbon adsorption systems, inert gas or steam must be used to avoid combustion of the carbon. The adsorption bed must be cooled after desorption to recover the adsorption capacity of the bed.
When a gas stream contaminated with VOC's is passed down flow through a bed of adsorbent material, the front of the bed collects VOC's until saturated, while the back of the bed retains adsorption capacity. In time, the entire bed will become saturated with VOC's and the concentration of VOC's exiting the bed will equal the concentration entering the bed. Some adsorbent materials will also adsorb water vapor from the gas stream, decreasing the relative humidity.
It is an advantage of the present invention that the separate catalytic or thermal oxidation units are either eliminated or reduced in size in the process of VOC removal and destruction from gaseous streams. It is another advantage of the present system that it may not require multiple adsorption units. It is a further advantage that the present single bed system uses less energy to desorb the VOC's. It is a feature of the present process that the adsorbed VOC's supply a portion of the energy for their own removal. It is a particular advantage of the present invention that the system can comprise a single dual purpose bed for adsorption/oxidation. It is a further particular feature of the present invention that present adsorption/oxidation system is operated continuously with the gaseous stream. | {
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This invention relates generally to apparatus for printing on the exterior surfaces of containers, and more particularly, is directed to an assembly for rotating the mandrels on which the containers are held.
In general, a variety of machines for applying decorative finishes to plastic frusto-conical cups are known. Such machines include an intermittently rotatable mandrel wheel having a plurality of spaced, radially directed mandrels located on the periphery of the mandrel wheel for holding the cups thereon. After each cup is received on a corresponding mandrel at the loading station, the mandrels are intermittently rotated with the mandrel wheel to a pre-treatment station, a printing station, a cure station and finally to an unloading station at which the cup thereat is removed from the respective mandrel. At the pre-treatment station, the plastic cup is subjected to a glass flame or electrical discharge which provides better adherence of the ink to the cup at the subsequent printing station. At the printing station, a printing blanket is brought into contact with each of the cups, to place a decoration on the outer frusto-conical surface thereof, and at the subsequent cure station, the ink is cured by ultraviolet light.
In order to provide a uniform pre-treatment and cure to each cup, the mandrels are rotated or spun at the pre-treatment and cure stations. Conventionally, this has been accomplished by a separate roller mechanism which contacted the mandrel and rotated the same at the pre-treatment and cure stations. Accordingly, a separate motor and roller wheel have conventionally been provided at each station for such purpose. This has proven to be extremely costly and ineffective.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,883 discloses an apparatus for printing on frusto-conical cups in which the mandrels intermittently move through 16 different positions for each revolution of the mandrel wheel or turret. During such movement, all of the mandrels are continuously rotated about their respective rotational axis by means of a continuously rotating ring gear which rotates the mandrels through respective pinions. Because of this arrangement, different mandrels cannot be selectively rotated, while not rotating the remaining mandrels.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,934,500 discloses an apparatus for printing on cylindrical or frusto-conical containers with an ultraviolet light ink, in which a turret or mandrel wheel includes a plurality of mandrels spaced therearound. The turret is rotated in synchronism to register each mandrel in turn at a loading station, printing station, drying station, and an unloading station. Each of the mandrels is secured on the outer end of a drive shaft rotatably mounted to the turret, the axis of the shaft being radially disposed. A bevel gear is secured on the inner end of the shaft. Therefore, with this apparatus, all of the mandrels rotate continuously in synchronism with the intermittent indexing movements of the turret, in a manner similar to that of U.S. Pat. No. 4,543,883. See also U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,201, which describes another arrangement in which a gear is permanently in mesh with bevel gears for rotating all of the mandrels.
In addition, with these latter arrangements, the mandrels are rotated by the same drive that drives the machine, that is, the mandrel wheel. It is sometimes desirable to adjust the speed of rotation of the mandrels without changing the rotational speed of the mandrel wheel. This adjustment, however, cannot be made with these machines. U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,425,928; 3,962,970; and 3,977,318 disclose other apparatus for printing on frusto-chonical cups. | {
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Along with the development of science and technology, the terminals are disposed in the electrical connector more densely, and transmit signals at higher frequencies, so a series of problems arise in the use of the electrical connector, which mainly include interference of signal transmission between the terminals and small characteristic impedance between adjacent terminals. Consequently, the high-frequency performance of the electrical connector is unsatisfactory, and the high-frequency signal transmission of the terminals is stable and will not be distorted only at proper large characteristic impedance.
Currently, an electrical connector for electrically connecting a chip module to a circuit board in this field includes an insulating body, a plurality of terminal slots formed through the insulating body, a metal shielding layer plated on an inner wall of each terminal slot, an insulating layer coated on the metal shielding layer, a plurality of terminals respectively correspondingly received in the terminal slots, and a grounding member for conducting the metal shielding layer to ground.
Obviously, in the electrical connector of the related art, as the metal shielding layer is plated on the inner wall of the terminal slot, the problem of the signal transmission interference between the terminals is solved. However, the metal shielding layer is isolated from the terminal merely by the thin insulating layer, so that when the terminal is inserted into the terminal slot, as the fit dimensions of the terminal and the terminal slot are not consistent and a positioning error between the terminals exists, the terminal penetrates the insulating layer to get in contact with the metal layer, thus causing a short circuit problem.
Furthermore, no structure is configured between adjacent terminal slots to improve the characteristic impedance of the terminals, so that the high-frequency performance of the electrical connector is unsatisfactory.
Therefore, a heretofore unaddressed need exists in the art to address the aforementioned deficiencies and inadequacies. | {
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The present invention relates to a fault detection system that detects a fault or deterioration in a semiconductor module, particularly in an inverter, and to the operation method of an inverter system with a plurality of inverters.
An inverter has been used widely, for example, to save energy in, and increase the functionality of, the power system of a train. One of the important problems of an inverter is to increase the reliability of a semiconductor module in the main circuit. A conventional way to ensure reliability is to make a fatigue test to evaluate performance in order to prevent the semiconductor module from being destroyed during system operation. However, the life of a semiconductor module depends largely on the usage condition and varies widely according to the semiconductor modules. Those problems sometimes result in the sudden destruction of a semiconductor module during system operation and stop the system.
One of main fault modes of a semiconductor module is a semiconductor chip destruction caused by an insufficient radiation. This is caused by a long-time thermal fatigue that generates cracks in the soldering layer attaching the semiconductor chip onto the radiation fin, and those cracks sometimes result in the semiconductor chip being improperly attached. Similar problems have arisen in the semiconductor module of an integrated circuit, such as a CPU, where processing power is significantly increased and the heat generation is a problem.
To solve those problems, JP-A-7-14948 proposes deterioration detection means for detecting a temperature rise in the members of a semiconductor module and, from the change with time, detects deteriorations. JP-A-8-126337 proposes a life estimation method that, with a temperature sensor on a semiconductor module, adds up the thermal stresses actually added to a semiconductor module and, from the resulting value, estimates the life.
The method described in JP-A-7-14948 requires a plurality of temperature sensors, making the detection means in an inverter, composed of a plurality of semiconductor modules, more costly and complicated.
Although the method described in JP-A-8-126337 shows the history of temperatures that caused cracks in the soldering layer, it does not show the degree of deterioration. Another problem is that, because the deterioration of semiconductor modules varies widely, a semiconductor module is sometimes destroyed before the thermal stress reaches the upper limit value. Conversely, a semiconductor module sometimes does not deteriorate at all even when the thermal stress reaches the upper limit. In the latter case, replacing the semiconductor module when the estimated life terminates does not exploit the full capabilities of the semiconductor module.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a simply structured, low-cost fault detection system capable of directly detecting the deterioration of a semiconductor module without using many detection means.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fault detection system that detects a temperature increase rate when a loss is generated using a temperature sensor installed on a semiconductor module and, when the relation between the loss and the temperature rise rate falls out of a predetermined range, judges that a deterioration or a fault has occurred in the semiconductor module.
More specifically, the semiconductor-module fault detection system according to the aspect described above comprises a semiconductor module; a temperature sense device installed on the semiconductor module; temperature measuring means for reading a temperature from the temperature sense device; and fault detecting means for detecting a deterioration or a fault of the semiconductor module based on the temperature measured by the temperature measuring means and an operation command issued to the semiconductor module.
According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor-module fault detection system comprising a semiconductor module; a temperature sense device installed on the semiconductor module; temperature measuring means for reading a temperature from the temperature sense device; temperature rise rate detecting means for calculating a temperature rise rate from the temperature measured by the temperature measuring means; loss calculating means for calculating a loss generated in the semiconductor module; and fault detecting means for detecting a deterioration or a fault of the semiconductor module based on the temperature rise rate and the loss.
According to the other aspect of the present invention described above, the semiconductor-module fault detection system judges that an abnormal condition has occurred if the temperature rise rate as compared with the loss is larger or smaller than a predetermined range.
According to a still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a semiconductor module fault detection system comprising a semiconductor module; a temperature sense device installed on the semiconductor module; temperature measuring means for reading a temperature from the temperature sense device; loss calculating means for calculating a loss generated in the semiconductor module; temperature estimating means for estimating a temperature of the semiconductor module from the loss; and fault detecting means for detecting a deterioration or a fault of the semiconductor modules based on the estimated temperature and the measured temperature.
The semiconductor-module fault detection system described above judges that an abnormal condition has occurred if an absolute value of a difference between the estimated temperature and the measured temperature as compared with the loss is larger than a predetermined range.
The semiconductor-module fault detection system described above has the temperature detecting means installed on a cooling fin of the semiconductor module.
According to a still another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an inverter system with a plurality of inverters, a processor that controls the inverters, and an information transmission line over which the inverters and the processor are connected, wherein each of the inverters has the fault detection system described above and the processor changes a command value issued to each inverter according to deteriorations or a faults in the semiconductor module of the inverter. | {
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This invention relates to a reducing material for use in steel making, particularly in the making of stainless steel, to promote reduction of oxides of such metals as iron, chromium and the like and desulphurization of the molten steel, to thereby improve the steel quality and production efficiency.
In the reducing period of the refining process in stainless steel making, silicon is normally added as a reducing material to remove oxygen supplied in excess during the preceding oxidizing period and to reduce the oxidized alloying elements such as Cr, Mn and Fe. The addition of silicon, however, causes production of silicon oxide, which reduces basicity of the slag thereby impeding the desulphurization.
On the other hand, in order to carry out the reducing process effectively it is essential to add silicon in a certain excessive quantity and in order to maintain the basicity of the slag at a proper level a considerable quantity of lime and the like is needed. Addition of such a considerable quantity of lime and the like increases the quantity of slag, makes control of Si content in the molten steel difficult and thus interferes with the steel making operation.
Further, when metallic aluminum having a higher reducibility than silicon is added in an uncoated state, the metallic aluminum will violently react with oxygen in the air in the high temperature atmosphere and will be rapidly consumed contributing little to reduction of the oxides in the slag and desulphurization of the molten steel. | {
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The present invention relates to the Internet, private networks or the like, and more particularly to a method and system for providing an electronic web sticky in association with a selected item on a web page, a selected portion of a web page or the like.
There are often times when a user of the Internet, private network or the like may take a special interest in a specific feature on a web page, such as an item on the web page or portion of a web page, a specific image, section of text, a link that contains data or the like, that the user may want to be drawn to on return trips to the web page. Alternatively, the user may note a problem with a web page, such as misinformation, a dead link or the like. Currently, a user may bookmark an entire page and use some other medium external to the actual web page, such as a physical sticky note, Personal Data Assistance (PDA), text file or similar means, to remind themselves what anchor or actual feature on the web page was of interest to them and, also possibly, the reason why the feature interested them. Use of these different media to document points or features of interest within a web page can be cumbersome and difficult to organize. Such means are not readily or automatically moveable with the user from one system to another and are not capable of being easily shared with others, such as the owner or provider of the web site. Web site owners may provide means for users to share feedback, such as discussion forums, blogs or the like. However, such forums do not provide a means to tie the feedback to a specific anchor or feature on the web page. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method, system, and program for providing optimistic concurrency with scrollable cursors in a database.
2. Description of the Related Art
Prior art database programs include a feature referred to as cursors. A cursor is a named control structure used by an application program to point to a row of interest within some set of rows and to retrieve rows from the set, possibly making updates and deletions. A cursor points to rows from a database table that satisfy a structured query language (SQL) query against the table. The rows in the table that satisfy the SQL query comprise a result table of data. The SQL query includes an SQL SELECT statement and a WHERE clause to qualify rows according to a predicate. An application can then access data on a row-by-row basis from the result table.
If the result table is static and not updateable, then the result table may be materialized in a workfile. Alternatively, the cursor may point directly to the rows in the base table. In such case, the result table is not materialized in a workfile and the cursor is updateable when the base table is updated.
When a cursor is opened or initialized, the current row position of the cursor is the first record in the result table. The application program may then issue fetch commands to move the current row position and fetch forward or backward by one or more rows or from the first or last row by one or more rows. In current implementations, if the cursor is static, then the result table cannot be updated so that once it is created no rows will be added or removed, and no values in any rows will change. Further, a static cursor is not affected by other applications accessing or updating the data records in the underlying database table from which the result set was generated. Still further, in prior art static cursor implementations, the cursor is also read-only so that it is not possible for the application to change any values in the cursor result table.
In the prior art, after the cursor is opened and a FETCH request issued to access a row, the cursor obtains a lock on the page including the requested row or the row in the base table that is being fetched. This lock on the page or row of the base table is maintained until the next fetch request or when the cursor is closed. The purpose of this lock is to ensure that the row that was fetched and returned to the application program is not changed. One problem with this prior art approach is that maintaining the lock on the fetched page or row in the base table provides low concurrency because other applications cannot modify the database page or row while the lock is held. Thus, in the prior art, the best concurrency that can be obtained is by only locking the row, not the page including the row. However, even with this approach, there is still low concurrency for the row.
Thus, there is a need in the art for a technique for improving concurrency when cursors are used.
Preferred embodiments disclose a method, system, and program for performing a cursor operation. A result table is generated including rows corresponding to a subset of rows in a base table having data in one or more columns that satisfy a query predicate clause. A command is received to perform a cursor operation with respect to a subject row in the result table. A lock is obtained on a row in the base table corresponding to the subject row in the result table as part of performing the operation specified in the received command. An operation specified in the received command is performed with respect to the subject row after obtaining the lock. The lock on the row in the base table is released after performing the operation.
In further embodiments, the command comprises a fetch command. In such case, performing the operation further comprises updating the subject row in the result table with the locked row in the base table if the locked row in the base table satisfies the query predicate clause. The updated row in the result table is then returned in response to the fetch command.
In still further embodiments, the command may comprise a delete or update command to delete or update a subject row in the result table. In such case, if the locked row in the base table satisfies the query predicate clause, then the subject row in the result table is deleted or updated.
With preferred embodiments, a lock is obtained on a row in the base table for the duration of the cursor operation, e.g., fetch, update, delete, etc. Once the FETCH operation has completed, the lock is released to provide high concurrency for the row in the base table. Data integrity is maintained because a requested operation following a release of the lock is not performed until various checks on the row in the result table are made to ensure that the base table row has not been modified in a manner that would preclude the fetch, delete or update operation from occurring in order to maintain data integrity. | {
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(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to apparatus for spreading seed, especially grass seed, onto the terrain, and more particularly to a top dresser and to a seeder attachment mountable to a top dresser for dispensing or spreading seed with or without spreading top dressing material for seeding and/or applying top dressing material to the terrain.
(2) Description of the Prior Art
Various apparatus exist for applying top dressing to the turf of golf courses, lawns, football, baseball and soccer fields, parks, recreational areas and the like. One example of such apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,307,952 which is incorporated herein by reference. Further, it is old to provide seeders that rely on gravity (free fall) to move the seeds from the seed hopper to a prepared or non-prepared seed area (ground) and to seeders having a wheel rotatable about a vertical axis for spreading seed that falls from the hopper onto the wheel and thence relies on gravity to fall to the ground. With such seeders, when seeding grassy areas, frequently the seeds will lie on the grass or leaves without any contact with the soil. As a result the seeds do not germinate. In the event the seeds fall on the top of exposed soil, usually the soil contacts only the bottoms of the seed. Accordingly, the germination rate is not as high as desired.
Carrying out the application of top dressing to the terrain in one operation, the application of seeds to the terrain in a separate operation, and the preparation of the terrain and/or moving the seeds and top dressing downward in the terrain in further separate operations are more labor intensive and time consuming than desired, and having to provide separate wheel supported vehicles to accomplish all operations, requires a greater investment in equipment than desired.
In order to obviate problems such as the above, this invention has been made. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The invention relates to the processing of the contrast density of an image in a radiography device. More particularly, the invention is directed to interpretation or reducing the appearance of artifacts for image reconstruction.
In numerous X-ray imaging applications where the object of which images are being taken has a very low contrast, a contrast agent is injected for the purpose of improving the contrast of the object. For example, a contrast agent of this sort is used for cardiology examinations or for mammographs or for DSA (Digital Subtraction Angiography) examinations. In many cases, the visibility of the object is further improved by acquiring an image called a mask image before injecting the contrast agent. This mask image is then subtracted from the image made after the contrast agent is injected in order to obtain a final image that will be used. In this case, a logarithmic subtraction is carried out. A logarithm of the mask image and the logarithm of the image made with the contrast medium. The logarithm of the mask image is subtracted from the logarithm of the image made with the contrast medium. The resulting image gives a good idea of the distribution of the concentration of the contrast agent but has drawbacks. Because of the beam hardening of the X-ray radiation, the contrast of an image made with a given density of contrast agents depends on the amount of tissue that is superimposed. In the case of DSA examinations, which require high concentrations of contrast agents, the beam hardening of the X-ray radiation may also be due to the contrast agent itself. This drawback is problematic when trying to interpret the images resulting from the subtraction and generally leads to artifacts when using the images for image reconstruction, in particular, three-dimensional construction. | {
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This invention is in the field of mechanized or continuous mining or tunneling although other technologies such as directional drilling, gas removal and pipe jacking are relied upon. The invention relates more specifically to the field of continuous mechanized mining or tunneling wherein a rotating cutter is remotely controlled and moves in substantially a straight line with all extracted material being continuously moved. However, there are several important differences between the present invention and known mining or tunneling methods. For instance, tunneling proceeds from one predetermined point to another; however, the present method of mining can follow a mineral seam utilizing a guide member and at the same time supporting the entire bore with removable supports. It is, of course, the material being removed in a non-cyclical manner that is of primary concern and not the resulting bore.
Prior art patents issued to the inventor include U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,355,215; 3,399,738; 3,232,361; 3,678,694; 3,776,594; 3,778,107 and 3,411,826. While these inventions describe novel means of tunneling through the earth, neither these nor other methods known to the inventor provide a method for removing a desired material from a horizontal or pitching seam of great length without the necessity of having miners at the face being mined. The well-known horizontal augering method is practical for only a few hundred feet, after which the auger becomes overstressed due to the friction between the auger flights and the bore as well as between the loose material and the bore. This friction limits the diameter as well as the length of bore in which the auger may be utilized.
Also, augering can only be accomplished in a straight line while the method of the present invention utilizes directional control. One of the more difficult seams to be mined is a seam which pitches at an angle from the horizontal. Such seams often decline from the horizontal at 15 to 20 degrees or more. Conventional mining of such seams is expensive and for the most part uneconomical. The present invention provides a method which can be carried out from an outcrop or a beginning face wherein the bore follows the seam and no miners are needed at the face, and yet the material being mined is removed up the slope and the bore is supported until mining has been completed.
Furthermore, the present method is less damaging to the ecology and the environment that known mining methods and is capable of removing 80% of a given mineral deposit. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed generally to multi-port or multi-outlet cassettes.
2. Description of the Related Art
Multiple communication ports or outlets may be housed inside a cassette that is mountable in a patch panel. Unfortunately, currently available cassettes suffer from a number of problems. For example, prior art cassettes lack optimal shielding of closely situated electrical connectors, sufficient connector density to support high connectivity demands, cable management and bend radius control as connector density increases, efficient patch panel latching mechanisms for multi-connector assemblies, as well as the ability to combine or mix conductive media (e.g., copper wires and optical fibers) in a single patch panel.
Therefore, a need exists for a low profile cassette configured to provide efficient high-density connectivity. In particular, a need exists for a cassette configured to house a plurality of one type of connector (e.g., copper wire connectors or optical fiber connectors) that is mountable in the same patch panel as one or more other cassettes configured to house the same or different types of connectors. A need also exists for cassettes configured to provide effective cable management and/or bend radius control. A cassette configured to provide improved and/or optimal shielding to reduce crosstalk between and among electrical connectors in close proximity within the cassette is also desirable. The present application provides these and other advantages as will be apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying figures. | {
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This invention relates to a laser apparatus and, particularly, to a beam distributor for distributing pumping beam over a laser medium to pump laser active materials doped in the laser medium.
In the fields of optical communication and laser beam machining, it is desired to develop a laser apparatus which is greater in output power and is less expensive. An optical fiber laser apparatus is known for its greater potential to meet the above-mentioned demand.
The optical fiber laser apparatus includes an optical fiber called a laser fiber that comprises a core doped with laser active materials and a clad surrounding (or cladding) the core. The laser active materials are, for example, laser active ions, pigments, or other luminescent materials.
In the optical fiber laser apparatus, a single transverse mode of laser oscillation can relatively easily be achieved by appropriately selecting a diameter of the core and a difference in refractive index between the core and the clad. In addition, by confining a pumping beam within the core at a high density, it is possible to enhance an interaction between the laser active materials and the pumping beam. Furthermore, by increasing the length of the laser fiber, the interaction can be extended so as to produce a high-quality laser beam with a high efficiency. Thus, it is possible by the use of the optical fiber laser apparatus to obtain at a relatively low cost a laser beam excellent in quality.
In order to realize further increase in output power and efficiency of the optical fiber laser apparatus, it is necessary to efficiently introduce the pumping beam into the core. Generally, when the core diameter is determined so as to satisfy a single-mode waveguide condition, it is restricted to a value not greater than ten and several micrometers. Therefore, it is generally difficult to efficiently introduce the pumping beam within the core. To overcome the difficulty, proposal is made of a so-called double-clad fiber laser.
The double-clad fiber laser comprises an optical fiber having a core doped with laser active materials, a first clad surrounding the core and having a first refractive index lower than that of the core, and a second clad cladding the first clad and having a second refractive index lower than the first refractive index. With this structure, a pumping beam introduced into the first clad from the end of the optical fiber is kept confined inside a boundary between the first clad and the second clad during propagation. This is because total internal reflection occurs at the boundary due to the difference in refractive index between the first and the second clads. During the propagation, the pumping beam repeatedly passes through the core and pumps the laser active materials contained in the core. The first clad has a sectional area corresponding to several hundreds to one thousand times that of the core. Therefore, a greater quantity of the pumping beam can be introduced into the optical fiber so as to increase the output power.
Thus, the double-clad fiber laser is advantageous in that the oscillation efficiency is high and that the transverse mode of oscillation is a single mode and stable. Consequently, by using a laser diode as a pumping beam source, the output power of several or about ten watts are obtained in the double-clad fiber laser and are much larger than that of a previous single-clad fiber laser.
However, the double-clad fiber laser is disadvantageous in that the pumping beam source is limited in number because the pumping beam must be introduced into the optical laser at the end of the laser fiber. Thus, there is no way to increase the output power of the double-clad fiber laser except for a way of increasing luminance (or output power) of the pumping beam source (i.e. the laser diode).
In order to overcome the above-mentioned disadvantage, Applicant proposed an optical fiber laser apparatus having a structural member for distributing a pumping beam over a laser fiber, which is directly or indirectly in contact with the structural member. The optical fiber laser apparatus is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (JP-A) No. H11-284255. Hereinafter, the structural member will be referred to as a beam distributor.
The beam distributor has a main body having a hollow or solid cylindrical shape and a prism formed at an end surface of the main body. If the pumping beam is introduced at a predetermined angle in the beam distributor through an incident surface of the prism, it is confined within the main body by the total internal reflection at its surfaces. When a laser fiber is coiled around the beam distributor, the pumping beam confined in the beam distributor is introduced into the laser fiber. This is because the necessary conditions of the total internal reflection do not be met at a contact area where the beam distributor and the laser fiber are in contact with each other. The pumping beam introduced in the laser fiber pumps laser active materials included in a core of the laser fiber. Thus, in the optical fiber laser apparatus, pumping is equally made at a long range of the laser fiber and the laser fiber efficiently generates a laser beam.
By the way, the beam distributor decreases the pumping beam during propagation within the beam distributor. That is, the pumping beam is partially lost by propagation loss in the beam distributor and escape loss from the incident surface. If the total of the propagation loss and the escape loss in the beam distributor is large, the pumping beam is inefficiently introduced into the laser fiber. Therefore, it is desirable to make small both of the propagation loss and the escape loss.
The propagation loss can be suppressed by the use of a quartz glass that has high transparency while the escape loss can be suppressed by making small the incident surface.
However, when the incident surface is small, it is necessary to condense the pumping beam at the incident surface. As a result, power density of the pumping beam inevitably increase at the incident surface. If the incident surface is stained with dust, the dust is scorched by the condensed pumping beam and stuck on the incident surface. The stuck dust on the incident surface not only prevents the pumping beam from being introduced into the beam distributor also is heated by the pumping beam very much. The heat of the stuck dust partially damages the incident surface.
It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a beam distributor which is capable of being introduced with large quantity of pumping beam.
It is another object of this invention to provide a beam distributor which is capable of efficiently introducing a pumping beam into a laser medium.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a beam distributor which is difficult to be influenced by dust on an incident surface.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a laser apparatus which comprises a beam distributor capable of being introduced with large quantity of pumping beam.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a laser apparatus which comprises a beam distributor capable of efficiently introducing a pumping beam into a laser medium.
It is a still further object of this invention to provide a laser apparatus which comprises a beam distributor difficult to be influenced by dust on an incident surface.
Other object of this invention will become clear as the description proceeds.
According to the gist of this invention, a beam distributor is used in a laser apparatus to distribute a pumping beam supplied from a pumping beam source over a laser medium. The beam distributor comprises a beam conductor which has an incident surface and an intermediate surface and which conducts the pumping beam received by the incident surface to the intermediate surface. A main body is connected to the intermediate surface and has a plurality of surfaces. The main body confines the pumping beam introduced therein through the intermediate surface, by repeating total internal reflection at the surfaces, to distribute the pumping beam confined therein over the laser medium where the laser medium is in contact with the surfaces of the main body.
According to another gist of this invention, a laser apparatus comprises a pumping beam source which produces a pumping beam. A laser medium is pumped by the pumping beam to emit a laser beam. A beam distributor distributes the pumping beam over the laser medium to pump the laser medium. The beam distributor comprises a beam conductor which have an incident surface and an intermediate surface and which conducts the pumping beam received by the incident surface to the intermediate surface. A main body is connected to the intermediate surface and has a plurality of surfaces. The main body confines the pumping beam introduced therein through the intermediate surface, by repeating total internal reflection at the surfaces, to distribute the pumping beam confined therein over the laser medium where the laser medium is in contact with said surfaces of the main body.
According to still another gist of this invention, a laser unit has a laser medium to emit a laser beam in response to a pumping beam supplied from a pumping beam source. The laser unit comprises a beam conductor which has an incident surface and an intermediate surface and which conducts the pumping beam received by the incident surface to the intermediate surface. A main body is connected to the intermediate surface and has a plurality of surfaces. The main body confines the pumping beam introduced therein through the intermediate surface, by repeating total internal reflection at the surfaces, to distribute the pumping beam confined therein over the laser medium where the laser medium is in contact with the surfaces of the main body. | {
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The inventive concepts relate to semiconductor memory devices and, more particularly, to semiconductor memory devices including variable resistance memory elements.
Semiconductor devices are widely used in an electronic industry because of their small sizes, multi-functions, and/or low manufacture costs. Semiconductor devices may include semiconductor memory devices storing logical data, semiconductor logic devices processing logical data, and system-on-chips (SoCs) of which each includes a memory part and a logic part.
Semiconductor devices have been highly integrated with the development of the electronic industry, thereby causing various problems. For example, a margin of a manufacturing process may be reduced, and a resistance of a memory cell of a semiconductor memory device may be increased. Thus, various researches are being conducted to resolve these problems. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to color cathode ray picture tubes, and is addressed specifically to a color cathode ray tube system having an improved unitized, three-beam, in-line electron gun. The system and associated electron gun according to the invention have application to all types of color television picture tubes, including those used in home entertainment television receivers. The system is especially valuable when applied to special-purpose high-resolution color image tubes that require beam spots that are exceptionally small in diameter, uniorm in size, and symmetrical all over the screen. Tubes of this type include medium-resolution and high-resolution monitors. An example of such a special-purpose tube is one that has a flat faceplate and an associated foil tension mask; a tube of this type is described and claimed in referent copending application Ser. No. 832,493 of common ownership herewith.
Desired performance characte-ristics of color cathode ray tube systems include high resolution, picture brightness, and color purity. Resolution is largely a function of the size and symmetry of the beam spots projected by the electron gun of the tube. Beam spots are desirably small, round, and uniform in size at all points of landing on the screen. Achievement of these ideals is difficult because of the many factors which exert an influence on beam spot configuration. As a result of such factors, beam spots that are smal- and symmetrical at the center of the picture imaging field can become distorted at the periphery of the field, for reason which will be described.
Key factors which influence beam spot size, uniformity and symmetry in picture tubes include the following:
(a) electron gun design, especially the design of the means for focusing and converging the beams in three-beam, in-line guns;
(b) potential of the cathode ray tube screen;
(c) magnitude of the beam current;
(d) the "throw" distance from the electron gun to the screen; and,
(e) the magnitude of beam-distorting influences, such as astigmatism engendered by a self-converging yoke, or that inherent in the gun design.
The ability of an electron gun to form small, symmetrical beam spots is a major factor in achieving optimum resolution. The task of designing guns with this capability has become more challenging because of the reduction in diameter of the CRT neck. This physical constraint has been largely overcome by new, more effective gun designs, such as the gun having an extended field main focus lens described and claimed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,194 assigned to the assignee of this invention.
Convergence of the three beams of an in-line electron gun is provided in present-day television systems primarily by the self-converging yoke. This type of yoke is a hybrid having toroidal-type vertical deflection coils and saddle-type horizontal deflection coils. The yoke contains windings which produce an astigmatic field component that has the effect of maintaining the beams in convergence as they are swept across the screen. The converging effect is shown highly schematically in FIG. 1, in which an electron gun 10 is depicted graphically as emitting three beams 12, 13 and 14 which diverge from a common plane 16 to impinge on a curved screen 18. The three beams are shown as being converged at the center point 20 of the screen 18. Due to the effect of the self-convrging yoke, the three beams are also caused to be in convergence at the side of the screen 18, as indicated by point 22, even though the distance that beams must travl from the plane of deflection 16 t point 22 is greater than from the plane of deflection 16 to center point 20 of the screen.
The convergence achieved is not without cost, however, as the beam spots are subject to distortion in the peripheral areas of the screen. The distortion is acceptable in conventional tubes that have the curved screen as the benefits and costs savings of the self-converging yoke outweigh its liabilities.
However, when the screen is flat, as indicated by screen 24 in FIG. 2, the self-converging yoke is unable to maintain beam convergence, as indicated by the spread of the beam spots 28 at the sides 26 of screen 24. In addition to the spread, the spots 28 will be noted as being elongated. This elongation is due primarily to the self-converging yoke. The astigmatic field component, while self-converging the beams, undesirably induces deflection defocusing of the beams when the beams are deflected away from the screen center. The effect is indicated diagrammatically in FIG. 3 by beam spots 34. The elongation of the beam spots at the peripheries of the faceplate, and the relative increase in spot size, is indicated in greater detail in FIG. 3A. The beam spots 34 will be seen as comprising a bright core 34A, and transverse to the core, a dim "halo," 34B. The size and contour of the center beam spot 36 is indicated to illustrate the magnitude of the spot size increase and distortion at the corners of the screen. Attempts to focus such beams are largely ineffectual due to the astigmatic effect--focusing merely results in what appears to be a "rotation" of the spot in that the core becomes the halo and the halo becomes the core, without restoration of center-screen dot contour and size.
The distortion of the beam spots at screen peripheries is attributable to the nature of the field of the yoke that provides the desired beam convergence. The field produced by the yoke has the shape of a pin-cushion for the horizontal deflection component, and the shape of a barrel for the vertical deflection component. In addition to the dipole effect which deflects the beams, a quadrupole, astigmatizing effect is also produced which distorts the beams at the screen peripheries, as indicated in FIGS. 3 and 3A.
As has been noted, the effect is tolerable in conventional tubes where the screen is curved, as shown by FIG. 1, and it is acceptably within the capability of the self-converging yoke to converge the beams without undue distortion. However, when the screen is flat, as indicated by FIG. 2, the astigmatic effect of the self-converging yoke is less tolerable, especially in high-resolution cathode ray tubes. Attempts to further modify the configuration of the self-converging yoke field to adapt it to a flat screen may well increase distortion outside the limits of acceptability. The self-converging abiity of the yoke was already stretched to its limit in its application to the curved screen, before the advent of the flat tension mask tube.
2. Prior Art
Prior art structures for statically converging electron beams have relied upon a variety of techniques such as the use of maghetic influences within and/or outside the tube envelope, and the use of electrostatically charged plates. Also, the prior art shows many examples of causing static beam convergence by inducing an asymmety in an electrostatic field formed at the interface of two spaced electrodes. Prior art techniques for inducing electrostatic field asymmetry have included offsetting the apertures in the opposing faces of two electrodes, and slanting one or more of the opposing faces so that the space lying between is in the form of a wedge-techniques described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,753 of common ownership herewith, and in U.S. Pat. No. 2,957,106.
Dynamic convergence means is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,448,316. Three in-line electron beams generated by three cathodes cross over in the electrostatic field of a main lens. The center beam (green) follows a straight-line path, but the two outer "red" and "blue" beams exit the lens in divergent paths. The beams paths are refracted to converge by electron prisms that enclose the beams, and which are located beyond the exit-point of the beams from the gun. The potential on the outer ones of the electron prisms is made adjustable to provide for static convergence of the red and blue beams at the shadow mask. The center beam is unaffected as the potential on the two inner plates through which it passes is left unchanged. Dynamic convergence is attained by changing the convergence control voltage on the outer prisms at the horizontal scanning frequency. The waveform of the convergence voltage is in the form of a parabola.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,520,292, von Hekken et al discloses means formed in the screen grid of an electron gun for urging the outer two beams of a three-beam electron gun into convergence with the center beam. The screen grid configuration includes a transversely disposed recessed portion having a substantially rectangular central portion and substantially triangular end parts. The total effect is to tilt the field lines within the reessed portion so that the outer beams converge.
