The present invention relates to polycarbonate/ABS moulding compositions with incorporated phosphazenes which exhibit excellent flame resistance and very good processing characteristics, wherein the graft polymer is produced by bulk, solution or bulk/suspension polymerization processes.

The present invention relates to polycarbonate/ABS moulding compositions with incorporated phosphazenes which exhibit excellent flame resistance and very good processing characteristics, wherein the graft polymer is produced by bulk, solution or bulk/suspension polymerisation processes.
DE-A 196 16 968 describes polymerisable phosphazene derivatives, a process for the production thereof and the use thereof as curable binders for lacquers, coatings, fillers, surfacing compositions, adhesives, mouldings or films.
WO 97/400 92 describes flameproofed moulding compositions prepared from thermoplastic polymers and unsubstituted phosphazenes (of the type PNnxe2x88x92xH1xe2x88x92y).
EP-A 728 811 describes a thermoplastic blend consisting of aromatic polycarbonate, graft copolymer, copolymer and phosphazenes which exhibits good flameproofing properties, impact strength and heat resistance.
The object of the present invention is to provide polycarbonate/ABS moulding compositions having excellent flame resistance and excellent processing characteristics such as good flow behaviour and reduced formation of deposits on the mould during processing. This range of properties is required in particular for applications in data processing, such as for example casings for monitors, printers, copiers etc.
It has now been found that PC/ABS moulding compositions which contain phosphazenes in combination with diene rubber based graft polymer produced by bulk, solution or bulk/suspension polymerisation processes exhibit the desired properties.
The present invention accordingly provides thermoplastic moulding compositions containing
A) 40 to 99, preferably 60 to 98.5 parts by weight of aromatic polycarbonate and/or polyester carbonate
B) 0.5 to 60, preferably 1 to 40, in particular 2 to 25 parts by weight of graft polymer produced by bulk, solution or bulk/suspension polymerisation processes of
B.1) 50 to 99, preferably 65 to 98 wt. % of one or more vinyl monomers on
B.2) 50 to 1, preferably 35 to 2 wt. % of one or more grafting backbones having a glass transition temperature of  less than 10xc2x0 C., preferably of  less than 0xc2x0 C., particularly preferably of  less than xe2x88x9210xc2x0 C.,
C) 0 to 45, preferably 0 to 30, particularly preferably 2 to 25 parts by weight of at least one thermoplastic polymer selected from the group comprising vinyl (co)polymers and polyalkylene terephthalates,
D) 0.1 to 50, preferably 2 to 35, in particular 5 to 25 parts by weight of at least one component selected from the group comprising phosphazenes of the formulae
xe2x80x83in which
R is in each case identical or different and denotes amino, C1 to C6 alkyl, in each case optionally halogenated, preferably halogenated with fluorine, or C1 to C8 alkoxy, C5 to C6 cycloalkyl, C6 to C20 aryl, preferably phenyl or naphthyl, C6 to C20 aryloxy, preferably phenoxy, naphthyloxy, or C7 to C12 aralkyl, preferably phenyl-C1-C4-alkyl, in each case optionally substituted by alkyl, preferably C1-C4 alkyl, and/or halogen, preferably chlorine, bromine,
k denotes 0 or a number from 1 to 15, preferably a number from 1 to 10,
E) 0 to 5, preferably 0.1 to 1, particularly preferably 0.1 to 0.5 parts by weight of fluorinated polyolefin.
Component A
Component A aromatic polycarbonates and/or aromatic polyester carbonates which are suitable according to the invention are known from the literature or may be produced using processes known from the literature (c.f. in relation to the production of aromatic polycarbonates, for example Schnell, Chemistry and Physics of Polycarbonates, Interscience Publishers, 1964 and DE-AS 1 495 626, DE-OS 2 232 877, DE-OS 2 703 376, DE -OS 2 714 544, DE-OS 3 000 610, DE-OS 3 832 396; in relation to the production of aromatic polyester carbonates for example DE-OS 3 077 934).
Aromatic polycarbonates are produced for example by reacting diphenols with carbonic acid halides, preferably phosgene, and/or with aromatic dicarboxylic acid dihalides, preferably benzenedicarboxylic acid dihalides, by the phase interface process, optionally using chain terminators, for example monophenols, and optionally using trifunctional or greater than trifunctional branching agents, for example triphenols or tetraphenols.
Diphenols for the production of the aromatic polycarbonates and/or aromatic polyester carbonates are preferably those of the formula (III)
wherein
A means a single bond, C1-C5 alkylene, C2-C5 alkylidene, C5-C6 cycloalkylidene, xe2x80x94Oxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94SOxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94COxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94Sxe2x80x94, xe2x80x94SO2xe2x80x94, C6-C12 arylene, onto which further aromatic rings optionally containing heteroatoms may be fused, or a residue of the formula (IV) or (V)
B in each case means C1-C12 alkyl, preferably methyl, halogen, preferably chlorine and/or bromine
x in each case mutually independently mean 0, 1 or 2,
p means 1 or 0 and
R7 and R8 individually selectably, mutually independently for each X1, mean hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl, preferably hydrogen, methyl or ethyl,
X1 means carbon and
m means an integer from 4 to 7, preferably 4 or 5, providing that R7 and R8 are simultaneously alkyl on at least one atom X1.
Preferred diphenols are hydroquinone, resorcinol, dihydroxydiphenols, bis-(hydroxyphenyl)-C1-C5-alkanes, bis-hydroxyphenyl)-C5-C6-cycloalkanes, bis-(hydroxyphenyl)ethers, bis-(hydroxyphenyl)sulfoxides, bis-(hydroxyphenyl)ketones, bis-(hydroxyphenyl)sulfones and xcex1,xcex1-bis-(hydroxyphenyl)diisopropylbenzenes together with the ring-brominated and/or ring-chlorinated derivatives thereof. bis-hydroxyphenyl)sulfones and xcex1,xcex1-bis-(hydroxyphenyl)diisopropylbenzenes together with the ring-brominated and/or ring-chlorinated derivatives thereof.
Particularly preferred diphenols are 4,4xe2x80x2-dihydroxydiphenyl, bisphenol A, 2,4-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-methylbutane, 1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexane, 1,1-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, 4,4xe2x80x2-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfide, 4,4xe2x80x2-dihydroxydiphenyl sulfone together with the di- and tetrabrominated or chlorinated derivatives thereof, such as for example 2,2-bis-(3-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis-(3,5-dichloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane or 2,2-bis-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane.
2,2-Bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane (bisphenol A) is particularly preferred.
The diphenols may be used individually or as any desired mixtures.
The diphenols are known from the literature or are obtainable using processes known from the literature.
Chain terminators suitable for the production of the thermoplastic, aromatic polycarbonates are, for example, phenol, p-chlorophenol, p-tert.-butylphenol or 2,4,6-tribromophenol, as well as long-chain alkylphenols, such as 4-(1,3-tetramethylbutyl)phenol according to DE-OS 2 842 005 or monoalkylphenol or dialkylphenols having a total of 8 to 20xc2x0 C. atoms in the alkyl substituents, such as 3,5-di-tert.-butylphenol, p-iso-octylphenol, p-tert.-octylphenol, p-dodecylphenol and 2-(3,5-dimethylheptyl)phenol and 4-(3,5-dimethylheptyl)phenol. The quantity of chain terminators to be used is generally between 0.5 mol. % and 10 mol. %, relative to sum of moles of the diphenols used in each case.
The thermoplastic, aromatic polycarbonates have weight average molecular weights (Mw, measured for example by ultracentrifugation or light scattering) of 10000 to 200000, preferably of 20000 to 80000.
The thermoplastic, aromatic polycarbonates may be branched in a known manner, preferably by incorporating 0.05 to 2.0 mol. %, relative to the sum of diphenols used, of trifunctional or greater than trifunctional compounds, for example those having three and more than three phenolic groups.
Both homopolycarbonates and copolycarbonates are suitable. Component A copolycarbonates according to the invention may be produced by also using 1 to 25 wt. %, preferably 2.5 to 25 wt. % (relative to the total quantity of diphenols to be used) of polydiorganosiloxanes having hydroxy-aryloxy end groups. These are known (c.f. for example U.S. Pat. No. 3,419,634) or may be produced using processes known from the literature. The production of copolycarbonates containing polydiorganosiloxanes is described, for example, in DE-OS 3 334 782.
Preferred polycarbonates, apart from bisphenol A homopolycarbonates, are copolycarbonates of bisphenol A with up to 15 mol. %, relative to the sum of moles of diphenols, of other diphenols mentioned as preferred or particularly preferred, in particular 2,2-bis-(3,5-dibromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane.
Aromatic dicarboxylic acid dihalides for the production of aromatic polyester carbonates are preferably the diacid dichlorides of isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, diphenyl ether 4,4xe2x80x2-dicarboxylic acid and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid.
Mixtures of the diacid dichlorides of isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid in a ratio of between 1:20 and 20:1 are particularly preferred.
A carbonic acid halide, preferably phosgene, is additionally used as a difunctional acid derivative in the production of polyester carbonates.
Chain terminators which may be considered for the production of the aromatic polyester carbonates are, apart from the above-mentioned monophenols, also the chlorocarbonic acid esters thereof and the acid chlorides of aromatic monocarboxylic acids, which may optionally be substituted by C1-C22 alkyl groups or by halogen atoms, together with aliphatic C2-C22 monocarboxylic acid chlorides.
