An improved traction device for a motor vehicle provides a rear support assembly positioned proximate to a rear axle and an adjacent portion of a leaf spring and a front rocker support assembly. The front rocker support assembly includes a front leaf spring bracket assembly attached to a selected portion of the leaf spring between the axle and the front leaf spring mount, a rocker pivotally attached to the front leaf spring bracket assembly, and a rocker head connected to an end of the rocker for engaging a lower surface of the leaf spring to limit pivotal movement of the front rocker support assembly relative to the front end of the leaf spring, and. An adjustable rigid link extends between the rear support assembly and the front rocker support assembly.

This invention relates generally to suspension systems of high performance motor vehicles. More specifically, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to an improved traction device for limiting wrap-up of a leaf spring of a motor vehicle during acceleration.
Conventional leaf springs are widely used in rear-wheel drive vehicles. During acceleration, the leaf spring is subject to twisting forces which are opposite in direction to the acceleration of the drive wheels. The opposed twisting forces are commonly referred to as "wrap-up" and often contribute to rear wheel "hop".
A number of devices have been designed to minimize leaf spring wrap-up and rear-wheel hop during acceleration. One of these is a simple bolt-on traction bar. A rigid bar, generally of steel, has a mounting pad on one end for attachment to the point at which the rear axle meets the leaf spring assembly. A rubber "snubber" at the other end is used to attach the rigid bar to the front eye of the leaf spring. The length of the bar extends forward from the mounting pad to a point under the front leaf spring eye. During acceleration, the counter-rotation of the rear axle is arrested when the snubber meets the spring eye. Bolt-on traction bars decrease leaf spring wrap-up, help to prevent rear wheel hop, and aid in improving rear wheel traction during acceleration. Additionally, the bolt-on traction bars are typically relatively inexpensive and easy to install.
Several other devices have been devised which represent improvements over the bolt-on traction bar. One such device is the ladder bar and another is the 4-link system. The ladder bar device comprises two mounting assemblies. One end of each mounting assembly is welded to the rear axle housing and the other is welded to a forward point of the chassis. These mounting assemblies are interconnected by a tubing structure. The 4-link system, which sometimes eliminates the conventional leaf spring from the motor vehicle, utilizes two 2-link assemblies (one on each side). One end of each 2-link assembly is welded to the rear axle housing and the other end is welded to a forward location on the chassis. Adjustable tubular links connect the rear axle housing to the chassis.
Each of these improved devices reduces leaf spring wrap-up and rear wheel hop, improves traction, and adjusts the instant center (the point at which the rear wheels push the vehicle forward). The ladder bar and the 4-link system, which are more expensive than simple bolt-on traction bars, require professional installation.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,354,092, issued to Calvert, an improved traction bar includes a rear support assembly attached to the rear axle and the leaf spring and a front support assembly pivotally attached to the front end of the leaf spring. A rigid link extends between the rear support assembly and the front support assembly. The front support assembly is attached to the front of the leaf spring by a bushing which extends through the eye of leaf spring. The front support assembly includes a pivot stop which engages the upper surface of the leaf spring and limits movement of the front support assembly relative to the front end of the leaf spring. The pivotal movement limiting means includes means for engaging an upper surface of the leaf spring in the form of a pivot stop which extends across the upper surface of the leaf spring. The front support assembly includes a pair of generally triangular pivot plates which are pivotally attached to the front end of the leaf spring. The triangular pivot plates support the pivot stop at a fixed distance from the front end of the leaf spring and provide a point of attachment for the rigid link below the front end of the leaf spring. The pivot plates are secured to one another by three bolts positioned generally adjacent to the three corners of the triangular plates. The bolts serve to provide a pivot axis for the front support assembly relative to the front end of the leaf spring, the pivot stop itself, and the location of the point of attachment of the rigid link to the front support assembly. The rigid link is adjustable in length through the use of a threaded front eye connector and an oppositely threaded rear eye connector. Rotation of the rigid link thus changes the overall length of the rigid link.
While providing some improvement in leaf spring wrap-up, rear wheel hop, traction, and movement of the instant center forward with respect to the rear axle, the Calvert patent's effectiveness is limited by the structure of the front support assembly. The use of triangular pivot plates restricts the location of the pivot stop on the top surface of the leaf spring to a position comparatively close to the front eye of the leaf spring. Optional mounting apertures in the triangular pivot plates permit limited optional location of the threaded front eye connector of the rigid link, but additional adjustability is always helpful.
As can be seen, there is a need for a traction device for motor vehicles which is more effective in preventing leaf spring wrap-up and rear wheel hop by moving the vehicle instant center forward with respect to the rear axle and, simultaneously, improving traction during hard acceleration.


A medical adhesive sheet comprising a support comprising a laminate of a polyester film having a thickness of from 0.5 to 6 .mu.m and a polyester nonwoven fabric having a basis weight of from 5 to 20 g/m.sup.2, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer laminated on the surface of the nonwoven fabric.

A medical adhesive sheet used by adhering to a skin surface is used for various uses as a medical adhesive sheet for covering to protect skin surfaces, a medical preparation for percutaneously admistrating a drug into a body. However, since the surface to be adhered is a skin surface, at the development thereof, the handling property at adhering, the follow-up property (flexibility) to the movement of the skin surface, non-irritative property to the skin, etc., are important required characteristics. Also, in a medical preparation, the characteristics such as the impermeability of a drug from the back surface of the support, a drug releasing property, etc., are required. In particular, such a medical adhesive sheet is sometimes in an adhered state for a relatively long period of time and in such a case, the medical adhesive sheet showing no feeling of discomfort after adhering to the skin surface and giving no irritativeness to the skin is considered to have important required characteristics.
For meeting such requirements, a medical adhesive sheet wherein the thickness of the support is reduced as thin as possible, whereby the irritativeness by the edge portions of the support is reduced and further the skin follow-up property is imparted has been proposed. However, when the thickness of the support is thinned, although the above required characteristics can be satisfied, the medical adhesive sheet itself loses the self-supporting property, causing the problems that the handling property at adhering is reduced, after adhering, the medical adhesive sheet creases and also the adhering surfaces adhere to each other at adhering, whereby the medical adhesive sheet cannot be finely adhered.
Thus, to overcome the above problems, a medical adhesive sheet wherein a pasteboard having a self-supporting property is temporarily bonded to the back surface of a support film having a thin thickness and a medical adhesive sheet wherein a material having a flexibility, such as a polyurethane film, etc., is used as the material for the support itself and the thickness of the support is increased to some extent to improve the handling property have been proposed.
The former medical adhesive sheet is described in JP-A-55-32553, JP-A-64-16719 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"), JP-A-U-56-57235, JP-A-U-56-158215 (the term "JP-A-U" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese utility model application"), etc., and is excellent in operability at adhering. However, in the medical adhesive sheet, if the control of the adhesive force at temporarily bonding the self-supporting pasteboard is insufficient, it sometimes happens that the pasteboard is released before adhering the medical adhesive sheet and also in separating the pasteboard after adhering, the medical adhesive sheet itself is also separated. Thus, it is necessary that the adhesive force for temporary adhering is controlled with a sufficient care. Also, in this case, since the surface of the support film is relatively smooth, the adhesive force (anchoring force) to a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer becomes sometimes weak, and as a result, when the medical adhesive sheet is separated from the skin surface, there is a possibility of causing a so-called adhesive remaining phenomenon that the pressure-sensitive adhesive remains on the skin surface.
On the other hand, in the latter medical adhesive sheet, although the material for the support is a soft material, since the thickness of the support is increased, it sometimes happens that in the case of adhering the medical adhesive sheet for a long period of time, the irritativeness by the edge portions of the support cannot be sufficiently reduced.
In particular, in a medical preparation containing a drug which is percutaneously absorbed into the body by strictly controlling the doses of the drug, the improvement of the handling property and the reduction of the skin irritativeness described above are important problems to be overcome and the development of the technique which can overcome these problems has been actually desired.

Medical adhesive sheet and medical preparation


Embodiments of the present invention disclose a method, a computer program product, and a computer system for suspending and activating a database index. A computer determines a quantity of changes for a number of rows of a database that are to be made by an update of the database. The computer determines whether to suspend an index of the database based, at least in part, on a comparison between the quantity of changes and a pre-determined threshold value. The computer suspends the index of the database based on a result of the comparison that indicates the quantity of changes at least meet the pre-determined threshold value. A suspension of the index of the database initiates a rebuilding of the index.

