A displaying method that makes the following possible: Executing an operation from either of two approaches, i.e. a processing oriented to an object to be processed or a processing oriented to a task to be processed, and effectively dealing with a lot of tasks and various types of objects, and performing a flexible operation. In the displaying method in an information processing apparatus, both displays, i.e. a display intended for selecting the task to be processed and a display intended for selecting the object to be processed, are displayed on a display apparatus in such a manner that the two displays are distributed into two tabs, respectively. This condition makes it possible to select the task to be processed with a selection of the tabs, and also makes it possible to execute in an arbitrary order the processing oriented to the task and the processing oriented to the object.

The present invention relates to a displaying method in an information processing apparatus. More particularly, it relates to a displaying method in an information processing apparatus that is capable of displaying a picture which enables a user to easily operate the information processing apparatus when he or she uses it so as to execute some kind of processing.
When a user, using an information processing apparatus, wishes to execute some kind of processing so as to accomplish a purpose, it is common for he or she to select either of the following approaches: Proceeding to processing which is oriented toward an object to be processed (referred to as object oriented processing hereinafter) or proceeding to processing which is oriented toward a task to be processed (referred to as task oriented processing).
Meanwhile, a conventional displaying method in information processing apparatuses is configured in such a manner that operation is possible from only one of the two approaches, i.e. object oriented processing or task oriented processing.
Also, processing in information processing apparatuses using the displaying method according to the conventional technique is started by an indirect operation such as a single click with a mouse with respect to a plurality of processings that are being displayed.
Moreover, as the conventional technique concerning the displaying method in information processing apparatuses, a variety of displaying methods have been proposed for an enhancement in the usability of information processing apparatuses.
In the above-described conventional techniques, operation is possible only from either of the approaches, i.e. object oriented processing or task oriented processing. This results in a problem that it is difficult to effectively deal with a lot of tasks and various types of objects. Also, in the conventional techniques, only either of the approaches is usable. This brings about a problem that a flexible operation is difficult to achieve.
Also, in the above-described conventional techniques, execution of a command that requires an enormous amount of access time is stated upon an indirect operation such as a single click with a mouse. This gives rise to a problem that, if a command is selected that is against an intention of the user, this operation mistake will cause an enormous amount of waiting time to occur.
Also, the above-described conventional techniques have a problem that, when a displaying is executed using an expandable/reducible tree having a hierarchical structure, it is impossible to display states, such as an emergency state of a leaf node hidden under a higher order node.
Also, in the above-described conventional techniques, information the attributes of which are different for each of a plurality of independent windows or frames are displayed on the windows or frames. This condition results in a problem that there exists a limitation to the monitor resolution and, in the case of a large number of pictures involved, the apparatus becomes difficult to operate. Also, since the plurality of pictures are displayed in parallel at a time, it is difficult to impress, on the user, a situation that one object is being displayed from a variety of viewpoints.
Also, in the above-described conventional techniques, when a lot of execution results are concentrated in a schedule area within a fixed period of time, symbols representing the execution results are displayed in a state of being physically overlapped with each other. This condition results in a problem that it is difficult to arbitrarily identify the symbols within the schedule area by operations such as the mouth operation. Incidentally, in the above description, the schedule area means an area where execution results of a Job and a JobNet, i.e. execution forms, are displayed in time series with the use of tabular form.
Also, the above-described conventional techniques have a problem that when, in a display using a tab, an event requiring an emergent processing occurs within a tab, the conventional technique, if the tab is hidden, is incapable of displaying the event that has occurred within the hidden tab.
It is a first object of the present invention to provide, by solving the above-mentioned problems in the conventional techniques, a displaying method in an information processing apparatus that makes the following processings possible: Executing the operation from either of the two approaches, i.e. the processing oriented toward an object to be processed or the processing oriented toward a task to be processed, and effectively dealing with a lot of tasks and various types of objects, and achieving a flexible operation.
Also, it is a second object of the present invention to provide a displaying method in an information processing apparatus that decreases operation mistakes such as selection of a command that is against an intention of the user, thereby preventing a waiting time due to the operation mistakes from occurring.
Also, it is a third object of the present invention to provide a displaying method in an information processing apparatus that makes the following processings possible: Displaying states such as an emergency state of a leaf node hidden under a higher order node when a displaying is executed using an expandable/reducible tree having a hierarchical structure, and impressing on the user a situation that one object is being displayed from a variety of viewpoints even when a plurality of pictures are displayed in parallel at a time.