In U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,753, of common ownership herewith, there is disclosed a three-beam electron gun for a color cathode ray tube having an extended field main focus lens means. The focus lens means has for each beam at least three electrodes including a focus electrode for receiving a variable potential for electrically adjusting the focus of the beam. In succession down-beam, there are at least two associated electrodes having potentials thereon which form in the gaps between adjacent electrodes significant main focus field components. To adjust beam focus, the strength of a first of these components is controlled by adjustment of the voltage received by the focus electrode. The strength of the second of the field components is relatively less than that of the first component. Each of the lens means is characterized by having addressing faces of the associated electrodes which define the second field component being so structured and disposed as to cause the second field component-to be asymmetrical and effective to significantly divert the beam from its path in convergence of the beams without any significant distortion of the beam, and substantially independently of any beam-focusing adjustments of the first field component. Electrode structures for producing asymmetric field components include a gap angled forwardly and outwardly, a wedge-shaped gap, and radially offset apertures.
An electron gun system providing beam convergence for use in a color CRT display system is disclosed in referent copending application Ser. No. 921,168. Means including cathode means develop three electron beams, two of which are off-axis with respect to a center axis of the gun. A plurality of electrodes means provide shaping and focusing and assist in the converging of the beams at the screen. Means are provided for developing and applying to the electrode means a pattern of potentials which form field components in the gaps therebetween; at least one of the electrode means receives a varying dynamic focusing voltage for dynamically focusing the beams as they are deflected across the screen. At least selected ones of the plurality of electrodes means for the off-axis beams are so structured and arranged as to cause a plurality of the field components to be asymmetric and effective to converge the off-axis beams. The strengths of the asymmetric field components vary in response to changes in the dynamic focus voltage. The asymmetric field components according to the invention have such polarity and strength, due to the structuring and arranging of the electrodes, and the application of the pattern of voltages, that a change in the levels of the dynamic focus voltage causes a change in the strength of each of the asymmetric field in a direction effective to additively deflect a common off-axis beam in a common angular direction so as to create a strong dependency of the convergence of the off-axis beams on variations in the focus voltage.
An electron gun according to the invention disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 832,568 comprises means including cathode means for developing an eletron beam. Main focus lens means provide for receiving the beam and forming a focused electron beam spot at the screen of the tube. The main focus lens means has a plurality of electrodes situated on a common axis. Means are provided for developing and applying to the electrodes potentials effective to form field components in the gaps between adjacent electrodes. The lens means is so structured and arranged as to cause at least one of the field components to be asymmetric and effective to significantly divert the beams from a straight-line path through a predetermined angle. Means for developing and applying a varying voltage to at least one of the electrodes causes the strength of the asymmetric field component, and thus the angle by which the beam is diverted, to vary.
Takenaka et al in U.S. Pat. No. 4,334,169 shows embodiments of an electron gun with a three-element main focus lens (G1, G2 and G3) and outer beam converging means at the field between the center electrode (G2) and the accelerating electrode (G3) of the main focus lens. The convergence means comprise offset apertures and apertures lying at an angle with respect to the gun axis to render the field between asymmetric. The G1 and G2 electrodes are electrically inked and receive the focusing voltage. An aperture electrode is located intermediate to G1 and G2 of the main focus lens and is electrically linked to the accelerating electrode of the prefocusing section. The object is stated to be the maintenance of the pre-established convergence of the outer beams, despite changes in the focusing voltage.
Other representative disclosures having electrode structures that influence beam convergence include:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,952,224 to Evans
U.S. Pat. No. 3,772,554 to Hughes
U.S. Pat. No. 4,473,775 to Hosokoshi et al
U.S. Pat. No. 4,513,222 to Chen
The performance of cathode ray tubes is also a function of the ability of the gun and associated systems to establish and maintain focus at all points on the screen. Conventional curved-screen, curved-mask tubes, because of the curvature of the screen, are able to attain tolerable focusing performance on all points on the screen with little or no dynamic focusing. However, tubes having a flat faceplate exacerbate the focusing problem particularly at the screen edges due to the lack of curvature of the screen. For high-performance flat-faced tubes, dynamic focusing of electron beams is very desirable.
Techniques for dynamically varying the focus of electron beams are well-known in the art. Dynamic focusing is used to cause a beam to be in focus at the sides of the picture imaging field as well as at the center of the field. The need for dynamic focusing arises from the aforedescribed accurate scanning of the beam with relation to the relatively planiform faceplate.
Dynamic focusing of a beam can be accomplished electronically by menns of a focus-control signal modulated at the scanning frequency, with the signal being applied to a suitable beam-focusing electrode. Dynamic focusing means is disclosed by Richard in U.S. Pat. No. 3,412,281. An A. C. control signal is employed which is proportional to the distortion due to defocusing inherent in tube faces, according to Richard. The A.C. control signal is converted into a D.C. control signal which may be added to the relatively high-level constant voltage of the tube focusing circuit. Another approach to dynamic focusing is disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 2,801,363.
Three patents to Chen disclose astigmatism-forming electrode structures. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,234,814, a gun is described that has a screen grid with an aperture comprising a rectangular slot portion facing the control grid, and a circular portion facing away from the control grid. The slot portion of the apertures is said to create an astigmatic field that produces under-convergence of the beam in the vertical plane only to avoid and/or compensate for vertical flae distortion of the beam spot at off-center positions on the image screen. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,319,163 of Chen, a gun lower end is disclosed that includes a cathode, a control grid, a first screen grid electrode having a horizontally elongated rectangular aperture, and a second screen grid electrode having a circular aperture. ln operation, the second screen grid is energized with a DC bias voltage and the control grid and first screen grid is energized with a DC bias superposed with a substantially parabolically shaped dynamic signal synchronized with either or both the horizontal and vertical deflection signals. It is stated that the astigmatic optics of the beam forming means varies in strength in phase with the beam scan so as to provide optimum correction for flare distortion of the beam. In a third Chen Patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,523,123, an inline gun includes a plurality of electrodes including a cathode, a control grid, a screen grid and a main focus lens. The screen grid has a given thickness with a plurality of transverse slots formed therein. The sots have a depth less than the thickness of the screen grid. An aperture is formed in each of the slots. The outer slots are asymmetric with respect to the apertures therein and are displaced transversely toward the center aperture. The transverse slots in the screen grid are said to compensate for the vertical flare distortion of the beam spot at off-center positions on the screen, and the asymmetric location of the outer slots is said to reduce the horizontal convergence sensitivity of the outer beams with respect to focus voltage change.
Other representative disclosures having astigmator electrode structures in the lower end include U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,242,613 to Brambring et al; 4,366,414 to Hatayama et al; and 4,629,933 to Bijma et al. Koshigoe in U.S. Pat. No. 4,641,058 discloses means for forming an asymetrical lens in both the prefocusing lens and in the main focus lens.
An in-line gun (the "DAF" gun) that is said to provide dynamic astigmatism and focus correction is described in a journal article by Suzuki et al. The focus electrode of a bipotential-type gun is split into a lower section adjacent to prefocusing lens, and an upper section adjacent to an accelerating anode. The beam-passing apertures in the opposed faces of the two sections are rectangular--the apertures in the ower section are vertically oriented, and those in the upper section are transverse to those in the lower section. The focus voltage is applied to the lower section, and a combination of the focus voltage and a dynamic voltage that is caused to vary with the excursion of the beams across the screen, is applied to the upper section. When the dynamic voltage is increased from the level of the focusing voltage, an electric quadrupole field is produced between the lower section and the upper section which is alleged to counter the astigmatizing field of the self-converging yoke. The amount of counter-astigmatizing is a function of the location of the beams on the screen--the farther from center screen, the greater the counter-astigmatizing effect. The lens formed between the upper section and the accelerating anode is an OLF--"overlapping field" lens. The use of OLF lens in this gun configuration is said to provide a larger apparent lens diameter with consequent lower magnification of the beam spots at center screen. However, the influence of the OLF lens is inherently astigmatizing, which distorts the beams at the center. Nor does the DAF gun have any provision for dynamic convergence other than the self-converging yoke. ("Progressive-Scanned 33-in. 110.degree. Flat-Square Color CRT." Suzuki et al. SID 87 Digest, pp 166-169.) | {
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This invention relates to a method of controlling idling rotational speed in an internal combustion engine, and more particularly to an idling rotational speed control method for coping with a sudden drop in engine rotational speed from high rpm by controlling the amount of intake air through use of a control valve provided in a bypass passage bypassing a throttle valve arranged in an intake passage of the internal combustion engine, whereby the rotational speed of the engine makes a smooth transition to a target idling speed in a feedback control mode.
When an internal combustion engine is idling or operating under a low load with the throttle valve kept in a substantially fully closed position, the conventional practice is to control the idling speed of the engine by regulating the intake air amount by means of a control valve arranged in a bypass passage bypassing the throttle valve, i.e., communicating the upstream and downstream sides of the throttle valve.
In internal combustion engines, even those equipped with an electronically controlled fuel injection system, it is commonly known that when the amount of intake air increases, there is an accompanying increase in the amount of fuel injected, which in turn results in greater supply of the mixture. According to a typical conventional method, the degree to which the control valve is opened is placed under closed-loop control when the throttle valve is substantially fully closed and, at the same time the rotational speed of the engine is in a predetermined idling speed region. More specifically, the magnitude of an excitation current supplied to a solenoid of the control valve for proportional control of the control valve opening is decided on the basis of a solenoid current command value Icmd, which is specified by the following equation: EQU Icmd=Ifb(n) (1)
where Ifb(n) represents a PID feedback control term applied for executing proportional control (P term), integral control (I term) and differential control (D term) on the basis of a difference between target idling rotational speed Nrefo and the actual rotational speed Ne of the engine.
Assume by way of example that the engine rotational speed is raised to high rpm by opening the throttle valve to a greater degree, and thereafter the throttle valve is substantially fully closed and the engine is placed in unloaded state, as by shifting the transmission to the neutral range or stepping down on the clutch pedal. This will cause the rotational speed of the engine to undergo a sudden drop. When the engine rotational speed falls to a value within the predetermined idling speed region, the opening of the control valve is subjected to feedback control in such a manner that the engine rotational speed will approach the target idling rotational speed, as mentioned above.
However, if the downward trend exhibited by the engine rotational speed is very sudden at such time that the engine is in the unloaded state, the rotational speed will temporarily drop below the target idling speed before being stabilized at this speed by feedback control.
The applicant has already proposed, in Japanese Patent Application No. 59-267508, a method of preventing the engine rotational speed from dropping below the target idling speed so that a transition from the former to the latter can be made in smooth fashion.
According to this previously proposed method, a sharp decline in engine rotational speed from high rpm is dealt with by temporarily halting the downward trend when the rotational speed falls to rpm higher, by a predetermined value, than an upper limit value of the idling speed region. In this way the rotational speed of the engine is made to gradually approach the target idling speed. More specifically, when the engine rotational speed falls below a predetermined speed value higher than the upper limit value of the idling speed region, a current command (control variable) Isa is generated. The value of Isa is decided by the prevailing rotational speed (Ne) of the engine and the difference (.DELTA.Ne, hereafter referred to as a "speed differential") between the present value of rotational speed and the immediately preceding value thereof. The control variable Isa is outputted as the solenoid current command value Icmd for a predetermined period of time (e.g. a fixed time period) Tsa.
According to the previously proposed method described above in which the downward trend in the rotational speed of the engine is temporarily halted by outputting the control variable Isa as the solenoid current command value Icmd for the predetermined time period Tsa, the value of Tsa is preset in dependence upon the engine rotational speed Ne and the speed differential .DELTA.Ne. In other words, with the conventional method of regulating the control valve to give a wider opening in such a manner that the engine rotational speed can make a smooth transition to the target rotational speed at engine idling, control is based upon making a prediction of rotational speed. However, due to slight differences from one internal combustion engine to another, and depending upon the particular vehicle, engine rotational speed may be caused to rise somewhat by the control variable or the downward trend in the rotational speed of the engine may not be fully prevented in an appropriate manner merely by outputting the control variable Isa for the predetermined time period Tsa. With the conventional method, therefore, engine rotational speed cannot always be stabilized at the target idling speed in a smooth manner. | {
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As is well known, semiconductor devices can include an insulated gate field effect transistor (IGFET) type device. IGFET-type devices typically include a transistor gate separated from a channel region by a dielectric. A potential applied to a gate can then be varied to alter channel conductivity.
While many IGFET type devices are volatile (e.g., conventional metal-oxide-semiconductor FETs), nonvolatile devices may also include IGFET-like approaches. Nonvolatile IGFET-like devices typically retain electric charge through one or more methods (e.g., storing, trapping charge). One conventional nonvolatile device can be a floating gate electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM). A floating gate EEPROM can include a floating gate electrode situated between a control gate and a channel. Charge, including electrons and/or “holes”, may be stored in a floating gate electrode. Such a charge may alter a threshold voltage of a resulting nonvolatile IGFET-type device. As will be noted below, a drawback to any floating gate device can be higher programming and/or erase voltages with respect to other nonvolatile approaches.
Another nonvolatile IGFET type device can include a dielectric interface to trap charge. For example, devices have been proposed that include a metal gate formed over a dielectric of silicon nitride and silicon dioxide. Such devices have been referred to as metalnitride-oxide-semiconductor (MNOS) devices. A drawback to many MNOS devices has been lack of charge retention and/or uniformity of programming.
A third type of nonvolatile device may include one or more dielectric layers for storing charge. Such devices may be referred to generally as silicon-oxide-nitride-oxidesilicon (SONOS) type devices. One very basic type of SONOS device may include a polycrystalline silicon (“polysilicon”) gate formed over a dielectric layer that includes a silicon nitride layer sandwiched between silicon dioxide layers.
SONOS devices can have lower programming voltages than other conventional nonvolatile devices, such as some types of floating gate devices. In addition, the SONOS fabrication process can be compatible with standard complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) process technology. To maintain this compatibility, SONOS devices may be scaled along with other transistors used in the process. The ability of SONOS devices to maintain performance and reliability as they are scaled can be an important feature.
To better understand the formation of SONOS devices, a conventional way of forming a SONOS device is set forth in FIGS. 11 and 12A to 12F. FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating various process steps involved in creating an integrated circuit containing SONOS devices. FIGS. 12A-12F set forth a number of side cross-sectional views of a portion of an integrated circuit containing SONOS devices following the various conventional process steps described in FIG. 12.
The conventional process described in FIG. 11 is designated by the general reference character 1100. A conventional process 1100 may include the steps of growing a tunnel oxide (step 1102) in a furnace. Subsequently, wafers that now include the tunnel oxide can be transferred from a furnace to a different machine for growing other layers in an ONO dielectric for a SONOS-type device. In FIG. 11, such a step may include transferring wafers to a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) machine (step 1104).
A conventional method 1100 may further include depositing a silicon nitride layer over tunnel oxide in a CVD machine (step 1106), depositing a top oxide layer over a nitride layer in the same or a different CVD machine (step 1108), and depositing a polysilicon gate layer (step 1110).
The above steps may form various layers for a SONOS-type device. Such layers can then be patterned to form a SONOS-type transistor. Patterning steps may include forming a gate mask (step 1112), etching gate structures (step 1114), and depositing and etching a spacer layer (step 1116).
Referring to FIG. 12A, a side cross-sectional view of a portion of an integrated circuit prior to the beginning of a conventional process 1100 is shown. An integrated circuit portion includes a substrate 1200, and may include isolation regions 1202 formed by prior process steps. As an example, isolation regions 1202 may be formed by various conventional isolation processes including but not limited to shallow trench isolation (STI) or the local oxidation of silicon (LOCOS).
It is noted that a substrate 1200 may also include various impurity regions, formed by ion implantation and/or other diffusion methods. As but a few examples, n-type wells may be formed in a p-type substrate (or vice versa), or p-type wells may be formed within n-type wells (or vice versa).
Referring again to FIG. 11, a conventional process 1100 may begin by growing a tunnel oxide (step 1102) in a furnace. A portion of an integrated circuit following step 1102 is set forth in FIG. 12B. Referring to FIG. 12B, a portion of an integrated circuit includes a tunnel oxide 1204 on a substrate 1200.
A conventional process 1100 can continue by transferring a wafer from a furnace to a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) machine (step 1104). A conventional process 1100 can continue by depositing a silicon nitride layer in a CVD machine (step 1106). A portion of an integrated circuit following step 1104 is set forth in FIG. 12C. Referring to FIG. 12C, an integrated circuit may now be situated within a CVD machine. The integrated circuit portion can now include a nitride layer 1206 deposited over a tunnel oxide 1204. A nitride layer 1206 can conventionally include essentially only silicon nitride (Si3N4).
A conventional process 1100 can continue by depositing a top oxide layer (step 1108) in a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) machine. Referring to FIG. 12D, an example of a portion of an integrated circuit following step 1106 is set forth. A tunnel oxide 1204, a nitride layer 1206 and a top oxide layer 1208 may now be formed over a substrate 1200. A top oxide layer 1208 can be conventionally formed by chemical vapor deposition (CVD).
At this point, in a conventional process 1100, three layers of an ONO dielectric have been created in at least two different machines. More particularly, a tunnel oxide 1204 may be formed in one machine (a furnace particular adapted for growing an oxide), while a nitride layer 1206 and/or a top oxide layer 1208 may be formed in a different machine (a machine particularly adapted for depositing CVD films)
A conventional process 1100 can continue by depositing a polysilicon gate layer (step 1110). An example of a portion of an integrated circuit following a step 1108 is set forth in FIG. 12E. Referring to FIG. 12E, a polysilicon gate layer 1210 has been deposited on a top oxide layer 1208. As also shown in FIG. 12E, a gate protection insulator 1213 may also be formed over polysilicon gate layer 1210. It is noted that a polysilicon gate layer 1210 is conventionally formed in a different reaction chamber than the previous oxide-nitride-oxide layers. Further, a gate protection insulator 1213 may be formed in a different reaction chamber than a polysilicon gate layer 1210.
At this point, in a conventional process 1100, the silicon-oxide-nitride-oxide-silicon (SONOS) layers can correspond to a substrate 1200, tunnel oxide 1204, nitride layer 1206, top oxide layer 1208, and polysilicon gate layer 1210, respectively.
A conventional process 1100 may continue with lithography and etch steps to isolate and form SONOS devices. In conventional lithography, a gate mask may first be formed (step 1112). An example of a portion of an integrated circuit following step 1110 is set forth in FIG. 12E. A gate mask material 1212 can be deposited and patterned using any of various lithographic techniques. A gate mask material 1212 may generally consist of a photoresist material.
Following the formation of a gate mask (step 1112), gate structures can be etched (step 1114). Referring now to FIG. 12F, a portion of an integrated circuit following step 1112 is set forth. A suitable etching process can remove portions of the tunnel oxide 1204, nitride layer 1206, top oxide layer 1208, and polysilicon gate layer 1210 that are not covered by gate mask material 1212. In this manner, SONOS device gate structures 1216 can be formed on a substrate 1200.
A conventional process 1100 can continue by depositing and etching a spacer layer (step 1116). An example of a portion of an integrated circuit following step 1116 is set forth in FIG. 12F. Referring to FIG. 12F, a spacer layer 1214 can be formed that surrounds and electrically isolates SONOS gate structures 1216. A spacer layer 1214 may include silicon dioxide. Note that in FIG. 12F, a gate mask layer 1212 has been removed by suitable process means.
While the conventional process described may produce an integrated circuit containing SONOS devices of reasonable quality and performance, certain aspects of a process may be important in maintaining device performance and/or reliability. This can be particularly true as SONOS devices are scaled to realize lower programming voltages and/or in order to maintain compatibility with CMOS process technology.
ONO dielectric layers in SONOS-type devices may suffer from certain drawbacks as a SONOS-type device is scaled down, particularly as the thickness of the dielectric layers are scaled down to a point at which a tunnel oxide 1204 can be less than 25 Å thick, a nitride layer 1206 can be less than 100 Å thick and a top oxide layer 1208 can be less than 50 Å thick.
A tunnel oxide 1204 can provide an insulating layer between a silicon substrate and a nitride layer 1206. A nitride layer 1206 can be a dielectric layer between a tunnel oxide 1204 and a top oxide layer 1208 that can trap and/or store electric charge. A top oxide layer 1208 can function to electrically isolate a nitride storage layer 1206 and a polysilicon gate layer 1210.
For the reasons set above, the quality of a tunnel oxide 1204, a nitride layer 1206 and a top oxide layer 1208 can be important features in an ONO dielectric of a SONOS-type device.
The performance of an ONO dielectric of a SONOS-type device can be affected by various factors including thickness, uniformity of thickness, particle count, stress in the dielectric layers, and the quality of a interfaces present in an ONO dielectric.
Thickness can be an important character of an ONO dielectric in a SONOS-type device as a thin but robust dielectric can be important in maintaining device performance and reliability. This may be particularly important as SONOS devices are scaled to realize lower programming voltages and/or integrated to be compatible with decreasing geometry CMOS process technology.
Uniformity of the thickness of dielectric layers across a wafer can also be an important feature in a process. Uniformity in layer properties across a wafer can translate into uniformity in the performance of all devices formed on at the same wafer. This can increase yields and help ensure that device specifications are met.
Particle count can be another important character of ONO dielectric of SONOS-type devices. Increased particle account typically results in direct reductions in yields. Consequently, minimizing particle count is typically a continuing goal in semiconductor manufacturing processes.
Stress may also reduce the quality of ONO dielectric layers of SONOS-type devices.
In particular, stress may occur when different materials undergo thermal expansion at different rates. Temperature variation can be the main cause of the thermal expansion that can lead to stress in different dielectric layers. Stress can cause cracking in the dielectric layers, spiking in metal lines and/or void formation in conductive layers, thus reducing the quality of an ONO dielectric.
Interface quality may be affected by foreign elements, or the like. Such foreign elements may typically be introduced at an interface during a manufacturing process. As but a few of the many possible examples, foreign elements may include organic films, undesirable elements like boron, and/or particles.
A conventional manufacturing process for a SONOS-type device, such as that described above, can have various drawbacks. In a conventional process, wafers can be transferred to different machines for manufacturing different layers. For example, a tunnel oxide 1204 can be grown in one machine, while the remaining layers including a nitride layer 1206 and a top oxide layer 1208 can be deposited in another machine. A transfer of wafers among different machines can facilitate the introduction of foreign particles or elements onto a wafer, and thus increase a particle count for a wafer. Further, such particles or elements may settle at an interface between dielectric layers. This may adversely affect the performance of an ONO dielectric.
A conventional process can also subject wafers to broad temperature changes in forming different dielectric layers. This may also increase the particle count and increase the stress in dielectric layers. In particular, different layers of a SONOS-type dielectric can be formed under different temperature ranges. In addition to increasing stress, resulting temperature cycles can also cause variations of thickness in different parts of dielectrics.
In light of the limitations of the conventional process set forth above, it would be desirable to provide a method of forming ONO dielectric layers for a SONOS-type device that may have a higher quality than conventional approaches. | {
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Neurogenic inflammation can be triggered by activation of nociceptive and thermal-sensitive nerve endings in tissues. Such activation can be caused by tissue injury, viral infection, or innate conditions, such as autoimmune disease. For example, once an individual has been infected with the herpes virus, the virus will thereafter remain latent in the body. In the latent state, the virus can settle in nerve cell bodies in the ganglia. Stimuli, such as influenza infection, other respiratory disorders, gastrointestinal infections, stress, fatigue, menstruation, pregnancy, allergy, sunlight, or fever, can activate the latent virus, which may then travel from the ganglia to the skin surface and multiply, causing various symptoms. Exemplary symptoms include pain, neurogenic inflammation, blistering, and other somatosensory system manifestations such as, for example, pain, itch, tickle, tingle, and numbness.
At the onset of such symptoms, conventional methods for the treatment of pain and inflammation are often initiated, for example, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antidepressants, and antiviral medications (e.g., acyclovir, famciclovir, or valacyclovir). Such conventional methods often fall short of true treatment by only providing temporary relief, masking symptoms and/or causing serious side effects from prolonged use. Thus, there remains a need for a safe and effective treatment of inflammation and pain which can be used without the side effects associated with long-term use of conventional treatments. | {
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There has been a recognition that the United States is at risk of the delivery of weapons of mass destruction to its ports by enemies employing a strategy of hiding such a weapon in a shipping container. Various schemes have been proposed for x-raying containers or otherwise examining containers as they are loaded on ships in the foreign port. Such schemes, however, can be very limited in effectiveness since they can be defeated with x-ray shielding, vulnerable to compromise by rogue employees and the contents of the containers altered after they are loaded in the foreign port.
To a limited degree, the notion of embedding detecting devices in a container, which communicate with external systems, has been implemented in unsecure applications. For example, Sensitech, based in Beverly, Mass. (www.sensitech.com), provides solutions in the food and pharmaceuticals fields that are used for monitoring temperature and humidity for goods in-process, in-transit, in-storage, and on-display. So, temperature and humidity monitors can be placed in storage and transit containers to ensure desired conditions are maintained.
However, such data is not generally considered sensitive with respect to security issues. Rather, it is used for ensuring the products in the container do not spoil by being subjected to unfavorable temperature and humidity conditions. Consequently, secure communications, tamper resistance and detection are not particularly relevant issues in such settings. Additionally, such monitors do not monitor for the presence of suspicious content or materials, no matter where they may be introduced in the chain.
Even if detectors are introduced into a container and interfaced to an external system, an “enemy” may employ any of a variety of strategies to defeat such a detection system. For instance, an enemy may attempt to shield the suspicious materials or activities from the detectors; defeat the communication interface between the detectors and the external system, so that the interface does not report evidence of suspicious materials or activities sensed by the detectors; disconnect the detectors from the interface; surreptitiously load a container that contains an atomic weapon, but that does not contain detecting devices, onto a container ship; overcome external systems so that they incorrectly report on the status of the detectors.
The difficult aspect of the environment is that the detecting devices and the communications interface will be in the hands of the potential enemy for some period of time, at least for the period of time necessary to load the container. Also, since the potential enemy is presumed capable of constructing an atomic weapon, the enemy must be presumed able to utilize other advanced technologies suitable for defeating the detecting devices and the interface. | {
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This invention relates to guns capable of firing paintballs by using pressurized gas and in particular to such guns that are electronically operated.
Guns capable of firing paintballs by use of pressurized gas have been known for a number of years and they are commonly used for recreational sports such as survival or xe2x80x9cwarxe2x80x9d games. The paintballs fired by these guns generally comprise a gelatin shell with a colored liquid or viscous substance in the interior. These paintballs are designed to burst upon impact with a target and thereby create a very visible mark on the target.
Up until recently the firing mechanisms in paintball guns have generally been mechanical in nature and have not been electrically operated. An example of such a gun is that disclosed in and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,349,939 issued Sep. 27, 1994 to Brass Eagle Inc. This gun has a hammer mechanism slidably mounted in the breech. A spring is used to drive the hammer forwards when the gun is fired. The firing mechanism requires the use of a sear device mounted on a sear pin and located in the breech area, a rear detent slidably mounted in the sear device and a spring to bias this detent so that it is engageable with the trigger.
Recently, electronically operated paintball guns have come into use and have become popular. One such paintball gun is described in recent U.S. Pat. No. 5,881,707 issued Mar. 16, 1999 to Smart Parts, Inc. The grip of the gun has an electrical switch capable of activating a launching sequence. An electrical control unit is housed within the body of the gun and a grip and can direct pressurized gas flow between the pneumatic components of the gun in order to load, cock and fire the gun. The electrical control unit includes an electrical power source which activates an electrical timing circuit when the electrical switch is closed, and two electrically operated pneumatic flow distribution devices. Upon closure of the switch, the control unit causes a projectile to be loaded into the launching mechanism by actuation of the first pneumatic flow distribution device. A paintball is fired when the timing circuit actuates the second flow distribution device to release gas from a storage chamber into the launching mechanism.
Another electronically activated gun is that described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,003,504 issued to NPF Limited on Dec. 21, 1999. This gun employs first and second gas pressure regulators with the first capable of providing high gas pressure in a first chamber of the gun. The second regulator is connected between this first chamber and a second chamber and maintains a lower working pressure in the second chamber. A control valve receives gas under pressure from the second chamber and directs it selectively to a ram slidably mounted in a cylinder. The ram is moved by gas pressure between a retracted position and a forward position where it opens a valve to allow high pressure gas to flow from the first chamber to the barrel to fire a paintball. The gun""s trigger operates a microswitch which is part of an electronic control circuit for the gun.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a relatively simple, low cost, electronically operated paintball gun that employs a pneumatic circuit for driving the bolt towards a front shooting position and a spring to bias the bolt to a rearward position after the gun is shot.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a novel paintball gun that employs an electronic circuit for controlling a pneumatic circuit of the gun and that can be manufactured easily and at reasonable cost.
According to one aspect of the present invention, a paintball gun operable to shoot paintballs includes a barrel, a gun body section including a breech connected to a rear end of the barrel and a handle section, and a trigger movably mounted on said gun body section. A bolt is contained in a single elongate bolt chamber formed in the breech. The bolt is movable between a retracted position where a paintball can enter the bolt chamber through an inlet and a front shooting position where the inlet is closed. A spring is mounted in the breech section and engages the bolt and thereby biases the bolt towards the retracted position. A pneumatic circuit is used to drive the bolt forwardly towards the front shooting position using pressurized gas and includes a control valve arranged to receive gas under pressure and direct the pressurized gas (when the gun is shot) into the bolt chamber to a rear side of the bolt. An electronic circuit controls the pneumatic circuit and includes an electrical switch operated by movement of the trigger. The gun further includes a gas valve mechanism mounted therein and adapted to be opened by engagement of the gas valve mechanism by the bolt in the front firing position to permit passage of pressurized gas from a pressurized gas source to the barrel to propel a paintball along and out of the barrel.
The preferred gun includes a battery connected to the electronic circuit which includes an on/off switch. The preferred electronic circuit includes a mircocomputer with a timer capable of controlling the length of time when the control valve directs gas under pressure to the rear of the hammer.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided in a gas powered gun for firing balls, a barrel, a gun body section including a breech behind the barrel for receiving one ball at a time through a ball feed port, a trigger movably mounted in the gun body section, and a bolt slidable within the breech to advance a ball to a shooting position and close off the feed port. This gun also has a regulator for supplying pressurized gas at a relatively low gas pressure, this regulator being adapted for connection to a source of relatively high-pressure gas. The improvement in this gun includes means for moving the bolt to a retracted position after the gun is shot. A solenoid valve having an inlet connected to the regulator is arranged to deliver relatively low pressure gas to a rear side of the bolt for moving the bolt forwardly to the shooting position when the solenoid valve is in an open position. The improvement further includes an electronic circuit for controlling the solenoid valve, this circuit including an electrical switch operated by the trigger, and a valve mechanism for permitting the relatively high pressure gas to flow into the barrel in order to propel a ball along and out of the barrel, this valve mechanism being moved to an open position by engagement of the bolt with the valve mechanism in the front shooting position of the bolt.
In a preferred embodiment, the moving mechanism is a coil spring mounted in the breech and engaging the bolt at one end of the spring. The preferred electronic circuit is powered by a battery connected thereto and this circuit further includes a manual ON/OFF switch, and an electronic switch which is capable of shutting down the electronic circuit automatically in order to save battery power.
According to still another aspect of the invention, a gun operable to shoot balls comprises a barrel, and a gun body section attached to the barrel and including a breech section co-axial with the barrel and a movable trigger. The gun further includes a bolt mounted in the breech section and movable between a retracted position for ball loading and a forward position for shooting a ball. The gun also has means for moving of the bolt to the retracted position after the gun is shot and a first pneumatic circuit for delivering propellant gas from a supply to the barrel for propelling the ball therefrom. This first pneumatic circuit includes a first gas valve. There is also a second pneumatic circuit connected to receive pressurized gas from the gas supply, this circuit including a second valve for delivering pressurized gas to a rear end of the bolt for a short time interval in order to drive the bolt from the retracted position to the forward position and thereby cause the bolt to engage the first gas valve mechanism to open it and release the propellant gas into the barrel. An electronic circuit is also provided to operate the second valve and this circuit is operable by the trigger.
Preferably the moving mechanism of this gun is a coil spring mounted in the breech section and engaging the bolt at one end of the coil spring.
According to still another aspect of the invention, a gun operable to shoot balls comprises a barrel; a gun body section attached to a rear end of the barrel and including a breech section coaxial with the barrel; a movable trigger mounted on the gun body section; and a bolt mounted in the breech section and movable between a retracted position for ball loading through an inlet in the breech section and a forward position for shooting a ball. The gun also includes a system for moving the bolt between the retracted position and its forward position and a pneumatic circuit for delivering propellant gas from a gas supply to the barrel for propelling a ball therefrom. This pneumatic circuit includes a gas valve mechanism. When the bolt is moved from its retracted position to its forward position, the bolt engages the gas valve mechanism and causes the gas valve mechanism to open and release the propellant gas into the barrel.
Further features and advantages of the paintball gun of this invention will become apparent for the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment. | {
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The present invention pertains generally to electrical connectors for electrically connecting the contacts of a first component to the contacts of a second component. More specifically, the present invention pertains to high density, miniature electrical connectors. The present invention is particularly, but not exclusively, useful as a miniature connector with an array of closely spaced conductors suitable for either compression or solder connection with circuit boards or their components.
Electrical connectors can be used to connect one electronic component such as a microprocessor to another electronic component such as a printed circuit board. In modern equipment, electrical connectors capable of simultaneously connecting large numbers of electrical circuits from one electronic component to another are often required. Typically, for such an application, the electrical connector includes a frame having two opposed contact surfaces. Each contact surface on the connector is provided for engagement with a corresponding contact surface on one of the electronic components. The connector frame functions to both hold the midsections of a plurality of individual electrical conductors, and to electrically isolate each conductor from the remaining conductors. Also, the frame generally incorporates features for mechanically attaching the electronic components to one another. Heretofore, connectors having conductors that are molded-in-place within the frame have been widely used. In these connectors, each conductor has a first finger that projects from one side of the frame and a second finger that projects from the other side of the frame. The midsection of each conductor connects the first finger to the second finger.
A typical mold-in-place conductor is manufactured by first stamping an array of conductors from a sheet of metal. Generally, the conductors are stamped with the flat midsection of each conductor remaining essentially in the plane of the original sheet, and the fingers of the conductor projecting from the plane of the original sheet. Next, the array of conductors is placed in a mold and molten plastic is injected into the mold cavity to mold the midsections of each conductor in place and to create a frame having opposed contact surfaces. The result is a connector having the flat midsection of each conductor oriented substantially parallel to the contact surfaces of the frame. These mold-in-place conductors have established an excellent reputation for reliability throughout the electronics industry. Specifically, these connectors provide an acceptable signal to ground ratio with little or no measurable crosstalk between conductors.