The present invention relates generally to the field of indexing data, and more particularly to suspending a database index in a data processing system.
Computer databases allow the storage of digital data in an organized format that allows searches to retrieve a particular subset of data utilizing specialized commands in a query language, such as Structured Query Language (SQL). SQL enables data entry, manipulation, and deletion within database tables. Client applications may generate SQL statements based on user input. Stored database procedures may include SQL statements, which run either on a schedule or on request by a Database Administrator (DBA). The SQL is executed by a Database Management System (DBMS), which is a software system designed to control access and allow administration of a database. A query describes the data being requested from the database, but does not define the best path for retrieving that data from the database. A query optimizer defines the most efficient way to execute a given query within a database system.
In a database environment, the query optimizer utilizes database indices to determine the best path for a DBMS to access specific data in a database table. Indices enable a query to locate data quickly without having to search entire rows of a database table. A database index is a data structure that improves the speed of data retrieval operations on a database table by storing a copy of one or more selected columns of data from a table along with a pointer back to the complete row of data from which the column item was copied. Some indices are for special use and, as such, only create entries for records satisfying a selected condition, function, or expression, for example, indices created for a specific customer. In some cases, databases may have multiple indices covering a single database table. Each index is stored as a separate searchable entity from the data in the database tables. The DBMS maintains each index by incrementally updating the index as information is inserted into, removed from, and updated in the rows of the database tables. When processing large volumes of updates to a database, the DBA may manually delete an index, and then rebuild the index at the end of processing rather than performing the incremental updates during the large volume load.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Index suspension prior to database update

International Business Machines Corporation


Techniques for transmitting location information as an aid to location services are described. In one design, a transmitter may generate a message including coordinate information and uncertainty information for the location of the transmitter. The coordinate information may include latitude and longitude for horizontal location and possibly the height of the transmitter. The uncertainty information may include uncertainty of the horizontal location and possibly uncertainty of the height of the transmitter. The horizontal location uncertainty may be given by a radius of a circle centered at the latitude and longitude of the transmitter. The height uncertainty may be given by a deviation from the height of the transmitter. The transmitter may send the message to at least one receiver in a wireless network. The transmitter may be a base station that may broadcast the message to terminals within its coverage.

I. Field
The present disclosure relates generally to communication, and more specifically to techniques for transmitting location information.
II. Background
It is often desirable, and sometimes necessary, to know the location of a terminal, e.g., a cellular phone. The terms "location" and "position" are synonymous and are used interchangeably herein. For example, a client may desire to know the location of the terminal and may communicate with a location center to request for the terminal location. The location center and the terminal may then exchange messages, as necessary, to obtain a location estimate for the terminal. The location center may then return the location estimate to the client.
The location of the terminal may be determined based on various positioning methods. Most of these positioning methods may achieve improved performance (e.g., provide a location estimate faster) if a rough estimate of the terminal location is known. The terminal may obtain this rough location estimate by establishing a positioning session with the location server and exchanging signaling messages with the location server. However, signaling overhead and additional delay may be incurred to obtain a rough location estimate in this manner. It may be desirable to obtain the rough location estimate in a more efficient manner.

Transmission of location information by a transmitter as an aid to location services


Disclosed is a package having a closure which provides child resistance with optional easy opening and closing features. The closure is permanently but rotatably attached to the container finish, and is held on the container by snap engagement with the container or with an adapter which is separately attached to the container. The closure has a depending skirt which encircles a latching flange on the container or on the adaptor. A hinged lid on the closure has a latch which is latchable beneath the latching flange only if the closure is turned to a position such that the latch is aligned with a latch slot in the latching flange. Rotation of the closure relative to the slot, once the latch has been engaged through the slot, locks the lid against opening.

In recent years legislation has been enacted which requires that containers for certain products such as aspirin and other drugs have closures which are "child resistant", that is, which cannot easily be opened by a child by simply unscrewing a cap or pushing it off with the thumb. One type of child resistant closure requires that the cap first be rotated to a certain angular position on the container, and then lifted at that position. Another type requires that the cap be pushed toward the container ("palmed") to engage ratchets or threads so that it can be unscrewed. The theory underlying child resistance is that it is conceptually difficult for a small child to appreciate the need to carry out two diverse types of movement simultaneously or sequentially.
However, it is also difficult for some adults to open and/or close some child resistant closures, as for example those in whom arthritis has caused a loss of mobility and dexterity in the fingers. The great majority of child resistant closures require increased force (for example, about two pounds) to open and/or close the cap, but a significant number of adults are unable to exert even this threshold level of force and thus they are effectively prevented from opening such containers. Because of this, some adults deliberately leave a container open to avoid the effort of opening it again; and some actually cannot exert the force necessary to close it once it has been opened. Because typical child resistant closures cannot easily be used by some adults, it has been necessary for suppliers to continue to stock some items in containers with ordinary (non-child resistant) closures, so that a container with either mode of opening can be selected at the time of purchase. There is some evidence that the preference for non-child resistant closures is increasing, which of course increases the risk to children. Thus, there is a need for a closure which will simultaneously or optionally provide the somewhat antithetical requirements of child resistance and selective ease of opening and closing by adults.
Tamper indicating means, another closure safety feature, have a different objective. Their purpose is to provide a clear visual indication that a container has previously been opened which, in the instance of goods on the shelf awaiting purchase, could signify tampering. Usually tamper indication is provided by a band or cover which must be removed, separated, or torn before the closure can be opened, and which thereby gives a visual indication of opening.
However, the operation of tamper indicating means generally tends to slow the opening of a container. In some previous containers which combined tamper indicating with child resistant features, several separate barriers must be sequentially removed before the container can be opened. For example, it is sometimes necessary to tear open a glued carton or remove a shrink band or an inner seal from the top of the container after a child-resistant cap has first been removed. It may be necessary to use an implement such as a knife or scissors to effect the removal. Moreover, once removed, a separable tamper indicating band or wrapper may become litter, or may be chewed or even swallowed by a child. These complicating factors detract from the provision of tamper indicting means.
Yet another problem with some previous containers is that the cap, once removed, is separated from the container and can be misplaced. It cannot be left on or remain attached to the container in a closed but easily openable condition, for ease of use by an adult who does not want child resistance.
Accordingly, there has been a need for a "universal" closure which combines features of (a) child resistance, such that the closure cannot easily be opened by a young child; (b) optional easy opening by adults who might have limited manual strength or dexterity; (c) ease of reclosing; (d) permanent attachment of the closure to the container; (e) absence of littering; and (f) optional automatic tamper indication, to show if the container has previously been opened.