Also, it is a fourth object of the present invention to provide a displaying method in an information processing apparatus that, even when a lot of execution results are concentrated in the schedule area within a fixed period of time, prevents symbols representing the execution results from being physically overlapped with each other, thereby making it possible to arbitrarily identify any symbols within the schedule area by operations such as the mouth operation.
Also, it is a fifth object of the present invention to provide a displaying method in an information processing apparatus that allows information varying with time to be displayed as a time series picture and, out of the information displayed in the time series picture, allows detailed information within a designated time period to be displayed along with time information.
Also, it is a sixth object of the present invention to provide a displaying method in an information processing apparatus that, when, in a display using a tab, an event requiring an emergent processing occurs within a tab and further even if the tab is hidden, makes it possible to display the event that has occurred within the hidden tab.
Also, it is a seventh object of the present invention to provide a displaying method in an information processing apparatus that, when a plurality of pictures are opened simultaneously, makes it possible to select whether the plurality of pictures are opened on a new window or on one and the same window.
Also, it is an eighth object of the present invention to provide a displaying method in an information processing apparatus that makes it possible to open a sub picture on one and the same window in the case where it is possible to select opening a plurality of pictures simultaneously and in addition the sub picture is a modal picture and thus it is impossible to perform a deactivated control of operation of a parent picture.
According to one aspect of the present invention, in a displaying method in an information processing apparatus, the above-described first object is accomplished by the following transactions: Displaying on a display apparatus both a display that permits a task to be processed to be selected and a display that permits an object to be processed to be selected, and making it possible to execute in an arbitrary order a step of selecting the task to be processed and a step of selecting the object to be processed, and also displaying the display that permits the task to be processed to be selected and the display that permits the object to be processed to be selected in such a manner that the two displays are separated into two tabs, respectively.
Also, the above-described first object is accomplished by the following transactions: If the task to be processed is selected, an object to be processed that is processible by the selected task to be processed is displayed, and if the object to be processed is selected, a task to be processed that is capable of processing the selected object to be processed is displayed.
Also, in a displaying method in an information processing apparatus that displays on a display apparatus both a display that permits a task to be processed to be selected and a display that permits an object to be processed to be selected, and makes it possible to execute in an arbitrary order a step of selecting the task to be processed and a step of selecting the object to be processed, the above-described second object is accomplished by the following transaction: If a processing of performing an access through a network is selected, the access is started after a two-step operation has been executed.
Also, in a displaying method in an information processing apparatus, the above-described third object is accomplished by displaying an emergency or error state of a layer node that is even lower than the lowest layer node displayed in an interface having a hierarchical structure, the layer node not being displayed in the interface.
Also, in a displaying method in an information processing apparatus, the above-described fourth object is accomplished by the following transactions: Displaying information varying with time as a time series picture, and displaying details of the information as another picture, and in addition, making it possible to perform a switching between the display in the time series picture and the display in another picture, and also displaying, regardless of the switching, information on a hierarchical structure of an interface that is common to the display in the time series picture and the display in another picture.
Also, in a displaying method in an information processing apparatus, the above-described fifth object is accomplished by displaying information varying with time as a time series picture and by displaying, out of the information displayed in the time series picture, detailed information within a designated time period along with the time information.
Also, in a displaying method in an information processing apparatus, the above-described sixth object is accomplished by the following transactions: Information are presented within a plurality of tabs and, when the predetermined state is generated within a tab being not displayed, the event is displayed on the displayed picture.
Also, in a displaying method in an information processing apparatus, the above-described seventh object is accomplished by making it possible to select whether a plurality of pictures are opened on a new window or on one and the same window when the plurality of pictures are opened simultaneously.
Also, in a displaying method in an information processing apparatus, the above-described eighth object is accomplished by the following transactions: Making it possible to open a sub picture on one and the same window when it is possible to select opening a plurality of pictures simultaneously and in addition the sub picture is a modal picture and thus it is impossible to perform a deactivated control of operation of a parent picture, and also when a plurality of items and a plurality of item contents are displayed in correspondence with each other, displaying them in such a manner that, for each of display areas of the items and for each of the item contents, a color of the background or a color of the character is changed.
Incidentally, in the above description, the word xe2x80x9cmodalxe2x80x9d means that, when a sub picture opened from a picture is modal, it is impossible to perform operation of the original picture while the sub picture is being displayed. Also, in the following explanation of embodiments in the present invention, the word xe2x80x9cmodelessxe2x80x9d means that, when a sub picture opened from a picture is modeless, it is possible to perform, while the sub picture is being displayed, operation of the original picture in parallel with the sub picture.