In modern equipment, electronic components have become increasingly miniaturized, while the number of circuits in each electronic component has multiplied. These effects have combined to require smaller connectors having smaller spacings between adjacent conductors. Unfortunately, for mold-in-place connectors, small spacings between adjacent conductors are not readily obtainable when the conductor midsections are oriented parallel to the contact surfaces of the frame.
In addition to close conductor spacing, connectors that have long fingers are generally prescribed to provide for good wiping action with the land of the electronic component. In typical mold-in-place conductors manufactured by the process described above, small spacings between conductors are generally unobtainable when long fingers are prescribed. Specifically, this occurs because during stamping, the fingers are formed between midsections of adjacent conductors, and the spacing between adjacent midsections is maintained between the stamping and the molding steps. Consequently, in typical mold-in-place conductors manufactured by the process described above, an increase in finger length generally must be accompanied by an increase in spacing between adjacent conductors.
Another common method of manufacturing connectors, called stitching, involves molding a plastic frame containing a plurality of apertures, and then xe2x80x9cstitchingxe2x80x9d the individual contacts into the apertures of the solid frame. Generally, the conductor midsections can be oriented in the frame perpendicular to the contact surface of the frame. Consequently, close spacing between conductors is generally not limited by midsection orientation. However, stitched connectors have different performance characteristics than mold-in-place connectors and have not established industry wide acceptance. For example, the presence of a large number of apertures within the frame affects both the electrical characteristics and the structural capabilities of the frame.
In light of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical connector having hundreds of reliable mold-in-place conductors spaced at less than 1.5 mm from each other. Another object of the present invention is to provide a connector having relative dimensions, such as the dimensional relationship between the spacing between adjacent conductors and the length of each conductor finger, that are not constrained due to the orientation of the midsection in the frame. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide electrical connectors which are easy to use, relatively simple to manufacture and comparatively cost effective.
The present invention is directed to an electrical connector for electrically connecting a plurality of contact lands on a first component to a plurality of contact lands on a second component. The electrical connector includes a plurality of electrical conductors, each conductor partially embedded in a molded frame made from a dielectric material.
The frame is formed with a first side having a plurality of substantially coplanar first surfaces. Further, the first side is formed with a plurality of parallel first channels, with each first channel positioned between a pair of coplanar first surfaces. Consequently, the first side is composed of a plurality of first surfaces and a plurality of first channels. Additionally, the frame is formed with a second side opposed to the first side. The second side also has a plurality of substantially coplanar second surfaces. The frame is constructed with the second surfaces of the second side substantially parallel to the first surfaces of the first side. Like the first side, the second side is also formed with a plurality of parallel second channels, with each second channel positioned between a pair of coplanar second surfaces.
Each channel is formed with a first wall, a second wall and a bottom. Further, the walls and bottom of each channel are substantially flat. The first wall extends from a surface of the side to the bottom of the channel. Further, the first wall is substantially perpendicular to both the surface of the side, and to the bottom of the channel. Consequently, the bottom of the channel is substantially parallel to the surface of the side. Similarly, the second wall extends from a surface of the side to the bottom of the channel, and the second wall is substantially perpendicular to both the surface of the side and the bottom of the channel.
Each channel defines an axis plane. Specifically, the axis plane of each channel is parallel to the walls of the channel and is located generally midway between the walls of the channel. For the first side of the frame, each first channel defines a first axis plane. Similarly, for the second side of the frame each second channel defines a second axis plane.
Each conductor includes a first finger, a second finger and a midsection connecting the first finger to the second finger. The midsection of each electrical conductor is fully encapsulated by the frame. Preferably, the midsections of each electrical conductor are substantially flat. In the preferred embodiment, the midsection of each electrical conductor is molded in place within the frame with the flat midsection oriented perpendicular to both the first surface of the first side, and also, the first axis plane of each first channel.
Each finger is formed with a tip. Preferably, the first finger of the electrical conductor extends from the bottom of a first channel and into the first channel. Further, each first finger extends from the first side of the frame to the tip of each first finger. Similarly, in the preferred embodiment, the second finger of the electrical conductor extends from the bottom of a second channel and into the second channel. Like the first fingers, each second finger also extends from the second side of the frame to a tip of each second finger.
Additionally, the conductors are oriented within the frame with the tip of each first finger lying in a first axis plane and the tip of each second finger lying in a second axis plane. Consequently, a single conductor extends into both a first channel having a first axis plane and a second channel having a second axis plane. Stated differently, each single conductor shares a first channel and a second channel. In one embodiment of the present invention, the shared first and second channels are aligned. For purposes of the present disclosure, two channels are aligned if the axis plane of the first channel is coplanar with the axis plane of the second channel. In another embodiment of the present invention, the shared first and second channels are laterally offset. Specifically, for purposes of the present disclosure, two channels are laterally offset if the axis plane of the first channel is separated from the axis plane of the second channel by a nonzero distance.
Each finger may be shaped to facilitate electrical connection with the contact lands of a mating electronic component. In one embodiment of the present invention, the finger can be shaped for compression connection with a contact land of a component. In this embodiment, the finger is curved from the bottom of the channel to the tip of the finger. A curled contact surface is provided at or near the tip of the finger for contact with the land of a component. Specifically, the finger is curved to allow the contact surface on the finger to extend slightly beyond the surface of the frame. In other words, the finger is curved such that the distance between the contact surface on the finger and the bottom of the channel is slightly greater than the distance between the surface of the frame and the bottom of the channel. This configuration allows the contact land of a component to compress the finger of the conductor whenever the contact land is seated onto the surfaces of the frame. Alternatively, the contact surface of the finger can be dimensioned to bridge a VIA hole on a printed circuit board. In another embodiment of the present invention, the finger is shaped to allow the finger to be surface mount soldered to a contact land of a component. In this configuration, the finger is shaped such that a portion of the finger near the tip is approximately parallel to the surface of the side. Alternatively, vertical fingers can make an electrical connection to the contact ball of a ball grid array, or parallel shaped fingers could be soldered to the contact ball of a ball grid array.
Importantly, in the connector of the present invention, the conductors can be closely spaced. In particular, two conductors each having their respective first fingers in a single first channel can be spaced less than 1.5 mm apart. Specifically, the flat midsections of the conductors can be spaced less than 1.5 mm apart. Further, the connector of the present invention allows for fingers having curvelengths exceeding 1.5 mm while maintaining midsection spacings at less than 1.5 mm. For purposes of the present disclosure, the curvelength of a finger is the distance measured along the finger from the bottom of the channel to the tip of the finger. | {
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1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a magnetic data processing apparatus such as a check reading apparatus having a magnetic head and a motor, and relates more particularly to an improvement for reducing noise produced in the magnetic head in response to leakage flux from the motor.
2. Description of Related Art
A check reading apparatus conveys a check on which magnetic ink characters are printed through the transportation path on which a magnetic head is disposed to read the magnetic ink character information. A stepping motor or other type of electric motor is used as the drive source of the transportation mechanism for conveying the check. Such motors produce leakage flux which can cause the magnetic head to produce noise represented by electromotive forces. Noise produced by the magnetic head will interfere with its reading the information in the magnetic ink characters on the check. It is therefore necessary to suppress the noise caused by leakage flux from the motor.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Appl. Pub. JP-A-H11-306502 teaches a mechanism for suppressing this noise. The mechanism taught in JP-A-H11-306502 covers the motor with a shield plate to control the direction of leakage flux from the motor, and positions the motor and the magnetic head relative to each other so that the flux is oriented in a direction that does not produce electromotive force (noise) in the coil of the magnetic head. This suppresses noise applied to the magnetic head due to leakage flux from the motor. | {
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The invention relates to a load and transport cart.
It is known that shopping carts provide great help for transporting purchased goods without the purchased goods having to be carried. However, shopping carts can typically be moved only at the speed of a pedestrian, which greatly limits the range of action of the carts.
A bicycle having a shopping basket or storage bags does enlarge the range of action for transport. This is too bulky, however, and is not suitable for transporting heavy purchased goods such as beverage crates, for example. Conventional scooters and kickboards are likewise not suitable for this.
Document DE 10 2006 042 1129 A1 describes a load cart, which comprises three wheels, a footboard, which can be folded upward, and a loading surface on the front side, on which heavy, bulky loads can be loaded and transported, wherein the front wheels can be slanted relative to the roadway via beveled gear pairs during cornering.
Furthermore, document DE 20 2008 006 764 U1 makes known a support structure equipped with rollers and having at least one gripping element disposed on a rod assembly for guiding the support structure. A skateboard, as a standing board for the user, is associated with the support structure. The gripping element is provided as steering means for the rollers, which are disposed such that these are rotatable about a steering axis extending transversely to at least one axis of the support structure in the steering motion of the support structure.
Furthermore, load carts equipped with three wheels are known from FR 2 926 961 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,525 B1.
All these known solutions have the same disadvantage, namely that the rollers do not have a separate drive and are therefore limited in terms of the range thereof, but also require the application of great force to transport heavy, bulky loads, and are even unsuitable for this.
Loading surfaces that are disposed in front of the front wheels (see FR 2 926 961 A1, WO 01/72164A1, EP 1 704 901 A1, WO 95/08466 A1, DE 102 04 478 A1, DE 81 28 047 U1) shift the center of gravity of the load into a position that is not always sufficient for the safety of the roller, and therefore the user must apply appropriate counterforces to prevent the roller from tilting forward. | {
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This invention relates to showers of the type used in bathrooms and, more particularly, to a shower unit of pre-plumbed nature for facilitating rapid shower installation in existing and newly constructed residences.
Conventionally, showers for residential use, including homes, rental units, condominiums, as well as hotels and motels, have typically involved with the provision of plumbing within a wall surrounding a bathtub. Consequently, it is conventional practice to install plumbing for a shower before the walls surrounding a bathtub are finished. This requires coordination between plumbers and carpenters so that plumbing can be scheduled before finishing. Then, subsequent to the walls being finished, plumbing fixtures are then installed. This requires a greater expense and imposes more difficulty than would be the case if the shower could be installed after the walls are finished.
Additionally, a problem is encountered when it is desired to install a shower in existing construction where one has not previously been in place, as in older residences in which there exists only a tub. This has heretofore required removing or opening major portions of the wall surrounding the tub, installing the requisite plumbing, and then refinishing the wall. The resultant wall repairs are costly, cumbersome and time-consuming. This also usually requires the services of skilled individuals such as professional plumbers or carpenters, plasterers and so forth as may be required to refinish the wall.
When it is desired to replace or repair an existing shower, similar problems are encountered since the existing shower lining or so-called surround may have to be removed or even destroyed to gain access to a wall which itself must then be removed or broken into over a major area to open up the framing in which the plumbing is to be installed. Here again, costly wall repairs, finishing and so forth are required.
As an alternative, unsightly add-on arrangements have been used in which the shower plumbing is simply installed exterior of the wall and extends upwardly to the shower head. But, such arrangements are unattractive, crude in appearance and as a result have not been acceptable.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a pre-plumbed shower unit of modular, self-contained nature for facilitating rapid shower installation.
Another object of the invention is the provision of such a shower unit which is designed for extremely facile, simple installation not only in existing buildings but also in those which are newly constructed.
A further object of the invention is the provision of such a shower unit which can be installed over any flat wall surface or tub surround without requiring costly wall repairs.
Yet another object of the invention is the provision of such a shower unit which can be used to add a shower to a tub which does not have a shower, as well as permitting the replacement of an existing shower.
Yet another object of the invention is the provision of such a shower unit which allows interconnection with existing plumbing without the need for covering over or closing off access openings through which connection is made.
It is also an object of this invention to provide such a shower unit which can be installed by relatively unskilled individuals and without requiring the services of skilled professional such as plumbers, carpenters, plasterers and so forth.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide such a shower unit which conceals and encloses old plumbing attractively to provide an appearance which will complement a bathroom and provide a styled, modern appearance which is in keeping with contemporary decor and so will enhance the beauty of existing facilities and improve their value.
Among other objects of the invention are the provision of such a shower unit which not only maintains the integrity of existing walls but also is itself of sturdy, extremely long-lasting and durable construction; which is economically and relatively simply constructed to provide for low cost to the consumer; and which will protect walls and structure of existing facilities from water damage, leakage, and the like.
Other objects will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinbelow. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention.
The present invention relates generally to methods and compositions for the treatment of migraine headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, headaches, and headache disorders. More specifically, the present invention relates to methods of treating migraine headaches, trigeminal neuralgia, headaches and head pain disorders by administering a pharmaceutically suitable composition made with and or containing Thevetin A and or Thevetin B in the form of a nasal spray, or other mode of packaging and administered intranasally. In particular the present invention relates to methods for the treatment and or prophylaxis of migraine headache (migraine), cluster headache, tension type headaches, headache disorders, head pain or trigeminal neuralgia, by administration of Thevetin A and or Thevetin B or a pharmaceutical composition comprising Thevetin A and or Thevetin B to individuals in need of treatment thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
There have been several published literature and patents disclosures that list methods of treating some forms of primary headaches using plants extracts that contains various levels of one or more cardiac glycosides and as expected other bioactive compounds. There are also numerous published literatures that teach the administration of drugs intranasally to treat headaches, neurological disorders and other brain diseases. Example is an article that was published by ScienceDaily, “Breakthroug: Nasal spray may soon replace pills for delivering drugs to the brain” ScienceDaily, 21 May, 2014. This particular article cites a study by Massimilano Di Cagno, Assistant Professor of Department of Physics, Chemistry and Pharmacy at the University of Southern Denmark, who in the article cited above, allegedly advocate the treatment of certain brain diseases by administering drugs intranasally. In the article Massimilano Di Cagno allegedly stated in that “People with brain diseases are often given huge amounts of unnecessary drugs. During a long life, or if you have a chronic disease, this may become problematic to your health”. Massimilano Di Cagno and his colleagues are said to have tested a natural sugar and they reported said that this particular polymer is not only capable of carrying drugs through the nasal wall but also most importantly—releasing the drug where it is needed. “This is an important breakthrough, which will bring us closer to delivering brain drugs by nasal spray” Missimilano Di Cagno, added to his statement. The implication being that pharmaceutical drugs that are used to trait brain related disorders can be administered intranasally or as a nasal spray.
The medicinal use of plants extracts that contains various cardiac glycosides are in published literature. Example, the esteemed journal Bothalia which has been in publication since 1921, and is now publishedas “The African Biodiversity & Conservation”, teaches in PROTA 11 (1)—Bothalia 7: 448, that the plant Acokanthera oppositifolia (also known as “Bushman poison” in English and “Msungu” in Swahili) which contains cardiac glycosides “In South Africa root powder or leaf powder is sniffed to cure headache, while leaf infusion is used as a nasal spray for the same purpose”. Another example of the use of cardiac glycosides as a treatment is the United Patent US-2009/0318374 A1, Harrington (Michael G. Harrington) et al cites the use of various cardiac glycosides intranasally as a method for treating headache, without specifically mentioning Thevetin A and Thevetin B; and we also know that as of date, there is no cure for migraine headache, this makes this distinct invention worthy. No literature or patent(s), both published and or cited herein specifically mentions the use of Thevetin A and or Thevetin B, when used, example, in a pharmaceutically suitable preparation, and used intranasally (eg., a nasal spray) can be used as a treatment for migraine headache or other headaches. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to a hydraulic braking circuit, in particular for a motor vehicle, and more particularly a circuit of this type which allows automatic braking controlled by an electronic control unit to be achieved.
Automatic braking systems have numerous advantages as regards safety. For example, they allow a vehicle to be slowed and even stopped when an obstacle is detected, for example by an on-board radar, even though the driver of the vehicle has not seen this obstacle.
Moreover, when combined with an appropriate logic, they allow an anti-skid function during acceleration and/or an anti-lock function to be performed.
So as not to have any abnormal effects, a system of this type must function exactly as a driver would, in other words with the necessary progressiveness and smoothness. Furthermore, its cost must not be excessive.
The subject of the present invention is a hydraulic braking circuit for a system of this type.
The invention therefore relates to a hydraulic braking circuit comprising at least one brake fluid source, a master cylinder, the outputs of which are connected to at least one sub-circuit comprising at least one brake motor, and which is controlled by means of a pedal, and an electronic control unit. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Consumers of wearable audio devices often find that the devices—such as headsets or earbuds—are uncomfortable, especially when worn over extended periods of time.
For instance, headsets are bulky, intrusive, and cover the ears with muffs. Most headsets require use of a headband to hold the ear muffs onto the ears. These headbands add to the overall bulkiness of the design, and apply constant pressure to the ears and head that often causes discomfort over time. Most headset-style systems are not used by people with hearing disabilities due to their bulk, the discomfort of wearing them over time, and the fact that they are not discreet.
Other wearable audio devices are inserted into a user's ear canal, such as earbuds. Most earbuds are round, and made of a hard plastic that may not fit in everyone's ears. Because ear buds are generally “one size fits all” and round, they don't tend to fit evenly inside the ear canal. Thus, most earbuds exert pressure on certain points in a user's ear canal walls, which can cause soreness. Additionally, because earbuds do not fit well inside the ear, they often fall out of a user's ears, or must be frequently readjusted.
Hearing aids are also often uncomfortable to wear and are extremely expensive. In addition, most hearing aids must be fit, and calibrated in the presence of an audiologist, which adds expense, and inconvenience to the user.
While many hearing aids amplify clear sounds in an audiologist's office, hearing aids fail to amplify sounds with clarity in noisy environments, when listening to music, or when attempting to listen to a soft conversation.
In addition, hearing aids are often difficult to adjust. For instance, while some hearing aids offer different modes of operation—such as for phone usage or listening to music—these modes of operation are generally preset, and are cumbersome to activate in real time.
Further, most hearing aids are hampered in extreme weather conditions. For example, most hearing aids are not waterproof. Rain, or even sweat can damage the electronics inside a hearing aid. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates, in general, to electronics, and more particularly, to semiconductors, structures thereof, and methods of forming semiconductor devices.
In the past, the semiconductor industry utilized various methods and structures in order to form metal oxide semiconductor (MOS) power transistors and drivers for the MOS power transistors in a common semiconductor package. In some implementations, there were parasitic inductances that, at high switching rates, often caused damage to the driver and/or to the power transistor.
In some implementations, the power return connection for the driver circuit was common with the power return connection of one of the MOS power transistors. A parasitic inductance could be formed by the connection from the power return of the MOS power transistor to the common supply node, such as to a ground connection. At high switching rates, there was a very high di/dt current which resulted in a large voltage between the power return connection of the driver and the circuits that were controlling the driver. These high voltages typically damaged the driver circuit and the power transistor.
In some other implementations, the power return for the driver circuit was separate from the power return for the power transistor. However, the driver still had to support a large current at the output since the voltage resulting from the parasitic inductance was coupled back into the driver output. This voltage also could damage the driver circuit.
Accordingly, it is desirable to have a device with an integrated power transistor and driver that reduces parasitic inductance.
For simplicity and clarity of the illustration(s), elements in the figures are not necessarily to scale, and the same reference numbers in different figures denote the same elements, unless stated otherwise. Additionally, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements are omitted for simplicity of the description. As used herein current carrying electrode means an element of a device that carries current through the device such as a source or a drain of an MOS transistor or an emitter or a collector of a bipolar transistor or a cathode or anode of a diode, and a control electrode means an element of the device that controls current through the device such as a gate of an MOS transistor or a base of a bipolar transistor. Although the devices are explained herein as certain N-channel or P-Channel devices, or certain N-type or P-type doped regions, a person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that complementary devices are also possible in accordance with the present invention. One of ordinary skill in the art understands that the conductivity type refers to the mechanism through which conduction occurs such as through conduction of holes or electrons, therefore, and that conductivity type does not refer to the doping concentration but the doping type, such as P-type of N-type. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the words during, while, and when as used herein relating to circuit operation are not exact terms that mean an action takes place instantly upon an initiating action but that there may be some small but reasonable delay, such as various propagation delays, between the reaction that is initiated by the initial action. Additionally, the term while means that a certain action occurs at least within some portion of a duration of the initiating action. The use of the word about, approximately, or substantially means that a value of an element has a parameter that is expected to be close to a stated value or position. However, as is well known in the art there are always minor variances that prevent the values or positions from being exactly as stated. It is well established in the art that variances of up to at least ten percent (10%) (and up to twenty percent (20%) for semiconductor doping concentrations) are reasonable variances from the ideal goal of exactly as described. When used in reference to a state of a signal, the term “asserted” means an active state of the signal and the term “negated” means an inactive state of the signal. The actual voltage value or logic state (such as a “1” or a “0”) of the signal depends on whether positive or negative logic is used. Thus, asserted can be either a high voltage or a high logic or a low voltage or low logic depending on whether positive or negative logic is used and negated may be either a low voltage or low state or a high voltage or high logic depending on whether positive or negative logic is used. Herein, a positive logic convention is used, but those skilled in the art understand that a negative logic convention could also be used. The terms first, second, third and the like in the claims or/and in the Detailed Description of the Drawings, as used in a portion of a name of an element are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking or in any other manner. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances and that the embodiments described herein are capable of operation in other sequences than described or illustrated herein. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field
The disclosed embodiments generally relate to systems that facilitate collaborative editing of documents. More specifically, the disclosed embodiments relate to techniques for inferring a sequence of editing operations to facilitate merging different versions of a shared document.
2. Related Art
Recently developed document-sharing systems presently make it possible for multiple users working from different locations to concurrently edit the same shared document. Many of these document-sharing systems provide a replicated storage architecture, wherein shared documents are replicated in the local storage of each collaborating site to provide adequate responsiveness through potentially high-latency networks, such as the Internet. However, allowing users to concurrently edit different versions of the same shared document can cause consistency problems among the different document versions.
These consistency problems can be dealt with through techniques such as Operational Transformation (OT). In a typical OT system, editing operations performed on a local version of a shared document are immediately propagated to remote versions of the shared document located at remote sites. Moreover, editing operations received from remote sites are first transformed before being applied to the local version of the document. This transformation makes use of the “operational intent” of the user to determine how concurrent edits from multiple users are applied to the document.
Unfortunately, it is hard to determine the operational intent of a user by merely examining a document. A word-processing system typically updates the document during periodic save operations. However, between two consecutive save operations potentially hundreds of editing operations may have been applied to the document. Moreover, the documents typically do not provide details about the specific sequence of editing operations which occurred between the save operations; only the final result of the sequence of editing operations is visible. This makes it hard to determine the operational intent of the user in order to resolve the above-described consistency problems between different versions of a shared document. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The field of catalytic cracking and particularly fluid catalyst systems has been in a constant state of development since conception of fluid systems. Thus, as new product demands increased and experience was gained in operating and design parameters, so also were new catalyst concepts developed which further increased needed refinements in cracking technology. With the development of high activity zeolite-type cracking catalysts, the petroleum refiners once again found themselves in need of developing new operating technology. The present invention is concerned with a combination operation relying upon distinct catalyst particles differing in particle size, activity, selectivity and coke producing characteristics, mutually contributing to the catalytic upgrading of separate, relatively high boiling hydrocarbon fractions varying considerably in coke producing characteristics and/or catalyst fouling characteristics. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Three dimensional (3D) modeling is an important tool utilized in the engineering, design, entertainment and other industries. With 3D modeling, a user can create, position, scale and orientate 3D objects in virtual space. Existing 3D modeling solutions are generally limited by a 2D display and single-point 2D input (e.g., mouse, pen device, or the like). Because of these limitations, 3D modeling software packages are often difficult to use, relying on small control widgets and a large set of keyboard shortcuts or mode-switching buttons.
Many new digital devices are equipped with touch pads, touch screens or the like, which have very different input properties from keyboard-, mouse- and pen-based input systems. Since the input properties are so different, traditional 3D manipulation interfaces must be re-designed to adapt to the tactile paradigm. Further, the small control widgets and the large set of mode-switching buttons employed by standard interfaces are difficult to operate on a muti-touch device due to the “fat finger” problem of touch devices where the input resolution is not sharper than a fingertip-blob.
The above-described deficiencies of traditional 3D manipulation interfaces with respect to touch input devices are merely intended to provide an overview of some of problems of current technology, and are not intended to be exhaustive. Other problems with the state of the art and corresponding benefits of some of the various non-limiting embodiments described herein may become further apparent upon review of the following detailed description. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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(a) Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns a valve apparatus, applicable for instance to analyzers, consisting of a plurality of electromagnetically operating clamp valves, purposed to unclamp and/or clamp an elastic tube passing through the valve and thus respectively to turn on or off the fluid flow in said tube.
(b) Description of the Related Art
In analyzers individual clamp valves are commonly used. Tubes are individually inserted in the mouth of such valves. If the analyzer requires the use of numerous clamp valves and tubes to be inserted therein, such insertion causes difficulties in cramped sites. An additional problem with such individual clamp valves is the chance of erroneous tube installation. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a fluid transportation system and a method of setting a fluid ejection amount in the fluid transportation system. For details, the present invention relates to a fluid transportation system equipped with a miniature fluid transportation device, an ejection data processing device, and a communication device, and to a fluid ejection amount setting method for accurately setting an amount of fluid ejection.
2. Related Art
In recent years, application of a miniature pump, which is used for continuously administering a small amount of medicinal liquid to a patient in a form of a slow current, to treatment has been studied.
For example, as first related art, there is cited a miniature peristaltic pump device suitable for attachment to a human body for slowly and continuously injecting it with an aqueous medicinal liquid in which a rotor of the pump is attached to a shaft, the rotor being provided with a plurality of rollers disposed to be evenly distributed on the periphery of the shaft, the rollers perform rotational movement while rotating along a flexible tube to press the tube against a backing surrounding the tube in a circular range with a predetermined length, thus performing suction and ejection of a fluid such as a medicinal liquid.
There is known such a miniature peristaltic pump device provided with a stepping motor as a power supply driven at a rotational speed set previously by a block IC having a control circuit, thus achieving a desired amount of ejection (Japanese Patent No. 3177742).
Further, as second related art, there is known a peristaltic pump device provided with a miniature peristaltic pump, an input switch for setting the fluid ejection amount of the miniature peristaltic pump to a plurality of levels and setting the fluid ejection amount by selecting from the plurality of setting levels, and a display section disposed on a housing (specification of U.S. Pat. No. 3,737,251).
In the invention according to the first related art described above, although the ejection amount of the medicinal liquid and so on can be set or changed in accordance with the number of frequency divider stages for receiving a signal supplied from a time base, a reduction ratio of a gear mechanism, or a type of a motor used therefor, it is required to be manufactured with the setting condition determined previously. However, the ejection condition once determined is unchangeable, and there arises a problem that it is difficult to set the fluid ejection amount while arbitrarily changing the form of usage or the condition of administering the medicinal liquid.
Further, in the invention according to the second related art, although the switch for adjusting the ejection amount of the fluid, the display section, and the peristaltic pump are disposed on the housing so as to allow the adjustment of the ejection amount, downsizing is difficult with such a configuration in which the miniature peristaltic pump, the switch, and the display section are mounted on the housing, and consequently, it can hardly be mounted inside a body of a small animal for the purpose of developing a new drug and so on.
Further, the inventions according to the first and second related art described above relate to a peristaltic pump for ejecting a liquid by squeezing a tube, and consequently, an ejection amount of the liquid is proportional to the square (the cross-sectional area) of the diameter of a liquid flow section of the tube. Further, there might be caused a variation in diameter of the tube having flexibility in the manufacturing process thereof. In particular, it is well known that there is a variation among production lots.
Such a variation in diameter of the tube causes a variation in ejection amount of the liquid, and in particular in the case of the application to administration of a medicinal liquid, the variation in tube diameter is a substantive issue because a small amount of ejection is continuously performed and accurate ejection amount control is required. However, in the first and second related art described above, there is a problem that the accurate adjustment of the ejection amount in consideration of the variation in tube diameter can hardly be performed.
Further, it is conceivable that it does not cope with a variation in remaining power or voltage of a battery as a power supply, improper driving of the pump, shortage of drive period, and so on, and consequently, it is inferred that a significant problem unable to be left unsolved arises in the case of administration of a medicinal liquid. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A touchpad is an input device including a surface that detects touch-based inputs of users. A touch screen is an electronic visual display that detects the presence and location of user touch inputs. A proximity sensor is a sensor device that detect the presence of nearby objects without physical contact. A computing system (such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, or a laptop computer) often incorporate those devices to facilitate user interactions with application programs running on the computing system. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to multipurpose boards which can be used for various purposes such as a game board on which a traveling toy can be driven, one on which jigsaw puzzles can be assembled, or as a hanger board on which cloths, hats and the like can be put, and may be used in a manner similar to the use of tapestries or similar things for covering walls, as interior ornaments, and as covers for picture books and the like.
2. Description of Related Arts
Play boards for traveling toys are known. For example, those on which traveling bodies that have a magnet run and are adapted to move when placed on an iron plate by the action of the magnet, are known. The play boards for traveling bodies have a structure such that a traveling path made of a thin iron sheet is exposedly fixed on a substrate. Therefore, these types of traveling paths fail to give a sense of unexpectedness or surprise during play because the traveling path is uncovered and can be observed visually, and the players can easily anticipate how the traveling bodies will move; or the traveling path tends to readily peel off the substrate. Because of these disadvantages, the commercial value of conventional play boards for traveling bodies have decreased.
Jigsaw puzzles are also well-known. Obviously, jigsaw puzzles cannot be used as-is as a play board for traveling bodies, or as a hanger board for cloths, hats and the like.
There are a variety of tapestries, interior ornaments, decorations, book covers, etc., which cannot, of course, be used as they are as a play board for playing with traveling bodies, jigsaw puzzles, or the like. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a clock synchronization circuit. More particularly, the present invention relates to a delay locked loop (DLL) circuit and a method for eliminating jitter and offset therein.
2. Description of Related Art
Clock synchronization circuits are commonly used in electronic systems to provide good clock distribution, which is very important to overall performance of a product. Examples of such clock synchronization circuits include a phase locked loop (PLL) circuit and a delay locked loop (DLL) circuit. Conceptually, PLL and DLL circuits operate similarly. For DLL circuits, they include analog DLL circuits and digital DLL circuits, in which the analog DLL circuits have different performances from the digital DLL circuits.
FIG. 1 illustrates a typical analog DLL circuit. The analog DLL circuit 100 includes a phase-frequency detector (PFD) 102, a charge pump (CP) 104, a low pass filter (LPF) 106, a bias generator 108 and a voltage controlled delay line (VCDL) 110. The PFD 102 compares the phase difference between an input clock signal CKIN and a feedback clock signal CKON, and has two outputs UP and DN. The output of the PFD 102 is a pulse with a width equal to the amount by which CKIN leads or lags CKON. If CKIN leads CKON, the pulse appears on the UP output of the PFD 102. If CKIN lags CKON, the pulse appears on the DN output of the PFD 102.
The UP and DN outputs are input to the charge pump 104, and the charge pump 104 converts the input, either UP or DN, into an analog current for subsequent processing. The output current of the charge pump 104 is input to the LPF 106, and the LPF 106 functions to integrate the current output from the charge pump 104 to generate a control voltage VCTL. After that, the control voltage VCTL is input to the bias generator 108, and the bias generator 108 generates two outputs VBP and VBN according to the control voltage VCTL. Then, the VCDL 110 controls the frequency of the input clock signal CKIN based on the outputs VBP and VBN generated by the bias generator 108, so as to output N clock signals, i.e. CKO[1:N], that have different phases from each other, in which the output clock signal CKON is fed back to the PFD 102 to be compared.
However, the operation frequency of the analog DLL circuit 100 described above is still too high, such that the control voltage VCTL changes too fast and the analog DLL circuit 100 cannot work stably. Besides, the LPF 106 in the analog DLL circuit 100 is usually designed on a large area to suppress high frequency noise, thereby providing stability to the operation of the analog DLL circuit 100. Thus, the production cost and size of the analog DLL circuit 100 including the LPF 106 cannot be reduced. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to an article of furniture in general, and more particularly to an adjustable article of furniture, such as an adjustable bed.
There are already known various constructions of adjustable beds and the like, among them those in which the shifting of the center of gravity of the user results in an adjustment of the position of the various components of the adjustable bed relative to one another. Such beds, while also suited for other purposes, have found their most widespread use in hospitals as hospital beds, or elsewhere for therapeutic purposes and in the care for chronically ill persons. The adjustment of the positions of the components relative to one another is attended to for supporting the patient or other user in a multitude of different positions.
The conventional beds of this type include at least a backrest which is adjustable relative to the remainder of the bed between a substantially horizontal rest position and a partly inclined or even upright position. It is also known to make the legrest a separate component of the bed, which then can be adjusted in its position relative to the seat portion of the bed. All of these conventional beds are further developments of the basic concept which is disclosed in the German Pat. No. 293,818. The backrest of the bed is pivotable on the frame of the bed about a pivoting axis which is located within the backrest, that is offset from the connection of the backrest to the remainder of the bed. A reason for this offset arrangement of the pivoting axis is that it is desired that the seat portion of the bed be inclined downwardly toward the point of its joinder with the backrest as the latter is being pivoted toward its upright position.
When the bed of the prior art is constructed in accordance with this principle of construction, it is, of necessity, relatively complex and expensive. In addition thereto, the user of the bed must exert a substantial force on the various components of the bed when the bed is to be adjusted, at least during the adjustment of the bed in one direction. This is very disadvantageous, particularly since the person who uses the bed is usually a patient who does not possess the muscular strength necessary for adjusting the position of the adjustable bed. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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There are numerous types of hitch assemblies such as those set forth in the following U.S. Pat. Nos.
______________________________________ 1,572,914 3,000,652 3,200,972 2,289,730 3,072,419 3,583,728 2,522,793 3,083,040 3,834,737 2,782,944 3,129,019 3,897,085 ______________________________________
The two U.S. patents most relevant to the subject matter of the invention disclosed herein are U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,782,944 and 3,129,019. Each of these patents disclose hitch assemblies associated with the axle frame structures of the particular vehicles. Both of them show the use of chains as the connecting links for the hitch assembly to the respective vehicles as shown.
The towing device shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,782,944 includes a frame structure that is attachable to the bumper of the vehicle. This particular device must be used in conjunction with a wrecking truck in which the boom of the truck is used to pull on the chain of the towing device. The hitch assembly as used in this instance includes the lifting of the vehicle being towed.
The hitch assembly as shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 3,129,019 discloses the use of an A-shaped frame having forwardly extending legs which abut the axle frame structure of the vehicle being towed. A chain link is used in conjunction with the frame structure to effect the connecting of the hitch assembly to the vehicle.
A further review of these prior U.S. patent disclosures shows that the vehicle contacting or engaging portion of each of the assemblies is specifically designed to connect to a particular part on the vehicle being towed or doing the towing. This includes the use of permanently disposed parts that are located on the vehicle with the frame structure being detachably mounted thereto. Where parts are present interconnecting the legs of a particular hitch assembly, there is no interrelationship existing between the part of the item that is in contact with the vehicle frame structure or bumper and the stabilization of the elongated projecting legs of the frame structure with respect to the vehicle itself. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Field
Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to a system and method to manage selection of resources in an enterprise and particularly to a system and method for selecting a resource based on a relationship between a customer and a resource of an enterprise.