To delay optical signals precisely and continuously in a very small dynamic range, a device for applying a time-delay to optical signals includes a first phase modulator to receive an input optical signal carried by an original center wavelength and to apply a first stage of phase modulation to the carrier wave of the input signal to supply a first intermediate signal carried by a modified center wavelength, a delaying dispersive member having chromatic dispersion to receive the first intermediate signal and to supply a second intermediate signal, and a second phase modulator to receive the second intermediate signal and to apply a second stage of phase modulation to the carrier wave of the second intermediate signal to supply an output signal carried by the original center wavelength. Applications include optical telecommunication systems, in particular converting wavelength division multiplexed signals into time division multiplexed signals and regenerating wavelength division multiplexed signals.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device for applying time-delays to optical signals, in particular to signals conveyed by an optical data transmission system.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In some applications in optical telecommunication systems it is important to be able to apply time-delays to optical signals precisely and continuously within a very small dynamic range. For example, the range for binary signals at a bit rate of 40 Gbit/s has a duration of approximately 25 ps when it is necessary to be able to adjust a time-delay to a duration of the order of one bit period.
Time-delays with such characteristics are useful for converting wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) signals into time division multiplexed (TDM) signals, for example.
Another application is to regenerate WDM signals by resynchronizing the spectral channels before synchronous reshaping modulation is applied by a common modulator.
On the application of time-delays, see for example the articles by N. V. JESPERSEN, A. C. HEATH and E. S. ROLLER, SPIE, vol 756, p 156 (1987) and P. R. HERCZFELD et al., xe2x80x9cWide-band true time-delay phase shifter devicesxe2x80x9d, Proc. IEEE MTT-5 International Microwave Symposium Digest, Las Vegas, Nev., Jun. 1987, pp 603-606, which describe delay lines in which the time-delay can be changed by stretching the time-delay fiber.
Wrapping an optical fiber onto a piezo-electric mandrel provides an electrical way to control the length of the fiber. Relative variations of length of the order of 10xe2x88x923 can be obtained by this method, enabling a time-delay of 100 ps to be obtained with a few tens of meters of fiber. A delay line of the above kind therefore provides continuous time-delays.
The above solution nevertheless has a number of drawbacks: the high control voltages needed (of the order of 1 kV), the hysteresis of piezo-electric stretching, and the fact that the response time is long because the time-delay control bandwidth is limited by the mechanical inertia of the mandrel (to at best a few tens of kilohertz). A delay line of the above kind also consumes a large amount of energy under dynamic conditions, due to the high capacitance of piezo-electric elements. A device of the above kind is also heavy, because it comprises not only the necessary length of fiber but also the piezo-electric mandrel.
Another prior art solution uses a thermally controlled delay line with a typical sensitivity of 50 ps/xc2x0 C.km. A 25 ps range of time-delays can be covered with a fiber 50 m long and a thermostatically controlled device whose temperature can be varied within a range of 10xc2x0 C.
However, this solution has a high inertia and is subject to serious temperature stabilization problems.
The present invention aims to alleviate the problems of the aforementioned devices by proposing a device for applying a time-delay that is easy to use and accurate and has a very low inertia.
A supplementary object of the invention is to provide a device whose performance is only slightly dependent on the polarization of the optical signals supplied to the input.
Accordingly, the invention provides a device for applying a time-delay to optical signals taking the form of modulation of a carrier wave having a center wavelength, which device includes:
a first phase modulator adapted to receive an input optical signal carried by an original center wavelength and to apply a first stage of phase modulation to the carrier wave of the input signal to supply a first intermediate signal carried by a modified center wavelength,
a delaying dispersive member having chromatic dispersion and adapted to receive the first intermediate signal and to supply a second intermediate signal, and
a second phase modulator adapted to receive the second intermediate signal and to apply a second stage of phase modulation to the carrier wave of the second intermediate signal to supply an output signal carried by the original center wavelength.
The device according to the invention can have one or more of the following features:
it further includes a control unit for the first and second phase modulators adapted to adjust the depths of phase modulation respectively applied to the input signal and to the second intermediate signal;
the input signal is a binary signal having a particular bit period and the control unit is adapted to control the first and second phase modulators periodically with a period equal to the bit period;
the maximum depth of phase modulation respectively applied to the input signal and to the second intermediate signal and/or the chromatic dispersion of the delaying dispersive member are chosen to obtain a range of time-delays which is at least equal to the bit period;
it further includes means for modifying the chromatic dispersion of the delaying dispersive member.
each of the first and second phase modulators is adapted to apply to the optical signals phase modulations which are substantially independent of the state of polarization of the signals.
Thus the invention exploits the property of dispersive media, such as dispersive fibers or fibers with a photo-written Bragg grating, of imposing on an optical wave passing through them a propagation speed which is dependent on the wavelength (or the optical frequency) of the wave. Because of the first phase modulator, the modification applied to the wavelength of the wave carrying the pulses constituting an input optical signal can be adjusted to vary the propagation time of those pulses in the delaying dispersive medium. By opposite phase modulation the second phase modulator returns the wavelength to its original value.
Note that this solution is very suitable for optical signals with RZ amplitude modulation because the phase modulation can be applied very simply using a clock signal at the bit frequency. For other types of modulation, such as NRZ amplitude modulation, there are additional constraints with regard to the phase modulators because the maximum phase variation to be applied is greater.
For the standard signals referred to above, it is known in the art that dispersive media widen the optical pulses. The presence of a dispersive member in the device according to the invention must also be taken into account in some situations in which the chromatic dispersion of the delaying dispersive member must be high to provide a wide range of time-delays. Compensation is required in particular if the pulses at the output of the delaying dispersive medium have widths which are incompatible with the phase modulation applied by the second modulator because of chromatic dispersion.
The chromatic dispersion coefficient D of a medium is related to its propagation constant xcex2 by the equation:
d2xcex2/dxcfx892=xe2x88x92(2xcfx80c/xcfx892)D,
in which xcfx89 is the angular frequency of the optical wave and c is the speed of light in a vacuum.
As a general rule, the coefficient D can be positive, zero or negative according to the wavelength and the medium used. For standard fibers, for example, the chromatic dispersion is approximately +17 ps/(km.nm) at a wavelength of 1.5 xcexcm.
A chromatic dispersion value is defined for a homogeneous or non-homogeneous dispersive member, for example a link incorporating a dispersive fiber, which can be expressed mathematically by the following equation:                     DL        =                  ∫                                    D                                            (                z                )                                      ·                          ⅆ              z                                                          (        1        )
where z is the abscissa of a point along the dispersive medium, D(z) is its chromatic dispersion parameter at abscissa z, and the integral which expresses the dispersion DL is calculated along the propagation path of waves in the dispersive medium.
Likewise, if a link consists of a plurality of dispersive members connected in cascade, a cumulative chromatic dispersion can be defined for the link as the algebraic sum of the chromatic dispersions of the various members that form the link.
To solve the problem of possible widening of the optical pulses referred to above, the device in accordance with the invention can further include a second dispersive member disposed to derive the input signal of the first phase modulator from an optical signal to be delayed, the second dispersive member having a chromatic dispersion of opposite sign to the chromatic dispersion of the delaying dispersive member and whose absolute value is less than that of the delaying dispersive member.
This ensures that the absolute value of the cumulative chromatic dispersion evaluated on the basis of the signal to be delayed up to each of the phase modulators remains below the absolute value of the chromatic dispersion of the delaying dispersive member.
Of course, the foregoing arrangements imply that the pulses of the signal to be delayed are not widened by a dispersive member upstream of the device, i.e. a dispersive transmission link such as a standard fiber.
If this is not the case, the device according to the invention includes a second dispersive member disposed to derive input signal to the first phase modulator from a signal emitted by an optical link, the second dispersive member having a chromatic dispersion such that the cumulative chromatic dispersion of the optical link and the second dispersive member is of opposite sign to the chromatic dispersion of the delaying dispersive member and the absolute value of the cumulative chromatic dispersion is less than that of the delaying dispersive member.
The second dispersive member is essential only if the cumulative chromatic dispersion upstream of each phase modulator, evaluated on the basis of the signal to be delayed or the signal transmitted, is sufficient to widen the pulses significantly. The second dispersive member can also be dispensed with if the input signal consists of a stream of soliton pulses and the chromatic dispersion of the delaying dispersive member is positive.
The invention further provides a converter for converting wavelength division multiplexed optical signals into time division multiplexed optical signals including at least one device as defined above.
Other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description, which is given by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Device for applying time-delays to optical signals


Disclosed is a vehicle seat that is capable of changing a property of S springs with a simple configuration and therefore improves a seating property by changing the property of the S spring in response to a physique of a passenger.

Patent Literature 1 discloses a vehicle seat in which S springs are stretched in a leaf spring that is installed in a seat frame. This vehicle seat changes a cushion property of a seat cushion in conformity to body weight of a passenger who sits on the vehicle seat, and allows the leaf spring to rotate with respect to a seat cushion frame, and changes section modulus of the leaf spring in response to a rotational position.

Abstract: In regard to a vehicle seat 1 in which S springs 6 are stretched in a seat cushion frame that supports a seat cushion on which the passenger sits, a restriction member 13 that is detachably attached to each of the S springs 6 and partially restricts an extensional deformation of the S springs 6 is provided. The restriction member 13 includes a pair of wire hook portions 15 and 16 that is hooked on a horizontal portion 8 and a back-end horizontal portion 12 of the S spring 6, and a long wire portion 14 that connects the pair of wire hook portions 15 and 16. When the pair of wire hook portions 15 and 16 of the restriction member 13 is hooked, extensional rigidity of the S spring 6 may be raised and therefore bending rigidity of the S spring 6 may be changed by changing the hooking position of the pair of wire hook portions 15 and 16 of the restriction member 13.