Displaying method in information processing apparatus that permits execution of either object or task oriented processings


A blood pump system includes a catheter, a pump housing disposed distal of a distal end of the catheter, a rotor positioned at least partially in the pump housing, a controller, and an electrode coupled a distal region of the blood pump. The electrode can be used to sense electrocardiogram (EKG) signals and transmit the signals to a controller of the blood pump. The operation of the blood pump can be adjusted based on the EKG signal and on cardiac parameters derived from the EKG signal. Further, the controller can determine a need for defibrillation or pacing of the patient's heart based on the signal and can administer treatment with electrical shocks to the heart via the electrode coupled to the blood pump. The use of an electrode with a blood pump already in place in the heart allows for more efficient and safer treatment of serious cardiac conditions.

Cardiovascular diseases are a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and burden on healthcare around the world. A variety of treatment modalities have been developed for cardiovascular disease, ranging from pharmaceuticals to mechanical devices and finally transplantation. Temporary cardiac support devices, such as ventricular assist devices, provide hemodynamic support, and facilitate heart recovery. Some intracardiac heart pump assemblies can be introduced into the heart either surgically or percutaneously and used to deliver blood from one location in the heart or circulatory system to another location in the heart or circulatory system. For example, when deployed in the heart, an intracardiac pump can pump blood from the left ventricle of the heart into the aorta, or pump blood from the inferior vena cava to the pulmonary artery. Intracardiac pumps can be powered by a motor located outside of the patient's body or a motor located inside the patient's body. Some intracardiac blood pump systems can operate in parallel with the native heart to supplement cardiac output and partially or fully unload components of the heart. Examples of such systems include the IMPELLA® family of devices (Abiomed, Inc., Danvers Mass.).
Among the population of patients who require hemodynamic support by a mechanical circulatory support system, such as an intracardiac blood pump, it is common to experience heart arrhythmia, or irregular heartbeats. When the arrhythmia is severe, it may be necessary to correct the heart rhythm with a pacing or defibrillation device.
In a critical care setting, a patient suffering from life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia or dysrhythmia is often defibrillated by a manual external defibrillator or automated external defibrillator to deliver a dose of electric current to the heart through the application of large pads or electrodes to the patient's skin to depolarize the heart and end the irregular heartbeat. Defibrillation is used only when specific kinds of arrhythmias are detected, and improper defibrillation can cause dangerous dysrhythmia and other injuries.
Adjustments to the heart's pacing are similarly addressed in critical care settings by use of transcutaneous, or external, pacing. In transcutaneous pacing, a clinician typically uses pads or electrodes placed on the patient's chest to provide pulses of electrical current to stimulate contraction of the heart. Pacing is required when an abnormally slow heartrate is detected, called bradycardia.
In situations in which pacing or defibrillation are required, the clinician must first recognize that treatment is required, diagnose the cardiac irregularity, and determine the proper treatment. When defibrillation is indicated, the clinician must then place the electrodes or pads on the patient, determine the voltage and timing for the electrical shock, and administer the electric shock to the patient. When pacing is indicated, the clinician places the electrodes or pads on the patient, and selects a heart rate and adjusts the current to the appropriate level.
Delay in administering the pacing or defibrillation to a patient when necessary can be detrimental to a patient's condition and may result in lowered survival rate. Further, defibrillation and transcutaneous pacing may be uncomfortable for the patient. Unfortunately, because electrical shocks for defibrillation and pacing in a critical care or emergency setting are most often applied externally, high amounts of electrical charge are required, sometimes resulting in serious injury to the patient. Accordingly, there is a need for new technologies providing efficient and safe pacing and defibrillation to patients.