The quantity of chain terminators is in each case 0.1 to 10 mol. %, relative, in the case of phenolic chain terminators, to the number of moles of diphenols and, in the case of monocarboxylic acid chloride chain terminators, to the number of moles of dicarboxylic acid dichlorides.
The aromatic polyester carbonates may also contain incorporated aromatic hydroxycarboxylic acids.
The aromatic polyester carbonates may be both linear and branched in a known manner (c.f. in this connection also DE-OS 2 940 024 and DE-OS 3 007 934).
Branching agents which may be used are, for example, tri- or polyfunctional carboxylic acid chlorides, such as trimesic acid trichloride, cyanuric acid trichloride, 3,3xe2x80x2,4,4xe2x80x2-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid tetrachloride, 1,4,5,8-naphthalenetetracarboxylic acid tetrachloride or pyromellitic acid tetrachloride, in quantities of 0.01 to 1.0 mol. % (relative to dicarboxylic acid dichlorides used) or tri- or polyfunctional phenols, such as phloroglucinol, 4,6-dimethyl-2,4,6-tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-heptene, 4,4-dimethyl-2,4,6-tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptane, 1,3,5-tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)benzene, 1,1,1-tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethane, tri-(4-hydroxyphenyl)phenylmethane, 2,2-bis-[4,4-bis-(4-hydroxyphenyl)cyclohexyl]propane, 2,4-bis-(4-hydroxyphenylisopropyl)phenol, tetra-(4-hydroxyphenyl)methane, 2,6-bis-(2-hydroxy-5-methylbenzyl)-4-methylphenol, 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(2,4-dihydroxyphenyl)propane, tetra-(4-[4-hydroxyphenylisopropyl]phenoxy)methane, 1,4-bis[4,4xe2x80x2-dihydroxytriphenyl)methyl]benzene, in quantities of 0.01 to 1.0 mol. %, relative to diphenols used. Phenolic branching agents may be introduced initially with the diphenols, acid chloride branching agents may be introduced together with the acid dichlorides.
The proportion of carbonate structural units in the thermoplastic, aromatic polyester carbonates may be varied at will. The proportion of carbonate groups is preferably up to 100 mol. %, in particular up to 80 mol. %, particularly preferably up to 50 mol. %, relative to the sum of ester groups and carbonate groups. Both the ester and carbonate fractions of the aromatic polyester carbonates may be present in the form of blocks or randomly distributed in the polycondensation product.
The relative solution viscosity (xcex7rel) of the aromatic polycarbonates and polyester carbonates is in the range from 1.18 to 1.4, preferably from 1.22 to 1.3 (measured on solutions of 0.5 g of polycarbonate or polyester carbonate in 100 ml of methylene chloride solution at 25xc2x0 C.).
The thermoplastic, aromatic polycarbonates and polyester carbonates may be used alone or as any desired mixture with each other.
Component B
The rubber-modified graft polymer B comprises a random (co)polymer of monomers B.1.1 and B.1.2 together with a rubber B.2 grafted with the random (co)polymer of B.1.1 and B.1.2, wherein B is produced in a known manner using a bulk or solution or bulk/suspension polymerisation process, as for example described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,243,481, 3,509,237, 3,660,535, 4,221,833 and 4,239,863.
Examples of monomers B.1.1 are styrene, xcex1-methylstyrene, halo- or alkyl-ring-substituted styrenes, such as p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene, (meth)acrylic acid C1-C8 alkyl esters such as methyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate and t-butyl acrylate. Examples of monomers B.1.2 are unsaturated nitriles such as acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, (meth)acrylic acid C1-C8 alkyl esters such as methyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate, t-butyl acrylate, derivatives (such as anhydrides and imides) of unsaturated carboxylic acids such as maleic anhydride and N-phenytmaleimide or mixtures thereof.
Preferred monomers B.1.1 are styrene, xcex1-methylstyrene and/or methyl methacrylate, preferred monomers B.1.2 are acrylonitrile, maleic anhydride and/or methyl methacrylate.
Particularly preferred monomers are B.1.1 styrene and B.1.2 acrylonitrile.
Rubbers B.2 suitable for the rubber-modified graft polymers B are, for example, diene rubbers, EP(D)M rubbers, i.e. those based on ethylene/propylene and optionally diene, acrylate, polyurethane, silicone, chloroprene and ethylene/vinyl acetate rubbers.
Preferred rubbers B.2 are diene rubbers (for example based on butadiene, isoprene etc.) or mixtures of diene rubbers or copolymers of diene rubbers or mixtures thereof with further copolymerisable monomers (for example according to B.1.1 and B.1.2), providing that the glass transition temperature of component B.2 is  less than 10xc2x0 C., preferably  less than xe2x88x9210xc2x0 C. Pure polybutadiene rubber is particularly preferred.
Component B may, if necessary and if the rubber properties of component B.2 are not consequently impaired, additionally also contain small quantities, conventionally less than 5 wt. %, preferably less than 2 wt. %, relative to B.2, of ethylenically unsaturated monomers having a crosslinking action. Examples of such monomers having a crosslinking action are alkylenediol di(meth)acrylates, polyester di(meth)acrylates, divinylbenzene, trivinylbenzene, triallyl cyanurate, allyl (meth)acrylate, diallyl maleate and diallyl fumarate.
The rubber-modified graft polymer B is obtained by graft polymerisation of 50 to 99, preferably 65 to 98, particularly preferably 75 to 97 parts by weight of a mixture of 50 to 99, preferably 60 to 95 parts by weight of monomers B.1.1 and 1 to 50, preferably 5 to 40 parts by weight of monomers B.1.2 in the presence of 1 to 50, preferably 2 to 35, particularly preferably 2 to 15, in particular 2 to 13 parts by weight of rubber component B.2, wherein graft polymerisation is performed by a bulk or solution or bulk suspension polymerisation process.
It is essential when producing the rubber-modified graft polymers B that the rubber component B.2 is present in dissolved form in the mixture of monomers B.1.1 and B.1.2 before the graft polymerisation. The rubber component B.2 must accordingly neither be so strongly crosslinked that it cannot be dissolved in B.1.1 and B.1.2, nor may B.2 already be in the form of discrete particles at the beginning of the graft polymerisation. The particle morphology and increasing crosslinking of B.2, which are important for the product properties of B, only develop during the course of the graft polymerisation (c.f. for example in this connection Ullmann, Encyclopxc3xa4die der technischen Chemie, volume 19, pp. 284 et seq., 4th edition 1980).
Part of the random copolymer of B.1.1 and B.1.2 is conventionally present in the polymer B in grafted form on or in the rubber B.2, wherein this graft copolymer forms discrete particles in the polymer B. The proportion of the copolymer of B.1.1 and B.1.2 so grafted relative to the entire copolymer of B.1.1 and B.1.2, i.e. the grafting yield (=weight ratio of graft monomers actually grafted to the total graft monomers usedxc3x97100, stated in %) should here be 2 to 40%, preferably 3 to 30%, particularly preferably 4 to 20%.
The average particle diameter of the resultant grafted rubber particles (determined by counting on electron micrographs) is in the range from 0.5 to 5 xcexcm, preferably from 0.8 to 2.5 xcexcm.
Component C
Component C comprises one or more thermoplastic vinyl (co)polymers C.1. and/or polyalkylene terephthalates C.2.
Suitable (co)polymers C.1 are polymers of at least one monomer from the group of vinyl aromatics, vinyl cyanides (unsaturated nitrites), (meth)acrylic acid (C1-C8)-alkyl esters, unsaturated carboxylic acids and derivatives (such as anhydrides and imides) of unsaturated carboxylic acids. Particularly suitable (co)polymers are those prepared from
C.1.1 50 to 99, preferably 60 to 80 parts by weight of vinyl aromatics and/or ring-substituted vinyl aromatics such as for example styrene, xcex1-methylstyrene, p-methylstyrene, p-chlorostyrene) and/or methacrylic acid (C1-C8)-alkyl esters such as for example methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate) and
C.1.2 1 to 50, preferably 20 to 40 parts by weight of vinyl cyanides (unsaturated nitrites) such as acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile and/or (meth)acrylic acid (C1-C8)-alkyl esters (such as for example methyl methacrylate, n-butyl acrylate, t-butyl acrylate) and/or unsaturated carboxylic acids (such as maleic acid) and/or derivatives (such as anhydrides and imides) of unsaturated carboxylic acids (for example maleic anhydride and N-phenylmaleimide).
The (co)polymers C.1 are resinous, thermoplastic and rubber-free.
The copolymer of C.1.1 styrene and C.1.2 acrylonitrile is particularly preferred.
The (co)polymers C.1 are known and may be produced by free-radical polymerisation, in particular by emulsion, suspension, solution or bulk polymerisation. The (co)polymers preferably have molecular weights {overscore (M)}w (weight average, determined by light scattering or sedimentation) of between 15000 and 200000.
The component C.2 polyalkylene terephthalates are reaction products of aromatic dicarboxylic acids or the reactive derivatives thereof, such as dimethyl esters or anhydrides, and aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or araliphatic diols, together with mixtures of these reaction products.
Preferred polyalkylene terephthalates contain at least 80 wt. %, preferably at least 90 wt. %, relative to the dicarboxylic acid component, of terephthalic acid residues and at least 80 wt. %, preferably at least 90 mol. %, relative to the diol component, of ethylene glycol and/or 1,4-butanediol residues.
In addition to terephthalic acid residues, the preferred polyalkylene terephthalates may contain up to 20 mol. %, preferably up to 10 mol. %, of residues of other aromatic or cycloaliphatic dicarboxylic acids having 8 to 14 C atoms or aliphatic dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 12 C atoms, such as for example residues of phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 4,4xe2x80x2-diphenyldicarboxylic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, sebacic acid, azelaic acid, cyclohexanediacetic acid.