Description of Related Art
Contact centers are employed by many enterprises to service, inbound and outbound contacts or customers. A primary objective of contact center management is to ultimately maximize contact center performance and profitability. An ongoing challenge in contact center administration is monitoring and optimizing contact center efficiency usage of its available resources. The contact center efficiency is generally measured by metrics such as Service Level Agreement (‘SLA’), Customer Satisfaction (‘CSAT’), and match rate. Contact center resources may include, agents, communication assets (e.g., number of voice trunks, number and bandwidth of video trunks, etc.), computing resources (e.g., a speed, a queue length, a storage space, etc.), and so forth.
Generally, a customer communicates with the contact center for multiple reasons such as, but not limited to, inquire about new products, complaints, misplaced credit or debit cards, and so forth. For example, a customer misplaces a credit card and desire to block the credit card to avoid any further damages. In order to provide services to the customers, resources of the contact center are selected.
Conventionally, multiple routing schemes were utilized to select a resource to handle a communication session associated with a customer. Some of the conventional routing schemes are, but not limited to, skill based routing, work based routing, and so forth. In some cases, the selected resource can be a stranger to the customer and there may be a possibility that the customer do not desire to share personal information such as a credit card number, or a pin number with the selected resource. In such a case, the customer is, however, forced to provide the information to the selected resource to avail services from the contact center. Further, these conventional techniques do not take into account a connection between a customer and a resource while selecting a resource for handling a communication session associated with the customer.
There is thus a need for a system and method for selecting a resource of an enterprise in a more efficient manner. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an improved apparatus and process for joining a tube inserted within another tube in proximity to the respective ends. More particularly, the improved apparatus and improved process of the present invention involve the compression and subsequent radial expansion of a pair of elastomeric bars positioned along the generally open sides of a bushing means. The elastomeric bars expand against the inner surface of the first tube at selective points causing selective expansion of the tube wall against the inner surface of the second tube to create a selective interference fit between the wall of the first tube and the wall of the second tube in proximity to their respective ends.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Prior art methods of expanding tubes include the use of metal rollers located inside the tube which move outwardly from a central position as the rollers are mechanically rotated about the central position. Such methods typically expand the tube only in a round shape about the entire circumference of the tube with the final shape of the tube being a concentric circle relative to the starting position of the tube. In our improved invention, longitudinal zones of expansion are used to mechanically lock the tubes together.
Other prior art such as U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,365 by Tygart involve the compression of hard rubber or polyurethane by piston forces applied from both ends of the tube, thereby making it difficult to expand the tube at greater distances from either end of the tube as when an expandable joint is made in tubular piling at the bottom of the ocean. Our invention utilizes a compression force applied from only one end of the tube thereby allowing an expansion to occur deep within the tube.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,152,821 by Scott teaches a process for joining a plastic pipe to a plastic or metal coupling by compression of a rubber plug against the inner walls of the plastic pipe. U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,866 by Mueller discloses an apparatus and process for expanding a tube selective points about its circumference to join with another tube.
We have considerably improved the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,866 which will be incorporated herein by reference. We have added a ring that threads to the outside of the outer cap in order to permit the axial position adjustment of the pair of elastomeric bars. This feature is not taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,866. We have also removed the longitudinal slots including the retainers of the bushing and have opened the sides of the bushing in order to facilitate the lodging of the pair of elastomeric bars along the open sides. The bushing of the present invention with its open sides is generally figure eight in shape. | {
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The search for new therapeutic agents has been greatly aided in recent years by better understanding of the structure of proteins and other biomolecules associated with target diseases. One important class of these proteins are the sigma (a) receptors, cell surface receptors of the central nervous system (CNS) which may be related to the dysphoric, hallucinogenic and cardiac stimulant effects of opioids. From studies of the biology and function of sigma receptors, evidence has been presented that sigma receptor ligands may be useful in the treatment of psychosis and movement disorders such as dystonia and tardive dyskinesia, and motor disturbances associated with Huntington's chorea or Tourette's syndrome and in Parkinson's disease (Walker, J. M. et al, Pharmacological Reviews, 1990, 42, 355). It has been reported that the known sigma receptor ligand rimcazole clinically shows effects in the treatment of psychosis (Snyder, S. H., Largent, B. L. J. Neuropsychiatry 1989, 1, 7). The sigma binding sites have preferential affinity for the dextrorotatory isomers of certain opiate benzomorphans, such as (+)SKF 10047, (+)cyclazocine, and (+)pentazocine and also for some narcoleptics such as haloperidol.
“The sigma receptor's” as used in this application is/are well known and defined using the following citation: This binding site represents a typical protein different from opioid, NMDA, dopaminergic, and other known neurotransmitter or hormone receptor families (G. Ronsisvalle et al. Pure Appl. Chem. 73, 1499-1509 (2001)).
The sigma receptor has at least two subtypes, which may be discriminated by stereoselective isomers of these pharmacoactive drugs. SKF 10047 has nanomolar affinity for the sigma 1 (σ-1) site, and has micromolar affinity for the sigma 2 (σ-2) site. Haloperidol has similar affinities for both subtypes.
The Sigma-1 receptor is a non-opiaceous type receptor expressed in numerous adult mammal tissues (e.g. central nervous system, ovary, testicle, placenta, adrenal gland, spleen, liver, kidney, gastrointestinal tract) as well as in embryo development from its earliest stages, and is apparently involved in a large number of physiological functions. Its high affinity for various pharmaceuticals has been described, such as for SKF-10047, (+)-pentazocine, haloperidol and rimcazole, among others, known ligands with analgesic, anxiolytic, antidepressive, antiamnesic, antipsychotic and neuroprotective activity. Sigma-1 receptor is of great interest in pharmacology in view of its possible physiological role in processes related to analgesia, anxiety, addiction, amnesia, depression, schizophrenia, stress, neuroprotection and psychosis [Kaiser et al (1991) Neurotransmissions 7 (1): 1-5], [Walker, J. M. et al, Pharmacological Reviews, 1990, 42, 355] and [Bowen W. D. (2000) Pharmaceutica Acta Helvetiae 74: 211-218].
The Sigma-2 receptor is also expressed in numerous adult mammal tissues (e.g. nervous system, immune system, endocrine system, liver, kidney). Sigma-2 receptors can be components in a new apoptosis route that may play an important role in regulating cell proliferation or in cell development. This route seems to consist of Sigma-2 receptors joined to intracellular membranes, located in organelles storing calcium, such as the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, which also have the ability to release calcium from these organelles. The calcium signals can be used in the signaling route for normal cells and/or in induction of apoptosis.
Agonists of Sigma-2 receptors induce changes in cell morphology, apoptosis in several types of cell lines and regulate the expression of p-glycoprotein mRNA, so that they are potentially useful as antineoplasic agents for treatment of cancer. In fact, Sigma-2 receptor agonists have been observed to induce apoptosis in mammary tumour cell lines resistant to common antineoplasic agents that damage DNA. In addition, agonists of Sigma-2 receptors enhance the cytotoxic effects of these antineoplasic agents at concentrations in which the agonist is not cytotoxic.
Thus, agonists of Sigma-2 receptors can be used as antineoplasic agents at doses inducing apoptosis or at sub-toxic doses in combination with other antineoplasic agents to revert the resistance to the drug, thereby allowing using lower doses of the antineoplasic agent and considerably reducing its adverse effects.
Antagonists of Sigma-2 receptors can prevent the irreversible motor side effects caused by typical neuroleptic agents. In fact, it has been found that antagonists of Sigma-2 receptors can be useful as agents for improving the weakening effects of delayed dyskinesia appearing in patients due to chronic treatment of psychosis with typical antipsychotic drugs, such as haloperidol. Sigma-2 receptors also seem to play a role in certain degenerative disorders in which blocking these receptors could be useful.
Endogenous sigma ligands are not known, although progesterone has been suggested to be one of them. Possible sigma-site-mediated drug effects include modulation of glutamate receptor function, neurotransmitter response, neuroprotection, behavior, and cognition (Quirion, R. et al. Trends Pharmacol. Sci., 1992, 13:85-86). Most studies have implied that sigma binding sites (receptors) are plasmalemmal elements of the signal transduction cascade. Drugs reported to be selective sigma ligands have been evaluated as antipsychotics (Hanner, M. et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., 1996, 93:8072-8077). The existence of sigma receptors in the CNS, immune and endocrine systems have suggested a likelihood that it may serve as link between the three systems.
In view of the potential therapeutic applications of agonists or antagonists of the sigma receptor, a great effort has been directed to find selective ligands. Different sigma receptor ligands have been reported.
For instance, the international patent application WO2007/098961 describes 4,5,6,7 tetrahydrobenzo[b]thiophene derivatives having pharmacological activity towards the sigma receptor.
Spiro[benzopyran] or spiro[benzofuran] derivatives were also disclosed in EP1847542 as well as pyrazole derivatives (EP1634873) with pharmacological activity on sigma receptors.
WO2009071657 also reports tricyclic triazolic compounds having good activity towards sigma receptors.
Although, some pyrano and furanoquinolines have been disclosed in the prior art, for instance, by Schiemann K. et al [WO200506735; Bioorganic & Medicinal Chemistry letters (2010), 20(5):1491-1495], Zhou Z. et al. [European Journal of Organic Chemistry (2007), (31):5265-5269], More S. V. et al [Synlett (2006), (9):1399-1403] or Katritzky A. R. et al [Journal of Organic Chemistry (1997), 62(23):8210-8214] none of these references discloses the pyrano and furanoquinolines of the present invention. In addition none of these references suggest that pyrano and furanoquinolines can be active towards sigma receptors.
Nevertheless, there is still a need to find compounds having pharmacological activity towards the sigma receptor, being both effective and selective, and having good “drugability” properties, i.e. good pharmaceutical properties related to administration, distribution, metabolism and excretion. | {
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Impact hammers utilize a chisel-like tool for breaking hard materials. The tool is supported in a bushing or bushings for relative sliding movement. An end of the tool opposite the working end is impacted by a piston, directly or through an anvil, the piston being reciprocated within a cylinder and powered by air or hydraulic fluid. The stroke of the tool is relatively short, perhaps 1 to 2 inches. The hammer is typically attached to the end of a boom by which the hammer is moved and positioned against material to be chipped or broken.
The environment in which impact hammers are used is inimical to long wear of the hammer mechanism. Due to high forces and relatively high frequencies of impact, abrasive duct and debris from the material being broken or chipped are scattered with substantial force and velocity. The nature and construction of the hammer mechanism requires that the tool-supporting bushing or bushings be located near the work and therefore they are directly exposed to the abrasive dust and debris. These harsh materials are carried or work their way into the bushings by the reciprocating tool, and often work their way up into the cylinder itself and associated mechanisms. The abrasive nature of the dust and debris destroys the seals and bushings. This problem is particularly bad where the hammers are used in a horizontal or upward orientation, and when used in particularly harsh environments, such as in breaking up slag over molten metal, such as aluminum. Slag over molten aluminum tends to crumble and powder when impacted, and hot abrasive particles are projected upward and into the bushings, hammer mechanisms and seals. These and other corrosive substances with which the impact hammers may be used in industrial environments exacerbate the problems created by abrasive particles and dust, greatly shortening the life of the bushings, seals and other mechanisms, requiring frequent overhaul and replacement of parts.
Rubber dust caps for percussive hammers of the type used with masonry or the like are known (U.S. Pat. No. 2,944,523), as are flexible shields or boots for pile drivers or jackhammers to muffle the sound generated by their operation, and rubber-like safety attachments at the juncture of the tool and operating cylinder of hand-held pneumatic hammers, to protect the user in the event of a break in the tool shaft. See, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,685,874; 3,975,918; and Swedish Patent No. 77,382, dated May 23, 1933. These structures were not intended to and would not provide adequate protection to the seals and other working parts of the mechanism of a boom-supported impact hammer that is used in very hot and very harsh environments and that applies very high impact forces that cause shattered particles of hot and hard abrasive material to impinge against the hammer mechanism. | {
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In a text document search, a user typically enters a query into a search engine. The search engine evaluates the query against a database of indexed documents and returns a ranked list of documents that best satisfy the query. A score, representing a measure of how well the document satisfies the query, is algorithmically generated by the search engine. Commonly-used scoring algorithms rely on splitting the query up into search terms and using statistical information about the occurrence of individual terms in the body of text documents to be searched. The documents are listed in rank order according to their corresponding scores so the user can see the best matching search results at the top of the search results list.
Another evaluation that certain search engines may employ to improve the quality of the results is to modify the rank of the results by a selected ranking function. One exemplary prior art ranking function determines that when one page links to another page, it is effectively casting a vote for the other page. The more votes that are cast for a page, the more important the page. The ranking function can also take into account who cast the vote. The more important the page, the more important their vote. These votes are accumulated and used as a component of the ratings of the pages on the network.
A ranking function is used to improve the quality of the ranking. However, the effectiveness of the ranking function may be affected by the topology of the network. For example, the ranking function using the votes described above may be less effectual in an intranet setting. An intranet is a network that uses some of the same protocols as the Internet, but is accessible only by a subset of users, such as employees of a corporation. The pages of an intranet are not structured or connected exactly like the Internet, and so the relevancy of the results produced by a ranking function may not be reduced as compared to the Internet setting. | {
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I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to transmissions and, more particularly, to a transmission for a vehicle such as a car or the like.
II. Description of the Prior Art
The previously known transmissions of the type used on cars, small trucks and the like, typically comprise a housing having a driven member which is coupled to and rotates in unison with the drive shaft from the engine. Similarly, these previously known transmissions include a drive member which is coupled to the drive train for the vehicle so that rotation of the drive member in one direction propels the car forwardly while the rotation of the drive member in the opposite direction propels the vehicle rearwardly. Conversely, the driven member rotates in a single and predetermined direction of rotation since it is coupled to the drive shaft from the engine.
These previously known vehicle transmissions are classified as either manual or automatic transmissions. In either case, however, a plurality of coupling members are provided within the transmission housing for drivingly connecting the transmission driven member to its drive member and thus for connecting the engine drive shaft to the vehicle drive train. In a manual transmission, the gear ratio between the transmission driven and drive members is controlled by the actuation of a gear shaft lever by the driver. In an automatic transmission, however, a hydraulic fluid is selectively provided to one or more fluid couplings and/or fluid brakes within the transmission housing to connect the driven member to drive member in different gear ratios.
A common automatic transmission employed in automotive vehicles is known as a single planetary, three speed transmission. This previously known automatic transmission uses three fluid couplings and two fluid brakes which are selectively actuated to produce three different gearing ratios between the transmission driven and drive members. The selection of the gearing ratio is carried out automatically by the transmission in dependence upon the engine speed and load conditions.
In order to obtain the reverse direction in an automatic transmission, however, it is necessary to add a plurality of additional coupling members to the automatic transmission. These additional coupling members not only significantly increase the overall cost of the automatic transmission and the weight of the transmission but also increase the axial length of the vehicle transmission. The additional axial length of the transmission is particularly disadvantageous in small or compact vehicles where the transmission length must be maintained at a minimum. | {
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Caulking guns or adhesive dispensing tools are well known in the art and are used often by construction workers for dispensing disposable tubes of adhesive materials such as caulk, sealant, tar and the like. There are known hand powered or manually powered caulking guns for extruding material from adhesive tubes. However, due to the frequent nature at which construction workers use caulk and/or other adhesive materials, manually powering a caulking gun is a rather arduous task. This is particularly true in colder weather when caulk and other adhesive materials become more viscous and therefore more difficult to extrude. Frequent manual operation of a hand powered caulking gun can cause hand and muscle discomfort to the user, which in turn can result in less efficient work.
There are known attempts at providing motorized caulking guns that can eliminate much of the manual labor needed to manually power the caulk gun. As far as cost and practicability are concerned, it is desirable that the motorized caulking gun be powered by commonly used detachable power tool, such as an electric drill for example. In most prior attempts, the motorized caulking guns have a drive mechanism which is powered by a rotary power tool. The drive mechanism often carries a drive plate to drive the plunger in a disposable tube of caulk.
However, a particular problem associated with prior art motorized caulking guns is that they are not easy to use on roof and floor type surfaces. Motorized caulk guns typically have a very short length or require a form of manual manipulation which requires the user to bend over or squat to apply adhesive material to floor or roof surfaces. This often causes discomfort to the backs and legs of construction workers who apply material to floor or roof surfaces. Such discomfort can often slow down the speed at which workers work and lead to work related injuries. The short length of these caulking guns also makes it hard to reach distant caulking surfaces, such as for sealing elevated sides of glass or plastic windows.
Another problem associated with some prior motorized caulking guns is that it is difficult to manipulate the caulk gun for fast application of adhesive material. For example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,027,984 to Gakhar, there is disclosed a caulking gun which is driven by an electric screwdriver. However, operation of the motorized caulking gun in Gakhar would appear to require both hands to be continuously and firmly holding the tool with one hand on the power tool and the other hand on the caulk receptacle to direct and prevent rotation of the caulk tube. This manipulation would also appear to cause workers to excessively bend and squat when dispensing material along floor or roof surfaces.
There are also known attempts at providing motorized adhesive dispensing tools which use detachable drills as exemplified by U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,997,084 to Davis Jr., 4,260,076 to Bergman and 4,322,022 to Bergman. These above mentioned patented devices align the drill in a plane parallel to the caulk receptacle which provides an overall shorter length caulking gun, which as was mentioned causes difficulties when applying material to floor and roof type surfaces. By mounting the drill in a plane offset from the receptacle, the drive mechanisms of these patented devices also require complex gears and the like to drive the pusher plate through the receptacle. The use of multiple gears and the like creates undue complexity and cost. | {
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In general, devices required to be air tight have to undergo an air tightness test during manufacturing process. For example, electronic devices have to undergo various electrical tests during the manufacturing process, and if a spring probe module assembled on the testing device is not assembled airtightly, it will affect the result of the electrical tests. Thus, the air tightness of the spring probe module should undergo an air tightness test before being assembled on the testing device. | {
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The present invention relates generally to memory systems that utilize an externally supplied programming voltage.
Integrated circuit memory systems require some form of externally supplied voltage to carry out various memory operations, including memory read, program and erase operations. Typically, voltages of various magnitudes are required to carry out these operations. Memory systems generally utilize a primary power source having significant current capabilities. The primary power source is typically provided to the memory by an external source such as a power supply or battery. The primary power source, frequently referred to as VCC, is connected to the memory system by way of metal circuit pads formed on the integrated circuit itself. The primary supply voltage VCC typically has been set to +5 volts, although there has been a trend to reduce the voltage to +3.3 volts and even lower.
Memory systems also typically utilize voltages other than the primary supply voltage VCC for carrying out memory operations. By way of example, memory program operations for flash memory systems typically require application of a relatively large positive voltage to a selected one of the word lines of the flash cell array in order to carry out a programming operation. Such voltage, typically on the order of +12 volts, is sometimes referred to as voltage VPP. At the same time, a voltage VPPBL of intermediate value, typically on the order of +7 volts, is applied to a selected one of the bit lines of the flash cell array as part of the programming operation. In most applications, the bit line program voltage is derived from voltage VPP using an on-chip voltage regulator.
A typical conventional memory system may have a separate metal circuit pad for receiving the programming voltage VPP from an external source along with the pad for receiving voltage VCC. In the event single power supply operation is desired, a charge pump circuit can be implemented on the chip so that the externally supplied voltage VCC can be stepped up to voltage VPP.
As an example of a memory system utilizing a programming voltage VPP from an external source, the function of a conventional non-volatile flash memory system is shown in the block diagram of FIG. 1. The core of memory system 1 is an array 12 of memory cells. The individual cells in array 12 (not shown) are arranged in rows and columns, with there being, in this example, a total of 256 K eight bit words in array 12. Data input and output for the memory system 1 is accomplished by using an eight bit data bus DQ0-DQ7. The individual memory cells are accessed by using an eighteen bit address A0-A17, which is input by means of address pins 13. Nine of the eighteen address bits are used by X decoder 14 to select a word line associated with the row of array 12 in which a desired memory cell is located and the remaining nine bits are used by Y decoder 16 to select a bit line associated with the appropriate column of array 12 in which the desired cell is located. Sense amplifiers 50 are used to read the data contained in a memory cell during a read operation or during a data verification step in which the state of a cell is determined after a write or erase operation. The sense amplifier circuitry and verify circuits compare the state of the cell to a reference state corresponding to a programmed cell or an erased cell, depending upon the operation.
Writing or erasing of the memory cells in array 12 is carried out by applying the appropriate voltages to the source (source line), drain (bit line), and control gate (word line) of a cell for an appropriate time period. This causes electrons to tunnel or be injected from a channel region to a floating gate. The amount of charge residing on the floating gate determines the voltage required on the control gate in order to cause the device to conduct current between the source and drain regions. This is termed the threshold voltage of the cell with there being an erased threshold voltage VTHE that is different from a programmed threshold voltage VTHP. Conduction represents an xe2x80x9conxe2x80x9d or erased state of the device and corresponds to a logic value of one. An xe2x80x9coffxe2x80x9d or programmed state is one in which current is not conducted between the source and drain regions and corresponds to a logic value of zero. By setting the threshold voltage of the cell to an appropriate value, the cell can be made to either conduct or not conduct current for a given set of applied voltages. Thus, by determining whether a cell conducts current at a given set of applied voltages, the state of the cell (programmed or erased) can be found.
Memory system 1 contains an internal state machine (ISM) 20 which controls the data processing operations and sub-operations performed on the memory cells contained in memory array 12. These include the steps necessary for carrying out writing, reading and erasing operations on the memory cells of array 12. In addition, internal state machine 20 controls operations such as reading or clearing status register 26, identifying memory system 1 in response to an identification command, and suspending an erase operation. State machine 20 functions to reduce the overhead required of an external processor (not depicted) typically used in association with memory system 1.
To avoid inadvertent programming of the memory device, programming commands (write or erase) consist of two cycles. The first cycle is a setup command wherein the code corresponding to the programming operation is written to the memory chip. To perform the setup command, the external processor causes the output enable pin {overscore (OE)} to be inactive (high), and the chip enable {overscore (CE)} and write enable {overscore (WE)} pins to be active (low). The processor then places the 8 bit setup command code on data I/O pins 15 (DQ0-DQ7) and causes the chip enable {overscore (CE)} and write enable {overscore (WE)} pins to go inactive.
The command code for the first cycle of a write operation (write setup) is, for example, either 40H (1000 0000) or 10H (0001 0000). In the second cycle of a write sequence, after the chip enable {overscore (CE)} and write enable {overscore (WE)} pins are made inactive (high), the data to be written is placed on the data I/O pins 15 and the address of the memory location to be programmed is placed on the address pins 13 (A0-A17). The chip enable {overscore (CE)} and write enable {overscore (WE)} are again made active (low) while the programming voltage VPP is applied to a selected one of the word lines of memory device 1 by way of the X decoder 14. In addition, VPPBL is applied to the selected bit lines by Y decoder 16. The rising edge of the chip enable {overscore (CE)} and write enable {overscore (WE)}, whichever is later in time, causes the physical write operation on the memory cell to be initiated by application of the programming voltages to the cell.
Similarly, for an erase operation, the first cycle involves sending an erase setup command code such as 20H (0010 0000) to the memory device 1. The second cycle of an erase, however, involves an erase confirm command code such as D0H (1101 0000) that is written to the memory device and the rising edge of chip enable {overscore (CE)} and write enable {overscore (WE)} initiates the erase cycle which erases either the entire memory array 12 or a block of memory locations within the array depending upon the functionality designed into the device.
The commands placed on data I/O pins 15 are transferred to data input buffer 22 and then to command execution logic unit 24. Command execution logic unit 24 receives and interprets the commands used to instruct state machine 20 to initiate and control the steps required for writing to array 12 or carrying out another desired operation. When a write operation is being executed, the data to be programmed into the memory cells is then input using data I/O pins 15, transferred to input buffer 22, and then placed in input data latch 30. The input data in latch 30 is then made available for the cell programming and data verification operations.
In the cell programming operation, an internal program pulse counter (not depicted) is initialized. This counter will keep track of the number of programming pulses that have been applied to the cells of the word (byte) being programmed. Next, a programming pulse is applied to the cells of the word located at the address placed on the address pins 13. The pulse counter is then incremented and a determination is made as to whether a predetermined maximum number of pulses have been applied to the cells. The cells are then checked, during a verify cycle, to determine whether they have, in fact, been programmed. If the cells are programmed, then the operation has executed successfully. If the cells are not programmed and the maximum number of pulses has not yet been reached, then another programming pulse is applied to the cells. Checking the programming state of the cells is accomplished using the sense amplifiers and associated components 50.
If the cells are still not programmed when the maximum pulse count is reached, then a failure has occurred because the maximum number of programming pulses have been applied to the cells. Depending upon the design of the particular memory, the sequence will be terminated or a record of the failed word will be made and the sequence continued. This information will then be transferred to the Status Register 26 so that it can be read by the processor. Once the desired write or erase operation sequence is completed, state machine 20 updates 8 bit status register 26. The content of the status register 26, in a typical memory device, indicates whether a successful write or erase sequence has been completed. The contents of status register 26 is transferred to data output buffer 28, which makes the contents available on data I/O pins 15 of memory system 1.
Typically, the programming voltage levels described above are permitted to vary by 10% from the specified level and the memory device will still operate correctly. However, if the voltage level falls outside the specified ranges, then the programming function may fail and corrupt the data stored in the memory cells or a successful programming operation would require an unacceptably long period of time. Also, the out-of-specification voltage levels are an indication of failure in the system to which the memory device is connected.
Conventional memory systems are typically only able to detect whether VPP drops below a preset voltage level such as +10 V during the programming operation. If VPP drops below the predetermined limit, then a voltage sense circuit will sense that an invalid voltage condition exists. At the beginning of a programming operation, or at any point at which the ISM 20 receives an indication that VPP is below the predetermined limit, the ISM 20 will abort the operation and set one or more status bits in the status register 26.
One common status bit in the status register 26 is a programming voltage error flag which indicates whether VPP was outside the specified limit during the operation. If VPP was outside the specified range, then the memory device may have aborted the operation, even if VPP dipped out of range only momentarily. If, during the verify cycle after a programming pulse has been applied, the ISM 20 detects that the programming voltage was out of the specified range, then it will halt the programming operation and set the programming voltage error flag. However, the programming state of the cells will already have been altered to some degree by the programming pulse.
Once a programming or erase operation has been completed, a user can access the status register 26 to determine the status of various parameters during the operation, including the status of VPP. If an erase operation was unsuccessful, the cause of the problem, such as low voltage levels, must be eliminated and the procedure repeated. However, if a write operation has been unsuccessful, it is very possible that the data in the memory system has been corrupted and recovery may not be possible. In some non-volatile memory systems, an unsuccessful write attempt may require that at least a portion of the memory array must be erased before another write operation may be performed at the same location in the array.
In addition, VPP voltage levels also typically sag as a result of the current drawn by the memory system to perform the programming operation. As a result, the voltage level of VPP may be above the predetermined limit prior to the initiation of the programming operation, but then drop below the limit as a consequence of the programming operation itself.
A memory system having the capability of monitoring the programming voltages and preventing programming operations from being initiated that are likely to be unsuccessful or to avoid aborting memory operations that have been initiated and will likely complete successfully would be very desirable. The present invention provides this and other capabilities as will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments together with the drawings.
The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for detecting whether the level of a programming voltage VPP for a memory device is within one of several acceptable voltage ranges and preventing the execution of a programming operation if the programming voltage is not within an acceptable voltage range.
In the method of the present invention, when a programming operation, such as a write or an erase, is initiated, the programming voltage is sampled. If the voltage is found to be outside of a predetermined acceptable voltage range, then the programming operation is blocked from proceeding.
In the present inventive circuit, when a programming operation is initiated, an internal control device causes the programming voltage applied to a connection pad of the memory device to be sampled by a voltage detection circuit. The detection circuit determines whether or not the sampled voltage is within one of several predetermined ranges that will guarantee that programming will be successful and generates a corresponding logic signal before the programming voltage is applied to the memory cells of the memory device. If the voltage level is out of range, the internal control device will block the programming operation from proceeding in order to prevent the data in the memory from being corrupted and will activate an error indication to communicate that the operation was terminated due to inadequate programming voltage.
After the programming operation begins, the voltage detection circuit applies a different set of acceptable voltage ranges to the programming voltage that permits the memory device to continue the programming operation even if the programming voltage falls outside of the initial range of acceptable voltage levels.
Further objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. | {
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The invention relates to a method and a system for data retrieval from machine tools, production equipment, or robots with at least one motion controller or drive controller.
Additional monitoring of machine tools, production equipment or robots by means of image or sound recording devices is well known in the art. For example, recording and storing image and audio data from production equipment together with the current time information are known from the abstract of the Japanese patent application JP 2001 125612 A. In an additional later step, these data are synchronized by means of their current time information. For this purpose, considerable storage capacities are necessary to ensure that later viewing or listening is possible.
The aim of the invention is to improve retrieval of various types of data from machine tools, production equipment, or robots with at least one motion controller or drive controller.
According to the invention, this aim is achieved by the fact that the image and/or video and/or audio data related to the mechanical movement in normal operation, synchronized in real-time with the data available in the motion controller or the drive controller, are displayed or processed synchronized in real-time. Thus real-time synchronized data can be made immediately available to a user.
A first advantageous method of the invention is characterized by the fact that the data to be synchronized are selected by a user. Thus it is not necessary to always synchronize all the available data, but the data flow can be advantageously selected before or during operation of the indicated machines. Consequently, the user can also freely decide which data he would like to synchronize.
A further advantageous method of the invention is characterized by the fact that the image and/or video and/or audio data is compressed before transfer. Thus the data transfer flow is advantageously reduced.
A further advantageous method of the invention is characterized by the fact that several synchronized data blocks are stored for later use in a motion controller or driver controller memory after synchronized display or processing. Consequently, a user or a device for further processing may also view or process past events.
A further advantageous method of the invention is characterized by the fact that the synchronized data is retrieved from at least one web server. Thus all Internet-related technologies can be used advantageously.
A further advantageous method of the invention is characterized by the fact that several synchronized data blocks are stored for later use on at least one web server. Thus, a user is able to access synchronized data blocks for past events.
A further advantageous method of the invention is characterized by the fact that additional data are recorded in the motion controller or drive controller and are synchronized with the image and/or video and/or audio data or the internal data. Thus a user can record and synchronize additional data not available in the motion controller or the drive controller. These data can include, for example, measurement data recorded by means of an oscillograph.
A further advantageous method of the invention is characterized by the fact that synchronization of data is started and stopped by means of an identification signal. Consequently, intermittent data are synchronized, but only when a particular identification signal appears. The identification signal, for example, can be the output of a comparator circuit that compares the measured values with particular upper and lower limits.
A first advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by the fact that the image and/or video and/or audio data related to the mechanical motion in normal operation, synchronized with the data available in the motion controller or the drive controller, can be displayed or processed. So a user can advantageously use a system that provides him the indicated data synchronized in real-time.
A further advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized by the fact that a method according to one of Claims 2 to 8 can be implemented in the system. So a user can advantageously use all the aforementioned methods in the system. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
The invention relates to removing condensate from air conditioning systems.
Air conditioning systems generally include a blower which blows or draws air over a heat exchanger coil on which condensation accumulates and drips to a discharge pan positioned below the coil. The condensation (or condensate) which overflows from the pan is drained from the system through a discharge port on to the ground or into the sewer system.
Referring to FIG. 1A, an air conditioning system 10 includes a blower 11 positioned to draw external air through a filter 14 and push the air over a heat exchanger 12, thereby presenting positive pressure at the discharge port where the condensate is discharged. A system having the blower positioned with respect to the heat exchanger in this manner is known as a "blow-through" system. Condensate from the heat exchanger drips into a condensate pan 13 having a drain port 15 connected to a U-shaped condensate trap 16.
Referring to FIG. 1B, on the other hand, if the blower is positioned to draw air over the coil, the system is a "draw-through" system with a negative pressure present at the port where the condensate is discharged. With this arrangement, blower 11 is positioned to pull air through the heat exchanger.
A condensate trap 16 in the form of U-shaped piping is generally provided at the discharge port. In either configuration, the U-shaped trap 16 must be filled with water prior to starting up the system. The water in the trap forms a barrier between atmospheric pressure at the discharge port of the trap and the pressure level within the system, thereby preventing escape of conditioned air in the system of FIG. 1A or introducing outside air into the system of FIG. 1B. The trap also collects foreign material passed through the discharge pan from the system. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Catheters are commercially available in a wide range of lengths, diameters and tip shapes. Because of this wide variety, different packaging has developed for different catheters. Because the volumes of catheters used in different sizes also varies greatly, the packaging costs for smaller runs of lesser used catheters can be relatively expensive. Many catheters are also packaged in various shaped trays often manufactured from a suitable transparent plastic, such as polyethylene trephthalate, which may include a dye to give the resulting product a pleasing hint of color, such as blue.
As stated, the use of multiple different trays or pouches for longer length catheters with different French diameter sizes has been the standard process in the industry for many years. Either an inner pouch with slat or an inner tray is first loaded and sealed, and then this subassembly is packaged in an outer pouch. The process not only takes time, but also adds cost of tooling and different tray sizes. The end user may have to open multiple pouches (in cases where pouches are used) in order to access all of the internal components. This practice can not only be time consuming but also wasteful.
In an effort to reduce the number of different trays necessary to accommodate a variety of different catheter sizes, U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,121 teaches a universal catheter tray manufactured in a unitary molding to include different recessed channel features to accommodate the catheters in a coiled arrangement.
The present disclosure is directed to solving one or more of the problems set forth above. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Various types of recording paper based on removal of a top cover layer of a metal, typically aluminum, under influence of applied electrical signals, have been proposed.
One such recording carrier is described in German Pat. No. 1 945 939. The outer metal layer is aluminum, applied to a web-like or strip or tape-like paper carrier. The chemical integrity of the metal layer is improved if some proportion of the aluminum of the coating is converted into aluminum oxide or aluminum oxyhydrate. The permanence and stability of the coating are thereby enhanced.
Another way of enhancing the permance and stability of the recording carrier is described in Swiss Pat. No. CH-PS 301 000, in which a metal coating, not further described, is covered with a thin cover coating applied thereover. Such a thin protective cover coating can be obtained by a layer of quartz or paraffin, applied by condensation from a vapor phase. Oils as protective layers in a molecular thickness can also be applied by vapor deposition. It has also been proposed to use a lacquer coating of polystyrene as a protective coating.