Blood pump with capability of electrocardiogram (EKG) monitoring, defibrillation and pacing


The subject matter of the invention is a communication method comprising the establishment of a communication route to a target partner not reachable by direct addressing by by-passing a node blocking the direct connection, further comprising the steps of setting up a TURN server at one or more users of the communication network in response to a definite and pre-granted request or in advance, and implementing the communication route to be established via at least one mentioned TURN server, with the effective mutual authorization management of the users involved in the communication session.

Classical peer-to-peer (P2P) solutions, that is, solutions where the entities—programs—communicate with each other directly, typically run on personal computers, sharing the resources of the latter. P2P solutions on mobile devices, such as Bittorrent, for example, can only function effectively having a background with powerful personal computers (PCs) or with a cloud-based background, for several reasons.
One reason of the limitations is Network Address Translation, NAT, under which the specific internal network devices are assigned an internal IP address instead of a real, public IP address, and this internal IP address is translated by an address translation device so that, externally, in an external network, a public IP address assigned to the individual packets is visible. This method is particularly widespread at service providers offering or providing wireless communication. Namely, with the depletion of the total number of 2564 of the IP4 addresses, network providers make increasing use of NAT or service provider's NAT, Carrier Grade Network Address Translation, CGNAT, solutions, i.e. address translations where every user is put behind NAT and, therefore, establishing a connection is a problem at the user, depending on the specific type of NAT. This problem is basically known in telephony, but it occurs with increasing frequency also in relation to the Internet. In P2P networks and in some applications using the P2P paradigm such as e.g. VoIP, IM, where not only service providers, but normal end-user terminals would also like to communicate with each other, communication between the parts realised with NAT functionalities in the networks is a major problem. Consequently, it is a typical fundamental problem that two users cannot establish direct contact with each other, because the service provider of one user rejects the connection-establishing requests coming from the other user, as outlined in FIG. 1.
In certain cases—symmetric NAT—devices behind NAT cannot be addressed from outside, from the side of the Internet so in such cases only the user behind the NAT can initiate an Internet connection. In the particular case when two devices behind their respective symmetric NATs, e.g. mobile phones, would like to communicate with each other, they will not be able to do so.
Nowadays two methods are known to handle such cases. Either the device (mobile phone, or set-top-box) instructs the running NAT service to open the necessary ports (see e.g. the UPNP protocol, a standard protocol to configure home NAT) or, in a generic solution to the problem, a mediator is involved between the two parties that cannot contact each other: it is permitted to establish connection with the intermediate entity and hence the intermediary entity and the user can communicate. The intermediary entity relays the traffic between the two communicating entities, as is also outlined in FIG. 1.
Communication takes place on two planes:                Signalling—data of minor quantity, present on a mandatory basis or presumably, e.g. push or P2P overlay.        Data traffic—data of major quantity that the parties are reluctant to transfer, but a third party involvement implies a security risk.
The experience is that users are reluctant to consent to their devices being the transmitters of data of larger quantities and, with mobile devices, neither is the transmission of large amounts of data to each other (e.g. vice/video calls) a technologically adequate solution due to energy and other problems. Signalling (call, ring etc.), however, is feasible also at this level.
The problem, therefore, is the adequate transmission of the data transmitted on the data channel (but that may also be the signaling itself). This communication problem is generally handed by one of two approaches:                Solutions developed for this purpose include the standard protocols TURN (http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc5766) and ICE (http://tools.ietf.org/html/rfc5245) and their specific implementations. TURN mediates between two communicating entities as a third party, with the traffic going through it; the dynamic domain name server, DNS, only connects the dynamic IP address to a constant URL. The TURN protocol itself, as is, is not suitable for the user concerned to connect two other users. It can only manage connections between the given user and related entities.        A P2P network itself can also provide for nodes that realise the transfer (so-called super-nodes).
Big central TURN service providers, however, are not economical, since they ought to transmit high-volume traffic, and neither are they necessarily advantageous in terms of data security.