A design to mount a clip to an eyeglass frame. In a first embodiment, the clip has a set of magnets mounted on an extension adjacent to the perimeter of the frame lenses. The frame has a set of magnets mounted on an interior side of the elbows. An exterior surface of the clip is adapted to be placed adjacent to an interior surface of the lenses of the frame with the magnets of the clip attracting to the magnets of the frame. In a second embodiment, the frame includes a set of mounting elements on an exterior surface of the lenses. The clip has a set of female receiving elements. The mounting elements and/or the female receiving elements may include magnets. An interior surface of the clip is adapted to be placed adjacent to an exterior surface of the frame, with the extensions and receiving elements being magnetically attracted.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to an eyeglass frame and an auxiliary lens adapted to be mounted to the frame. More specifically, the invention relates to a force that enables the frame and auxiliary lens to mount.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Auxiliary lenses for eyeglass frames are commonly know in the art as clips for use in bright light environments, such as in the sunlight. Due to sensitivity to bright lights, users of eyeglasses prefer to use clips to attach to their frames rather than switching between different glasses for different lighting environments. It is also known in the art to use clasps and other conventional mechanical affixing elements to mount the clips to the frame of the eyeglasses.
However, there are problems associated with conventional mechanical affixing elements.
For example, they commonly result in relatively cumbersome frames which are usually aesthetically unpleasing to see or be seen wearing. An additional limitation with the mechanical affixing elements it the misalignment between the frame and the clip, and difficulties associated with affixing the clips to the eyeglasses as well as detaching the clips from the eyeglasses. Accordingly, clips for eyeglasses are desirable, however mechanical affixing elements are not a desirable means for attaching the clip to the eyeglass frame. In recent years there have been developments in alternative elements for attaching clips to eyeglass frames using magnets. The use of magnets has several advantages over that of the conventional mechanical attaching elements. Since the magnets are mounted to both the clip and the eyeglass frame, misalignment is not as common as with conventional mechanical affixing elements. U.S. Patent Publication 2002/0131012 A1 to Tsai discloses several embodiments of eyeglass frames and associated clips that are magnetically mounted to the frame. In one embodiment, a rimless eyeglass frame is shown with a rimless clip. The magnet on the eyeglass frame is placed on an exterior side of the lens as an extension of the elbow. The magnet is flush with the elbow so as not to function as an extension or a male receiving means. Similarly, the clip has a magnet mounted on an interior side of the lens. The magnet of the clip is attracted to the magnet of the eyeglass frame. The clip is mounted on exterior side of the eyeglass frame. However, one of the limitations associate with Tsai is that the magnets do not include a male/female connecting element in conjunction with the magnetic attraction. If the magnets should become misaligned or if the magnet weakens in some manner, a male/female connection element would enhance the functionality and mounting of the clip to the eyeglasses. Accordingly, the Tsai publication is one example of an externally mounted clip with a magnetic attaching element.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,975,691 to Ku discloses another formative of an eyeglass frame with a clip accessory, wherein the clip is magnetically mounted to the frame. The clip includes an extension parallel to the cross bar, and a magnet mounted to the extension. Similarly, the elbow of the eyeglass frame includes an opening with a magnet placed therein. The clip is shown placed over the exterior side of the lens of the eyeglasses, with the magnetic attraction of the clip magnet and eyeglass frame magnet holding the clip in place. However, placement of the clip on the exterior side of the eyeglass frame provides an element which may enable misalignment of the clip as well as an unpleasing look to the eyeglasses. If the magnetic attaching element should fail for any reason, the clip would become detached from the frame and fall. Accordingly, placement of the clip on the outside of the eyeglass frame can be less desirable.
By placing the clip between the user and the interior side of the lens, the clip is less likely to fall off of the frame if the attraction of the magnets should fail. Similarly, by providing an added embodiment for attaching an externally mounted clip to the frame, the clip is also less likely to fall off the frame should the magnets fail. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved magnetic mounting structure for placing an eyeglass clip in communication with an eyeglass frame.
This invention comprises an eyeglass frame and auxiliary lenses adapted to be magnetically mounted to the frame.
In a first aspect of the invention, a pair of eyeglasses with a first lens and a second lens is provided. Each of the lenses has a rim that extends around a perimeter thereof. A cross bar is mounted between the perimeters of the lenses. An elbow is mounted to an exterior side of the rims. The elbow has a leg mounted perpendicular to the elbow. A portion of the elbow adjacent to the interior side of the lens and parallel to the cross bar includes an aperture adapted to receive a magnet. A pair of auxiliary eyeglasses is also provided. The auxiliary glasses have a first lens and a second lens. Each of the lenses includes a rim extending around a perimeter thereof. A cross bar is mounted between the lenses and holds the lenses in a spaced apart relationship. An extension is provided adjacent to the lens perimeter and parallel to the cross bar. The extension includes an aperture adapted to extend from a front side of the extension to a back side of the extension, with a magnet mounted in the aperture. The magnet of the eyeglasses is adapted to bond to a magnet mounted in the aperture of the auxiliary eyeglasses thereby placing the interior side of the lens of the auxiliary eyeglasses adjacent to a user of the eyeglasses. The interior side of the eyeglass lens preferably receives an adjacently mounted exterior side of the auxiliary lens. The magnets of the eyeglasses and the magnets of the auxiliary eyeglasses are preferably oppositely polarized. The cross bar of the eyeglasses may include an extension perpendicular to the cross bar so that the cross bar of the auxiliary lens may contact the extension when the auxiliary lens is mounted to the eyeglasses.
In a second aspect of the invention, a pair of eyeglasses with a first lens and a second lens is provided. Each lens has an interior side and an exterior side. The interior side of the lens is adapted to be placed adjacent to a user of the eyeglasses. A cross bar is mounted between the lenses. A cross bar mounting means is adapted to extend from the exterior side of the lens to the interior side of the lens. An elbow is mounted to the lenses parallel to the cross bar. A proximal end of the elbow is adapted to mount through the lens. A leg is mounted perpendicular to the elbow. The proximal end of the elbow includes a mounting element in the form of a polarized magnet. A pair of auxiliary lenses is provided with each lens having an interior side and an exterior side. The interior side of the lens is adapted to be placed adjacent to the exterior side of the lens of the eyeglasses. A cross bar is mounted between the perimeters of the lenses. A receiving means is adapted to be mounted adjacent to an interior side of the lens. The receiving means has a female receiving end which is adapted to receive the mounting element of the eyeglasses. The female receiving means of the auxiliary lenses is magnetically attracted to the magnet of the eyeglasses. The cross bar of the eyeglasses may include a mounting element adjacent to each mount thereof. The mounting element preferably includes a mounted magnet. A female receiving means may be provided adjacent to each mount of the cross bar of the auxiliary lenses. The cross bar female receiving means of the auxiliary lenses is preferably adapted to bond to the mounting element adjacent to the eyeglass cross bar.
In a third aspect of the invention, a pair of eyeglasses with a first lens and a second lens is provided. Each of the lenses has a rim that extends around a perimeter thereof. A cross bar is mounted between the perimeters of the lenses. An elbow is mounted to an exterior side of the rims. The elbow has a leg mounted perpendicular to the elbow. A first magnetic attracting element is mounted on an interior side of the eyeglasses. A pair of auxiliary glasses have a first lens and a second lens. Each of the lenses includes a rim extending around a perimeter thereof. A cross bar is mounted between the lenses and holds the lenses in a spaced apart relationship. A second magnetic attracting element is mounted to an exterior side of the auxiliary eyeglasses. The first magnetic attracting element of the eyeglasses is adapted to bond to the second magnetic attracting element of the auxiliary eyeglasses, such that the exterior side of the auxiliary eyeglasses is placed adjacent to an interior side of the eyeglasses. The first and second magnetic attracting element may include a magnet, a magnetic material, and a metallic magnetic attracting element. The first and second magnetic attracting elements are preferably oppositely polarized. The first magnetic attracting element may be placed adjacent to an interior side of said elbow, and the second magnetic attracting element may be adjacent to the rim of the auxiliary eyeglasses.
Other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.


An aircraft operational state monitoring system is provided that includes a module for acquiring a logic state of a plurality of components of the aircraft, the components belonging to airplane systems. The aircraft operational state monitoring system includes a module for determining the operability status of a plurality of macroscopic functions of the aircraft, each macroscopic function being defined independently of the components and airplane systems necessary for the performance of the macroscopic function, the operability status being determined based on logic states of the plurality of components between an operational status and at least one nonoperational status. The aircraft operational state monitoring system includes a display and at least one graphic display management assembly on the display, configured for displaying, on the display, summary indicators of the operability status of the macroscopic functions of the aircraft.

In order to monitor and command the various systems of the aircraft, hereinafter referred to as "airplane systems", the usual avionics of aircraft provide several tools to the crew.
Block diagrams are provided to determine the status of the main airplane systems, for example fuel supply systems, engine systems, electrical systems. Each block diagram outlines the status of the components making up the associated airplane system and the measurements done on the components to determine their status.
In case of failure, failure messages of the crew alerting system (CAS) are displayed in a specific window.
Furthermore, another window can be displayed to provide the main operational limitations associated with the failures corresponding to the CAS messages.
The information provided to the crew is therefore very dispersed and not very functional. This can cause a significant workload in case of complex failures.
In particular, when a piece of equipment is faulty, this can have an impact on various functions of the aircraft. Indeed, in current aircraft architectures, the functions of the aircraft are projected on several airplane systems, each airplane system being able to use shared components. The impact of a failure occurring on a specific component can therefore cause multiple failures to be addressed.
This is the case for example for a failure occurring on the GPS system, which can cause multiple problems, for example in the navigation, the approaches, the measurement of the current position, etc.
In case of failure of the component, the crew can therefore have difficulties in easily and quickly identifying all of the functions that will be affected by the failure. To reconstitute the functional state of the aircraft, the crew bases itself on the displayed CAS messages, the block diagrams and the operational documentation
Thus, when a CAS message appears, the crew applies the associated procedure, runs through the various system block diagrams to try to identify the consequences on the general operation of the aircraft and refers to the operational documentation generally listing the functions lost upon system failure.
Reconstituting the overall functional state of the aircraft can therefore prove time-consuming for the crew, which relies in part on its experience and the logical deductions it can make, sometimes under stressful conditions.
This can lead to difficulties in understanding the overall status of the airplane and to a failure to anticipate operational impacts and effects of a later deterioration.

Aircraft operational state monitoring system and related method


Sustained-release oral drug-dosage forms that release drug in solution at a rate controlled by the solubility of the drug are described. The dosage form comprises a tablet or capsule which comprises a plurality of particles of a dispersion of a limited solubility drug in a hydrophilic, water-swellable, crosslinked polymer that maintains its physical integrity over the dosing lifetime but thereafter rapidly dissolves. Once ingested, the particles swell to promote gastric retention and permit the gastric fluid to penetrate the particles, dissolve drug and leach it from the particles, assuring that drug reaches the stomach in the solution state which is less injurious to the stomach than solid-state drug.

There is an enormous amount of literature relating to oral dosage forms, including literature relating to the use of swellable polymers therein and the relationship between dosage form size and gastric retention. It is believed, however, that the field has failed to provide an oral dosage form that enables controlled release, prolonged gastric retention, and assurance that the drug is presented to the gastric mucosa as a solution rather than as the more irritating solid state. A description of representative art involving oral dosage forms using swellable polymers follows.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,435,110 describes pharmaceutical tablets composed of a mixture of uncrosslinked or crosslinked collagen fibrils and drug. In the uncrosslinked version, upon ingestion the collagen fibrils swell, rupture the tablet, and form a gel-like diffusion matrix from which drug is released slowly. In the crosslinked version, the fibrils do not swell upon ingestion but instead are enzymatically digested and apparently release drug by an erosion rather than diffusion mechanism.
Choulis, N. H., et al., Pharmazie (1976) 31:466-470, describe the formulation of tablets containing hydrophilic gums such as carbomer. Upon ingestion, the surface of the gum swells to form a zone that acts as a barrier to penetration of gastric fluid into the tablet interior. Release of drug from the tablet is said to be by erosion of the gum rather than by diffusion or some other mechanism.