It has been proposed to protect optical components such as mirrors, lenses or the like, against chemical and/or mechanical damage by providing a protective layer over the optical elements (see German Patent Disclosure Document DE-OS 22 63 480). Such a protective layer to protect the optical components or devices with respect to mechanical or chemical influences is a hydrophobic protective layer or coating applied to a substrate forming the optical element. The hydrophobic protective layer is obtained by precipitation and polymerization of polysiloxane in an electrical glow discharge. An organo-silicon compound is introduced into a vacuum vessel in the form of a vapor, and polymerized by a glow discharge on the substrate. This protective coating has the advantage of relatively high mechanical hardness and good adhesion, thus providing an improved protective coating with respect to mechanical protection of the substrate while, additionally, having a decreased coefficient of friction with respect to elements or devices sliding thereover, that is, providing for good sliding properties over the thus protected optical component.
The purpose of the protective coating, however made or constituted, is intended to increase the stability and permanence of the actual recording layer. Ideally, the metal recording layer should be protected against decomposition due to ambient humidity or moisture in the air and against abrasion due to travel of the electrodes thereover, which may leave scratches or tracks. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
An example of a plug device having a plug or a jack device having a jack includes a charged device described in PTL 1, a data holding device, or a charging adapter.
The charged device described in PTL 1 is a plug device having a plug, and the data holding device and the charging adapter are jack devices having a jack.
A data line for transferring data is connected to the plug of the charged device. When the plug of the charged device is connected to the jack of the data holding device, the charged device acquires data from the data holding device via the data line.
Further, the charging adapter has a mechanical detection switch, and when a connection of the plug of the charged device to the jack of the charging adapter is mechanically detected by the detection switch, a built-in battery built into the charged device is charged using the data line, in the charged device. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
The speeds of metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistors are closely related to the drive currents of the MOS transistors, which drive currents are further closely related to the mobility of charges. For example, NMOS transistors have high drive currents when the electron mobility in their channel regions is high, while PMOS transistors have high drive currents when the hole mobility in their channel regions is high.
Germanium is a commonly known semiconductor material. The electron mobility and hole mobility of germanium are greater than that of silicon, which is the most commonly used semiconductor material in the formation of integrated circuits. Hence, germanium is an excellent material for forming integrated circuits. However, in the past, silicon gained more popularity over germanium since its oxide (silicon oxide) is readily usable in the gate dielectric of MOS transistors. The gate dielectrics of the MOS transistors can be conveniently formed by thermal oxidation of silicon substrates. The oxide of germanium, on the other hand, is soluble in water, and hence is not suitable for the formation of gate dielectrics.
With the use of high-k dielectric materials in the gate dielectrics of MOS transistors, however, the convenience provided by the silicon oxide is no longer a big advantage, and hence germanium is reexamined for use in integrated circuits.
In addition to germanium, compound semiconductor materials of group III and group V elements (referred to as III-V compound semiconductors hereinafter) are also good candidates for forming NMOS devices for their high electron mobility.
A challenge faced by the semiconductor industry is that although the MOS transistors formed on germanium and III-V compound semiconductors have high drive currents, the leakage currents of these MOS transistors are also high. This is partially caused by the low bandgap and the high dielectric constants of germanium and the III-V compound semiconductors. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates the comparison of bandgaps and dielectric constants of germanium and some commonly used III-V compound semiconductors, and some other semiconductor materials. FIG. 1 reveals that the bandgaps of germanium and some commonly used III-V compound semiconductors are small. Therefore, the respective MOS transistors suffer from band-to-band leakage currents between their gates and source/drain regions. The high dielectric constants of these materials further worsen the leakage currents. As a result, the on/off current ratios (Ion/Ioff) of these MOS transistors are relatively low. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for measuring absorption information of a scattering medium and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for measuring a temporal change or a spatial distribution of concentration of an absorptive. constituent in a scattering medium having non-reentrant surfaces. The invention further concerns a method and apparatus for measuring a concentration of an absorptive constituent inside the scattering medium by use of light of plural wavelengths.
2. Related Background Art
There are very strong demands for non-invasive and precise measurements of absorption information including a concentration of a specific absorptive constituent inside a scattering medium like a living body, a temporal change or a spatial distribution thereof, and so on. Attempts of various methods have been made heretofore, including methods using continuous wave light (cw light) and modulated light (for example, pulsed light, square-wave light, sine-wave modulated light, etc.), methods utilizing light of different wavelengths (multi-wavelength spectroscopy), and so on.
These conventional technologies, however, are not yet capable of accurately measuring the concentration of the specific absorptive constituent inside for tissues and organs having various shapes like the living body or for objects having individual differences of shape though being tissues or organs of a same kind. This presents a serious problem for non-invasive measurements of living body utilizing light, and improvements therein are strongly desired.
Light incident to the scattering medium like the living body propagates inside, is scattered and absorbed therein, and then part of the light emerges from its surface. Since the outside of the scattering medium is normally air, the light emerging from the surface is dispersed in the free space. The light emerging from the surface as described above is detected in measurements of internal information of scattering medium. At this time the propagating light spreads throughout the entire region of scattering medium and is dispersed from the whole surface to the outside. Therefore, when the output light is detected at a specific position in the surface, the quantity or a time-resolved waveform of detected light greatly varies with change in the shape of medium, for example, depending upon whether it is a sphere or a rectangular parallelepiped.
In order to enhance the measurement accuracy in the cases as described above, it is necessary to sufficiently understand the behavior of light inside the scattering medium. Recently, the behavior of light inside the scattering medium has been analyzed, tested, or investigated by Monte Carlo simulations with a computer. It is also known that the behavior can be described and analyzed accurately to some extent by the photon diffusion theory. The Monte Carlo simulations, however, require an extremely long calculation time and do not allow calculation of a concentration of a specific absorptive constituent inside the scattering medium from their results. In utilizing the photon diffusion theory, it is necessary to set boundary conditions for solving the photon diffusion equation. However, since the boundary conditions differ greatly depending upon the shape of scattering medium, new boundary conditions must be set to solve the photon diffusion equation for every change in the shape of scattering medium, in order to achieve accurate measurement. Scattering media for which the boundary conditions can be set accurately to some extent are limited to very simple shapes such as an infinite space, a semi-infinite space, an infinite cylinder, or a slab spreading infinitely and having a finite thickness. As a result, use of approximate boundary conditions is indispensable to measurements of living tissues having complicated shapes, which is a cause to produce large measuring errors.
The above problems are also discussed, for example, in the recent literature: Albert Cerussi et al., "The Frequency Domain Multi-Distance Method in the Presence of Curved Boundaries," in Biomedical Optical Spectroscopy and Diagnostics, 1996, Technical Digest (Optical Society of America, Washington D.C., 1996) pp. 24-26.
As described above, there are no methods for measuring absorption information sufficient to be systematically applied to scattering media of different shapes, and it was extremely difficult for conventional technologies to systematically accurately and efficiently measure the concentration of a specific absorptive constituent or the like in the scattering media of different shapes. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
A basic component of a printed circuit board is a dielectric layer having a sheet of copper foil bonded thereto. Through a subtractive process that includes one or more etching steps, portions of the copper foil are etched away to leave a distinct pattern of conductive lines and formed elements on the surface of the dielectric layer. Multi-layer printed circuit boards are formed by stacking and joining two or more of the aforementioned dielectric layers having printed circuits thereon.
In recent years, the trend has been to reduce the size of electronic components and provide printed circuit boards having multi-chip modules, etc. This results in a need to increase the number of components, i.e., surface mount components, provided on a printed circuit board. A key to providing a densely populated circuit board is to produce close and fine circuit patterns from the copper. The width and spacing of conductive paths on the printed circuit board are generally dictated by the thickness of the copper on the dielectric layer. For example, if the copper has a thickness of 35 .mu.m (which is a conventional 1-ounce copper used in manufacturing many printed circuits), exposing the printed circuit board to an etching process for a period of time to remove such a copper thickness will also reduce the width of the side areas of the printed circuit path in approximately the same amount. In other words, the width of the spacing between adjacent circuit lines is basically determined by the thickness of the copper foil on the dielectric layer, as well as the narrowness of the line to be formed. In this respect, as the thickness of the foil decreases below 35 .mu.m, the ability to physically handle such foil becomes more difficult. There is a minimum thickness of a copper foil sheet that is determined by the ability of the foil manufacturer to handle and transport such sheets. Hence, there is also a limit on achieving close and fine circuit patterns from copper sheets.
In recent years, it has been proposed to use copper-coated polyimides in forming printed circuits. The thickness of the copper on polyimide is generally significantly less than the thickness of traditional copper foil sheet. The thinner copper on the polyimide allows for finer and more closely spaced circuit lines in that the thinness of the copper layer reduces the etching time required to remove unwanted copper. In this respect, it is possible to use copper clad polyimide wherein the copper has a thickness as low as 0.1 .mu.m (1,000 .ANG.). The thinner copper on the polyimide also finds advantageous application in a semi-additive process. In a semi-additive process, the copper is masked to define a circuit pattern, and copper is plated onto the exposed pattern to build up a circuit. The mask material is removed and a "flash etch" removes the base copper on the polyimide leaving the built-up circuit on the polyimide. Thus, copper on polyimide finds advantageous application in both subtractive and semi-additive processes for forming printed circuits.
As with conventional copper foil, it is important to maintain the surface of the copper on the polyimide free from contamination. It is also important not to bend or flex the polyimide in such a way that cracks may form in the copper layer. In this respect, it is preferable to maintain a copper coated polyimide sheet in a flat planer orientation, i.e. the orientation that will be used within a printed circuit.
The present invention provides a method of protecting the exposed copper layer on a copper-coated polyimide from surface contamination and from undesirable flexing of the laminate. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Many digital cameras have limited dynamic range and as a result, details of a scene may be missed while capturing an image. Examples of a conventional technique for high dynamic range (HDR) image generation include a multi-exposure image composition method, where the multi-exposure image compositing method includes capturing a plurality of images with different exposures and generating HDR data. An image pyramid is a type of multi-scale signal representation where repeated smoothing and subsampling operations are applied to a source image to generate a series of reduced resolution images. The exposure fusion method merges different parts of different weighted images which may differ according to image contrast levels, saturation levels, exposure levels, and so on. The technique then restores those weighted images seamlessly using pyramidal image decomposition.
Exposure fusion is generally effective when dealing with simple exposure conditions. However, most HDR images consist of complex exposure conditions of a scene and therefore, details in over-exposed and/or under-exposed regions in the image may be lost. Specifically, higher pyramid levels may lose details of highlight and shadow regions and where lower pyramid level may lead to visible transitions in the luminance values from one region of the image to the other, also known as a halo effect. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Reduced-calorie beverages and food products are very popular. Such products typically contain, singularly or in blends, non-nutritive sweeteners such as aspartame, acesulfame-K, saccharin, sucralose, neotame and cyclamate. While consumers do not have to worry about calories, non-nutritive sweeteners are known to impart a taste different from that of full-calorie counterparts. So-called “diet taste” is commonly described as slow onset but lingering sweetness accompanied with a bitter and/or metallic undesirable aftertaste and a watery mouthfeel. Due to the greatly reduced sugar solid content, reduced-calorie drinks also lack the body and/or thickness perception associated with full-calorie drinks. G. R. Shore, et al., “Taste and Mouthfeel in Low Calorie Soft Drinks”, Contribution of Low- and Non-Volatile Materials to the Flavor of Foods, W. Pickenhagen, ed., Allured Publishing Corp., pp. 119-123 (1996). The watery mouthfeel and/or metallic undesirable aftertaste can be particularly severe in diet and zero-calorie beverages.
Reduced-calorie, low-calorie and zero-calorie beverages and food products with tastes similar to those of full-calorie products are very desirable and have been sought after for quite some time. Currently, however, methods of improving taste have fallen short of achieving a taste similar to full-calorie products. Consequently, there is a need for reduced-calorie beverages and foods having a taste similar to full-calorie products.
In addition, further problems arise when attempting to achieve reduced-calorie or diet frozen carbonated beverages (FCBs), which are semi-frozen carbonated drinks dispensed from a FCB dispenser. Such beverages require bulk solutes to stabilize small ice crystals and to trap carbon dioxide for a good taste and a smooth texture. The most commonly employed bulk solute is sugar. However, sugar is caloric and is therefore not suitable for the formulation of zero- or low-calorie FCBs. Sugar alcohols, which are known to mimic the bulk properties of ordinary sugars and have fewer calories, also are less sweet and most have undesirable gastrointestinal effects when ingested at comparable levels to sugars. Thus, making diet FCBs has been very difficult due to the need for both bulk solutes and zero or low calories. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is related generally to a data processing system and in particular to a method and apparatus for migrating resource adapter components. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code for providing a common framework to automatically migrate project development and runtime artifacts to a new version of a resource adapter.
2. Description of the Related Art
A resource adapter is a system level software component that an application uses to connect to an enterprise information system (EIS). The resource adapter plugs into an application server and provides connectivity between the EIS, application services, and the enterprise application components. The resource adapter is frequently updated to a new version of the resource adapter.
Resource adapters are frequently updated to support additional EIS connectivity features, to support a new EIS version, in response to changes to the external resource configuration utilized by the resource adapter, due to improvements in resource adapter internal interfaces, in response to a request to support a newer version of a Java Connectivity Architecture (JCA), or any combination of these reasons.
Currently, when a resource adapter component is upgraded to a different version, a resource adapter developer creates the new version of the resource adapter component, identifies changes to application artifacts, component runtime configurations, and component runtime resources that are required to support use of the new version of the resource adapter. The resource adapter developer manually creates instructions to the user that explain migration changes.
In this solution, a programmer manually creates an individual migration procedure for each new resource adapter version. This solution provides a generic procedure that requires additional user documentation and software support to adjust for the differences and customizations on different computer systems. However, to implement the migration, a user follows the instructions and manually performs migration on applications artifacts, component runtime configuration, and component runtime resources to use the new version of the resource adapter component. Thus, this solution can be time consuming, labor intensive, burdensome, and expensive for both the developer and the user implementing the update to the newer version.
In another solution, the resource adapter developer creates a tool to automate migration for the user. In this solution, the resource adapter logic for a newer version of a resource adapter provides custom migration logic to carry out the migration procedure. Thus, a user can invoke the tool to perform changes automatically for each adapter. Although this solution saves the user some time and effort, this solution continues to require each developer to solve the same problem of creating a migration tool for each new resource adapter version.
In addition, the migration logic source code increases with each new resource adapter version because each newer version of the adapter may include migration logic capable of migrating older versions of the resource adapter. In other words, if there have been four versions of a resource adapter, a newer version of the adapter may include up to four versions of the migration tool for migrating each of the older versions to the newer version. This results in the program code becoming increasingly voluminous, complex, and expensive to create as each newer version of the resource adapter is created. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
The invention relates to communication device and more particularly to the communication device which is capable to communicate with another communication device in a wireless fashion.
U.S. Patent Publication No. 20030045301 is introduced as prior art of the present invention of which the summary is the following: “The present invention is directed to an electronic system and method for managing location, calendar, and event information. The system comprises at least two hand portable electronic devices, each having a display device to display personal profile, location, and event information, and means for processing, storing, and wirelessly communicating data. A software program running in the electronic device can receive local and remote input data; store, process, and update personal profile, event, time, and location information; and convert location information into coordinates of a graphic map display. The system additionally includes at least one earth orbiting satellite device using remote sensing technology to determine the location coordinates of the electronic device. The electronic devices receive synchronization messages broadcast by the satellite device, causing the software program to update the personal profile, event, time, and location information stored in each hand portable electronic device”. However, this prior art does not disclose the system comprising a first communication device and a second communication device, wherein when the door is locked by the first communication device, a door locked message is operable to be displayed on the first communication device and/or the second communication device, wherein when the door is unlocked by the first communication device, a door unlocked message is operable to be displayed on the first communication device and/or the second communication device, and wherein when a phone call is implemented by the first communication device, a phone call making log data is produced.
For the avoidance of doubt, the number of the prior arts introduced herein (and/or in IDS) may be of a large one, however, applicant has no intent to hide the more relevant prior art(s) in the less relevant ones. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an organic light emitting device display and a manufacturing method thereof.
Description of the Related Art
An organic light emitting diode display comprises a display substrate including a display area displaying an image, a peripheral area, and an encapsulation substrate encapsulating the display substrate.
A plurality of organic light emitting diodes connected between a scan line and a data line in a matrix form to configure a pixel are formed in the display area, and the organic light emitting diode includes an anode, a cathode, and an organic emission layer formed between the anode and the cathode. In the peripheral area, the following elements are formed: a scan end and a data end extending from the scan line and the data line of the display area; a common voltage line for operating the organic light emitting diode; and a scan driver and a data driver for processing signals supplied from the outside so as to supply the processed signals to the scan end and the data end.
The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of an understanding of the background of the described technology and therefore it may contain information that does not form the prior art that is already known in this country to a person of ordinary skill in the art. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
This invention is in the field of digital communication, and pertains more particularly to systems, hardware and software for aiding participants in communication to decide whether, and to what extent to trust other participants in communication and interaction.
2. Description of Related Art
An object of the present invention is to apply and manage concepts of trust in computerized processes. Trust, however, is not an attribute of machines such as computers, but a complicated and not completely understood attribute of human cognition and emotion. People, in interaction with other people, and also with other animals and machines, especially computerized machines, in order to function smoothly in the world, are obliged to accomplish an almost continuous flow of decisions. Although in the flow of thought for a person, such decisions are not always posed as distinct questions with distinct answers, for purposes of this discussion the decision process can be illustrated in that way. Consider two persons in conversation about almost any subject. In the back-and-forth flow of such conversation, each party has to be asking himself/herself what should I tell this person? Can I answer that question truthfully? What might be the consequences of telling this person this particular nugget of information? How well do I know this person? Has this person been truthful with me in the past? Has she kept my confidence? Can I trust her?
Every question/answer, although typically not posed in the flow of thought as a distinct question to be answered, is a step in the process of trust, and the exchange of information, or deal struck, will be shaped by the answers each person in the conversation makes to these, and other hypothetical questions. In an extreme case of distrust, one person might simply cut off the conversation, or, in another instance of complete trust, divulge a large amount of very sensitive information.
Going beyond personal conversation between people in the same room, and not employing special equipment, consider people in more remote conversation, such as by telephone. Depending on the type of telephone system and equipment used, and also on the purposes of the communication, there may be a considerable variety of typically computerized equipment involved. A person placing a call to another over a connection-oriented switched telephony (COST) system, which is a term in telecommunications art for what is also known as the “plain old telephone system” (POTS), will be using a telephone connected through a local switch, which may be computer-telephony integration (CTI) enhanced (or not), and the call may be routed over trunk lines and intermediary switches, which may be enhanced with computer functionality, to telephony equipment at the recipient's end. The purpose of such a telephone call may be a conversation between friends, or it may be a call to a person offering something for sale, or a call to a toll-free number to reach, hopefully, and agent at a call center, to seek service or information in one matter or another.
At various termination points in such a call set up there may be opportunities to record all or part of the voice exchanges. There may be uncertainty about who the person at the other end says he is. There may be questions about the competency or skill of an agent to whom one is eventually connected. There are trust issues in all of these situations and examples, and more.
Very similar issues abound in other forms of communications and transaction situations, such as email, chat sessions, Internet sales, on-line banking, remote investment management over all sorts of networks, and much more.
An object of the present invention is to teach systems, methods and means by which trustworthy transaction may be encouraged, promoted and secured, and by which untrustworthy transaction may be avoided. Means are taught in various embodiments of this invention to use intelligence at various points in networks and network apparatus to aid participants in managing their personal trust issues in communication and transaction, and to aid enterprises in managing their trust issues as well. Methods and apparatus are taught as well for scoring persons and files to represent trustworthiness in communication. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
There are a variety of methods and apparatus which may be used to heat a number of thermoplastic materials for welding and other thermal bonding operations. A number of such methods and apparatus are discussed in various editions of Modern Plastics Encyclopedia, McGraw Hill, New York, N.Y.
These thermal bonding and welding techniques have various limitations. Some require a high degree of operator skill and experience (e.g., hot gas welding). Some are limited to certain materials or shapes (e.g., friction welding, spin welding, and R.F. dielectric heating). Others require additions to the plastic (e.g., the addition of metal particles to permit induction heating of the plastic).
In contact heating or welding, the thermoplastic parts to be welded are normally pressed against a heated die or tool, usually under some pressure. After the parts are heated, the die or tool is removed and the heated parts are pressed together to form the bond or weld. Alternatively, a die heated directly, e.g., by resistance heating, might be configured to clamp the parts together. In any case, the heated tool is removed from the thermoplastic parts when sufficient heating has been achieved. When such hot dies or tools are removed from what are often molten thermoplastic parts, the parts and/or the weld itself may be disturbed, and this may tend to weaken the weld and cause a deterioration in appearance or strength.
Thus, in contact heating, the thermoplastic parts to be adhered, welded, or sealed are initially pushed under pressure against a heated tool until the desired consistency is achieved. The parts and the heated tool are then separated, the tool removed, and the heated parts pressed together to effectuate the desired bonding. Such techniques require precise timing and temperature control and, typically, also produce a significant weld bead which may be undesirable in finished products.
The quality of a bond or weld of thermoplastic material is related to proper heating and cooling of the parts being mated, among other factors. If the weld site is underheated, inferior welds may be produced, and/or the weld cycle lengthened unduly. Conversely, if the die is too hot, the thermoplastic parts or materials to be welded can be overheated, which can also produce inferior bonds or welds. Similarly, a poor quality weld can result from improper cooling of the welded parts. This can occur, for example, if the weld is disturbed, such as by removing dies or tools from the welded or bonded parts prematurely before the thermoplastic material has had an opportunity to cool and set.
Equipment for achieving thermoplastic welding, such as heaters and associated circuitry, is known but is often expensive. Costs easily escalate if it is necessary to provide multiple installations of equipment, such as would be used for many automated techniques. Furthermore, in automated production, it is often necessary to be able to adjust process parameters for different parts and for different conditions, which may be difficult and time-consuming.
It would be desirable, therefore, to provide a method and apparatus for welding thermoplastic parts, which could result in improved quality and uniformity of the welded parts, which would be compatible with improved production capabilities, which would be readily adaptable to automated production, and which could be achieved without markedly increasing operating costs and capital investment. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to cookware and, more particularly, to cookware having a non-stick surface applied selectively to the interior sidewall surface of the cookware.
2. Description of Related Art
It is well known to apply a coating of a non-stick material such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) to the flat cooking surface and sloped sidewalls of a fry pan, for example, to provide extremely easy clean-up for cookware. The life and durability of PTFE-type non-stick surfaces, however, are limiting factors in the usefulness of these surfaces. The PTFE can be scratched or marred if metal kitchen tools are used or if abrasive materials are used during cleaning. These organic coatings also can degrade if overheated during cooking, which also shortens their useful life. An uncoated, bare stainless steel pan offers excellent durability during cooking and clean-up such that metal kitchen tools and steel wool will not scratch the cook surface during cooking or clean-up. Unfortunately, during frying, for example, grease or oil will tend to spatter from the flat cooking surface of the pan and deposit on the bare sidewalls of the fry pan. These localized areas of spatter deposits will form hardened spots on the sidewalls due to the heat conducted along the sidewall. This spatter on the sidewalls oftentimes proves more difficult to remove during clean-up than the cooking residue left along the bare cooking surface. This is due to the fact that the cooking surface usually has a layer of grease or cooking oil thereon which, to a large extent, prevents the formation of the hardened spots which reside on the sidewalls during frying. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
1. Field
Embodiments of the present invention relate to a secondary battery, and more particularly, to a secondary battery capable of preventing the movement of an electrode assembly and the bending of an electrode tab in the interior of a case.
2. Description of the Related Technology
Recently, a variety of batteries has been used as power sources for small-sized electronic devices. Particularly, batteries such as lithium secondary batteries, which are small in size and large in capacity, are frequently used as power sources for mobile phones, notebook computers, camcorders and the like.
A lithium secondary battery is typically formed by accommodating an electrode assembly in the interior of a case. such as a pouch or a can, and injecting an electrolyte into the case. The electrode assembly may be divided into a wound-type electrode assembly and a stacked-type electrode assembly. The wound-type electrode assembly is typically formed by interposing a separator between positive and negative electrode plates and winding them in a jelly-roll shape. On the other hand, the stacked-type electrode assembly is typically formed by stacking a plurality of structures, each having positive and negative electrode plates, and a separator interposed therebetween.
In the wound-type electrode assembly, a finishing tape is typically attached on outer end surfaces of the electrode assembly so as to fix a portion to be finished. The electrode assembly having the finishing tape attached thereto is accommodated in a case, and an electrolyte is injected into the interior of the case. Then, the case is tightly sealed.
However, in the secondary battery described above, the electrode assembly is not adhered closely to the inner surface of the case. Hence, if an impact is applied to the secondary battery from the exterior of the case, the electrode assembly is moved in the interior of the case. Therefore, an electrode tab of the electrode assembly may become bent. Also, because the electrolyte typically serves as a lubricant, the electrode assembly may move inside the case. This occurrence may cause internal short circuits.
Particularly, in a pouch type case, the strength of the case is typically weak, and the safety of the case may be compromised. In case of a medium- or large-sized battery, a large amount of electrolyte can be distributed to a lower portion in a case, and thus unequally distributed in the case. Moreover, in a secondary battery using a pouch-type case, the appearance of the secondary battery may be unequal. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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One computer implemented approach for computing demand forecast information for a demand forecast application involves defining a so-called demand forecast tree capable of being graphically represented by a single top level node (00) with at least two branches directly emanating therefrom, each branch having at least one node, for example, bottom level node (11) (see FIG. 1). The demand forecast information is computed on the basis of time series of observations typically associated with bottom level nodes by a forecast engine capable of determining a mathematical simulation model for a demand process. One such forecast engine employing statistical seasonal causal time series models of count data is commercially available from Demantra Ltd, Israel, under the name Demantra™ Demand Planner.
One exemplary demand forecast application is the media distribution problem, namely, determining the number of copies of a daily newspaper to be delivered daily to an outlet to minimize two mutually conflicting indices commonly quantified for evaluating the efficacy of a distribution policy for a newspaper over an evaluation period: the frequency of sellouts, and the number of returns typically expressed in percentage terms of total returns over total draw. In this connection, it is a common practice in the industry that a draw for a newspaper at an outlet for a given day is greater than its demand forecast at that outlet for that day so to reduce the probability of a sellout but with the inherent downside that the probability of returns is greater. In the case of distribution systems for newspapers, the safety stock is typically intended to provide a level of safety of around 80±10% for a given probability function for the demand for the newspaper at the outlet.
The media distribution problem is a particular realization of the well-known single period stochastic inventory problem which has been the subject of considerable academic interest. It has been long recognized that occurrences of sellouts downwardly bias demand forecasts due to actual sales data reflecting stock availability levels as opposed to true demand. In view of this, researchers in the area of demand forecasting have developed procedures to cater for presence of sellouts by computing demand forecasts on adjusted sales data One exemplary approach is set out in an article entitled “Forecasting demand variation when there are stockouts”, Bell, P. C., Journal of the Operational Research Society (2000) 51, 358-363. | {
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At present, with the increasing transmission rate requirements, the baud rate of optical transmission systems continuously increases, which imposes increasingly higher rate requirements on components. To lower the rate requirements on components, multi-carrier modulation becomes a mainstream solution for optical communication systems. Currently, for multi-carrier modulation systems, a mode of independent and coherent reception of each carrier is commonly adopted in the industry. The independent and coherent reception of each carrier means that an independent set of coherent reception device should be equipped for each carrier, including a mixer, a PD (Photoconductive Detector, photoconductive detector), an ADC (Analog to Digital Converter, analog to digital converter), and a DSP (Digital Signal Processor, digital signal processor) processor.
A first piece of prior art provides a solution for coherent reception of a multi-carrier optical signal, where a multi-carrier optical signal (for example, a wavelength division multiplexed optical signal) is filtered through an optical filter to implement carrier separation, so as to obtain optical carrier signals; then each optical carrier signal is coherently mixed with its respective local optical signal corresponding to the center frequency of the optical carrier signal and is subjected to photoelectric conversion and analog-to-digital conversion, so as to obtain a digital baseband signal; and then digital signal processing is performed on the digital baseband signal, so as to recover an output signal.
A second piece of prior art provides another solution for coherent reception of a multi-carrier optical signal, where a multi-carrier optical signal is split through a power splitter, into multi-carrier optical signals whose number equals to the number of carriers; then each multi-carrier optical signal is coherently mixed with a local optical signal corresponding to the center frequency of its respective carrier, and is subjected to photoelectric conversion, so as to obtain an analog electrical signal containing information of the carriers, and the analog electrical signal is filtered to implement carrier separation, so as to obtain a carrier signal corresponding to the center frequency; and then, analog-to-digital conversion is performed on the carrier signal to obtain a digital baseband signal, and digital signal processing is performed on the digital baseband signal, so as to recover an output signal.
However, in the first piece of prior art, after the optical filter is used to filter the multi-carrier optical signal to implement carrier separation, an independent set of coherent reception device is required for each optical carrier signal while receiving the optical carrier signal. In the second piece of prior art, after the power splitter is used to split the multi-carrier signal into multiple multi-carrier signals, an independent set of coherent reception device is also required for each multi-carrier signal while receiving the multi-carrier signal, and different from the first piece of prior art, carrier separation is implemented by filtering the electrical signal. It can be seen from the above that, both the solution for receiving a multi-carrier optical signal in the first piece of prior art and the solution for receiving a multi-carrier optical signal in the second piece of prior art require multiple independent sets of coherent reception devices, and therefore, the solutions for receiving a multi-carrier optical signal in prior art have problems of high cost and high power consumption. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The subject invention relates to burial markers, and more particularly to a hybrid grave marker and cremains container which is partially interred in the ground, and which contains ash of the deceased person, other once living beings, or any other memorabilia regarding the deceased which may be visible through the walls and top of the cremains container.
Even more particularly, the present invention relates to a hybrid grave marker and cremains container, where the container constitutes an airtight and watertight receiving envelope in which ashes or other memorabilia are protected against the influence of environment.
Furthermore, the present invention relates to a hybrid grave marker and cremains container which is assembled from glass pieces adhered to each other by glue hardening under influence of ultraviolet radiation with the junctures between the glass pieces sealed for better hermeticity.
The present invention also relates to a hybrid grave marker and cremains container which can be used singly or in clusters so that to form a memorial group for family members or otherwise related deceased.
2. Prior Art
There has been a variety of decorative memorials, and urns which can be stored indoors or outdoors. Usually, the decorative urns of varying shapes are placed in the niches and usually have glass covers placed over the openings of the niches for viewing purposes. Urns containing cremated remains are also stored outdoors in closed faced niches formed in vertical standing walls and in horizontally situated interment arrays. Various framed or modular structures for supporting urns have been developed but proved unduly expensive and complex to manufacture and construct.
Alternatively to the relatively expensive practice of storing ashes of deceased persons in wall compartments, ashes are placed into receptacles adapted to contain ashes, such as human or animal ashes, and intended to be at least partially embedded in the earth. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,647,108 discloses such a receptacle for ashes of deceased which have a compartment provided with an aperture for receiving the ashes. The receptacle also has a closure for sealing the aperture, and a support capable of supporting the receptacle in a vertical position in the earth. The closure which consists of a plaque is firmly attached to the compartment at the aperture thereof, so as to seal off the aperture by welding or the use of lugs. The support is a pointed stake, rigidly attached to the base end of the receptacle. The stake allows the receptacle to be embedded into the ground and to be supported in a vertical position. This form of the receptacle is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and, in addition, the moving of the receptacle from one place to another is easy due to the fact that the compartment is mounted on the pointed stake. The ashes, however, cannot be viewed through the walls or the top of the receptacle, as sometimes desired by relatives and friends of the deceased person. Additionally, embedding the receptacle in the ground solely by a stake member does not provide a stable foundation needed for a permanent burial marker.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,162 describes a stained glass cremation urn which is formed of a plurality of pieces of stained glass of harmonizing colors selected to provide an appealing combination of colors. The pieces of stained glass with a copper foil in place thereon are laid on a flat surface with a small spacing between them whereupon hot or molten lead is flowed over the joint. The heated lead is attracted by the copper foil so that a substantially linear surface of lead beading following the contours of the copper foil is provided along the junctures of the glass pieces, thereby securely clamping pieces of glass in place and providing a moisture and dustproof joint. The formed lead increases in thickness between the adjacently positioned pieces of glass and securely holds the stained glass parts in assembled relation. The assembled urn can be placed in any suitable location such, for example, as in the niche of a crematory or at any location in the home, or elsewhere as desired. This urn, however, is not constructed nor intended for being partially interred in the ground.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,921 describes a burial marker and display box for the preservation of memorabilia and/or ashes of an individual or individuals. An air-and-watertight container holds a second air-and-watertight container that is removable from the first one. The first container may be lockable so as to secure the contents therein. The second container is removable from the first container and includes a display window that allows visual inspection of the contents. The marker box is interred in the ground in a manner similar to a headstone, and allows visiting relatives and friends of the deceased to inspect the preserved memorabilia within the container. Ashes of an individual may also be carried by the container. Alternative embodiments allow several cylinder containers to be held in one single burial marker and display box. Although the overall assembly is intended as a hybrid burial marker and display box, it requires two independent and separate containers with each performing its individual function, i.e., the outer container serving as the burial marker, and the inner container serving as the ash receptacle. Therefore, the device fails to disclose a single structural element performing simultaneously the functions of a burial marker and cremains container. As can be seen, the burial marker and display box is somewhat expensive and complex, and needs a separate structural element for each functional requirement.
As can be readily appreciated from the relevant prior art discussed in previous paragraphs, despite many attempts, aesthetically pleasing, inexpensive ashes and/or memorabilia containers which simultaneously serve as grave markers and are partially buried in the ground through which ashes and memorabilia are visible for satisfying sentimental needs of friends and relatives of the deceased person is not seen in the prior art. | {
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This invention relates to catheters and in particular relates to a new urinary catheter assembly which permits placement in difficult catherization and/or situations,.
In situations such as urethra strictures or restrictions, high bladder neck, or benign or malignant prostatic hypertrophy, causing difficult catheterization, the current procedure is to insert a filiform and a follower and leave the follower in place for a period of time before placing a urinary catheter. The result can be patient discomfort from the follower, bleeding, and possibly a severe infection.
