Author: claimsbot

What is claimed is:

1. A magnetic head comprising a pair of soft-magnetic poles which are positioned adjacent to or in contact with the recording medium and opposed to and apart from each other with a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction wherein:
the soft-magnetic poles generate a magnetic field therebetween to magnetize the recording medium; and
at least one of the two magnetic poles has a tip of a block form adjacent to or in contact with the recording medium, the tip having a front wall adjacent to or in contact with the recording medium and a pair of side walls which extend in a direction perpendicular to the front wall as well as in the above-described predetermined direction, the tip having a non-magnetic region demagnetized by introducing impurities through each of the side walls to a predetermined depth.
2. The magnetic head according to claim 1 wherein said tip has a dimension of 0.3 m or more along said predetermined direction.
3. The magnetic head according to claim 1 wherein said tip has a dimension of 1 m or more along the direction perpendicular to the surface of said recording medium.
4. The magnetic head according to claim 1 wherein the deviation in the depth of the demagnetized region from each of the side walls is within 5% when the side walls of the above-described tip of a block form has a dimension of 0.3 m or more at least along said predetermined direction.
5. A process for fabricating a magnetic head comprising a pair of soft-magnetic poles which are positioned adjacent to or in contact with the recording medium and opposed to and apart from each other with a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction wherein the soft-magnetic poles generate a magnetic field therebetween to magnetize the recording medium, the process comprising the steps of:
forming one of the two magnetic poles, an upper magnetic pole having, at one end adjacent to or in contact with the recording medium, a tip of a block form that has a front wall which is adjacent to or in contact with the recording medium and a pair of side walls which extend in a direction perpendicular to the front wall as well as in the above-described predetermined direction; and
partly demagnetizing the upper magnetic pole formed in the step for forming upper magnetic pole by introducing ions through each of the side walls of the tip of the upper magnetic pole using ion-implantation.
6. The process according to claim 5 wherein said demagnetizing step is performed by introducing ions into said tip by applying ions downwardly to each of the side walls in an angled direction with respect to said side walls.
7. The process according to claim 5 which further comprises the steps of forming the other magnetic pole, the lower magnetic pole, wherein said demagnetizing step is performed by the ion-implantation into the tip through the side walls as well as into the lower magnetic pole at the same time by using an ion generator.
8. The process according to claim 5 which further comprises the steps of:
forming the other magnetic pole, the lower magnetic pole;
forming a protecting film on at least one of the top surface of the tip of the upper magnetic pole (i.e., the surface of the tip which faces opposite from said lower magnetic pole) and the top surface of the lower magnetic pole (i.e., the surface of the lower magnetic pole facing the upper magnetic pole); and
separating the protecting film or films formed in the step for forming a protecting film from the magnetic pole or poles; wherein the ion-implantation of said demagnetizing step is performed after the step for forming a protecting film, followed by the step for separating the protecting film.
9. An information recorder comprising a magnetic head that is located adjacent to or in contact with a recording medium, which retains magnetization in individual small regions on its surface, and can reverse the direction of the magnetization on the recording medium to record the information in the individual small regions on the recording medium, wherein:
the magnetic head comprises a pair of soft-magnetic poles which are positioned adjacent to or in contact with the recording medium and opposed to and apart from each other with a predetermined distance in a predetermined direction, the soft-magnetic poles generate a magnetic field therebetween to magnetize the recording medium; and
at least one of the two magnetic poles has a tip of a block form adjacent to or in contact with the recording medium, the tip having a front wall adjacent to or in contact with the recording medium and a pair of side walls which extend in a direction perpendicular to the front wall as well as in the above-described predetermined direction, the tip having a non-magnetic region demagnetized by introducing impurities through each of the two side walls to a predetermined depth.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition; and
tear stitching interconnecting overlying first and second fabric portions of the protection device, the tear stitching being rupturable to permit the interconnected portions to move relative to each other, the tear stitching comprising a break point and first and second segments that extend away from the break point, a non-stitched portion of the second fabric portion that is free from stitching being folded back to overlie a stitched portion of the second fabric portion, the folded back portion forming a fold positioned adjacent the break point, the first and second fabric portions being configured such that tension on the second fabric portion creates a peeling action whereby the folded back portion being free from stitching is free to move relative to and be pulled along the stitched portion so that the fold moves toward the break point in order to focus tension forces acting to rupture the tear stitching on the fold and primarily on the break point so that the tear stitching ruptures first at the break point and then along the first and second segments of the tear stitching.
2. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the shape of the tear stitching effects the strength of the break point.
3. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the tear stitching has an axis that extends through the break point and bisects the tear stitching, the tear stitching being arranged such that the axis extends substantially parallel to the tension forces acting to rupture the tear stitching.
4. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the break point of the tear stitching comprises two or fewer stitches of the stitch line.
5. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the tear stitching comprises a stitch thread and a bobbin thread, the bobbin thread having a tensile strength higher than a tensile strength of the stitch thread.
6. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition; and
tear stitching interconnecting overlying first and second fabric portions of the protection device, the tear stitching being rupturable to permit the interconnected portions to move relative to each other, the tear stitching comprising a break point and first and second segments that extend away from the break point, a non-stitched portion of the second fabric portion that is free from stitching being folded back to overlie a stitched portion of the second fabric portion, the folded back portion forming a fold positioned adjacent the break point, the first and second fabric portions being configured such that tension on the second fabric portion creates a peeling action whereby the folded back portion being free from stitching is free to move relative to and be pulled along the stitched portion so that the fold moves toward the break point in order to focus tension forces acting to rupture the tear stitching on the fold and primarily on the break point so that the tear stitching ruptures first at the break point and then along the first and second segments of the tear stitching, wherein the interconnected portions of the protection device comprise a vent door and a panel of the protection device that includes at least one vent opening, the tear stitching being rupturable to permit the vent door to move relative to the panel to release inflation fluid to vent out of the protection device.
7. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the tear stitching interconnects portions of the protection device that when interconnected maintain the protection device in a first inflated condition with a first inflated volume, the tear stitching being rupturable to release the interconnected portions to allow the protection device to inflate to a second inflated condition with a second inflated volume, the second inflated volume being greater than the first inflated volume.
8. The apparatus recited in claim 7, wherein the tear stitching is configured to rupture in response to inflation fluid pressure in the protection device.
9. The apparatus recited in claim 1, further comprising a tether interconnecting portions of the protection device, the tear stitching maintaining the tether in a folded condition to shorten its effective length and maintain the protection device in a first inflated condition, the tear stitching being releasable in response to tension on the tether to allow the tether to unfold from the folded condition and lengthen to allow the protection device to inflate to a second inflated condition.
10. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the tear stitching comprises first and second stitch lines positioned next to each other, the first stitch line being adapted to rupture in response to initial deployment of the protection device, the second stitch line being adapted to maintain the protection device at the initial stage of deployment.
11. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein the second stitch line is adapted to rupture in response to unobstructed deployment and pressurization of the protection device.
12. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein each of the first and second stitch lines comprises a break point and first and second segments that extend away from the break point, the first stitch line having a configuration that is different than the second stitch line so that the rupture strength of the first stitch line is less than the rupture strength of the second stitch line.
13. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein the first line has a V-shaped configuration and the second stitch line has an arcuate configuration.
14. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein the first line has a first arcuate configuration and the second stitch line has a second arcuate configuration.
15. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein the first and second stitch lines comprise portions of a single line of stitching.
16. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition; and
first tear stitching interconnecting a vent door and a panel of the protection device, the first tear stitching being rupturable to permit the vent door to move relative to the panel;
second tear stitching interconnecting portions of the protection device to maintain the protection device in a first inflated condition with a first inflated volume, the second tear stitching being rupturable to release the interconnected portions to allow the protection device to inflate to a second inflated condition with an increased second inflated volume;
each of the first and second tear stitching comprising a break point and first and second segments that extend away from the break point, the configurations of the first and second tear stitching being selected such that the magnitude of the tension required to rupture the first tear stitching is less than the magnitude of the tension required to rupture the second tear stitching.
17. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition; and
tear stitching interconnecting portions of the protection device, the tear stitching being rupturable to permit the interconnected portions to move relative to each other, the tear stitching comprising a break point and first and second segments that extend away from the break point, the tear stitching being arranged on the protection device such that tension forces acting to rupture the tear stitching act primarily on the break point so that the tear stitching ruptures first at the break point and then along the first and second segments of the tear stitching, wherein the tear stitching comprises a stitch thread and a bobbin thread, the bobbin thread having a tensile strength higher than a tensile strength of the stitch thread.
18. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the tear stitching lies on a plane, the first and second portions being configured such that the tension acts on the second portion in a direction substantially parallel to the plane.
19. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second portions are configured such that the second portion during the peeling action moves adjacent and substantially parallel to the stitched portion.
20. The apparatus recited in claim 10, wherein the apparatus has an adaptive condition that further adapts the second stitch line to rupture in response to deployment of the protection device beyond the initial stage of deployment.
21. The apparatus recited in claim 20, wherein the apparatus is adapted to be placed in the adaptive condition in response to at least one of sensed vehicle and occupant conditions.
22. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the first and second fabric portions are positioned between overlying panels of the protection device, the overlying panels maintaining a generally parallel arrangement first and second fabric potions and the folded back non-stitched portion.
23. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein the overlying panels maintaining the parallel arrangement blocks unfolding of the fold formed by the folded back non-stitched portion through complete rupture of the tear stitching.
24. The apparatus recited in claim 22, wherein at least one of the overlying panels of the protection device comprises a panel that helps define a vent of the protection device.
25. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the folded back condition of the non-stitched portion is maintained by panels of the protection device between which the non-stitched portion is positioned.
26. The apparatus recited in claim 1, wherein the stitching is adapted to maintain the interconnection of the first and second portions in response to vented pressurization of the protection device, and to rupture in response to non-vented pressurization of the protection device.
27. An apparatus for helping to protect an occupant of a vehicle, the apparatus comprising:
an inflatable vehicle occupant protection device having a deflated condition and an inflated condition; and
tear stitching interconnecting overlying first and second fabric portions of the protection device, the tear stitching being rupturable to permit the interconnected portions to move relative to each other, the tear stitching comprising a break point and first and second segments that extend away from the break point, a non-stitched portion of the second fabric portion that is free from stitching being folded back to overlie a stitched portion of the second fabric portion, the folded back portion forming a fold positioned adjacent the break point, the first and second fabric portions being positioned between overlying panels of the protection device, the overlying panels maintaining a generally parallel arrangement with first and second fabric portions and the folded back non-stitched portion.
28. The apparatus recited in claim 27, wherein the first and second fabric portions are configured such that tension on the second fabric portion creates a peeling action whereby the folded back portion being free from stitching is free to move relative to and be pulled along the stitched portion so that the fold moves toward the break point in order to focus tension forces acting to rupture the tear stitching on the fold and primarily on the break point so that the tear stitching ruptures first at the break point and then along the first and second segments of the tear stitching.
29. The apparatus recited in claim 27, wherein the overlying panels maintaining the parallel arrangement blocks unfolding of the fold formed by the folded back non-stitched portion through complete rupture of the tear stitching.
30. The apparatus recited in claim 27, wherein at least one of the overlying panels of the protection device comprises a panel that helps define a vent of the protection device.

1. An integrated circuit structure, comprising:
a semiconductor substrate;
a through-silicon via (TSV) extending into the semiconductor substrate;
a pad formed over the semiconductor substrate and spaced apart from the TSV; and
an interconnect structure formed over the semiconductor substrate and electrically connecting the TSV and the pad;
wherein the interconnect structure comprises
an upper portion which is formed on the pad and extends to electrically connect the TSV; and
a lower portion outside the TSV and adjacent to the pad.