Surgical accessories are presented in vivo and used by surgical tools in the surgical site to perform additional tasks without the need to remove the tools from the surgical site for tool change or instrument loading. Some accessories need to be actuated to effect a predetermined treatment, such as an aortic punch, clamps, pliers, and the like. For such accessories, the actuation can conveniently be performed by an operator such as an assistant remotely from outside the patient""s body while placement of the accessories takes place in the surgical site by manipulating the accessories using robotic surgical tools in the site. A lockdown feature may be incorporated in accessories to lock them in place remotely from outside the surgical site upon actuation.

Advances in minimally invasive surgical technology could dramatically increase the number of surgeries performed in a minimally invasive manner. Minimally invasive medical techniques are aimed at reducing the amount of extraneous tissue that is damaged during diagnostic or surgical procedures, thereby reducing patient recovery time, discomfort, and deleterious side effects. The average length of a hospital stay for a standard surgery may also be shortened significantly using minimally invasive surgical techniques. Thus, an increased adoption of minimally invasive techniques could save millions of hospital days, and millions of dollars annually in hospital residency costs alone. Patient recovery times, patient discomfort, surgical side effects, and time away from work may also be reduced with minimally invasive surgery.
The most common form of minimally invasive surgery may be endoscopy. Probably the most common form of endoscopy is laparoscopy, which is minimally invasive inspection and surgery inside the abdominal cavity. In standard laparoscopic surgery, a patient""s abdomen is insufflated with gas, and cannula sleeves are passed through small (approximately xc2xd inch) incisions to provide entry ports for laparoscopic surgical instruments. The laparoscopic surgical instruments generally include a laparoscope (for viewing the surgical field) and working tools. The working tools are similar to those used in conventional (open) surgery, except that the working end or end effector of each tool is separated from its handle by an extension tube. As used herein, the term xe2x80x9cend effectorxe2x80x9d means the actual working part of the surgical instrument and can include clamps, graspers, scissors, staplers, and needle holders, for example. To perform surgical procedures, the surgeon passes these working tools or instruments through the cannula sleeves to an internal surgical site and manipulates them from outside the abdomen. The surgeon monitors the procedure by means of a monitor that displays an image of the surgical site taken from the laparoscope. Similar endoscopic techniques are employed in, e.g., arthroscopy, retroperitoneoscopy, pelviscopy, nephroscopy, cystoscopy, cisternoscopy, sinoscopy, hysteroscopy, urethroscopy and the like.
There are many disadvantages relating to current minimally invasive surgical (MIS) technology. For example, existing MIS instruments deny the surgeon the flexibility of tool placement found in open surgery. Most current laparoscopic tools have rigid shafts, so that it can be difficult to approach the worksite through the small incision. Additionally, the length and construction of many endoscopic instruments reduces the surgeon""s ability to feel forces exerted by tissues and organs on the end effector of the associated tool. The lack of dexterity and sensitivity of endoscopic tools is a major impediment to the expansion of minimally invasive surgery.
Minimally invasive telesurgical robotic systems are being developed to increase a surgeon""s dexterity when working within an internal surgical site, as well as to allow a surgeon to operate on a patient from a remote location. In a telesurgery system, the surgeon is often provided with an image of the surgical site at a computer workstation. While viewing a three-dimensional image of the surgical site on a suitable viewer or display, the surgeon performs the surgical procedures on the patient by manipulating master input or control devices of the workstation. The master controls the motion of a servomechanically operated surgical instrument. During the surgical procedure, the telesurgical system can provide mechanical actuation and control of a variety of surgical instruments or tools having end effectors such as, e.g., tissue graspers, needle drivers, or the like, that perform various functions for the surgeon, e.g., holding or driving a needle, grasping a blood vessel, or dissecting tissue, or the like, in response to manipulation of the master control devices.
A typical surgery employs a number of different surgical instruments. When a different tool is desired during the surgical procedure, the surgical instrument is typically withdrawn from the surgical site so that it can be removed from its associated arm and replaced with an instrument bearing the desired end effector. The desired surgical instrument is then inserted into the surgical site.
A surgical instrument may also be withdrawn from a surgical site for reasons other than to replace the end effector. For example, the loading of a clip in a clip applier used in affixing tissue typically occurs outside of the patient""s body. Each time a new clip is desired, the clip applier is removed from the surgical site to load the clip and then reintroduced into the patient""s body to apply the clip. Tool exchange and instrument loading for a robotic system takes time. Providing additional surgical instruments in the surgical site (and the typically associated need to make additional incisions in the patient""s body) may be an undesirable alternative for any number of reasons, e.g., due to space constraints, increase in system complexities, and/or cost.
The present invention is generally directed to robotic surgery methods, devices, and systems. The invention overcomes the problems and disadvantages of the prior art by providing surgical clips and/or other in vivo accessories at the surgical site. These in vivo accessories can be manipulated by robotic surgical tools in the site for performing different tasks. The accessories can be held by a dedicated accessory holder or support that is introduced into the surgical site through a separate opening. Alternatively, the accessories can be supported on the body of one of the surgical tools, and can be manipulated using another surgical tool in the surgical site. The surgical tools in the surgical site can use the accessories for performing a wide range of additional tasks without leaving the surgical site. In this way, the need to exchange tools and load instruments outside the surgical site is reduced, thereby minimizing xe2x80x9cdown timexe2x80x9d.
Some xe2x80x9cactivexe2x80x9d accessories need to be actuated to effect a predetermined treatment, such as an aortic punch, clamps, pliers, and the like. For such accessories, the actuation can conveniently be performed by an operator such as an assistant remotely from outside the patient""s body while placement of the accessories takes place in the surgical site by manipulating the accessories using robotic surgical tools in the site. A lockdown feature may be incorporated in accessories to lock them in place remotely from outside the surgical site upon actuation. An example involves locking clamp accessories in a closed position for clamping an aorta. After activating the lockdown feature, the assistant is freed to move on to the next task. In addition, the robotic surgical tool used to position the accessory may be removed after activation of the lockdown so that it is available to perform the next task. In this way, the robotic surgical tool inside the surgical site need only be used for a brief period of time to position the accessory and hold it in place until actuation and lockdown is performed remotely from the outside. This approach makes efficient use of the tools inside the surgical site and operator time.
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a method of performing minimally invasive robotic surgery in a body cavity of a patient includes introducing at least one surgical accessory and a robotic surgical tool into the cavity. The surgical accessory is coupled with the robotic surgical tool inside the cavity after separately introducing the surgical accessory and the robotic surgical tool into the cavity. The surgical accessory is actuated from outside the cavity of the patient to effect a predetermined treatment. The surgical accessory may be decoupled from the robotic surgical tool inside the cavity.
In some embodiments, the surgical accessory includes a movable member movable in the actuating step between a rest position and an actuated position. The movable member may be locked in the actuated position. In one embodiment, actuating the surgical accessory includes connecting the surgical accessory with a portion of the body cavity in the actuated position. Locking the movable member of the surgical accessory in the actuated position includes maintaining connection of the surgical accessory with the portion of the body cavity.
In another embodiment, two clamp accessories are introduced into the cavity. The clamp accessories are clenched around portions of an aorta with the clamp accessories in contact, desirably near the clamp tips, to enclose a region of the aorta, thereby partially occluding the aorta.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method of performing minimally invasive robotic surgery in a body cavity of a patient comprises introducing at least one surgical accessory and a robotic surgical tool into the cavity. The surgical accessory is coupled with the robotic surgical tool inside the cavity after separately introducing the surgical accessory and the robotic surgical tool into the cavity. The robotic surgical tool is manipulated from outside the body cavity of the patient to position the surgical accessory within the body cavity. The surgical accessory is actuated from outside the body cavity of the patient to interact with a portion of the body cavity.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a robotic surgical system for effecting a predetermined treatment of a target tissue at an internal surgical site within a patient body comprises a surgical accessory adapted for effecting the treatment. An accessory introducer has a proximal end and a distal end with an opening therebetween. The distal end of the introducer is insertable into the patient body so that the opening defines a first minimally invasive aperture. The surgical accessory is coupled with the distal end of the introducer and passable through the opening to the internal surgical site. A robotic arm supports a surgical tool, and has an end effector suitable for insertion through a second minimally invasive aperture to the internal surgical site. The end effector is coupleable with the surgical accessory within the internal surgical site so that the robot arm can manipulate the surgical accessory to direct the surgical accessory to the target tissue. In specific embodiments, the accessory is actuatable from outside the internal surgical site to effect the treatment.
In some embodiments, the surgical accessory includes a proximal end disposed outside the internal surgical site, a distal end inside the internal surgical site, and a flexible body between the proximal end and the distal end. Examples of surgical accessories include an aortic punch, a pair of clamps, a heart stabilizer, a multi-fire clip applier, a pair of pliers, and a magnetic extractor.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a robotic surgical system for effecting a predetermined treatment of a target tissue at an internal surgical site within a patient body comprises a surgical accessory adapted for effecting the treatment. The surgical accessory is configured for insertion through a first minimally invasive aperture to the internal surgical site. A robotic arm supports a surgical tool. The surgical tool has an end effector suitable for insertion through a second minimally invasive aperture to the internal surgical site. The end effector is coupleable with the surgical accessory within the internal surgical site so that the robot arm can manipulate the surgical accessory to direct the surgical accessory to the target tissue. An actuation member is configured to be inserted through a third minimally invasive aperture to the internal surgical site. The actuation member is coupleable with the surgical accessory within the internal surgical site for actuating the surgical accessory for effecting the treatment at the target tissue.
In specific embodiments, the actuation member includes a locking element for releasably locking the actuation member with the surgical accessory inside the internal surgical site. The locking element is manipulatable from outside the internal surgical site. The end effector is coupleable with the actuation member within the internal surgical site to manipulate the actuation member for coupling with the surgical accessory.