In these situations, passing a standard urinary catheter can traumatize the urethra. Often a urologist is called to see a patient after several attempts to catheterize the patient have failed, resulting in a severely traumatized urethra. A metal Council catheter guide may be helpful to the urologist, but this can further traumatize the urethra. A Council guide then must be used by an experienced person who is almost never available in an emergency room or hospital ward. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The P2X7 receptor is a ligand-gated ion channel and is present on a variety of cell types, largely those known to be involved in the inflammatory and/or immune process, specifically, macrophages and monocytes in the periphery and predominantly in glial cells (microglia and astrocytes) of the CNS. (Duan and Neary, Glia 2006, 54, 738-746; Skaper et al., FASEB J 2009, 24, 337-345; Surprenant and North, Annu. Rev. Physiol. 2009, 71, 333-359). Activation of the P2X7 receptor by extracellular nucleotides, in particular adenosine triphosphate, leads to the release of proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 (Muller, et. al. Am. J. Respir. Cell Mol. Biol. 2011, 44, 456-464), giant cell formation (macrophages/microglial cells), degranulation (mast cells) and L-selectin shedding (lymphocytes) (Ferrari et al., J. Immunol. 2006, 176, 3877-3883; Surprenant and North, Annu. Rev. Physiol. 2009, 71, 333-359). P2X7 receptors are also located on antigen-presenting cells (keratinocytes, salivary acinar cells (parotid cells)), hepatocytes, erythrocytes, erythroleukaemic cells, monocytes, fibroblasts, bone marrow cells, neurones, and renal mesangial cells.
The importance of P2X7 in the nervous system arises primarily from experiments using P2X7 knock-out mice. These mice demonstrate the role of P2X7 in the development and maintenance of pain as these mice were protected from the development of both adjuvant-induced inflammatory pain and partial nerve ligation induced neuropathic pain (Chessell et al., Pain 2005, 114, 386-396). In addition P2X7 knock-out mice also exhibit an anti-depressant phenotype based on reduced immobility in forced swim and tail suspension tests (Basso et al., Behav. Brain Res. 2009, 198, 83-90.). Moreover, the P2X7 pathway is linked to the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine, IL-1β, which has been linked to precipitation of mood disorders in humans (Dantzer, Immunol. Allergy Clin. North Am. 2009, 29, 247-264; Capuron and Miller, Pharmacol. Ther. 2011, 130, 226-238). In addition, in murine models of Alzheimer's disease, P2X7 was upregulated around amyloid plaques indicating a role of this target in such pathology as well (Parvathenani et al., J. Biol. Chem. 2003, 278, 13309-13317).
In view of the clinical importance of P2X7, the identification of compounds that modulate P2X7 receptor function represents an attractive avenue into the development of new therapeutic agents. Such compounds are provided herein. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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I. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a system of testing for glucose in whole blood and, more particularly, to a registration device for improving the ability of a user to obtain an accurate indication of the glucose level in his blood.
II. Description of the Prior Art
The present invention is intended for use with known self-administered tests used for determining the level of glucose in whole blood. Such a test has been developed and is marketed by Boehringer Mannheim Corporation of Indianapolis, Indiana under the registered trademark "CHEMSTRIP bG". In a customary manner, a cylindrical capped container or vial is provided with markings graduated by color as on a paper label adhesively applied to its outer peripheral surface. The markings are indicative of a range of possible conditions which might be evidenced by a blood sample. The vial contains a quantity of elongated flexible strips, each of which is intended for an individual test. Each strip is provided with a reagent area adjacent one end thereof. The normally inactive reagent area is activated when the user places a large drop of whole blood thereon. According to the usual test, the user simultaneously starts a timer. After a specified time interval, for example, 60 seconds, the blood is wiped off the reagent area as by the use of a dry cotton ball. After an additional specified time interval, for example, again 60 seconds, the color or colors appearing in the reagent area are matched by the user with the graduated markings on the outer surface of the vial. At this point, if a match is substantially obtained, the glucose level can be determined. However, if the color developed is darker than that of the darkest color appearing on the vial for the two minutes (120 second) range, then it is necessary to wait an additional 60 seconds before comparing the final reaction color with the color scale relating to a three minute duration.
Time is an important factor in performing the test. That is, the reagent area of the test strip continues to darken with the passage of time. Therefore, the test is only accurate if a color match is obtained at a finite point in time, that is, precisely after two minutes for the two minute scale or, precisely after three minutes for the three minute scale.
However, it will be appreciated that the users of self-administered tests such as the CHEMSTRIP bG test are diabetics who, in some instances, are unsteady with their hands. As a result, it may be difficult for such a user to obtain a color match within the necessarily tightly controlled duration of time.
It was with the knowledge of this drawback of the prior art that the present invention has been conceived and now reduced to practice. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a superconducting composition comprised of a crystalline metal oxide phase in the Bi-Sr-Y-Cu-O system.
2. References
Bednorz and Muller, Z. Phys. B64, 189 (1986), disclose a superconducting phase in the La-Ba-Cu-O system with a superconducting transition temperature of about 35 K. This disclosure was subsequently confirmed by a number of investigators [see, for example, Rao and Ganguly, Current Science, 56, 47 (1987), Chu et al., Science 235, 567 (1987), Chu et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 405 (1987), Cava et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 408 (1987), Bednorz et al., Europhys. Lett. 3, 379 (1987)]. The superconducting phase has been identified as the composition La.sub.1-x (Ba,Sr,Ca).sub.x CuO.sub.4-y with the tetragonal K.sub.2 NiF.sub.4 -type structure and with x typically about 0.15 and y indicating oxygen vacancies.
Wu et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 908 (1987), disclose a superconducting phase in the Y-Ba-Cu-O system with a superconducting transition temperature of about 90 K. Cava et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 58, 1676 (1987), have identified this superconducting Y-Ba-Cu-O phase to be orthorhombic, distorted, oxygen-deficient perovskite YBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.9-.delta. where .delta. is about 2.1 and present the powder x-ray diffraction pattern and lattice parameters.
C. Michel et al., Z. Phys. B-Condensed Matter 68, 421 (1987), disclose a novel family of superconducting oxides in the Bi-Sr-Cu-O system with composition close to Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.7+.delta.. A pure phase was isolated for the composition Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 Cu.sub.2 O.sub.7+.delta.. The X-ray diffraction pattern for this material exhibits some similarity with that of perovskite and the electron diffraction pattern shows the perovskite subcell with the orthorhombic cell parameters of a=5.32 A (0.532 nm), b=26.6 A (2.66 nm) and c =48.8 A (4.88 nm). The material made from ultrapure oxides has a superconducting transition with a midpoint of 22 K as determined from resistivity measurements and zero resistance below 14 K. The material made from commercial grade oxides has a superconducting transition with a midpoint of 7 K.
H. Maeda et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 27, L209 (1988), disclose a superconducting oxide in the Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-O system with the composition near BiSrCaCu.sub.2 Ox and a superconducting transition temperature of about 105 K.
The commonly assigned application, "Superconducting Metal Oxide Compositions and Process For Making Them", S. N. 153,107, filed Feb. 8, 1988, a continuation-in-part of S. N. 152,186, filed Feb. 4, 1988, disclose superconducting compositions having the nominal formula Bi.sub.a Sr.sub.b Ca.sub.c Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x wherein a is from about 1 to about 3, b is from about 3/8 to about 4, c is from about 3/16 to about 2 and x=(1.5 a+b+c +y) where y is from about 2 to about 5, with the proviso that b+c is from about 3/2 to about 5, said compositions having superconducting transition temperatures of about 70 K or higher. It also discloses the superconducting metal oxide phase having the formula Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.3-z Ca.sub.z Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8+w wherein z is from about 0.1 to about 0.9, preferably 0.4 to 0.8 and w is greater than zero but less than about 1. M. A. Subramanian et al., Science 239, 1015 (1988) also disclose the Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.3-x Ca.sub.z Cu.sub.2 O.sub.8+w superconductor.
T. Tamegai et al., Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 27, L1074 (1988), disclose that Bi.sub.2 Sr.sub.2 YCu.sub.2 O.sub.8.multidot.5 is not a superconductor but is instead a semiconductor.
A. Manthiram et al., Appl. Phys. Lett. 53, 420 (1988), disclose the results of a study of the compositions Bi.sub.4 Sr.sub.3 Ca.sub.3-x Y.sub.x O.sub.16+.delta.. Samples with 0.0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.1.1 are superconductors; those with x.gtoreq.1.25 are semiconductors. T.sub.c remains almost constant at 86 K in the compositional range 0.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5 and then drops abruptly and monotonically with x for x>0.5, extrapolating to zero at x of about 1.15. | {
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The present invention relates particularly to electrolytic removal (e.g., dissolution, etching, or polishing) methods for use in the formation of various structures on substrates, such as semiconductor substrates or substrate assemblies.
Films of metals and metal oxides, particularly the heavier elements of Groups 8-11 (Fe, Co, Ni, and Cu groups), are becoming important for a variety of electronic applications. This is at least because many of the Group 8-11 metal films (e.g., Pd, Pt) are generally unreactive, resistant to oxidation or retard the diffusion of oxygen, and are good conductors. Oxides of certain of these metals also possess many of these properties, although perhaps to a different extent.
Thus, films of Group 8-11 metals, their alloys, and metal oxides, particularly the second and third row metals (e.g., Ru, Os, Rh, Ir, Pd, and Pt) have suitable properties for a variety of uses in integrated circuits. For example, they can be used in integrated circuits for barrier materials, for example. They are particularly suitable for use as barrier layers between the dielectric material and the silicon substrate in memory devices. Furthermore, they are suitable as the plate (i.e., electrode) itself in capacitors.
Platinum is one of the candidates for use as an electrode for high dielectric capacitors. Capacitors are the basic charge storage devices in random access memory devices, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) devices, static random access memory (SRAM) devices, and now ferroelectric memory (FE RAM) devices. They consist of two conductors, such as parallel metal or polysilicon plates, which act as the electrodes (i.e., the storage node electrode and the cell plate capacitor electrode), insulated from each other by a dielectric material (a ferroelectric dielectric material for FE RAMs). Thus, there is a continuing need for methods for the processing, e.g., removal, of Group 8-11 metal-containing films, preferably, platinum-containing films.
The planarization of a surface that includes platinum and other Group 8-11 metals typically involves mechanical polishing, as opposed to chemical-mechanical polishing, because they are relatively chemically inert and/or have relatively few water soluble products. Such mechanical polishing uses alumina, silica, or other abrasive particles to remove the metal physically. Unfortunately, mechanical polishing tends to smear (e.g., deform) the metals, leaving metal over undesired portions of the wafer surface, and leaving scratches in either the metal itself or other areas on the wafer surface. Also, many commercially available abrasive slurries do not effectively planarize platinum or other Group 8-11 metal-containing surfaces either because no material is removed or the resultant surface has defects therein.
Various etching processes are used in the fabrication of semiconductor devices to remove various materials. Such etching processes are used to control and maintain critical dimensions of various device structures such as, for example, transistors, capacitors, and interconnects. However, the removal of materials such as Group 8-11 metal-containing films by wet etching, for example, is generally very difficult. This is particularly true with respect to films containing rhodium, iridium, alloys thereof, and oxides thereof. For example, removal of metallic rhodium (Rh) and iridium (Ir) requires the use of high temperatures and/or high pressures with strong oxidizers and acids.
Thus, a need still exists for methods of removal of materials, particularly Group 8-11 metal-containing films, from semiconductor substrates or substrate assemblies.
The present invention provides methods that overcome many of the problems associated with the removal of platinum and/or other of the Group VIIIB metals (i.e., Groups 8, 9, and 10 of the Periodic Table of Elements) and Group IB metals (i.e., Group 11 of the Periodic Table of Elements) from substrates. Preferably, the methods of the present invention are effective for the removal of at least one of the second and/or third row metals of Group VIIIB (i.e., Groups 8, 9, and 10, which include Rh, Ru, Ir, Pd, Os, and Pt) and/or Group IB (i.e., Group 11, which includes Au and Ag) from a surface. More preferably, the methods of the present invention are effective for the removal of at least one of Co, Rh, Ru, Ir, Ni, Pd, Pt, Os, Au, and Ag from a surface. Most preferably, the methods of the present invention are effective for the removal of at least one of Rh, Ir, and Pt, or alloys thereof, from a surface. Such a surface is referred to herein as a xe2x80x9cmetal-containing surface.xe2x80x9d
That is, a xe2x80x9cmetal-containing surfacexe2x80x9d refers to an exposed region having a metal present, preferably at least one metal of the Periodic Table Groups 8-11 present. In such an exposed region, the metal is preferably present in an amount of at least about 10 atomic percent, more preferably at least about 20 atomic percent, and most preferably at least about 50 atomic percent, of the composition of the region, which may be provided as a layer, film, coating, etc., to be etched in accordance with the present invention. The surface preferably includes one or more Group 8-11 metals in elemental form or an alloy thereof (with each other and/or one or more other metals of the Periodic Table), as well as conductive oxides and silicides thereof. More preferably, the surface includes (and most preferably, consists essentially of) one or more Group 8-11 metals in elemental form or an alloy of such metals only.
In one embodiment of the invention, there is a method for electrochemically removing a metal from a substrate surface with an electrolyte. The method includes: providing an electrochemical cell that includes: a reservoir for containing an electrolyte; a first electrode that includes a substrate having a metal-containing surface positioned to interface with the electrolyte; and a counter electrode in electrical contact with the first electrode; and applying an alternating or bipolar pulsed electrical current to the electrochemical cell. In one embodiment of this method, the metal-containing surface includes a metal selected from the group consisting of a Group VIIIB metal (i.e., Groups 8, 9, and 10) and a combination thereof. In another embodiment of this method, the metal-containing surface includes a metal selected from the group consisting of a Group IB metal (i.e., Group 11) and a combination thereof.
In another embodiment of the invention, there is a method for electrochemically removing a metal from a substrate surface with an electrolyte, wherein the method includes: providing an electrochemical cell that includes: a reservoir for containing an electrolyte; a first electrode that includes a substrate having a metal-containing surface positioned to interface with the electrolyte; and a counter electrode in electrical contact with the first electrode; wherein the substrate is a semiconductor substrate or substrate assembly; and applying an alternating electrical current to the electrochemical cell. In one embodiment of this method, the metal-containing surface includes a metal selected from the group consisting of a Group VIIIB metal (i.e., Groups 8, 9, and 10) and a combination thereof (preferably, a Group VIIIB second row metal (Ru, Rd, Pd), a Group VIIIB third row metal (Os, Ir, Pt), or a combination thereof). In another embodiment of this method, the metal-containing surface includes a metal selected from the group consisting of a Group IB metal (i.e., Group 11) and a combination thereof (preferably, a Group IB second row metal (Ag), a Group IB third row metal (Au), or a combination thereof).
The present invention also provides an apparatus for electrochemically removing a metal from a substrate surface with an electrolyte.
In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a reservoir for containing an electrolyte; a first electrode that includes a substrate having a metal-containing surface positioned to interface with the electrolyte; a counter electrode in electrical contact with the first electrode; and a power supply to deliver alternating or bipolar pulsed current between the first electrode and the counter electrode. In one embodiment of this apparatus, the metal-containing surface includes a metal selected from the group consisting of a Group 8-10 metal and a combination thereof. In another embodiment of this apparatus, the metal-containing surface includes a metal selected from the group consisting of a Group 11 metal and a combination thereof.
In another embodiment, the apparatus includes: an electrolyte composition; a first electrode that includes a substrate having a metal-containing surface positioned to interface with the electrolyte composition; a conductive polishing pad for electrical contact with the first electrode; an abrasive for polishing the metal-containing surface; a carrier assembly comprising a substrate holder to support the substrate; a drive assembly for use in rotating at least one of the substrate holder and conductive polishing pad; and a power supply to deliver alternating or bipolar pulsed current between the first electrode and the counter electrode. In one embodiment of this apparatus, the metal-containing surface includes a metal selected from the group consisting of a Group 8-10 metal and a combination thereof. In another embodiment of this apparatus, the metal-containing surface includes a metal selected from the group consisting of a Group 11 metal and a combination thereof.
As used herein, xe2x80x9csemiconductor substrate or substrate assemblyxe2x80x9d refers to a semiconductor substrate such as a base semiconductor layer or a semiconductor substrate having one or more layers, structures, or regions formed thereon. A base semiconductor layer is typically the lowest layer of silicon material on a wafer or a silicon layer deposited on another material, such as silicon on sapphire. When reference is made to a substrate assembly, various process steps may have been previously used to form or define regions, junctions, various structures or features, and openings such as capacitor plates or barriers for capacitors. | {
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The invention concerns a fleece funnel, which is placed at a predetermined distance behind exit rolls of a stretch works of a textile machine, the latter being, in particular, a carding machine. One longitudinal side of the fleece funnel is closed off laterally by a baffle plate, and borders a bulged out impact plate. At the deepest part of the bulged impact plate, a boring is provided for the reception of a funnel outlet duct. The impact surface forms an intersection line with a ramp plate opposite to the baffle plate.
In the practice, the fleece funnel would also be called a xe2x80x9cmatting nozzlexe2x80x9d. For the sake of a consistent terminology, the term xe2x80x9cfleece funnelxe2x80x9d will be used in the following.
DE 196 18 642 A1 discloses a fleece funnel. The fleece funnel therein described should clearly assure a higher delivery capacity than 900 m/min without interfering with the quality of the fiber band and without disturbance to the fiber band transport.
In the technical development of the stretch machine, an increase of the through-put speed was given high rank as a requirement. To this point, we make a few comments:
As a rule, a plurality of fiber bands are fed to the stretch works of a stretch machine, which are combined into a single fiber band. The tensioning of the doubled fiber band was carried out in a stretch works. The delivery roll-pair is the exit roll-pair of a stretch works and produces a widened out fiber band. The widened fiber band is designated by the expert in the operation as xe2x80x9cFiber mattingxe2x80x9d. This fiber matting is transported into the fleece funnel at a high velocity ( greater than 900 m/min). The speed of this delivery is transmitted to the fiber matting by means of the circumferential speed of the delivery roll-pair. The fleece funnel must collect this fiber matting, roll it up, so that the air is expelled from the fiber matting, and divert it to the funnel outlet duct from whence it is discharged.
With the feed of the fiber matting into the receiving opening of the funnel, there arises once more a thickened fiber band. The previous developments concerning such funnels showed widely differing presentations of design.
By means of the high delivery speed (up to 1000 m/min) in the stretch machine, the shape of the fleece funnel intensively occupied the designers. In this activity, it was shown that the fleece funnel, along with other operational organs, played an essential role for the attainment of the desired delivery speed. The fleece funnel must be in such a technological state, that in the case of essentially higher speeds of the transported matting received from the delivery rolls, this matting could be safely rolled out without detracting from the quality, and further transported as a fiber band.
These described fleece funnels were also used on stretch works on which a carding machine had been added. In this case, the evidence showed that the fleece funnel, laid out for high delivery speeds of the fiber band, allowed no automatic entry manipulations to permit a fiber band of a carding machine to enter into the said fleece funnel. The delivery velocity of the fiber band in carding machines runs between 150 m/min to 180 m/min.
It is the purpose of the invention to design a fleece funnel for a stretch machine in such a manner that the fiber band being delivered from the stretch works be automatically transported into the fleece funnel at a lower speed and without manual intervention. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
The invention concerns a fleece funnel, which is placed at a predetermined distance behind exit rolls of the stretch works of a textile machine, the latter being especially, a carding machine. One longitudinal side of the fleece tunnel is closed off laterally by a baffle plate and borders a bulged out impact plate. At the deepest part of the bulged impact plate, a boring is provided for the reception of a funnel outlet duct, and the impact plate forms an intersecting line with a ramp plate located opposite to the baffle plate.
In accord with the invention, from any chosen point of the common line of intersection of the impact plate and the ramp plate, the impact plate exhibits a decline to the discharge of the funnel duct. In other words, the intersection forms an apex line, or a kind of a crest, which is created from both sides, i.e. the ramp plate on one side and the impact plate on the other, each built with a downward slope. By means of the additionally sloped impact plate, the fiber band being delivered from a stretch works, that is the beginning of the fiber band, is guided automatically to the feed opening of the funnel. The insertion of the fiber band is done, in this operation, entirely automatically.
Following the passage of the fiber band start through a (as a rule) closed stretch works, the fiber band start strikes the impact plate and slides, without any assisting manipulation, directly to the exit connection of the funnel, i.e. the funnel duct. The manual guidance of the fiber band into the funnel, employed up to this time, can now be left to automatic means. Upon the start-up of the textile machine, the fiber band is first introduced into a closed stretch works and from the stretch works, automatically directed to the fleece funnel. At this point, in an appropriate manner, the fiber band at its start is somewhat twisted, so that a front running, tapered point is formed. This front running fiber band head enables an additionally easy introduction of the fiber band into the stretch works and into the fleece funnel.
Further, it is advantageous , if between the impact plates and the baffle plates an intersecting line is so formed, that from each point of this line of intersection to the funnel outlet duct, the impact plate is again, likewise provided with a declining aspect. This leads to the situation, that, as a whole, a funnel-like funnel, i.e. a conical shaped funnel impact surface is formed, so that the fiber band start is conducted to the funnel exit duct both from the baffle plate and the bordering impact plate.
In an improvement, the intersecting lines touch one another in such a manner, that they become continuous, that is, take form all around the periphery of the outer rim of the impact plate. By this means, in effect a common intersection line is formed.
An easy sliding of a fiber band is especially assured if the two intersection lines in the common contact points exhibit the same curvature.
Even so, it is possible that the ramp plate side impact plate and the oppositely situated baffle plate, in their common contact line, form a fissure or a groove. Preferably, the transition is to be smooth and without recesses or the like.
The fleece funnel can be made out of one piece, if, a conical or cone shaped funnel-form is made from the peripherally running intersection line to the rim of the outlet duct of the funnel. By means of this shape of the funnel, no edges or rough seams evolve, so the fiber band is particularly well conducted from the side areas of the funnel to the exit duct thereof.
The sliding of the fiber band beginnings, that is, the entire fiber band, is further enhanced by the fact that the impact plate has a smooth and/or exhibits a polished surface. By such smooth surfaces, the friction coefficient and the friction between the fiber band and the impact plate is clearly reduced, whereby the fiber band can be quickly and easily automatically manipulated.
A further improvement of the automatic insertion of the fiber band into the funnel is achieved in that, as seen in a cross-section view, in respective planes perpendicular to the baffle plate, the intersection point proximal to the baffle plate is lower, in relation to the outlet opening of the funnel, than is the corresponding intersection point remote from the baffle plate. This means that the ramp side intersection line is, in general, always, xe2x80x9chigherxe2x80x9d than is the corresponding intersection on the impact plate. In general, the inclined impact plate on the baffle plate side is bordered by the baffle plate, which rises above the opposite impact surface. When the entering fiber band strikes the baffle plate, then the fiber band will be diverted onto the impact plate and conducted without problem from there into the funnel exit duct as a result of the designed impact plate slope.
Favorable relationships to the automatic, insertion of the fiber band into the funnel arise when the opening angle formed between the longitudinal axis of the funnel outlet duct and the plane of the impact plate surface varies between 10xc2x0 and 75xc2x0. This opening angle assures a reasonable compromise between the funnel like receiving surfaces and the inclination of the surfaces, which, with an increasing opening angle, assure that the friction will be reduced.
If the angle is set at too great a value, then the receiving surface is clearly reduced, whereby the automatic entry is made difficult. When the receiving surface is larger, then the fiber band point is more easily captured. Moreover, on the fleece funnel, advantageously, the opening angle of the impact plates are symmetric to a plane vertical to the longitudinal axis of the funnel exit duct and the baffle plate. In this way, the construction is substantially simplified.
Summarizing, the invention makes possible an easy and reliable insertion of a fiber band point into a fleece funnel. Besides this, the fiber band entry is carried out automatically and without manual help. For the support of the introduction of the fiber band point, a pneumatic suction can be provided. In order to increase the density, or thicken, the fiber band, customarily, the funnel exit diameter is less than the thickness of the fiber band. For the insertion, in any event, the fiber band is provided with a point at its start, that is, as mentioned, by twisting the fiber band. As an alternative fraying or thining out the fiber band is likewise a possibility.
With the aid of the following drawings, embodiments of the invention are more closely described and explained. | {
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The present disclosure relates to electronic circuits, and more particularly to a bandpass filter used in such filters.
Capacitors are widely used in electronic circuits to store charges and achieve the desired electrical functionality. For example, capacitors are used in filters to filter out frequencies that fall outside a desired range. As is well known, a capacitor includes two conductive plates separated from one another by a dielectric layer.
FIG. 1 is a top view of a conventional capacitor 10, commonly referred to as an interdigitated capacitor. Metal lines 12 and 14 form the plates of capacitor 10. Capacitor 10 is shown as having a height h and a length l. The width of metal lines 12, 14 is shown as being equal to w. The spacing between these metal lines is shown as being equal to g. Conventional capacitors, such as capacitor 10, consume a relatively large substrate area when used to form a bandpass filter operating at a radio frequency (RF). | {
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1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to fasteners and fastening techniques for fastening decking to structural members. More particularly, the present invention relates to techniques for fastening plastic decking to the structural members of a deck.
2. Description of the Related Art
Decks have become an extremely popular addition to the modern home. Typically, the structural members of a modern deck are composed of pressure-treated yellow pine. Pressure-treated wood is preferred for the structure of a deck because of its reasonable cost and high resistance to insect and moisture damage. However, deck surfaces made of pressure treated yellow pine tend to check, split, cup, twist and splinter after prolonged exposure to the elements. In addition, yellow pine is a relatively soft wood and is subject to wear, particularly in high-traffic areas of a deck. In response to the deficiencies of pressure treated yellow pine decking, many homeowners and contractors are now specifying alternative materials for decking, such as redwood, cedar, manmade composite materials or tropical hardwoods.
Manmade composite materials (plastic lumber) are made from plastic such as polyethylene, sometimes in combination with wood particles and/or fiberglass. Frequently, the polyethylene is from recycled products such as plastic bags or the plastic jugs used to store water and milk. The fact that plastic lumber is produced from materials that would otherwise be burned or placed in landfills appeals to many ecologically minded homeowners. Plastic lumber does not absorb water, rot or splinter. It never needs staining or painting, although it accepts and holds paint as well as wood.
Conventional tools and fasteners can be used to install plastic lumber. Plastic lumber is extruded in a wide variety of standard and custom shapes, then cut to a user-specified length. Plastic lumber lacks some of the rigidity and strength of wood and therefore cannot currently be used for constructing the structural portion of a deck. Decking, railings and banisters are popular applications for plastic lumber. Joists used to support plastic decking are frequently required to be closer together than the 16 or 24 inches required for {fraction (5/4)} and 2xc3x97 wood decking, respectively. More joists make for a more expensive installation having more screws joining the decking to the structure. Plastic lumber currently costs significantly more than pressure treated decking, but is priced competitively with redwood or tropical hardwood decking. Because of the increased initial cost, plastic decking is frequently chosen for high-end deck installations.
Currently, the practice is to use conventional decking screws to fasten the plastic decking to the deck structural members. Plastic decking accepts screws well and the plastic material has self-lubricating properties that permit the screw to be easily driven below the surface of the decking. It is also possible to over-drive the screw, where the head of the screw passes most of the way through the decking. In addition, the plastic displaced by the shank of the screw has a tendency to xe2x80x9ccreepxe2x80x9d up the shank of the screw during installation. The head of the screw tends to displace plastic radially during countersinking, often resulting in an irregular raised ring around the sunken head of the screw, which is commonly referred to as a xe2x80x9cvolcanoxe2x80x9d.
To provide the finished appearance expected in a quality installation, the builder must then hammer or punch the material down over each screw. In some cases, the plastic material covers the screw head neatly. In other cases, a rough looking opening is left behind. When using a hammer, the worker must be careful to strike the deck surface flush to prevent leaving a hammer mark. Use of a punch eliminates the hammer mark problem, but either approach requires an extra installation step for each screw. Because decks using plastic decking require more floor joists, there are a greater number of screws to install. Even a modest deck requires hundreds of deck screws, making each additional step very expensive in terms of added labor.
There is a need in the art for a screw for use in conjunction with plastic lumber that can be installed in a single step and leaves a finished appearance without further treatment.
Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is a screw incorporating a sharp point angle, undercut head and a boring portion to contain displaced decking material below the screw head. As a result, a single-step installation produces a neatly countersunk appearance.
The screw head includes a circumferential undercut connected to the top surface of the screw head by a periphery oriented parallel to the screw axis. Converging conical surfaces define the v-shaped undercut that connects the periphery of the screw head to the shank of the screw. The junction of the periphery with the radially outer conical surface of the undercut forms a peripheral lip. In an alternative embodiment, this lip may be provided with unidirectional cutting teeth that initially improve countersinking and later help prevent the screw from backing out.
What would typically constitute an unthreaded portion of a deck screw in the prior art (extending from the head to the threaded portion of the shank) is in accordance with the present invention replaced with at least one radially projecting helical flute. The helical flute has a helical orientation opposed to that of the screw thread. The helical flute forms a boring portion that, during screw installation, pushes displaced deck material away from the surface of the decking while opening a larger diameter hole beneath the screw head. Decking material displaced by countersinking the screw head is contained beneath the head by the undercut head configuration. The material contained beneath the screw head during installation at least partially fills the hole reamed by the boring portion. A precisely defined sharp point angle and a sharp thread combine to help prevent material creep up the screw shank.
A single step installation of a screw in accordance with the present invention produces a neatly countersunk flush appearance.
An object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fastener for fastening plastic or composite decking to a structural member.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fastener that presents a finished appearance when installed through plastic or composite decking in a single efficient step.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved fastener that does not exhibit the xe2x80x9cvolcanoxe2x80x9d effect when used in conjunction with plastic or composite lumber. | {
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Industrial-rated circuit breakers are available having operating components that are designed for automatic assembly to provide cost improvement as well as improved operating efficiency. The precision alignment performed by the automated assembly equipment allows the operating components within the circuit breaker operation mechanism to be installed within very close operating tolerances. The operating mechanism assembly includes a pair of powerful operating springs that are overcentered for rapidly driving the movable contact arm and the attached movable contact away from the stationary fixed contact to interrupt the circuit current. The operating mechanism includes a cradle operator which engages a latch assembly to prevent the movable contact arm from being driven to its open position under the urgence of the charged operating springs. The compact latch assembly includes a primary and secondary latch operating within a common support structure.
With higher ampere-rated industrial circuit breaker designs in the range of 1200 ampere continuous current carrying capacity, the correspondingly larger operating springs provide a substantially increased holding force to the circuit breaker contacts such that a correspondingly larger force is required to manually separate the circuit breaker contacts to reset and close the operating mechanism. The increased current transfer through the compact circuit breaker enclosure during overcurrent conditions produces an arc upon contact separation that is difficult to quench and deionize within the close confines of the correspondingly compact arc chamber.
The increased temperature generated within the compact circuit breaker enclosure during circuit interruption heats up several of the current-carrying components such as the movable contact and movable contact arm whereby additional thermal insulating means are required to prevent damage to the lower-temperature materials used within the circuit breaker enclosure.
The increased current creates a correspondingly increased arc that requires additional inter-phasal line lug baffles as well as additional electrical isolation between the electrical and electronic components within the circuit breaker enclosure.
One purpose of the instant invention accordingly is to provide a compact circuit breaker having sufficient capability to allow manual movement of the operating handle to reset and close the circuit breaker against the bias of the operating mechanism springs.
A second purpose of this invention is to provide supplemental arc extinguishing means to the compact circuit breaker enclosure to allow complete and rapid circuit interruption at the higher circuit ratings and to prevent the occurrence of inter-phasal faults exterior to the enclosure.
A still further purpose of the invention is to provide a compact circuit breaker having means for externally viewing the condition of the circuit breaker contacts.
An additional purpose of the invention is to allow the hot movable contact arm to impact against the bumper attached to the circuit breaker cover without melting the bumper.
A further additional purpose of the invention is to provide electrical isolation to the movable contact arm braid and to the current transformer pin connectors. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Humans, are continuously exposed to different pathogens such as viruses and bacteria. Some of these are species-specific while others can colonize and infect a variety of species. Host cell adhesion of pathogens is a prerequisite for most infections and for many bacteria, viruses and bacterial toxins, binding is mediated by lectins that recognize and bind to different carbohydrate epitopes. Today, the most common treatment for bacterial infections is the use of various antibiotics; a treatment that can be complicated by the occurrence of pathogenic strains resistant to commonly used antibiotics and adverse effects including allergy. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor memory device, such as, for example, an SRAM (static random access memory).
2. Description of the Related Art
Most recent semiconductor integrated circuits receive an input signal through an input end thereof in an asynchronous state which does not depend on a clock signal, and execute an operation in response to the input signal at a relatively high frequency on the order of several tens of megahertz. A known example of such a semiconductor device is a semiconductor memory device referred to as an SRAM.
An SRAM includes a plurality of memory cells. The SRAM receives an address signal through an address end thereof and statically accesses a memory cell corresponding to the value of the received address signal so as to perform a read or write operation. Such an operation of the SRAM does not depend on a clock signal which indicates that the value of the address signal input to the address end is valid. Therefore, the read or write operation can be performed rapidly in response to the input address signal.
In the SRAM having the above-described structure, the timing at which the address signal is supplied may widely vary. In one example, after a series of address signals are supplied sequentially from the address end to the SRAM at a high speed of, for example, 20 MHz, a state of the signal which is input from the address end does not change for a relatively long time period. In a conventional SRAM in which a memory cell is accessed completely statically, the access to the memory cell selected in accordance with the value of the address signal supplied to the address end is maintained during the time period in which the state of the address signal does not change, unless the SRAM is controlled by another method using, for example, a chip select signal or an output enable signal.
In order to reduce an amount of power required for the relatively long time period in which the value of the address signal does not change (hereinafter, referred to as a xe2x80x9ctimeout periodxe2x80x9d) and improve an internal dynamic operating performance, most of the recent SRAMs include an address transition detection (ATD) circuit.
The ATD circuit detects a state transition of the signal which is input to an input end, especially an address end, of the SRAM, and generates an internal control signal in response to the detection of the state transition. The SRAM uses the ATD circuit in order to generate the internal control signal after the state transition of the address signal supplied to the SRAM is detected and before an address decoder accesses a desired memory cell. Thus, the SRAM can perform an internal operation such as, for example, a pre-charging operation of a bit line, and activation and deactivation of a sense amplifier. Such an internal operation may alternatively be performed after a prescribed timeout period passes in a cycle in which a memory cell is accessed (access cycle). When a new address signal is supplied to the SRAM, the ATD circuit detects a state transition of the address signal which is input to the address end and generates an internal control signal. Thus, the components of the SRAM which are necessary for the internal operations are activated, and a memory cell corresponding to the value of the new address signal is accessed.
When an address signal including a state transition at, for example, a high frequency is supplied to an SRAM or the like including the ATD circuit, a plurality of word lines in a memory array are undesirably selected and activated simultaneously regardless of whether the state transition is performed intentionally or occurs due to noise. This may undesirably result in that data stored in a memory cell of the SRAM is destroyed or a high level of current causes damage in the SRAM. In order to prevent the plurality of word lines from being simultaneously activated, it has been proposed that all the word lines be forcibly placed into an of f state (inactive state) during a time period in which the operation is in an equilibrium state in, for example, a second half of the access cycle. However, this conventional technique involves an undesirable possibility that a state transition of the address signal occurs before all the word lines are forcibly placed into the off state in the case where an input buffer circuit, provided for buffering the address signal supplied to the SRAM or other types of semiconductor memory devices, has a sufficiently high response speed. Therefore, this technique is not effective for preventing the plurality of the word lines from being simultaneously activated.