2. An integrated circuit structure, comprising:
a semiconductor substrate;
a through-silicon via (TSV) extending into the semiconductor substrate;
a pad formed over the semiconductor substrate and spaced apart from the TSV; and
an interconnect structure formed over the semiconductor substrate and electrically connecting the TSV and the pad;
wherein the interconnect structure comprises an upper portion formed on the pad and a lower portion adjacent to the pad, and the upper portion extends to electrically connect the TSV; and
wherein the lower portion of the interconnect structure is a ring surrounding the pad.
3. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein the interconnect structure and the TSV are formed of the same conductive material.
4. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the TSV or the interconnect structure comprises copper.
5. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the interconnect structure is positioned between the TSV and the pad.
6. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein the pad comprises aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
7. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, further comprising
a passivation layer formed between the semiconductor substrate and the upper portion of the interconnect structure and surrounding the lower portion of the interconnect structure.
8. The integrated circuit structure of claim 7, wherein the passivation layer extends into the semiconductor substrate to line the sidewall and bottom of the TSV.
9. The integrated circuit structure of claim 7, wherein the passivation layer comprises two isolation layers.
10. The integrated circuit structure of claim 7, wherein the passivation layer comprises silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or a combination thereof.
11. An integrated circuit structure, comprising:
a semiconductor substrate;
a low-k dielectric layer over the semiconductor substrate;
a metal line formed in the low-k dielectric layer;
a first passivation layer formed on the low-k dielectric layer and exposing a portion of the metal line;
a pad formed in the first passivation layer and on the exposed portion of the metal line;
a through-silicon via (TSV) passing through the first passivation layer and the low-k dielectric layer and extending into the semiconductor substrate, wherein the TSV is spaced apart from the pad; and
an interconnect structure formed over the first passivation layer and electrically connecting the TSV and the pad;
wherein the interconnect structure comprises
an upper portion which is formed directly on the pad and extends laterally into direct electrical connection with the TSV; and
a lower portion which extends from the upper portion toward the substrate, is located outside the TSV, and is free of direct contact with the TSV.
12. The integrated circuit structure of claim 11, wherein the lower portion of the interconnect structure is a ring surrounding the pad.
13. The integrated circuit structure of claim 11, wherein the interconnect structure and the TSV are formed of the same conductive material.
14. The integrated circuit structure of claim 11, wherein at least one of the TSV or the interconnect structure comprises copper.
15. The integrated circuit structure of claim 1, wherein the lower portion of the interconnect structure is co-elevational with the pad.
16. The integrated circuit structure of claim 11, wherein the pad comprises at least one of aluminum, copper, an aluminum alloy, or a copper alloy.
17. The integrated circuit structure of claim 11, further comprising
a second passivation layer formed between the first passivation layer and the upper portion of the interconnect structure and surrounding the lower portion of the interconnect structure.
18. The integrated circuit structure of claim 17, wherein the second passivation layer extends into the semiconductor substrate to line the sidewall and bottom of the TSV.
19. The integrated circuit structure of claim 17, wherein the second passivation layer comprises at least one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or a combination thereof.
20. The integrated circuit structure of claim 11, wherein the first passivation layer comprises at least one of silicon oxide, silicon nitride, or a combination thereof.

The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.

1. An automatic document feeder, comprising:
a housing having a back plate which may be raised and a base pivotably connected to the back plate;
a supporting element disposed on the housing and having a shaft hole;
a first engaging structure disposed on the housing; and
a friction roller assembly, which comprises:
a rotating shaft, which has a first end disposed in the shaft hole;
a friction roller, which is disposed onto the rotating shaft and fixed, wherein the rotating shaft drives the friction roller to rotate in order for the automatic document feeder to transport a sheet; and
a first sleeve, which is rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft and has a second engaging structure which is engaged with the first engaging structure in order to rotatably and firmly mount the rotating shaft on the housing, wherein the friction roller assembly may be replaced when the second engaging structure and the first engaging structure are disengaged.
2. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging structure is engaged with the second engaging structure through relative rotation therebetween.
3. The automatic document feeder according to claim 2, wherein:
the first engaging structure has an arced slot and an elastic rib;
the second engaging structure has a projection and a radial part, both of which are connected to an external circumferential surface of the first sleeve, and an arced part, which is substantially parallel to the external circumferential surface and connected to the radial part;
the arced part is fit into the arced slot; and
the elastic rib is engaged with the projection.
4. The automatic document feeder according to claim 3, wherein the first sleeve further has an actuating part to be actuated to rotate the second engaging structure to engage with or disengage from the first engaging structure.
5. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the first engaging structure and the second engaging structure are engaged through relative movement therebetween.
6. The automatic document feeder according to claim 5, wherein the first engaging structure has two elastic hooks, the second engaging structure has two wings disposed on an external circumferential surface of the first sleeve, and the wings are engaged with the elastic hooks, respectively.
7. The automatic document feeder according to claim 1, wherein the supporting element and the first engaging structure are disposed on the back plate or the base.
8. An automatic document feeder, comprising:
a housing having a back plate which may be raised and a base pivotably connected to the back plate;
a first engaging structure and a third engaging structure, both of which are disposed on the housing; and
a friction roller assembly, which comprises:
a rotating shaft;
a friction roller, which is disposed onto the rotating shaft and fixed, wherein the rotating shaft drives the friction roller to rotate in order for the automatic document feeder to transport a sheet; and
a first sleeve having a second engaging structure and a second sleeve having a fourth engaging structure, wherein:
both of the first sleeve and the second sleeve are rotatably mounted on the rotating shaft;
the first engaging structure and the third engaging structure are respectively engaged with the second engaging structure and the fourth engaging structure in order to rotatably and firmly mount the rotating shaft on the housing; and
the friction roller assembly may be replaced when the second engaging structure and the first engaging structure are disengaged and when the fourth engaging structure and the third engaging structure are disengaged.
9. The automatic document feeder according to claim 8, wherein the first engaging structure is engaged with the second engaging structure through relative rotation therebetween.
10. The automatic document feeder according to claim 9, wherein:
the first engaging structure has an arced slot and an elastic rib;
the second engaging structure has a projection and a radial part, both of which are connected to an external circumferential surface of the first sleeve, and an arced part, which is substantially parallel to the external circumferential surface and connected to the radial part;
the arced part is fit into the arced slot; and
the elastic rib is engaged with the projection.
11. The automatic document feeder according to claim 10, wherein the first sleeve further has an actuating part to be actuated to rotate the second engaging structure to engage with or disengage from the first engaging structure.
12. The automatic document feeder according to claim 10, wherein:
the third engaging structure has an arced slot and an elastic rib;
the fourth engaging structure has a projection and a radial part, both of which are connected to an projection and a radial part, both of which are connected to an external circumferential surface of the second sleeve, and an arced part substantially parallel to the external circumferential surface and connected to the radial part; and
the arced part is fit into the arced slot and the elastic rib is engaged with the projection.
13. The automatic document feeder according to claim 9, wherein the third engaging structure and the fourth engaging structure are engaged through relative rotation therebetween.
14. The automatic document feeder according to claim 9, wherein the third engaging structure and the fourth engaging structure are engaged through relative movement therebetween.
15. The automatic document feeder according to claim 8, wherein the first engaging structure and the second engaging structure are engaged through relative movement therebetween.
16. The automatic document feeder according to claim 15, wherein the first engaging structure has two elastic hooks, the second engaging structure has two wings disposed on an external circumferential surface of the first sleeve, and the wings are engaged with the elastic hooks, respectively.
17. The automatic document feeder according to claim 15, wherein the third engaging structure and the fourth engaging structure are engaged through relative movement therebetween.
18. The automatic document feeder according to claim 8, wherein the first engaging structure and the third engaging structure are disposed on the back plate or the base.