In vivo accessories for minimally invasive robotic surgery and methods


A drive control device for a hybrid vehicle is provided with a differential device including four rotary elements; and an engine, a first electric motor, a second electric motor and an output rotary member which are respectively connected to the four rotary elements. One of the four rotary elements is constituted by a rotary component of a first differential mechanism and a rotary component of a second differential mechanism selectively connected through a clutch, and one of the rotary components is selectively fixed to a stationary member through a brake. The drive control device comprises: a reverse drive control portion configured to operate the first electric motor so as to generate a positive torque and operate the second electric motor so as to generate a negative torque, with the clutch being placed in the engaged state, to run the hybrid vehicle in a reverse direction.

There is known a hybrid vehicle which is provided with a differential mechanism having a first rotary element connected to a first electric motor, a second rotary element connected to an engine, and a third rotary element connected to an output rotary member and a second electric motor, and a crankshaft locking device for inhibiting a rotary motion of a crankshaft of the engine, and which can run in a second motor drive mode in which the first and second electric motors are both operated as a vehicle drive power source, as well as in an ordinary first motor drive mode in which the second electric motor is operated as the vehicle drive power source.


The present invention provides a process for the extraction and isolation of bioactive lignans with high yield and purity from Sesame oil by sequential extraction, crystallization, and saponification. The present invention provides a process for the production of highly pure bioactive lignan crystal, lignan enriched formulations with lignan content varying from 50 to 95% and with product flexibility and also at the same time preserve the starting raw material i.e. sesame oil.

Sesamum indicum L is a domesticated crop and the most ancient oil seed known from Vedic times. It is grown primarily in the tropical and a subtropical region of the world. The world production of Sesame seed is approximately 3 million metric tones (MMT) and the Sesame oil availability is about 0.75 MMT. The major producers and processors of Sesame seed are India and China (25% each), Myanmar (10-13%), Sudan (10-12%), Japan (approximately 3%) etc. Though Japan is not a producer, it is a major importer (25%) and consumer, followed by European countries, USA and Canada. India and China are known for production, use and export of Sesame seed and its products. Traditional method of Sesame oil extraction in India was by ghani but commercial extraction now employs expeller, rotary, hydraulic press and solvent extraction of oil cake. Of the total production of Sesame oil (0.2 MMT), about 75% is used for edible. purpose, 5% for Vanaspathy industry and about 4% for industrial use as paints, soaps, perfumes etc. It has been known for many years that Sesame oil is highly resistant to oxidative deterioration as compared to other edible oils. This is attributed to the presence of biologically active compounds namely lignans and lignan glucosides. Lignans are a group of natural products of phenylpropanoid origin. The main lignans in Sesame oil are Sesamin and Sesamolin. Several food, industrial and pharmaceutical uses have been reported for these lignans. Studies have shown that Sesamin, the major compound present in Sesame inhibits cholesterol absorption and synthesis in rats. Both Sesamin and Sesamolin were reported to increase hepatic mitochondrial and peroxisomal fatty acid oxidation rate [J. B. Moriss In: Food, Industrial, Nutraceutical and Pharmaceutical Uses of Sesame Genetic Resources, Trends in New Crops and New Uses; pp 153-156, J. Janick and A. Whipkey (eds) ASHS Press; Alexandria, Va. (2002)]. Sesamin has also been known to modulate the PUFA pathways by inhibiting delta.sup.5-desaturase so that they produce less inflammatory mediators (Dachtler, M., Vande Put, F. H. M., Stijn, F: V., Beindorff, C. M and Fritsche, J., Eur. J. Lipid. Sci. Technol. 105,488-496,2003). Other benefits include lowering of serum triglycerides, reduction of high blood pressure, prevention of allergic reactions, enhancement of vitamin E activity, cancer prevention etc.
Lignans in Sesame oil is also reported to have antioxidant properties. Products of lipid oxidation are known to be health hazards since they are associated with ageing, membrane damage, heart disease and cancer (Cosgrove, J. P., Church, D. F and Pryor, W. A., Lipids, 22,299-304,1987). Lipid oxidation lowers-quality and nutritional value of foods. The addition of antioxidant is effective in retarding the oxidation of lipids and lipid containing foods. Synthetic antioxidants such as Butylated Hydroxy Anisole (BHA), Butylated Hydroxy Toluene (BHT) and Tertiary Butyl Hydroxy Quinone (TBHQ) are widely used in the food industry because they are effective and less expensive than natural antioxidant [Pin-Der, Duh and Gow-Chin, Yen., JAOCS, 74(6) 745-748,1997]. Their safety have been questioned(Chang et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,100, 1991). This warrants for preparation and evaluation of natural antioxidants suitable for food and vegetable oil protection.
Antioxidant activity in Sesame cake extract have been studied in detail by various workers (Suja, K. P., John, T. A., Selvarn, N. T., Jayalekshmi, A and Arumughan, C., Food Chemistry, 84,393-400,2004; Suja, K. P., Jayaleksmi, A and Arumughan, C., Food Chemistry, 91,213-219,2005). It was found that antioxidant extract from Sesame cake at very low concentration can be substituted for synthetic antioxidants like BHT (Suja, K. P., Jayaleksmi, A and Arumughan, C., J. Agric. Fd. Chem, 52,912-915,2004, Suja, K. P., Jayaleksmi, A and Arumughan,C., J. Sci. Fd. Agric,85,1779-1783,2005).
Lignan in Sesame oil is reported to be in the range of 1 to 2% [Hemalatha, S and Ghafoorunissa, JAOCS, 81(5), 467-470, 2004]. Considering the bioactivity as cited above, Sesame lignans could be used as nutraceutical products. However an efficient process for commercial production has not been reported. The prior art on lignan extraction from Sesame oil is mostly patent related. Shinmen et al (U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,953, 1993) developed a liver function improver comprising, as an effective ingredient, a dioxabycyclo [3.3.0] octane derivative such as Sesamin and related compounds to a food or drink containing this derivative having a liver function improving action, a cholesterol level reducing action and/or a neutral fat level reducing action. An extract composed mainly of these compounds was obtained from Sesame oil by extraction with an immiscible organic solvent. The % yield of extract reported by methanolic extraction of oil was 2 to 3% based on start material. Dispersion of methanol extract in acetone, chilling, filtration and evaporation gave a compound specific extract with only 0.62% yield expressed on start material basis. They obtained a lignan content of only 32.23% in this extract based on total lignans in the oil, the start materiel. Alternatively they have tried super critical extraction of oil and also different chromatographic techniques for isolating desired lignan from the extract. However, the yield and purity of these compounds by these techniques have not been reported in this process. Namiki et al (U.S. Pat. No. 6,278;005, 2001) reported a process of producing Sesame lignans and/or Sesame flavours contained in the Sesame oil in higher purity and yield. In this process, Sesame oil was subjected to supercritical CO2 extraction and the reported percentage yield of extracts ranged from 21-24%. The lignan content in the extract was only 1.5-3.5%. A composition for inhibiting delta.sup.5-desaturase consisting of lignan compounds, prepared for biopotency studies, by extracting Sesame seed or Sesame oil using organic solvents such as acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ketone, methanol and ethanol has been patented by Akimoto et al (U.S. Pat. No. 5,336,496, 1994). Administering to animals, the composition showed inhibitory effects, which resulted in treatment of inflammation, thrombosis or hypertension? However, the yield and purity of the composition based on lignan content is not revealed in this process. The extraction of Sesame lignans from Sesame oil by liquid extraction with organic solvent followed by saponification and precipitation of the extract at 4° C. to obtain lignans have been reported by Dachtler et al (Euro. Lipid Sci. Technol, 105,488-496,2003). However the yield of extraction was very poor. Studies on the use of Sesame oil unsaponifiable matter (USM) as a natural antioxidant revealed that the USM possesses antioxidant properties with wide food application [Mohammed, H. M. A and Awatif, I. I., Food Chemistry, 62(3),269-276,1978]. They found that a combination of a number of minor constituents such as Tocopherol, Sesamol, Squalene and antipolymerization Sterols in the USM could have a synergistic role in increasing the oxidation stability of Sesame oil.
Most of the patents filed so far are related to preparation of lignan concentrate from Sesame oil for conducting studies on biological evaluation in animal models and human. Commercial and economic feasibility have not been addressed in terms of yield and purity in these patents. The present process reported here describes a most economical method to produce lignans with high yield and purity so that commercially the process is competitive in the international market.