In order to solve these problems, Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 6-176575, for example, discloses an input buffer circuit as shown in FIG. 4. The input buffer circuit shown in FIG. 4 is provided to each address end for receiving an address signal supplied to the SRAM or other types of semiconductor memory devices. The input buffer circuit includes an input stage 110, a delay circuit 116, a bus gate 118, an ATD circuit 120, and a latch 130.
The input stage 110 includes a terminal A for receiving an address signal, a terminal CE_ for receiving a chip enable signal, two P-channel pull-up transistors 112a and 112b, and two N-channel pull-down transistors 114a and 114b. A gate of one of the P-channel pull-up transistors 112a and a gate of one of the N-channel pull-down transistors 114a receive an address signal A1 (FIG. 5) from the terminal A. A gate of the other P-channel pull-up transistor 112b and a gate of the other N-channel pull-down transistor 114b receive a chip enable signal from the terminal CE_. An output end of the input stage 110 is connected to the delay circuit 116 and the ATD circuit 120 via inverters 113 and 115. The delay circuit 116 and the ATD circuit 120 each receive a signal B_ (FIG. 5) which is obtained by inverting the logic level of the address signal A1.
The delay circuit 116 outputs the signal B_ after a prescribed delay time period. An output end of the delay circuit 116 is connected to the bus gate 118 via an inverter 117, and the bus gate 118 receives a signal AD (FIG. 5) which is obtained by inverting the logic level of the signal B_ with a prescribed delay time period.
The ATD circuit 120 includes a delay gate 124a for directly receiving the signal B_ and a delay gate 124b for receiving the signal B_ via an inverter 123. The signal output from the delay gate 124a is input to one of two input terminals of a delay gate 126a. The signal output from the delay gate 126a is input to one of two input terminals of a delay gate 126b. The signal output from the delay gate 126b is input to one of two input terminals of a delay gate 126c. The other input end of the delay gate 126a, the other input end of the delay gate 126b, and the other input end of the delay gate 126c each receive the signal B_ via the inverter 123 and another inverter 125.
The signal output from the delay gate 126c via an inverter 129a (signal BD) is sent to one of two input terminals of a NAND gate 122a. As shown in FIG. 5, the signal BD is obtained by inverting the logic level of the signal B_. Specifically, a starting point of a pulse (falling edge) of the signal BD is delayed with respect to a starting point of a pulse (rising edge) of the signal B_ by a time period td.
Returning to FIG. 4, the other input end of the NAND gate 122a receives the signal B_ which is input to the ATD circuit 120. The signal output from the NAND gate 122a (signal P_) is sent to one of two input terminals of a NAND gate 128. As shown in FIG. 5, the signal P_ is kept in an inactive state for the time period td when both the signals B_ and BD are in an active state.
Referring to FIG. 4, the signal output from the delay gate 124b is input to one of two input terminals of a delay gate 126d. The signal output from the delay gate 126d is input to one of two input terminals of a delay gate 126e. The signal output from the delay gate 126e is input to one of two input terminals of a delay gate 126f. The other input end of the delay gate 126d, the other input end of the delay gate 126e, and the other input end of the delay gate 126f each receive the signal B, via the inverter 123, which is obtained by inverting the logic level of the signal B_.
The signal output from the delay gate 126f via the inverter 129b (signal BD_) is sent to one of two input terminals of a NAND gate 122b. As shown in FIG. 5, the signal BD_ is obtained by inverting the logic level of the signal B_. Specifically, a termination point of a pulse (falling edge) of the signal BD_ is delayed with respect to a termination point of a pulse of the signal B_ by the time period td.
The other input end of the NAND gate 122b receives the signal B. The signal output from the NAND gate 122b (signal P) is sent to the other input end of the NAND gate 128. As shown in FIG. 5, the signal P is kept in an inactive state for a time period in which both the signals B and BD_, which are input to the NAND gate 122b, are in an active state. Thus, a pulse signal ATD which is at a HIGH logic level during a prescribed time period is output from the NAND gate 128 in response to the state transition of the address signal A1 which is input to the input buffer circuit.
The bus gate 118 includes a P-channel transistor and an N-channel transistor which are connected in parallel. A gate of the P-channel transistor directly receives the pulse signal ATD from the ATD circuit 120, and a gate of the N-channel transistor receives the inverted pulse signal ATD via an inverter 121. The bus gate 118 is controlled by the pulse signal ATD output from the ATD circuit 120, and the bus gate is shielded from the latch 130 while the pulse signal ATD is output. An output end of the bus gate 118 is connected to the latch 130.
The latch 130 includes two inverters, i.e., a first inverter and a second inverter connected in a loop branch across the first inverter. An output of the latch 130 is connected to an output terminal AOUT of the input buffer circuit via an inverter 131. The output terminal AOUT is connected to an internal circuit (not shown) of the SRAM or other types of semiconductor memory devices.
An operation of the input buffer circuit will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a timing diagram illustrating waveforms of various signals input and output by various components in the input buffer circuit shown in FIG. 4.
During a time period from t2 to t4, the pulse signal ATD is output from the ATD circuit 120 and thus the bus gate 118 is shielded. Therefore, the latch 130 maintains the signal AD which is input for a time period from t0 to t1 before the state transition of the address signal A1 occurs. Thus, a signal A1OUT, which is in the same state as the signal before the state transition of the address signal occurs, is output to the internal circuit. When the time period in which the pulse signal ATD is at a HIGH logic level is terminated at time t4, a new post-state transition signal AD is supplied from the bus gate 118 to the latch 130. A post-state transition signal A1OUT is output to the internal circuit, such as, for example, an address decoder, a pre-charging circuit, or a memory cell.
During a time period from t5 to t10, since the pulse signal ATD is output from the ATD circuit 120, the bus gate 118 is shielded. Therefore, even when an accidental state transition of the address signal A1 occurs as does during a time period from t7 to t9, the signal AD is not input to the latch 130, and the latch 130 outputs a signal maintaining the previous state. Accordingly, such a short, accidental state transition can be prevented from influencing the signal which is output from the input buffer circuit. In FIG. 5, the dashed lines shown regarding the signal BD_ and the signal ATD represent the level which is obtained when the address signal output from the terminal A is at a HIGH logic level until the end of the delay time period td.
In the case where the input buffer circuit having the above-described structure is used for a general, conventional SRAM, the following phenomenon occurs. While the pulse signal ATD is at a HIGH logic level, the post-state transition address signal is not input to the address decoder, and the pre-state transition address signal which is maintained in the latch 130 is input to the address decoder and then decoded. During the time period in which the pulse signal ATD is at a HIGH logic level, an internal operation control signal which is generated based on the pulse signal ATD places the word line selected in an immediately previous access cycle into a non-selected state. After the pulse signal ATD becomes LOW, a new address signal is input to the address decoder and decoded, and a word line corresponding to the value of the new address signal is selected. As a result, even when a short, accidental state transition occurs to the address signal which is input to the input buffer circuit, the plurality of word lines can be prevented from being simultaneously activated as described above.
However, the technology described in Japanese Laid-Open Publication No. 6-176575 has the following problems.
The delay time period realized by the delay circuit 116 is set such that the state transition of the address signal A1 which is input to the terminal A does not reach the bus gate 118 before the bus gate 118 is shielded by the pulse signal ATD output from the ATD circuit 120. The pulse output from the ATD circuit 120 is delayed with respect to the state transition of the address signal A1 input to the terminal A by the delay time periods provided by the delay gates 124a, 124b, 126a, 126b, 126c, 126d, 126e and 126f. The delay time period realized by the delay circuit 116 is set as described above in order to prevent generation of race or competition conditions between the signal output from the delay circuit 116 and the signal output from the ATD circuit 120. In order for the state transition of the signal AD (FIG. 5) not to occur before the pulse signal ATD becomes HIGH, the time period from time t2 to t3 is adjusted by the delay circuit 116. The race or competition conditions cause an inappropriate operation of activating a plurality of word lines in a memory array.
When the pulse signal ATD becomes LOW, the new address signal is decoded by the address decoder. The timing of decoding needs to have a sufficient margin with respect to the internal operation of, for example, deactivating the word line corresponding to the value of the address signal which is input in the immediately previous access cycle, or stopping of the sense amplifier. In order to determine the timing of decoding, the race conditions between the time at which the pulse signal ATD becomes LOW and the time at which the internal operation is completed also need to be considered.
As described above, the conventional semiconductor memory device requires the following race conditions to be considered: (i) the race conditions between the time when the pulse signal ATD becomes HIGH and the time when the state transition of the signal AD output from the delay circuit 116 occurs, and (ii) the race conditions between the time when the pulse signal ATD becomes LOW and the time when the internal operation is completed. Such restriction regarding timings may undesirably influence the operating speed of the semiconductor memory device.
A semiconductor memory device according to the present invention includes a plurality of word lines and a plurality of bit lines arranged so as to cross each other; a memory cell provided at each of intersections of the plurality of word lines and the plurality of bit lines and connected to the corresponding word line, among the plurality of word lines, and the corresponding bit line, among the plurality of bit lines; an address transition detection circuit for detecting a state transition of an input address signal and generating a transition detection pulse signal; an address latch circuit for receiving the address signal and maintaining a value of the address signal; an address decoder for decoding the value of the address signal output from the address latch circuit, and selecting a word line corresponding to the value of the address signal among the plurality of word lines, and activating the selected word line; a pre-charging circuit for charging a bit line corresponding to the selected word line and the memory cell, among the plurality of bit lines; and a control signal generation circuit for receiving the transition detection pulse signal, and generating a decoder activating signal for activating the address decoder and a bit line pre-charging signal for controlling the pre-charging circuit. The address latch circuit is controlled by the bit line pre-charging signal, such that while the bit line pre-charging signal is at a first logic level, the address signal is input to the address latch circuit, and while the bit line pre-charging signal is at a second logic level, the input address signal is maintained by the address latch circuit. The address decoder is controlled to be activated by the decoder activating signal; and when the address decoder is activated, the word line corresponding to the value of the address signal input to the address decoder from the address latch circuit is activated, and the memory cell connected to the corresponding word line is accessed.
In one embodiment of the invention, the control signal generation circuit includes a first delay circuit, a second delay circuit, a third delay circuit, and a logic circuit. The first delay circuit receives the transition detection pulse signal, and outputs a signal having a termination point which is delayed with respect to the termination point of the transition detection pulse signal by a first delay time period. The second delay circuit receives the transition detection pulse signal, and outputs a signal having a termination point which is delayed with respect to the termination point of the signal output from the first delay circuit by a second delay time period. The third delay circuit receives the signal output from the first delay circuit, and outputs a signal, having a starting point which is delayed with respect to the starting point of the signal output from the first delay circuit by a third delay time period, as the bit line pre-charging signal. The logic circuit receives the transition detection pulse signal and also receives the signal output from the second delay circuit, and outputs the signal which is received from the second delay circuit as the decoder activating signal during a time period in which the transition detection pulse signal is in an inactive state.
In one embodiment of the invention, the first delay circuit, the second delay circuit, the third delay circuit and the logic circuit are timed to operate such that the bit line pre-charging signal is activated in the third delay time period after the decoder activating signal, which is output from the control signal generation circuit, is placed into an inactive state, and such that the decoder activating signal is placed into an inactive state while the transition detection pulse signal is in an active state.
In one embodiment of the invention, the third delay time period is set to be equal to or greater than a shortest possible time period between the time when an immediately previous access is terminated and thus the selected word line is placed into an inactive state and the time when a pre-charging operation of the bit line is started for a subsequent access in the case where the memory cells are continuously accessed after the address signal is input.
In one embodiment of the invention, the third delay time period is set to be equal to or greater than a shortest possible time period between the time when an immediately previous access is terminated and thus the selected word line is placed into an inactive state and the time when a pre-charging operation of the bit line is started for a subsequent access in the case where the memory cells are continuously accessed after the address signal is input.
In one embodiment of the invention, the first delay time period is set to be a time period which is required for the bit line pre-charging signal, generated based on the detection of a transition of the pulse signal, to have a pulse time period which is equal to or greater than a pre-charging time period required to perform the subsequent access to the memory cells.
In one embodiment of the invention, the second delay time period is set to be equal to or greater than a shortest possible time period between the time when the pre-charging operation of the bit line is completed and the time when the activation of the word line is started.
According to a general semiconductor memory device such as, for example, an SRAM, an internal operation control signal is generated based on an ATD pulse signal which is output from an ATD circuit. The internal operation control signal controls an internal operation such as, for example, a pre-charging operation of the bit line, the deactivation operation of the word lines, or the activation and deactivation of the sense amplifier. In order to prevent a plurality of word lines from being simultaneously selected and activated when the state transition of the address signal occurs, the timing at which the logic level of an internal operation control signal changes is adjusted by a delay circuit or the like to be independent from and not directly synchronized with the internal operation. Accordingly, in the conventional semiconductor memory device, the following race conditions, for example, need to be considered: (i) the race conditions between the starting point of the time period in which the ATD pulse signal is at a HIGH level and the time when the state transition of the signal AD output from the delay circuit occurs, and (ii) the race conditions between the termination point of the time period in which the ATD pulse signal is at a HIGH logic level and the time when the internal operation is completed. Thus, the conventional semiconductor memory device needs to be designed with a sufficient margin for variance in the characteristics caused by dispersion in the production process or the like.
According to the present invention, the bit line pre-charging signal, which is an internal operation control signal, controls the input of the address signal to the address latch circuit and maintenance of the address signal by the address latch circuit. The decoder activating signal controls the activation of the address decoder. Therefore, the timing at which the post-state transition address signal is decoded by the address decoder can be synchronized with the timing of the internal operation. Accordingly, the plurality of word lines can be prevented from being simultaneously activated, and the address signal can be supplied to the address decoder within a time period which is usually required for an internal operation, without considering the above-mentioned race conditions. Thus, the margin, which may undesirably influence the operating speed of the entirety of the semiconductor memory device, need not be provided.
Thus, the invention described herein makes possible the advantages of providing a semiconductor memory device capable of preventing a plurality of word lines from being simultaneously selected without influencing the operating speed of the semiconductor memory device.
These and other advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying figures. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention is related to a multi-purpose solar energy operated vehicle, particularly to the type having a body convertable to either a toy ship or car, in which a solar cells panel is installed as an energy source to drive the vehicle.
While solar energy, in contrast to the conventional energy like crude oil, has advantages of being clean, safe, and cheap in certain areas, it has bright future as it merited. However, as people taking this energy as granted, it is the main concern that one can effectively utilize this precious energy.
It has conventionally proposed and commercialized that items like calculators, radios, house hold heating and lighting, or even large-scale solar energy power generator, are designed and manufactured which are directed to one single use with limited purpose. | {
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a liquid delivery tube, and more particularly, to a catheter for delivering medication to a patient, the catheter being constructed from micro-bore tubing attached to a needle. The needle is attached to the external surface of the tubing so that it does not restrict the flow of fluid through the tubing. The tubing has a uniform internal diameter along its entire length. When used to deliver, under a fixed pressure, a liquid medication of a known viscosity the flow rate of the liquid can be closely controlled by cutting the microbore tubing to a desired predetermined length
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is well known in the industry that the flow rate of a fluid from an infusion device can be controlled by a flow restricting orifice, tube, or micro-passage of various configurations. There are several common embodiments of this art in commercial use today. U.S. Pat. No. 3,951,147 to Tucher, et al, describes several flow restrictors including a long stainless steel tube which is wound around the infusion pump body, a long spiral groove formed by inserting a threaded wire into a tube, and other similar configurations.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,386,929 to Peery, et al, discusses a short capillary tube contained within the pump housing for regulating the flow rate of medication dispensed. He also mentions other types of flow restrictors such as porous plugs, fiber bundles, and porous films, all of which are contained within the pump housing.
The devices described in Tucher et al and Perry et al all suffer from the disadvantage that in order to change the flow rate, a different pump must be used. This creates an inventory problem for users who wish to utilize a specific flow rate at the time of application of the infusion pump. In addition, these infusion pumps generally do not provide the capability of delivering fluid to more than one catheter at a time since each catheter would require its own flow restrictor to insure a proper flow rate through the catheter.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,094,124 to Birtwell discloses a large bore arterial having a tapered tip with a small diameter opening. The tapered tip is marked in intervals to assist a user in cutting the catheter to a desired outer diameter to match the diameter of a severed arterial into which it is to be inserted for recirculation of blood during an open heart procedure. In the Birtwell devices the flow through his catheter is controlled by the diameter of the outlet opening or a attachable stainless steel cannula inserted in that opening. The internal diameter of the remainder of the catheter is not taken into consideration and flow is not controlled by severing a predetermined length of the catheter. Instead, flow is controlled by varying the size of the end of the tapered portion of the catheter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,741,733 to Winchell, et al, discloses a flow restrictor placed external to the pump body in the delivery tube system. This system can be used where multiple catheters are required to adequately infuse medication into the body. The flow restrictor disclosed consists of a short restrictor tube, usually a glass micro-bore tube, contained within a plastic housing.
In current practice, the flow restrictor housing can be removed from the infusion device delivery system, branching connectors added, and flow restrictors, each optionally having different flow rates, added to the infusion system. In this way, multiple catheters having different flow rates can be achieved. However, it is still necessary that an inventory of flow restrictors having different flow rates be maintained so the user can select from a variety of flow rates at the time of application of the infusion device.
In order to overcome the need to maintain an inventory of catheters having different flow rates, it would be desirable to have a catheter whose flow rate could be easily adjust at the time of use. Such a catheter would enable only one catheter to be inventoried yet allow the user to adjust the flow through the catheter to any flow rate desired at the time of use.
Accordingly, the objects of the current invention are to provide a new and improved catheter for dispensing fluids and medications from an infusion device, the improved catheter having a lumen through its length providing flow restriction along the entire length of the catheter tubing such that the flow rate can be adjusted at the time of use. In a preferred embodiment the internal diameter of the tubing (i.e., the lumen diameter) is closely controlled to be a consistently uniform along its full length. Such tubing may be referred to as a calibrated flow, microbore tubing.
In accordance with these and many other objects of the current invention, a catheter tube embodying flow restriction along its entire length can have its flow rate adjusted by trimming the length of the flow restricting catheter tube. The tubing could be trimmed at the time of manufacture or could be trimmed at a later time of use. Length markings to aid in trimming the catheter tubing could be placed on the outside of the catheter with ink, laser ablation, or other suitable method of marking.
The flow restricting catheter tubing can be any flexible micro-bore tubing that can be easily trimmed without distorting the trimmed end. The catheter tubing is attached to the elastomeric septum of the infusion device by a needle which is adhered to one end of the catheter tubing.
As the flow restricting catheter tubing is shortened by trimming, the flow rate will increase in linear proportion to the decrease in initial length of the catheter tubing. If the tubing is cut in half, the flow rate will double. | {
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In seats of land and air vehicles, mechanisms called "articulations" are increasingly used. These mechanisms include a reducing element for positioning either seat back or the seating portion. In the case of the seat back these mechanisms being each made of a fixed flange rigidly connected to the seating portion armature while a mobile flange is rigidly connected to the lower portion of the back armature of this seat.
These flanges comprise inside circular toothings with a different number of teeth. The circular toothings are relatively driven by means of a double satellite rolling on the aforementioned toothings by means of a cam having a periphery which is provided with a roller bearing placed in a recessed central portion of the satellite. This cam is in turn driven by a driving shaft controlled either manually or by means of a motor so that the inclination of the seat back with respect to the seating portion can be adjusted according to the wish of the passenger.
In the case where such reducing mechanisms, called "round articulations", are placed underneath the seat in order to adjust the position of the seating portion, the fixed part is rigidly connected to the base support of the seating portion; and the mobile part of the arms acts on the lower part of the armature of the seating portion in order to adjust the position of the seating portion.
Generally, the fixed and mobile flanges are attached to the members forming the fixed armature and the mobile armature either by means of bolts or by means of rivets placed at 120.degree. with respect to one another on the outer periphery of these flanges so that mounting of these round articulation mechanisms on the seats will be rapid and without problem.
Due to the manufacturing tolerances (in particular to the unavoidable ovalization of the various toothings which are formed most often by a fine cutting operation), and also due to the wear of these toothings, clearances will appear which impart a slight wobble either to the seating portion or to the seat back. Attempts have been made, by different means, to obviate these clearances but, till now, these mechanisms are ineffective and costly, and require a mounting operation which is sometimes difficult to carry out on an automatic machine.
This is the reason why a study has been made to provide, by opposite cones, a take up of the eccentricity of the toothings of the flanges and toothings of the satellite where there is a hard point caused by a combination of the abovementioned clearances.
There is thus obtained by a simple mechanism, a reduction of the eccentricity which occurs when a hard point is passed and therefore the clearances are taken up, thus avoiding the hereabove mentioned disadvantages. | {
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The present invention relates generally to the production and collection of electrical wire harnesses, and more particularly to an apparatus for handling and storing electrical wire harnesses of varying lengths.
Many machines are known in the art for production of electrical wire harnesses. Such harnesses typically include a plurality of conductive wires to which one or more electrical connectors are terminated. These connectors may be terminated to opposing ends of the wires of each harness. In the past, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,033,188, issued Jul. 23, 1991, these harnesses have typically been pushed from their assembly path by ejector cylinders into a collection bin. This type of collection does not incorporated a controlled motion and rather relies upon gravity to move the wire harness once it is completed. This type of collection process leads to tangling of the wire harnesses.
In addition to this tendency for tangling, the assembly machine operator is required to shut down the machine for a significant amount of time when the collection bin is full to remove and replace the collection bin. Often, additional connectors are terminated to the harness wires between the connectors terminated at the ends of the harness wires. When this type of construction occurs, it is imperative that the harnesses and their connectors be protected when they are removed from their manufacturing machine. Also, a gravity-feed collection process will exacerbate the tangling of the wire harnesses when the harnesses are being produced in varying lengths by the same assembly machine, such as from about 6 inches to about 10 feet in length. In addition, in instances where the harness connectors contain circuit boards, there is a concern to keep the circuit boards free from electrostatic discharges during handling that could result in damage to the circuits on the circuit boards.
The present invention is directed to a wire harness storage and handling system that overcomes the aforementioned disadvantages. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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A polymethine dye is a dye having a linearly conjugated system with an odd number of methine (—CH═) groups, where the terminal heteroatoms N, O, or S, eventually are included in two terminal heterocycles Het1 and Het2. As described herein, polymethines are a delocalized π (pi) electron system, represented by at least in two equivalent formulas shown below:
A monomethine dye has n=0, thus having a single —C═ between the heterocycles. When n=1, the dye is a trimethine, and so on.
Numerous monomethine dyes are known. Some monomethine dyes have the characteristic of no or minimal fluorescence in buffer or in the presence of single stranded DNA (ssDNA) or RNA, but strong fluorescence in the presence of double-stranded DNA (dsDNA). Examples of such dyes, which are commercially useful because of this characteristic, include SYBR Green, Thiazole Orange, BOXTO, Eva Green, and LC Green. SYBR Green, the structure of which is shown below,
is one the most commonly used fluorescent dyes.
Benzopyrylium monomethines are known, but none has the side chain needed for utility in fluorescence studies, and none has been used in dsDNA binding assays.
Other such dyes are desirable. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to toilet flush valves and, more particularly, to a double flush toilet valve and the method for providing a double flush conversion for a standard toilet. The valve of the preset invention is very similar to a standard toilet flush valve except that it has an additional vent hole in the float portion thereof which can be opened when the float valve has been actuated to flush the toilet. This is done by providing an extended additional force pull on the toilet handle to open the vent hole whereby water enters the float portion of the valve and partially floods it causing it to have negative buoyancy and eventually floods it causing it to have negative buoyancy and eventually to sink prematurely as compared to a standard valve. However, the partially flooded float valve is prevented from sinking and closing the discharge outlet of the toilet water tank until a partial flush has occurred.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The present invention is a modification to a standard toilet float valve which permits the valve to accomplish a double flush. The standard float valve most commonly used today is a rubber flapper valve which is actuated by a pull chain. When the toilet actuation handle is tripped, the chain lifts the float out of its sealing relation on its seat in the discharge outlet of the toilet tank. The float, due to its buoyancy, remains suspended in the water in the toilet tank until the water level recedes, due to the outrushing water, low enough to allow the float to reseat in the discharge outlet and the water tank to begin to refill.
There have been numerous designs which have modified a standard toilet flush valve to allow a shortened flush, such as U.S. Pat. No. 3,969,775 to Haselton issued Jul. 20, 1976, for a Water Closet Flushing Device. This device uses a separate float for the valve attached to the trip chain which is one of the features utilized by the present invention. However, Haselton does not permit a full volume flush; just a shortened one.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,000,526 to Biela et al., issued Jan. 4, 1977, for a Toilet Flushing Apparatus, permits either a partial or complete flush of a toilet which is the same purpose as the present invention but the design of Biela et al. requires a more complicated and different mechanism than the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,294 to Crumby issued Jul. 10, 1979, for a Two-Stage Flush Mechanism For Toilets, accomplishes the same result as does the present invention, and by a similar actuation means, but it requires a completely different and more expensive mechanism to do so.
The modification of the present invention to a standard toilet float valve, which permits a partial as well as a full flush, is provided by attaching a supplemental float to the flush valve and providing an opening in the lower end of the valve float which permits it to intake water and acquire negative buoyancy before the full discharge of the water tank has occurred. As a result, the valve float tends to sink in the outgoing water when its buoyancy becomes negative, but it is prevented from sinking completely and closing the discharge outlet until at least a portion of the tank is emptied by virtue of the separate additional float attached to the valve.
The referenced prior art does not teach the simplified apparatus of the present invention for providing selective partial or full flushing of a toilet by a standard toilet and its actuation mechanism. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Track-mounted drilling machines include a frame supported by two tracks (also known as crawlers) for movement over the ground (also known as tramming). Typical drilling machines include an operator cab, a tower, a rotary head and a drill string. The operator cab and tower are mounted on the frame, with the tower pivotable with respect to the frame such that the tower can be lowered into a horizontal position for transport and raised to a generally vertical position for drilling. The rotary head is mounted to the tower, is connected to the drill string, and is operable to rotate the drill string and force the drill string downward to penetrate the ground at a desired angle and create a drilled hole.
With prior art drilling machines, prior to drilling a hole, it is necessary to level the frame and then pivot the tower to a desired vertical position with respect to the frame in order to ensure that the drill string penetrates the ground at a desired orientation with respect to gravity. Typically the leveling is accomplished using jacks once the drilling machine has been moved to its desired drilling position.
Additionally, most prior art drilling machines include at best passive, non-independent suspension systems that only partially absorb ground forces resulting from movement over uneven surface terrain, often resulting in a bumpy ride for the operator. For example, some prior art machines include a rigid connection between the tracks and the frame only allowing a rotation motion of the tracks with respect to the frame. Such a rigid connection significantly limits the maximum tramming speed of the drilling machine. | {
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The present document is a national stage application of PCT/JP99/06920, filed on Dec. 9, 1999.
This invention relates to an automatic coating method for carrying out coating operations in various colors automatically by selectively loading and unloading paint cartridges of different colors into and from a coating apparatus, and an automatic coating apparatus therefor.
Generally, for coating objects like vehicle bodies, for example, rotary atomizing head type coating apparatus which are equipped with a rotary atomizing head have been in wide use. Lately, coating apparatus of this sort are increasingly required to meet demands for reductions of the amounts of paint and solvent to be discarded at the time of color changes and for capability of coping with a large number of paint colors.
As a first example of the prior art of this category, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. H8-229446 describes a rotary atomizing head type coating apparatus which is so arranged as to reduce the amounts of discarding paint and solvent and which can cope with an increased number of paint colors. This rotary atomizing head type coating apparatus employs paint cartridges which are filled with different paint colors and adapted to be selectively and replaceably mounted on the coating apparatus in the course of a coating operation on vehicle bodies. However, no description is given in this prior art with regard to an apparatus for changing the paint cartridges.
As a second example of the prior art, there has been known an automatic coating apparatus (e.g. from Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. S63-175662) which is arranged to perform a coating operation automatically according to programmed procedures. According to this prior art automatic coating apparatus, paint cartridges of various colors are located within a working area of a coating robot or other working mechanism, and, at the time of cartridge replacement, the working mechanism is operated to serve as a cartridge changer. Therefore, in this case each one of the paint cartridges needs to be located within a reach of the working mechanism. However, actually there is a limit to the number of paint cartridges which can be located within a working area of a working mechanism.
Further, as a third example of the prior art, there has been known an automatic coating apparatus as described in International Gazette WO97/34707. This third prior art coating apparatus is comprised of a working mechanism such as a coating robot which is provided in a coating area, a coating machine which is mounted on the working mechanism and provided with a rotary atomizing head adapted to be put in high speed rotation by an air motor for atomizing paint into finely divided particles, a number of paint cartridges which are filled with paint of different colors and adapted to be replaceably mounted on the coating machine, and a cartridge changer which is arranged to support the respective paint cartridges and mount and dismantle a paint cartridge on and from the coating apparatus for cartridge replacement.
In this case, the cartridge changer is provided with a round support table which is arranged to support a large number of paint cartridges in an annular array. The cartridge support table is turned by a drive motor or the like to bring a paint cartridge to be used for a coating operation, to a predetermined pick-up position.
In the case of the third prior art automatic coating apparatus which is arranged in the manner just described, paint is supplied from a cartridge to a coating machine of the coating apparatus to spray the paint toward a coating object. At this time, the working mechanism is put in operation to move the coating apparatus along contours of coating surfaces of a coating object.
When changing the paint color, the working mechanism is moved to bring the paint cartridge on the coating apparatus to a predetermined cartridge changing position of the cartridge changer. Then, a cartridge gripper which is provided on the side of the cartridge changer is operated to remove a consumed or empty paint cartridge from the coating apparatus and return same to the cartridge support table. Nextly, a fresh paint cartridge which is filled with a next color is picked up from the cartridge support table and mounted on the coating apparatus.
The cartridge changer according to the prior art just mentioned is arranged to locate a selected one of the paint cartridges on the cartridge support table in a predetermined pick-up position by turning the support table, and mounted on the coating apparatus in place of a cartridge of a previous color.
However, the cartridge support table, which carries a large number of paint cartridges in an annular array, is necessarily large in size and weight. It follows that, for driving the cartridge support table, the cartridge changer is required to have a drive motor with large driving power. Needless to say, a cartridge changer of a large size is disadvantageous in that it invites increases in cost.
In view of the above-mentioned problems with the prior art, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automatic coating method and apparatus for putting the method into practice, in which a large number of paint cartridges of different colors are arranged and located in such an efficient manner as to facilitate cartridge replacements and to realize reductions in size and cost of the coating apparatus in addition to improvements in working efficiency.
In order to achieve the above-stated objective, according to the present invention, there is provided an automatic coating method which is applied by the use of a working mechanism located in a coating area, a coating apparatus mounted on the working mechanism and adapted to be replaceably loaded with paint cartridges of various colors, and a cartridge changer including a paint replenishing means for replenishing paint into the paint cartridges and a cartridge gripper means having a couple of gripper members for gripping paint cartridges separately thereon and adapted to hand over paint cartridges to and from the coating apparatus to replace an empty paint cartridge on the coating apparatus by a replenished paint cartridge.
The automatic coating method according to the present invention comprises: coating step of coating object by the coating apparatus loaded with a replenished paint cartridge and moved by the working mechanism; a replenished paint cartridge picking up step of picking up said replenished paint cartridge of a color to be used in a next coating operation from a paint replenisher means by the use of one of the gripper members of the cartridge gripper means; an empty paint cartridge unloading step of unloading said empty paint cartridge from the coating apparatus by the use of the other one of the gripper members of the cartridge gripper means having the replenished paint cartridge still gripped in one gripper member; the replenished paint cartridge loading step of loading said replenished paint cartridge into the coating apparatus by one gripper member of the cartridge gripper means having the empty paint cartridge still gripped on the other gripper member; and returning the unloaded empty paint cartridge to the paint replenishing means.
With the arrangements just described, in the coating step, the working mechanism is put in motion to perform a coating operation by the coating apparatus which is loaded with a replenished paint cartridge. In the step of picking up a replenished paint cartridge, a replenished paint cartridge is gripped and picked up from the paint replenishing means by one of the gripper members of the cartridge gripper means. Nextly, in the empty cartridge unloading step, the empty paint cartridge is picked up from the coating apparatus by the other gripper member of the cartridge gripper means while gripping the replenished paint cartridge by one of the gripper members of the cartridge gripper means. In the replenished paint cartridge loading step, the replenished paint cartridge is loaded into the coating apparatus by one of the gripper members of the cartridge gripper means while gripping the empty cartridge by the other gripper member of the cartridge gripper means. Thus, in the empty cartridge returning step, a replenished paint cartridge and an empty paint cartridge are exchanged between the coating apparatus and the cartridge changer.
According to the present invention, there is also provided an automatic coating apparatus suitable for putting the above-described method into practice, which basically includes a working mechanism located in a coating area, a coating apparatus mounted on and moved by the working mechanism and adapted to be replaceably loaded with paint cartridges of various colors, and a cartridge changer arranged to hand over paint cartridges to and from the coating apparatus to replace an empty paint cartridge on the coating apparatus by a replenished paint cartridge.
The cartridge changer used in the automatic coating apparatus according to the present invention comprises: a paint replenishing means having a number of paint replenishers correspondingly for different paint colors, each adapted to support and replenish a paint cartridge of a corresponding color; a cartridge transfer means arranged to transfer paint cartridges in the directions of three perpendicularly intersecting axis; and a cartridge gripper means supported on the cartridge transfer means and adapted to grip and transfer paint cartridges between the coating apparatus and the paint replenishing means.
With the arrangements just described, upon finishing a coating operation, the coating apparatus with an empty paint cartridge is located at a cartridge replacing position, whereupon the cartridge means is actuated to move the cartridge gripper means toward that position. At this time, the cartridge gripper means is operated to transfer and exchange an empty paint cartridge and a replenished paint cartridge of a next color between the coating apparatus and the paint replenishing means. Besides, in preparation for use in a next coating operation, the empty paint cartridge which has been handed over to and set on the paint replenishing means is replenished with paint concurrently with a coating operation by the coating apparatus.
The coating apparatus to be used in the present invention is preferably constituted by a cartridge mount portion to be replaceably loaded with paint cartridges, and a coating machine with a rotary atomizing head for atomizing and spraying paint supplied from a paint cartridge loaded in the cartridge mount portion.