In addition to ethylene glycol or 1,4-butanediol residues, the preferred polyalkylene terephthalates may contain up to 20 mol. %, preferably up to 10 mol. %, of other aliphatic diols having 3 to 12 C atoms or cycloaliphatic diols having 6 to 21 C atoms, for example residues of 1,3-propanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-propanediol, neopentyl glycol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol, 3-ethyl-2,4-pentanediol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-propanediol, 2,5-hexanediol, 1,4-di-(xcex2-hydroxyethoxy)benzene, 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxycyclohexyl)propane, 2,4-dihydroxy-1,1,3,3-tetramethylcyclobutane, 2,2-bis-(4-xcex2-hydroxyethoxyphenyl)propane and 2,2-bis-(4-hydroxypropoxyphenyl)propane (DE-OS 2 407 674, 2 407 776, 2 715 932).
The polyalkylene terephthalates may be branched by incorporating relatively small quantities of tri- or tetrahydric alcohols or tri- or tetrabasic carboxylic acids, for example according to DE-OS 1 900 270 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,692,744. Examples of further preferred branching agents are trimesic acid, trimellitic acid, trimethylolethane and trimethylolpropane and pentaerythritol.
Particularly preferred polyalkylene terephthalates are those solely produced from terephthalic acid and the reactive derivatives thereof (for example the diaklkyl esters thereof) and ethylene glycol and/or 1,4-butanediol, and mixtures of these polyalkylene terephthalates.
Mixtures of polyalkylene terephthalates contain 1 to 50 wt. %, preferably 1 to 30 wt. %, of polyethylene terephthalate and 50 to 99 wt. %, preferably 70 to 99 wt. %, of polybutylene terephthalate.
The preferably used polyalkylene terephthalates generally have an intrinsic viscosity of 0.4 to 1.5 dl/g, preferably of 0.5 to 1.2 dl/g, measured in phenol/o-dichlorobenzene (1:1 parts by weight) at 25xc2x0 C. in a Ubbelohde viscosimeter.
The polyalkylene terephthalates may be produced using known methods (c.f. for example Kunststoff-Handbuch, volume VIII, pp. 695 et seq., Carl Hanser Verlag, Munich 1973).
Component D
Component D phosphazenes which are used according to the present invention are linear phosphazenes of the formula (Ia) and cyclic phosphazenes of the formula (Ib)
wherein
R and k have the above-stated meaning.
The following may be mentioned by way of example: propoxyphosphazene, phenoxyphosphazene, methylphenoxyphosphazene, aminophosphazene and fluoroalkylphosphazenes.
Phenoxyphosphazene is preferred.
The phosphazenes may be used alone or as a mixture. The residue R may always be identical or two or more residues in the formula (Ia) and (Ib) may be different.
The phosphazenes and the production thereof are described, for example, in EP-A 728 811, DE-A 1 961 668 and WO 97/40092.
Component E
The fluorinated polyolefins E are of a high molecular weight and have glass transition temperatures of above xe2x88x9230xc2x0 C., generally of above 100xc2x0 C., fluorine contents preferably of 65 to 76, in particular of 70 to 76 wt. %, average particle diameters d50 of 0.05 to 1000, preferably of 0.08 to 20 xcexcm. The fluorinated polyolefins E preferably have a density of 1.2 to 2.3 g/cm3. Preferred fluorinated polyolefins E are polytetrafluoroethylene, polyvinylidene fluoride, tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene and ethylene/tetrafluoroethylene copolymers. The fluorinated polyolefins are known (c.f. Vinyl and Related Polymers by Schildknecht, John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York, 1962, pp. 484-494; Fluoropolymers by Wall, Wiley-Interscience, John Wiley and Sons Inc., New York, volume 13, 1970, pp. 623-654; Modern Plastics Encyclopedia, 1970-1971, volume 47, no. 10 A, October 1970, McGraw-Hill Inc., New York, pp. 134 and 774; Modern Plastic Encyclopedia, 1975-1976, October 1975, volume 52, no. 10A, McGraw-Hill Inc., New York, pp. 27, 28 and 472 and U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,671487, 3,723,373 and 3,838,092).
They may be produced using known processes, thus for example by polymerising tetrafluoroethylene in an aqueous medium with a free-radical forming catalyst, for example sodium, potassium or ammonium peroxydisulfate, at pressures of 7 to 71 kg/cm2 and at temperatures of 0 to 200xc2x0 C., preferably at temperatures of 20 to 100xc2x0 C. (c.f. for example U.S. Pat. No. 2,393,967 for further details). Depending upon the form in which they are used, the density of these materials may be between 1.2 and 2.3 g/cm3, the average particle size between 0.5 and 1000 xcexcm.
Polyolefins E preferred according to the invention are tetrafluoroethylene polymers having average particle diameters of 0.05 to 20 xcexcm, preferably of 0.08 to 10 xcexcm, and a density of 1.2 to 1.9 g/cm3 and are preferably used in the form of a coagulated mixture of emulsions of tetrafluoroethylene polymers E with emulsions of a graft polymer.
Suitable polyolefins E usable in powder form are tetrafluoroethylene polymers having average particle diameters of 100 to 1000 xcexcm and densities of 2.0 g/cm3 to 2.3 g/cm3.
A coagulated mixture of a graft polymer B and component E is produced by firstly mixing an aqueous emulsion (latex) of a graft polymer B with a finely divided emulsion of a tetraethylene polymer E; suitable tetrafluoroethylene polymer emulsions conventionally have solids contents of 30 to 70 wt %, in particular of 50 to 60 wt. %, preferably of 30 to 35 wt. %.
The equilibrium weight ratio of graft polymer to tetrafluoroethylene polymer E in the emulsion mixture is 95:5 to 60:40. The emulsion mixture is then coagulated in a known manner, for example by spray drying, freeze drying or coagulation by addition of inorganic or organic salts, acids, bases or organic, water-miscible solvents, such as alcohols, ketones, preferably at temperatures of 20 to 150xc2x0 C., in particular of 50 to 100xc2x0 C. If necessary, drying may be performed at 50 to 200xc2x0 C., preferably at 70 to 100xc2x0 C.
Suitable tetrafluoroethylene polymer emulsions are conventional commercial products and are offered for sale, for example, by DuPont as Teflon(copyright) 30 N.
The moulding compositions according to the invention may contain at least one of the conventional additives, such as lubricants and mould release agents, nucleating agents, anti-static agents, stabilisers as well as dyes and pigments.
The moulding compositions according to the invention may contain up to 35 wt. %, relative to the overall moulding composition, of a further, optionally synergistic flame retardant. Examples of further flame retardants which may be mentioned are organic halogen compounds, such as decabromobisphenyl ether, tetrabromobisphenol, inorganic halogen compounds such as ammonium bromide, nitrogen compounds, such as melamine, melamine/formaldehyde resins, inorganic hydroxide compounds, such as Mg, Al hydroxide, inorganic compounds such as antimony oxides, barium metaborate, hydroxoantimonate, zirconium oxide, zirconium hydroxide, molybdenum oxide, ammonium molybdate, zinc borate, ammonium borate, barium metaborate, talc, silicate, silicon oxide and tin oxide, as well as siloxane compounds.
The moulding compositions according to the invention containing components A to E and optionally further known additives such as stabilisers, dyes, pigments, lubricants and mould release agents, nucleating agents, as well as anti-static agents, are produced by mixing the particular constituents in a known manner and melt-compounding and melt-extruding them at temperature of 200xc2x0 C. to 300xc2x0 C. in conventional units such as internal kneaders, extruders and twin-screw extruders, wherein component E is preferably used in the form of the above-mentioned coagulated mixture.
The individual constituents may be mixed in a known manner both in succession and simultaneously and both at approx. 20xc2x0 C. (room temperature) and at a higher temperature.
The present invention accordingly also provides a process for the production of the moulding compositions.
By virtue of their excellent flame resistance and good mechanical properties, the thermoplastic moulding compositions according to the invention are suitable for the production of mouldings of all kinds, in particular those having severe requirements with regard to processing behaviour.
Such applications include components of a complicated structure having two or more injection points and thin-walled casing parts having wall thicknesses of  less than 2 mm, preferably of  less than 1.5 mm.
The moulding compositions of the present invention may be used for the production of mouldings of any kind. Mouldings may in particular be produced by injection moulding. Examples of mouldings which may be produced are: casings of all kinds, for example for domestic appliances such as juice extractors, coffee machines, food mixers, for office equipment, such as monitors, printers, copiers or cladding sheet for the building sector and automotive components. They may also be used in electrical engineering applications as they have very good electrical properties.
Another processing method is the production of mouldings by thermoforming of previously produced sheet or film.
The present invention accordingly also provides the use of the moulding compositions according to the invention for the production of mouldings of all kinds, preferably those stated above, and the mouldings made from the moulding compositions according to the invention.
The moulding compositions according to the invention may furthermore, for example, be used to produce the following mouldings or shaped articles:
Interior trim for rail vehicles (FR)
Hub-caps
Casings for electrical devices containing small transformers
Casings for information dissemination and transmission devices
Casings and cladding for medical purposes
Massage devices and casings therefor
Toy vehicles for children
Sheet wall elements
Casings for safety equipment
Hatchback spoilers
Thermally insulated transport containers
Apparatus for keeping or caring for small animals
Mouldings for sanitary and bathroom installations
Cover grilles for ventilation openings
Mouldings for summer houses and sheds
Casings for garden appliances.