Process for the extraction of bioactive lignans with high yield and purity from sesame oil

Council of Scientific & Industrial Design


Part of a material layer is deposited on a deposition target surface of a second substrate by steps of providing a first substrate having a light absorption layer and a material layer in contact with the light absorption layer over one of surfaces; making a surface of the first substrate over which the material layer is formed and a deposition target surface of a second substrate face to each other; depositing part of the material layer on the deposition target surface of the second substrate in such a manner that irradiation with laser light of which repetition rate is greater than or equal to 10 MHz and pulse width is greater than or equal to 100 fs and less than or equal to 10 ns is performed from the other surface side of the first substrate to selectively heat part of the material layer overlapping with the light absorption layer.

A light-emitting element using an organic compound as a luminous body, which has features such as thinness, lightness, high-speed response, and DC drive at low voltage, is expected to be applied to a next-generation flat panel display. In particular, a display device in which light-emitting elements are arranged in matrix is considered to have advantages in a wide viewing angle and excellent visibility over a conventional liquid crystal display device.
It is said that, as for a light-emitting mechanism of a light-emitting element, an EL layer is interposed between a pair of electrodes and voltage is applied to the EL layer, so that electrons injected from a cathode and holes injected from an anode are recombined in an emission center of the EL layer to form molecular excitons, and the molecular excitons release energy when returning to a ground state; thus, light is emitted. Singlet excitation and triplet excitation are known as excitation states, and it is considered that light can be emitted through either of the two excitation states.
An EL layer included in a light-emitting element includes at least a light-emitting layer. In addition, the EL layer can have a stacked-layer structure including a hole-injecting layer, a hole-transporting layer, an electron-transporting layer, an electron-injecting layer, and/or the like, in addition to the light-emitting layer.
EL materials for forming an EL layer are broadly classified into a low molecular (monomer) material and a high molecular (polymer) material. In general, a low molecular material is often deposited by an evaporation method and a high molecular material is often deposited by an inkjet method, a spin coating method, or the like.
An evaporation apparatus which is used for an evaporation method has a substrate holder to which a substrate is mounted; a crucible (or an evaporation boat) containing an EL material, that is, an evaporation material; a heater for heating the EL material in the crucible; and a shutter for preventing the EL material from being scattered during sublimation. The EL material which is heated by the heater is sublimed and deposited on the substrate. In order to achieve uniform deposition, a deposition target substrate needs to be rotated and the distance between the substrate and the crucible needs to be about 1 m even when the substrate has a size of 300 mm×360 mm. Accordingly, when a substrate to be processed is larger, an evaporation apparatus also needs to be larger; therefore, it can be thought that there is practically a limitation on the size of a substrate on which deposition can be performed by an evaporation method.
When an evaporation method is employed to manufacture a full-color display device using light emitting elements of red, green, and blue, a shadow mask is provided between the substrate and an evaporation source so as to be in contact with the substrate, and selective coloring can be achieved with this shadow mask.
However, the shadow mask which is used for manufacturing the full-color display device is extremely thin since it is necessary to precisely manufacture an opening. Therefore, when the shadow mask size is increased in accordance with an increase in a substrate size, there have been problems of bending of the shadow mask, changing of the size of the opening, and the like. Furthermore, since it is difficult to introduce a means for reinforcing the strength of the shadow mask in a region which corresponds to a pixel portion of the shadow mask, in the case of manufacturing a display region having a large area, application of a reinforcing means is also difficult.
Further, miniaturization of each display pixel pitch is increasingly demanded with high definition of a display device (increase in the number of pixels), and the shadow mask tends to be thin.
On the other hand, a wet process such as an ink-jet method or a spin coating method can be used even when a substrate is larger; however, it is difficult to form an even film. Further, when a wet process is used, after application of a composition or a solution containing an EL material, a baked solvent needs to be removed. Accordingly, when layers containing an EL material are stacked, repetition of an application step and a baking step is needed, which takes much time. Further, when a layer is stacked by a wet process such as an ink-jet method, deposition has to be performed using a solvent which does not dissolve a layer which has already been formed, and the selection range of materials to be used or stacked-layer structures is limited. When the selection range of materials to be used or stacked-layer structures is limited, performance of a light-emitting element (luminous efficiency, lifetime, or the like) is extremely limited. Accordingly, a large defect is caused in improvement in performance of a light-emitting device, such as being unable to apply a light-emitting element having an excellent structure to a light-emitting device.
Thus, a method for forming an EL layer of a light-emitting element through laser thermal transfer has been proposed (see Patent Document 1: Japanese Published Patent Application No. 2006-309995). Patent Document 1 discloses a transfer substrate which has a photothermal conversion layer including a low-reflective layer and a high-reflective layer and a transfer layer over a supporting substrate. Irradiation of such a transfer substrate with laser light allows the transfer layer to be transferred to an element-forming substrate.

Deposition method and manufacturing method of light-emitting device

Semiconductor Energy Laboratory Co., Ltd.


The invention provides a panel (10) for adjustable attachment to a mounting section (12) relative to which it is hinged or slidable. It includes a glass or plastics pane (50) and at least one profiled ledge (22) as an integral component of straight, angled [-shaped structure. The bottom ledge (22) encloses the bottom edge (21) of the pane (50) and supports a sealing strip (26) having a stiff base (28, 76) with at least one flexible lip (32). A profiled front ledge (23) may extend up to a handle (42) or way up to an upper pane edge (81). At the inside face at least of the profiled bottom ledge (22), there is a hollow sloping drain channel (44) leading back into the interior of a panel-made shower unit. The profiled ledges (22, 23, 82, 92) are preferably non-metallic resilient components with or without reinforcement insets (70). Two associated panels (10, 100) may form a round or corner-type shower unit closed by magnetic sealing gibs (46).

Since partitions are not only required in bathrooms, but generally in moist sections of premises, they usually include a frame having sealing means for preventing the penetration of water into areas that are intended to be kept dry. Typical structures comprise a vertical mounting section for supporting the door or wall panel which may include a glass or plastics pane and which is often hinged or slideable. Conventional partitions employ light metal components such as extruded aluminium profiles of suitable lengths which are joined or mitred to form a frame that holds the pane. Typical examples are disclosed in DE-U-7031717 and DE-U-7336675. In addition to special profile designs, it is necessary to have further fasteners, mounting devices, etc. in order to obtain sufficiently strong corner joints. With mitring, the installation at the site may pose problems if the conditions prevailing necessitate larger tolerances. Even where the inevitable juncture seams are well smoothed for prevention of injuries, it is possible that impurities accumulate. It is also less economical, and sometimes detrimental to use, that the profiles required may be rather wide which also detracts from appearance and increases the total weight.
It has been attempted to avoid frames by using the panes of glass or of plastics themselves as panels. Due to the fact that sliding doors require shiftable suspension means, the realization of such panel structures, which are rather heavy, has more or less been restricted to swing doors. Fairly high prices may govern buying decisions for these; and in practical use, edge protection is of the essence.


Ink separators are described herein. One example ink separator is described, which includes an ink receptacle to receive ink aerosol particles, a surface within the ink receptacle to change a direction of an airflow entraining the ink aerosol particles and cause at least a portion of the ink aerosol particles to combine to form ink droplets on the surface, and a chamber adjacent the surface to receive the airflow including the ink droplets and at least some of the ink aerosol particles, wherein the chamber includes at least two flow paths to separate the airflow and the ink aerosol particles from the ink droplets by directing the airflow and the ink aerosol particles to an aerosol collection port and the ink droplets to an ink droplet collection port.

In inkjet printers, print nozzles expel ink droplets onto print media, which dry to form images. The print nozzles are prone to clogging or other performance-deteriorating problems. Thus, the print nozzles may be subjected to one or more servicing procedures, including spitting, wiping, and/or capping and priming. The servicing procedures generate waste ink, which is collected and discarded and/or recycled.

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


In a method for operating a hybrid vehicle, which includes an internal combustion engine and an electric machine as the propulsive drive, the electric machine operates in both motor and generator modes. Furthermore, there is an accumulator device, such as a capacitor assembly, for storing electric energy. The aim is to provide a method that guarantees an improved start-up operation of a hybrid motor vehicle in terms of fuel consumption and emission. This is achieved in that in the start-up operation the torque required on the basis of the request of the driver to drive the vehicle is divided between the internal combustion engine and the electric machine, as a function of the existing operating parameters of the vehicle.