With the arrangements just described, as soon as paint is spurted out from a paint cartridge which is loaded in the cartridge mount portion, it is atomized into finely divided particles and sprayed toward a coating object by the rotary atomizing head of the coating machine.
Further, preferably, the paint cartridges to be used in the present invention are each constituted by a container to be filled with paint, and a feed tube extended axially from one end of the container, and the paint replenishing means is adapted to replenish paint into the container of the paint cartridge through a fore end of the feed tube.
With the paint cartridge construction just described, paint can be replenished into the container of a paint cartridge which has been handed over to and set on the paint replenishing means, thereby utilizing the fore end of the feed tube as a replenishing port.
In this instance, preferably, the paint cartridges are each constituted by a container to be filled with paint and a feed tube axially extended from a fore end of the container, and the paint replenishing means is constituted by a plural number of replenishing stools for replenishment of various paint colors, each having a feed tube passage hole formed axially therein to receive the feed tube of a corresponding paint cartridge, and a connector member located in the replenishing stool located in a deeper position than the feed tube passage hole to connect the fore end portion of the feed tube to a paint supply passage.
With the arrangements just described, when an empty paint cartridge is returned to a replenishing stool, the feed tube of the cartridge is inserted into the feed tube passage hole on the side of the stool until its fore end is connected to the connector member for communication with the paint supply passage. Therefore, paint which is supplied to the paint supply passage is replenished into the container via the connector member and the feed tube.
Further, preferably the cartridge transfer means to be used in the present invention is constituted by a first transfer mechanism arranged to move the cartridge gripper means in a longitudinal or transverse direction of the paint replenishing means, a second transfer mechanism arranged to move the cartridge gripper means in a transverse or longitudinal direction, and a third transfer mechanism arranged to move the cartridge gripper means in a vertical direction, and the cartridge gripper means is supported on the third transfer mechanism.
With the arrangements just described, the cartridge gripper means is moved in longitudinal, transverse and vertical directions by the first to third transfer mechanisms and located in the cartridge replacing position or in a cartridge pick-up position over a selected one of paint cartridges which are supported on the paint replenishing means. In addition, the cartridge gripper means is moved vertically up or down by the third transfer mechanism at the time of lifting up or lifting down a paint cartridge from or onto the coating apparatus or paint replenishing means.
Further, preferably the cartridge gripper means to be used in the present invention is provided with a couple of gripper members side by side to grip a couple of paint cartridges separately and independently of each other.
With the arrangements just described, a replenished paint cartridge is gripped in one of the gripper members of the cartridge gripper means at the time when an empty paint cartridge is unloaded from the coating apparatus by the other one of the gripper members at the time of replacement. Therefore, the replenished paint cartridge can be loaded into the coating apparatus immediately after removal of the empty paint cartridge.
Further, according to the present invention, the cartridge changer is provided with a shock absorber provided between the cartridge transfer means and the cartridge gripper means to permit movements of the cartridge gripper means relative to the cartridge transfer means when brought into abutting engagement with a paint cartridge.
With the arrangements just described, when the cartridge gripper means is moved toward and abutted against a paint cartridge by the cartridge transfer means, the shock absorber permits the cartridge gripper means to move for buffering the impacts of abutment.
Further, according to the present invention, the automatic coating apparatus further comprises a washer means which is located in the vicinity of a cartridge replacing position of the cartridge changer for washing the coating apparatus each time when replacing an empty paint by a replenished paint cartridge of a different color.
With the arrangements just described, when the coating apparatus is located in a cartridge replacing position for cartridge replacement, deposited previous color on the coating apparatus can be washed off by the washer. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The integrated circuit (IC) design is more challenging when semiconductor technologies are continually progressing to smaller feature sizes, such as 32 nanometers, 28 nanometers, 20 nanometers, and below. The performance of a designed circuit is seriously influenced by the imaging of various circuit patterns, such as doped wells, source and drains, gate electrodes, vias/contacts and other circuit features. When advanced circuit design has three dimensional structures with fin-like active regions, it is more difficult to form circuit features with proper shapes and sizes. To enhance the imaging effect when a design pattern is transferred to a wafer, optical proximity correction (OPC) is indispensable. The design pattern is adjusted to generate an image on the wafer with improved printability. However, the final wafer result is associated with various processes and factors. The lithography printing capability is limited by resist blur, mask diffraction, projection imaging resolution, electron beam blur of mask writing, resist, etch and/or other factors. The existing method is not effective to provide optimized wafer results in terms of circuit performance and fabrication cost. Especially, the mask diffraction is not isolated from other factors during certain steps of the simulation, such as calibration.
Therefore, what is needed is a method for mask simulation and mask making to effectively reduce patterning errors and address the above issues. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a block copolymer of polyesters and polycarbonates and a process for their preparation. More particularly, the present invention relates to biodegradable and hydrolyzable thermoplastic resin. The copolymer of the invention is decomposable by micro-organisms living in the soil or in the water, so that it can be used as non-polluting and clean plastic material. This quality gives the polymer a broad scope of uses, functionally as varied as a material for a fishing line, a fishing net, a sheet for agricultural use, a packing film, a surface film for paper packing, a material for lamination layers, a plasticizer, a compatibilizer etc.
Also, the polymer according to the invention is biocompatible, so that it can be hydrolyzed and absorbed by a living body. It may therefore be used in medical materials e.g. for surgical sutures or clips without requiring the extraction of stitches.
2. Prior Art
In recent years, the environmental pollution caused by the disposal of non-degradable or difficultly degradable films or fishing lines has become an important issue. To solve this problem, attempts have been made to find a plastic material that is easily degradable by the micro-organisms living in nature. Also, there is currently research into a bio-compatible plastic material that can be degraded and absorbed by living bodies. In this case, the material preferably has to maintain its strength only during the regeneration of tissue and to disappear rapidly thereafter.
Aliphatic polyesters are known to be biodegradable and bio-compatible. Among them, poly (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid (hereinafter referred to as P[(R)-3HB]) accumulated in microbial cells is drawing particular attention because it is a thermoplastic resin having a high melting temperature, e.g. around 180.degree. C. (cf. "Biodegradable Macromolecular Materials", edited by Yoshiharu DOI, p21, 1990, published by Kogyo Chosa Kai). There exist many known microorganisms that accumulate various kinds of poly (R)-3-hydroxyalkanoic acid in their cells (page 26 of the aforementioned document).
A copolymer of (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid and (R)-3-hydroxyvaleric acid that shows improved properties over the polymer P[(R)-3HB] was reported by P. A. HOLMES (Phys. Technol., 1985 (16), p32). Also, a copolymer of (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid and 4-hydroxybutyric acid was reported by Y. DOI et al. (Polym. Commun., 1988 (29), 174). These copolymers are formed as random copolymers (Macromolecules 1986 (19), 2860; Macromolecules, 1988 (21), 2722).
Recently, various random copolymers of polyesters of bio-degradable high molecules containing (R)-3-hydroxybutyric acid units were chemically synthesized in the presence of a distannoxane catalyst: the copolymerisation was effected by ring-opening of (R)-.beta.-butyrolactone (hereinafter referred to as (R)-BL) and of various other lactones (Macromolecules, 1993 (26), 4388).
Meanwhile, random copolymers of glycolides and lactides have already been used for bio-absorbable surgical sutures ("Bio-compatible materials--their functions and applications", 1993, p127, edited by Yoshito IKADA, published by Nippon Kikaku Kyokai).
The random copolymers of polyesters synthesized as described above decrease their crystallinity and reduce their fragility. On the other hand, the random copolymerisation usually lowers the melting temperature. Therefore, to obtain a biodegradable aliphatic polyester having a melting temperature at least as high as 100.degree. C., the polymer has to contain a large proportion of optically active units of 3-hydroxybutyric acid or of L-lactic acid, or glycolic acid units. This in turn poses a serious industrial problem due to increased production costs. Further, it is a rather difficult task to obtain a soft film or rubber from the random copolymers while simultaneously maintaining a high melting temperature and strength.
To solve the problem, block copolymers of polyesters or block copolymers of polyesters and polycarbonates may preferably be synthesized. According to M. S. Reeve et al. (Macromolecules, 1993 (26), 888), a microbially produced polymer P[(R)-3HB] was submitted to a methanolysis to obtain oligomers. Terminal hydroxyl groups of the obtained oligomers were then reacted with triethylaluminium, thereby forming polymerisation starters. Subsequently, the starters were reacted with .epsilon.-caprolactone (referred to as CL), L-lactide (L-LA) or D,L-lactide (DL-LA) to obtain a block copolymer of polyesters P[(R)-3HB] and poly .epsilon.-caprolactone, referred to as P[(R)-3HB]-PCL, a block copolymer of polyesters P[(R)-3HB] and poly L-lactide, referred to as P[(R)-3HB]-P(L-LA) and a block copolymer of polyesters P[(R)-3HB] and poly D,L-lactide, referred to as P[(R)-3HB]-P(DL-LA). However, in this method, the microbially produced polymer P[(R)-3HB] is used as a starting material, thereby incurring a higher production cost.
On the other hand, block copolymers of polyesters and polycarbonates were reported in U.S. Pat. No. 4,243,775 and international application WO 89/05664. These are block copolymers of lactones and carbonates obtained by using alcohols as starters in the presence of tin-type catalyst.
Further block copolymers of lactones and carbonates were also obtained by using polyethyleneglycols as starters in the presence of tin-type catalyst and reported in U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,602. Yet further block copolymers of lactones and carbonates were obtained by using butyl lithium as catalyst and reported in DE 3 607 627 A1. Further, other lactone-carbonate type block copolymers were disclosed in EP 0 427 185 A2.
To copolymerize tactones and cyclic carbonates in block, it is necessary to rely upon a living polymerization: first lactones are ring-opened and polymerized in the presence of a catalyst; then the terminals of the polymer formed are bound to the catalyst and kept in an active state. Subsequently, when cyclic carbonates are added, these are inserted successively between the polymer terminals and the catalyst, thereby extending the block copolymer chain of polyesters and polycarbonates.
However, in the system of catalysts reported in the aforementioned documents, high molecular block copolymers of polyesters and polycarbonates could not be obtained between lactones, especially (R)-BL or (S)-BL, and cyclic carbonates. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Recent technological advances have allowed for a proliferation of digital media, which may include images of crimes being committed. For example, child pornography, statutory rape, masked gunmen, and other crimes may be captured on digital media such as digital images and video. This media can be used as evidence in legal cases, but commonly the perpetrator in the images can not be identified since his face is obscured and the images don't contain any traditional biometric data like fingerprints or palm prints.
Notably, among major categories of crime, child sex abuse has the lowest percentage of suspects prosecuted among all offenses. A declination for prosecution by U.S. attorneys does not mean that the suspect did not commit a Federal offense. The major reason for these declinations is weak/inadmissible evidence. Accurate biometric identification of suspects in child sex abuse cases and other crimes evidenced in digital media would greatly enhance the ability of prosecutors to achieve convictions.
Child pornography can include images of nude children or self-pornography that includes self photography of sexual acts with children. Criminals are usually careful to not show their faces in self-pornography for fear of identification. However, it is not uncommon to be able to observe bare skin of other body parts (such as the thighs) of the abuser. Thus, it may be desirable to identify a person based on areas of skin noted in digital photographs of these and other criminal acts. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Baggage items by nature undergo a risk of being stolen, being broken into for their contents being stolen, or being manipulated in other ways against their owner's will. Apparently this risk is particularly high when baggage items are left alone or taken out of hand particularly in public places like airports, railway stations and the like, but is also present when left e.g. in a hotel room.
There are known systems which are intended to protect personal items like wallets, bags or suitcases against theft. For example, GB 2 375 424 A discloses a personal items protection alarm, wherein a transponder is put inside the item to be protected and a transceiver is worn by a user. The transceiver checks that the protected object is within a preset range by emitting a return signal to the transponder, and alarms the user when the signal is not returned.
Such systems however are only suitable for protection under certain circumstances. Particularly, it is required that the item to be protected is within a certain, limited distance from its owner. Further, no protection is given if the item is not carried away, i.e. stays within the preset range, but only its contents are robbed. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The Hemagglutination Inhibition Assay (HAI) was developed over 70 years ago as a means to measure influenza-specific antibody levels in serum. The HAI has since been applied to many other hemagglutinin-containing viruses such as rubella, measles, mumps, parainfluenza, adenoviruses, polyomaviruses and arboviruses, to name a few. Currently, the HAI is recognized as the so-called gold-standard serologic test for typing influenza antibodies in humans and animals and it is widely used in influenza surveillance and vaccine testing.
Throughout the drawings, like reference numbers should be understood to refer to like elements, features and structures. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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Synchronization is the process of maintaining consistency between two distinct datastores by periodically comparing the chances which have occurred to each since the last time they were known to be consistent. Each party to a synchronization must be capable of supplying all data stored by the party upon request, and be capable of supplying only the changes to the data stored by the party since the last completed synchronization. Each party must agree upon a scheme to be kept in sync, the manner of data representation, and the semantics of the synchronization primitives. Synchronization primitives may include adding data to a datastore, updating data in a datastore, and deleting data from a datastore. Additionally, each party must be capable of a rollback if a problem occurs during a synchronization to avoid corrupting the datastore. A rollback has the effect of placing the datastore in the state it was in before the synchronization was initiated.
Modern data processing systems, such as a general purpose computer, a handheld computer, a cellular telephone, media players, etc. have been reduced in size to the point that they can often be readily carried around by a user. Furthermore, these devices are powerful enough that they can provide substantial computing power to allow a user to maintain contact information, maintain calendar information, provide email functionality, and even provide web browsing. These devices also may include support for a task or a To Do list or database and other sources of data for a user. An example of a small handheld computer is the Apple iPhone or the Apple iPod Touch.
These handheld computers typically allow a user to synchronize their data between the handheld computer and another computer, such as the user's desktop computer, such that both computers maintain the same set of information, such as the same calendar for the user, thereby allowing the user to view their calendar on either the desktop computer or the handheld computer. The synchronization is typically performed by coupling together the host computer with a handheld computer through a mechanical and electrical connection provided by a dock.
FIG. 1 shows an example in the prior art of a handheld computer being coupled mechanically and electrically to a host computer through the dock 126. The system 110 includes the host computer 112 and the handheld computer 114. Synchronization software 116, running on the host, performs the synchronization between the respective databases, such as the contacts database 118 which is synchronized with the handheld contacts database 120. Furthermore, the synchronization software 116 synchronizes the calendar database 122 on the host computer with the handheld's calendar database 124. Other embodiments may include synchronization of databases containing to-do items, web bookmarks, photographs, videos, MP3s, notes, widgets (e.g., configuration settings for widgets), and other data types.
Certain synchronization systems are described under the name “SyncML” and further information about these systems can be found at openmobileallianceorg. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a mask pattern formed on a photomask, a pattern formed on a semiconductor device, and a method for exposing through the photomask to form a resist pattern of which a position is employed to correct an exposure condition.
In the present specification, an overlay error measuring mark formed on the photomask will specifically be referred to as an on-mask photolithography screening mark and the mark transferred onto or formed on a resist layer or a semiconductor substrate in order to determine the amount of pattern displacement will be referred to as a photolithography screening mark.
2. Description of the Related Art
Size reduction of a semiconductor device has been achieved by reducing the size of each component. In addition to this, since the semiconductor device is composed of a plurality of circuit layers, contact holes and the other elements, it is also an important technique in view of size reduction to improve the overlay accuracy for various elements.
A series of processes such as layer formation, photolithography operation and etching to form the elements in the manufacture of the semiconductor device will hereafter collectively be referred to as a xe2x80x9cmanufacturing processxe2x80x9d. A semiconductor device is typically manufactured by a plurality of manufacturing processes. When a patterned first circuit layer is formed on a semiconductor substrate and then a second patterned circuit layer is to be formed on the first circuit layer, the second circuit layer is blanket deposited on the first circuit layer, and then a resist layer is formed on the second circuit layer. The resist layer is then exposed to light through a photomask that includes a pattern corresponding to a pattern of the second circuit layer to form a resist pattern.
The photomask has various patterns formed thereon in correspondence to the circuit and other patterns formed on the semiconductor substrate. By exposing the resist layer to light through the pattern formed on the photomask (namely exposure), a pattern that is ideally a similar figure to the photomask pattern is formed on the resist layer. Actually, however, a displacement between a designed pattern of the second circuit layer corresponding to the pattern of the first circuit layer and the resulting resist pattern may occur due to optical conditions such as optical aberration through an optical system in the exposure apparatus. When the pattern of the second circuit layer is etched by using a resist pattern that has a displacement, the resulting pattern of the second circuit layer also includes a displacement from a designed position. The displacement of the resist pattern is usually called the overlay displacement.
There have been various marks used in the photolithography processes to measure various data related to the photolithography. In this specification, these marks will all be called the measurement mark.
In order to measure the amount of the overlay displacement, for example, a mark called an alignment mark is formed on the photomask or transferred with the photomask on the semiconductor substrate. This is also a kind of the measurement mark described above.
Among the overlay displacements, one which is determined using the alignment mark formed on the photomask and the alignment mark actually formed in the resist pattern is called a position error. Moreover, when a pattern (such as a line in a circuit and a contact hole) is formed on the semiconductor substrate using a resist pattern that includes the position error, a deviation in the dimension or the shape from the ideal pattern of similar shape is produced. This is called a patterning error.
The smaller the element dimensions the smaller the tolerance for overlay displacement caused by the effect of optical aberration on the optical system in the exposure apparatus.
Specifically, the position error due to frame aberration as a type of optical aberration is described for example in Japanese Kokai Patent Publication No. Hei 9 (1997)-74063, especially in the description referring to FIGS. 59 to 61.
As a technique for reducing the position error, Japanese Kokai Patent Publication Nos. Hei 9 (1997)-74063 and Hei 9 (1997)-244222 propose technologies for improving the measurement mark used to relatively determine the position error such as the alignment mark.
However, even when the measurement mark is improved according to the description in the publications mentioned hereinbefore, the following problems are expected to occur when the element sizes are further reduced.
The first problem is that since the value of overlay displacement determined by using the conventional measurement mark is a relative position error of the pattern formed in the subsequent manufacturing process to the pattern formed in the previous manufacturing process, it is not possible to determine merely the actual position error of the pattern obtained in the subsequent manufacturing process.
Particularly, since the position error may block further reduction of element sizes, it is required to accurately determine the amount of the position error.
The second problem refers to the difficulty of analyzing the overlay displacement.
In the prior art, for example, when a relative position error is larger than a limit value after completing a plurality of manufacturing processes, a main cause of the error has been attributed to a downstream manufacturing process because the value of position error generated in the downstream manufacturing process is normally larger than one generated in an upstream manufacturing process. In the prior art, however, it has been difficult to determine which of a upstream or a downstream manufacturing process has greater contribution to the final position error in actuality.
The present invention has been made to solve the problems described above, and a first object thereof is to provide a photomask and a semiconductor device that allow it to accurately determine the actual position error and the patterning error separately for each manufacturing process.
Second object of the present invention is to provide a semiconductor device having higher precision and a less patterning error.
Third object of the present invention is to provide an exposure method comprising the correction of exposure conditions based on the resulting position error data.
The photomask according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises a photomask substrate, and an on-mask circuit area including an on-mask circuit pattern and an on-mask test mark area including an on-mask test pattern, both formed on the surface of the substrate, wherein the photomask substrate further includes an on-mask photolithography screening mark area including an on-mask comparison pattern and an on-mask screening pattern, the on-mask comparison pattern has substantially the same configuration as at least a part of the on-mask circuit pattern, and the on-mask screening pattern has substantially the same configuration as at least a part of the on-mask test pattern.
According to the present invention, the photomask has the on-mask comparison pattern and the on-mask screening pattern disposed close to each other.
According to the present invention, either one of the on-mask comparison pattern or the on-mask screening pattern is disposed at both ends of the other.
According to the present invention, either one of the on-mask comparison pattern or the on-mask screening pattern is disposed to surround the other.
According to the present invention, the on-mask comparison pattern and the on-mask screening pattern combine to form a cross-shaped mark on the photomask.
According to the present invention, either one of the on-mask photolithography screening mark area or the on-mask test mark area is included in the other, and the on-mask test pattern further serves as the on-mask screening pattern.
According to the present invention, the photomask may have a plurality of the on-mask photolithography screening mark areas and arrangement thereof may be at any position.
Second aspect of the present invention is a semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor substrate having a circuit area including circuit patterns and a measurement mark area including measurement patterns formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate in the same manufacturing process as the circuit pattern, wherein the semiconductor substrate further includes a photolithography screening mark area including a screening pattern.and a comparison pattern, the comparison pattern has substantially the same configuration as at least a part of the circuit pattern, and the screening pattern has substantially the same configuration as at least a part of the the measurement pattern.
In the semiconductor device according to the present invention, the screening pattern and the comparison pattern are disposed close to each other in the same manufacturing process.
According to the present invention, second model of a semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate, and a plurality of photolithography screening mark areas including a screening pattern formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, wherein the photolithography screening mark area further includes a comparison pattern formed in the same manufacturing process as the screening pattern to be close thereto, and a dimensional difference between the screening patterns having the same configuration and the same dimensions included in different photolithography screening mark areas equals to a dimensional difference between the comparison-patterns of the same configuration and the same dimensions included in the photolithography screening mark areas. In this semiconductor device, the screening pattern and the comparison pattern are disposed close to each other.
According to the present invention, third model of a semiconductor device comprises a semiconductor substrate manufactured by employing a photolithography process using a photomask comprising a photomask substrate, and an on-mask circuit areas including on-mask circuit patterns, an on-mask test mark area including on-mask test patterns and an on-mask photolithography-screening mark area including an on-mask comparison pattern and an on-mask screening pattern, all of them formed on the surface of the substrate, wherein the on-mask comparison pattern has substantially the same configuration as at least a part of the on-mask circuit pattern, and the on-mask screening pattern has substantially the same configuration as at least a part of the on-mask test pattern, whereby a plurality of photolithography screening mark areas corresponding to the on-mask photolithography screening mark areas, including a screening pattern corresponding to the on-mask screening pattern and a comparison pattern corresponding to the on-mask comparison pattern formed on the surface of the semiconductor substrate, a dimensional difference between the screening patterns having the same configuration and the same dimensions included in different photolithography screening mark areas, respectively, equals to a dimensional difference between the comparison patterns of the same configuration and the same dimensions included in the photolithography screening mark areas.
In the present invention, the photomask comprises the on-mask screening pattern and the on-mask comparison pattern, both disposed close to each other.
According to the semiconductor device of the present invention, either one of the screening pattern or the comparison pattern is disposed at both ends of the other.
According to the semiconductor device of the present invention, either one of the screening pattern or the comparison pattern is disposed to surround the other.
According to the semiconductor device of the present invention, the screening pattern and the comparison pattern combine to form a cross-shaped mark.
In the semiconductor device according to the present invention, either one of the photolithography screening mark area and the measurement mark area may be included in the other, and the measurement pattern may have the function of the screening pattern as well.
In the semiconductor device according to the present invention, the photolithography screening mark area may be included in plurality and arrangement thereof may be at any position.
An exposure method according to another aspect of the present invention uses an exposure apparatus equipped with a photomask, comprising:
(i) a step of exposing a resist layer formed on a surface of a semiconductor substrate to light on the exposure apparatus equipped with the photomask comprising a photomask substrate, and an on-mask circuit area including on-mask circuit patterns, an on-mask test mark area including on-mask test patterns and an on-mask photolithography screening mark area including an on-mask comparison pattern and an on-mask screening pattern, all of them formed on the surface of the substrate, wherein the on-mask comparison pattern has substantially the same configuration as at least a part of the on-mask circuit pattern, and the on-mask screening pattern has substantially the same configuration as at least a part of the on-mask test pattern, thereby to form an on-resist circuit area that correspond to the on-mask circuit area, on-resist circuit patterns that correspond to the on-mask circuit patterns, an on-resist test-mark area that correspond to the on-mask test mark area, on-resist test patterns that correspond to the on-mask test patterns, an on-resist photolithography screening mark area that correspond to the on-mask photolithography screening mark area, an on-resist screening pattern that correspond to the on-mask screening pattern, and an on-resist comparison pattern that correspond to the on-mask comparison pattern on the resist layer; and
(ii) a step of correcting the exposure conditions based on a position error data obtained by measuring a distance between the on-resist screening pattern and the on-resist comparison pattern.
On the photomask used-in the method of the present invention, the on-mask comparison pattern and the on-mask screening pattern are disposed close to each other.
According to the exposure method of the present invention, either one of the on-mask photolithography screening mark area or the on-mask test mark area is included in the other, and the on-mask test pattern further serves as the on-mask screening pattern. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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The present invention relates to can ends, tooling used in a press that is adapted to manufacture the can end and a seaming chuck adapted to hold and rotate a converted can end to be secured to a can body.
Beverage containers and more specifically metallic beverage cans are typically manufactured by affixing a can end to a can body. In some applications, two ends may be affixed on a top side and a bottom side of a can body. More frequently, a can end is affixed to a top end of a can body, which is drawn and wall ironed (xe2x80x9cDWIxe2x80x9d) from a flat sheet of blank material such as aluminum. Due to the potentially high internal pressures generated by carbonated beverages, both the can body and the can end are typically required to sustain internal pressures of 90 psi without catastrophic and permanent deformation. Further, depending on various environmental conditions such as heat, over fill, high carbon dioxide content, and vibration, the internal pressure in a beverage may exceed internal pressures of 90 psi. Recently, can end developments have been focused on engineering various features of the can end including the chuck wall angle in order to reduce the aluminum content in the can end and allow the can end to sustain internal pressures exceeding 90 psi. Examples of these developments can be found in WO 98/34743, WO 02/43895 and WO 02/057148.
As can be seen from the prior art, can end manufacturers have been focusing their attention on engineering various features of the can end including the various angles of the can end chuck wall. Also, can ends must be durable to withstand high internal pressures, and be manufactured with extremely thin materials such as aluminum to decrease the overall cost of the manufacturing process and weight of the finished product. Accordingly, there continuously exists a need for a durable can end, which can withstand the high internal pressures created by carbonated beverages, and the external forces applied during shipping, yet, which is made from durable, lightweight and extremely thin metallic materials. The following patent application describes an improved can end with a unique overall geometry from the prior art that is adapted to be affixed to a standard can body. Additionally, certain configurations of the chuck wall reduce the risk of failure along the chuck wall. The improved can end reduces material usage and will withstand typical internal beverage container pressures. Tooling used to manufacture the improved beverage can end is also described in the patent application.
It has also been found that during the seaming operation of a can end to a can body significant contact of the seaming chuck with the chuck wall can lead to deformation of the chuck wall. In those can ends that have several chuck wall angles, it is important to eliminate deformation of the radii of curvature between the various chuck wall portions to maintain the overall geometry of the can end. Accordingly, there exists a need for a seaming chuck that does not engage the entire chuck wall during the seaming operation of a can end to a can body. The following patent application also describes an improved seaming chuck that engages a portion of the chuck wall and the countersink during a conventional seaming operation of a can end to a standard can body.
It is an object of the invention to provide a can end with a unique geometry.
It is another object of the invention to provide a can end with reduced metal content than the majority of currently available can ends.
It is another object of the invention to provide a can end with certain chuck wall geometries that reduces the risk of catastrophic failure of the can end in the presence of excessive internal pressure within a beverage container.
It is another object of the invention to provide tooling that is adapted to manufacture the can end.
It is another object of the invention to provide a seaming chuck that has a recess that avoids deforming radii of curvature in the chuck wall of the can end.
Certain objects of the invention are obtained by providing a can end that is adapted to be affixed to a can body. The can end has a central panel integrally connected to an inner panel wall, and the connection has a first radius of curvature. A countersink is integrally connected to the inner panel wall, and the countersink has a second radius of curvature. A chuck wall is integrally connected to the countersink, and the chuck wall has three chuck wall sections. A first chuck wall is integrally connected to the countersink, and the first chuck wall has an angle xcex81 of 20 degrees to 35 degrees as measured from an axis perpendicular to the central panel. A second chuck wall is integrally connected to the first chuck wall, the second chuck wall has an angle xcex82 of 4 degrees to 27 degrees as measured from the axis, and the connection has a third radius of curvature. A third chuck wall is integrally connected to the second chuck wall, the third chuck wall has an angle xcex83 of 18 degrees to 32 degrees as measured from the axis, and the connection has a fourth radius of curvature. An end wall is integrally connected to the third chuck wall, the end wall is adapted to be affixed to a flange of a can body, and the can end has a preselected panel depth and a preselected countersink depth. Other objects of the invention are obtained by providing tooling that is adapted to manufacture the can end previously described. Other objects of the invention are obtained by providing a seaming chuck that is adapted to avoid engagement with portions of the chuck wall and the third radius of curvature and the fourth radius of curvature of the can end previously described. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
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In general, a tool comprising a coating film of a nitride or a carbonitride of AlTiSi on a base surface of WC-based cemented carbide, cermet or high-speed steel in order to improve wear resistance and provide a surface protecting function is known as a cutting tool or a wear-resistant tool (refer to patent document 1 identified below, for example).
In response to the recent trends described below, however, the cutting edge temperature of a tool tends to increasingly rise in cutting, and characteristics required of tool materials are becoming more severe. For example,
1. dry working with no lubricant (coolant) is required in consideration of terrestrial environmental protection,
2. worked materials (workpieces) are diversified, and
3. the cutting speed is increased in order to further improve working efficiency, can be listed.
In this regard, patent document 2 identified below, for example, discloses that the performance of a cutting tool is improved also in dry high-speed cutting by providing a TiN film immediately on a base while providing a TiAlN film thereon and further providing a TiSiN film thereon. According to this patent, it is possible to solve such a problem that intra-film diffusion of oxygen can be suppressed due to an alumina layer formed by oxidation of a film surface during cutting when a TiAl compound film is provided as a coating film, while the alumina layer is so easily separated by a porous Ti oxide layer formed immediately under the alumina layer upon dynamic cutting that the progress of oxidation cannot be sufficiently prevented in general, the aforementioned porous Ti oxide layer is not formed but improvement of performance is attained by providing a dense TiSi compound film having extremely high oxidation resistance on the film surface.
Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2000-326108 | {
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The present invention relates to a method of producing tactile markings on an input surface in which information, in the form of movements of the input surface, are transmitted to an input member, and to a system for carrying out this method.
From DE 41 40 780 A1 an input device with tactile feedback is known in connection with which movable elements are arranged on a touch and/or actuating surface, the elements being coupled to a control system which produces a relative movement of the elements with respect to the surface, the movement being perceptible by touch by the operator. The movable elements are in this connection, acted on, for instance, by vibrations of different frequency and intensity whereby coded information is transmitted to the operator.
This has the disadvantage that the tactile differentiation is greatly limited by the fixed arrangement of the movable elements so that only a limited amount of information can be transmitted to the operator. Furthermore, the mechanical and circuit expense for producing this input device, which consists of a plurality of movable parts, is very great. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
The present invention relates broadly to a case constructed to receive a mobile communication device (or mobile device) that includes a flash strobe and controls for controlling a camera within the mobile device in order to provide the case user with an experience of a point and shoot camera.
Known mobile devices include cameras for enhancing the experience of the mobile device user. Such phones, however, often lack the look and feel of a traditional camera and therefore detract from a user's experience in using the mobile device camera. In many cases, mobile phones are often smaller and have less of an ergonomic feel of a traditional camera, for example are very light weight and lack a means for gripping a mobile device in a way in which a traditional camera is known to be gripped while shooting pictures or video. For that matter, the camera controls normally found on a traditional camera are not found on a mobile device that includes a camera feature, or at least not in the relative position where such camera controls might be expected to be found.
As mobile devices are intended to be light weight, and efficiently use electrical power stored in batteries built into the mobile device, the mobile devices are not known to include flash devices to provide a flash of light to enhance picture quality, where necessary, due to the need for relative large amounts of electrical power to drive such flash devices. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
Conventionally, transmissive liquid crystal display devices are known as image display means. The transmissive liquid crystal display device is provided with a non-self-luminous liquid crystal panel and thus requires a backlight device. In such a backlight device, a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) has been used as a light source. Recently, however, a backlight device including a LED as a light source is widely used, which is free from disadvantages of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp, such as environmental pollution caused by mercury, or slower response speed. In addition to solving the disadvantages of a cold cathode fluorescent lamp, the backlight device including a LED as a light source can also achieve a partial drive such as local dimming to improve a contrast ratio of an image. The local dimming will be described below.
The “local dimming” is a process in which (i) a backlight device is divided into segments (blocks) each having its light source and (ii) a light intensity of each of the segments is adjusted based on a luminance component of an image to be displayed in a corresponding area of a liquid crystal panel, which corresponding area is irradiated with light emitted from the segment. That is, in the liquid crystal display device which employs local dimming, a light intensity of a segment corresponding to an area displaying a bright image can be increased, whereas a light intensity of a segment corresponding to an area displaying a dark image can be decreased. The liquid crystal display device which employs local dimming can thus display an image of a higher contrast ratio in which a bright image displaying area is displayed brighter and a dark image displaying area is displayed darker.
However, the liquid crystal display device which employs local dimming has a disadvantage described below, in a case where, for example, one area displaying white and black images and another area displaying only a black image are adjacent to each other. That is, a light intensity of a segment corresponding to the area displaying white and black images is adjusted to a value in accordance with the white image (with high luminance), whereas a light intensity of a segment corresponding to the area displaying only a black image is adjusted to a value in accordance with the black image (with low luminance). This leads to a difference in brightness of displayed black between one area and another area, resulting in an unnaturally-appearing image being displayed in which a boundary between the areas is conspicuous.
In order to avoid such a disadvantage, a liquid crystal display device has been proposed, in which light intensities of respective segments are determined by (i) calculating light intensities of the respective segments on the basis of a local dimming technique and then (ii) correcting the light intensities of the respective segments so that no segment has a light intensity differing greatly from those of adjacent segments. As an example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique in which a luminance is gradually changed for each of adjacent areas.
Meanwhile, multi-display devices, each of which includes a plurality of image displaying means set in array, have been widely used. Such multi-display devices encompass a multi-display device of screen projection type as follows: Patent Literature 2 discloses a technique to prevent light emitted by one of adjacent projectors from being displayed on a screen corresponding to the other of the adjacent projectors, so that adjustment between screens can be easily carried out. Patent Literature 3 discloses a technique in which (i) enlarged images for respective of a plurality of displays are projected such that the enlarged images partially overlap each other, and (ii) a luminance of an overlap image area and a luminance of a non-overlap image area are controlled to be equal to each other so as to eliminate a difference in luminance in the overlap part. Patent Literature 4 discloses a technique in which (i) an original image is divided into a plurality of areas and (ii) a projection image corresponding to the original image is obtained on a single screen by combining images of the respective plurality of areas while partially overlapping adjacent images. | {
"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"
} |
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