Flame resistant polycarbonate/ABS plastic molding materials


A pixel structure, array substrate, display panel, display device, and driving method of the display device are provided. The pixel structure includes a plurality of data lines and a plurality of scan lines; a plurality of pixel units formed by intersecting the data lines with the scan lines. Each of the pixel units corresponds to one of the data lines and one of the scan lines; and the pixel unit includes a pixel electrode and a thin film transistor therein. In one of two adjacent columns of pixel units, a pixel electrode of each pixel unit is electrically connected with a thin film transistor of the pixel unit; and in the other one of the two adjacent columns of pixel units, a pixel electrode of each pixel unit in a row is electrically connected with a thin film transistor of a pixel unit in an adjacent row.

With the development of display technologies, Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) devices have been widely used, and the display effect of the LCD devices is improved continuously.
Generally, in the LCD device, the polarity of a voltage difference applied to liquid crystal molecules must be inverted periodically, to prevent the liquid crystal material from being destroyed permanently due to the polarization of the liquid crystal material, and to further avoid the residual image effect. The common polarity inversion methods include a frame inversion method, a dot inversion method, a column inversion method, a row inversion method, a double-column inversion method, and a double-dot inversion method. Among the above inversion methods, the frame inversion method is advantageous for the minimum power consumption but is susceptible to a flicker phenomenon; the dot inversion method is disadvantageous for the maximum power consumption but has the best display effect; and the column inversion method, the row inversion method, the double-column inversion method, and the double-dot inversion method cause power consumption between the power consumption of the dot inversion method and the power consumption of the frame inversion method.
Based on the characteristics of the above inversion methods, column inversion or row inversion is generally used to implement the dot inversion method in the related art, in order to reduce the power consumption caused by the polarity inversion. FIG. 1 is a schematic structure diagram of a pixel structure in the related art. As shown in FIG. 1, the pixel structure, in which the dot inversion is implemented by the column inversion, includes a plurality of data lines 11, a plurality of scan lines 12, a plurality of pixel units 13 formed by intersecting the plurality of data lines 11 with the plurality of scan lines 12, and a thin film transistor 14 and a pixel electrode 15 located in each of the pixel units 13. A gate electrode of each thin film transistor 14 is electrically connected to the scan line 12 below the thin film transistor 14, and a drain electrode of each thin film transistor 14 is electrically connected to the pixel electrode 15 of the pixel unit 13 including the thin film transistor 14. For any two adjacent rows of the pixel units 13, the source electrodes of the thin film transistors 14 from one of the two adjacent rows of the pixel units 13 are electrically connected to the data lines 11 on the left thereof, and the source electrodes of the thin film transistors 14 from the other one of the two adjacent rows of the pixel units 13 are electrically connected to the data lines 11 on the right thereof, that is, the thin film transistors 14 from the odd rows of pixel units 13 and the thin film transistors 14 from the even rows of pixel units 13 are connected to the data lines 11 on different sides, respectively.
However, for the above described pixel structure, if the source electrode and drain electrode of a thin film transistor 14 are not positioned relative to the gate electrode of the thin film transistor 14 during manufacturing the thin film transistor 14, for example, the source electrode and drain electrode deflect to the left or right relative to the desired positions, then an overlapped area between the drain electrode and the gate electrode of a thin film transistor 14 from the odd row is unequal to an overlapped area between the drain electrode and the gate electrode of a thin film transistor 14 from the even row, so that the capacitance formed by the drain electrode and the gate electrode of the thin film transistor 14 from the odd row is unequal to the capacitance formed by the drain electrode and the gate electrode of the thin film transistor 14 from the even row, as a result, when scan signals applied by the scan lines 11 are pulled down, voltages of the pixel electrodes 15 from the odd row are pulled down to a different degree as compared with voltages of the pixel electrodes 15 from the even row, and accordingly, the common electrode compensating voltage required for the pixel electrode 15 from the odd row is different from that required for the pixel electrode 15 from the even row. Because the common electrode is planar, i.e., the common electrode located above different pixel electrodes 15 is applied with the same common voltage, the common electrode cannot completely compensate for the voltages of the pixel electrodes 15 from the odd rows or from the even rows, thereby generating transverse striations and the flicker in the pixel structure.

Pixel structure and display device for dot inversion, and driving method of display device

SHANGHAI AVIC OPTO ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.


An embodiment of the invention provides a clock calibration method to calibrate an internal clock signal of a computer. The method comprises: receiving an external clock signal from an external clock source; generating a pulse signal with a first duration according to the external clock signal; counting the internal clock signal according to the pulse signal to get a first count value; and calibrating the internal clock according to the first count value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a calibration method and device, and in particular relates to a clock calibration method and device.
2. Description of the Related Art
When a computer has been idle for a predetermined amount of time or receives user instructions, the computer may enter a sleeping mode for saving power, and most elements of the computer temporarily stop working. The computer usually has two clock sources, one is an external clock source providing an accurate external clock signal and the other is an internal clock source providing an inaccurate but acceptable internal clock signal. When the computer is in a sleeping mode, the computer stops receiving the external clock signal and uses the internal clock signal. However, a timing signal generated according to an inaccurate internal clock signal may be inaccurate, and the actual time generated by the computer according to the clock signal may induce errors.

Calibration method and apparatus for clock signal and electronic device


A system and method of locally displaying multiple items of medical information from at least one remote medical system having an output display. The method includes assembling the multiple items of medical information from the output display of at least one remote medical systems into a composite display having regions corresponding to the multiple items of medical information. Video data for the composite display is communicated over a network to a local display. Video data corresponding to the regions of the display are treated differently to provide a composite display with regions of different image quality.

The evolution of medicine, and in particular, of interventional medicine, has led to the development of complex systems integrating patient monitoring sub-systems, imaging systems encompassing several modalities such as x-ray, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and optical systems providing various close views of the anatomy being operated on. Additional sub-systems are often required, depending on the specifies of a given medical intervention. As an example, ablation means are often employed in the treatment of various lesions.
Within the field of interventional medicine, the recent trend has been toward the development and deployment of minimally invasive intervention systems include navigation systems, such as the Niobe™ magnetic navigation system developed by Stereotaxis, St. Louis, Mo. Such systems typically comprise an imaging means for real-time guidance and monitoring of the intervention; additional feedback is provided by a three-dimensional (3D) localization system that allows real-time determination of the catheter or interventional device tip position and orientation with respect to the operating room and, through co-registered imaging, with respect to the patient.
As a more specific example of complex interventions only recently made possible, the availability of methods and systems for safe, efficient minimally invasive interventions have greatly impacted and changed the practice of cardiac treatment delivery in the last decade. The treatment of a number of cardiac disorders has become possible without requiring open heart surgery. In particular, minimally invasive vascular and chamber navigation devices and systems have evolved to the point that a great number of heart conditions, such as electrical disorders of the heart rhythm, and arterial-related conditions, such as angina pectoris and heart tissue ischemia, can now be diagnosed and treated through the insertion and navigation of thin elongated devices through an arterial or venous incision and to the region of interest.
As methods and technologies evolve, the range and complexity of conditions amenable to minimally invasive diagnosis and treatment has increased. As a specific example, the field of medical device endo-lumen and endocardiac navigation is greatly specialized, and experts need mastery of disciplines at the cross-road of science, medicine, and engineering to bring about the best outcomes. Due to the risks intrinsic to cardiac surgery and similar procedures, the availability of training and teaching tools, the capability to remotely attend live interventions, and the tools required to allow a remote user to take control of an intervention, are key in the development of the next generation of practitioners and the safe and effective performance of complex operations.
Technology has been developed to enable physicians, call center representatives, and other attendant staff to remotely access multiple live, high resolution displays necessary to monitor and perform medical procedures. Each display and associated controls presents image or other graphic or text data relevant to a sub-system, and a user-interface (UIF) associated with that display enables control of that sub-system. One of the technology evolution challenges is to find a way to remotely view a number of high refresh rate, high resolution medical displays via a network with reasonable bandwidth requirements for broad distribution to medical centers around the world. While many technologies exist today to convert the data stream into data packets, intrinsic network limitation and high information contents provided by a multiplicity of required sub-system components stretch the limits of currently available compression technologies. Other technologies that fail to appropriately compress the video screen include Keyboard-Video-Mouse Transmitter/Receiver Pair (KVM) which attempts to send every pixel via the network causing artifacts limiting the quality and refresh rate, so that live medical information can not be properly interpreted. In addition to display information, keyboard, mouse, and other interfaces or input devices data streams should be transmitted in synchrony with the video or graphic data transmission.
Recently, approaches have been proposed to integrate the output data streams of a collection of information sources associated with a complex medical system, such as a minimally invasive navigation system, and to facilitate single-point command and control of the various sub-system information sources through an integrated, combined workstation system comprising image, graphics, and text display and input and command interface means. For example, patent application Ser. No. 11/484,883 entitled "System and network for remote medical procedures" and included by reference in its entirety describes and claims a system with a central control center with controls for each of a plurality of navigation systems, and patent application Ser. No. 11/670,930 entitled "Global input device for multiple computer-controlled medical systems," included by reference in its entirety, describes and claims a composite display with seamless cursor movement. The bandwidth necessary for data transfer from each of the controlled sub-systems to an integrated composite display and control workstation is generally not a limitation, as typically at least one such composite workstation will be located in the vicinity of the complex system and associated sub-systems. However practical and economical means required achieving the objectives described above for training, teaching, proctoring, and other such related objectives, are not currently available.

Management of live remote medical display


The present invention combines PCR.TM. mutagenesis with in vitro transcription/translation and ELISA for the rapid generation and characterization of protein mutants. The PCR.TM. products are used directly as the template for the in vitro transcription/translation reactions and because no cloning steps are required, the in vitro saturation mutagenesis of one residue can be completed in duplicate within a week by a single investigator. This high throughput enables the saturation mutagenesis of numerous residues of interest, a process that can be described as in vitro scanning saturation mutagenesis. Compositions and methods of use of such a process are described herein.

A. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to the field of protein chemistry. More specifically, the invention relates to methods employed in the rapid generation of a large number of protein mutants. In one embodiment, mutant proteins are developed using PCR mutagenesis in combination with in vitro transcription/translation.
B. Related Art
Understanding the chemical basis of protein structure and function is one of the most important goals in biology. Studies over the last decade have attempted to determine how protein structure dictates biological function. Site-specific mutagenesis has been a powerful tool in these studies. Structure-guided, site-specific mutagenesis represents a powerful tool for the dissection and engineering of protein-ligand interactions (Wells, 1996; Braisted and Wells, 1996). Typically, residues suspected of contacting the ligand are subjected to a limited set of substitutions with other amino acids and their effects on binding are determined. Several studies, in particular with the T4 lysozyme (Matthews, 1995) and the human growth hormone (hGH)-hGH receptor complex (Wells and deVos, 1993), have combined information derived from crystal structures of a protein with site-specific mutagenesis to analyze the role of contact residues with the ligand. Recently, the role of all the contact residues in the hGH receptor protein was analyzed by replacement with alanines to investigate the effects of side chain interactions without creating large-scale perturbations in protein conformation. (Clackson and Wells, 1995; Cunningham et al., 1989). The results clearly show that out of the thirty-three amino acids in the hGH receptor that are in van der Waals contact with the high affinity binding site of human growth hormone, two amino acids are responsible for over 75% of the binding energy. This result, which could not have been predicted on the basis of the crystal structure of the complex alone, demonstrated that a very small subset of the residues at a protein-ligand interface can be responsible for the majority of binding energy. This study demonstrates the value of mutagenesis at a large number of residues within a protein. However, the study of hGH was limited to the substitution of alanine at a relatively small number of amino acids within the protein, and the substitution of functional residues with alanine, or any other single amino acid, can give misleading results regarding their mechanistic importance (Warren et al., 1996).
In addition to site-specific mutagenesis, libraries generated by random mutagenesis have been employed to reveal principles of protein structure. For example, cassette mutagenesis has been used to probe the "information content" of polypeptide sequences (Reidhaar-Olson and Sauer, 1989; Davidson and Sauer, 1994; Davidson et al., 1995). These studies involve the construction of polypeptide mutants composed of random combinations of selected amino acids. The mutants are then analyzed for their thermal denaturation properties. This study, utilizing existing technology to generate and characterize a relatively large number of mutant proteins, was very labor- and time-intensive.
Thus, the comprehensive understanding of protein function typically involves the construction of hundreds, and possibly thousands of mutants. The logistics of such large scale mutagenesis experiments can be prohibitive. For each mutant protein, using current methodology, the appropriate gene construct must be made, a host organism must be transformed with the DNA, transformants must be selected and screened for expression of the protein, and finally, the host cells must be grown to produce the protein. Using currently available methods, the production of a single mutant polypeptide typically takes a minimum of two weeks of work by experienced personnel. While current methods for site specific mutagenesis may be acceptable in structure-guided studies where only a few amino acid substitutions may be of interest, it is impractical and prohibitively expensive when a hundred or more mutants need to be generated and analyzed.
As a target for mutagenesis studies, attention continues to be focused on antibodies, largely because they define a paradigm of high affinity protein binding and are among the most important classes of commercial protein molecules. Antibodies are nearly ideal reagents for the detection of analytes that are present in minute quantities in highly complex samples, for example soil samples or biological fluids. However, because of inherent limitation of the immune system and of hybridoma technology there are many cases in which it has not been possible to produce monoclonal antibodies with the requisite affinity or specificity for a particular application. Fortunately, recent advances in protein design and characterization techniques have paved the way for the engineering of antibodies with desired functions.
At present, the engineering of antibodies that recognize and bind to antigens with higher affinity, are covalently linked to effector molecules such as toxins, exhibit catalytic activity, or have been modified for better in vivo availability and stability represents an exciting and rapidly evolving field (Morrison, 1992; Lillehoj and Malik 1993). Antibodies with tailored properties hold great promise as pharmaceutical reagents, for bioseparations and, perhaps most importantly, as diagnostic reagents in immunoassays.
Antigen binding is determined primarily, but not exclusively, by amino acid residues in the antibody hypervariable or complementarity determining regions (CDRs) I, II, and III of the heavy (H) and light (L) chains. There is evidence that the antigen binding site exhibits a fair degree of plasticity in that a number of amino acid substitutions are tolerated and occasionally improve affinity (Chen et al., 1995; Short et al., 1995). Studies have also demonstrated that the second shell, as well as contact residues, can play an important role in stabilizing the overall conformation of an antibody binding pocket and in turn affect the affinity and fine specificity of the antibody (Schildbach et al., 1993a, Schildbach et al., 1993b, Schildbach et al., 1994).
One method used for the screening of antibody libraries is phage display (Short et al., 1995). In combination with mutagenesis techniques, phage display has been used to explore the effect of amino acid substitutions on antigen affinity. Such large scale studies can provide important information concerning issues such as: (i) the identity of residues that determine antigen affinity and specificity; (ii) what molecular interactions dominate the energetics of binding; (iii) the molecular basis of affinity maturation (Chen et al., 1995; Brown et al., 1996); and (iv) engineering of antibodies tailored for specific applications in biotechnology (Harrison et al., 1996; Burton and Barbas, 1994).
However, while phage display technology can succeed in the identification of sequence motifs that result in a high affinity towards a desired antigen, this approach complements, and does not substitute for, site-specific mutagenesis. First, since only the amino acid(s) that are compatible with high affinity binding can be identified in a biopanning experiment, it is not possible to examine the effect of other amino acid substitutions that may result in slightly lower affinity, such as second shell residues. Second, the polypeptide sequences that can be isolated using phage display are limited by biological constraints. If a particular amino acid is incompatible with the biogenesis or the propagation of the bacteriophage particle then, the corresponding clone cannot be isolated. And third, the isolation of antibody mutants exhibiting alterations in fine specificity or small changes in affinity is technically difficult. These limitations are particularly important for saturation mutagenesis experiments where specific residues are replaced with all nineteen amino acids.
In recent years, there has been increased interest in the use of in vitro protein synthesis to produce polypeptides for biochemical studies. Methods for in vitro translation to were used to generate C-terminal deletions in the .beta. subunit of tryptophan synthase which were then employed to localize the epitope sequences of a panel of monoclonal antibodies (Friquet et al., 1993). Mutants of the proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) have also been synthesized using an in vitro to probe for sequences important for the oligomerization of the protein (Brand et al. 1994). In another application, a rabbit reticulocyte in vitro transcription/translation system was used to identify antibody cDNAs that were derived from transcripts with the correct VJ recombination and thus could give rise to the full length molecule (Nicholls et al., 1993).
Thus far, in vitro protein synthesis has not been employed extensively for protein engineering studies. The main reason is that the amount of polypeptide obtained from in vitro transcription/translation reactions generally is not adequate for rigorous biophysical analysis. However, the protein yield obtained by in vitro synthesis is more than adequate for determination of function, such as ligand binding or catalysis. Protein yield also generally is adequate for general studies such as folding properties and expression levels.
It is well appreciated that comprehensive information on the functional significance and information content of a given residue of proteins in general, and antibodies in particular, can best be obtained by saturation mutagenesis in which all 19 amino acid substitutions are examined. A method which would allow for the facile site-saturation of a given protein, as well as being amenable to screening methods, would provide a significant advance in the discovery process for protein-ligand interactions in general, and antibody-antigen interactions in particular.
At present, while tools are available through which multi-residue saturation mutagenesis can be performed, the current methodology is impractical for the generation of a large number of mutants (Hilton et al., 1996). For each mutant protein, the appropriate gene construct must be made, the DNA must be transformed into a host organism, transformants need to be selected and screened for expression of the protein, the cells must be grown to produce the protein, and finally the recombinant mutant protein must be isolated. There have been only a handful of studies where one, or at most a few residues in an antibody have been subjected to saturation mutagenesis. Even in those studies, only some of the mutants were examined in detail (Ito et al., 1993; Chen et al., 1995; Brummel et al., 1993). Clearly, there remains a need for development of a system to allow hundreds, and possibly even thousands, of site specific protein mutants to be studied in a systematic fashion. In particular, there also remains a need for the development of a system for the generation and analysis of a large number of antibody mutants.

In vitro scanning saturation mutagenesis of proteins

Board of Regents, The Universiry of Texas System


A fiber optical connector release mechanism is disclosed. The fiber optical connector is incorporated in a cage assembly through a transceiver module. The front end of the transceiver module is disposed with a handle and a bail which is rotated to operate the release mechanism such that a pair of guiding tenons disposed at the inner wall are urged to push a pair of longitudinal guiding slots at the front end of the handle during the rotation process to move two rearward extending arms of the handle forward and in turn render wedge elements at its rear end disengaged from the snap engagement of the lock tabs due to the forward motion of the arms. Further, the locating structure of the arms and their corresponding slide paths is released from the locked state such that the transceiver module may be pulled out of the cage assembly.

Computers and peripheral equipments as well as satellite and communication systems have involved rapidly in recent years. The data transmission rate of these systems has to be increased to control the systems and thus to execute highly sophisticated tasks, such as digital signal processing, imaging analysis, communication, and so on. For the present demand, the optical coupler is used in computers with short and long distances; moreover, several chips are integrated into a single printed circuit board (PCB). Also, high-speed signaling used in the electronic interconnection has been shown to enhance the data transmission rate.
To meet such a demand, some companies have a pair of LC plugs installed in a pair of bays and then securingly mounted on a PCB, which is further installed in the housing of a transceiver module such that the transceiver module may be inserted into or removed from the cage assembly of a mother board to know whether the transceiver module is in use.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,872,010 B1 discloses a fiber optical connector release mechanism, comprising a rotatable bail and a sliding handle. The handle comprises a pair of protruding arms whose ends have a wedge element, respectively, so as to be accommodated in the slide path formed on the corresponding sidewalls of the cage assembly. Further, the two sidewalls near the opening of the cage assembly are bended inward to form a locking tab, respectively, to retain the wedge elements. When the bail is being rotated, the handle is driven forward such that the wedge element is flexibly compressed to disengage from the locking tab and is thus released from the locked state. Consequently, the transceiver module is free to slide out of the cage assembly.
The first feature of the patent described above is that the relative motion of the handle and the bail occurs at an eccentric cam slot longitudinally formed at the sidewalls and a straight second slot transversally formed at the bottom of the handle; further, the first axis pin and the second axis pin of the bail are received, respectively, in the eccentric cam slot and the straight second slot, such that when the bail is being rotated, the slots and axis pins of the handle move with respect to each other and in turn transversally move forward to be released from snap engagement.
Further, the second feature lies in the fact that the bail has a protruding tab to define a slot which in turn receives a boss protruding from the sidewall of the handle, such that when the bail is in the locked position, the slot and the boss form a snap engagement to locate the bail.