The present invention relates to a method for operating a hybrid motor vehicle.
German patent document DE 40 40 310 A1 discloses a method for operating a hybrid motor vehicle, in which the vehicle is operated exclusively by an electric motor during the start-up period of the vehicle. During start-up operation of the internal combustion engine of the vehicle, the part of the system that is connected upstream of the internal combustion engine is heated up to the operating temperature in order to guarantee a combustion with the lowest possible emission of harmful substances. After a warming-up phase, the electric engine drive is switched automatically and smoothly to an internal combustion engine drive within a very short period of time. Such a method requires electric energy to drive the vehicle in the start-up phase and to warm up the system components of the internal combustion engine. Thus, a significantly higher demand for electric energy is necessary over a longer period of time. In order to provide this higher amount of energy, as compared to conventional vehicles which are operated exclusively by an internal combustion engine, a larger energy accumulator is needed.
German patent document DE 44 22 647 A1 discloses a method for operating a hybrid vehicle, in which the required propulsion power is supplied primarily by an internal combustion engine. A portion of the required propulsion power may be supplied by an electric machine only in the event that the electric energy accumulator exhibits a sufficient charge.
The present invention provides a method for operating a motor vehicle that guarantees the lowest possible emission of harmful substances within a very short period of time. Since the torque required to drive a motor vehicle is divided as a function of the operating parameters, the fastest possible warming-up of the internal combustion engine may be guaranteed.
Below a specified threshold temperature of the internal combustion engine, the torque for driving the vehicle may be generated exclusively by the internal combustion engine. During this period of time, the electric machine may be driven by the internal combustion engine as an additional load. Therefore, the electric machine operates in a generator mode and feeds the generated electric energy into either an electric energy accumulator or a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is heat-coupled with the internal combustion engine or proportionately into both and/or all electric consumers to be supplied with energy if desired, in addition to the energy accumulator or heat exchanger. Due to the specific additional load on the internal combustion engine, the internal combustion engine reaches a state, which exhibits an operating temperature that is optimal for burning harmful substances, within a very short period of time.
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides not only the temperature of the internal combustion engine, but also the temperature of the electric machine, the temperature of the electric storage means, the rotational speed of the internal combustion engine and/or the rotational speed of the electric machine as the operating parameters, according to which the torque is divided. The operating parameters may be recorded either by measuring techniques or may be determined arithmetically with models that are stored and map the corresponding processes.
A capacitor assembly may be used in an advantageous manner as the electric accumulator. For example, high power capacitors known as "supercaps," may be used. Supercaps can supply a large amount of energy for a short period of time. Supercaps are superior to conventional batteries, because supercaps can be re-charged in a very short period of time (and are, therefore, ready again for use). Hence, supercaps may be charged up by the electric machine, which is driven in the generator mode by the internal combustion engine, and/or by recuperation during the braking operation within a very short period of time.
In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, not only the lower threshold temperature of the internal combustion engine, but also an upper threshold temperature of the internal combustion engine is determined. Below the lower threshold temperature, the hybrid vehicle is operated exclusively by the internal combustion engine. After reaching the lower threshold temperature and up to the upper threshold temperature in a mixed operation, the hybrid vehicle is operated proportionately by the internal combustion engine and by the electric machine as a function of the parameters. Above the upper threshold temperature (as far as this is possible with just the electric machine), the hybrid vehicle is operated exclusively by the electric machine. The threshold temperature values can be modified as a function of the other operating parameters (see description with respect to FIG. 2).
In accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the internal combustion engine is converted from a cold operating state (load point increase below a first threshold temperature) into a warm operating state with optimal combustion properties within a very short period of time. Furthermore, within the warm operating state of the internal combustion engine, the vehicle may be driven either partially by the electric machine (decrease in the load point above the first threshold temperature) or entirely by the electric machine alone (above a second threshold temperature). Above the second threshold temperature, the torque required by a driver's request may be converted by the electric machine alone to the extent that this torque can be generated by the electric machine. If the requested torque is so large that it cannot be converted by the electric machine alone, the internal combustion engine is switched on, at least temporarily, proportionately by way of the coupling for the purpose of generating the differential torque.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Method for operating a hybrid motor vehicle

Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft


A method for forming a pattern is provided that includes: providing a cliché having a plurality of convex patterns; applying an adhesive force reinforcing agent onto each surface of the convex patterns; forming an etching object layer on a substrate and then applying ink onto an upper portion of the etching object layer; attaching the cliché and the substrate to each other such that the convex patterns onto which the adhesive force reinforcing agent is applied can come in contact with the ink applied onto the etching object layer; and forming ink patterns which selectively remain on the etching object layer by separating the substrate and the cliché from each other.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a printing method for forming a pattern in a liquid crystal display panel, and more particularly, to a method for forming a pattern with uniform thickness on a substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
A display device, especially, a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) device is driven by an active device such as a thin film transistor provided at each pixel. The driving method is referred as an active matrix driving method. According to the active matrix driving method, the active device is arranged at each pixel to drive the corresponding pixel.
FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an active matrix type LCD device. The LCD device is a TFT LCD device in which a thin film transistor is used as the active device. As illustrated, at each pixel of the TFT LCD device, wherein N×M pixels are arranged horizontally and vertically, a TFT formed at a gate line 4 to which a scan signal is applied from an external driving circuit and a data line 6 to which an image signal is applied is provided. The TFT includes a gate electrode 3 connected to the gate line 4, a semiconductor layer 8 formed on the gate electrode 3 and activated as a scan signal is applied to the gate electrode 3, and a source/drain electrode 5 formed on the semiconductor layer 8. A pixel electrode 10 is formed in a display region of the pixel 1. The pixel electrode 10 is connected to the source/drain electrode 5 and operates liquid crystal (not illustrated) by receiving an image signal through the source/drain electrode 5 as the semiconductor layer 8 is activated.
FIG. 2 is a view illustrating the structure of the TFT arranged at each pixel. As illustrated, the TFT includes a substrate 20 formed of a transparent insulating material such as glass, a gate electrode 3 formed on the substrate 20, a gate insulating layer 22 formed on the entire surface of the substrate 20, a semiconductor layer 8 formed on the gate insulating layer 22 and activated as a signal is applied to the gate electrode 3, a source/drain electrode 5 formed on the semiconductor layer, and a passivation layer 25 formed on the source/drain electrode 5 for protecting the device.
The source/drain electrode 5 of the TFT is electrically connected to a pixel electrode formed in the pixel region, and displays an image by driving liquid crystal as a signal is applied to the pixel electrode through the source/drain electrode 5.
In the active matrix type LCD device, each pixel has a size corresponding to several tens of μm. Accordingly, the active device such as the TFT arranged in the pixel has to be formed to have a minute size corresponding to several μm. Moreover, as the consumer's demand for a display device of a high image quality such as an HDTV is being increased, more pixels have to be arranged on a screen of the same area. Accordingly, an active device pattern arranged in each pixel (including a gate line pattern and a data line pattern) has to be also formed to have a minute size.
In order to fabricate an active device such as a TFT according to the related art, a pattern, a line, and the like of the active device are formed using a photolithographic process using an exposing device. However, the photolithographic process includes a series of processes such as a photoresist deposition, an alignment process, an exposure process, a developing process, a cleaning process, and the like.
Also, the photolithographic process must be repeated several times to form patterns of the liquid crystal display device, thereby lowering productivity.

Method for forming pattern using printing method


Bag-sealing apparatus is provided for heat-sealing a bag. The apparatus has a heater arrangement operable to apply heat to heat-seal an open end of the bag. A bag detector detects the location of the bag relative to the heater arrangement. The heater arrangement is formed of plural heater portions. The heater arrangement is operable such that only the or each heater portion that overlies the bag as detected by the bag detector is caused to operate to apply heat to the bag.

A bag-sealing apparatus is used to heat-seal the open end of a hag, typically in order to keep the contents of the bag free from dirt and other contamination, so as to assist in preserving the contents and to improve the shelf life of the contents, especially in the case that the contents are food or drink, etc. The bag-sealing apparatus may be a vacuum bag-sealing apparatus which sucks air out of the bag prior to the bag being heat-sealed, which further aids in keeping the contents of the bag clean and even sterile. The bag-sealing apparatus has a heater, which is typically an electrically resistive heater in the form of a strip, over which the open end of the hag is placed when the hag is to be heat-sealed.

VESTEL ELEKTRONIK SANAYI VE TICARET A.S.


A semiconductor memory device may include a memory cell array, a plurality of first sub word line drivers, and a plurality of second sub word line drivers. The memory cell array may comprise a plurality of sub cell arrays, a plurality of first word lines and a plurality of second word lines, wherein a loading of each of the first word lines is greater than a loading of each of the second word lines. Each of the plurality of first sub word line drivers may be connected to drive a corresponding one of the plurality of first word lines, wherein each of the first sub word line drivers has a first driving capability. Each of the plurality of second sub word line drivers may be connected to drive a corresponding one of the plurality of second word lines, wherein each of the second sub word line drivers has a second driving capability different from the first driving capability.

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a semiconductor memory field, and more particularly, to a semiconductor memory device having a sub word line driver and a driving method thereof.
Volatile semiconductor memory devices such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM) may generally access by a memory controller to perform a read operation or a write operation.
As DRAM manufacturing processes shrink, the space between word lines selecting the row direction of memory cells also narrows. Thus, a further process shrink is facing a physical scaling limit.
As the distance between an accessed word line and word lines adjacent thereto becomes close, a coupling effect increases. Thus, a fluctuation in threshold voltage of an access transistor that configures a memory cell may become serious and ground noise increases. In this case, the dynamic refresh operation characteristic of the DRAM becomes weak. Accordingly, it is desired to reduce noise resulting from activating a word line.

Semiconductor memory device having sub word line driver and driving method thereof

Samsung-ro, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do