An ICD multimode system comprises a microcontroller or FPGA having a memory, a differentially driven phased array amplifier, one or more sensors, and a wireless transmitter/receiver. Based upon sensor data and demand criteria programmed into the memory, the system provides late systolic impulse (LSI) therapy to treat congestive heart failure (CHF) and ventricle level-shifting (VLS) therapy to block unwanted PVCs to prevent VT or VF dynamically and use a phased array amplifier therapy to accurately manage CRT. An external echocardiogram and ultrasound system adjusts the therapies administered based upon sensor and demand data in real time to allow a patient's heart to function at a level of improved performance and increase ejection fraction EF.

To those physicians skilled in the art of electrophysiology and cardiac rhythm management, it is well known that ectopic beats within the ventricles (also known as premature ventricular contractions or PVCs) can and do induce ventricular tachycardia (VT) and/or ventricular fibrillation (VF). It is desirable to have a technology that can prevent some of these triggers for VF such as R on T, Long QT Syndrome, congestive heart failure (CHF), and Brugada Syndrome, or any other genetically aberrant disorder that induces an unacceptable number of PVCs per minute that may induce potentially serious or fatal arrythmias. Other benign ventricle disorders, such as irretractable ventricular bigeminy and other idiopathic causes of VT/VF, may be treated by this system as well.
During VF, the heart rate is too fast to allow adequate pumping of blood throughout the body. As evidenced on an electrocardiogram (ECG), this is approximately 300-500 excitations per minute. The chaotic characteristic of VF is not consistent with a functioning cardiovascular pump. VF may be explained in terms of highly periodic three-dimensional rotors that activate at exceedingly high rates. Such rotors may show at least two different behaviors. At one extreme they may drift throughout the heart, producing beat-to-beat changes in the activation sequence. At the other extreme, rotors may be relatively stationary, activating the ventricles at such high frequencies that the wave fronts emanating from them break up at varying distances, resulting in complex spatio-temporal patterns of fibrillatory conduction. In either case, the recorded ECG patterns are indistinguishable from VF (NCBI.LM.NIH.gov, J. Jalfe-2000, cited by 402.)
Risk factors for VF include a previous heart attack; a congenital heart defect; heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy); any other injury that causes damage to the heart muscle; a VT circuit that causes a shift in conduction around a scarred area caused by a myocardial infarction; channelopathies; or a severe imbalance of potassium, sodium, or magnesium.

Multimode ICD system comprising phased array amplifiers to treat and manage CRT, CHF, and PVC disorders using ventricle level-shifting therapy to minimize VT/VF and SCA


An autonomous drive system for a vehicle includes at least one environment perception sensor, a perception module, a location module, an intention prediction module, and a control module. The perception module is configured to receive signals from the at least one environment perception sensor and detect and track at least two remote vehicles in one or both of a current lane and a neighboring lane. The location module is configured to determine a location of the vehicle. The intention prediction module is configured to generate predicted trajectories for the at least two remote vehicles. The control module is configured to receive signals from the at least one environment perception sensor and receive the predicted trajectories from the intention prediction module. The control module determines a location and time for a lane change based on the predicted trajectories and controls the vehicle to change lanes at the determined location and time.

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) classifies autonomous drive (AD) systems into a variety of different categories based on functionality. Some AD systems are very basic, purely independent automated components (such as adaptive cruise control and emergency braking systems). Other more advanced AD systems are fully terrain-independent autonomous driving systems. A major difference between the basic and complex AD systems is that, with the complex AD systems, the responsibility to monitor current driving conditions is transferred from an operator to the autonomous drive system. Such complex AD systems must operate under dense traffic conditions, and, consequently, face numerous challenging driving situations. Merging into a densely populated lane is particularly difficult for traditional autonomous driving systems, as there is often a need to perform complex, human-like behaviors to successfully and comfortably negotiate these scenarios. For example, a traditional autonomous driving system may wait for a remote vehicle to let it in; whereas a human driver may make proactive moves, such as shift slowly over to communicate their intention to merge to the surrounding vehicles, which are, in turn, subsequently more likely to make space. The present disclosure addresses these differences and potential issues with the autonomous driving systems.


A typing keyboard is provided for minimizing non-productive hand movements. The keyboard comprises a plurality of keys for entering alphanumeric text, the keys being positioned according to a conventional keyboard layout, and at least one modifier key for assigning commonly-used keyboard functions to predetermined ones of the keys positioned near a normal resting position of a user's typing fingers.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to alphanumeric keyboards, and more specifically to an improved keyboard for minimizing non-productive hand movements.
2. Description of the Related Art
Over the years, computer keyboards have evolved into a limited number of standard models, based on general user perception of benefits versus compromises. These generally available standard keyboards amount to the lowest common denominators that generally satisfy the majority of users' needs. Nonetheless, research in keyboard design continues in an attempt to improve on the most significant shortcomings of existing models.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,235 discloses a popular desktop keyboard having a scroll wheel on the left side and editing keys in standard locations. A user can move his/her hands off of the home row keys (from the letter "a" to the apostrophe) as required, in order to access the editing keys. The keyboard also has navigation functions accessible on a number pad. However, since the "num lock" actuator for engaging these functions is not conveniently accessible, the navigation functions are rarely used. Instead, users tend to move their hands back and forth between cursor/edit keys and the number pad.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 458,258 shows a keyboard that is known commercially as the "Microsoft Office Keyboard". It was designed to address the needs of Microsoft Office users, and has dedicated Cut, Copy, Paste keys and a scroll wheel on the left side. While convenient, these features still require users to move their hands off of the home row keys in order to access the Cut, Copy, and Paste keys and the scroll wheel. As a result of incorporating these extra keys as well as an integrated wrist rest, the keyboard is also very large, occupying significantly more desk real estate than a standard keyboard. Number pad navigation on the "Microsoft Office Keyboard" keyboard is the same as with the keyboard set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,682,235.
The practice of using an additional modifier key (Fn) to remap selected keys on compact keyboards is widespread in the industry. This technique allows a small keyboard to reproduce the functionality of a large one, without a corresponding increase in size.
U.S. Pat. No. Des. 354,049 sets forth a representative example of a keyboard design commonly used in laptop computers. A modifier (Fn) key allows the user to remap the right side of the keyboard to a numeric keypad. However, home row position for the resulting virtual number pad is one row higher than the home row position for typing text, with the result that hand re-positioning is required in order to switch back and forth between numeric and text entry. Navigation and editing functions also require movement of the hand(s) off of home row.
The commercially available Happy Hacking Keyboard™ manufactured by PFU Systems, Inc., of Santa Clara, Calif., uses the Fn key method to provide navigation and editing features to the right hand. However, the available Fn keys are not in the home row, with the result that awkward hand movements are sometimes required. Also, the navigation and editing keys are in arbitrary positions that do not map well to the standard home-row positions for controlling these keys, thereby contributing to extra learning time/effort to be exerted the user.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,526 discloses a complicated mechanism for using non-modifier keys to function as modifier keys, thereby allowing the rest of the keyboard layout to be remapped at will. This approach is problematic for several reasons: (1) In order to detect the operator's intention, the key acting as a modifier needs to be held down for a set length of time. This pause slows the user down, thereby interrupting work flow. (2) Slow typists will unintentionally trigger the alternate layout, resulting in unpredictable keyboard behavior. (3) The keys acting as modifier keys lose the ability to auto repeat. This can be especially problematic if the Space bar is used as the modifier key (one of the preferred embodiments set forth in the patent). Since the Space bar key is used so frequently during normal typing, impairing its functionality can significantly degrade typing performance. (4) The layouts disclosed show the left hand assigned to cursor control, which is contrary to standard practice. Virtually all keyboards have the right hand controlling the cursor keys. This also conflicts with the known finger-to-key mapping of a standard "inverted-T" cursor pod (i.e. the keys obtained by typing with the index and ring fingers are swapped). This may cause problems and further confuse the user. (5) The embodiments disclosed are limited to compact keyboards only. There is no discussion of how the keyboard would interact with a mouse (or other pointing device), or of enhancing the functionality of the number pad. Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,526 advocates eliminating the standard number pad and navigation keys entirely, as a means of reducing manufacturing costs.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,198,474 discloses techniques similar to those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,526 (discussed above), with the same goal of reducing keyboard size. All standard modifier keys are removed and functionally is replaced by a Space bar that is split into two parts, with different modifier functions being assigned to each half. However, the procedure for reproducing the lost modifier keys is complicated and the resulting layout is largely arbitrary, bearing no resemblance to any standard keyboard layout. This results in considerable user effort to learn how to type with the keyboard, resulting in many of the shortcomings discussed above in reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,287,526.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,974,183 and 4,522,518 disclose similar methods for reducing hand movement. Each discloses a keyboard that is split in the centre, with additional keys being placed between the two sides. Additional keys below the Space bar area are also contemplated. Unfortunately, users of these keyboards still need to move their hands in order to reach the additional keys and in some cases, the positioning may not be intuitive. Both keyboards have non-standard designs, which require expensive custom manufacturing. Deviating from the standard layout also makes these keyboards less attractive to conservative consumers.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,043,809 describes the addition of scroll bar sensors to various straight areas of a standard keyboard. By running a finger along one of these strips, the operator is able to scroll through a document (vertically or horizontally) using either hand.

Keyboard for minimizing non-productive hand movements


A black silicon based metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector includes a silicon substrate and a black silicon layer formed on the silicon substrate. An interdigitated electrode pattern structure is formed on the black silicon layer, which can be a planar or U-shaped structure. A thin potential barrier layer is deposited at the interdigitated electrode pattern structure. An Al or transparent conductive ITO thin film is deposited on the thin potential barrier layer. A passivation layer is provided on the black silicon layer. In the black silicon based metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector, the black silicon layer, as a light-sensitive area, can respond to ultraviolet, visible and near infrared light.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a photoelectric detection technology, and more particularly to a black silicon based metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector and method of manufacture thereof.
2. Description of Related Arts
Silicon is an important semiconductor material, and currently also a main material used in the microelectronics integrated circuit process, and plays a very important role in the very large scale integrated circuit (VLSI). Compared with other compound optoelectronic devices, the optoelectronic devices and optoelectronic integrated circuits manufactured by the mature standard integrated circuit (IC) process using silicon as a basic material, will have a great advantage, however, the research on the silicon-based photodetector still has no great breakthrough at present. When the light wave is incident on the surface of the silicon-based optoelectronic device, the reflected light energy can be about 30%, so the responsivity of the silicon-based metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector (MSM-PD) is only about 0.2 A/W, and its quantum efficiency is very low and about 0.34. Therefore, the key issue to be resolved in the silicon-based MSM-PD is still the low sensitivity.
Black silicon is a microstructure layer on the surface of silicon. The existence of the microstructure layer can significantly improve the optoelectronic property of silicon material, so it has become the hot topic of research in recent years. For the preparation of the microstructure layer on the surface of silicon, many methods can be used, which include an electrochemical method, reaction ion etching (RIE) and laser chemistry method. The laser chemistry method for preparing black silicon material can not only obtain regular micro-needle arrays on the surface of silicon, increase the absorption coefficient of the material, but also introduce high doping impurities, and widen the optical absorption scope of the material, thus showing the wide application prospects of black silicon material in the optoelectronics field.
Therefore, a black silicon layer is obtained by the ion implantation and preparation of the surface microstructure. Furthermore, a black silicon based metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector is prepared, and it has a wide spectral response range and high responsivity.

Black silicon based metal-semiconductor-metal photodetector

University of Electronic Science and Technology of China


An assembly for an angular position measuring device includes a shaft having a measuring standard for measuring a rotational movement about an axis. The shaft has a shoulder as an integral component, on which a roller bearing is mounted in axial abutment. Arranged between the shoulder of the shaft and the roller bearing is a groove which is oriented with a radial directional component and is connected to a hollow space for receiving lubricant, the hollow space being bounded in the radial direction by a ring of the roller bearing and by the shaft.

Angular position measuring devices, also frequently referred to as rotary encoders, are used to measure rotational movements of a rotationally mounted machine part, particularly a shaft, over one or more revolutions. In so doing, the rotational movement is recorded incrementally or absolutely. In connection with gear racks and gear wheels or with threaded spindles, linear motions can also be measured by an angular position measuring device. Such angular position measuring devices are often used in conjunction with electric motors to generate a commutation signal.
As a rule, angular position measuring devices of this type have an assembly which includes a shaft having a measuring standard, and a roller bearing. Angular position measuring devices which must satisfy comparatively high demands with regard to measuring accuracy frequently operate according to an optical measuring principle, the measuring standard then often being arranged as a glass ring, for example, having an angle scaling applied thereon. In this case, the angle scaling is scanned by an incident light technique or by a transmitted light technique. In order to ensure high measuring accuracy, it is important that the measuring standard be protected from contaminants. It may be particularly disadvantageous if lubricant or components thereof escape from the roller bearing and deposit on the measuring standard, especially in the area of the angle scaling. Such contaminants are often in the form of droplets, and exhibit an optical effect, similar to a lens. Under such circumstances, the light beams are deflected accordingly, which can lead to a faulty measurement.
Japanese Patent Document No. 2001-289668 describes an assembly for an angular position measuring device which has a shaft on which a separate add-on member is mounted. A measuring standard is affixed on the add-on member. A channel is provided between the add-on member and the shaft to drain off lubricant.
An assembly of this kind has the disadvantage that it is generally accompanied by comparatively great measuring errors. The reason is that on one hand, there is the danger that the measuring standard will not be centered with sufficient precision relative to the axis of rotation, and in addition, that wobble errors will occur. Furthermore, in a conventional arrangement, lubricant can escape from the channel again, or fluids from the interior of the hollow shaft can get onto the measuring standard via the channel.

Assembly for an angular position measuring device


Polyalkylene glycol compositions having reduced low molecular weight oligomers are disclosed. Some compositions, particularly polyethylene glycol compositions, have a number average molecular weight range from about 3000 to about 10,000 g/mol and have a total oligomer concentration of less than about 400 ppm of all oligomers having a molecular weight of less than or equal to 812 g/mol and a total oligomer concentration of less than about 50 ppm of all oligomers having a molecular weight of less than or equal to 240 g/mol. Other polyalkylene compositions, particularly polyethylene glycol compositions, are characterized by a total oligomer concentration of less than about 90 ppm of all oligomers having a molecular weight less than or equal to 460 g/mol and are obtained without further processing to remove oligomers having a molecular weight of less than about 460 g/mol. Methods for making such compositions are also disclosed.

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is used in a wide variety of applications including, but not limited to, excipients, plasticizers, softeners, humectants, ointments, polishes, paper coating, lubricants, bases for cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, solvents, binders, metal and rubber processing, and additives to foods and animal feed. Some particular uses of PEG in pharmaceutical applications include, for example, formation of PEG-drug conjugates, treatment of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome, treatment of constipation, treatment of encopresis in children, and diagnosis and therapy of gastrointestinal diseases.
Polyethylene glycol is typically produced by base-catalyzed ring-opening polymerization of ethylene oxide. The reaction is initiated by adding ethylene oxide to a diol in the presence of a catalyst. This process results in a polydispersed mixture of polyethylene glycol polymers with a Poisson distribution centered on the target molecular weight. For example, PEG 400 has a number average molecular weight of around 400, but contains a distribution of oligomers from ethylene glycol to much higher molecular weights; however, when these molecular weights are examined in aggregate the number average molecular weight will be at or around 400. It is generally expected that the number average molecular weight be within five percent of the labeled nominal value for polyethylene glycols with a labeled value of less than 1000 g/mol, within 10% for labeled values between 1000 g/mol and 7000 g/mol and within 12.5% for labeled values greater than 7000 g/mol.
While a majority of the oligomers in a particular polyethylene glycol composition have a molecular weight near the number average molecular weight, compositions typically also contain significant concentrations of lower molecular weight species. And while high molecular weight polyethylene glycol molecules appear to be inert in the body, low molecular weight polyethylene glycol polymers may interact with the human body, especially the liver. Consequently, the concentration of low molecular weight species such as ethylene glycol and diethylene glycol is specified in the United States Pharmacopeia to 0.25% (2,500 ppm) or less with respect to polyethylene glycols having a molecular weight of 1000 g/mol or less for use in fields with application to a living body. Because these low molecular weight polyethylene glycol molecules may interact with the body, polyethylene glycols having reduced concentrations of low molecular weight species would be useful.

Reduced oligomer concentration in high purity polyalkylene glycols


A system and method are disclosed for operating a gaming machine on a gaming network is disclosed. The gaming machine allows playing a wagering game and includes a storage device to store an instruction set for the wagering game. The wagering game includes a randomly selected outcome selected from a plurality of outcomes in response to receiving a wager input from a player. An interface is coupled to the storage device and is capable of communication with the network to receive at least a part of the instruction set for the wagering game from the network. The wagering game provides access to a community event over the network.

Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player.
One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance the entertainment value of a game is the concept of a "secondary" or "bonus" game that may be played in conjunction with a "basic" game. The bonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely different from the basic game, which is entered upon either a "mystery" event independent of an outcome displayed in the basic game or a "start-bonus" event dependent upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome in the basic game. Generally, bonus games provide a greater expectation of winning than the basic game and may also be accompanied with more attractive or unusual video displays and/or audio. Because the bonus game concept offers tremendous advantages in player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and because such games are attractive to both players and operators, there is a continuing need to develop gaming machines with new types of bonus games to satisfy the demands of players and operators.
Another concept that has been employed is the use of a progressive jackpot. In the gaming industry, a "progressive game" involves collecting coin-in data from participating gaming machines (e.g., slot machines), contributing a percentage of the coin-in to a jackpot amount, and awarding that jackpot amount to a player upon the occurrence of a certain jackpot-won event. The percentage of the coin-in is determined prior to any result being achieved and is independent of any result. A jackpot-won event may be a "mystery" event independent of an outcome displayed at a participating gaming machine, or may occur when a "progressive winning position" is achieved at a participating gaming machine. If the gaming machine is a slot machine, a progressive winning position may, for example, correspond to alignment of progressive jackpot reel symbols along a certain payline. The initial progressive jackpot is a predetermined minimum startup or "reset" amount. That jackpot amount, however, progressively increases as players continue to play the participating gaming machines without winning the jackpot. Further, when several gaming machines are linked together such that several players at several gaming machines compete for the same jackpot, the jackpot progressively increases at a much faster rate, leading to even greater player excitement.
In existing gaming terminals, the basic game remains the same and thus players over time often lose interest in the same game and thus seek other entertainment. Due to the progressive gaming features of present games the gaming terminal must remain fixed in its capabilities. Thus, operators must continually replace gaming terminals with new gaming terminals running different games having different themes, settings, bonuses etc. in order to maintain player interest. Such replacement is expensive and time consuming.
Another solution which has been used is to distribute wagering game content to existing game terminals. Wagering game machine operators now manually deliver the content to an existing game machine by replacing existing media, such as the ROM, flash RAM or CD-ROM with new media containing updated game content. However, for casinos owning many gaming machines, this process is still laborious and expensive.
Gaming machines may be configured to operate as "stand-alone" units (that may or may not be coupled to a backroom computer) where the outcome of game play is "locally determined." Gaming machines may also be configured as part of a server-based gaming network where the outcome of game play may be either locally determined or "centrally determined." For example, a gaming machine located in a bar, a convenience store, a riverboat, or an airplane, may operate as a stand-alone unit, while a gaming machine located in a traditional casino may operate as part of a server-based gaming network within the casino.
The server-based gaming networks typically include a number of gaming terminals, communicatively coupled via a dedicated (i.e., non-public) communication network to one or more server(s). Because of their versatility, server-based gaming networks enable a casino to augment the traditional "basic" game play with enhancements such as progressives, community bonus games, tournaments, etc. Server-based gaming network configurations also enable access to all types of gaming terminal data including performance data, player tracking data, accounting data, security data, and maintenance data, to name a few.
In cases where a gaming proprietor owns multiple casinos distributed over a large geographical area, individual casinos may be linked together via a large dedicated communication network. In addition, one or more servers in an individual casino may be communicatively coupled via the dedicated communication network to one or more remote database servers, thereby enabling the gaming proprietor to gather gaming data and operate and maintain the gaming network at one convenient location.
Accordingly, what is needed is a gaming machine that may be updated to provide new game content with community event features. Another need is for a gaming system which offers different games having eligibility for community events according to player demand. Another need exists for a gaming system which offers community events which are linked to gaming machines independent from game mechanics. Yet another need is for a gaming system which allows different games offering community based events to be loaded onto gaming machines.

Gaming network with associated community/progressive features


A short, compact pressure cylinder filled with compressed air under about 3000 psi operating pressure is provided with a scuba type breathing regulator attached to the top thereof. A quick release holster surrounds the cylinder and is easily attached to any flight suit or vest which may be worn by a user. Attached to the holster is a mouthpiece cover to keep the mouth piece and the breathing chamber of the regulator clean and free of debris. The apparatus is easily operated and automatically activated simply by pulling the cylinder from the holster in a single movement. This removal of the cylinder from the holster acts to simultaneously remove the mouthpiece cover and open a supply valve in the regulator, permitting air to be supplied to the regulator valve. The apparatus is sealed at the place of manufacturing and is designed to be virtually maintenance free.

Portable breathing devices are particularly useful in emergency situations. A typical portable breathing apparatus comprises a compressed air container from which breathing gas, usually compressed air, may be obtained for a short duration of time. It has been found that in many emergency situations a small amount of air, sufficient to last for about two minutes, is all that is necessary for survival. Breathing devices may be used in emergencies that occur in any environment, including, for example, fire, gas leakage, underwater crash and inspection of underwater boat damage.
Emergency breathing devices are particularly important to aircraft pilots and scuba divers. For example, in the event of helicopter crash into water, a portable breathing apparatus can provide sufficient air to enable a user involved in the crash to extract himself from the wreckage and swim to the surface. To provide easy access, the device may be stored inside the pocket of a typical flight suit often worn by military pilots. Thus, a pilot equipped with emergency breathing apparatus may quickly reach into his flight suit pocket, pull out the device, place the mouthpiece to his lips and start breathing.
Similarly, in another exemplary application, a portable breathing device can be of critical importance in the event that a scuba diver runs out of air. The breathing device can provide the extra breath of air necessary for the diver to swim up to the surface.
One such previously available device, of the type shown in U.S. Pat. No. 251,622, has a scuba type breathing regulator at the top and a pressurized cylinder connected thereto. The regulator has a supply valve for turning the device on and off. The supply valve when turned on allows air from within the cylinder to be supplied to the regulator valve. The supply valve is manually turned on and off by a knob. The regulator also has a port to facilitate refilling of the pressurized cylinder. This port is located proximate the supply valve. The port is sealed with a plug. The plug is knurled and has a central groove to facilitate removal. The plug also has a centrally located, spring loaded pin which acts as a pressure indicator. When the cylinder has a sufficient level of compressed air and the supply valve is open the pin will pop up indicating that the cylinder is full. Otherwise the top of the pin will remain flush with the bottom of the groove. A mouthpiece similar to the type used in scuba gear is used to inhale air from within the cylinder as regulated by the breathing regulator.
Although this device has been proven effective in saving lives, it has several significant disadvantages. In an emergency situation, it is desirable to have a breathing device that operates immediately upon inhaling so the user does not waste time fumbling with knobs in a panic situation. As discussed above, in order to use the currently available device, a user must first manually turn on the supply valve prior to using it. In order to avoid the need to take this extra step in an emergency, pilots, for example, in their pre-flight check list, are often required to manually turn on the supply valve prior to taking off. During the lifetime of the device, it is likely that the supply valve will be turned on and off repeatedly by users. This constant movement of the seal within the supply valve increases the likelihood of leakage through the seal. Further during flights and other activities where the supply valve is on, the other seals in the breathing regulator, including the dynamic seals of the regulator valve itself, are subjected to the full pressure of the air in the pressured cylinder. This provides additional opportunity for leakage and consequent failure.
Another disadvantage is that a user may test to see if the device works by allowing a little air to escape through the regulator valve. While doing so, the user has to be careful to limit the outflow, otherwise the device requires refilling. Refilling the apparatus with compressed air is undesirable in view of the time wasted and additional support equipment such as compressors, for example, which are required for the task. Further in order to test for air pressure, it is required that the supply valve be turned on so that the position of the pin on the supply plug can be checked. This type of constant manipulation of the device encourages idle tampering which can lead to malfunctioning of the unit.
Another disadvantage is that the mouthpiece in such a device is exposed and thus prone to accumulate dirt in the mouthpiece requiring a replacement. Additionally an exposed mouthpiece allows foreign objects to accumulate in the breathing chamber.
Prior to using such a device, some form of training is necessary. Without training it may not be readily apparent to a user how to operate such a device. For example, it is necessary for a user to learn how to turn the supply valve on, read the pressure indicator and to test the device prior to use.
These devices, although small, could in some cases get in the way of a person's movement. For example, the smallest currently available breathing device has a cylinder that is 11 inches long and an overall length of 131/2 inches including the breathing regulator portion. This device is comfortably accommodated within a pocket of a typical flight suit vest worn by many aircraft pilots. It is desirable to have the apparatus positioned at a tilt when placed in the pocket. A tilted position helps prevent injury to the pilot's head if he slumps over due to the impact of a crash. However, in some cases, especially for a person with a small torso, the apparatus cannot be tilted enough because of its size. Thus, under some circumstances an airman might hit his chin on the device in a crash. Further a smaller device is necessary in order to be practical for use by passengers of an aircraft. Accordingly, a more compact size breathing apparatus is desirable.

Emergency breathing apparatus with holster released regulator valve


Embodiments of the present concept provide means to control the payback percentage of games being played on gaming devices. In one example, a gaming device includes a processor configured to initiate a payback-controlling event and determine a game outcome to display on the game display in response to a gaming event being initiated. Here, the determined game outcome is a payback-controlling outcome when the payback-controlling event satisfies the payback-controlling criterion, and the determined game outcome is a game outcome determined from the base-game paytable when the payback-controlling event does not satisfy the payback-controlling criterion.

Game outcomes on gaming devices are typically determined at random where winning outcomes are awarded to a player in the form of money, credits, promotions, prizes, or other incentives, and losing outcomes typically result only in a lost wager. Player excitement is typically generated by providing the possibility of winning large awards for a relatively meager wager. Indeed, for most players, the excitement and gratification of gambling is tied to achieving wins. While these players will endure certain periods of loss, players will often press the spin and/or bet buttons as quickly as possible to pass through the losses to get to another win. Business principles require that most outcomes not be large winning outcomes for the player. Thus, many gambling sessions include extended periods that are devoid of large winning outcomes. Even during a more balanced gaming session, a great portion of time on a gaming device is spent watching reels spin (poker hands played, etc.) with a resulting loss. It is understood that these losses must be balanced with giving the player some incentive to keep playing, and casinos look for ways to maintain player interest in the gaming device besides providing wins.
Gaming machines typically operate with a random number generator (RNG) that generates a numeric code by which to determine a game outcome. For example, a slot machine is often constructed of 3 reels, with a multiplicity of symbols placed on each. Certain combinations of symbols that align on a center payline are designated as winning outcomes and are assigned award amounts. Other outcomes are losing outcomes that generally are not associated with an award. If each reel is equipped with 22 positions, there are 22×22×22 (10,648) possible combinations that can appear on a single payline.
By varying the quantity and value of symbols placed on each reel, a variety of payback percentages are obtainable. To help create more flexibility in generating payback percentages, some games use longer reel strips with more symbols or use virtual reel strips that map one or more possible outcomes to each position on a reel strip. Many games are created with multiple paytables that having varying payback percentages. Casino operators are typically able to select a particular paytable for each game. Thus, casinos in popular locations may choose paytables with lower payback percentages during peak days or hours and select paytables with a higher payback percentage at slower times to entice more gambling. Additionally, casinos in more remote locations may choose paytables with significantly higher payback percentages to attract players to their game floors. Hence, the flexibility afforded by providing multiple paytables in a single game is important for casinos.
However, during creation of games, it is often difficult to obtain the precise payback percentage desired. Adding or removing a single symbol may alter the payback percentage by several percentage points and require significant design and testing time to calculate and verify. These changes in the paytables may also significantly change how a game plays and may frustrate loyal players familiar with a game. For example, to achieve a lower payback percentage, a game designer may have to remove a bonus symbol from a reel and replace it with a minor symbol. This may result in fewer bonus games and more small wins, which changes the volatility and character of the game. Additionally, even if a game device manufacturer comes up with ten different paytables, the casino is limited to these ten paytables only.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Means for controlling payback percentage of gaming device