Budapesti Müszaki és Gazdaságtudományi Egyetem


This invention relates to paper white cholesteric displays employing a reflective elliptical polarizer. In the reflective mode, the paper white ON state is achieved by a reflective elliptical polarizer in display""s planar texture area; and the black OFF state is obtained by cholesteric""s depolarization effect and polarizer""s filtration effect in display""s focal conic texture area. In the transmissive mode, on the other hand, the paper white ON state is created by a back lighting projected onto the focal conic texture area; and the black OFF state is realized in the cholesteric planar texture area. The reflective elliptical polarizer with a broadband reflection and high polarization efficiency delivers a bright neutral white color to both the reflective and transmissive mode cholesteric displays. The reflective elliptical polarizer also provides a solution to the transflective display where the high efficiency front-lit mode and the back-lit mode can be converted automatically.

Cholesteric liquid crystal displays are characterized by the fact that the pictures stay on the display even if the driving voltage is disconnected. The bistability and multistability also ensure a completely flicker-free static display and have the possibility of infinite multiplexing to create giant displays and/or ultra-high resolution displays. In cholesteric liquid crystals, the molecules are oriented in helices with a periodicity characteristic of material. In the planar state, the axis of this helix is perpendicular to the display plane. Light with a wavelength matching the pitch of the helix is reflected and the display appears bright. If an AC-voltage is applied, the structure of the liquid crystals changes from planar to focal conic texture. The focal conic state is predominately characterized by its highly diffused light scattering appearance caused by a distribution of small, birefringence domains, at the boundary between those domains the refractive index is abruptly changed. This texture has no single optic axis. The focal conic texture is typically milky-white (i.e., white light scattering). Both planar texture and focal conic texture can coexist in the same panel or entity. This is a very important property for display applications, whereby the gray scale can be realized.
Current cholesterics displays are utilizing xe2x80x9cBragg reflectionxe2x80x9d, one of the intrinsic properties of cholesterics. In Bragg reflection, only a portion of the incident light with the same handedness of circular polarization and also within the specific wave band can reflect back to the viewer, which generates a monochrome display. The remaining spectrum of the incoming light, however, including the 50% opposite handedness circular polarized and out-off Bragg reflection wave band, will pass through the display and be absorbed by the black coating material on the back surface of the display to ensure the contrast ratio. The overall light utilization efficiency is rather low and it is not qualified in some applications, such as a billboard at normal ambient lighting condition. The Bragg type reflection gives an impression that monochrome display is one of the distinctive properties of the ChLCD.
In many applications, human eyes are friendlier with full color spectrum, i.e., white color information written on the dark background. With the development of the flat panel display, more and more displays with neutral color have come into being, such as black-and-white STN display and AMTFT display, etc. Unfortunately, both of these approaches involve major disadvantages and limitations. The AMTFT displays are not true zero field image storage systems because they require constant power input for image refreshing. The STN displays do not possess inherent gray scale capability as a result of the extreme steepness of the electro-optical response curve of the display. To realize a gray scale, the resolution has to be reduced by using, for example, four pixels instead of one per area. Anywhere from one to four pixels are activated at a particular time to provide the gray scale effect. The AMTFT devices use semiconductors to provide memory effects and involve use of expensive, ultra high resistance liquid crystal materials to minimize RC losses. Additionally, these displays are both difficult and costly to produce and they are, at present, limited to relatively small size displays. The cholesteric display has many advantages over the STN and AMTFT display with its zero field memory effect, hemispheric viewing angle, gray scale capability and other optical performances, but it obviously needs to come up with black-and-white solution in order to keep its superiority.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,796,454 introduces a black-and-white back-lit ChLC display. It includes controllable ChLC structure, the first circular polarizer laminating to the first substrate of the cell which has the same circular polarity as the liquid crystals, the second circular polarizer laminating to the second substrate of the cell which has a circular polarity opposite to the liquid crystals, and a light source. The black-and-white back-lit display is preferably illuminated by a light source that produces natural xe2x80x9cwhitexe2x80x9d light. Thus, when the display is illuminated by incident light, the circular polarizer transmits the 50% component of the incident light that is right-circularly polarized. When the ChLC is in an ON state, the light reflected by the ChLC is that portion of the incident light having wavelengths within the intrinsic spectral bandwidth, and the same handedness; The light that is transmitted through the ChLC is the complement of the intrinsic color of ChLC. The transmitted light has right-circular polarization, however, it is thus blocked by left-circular polarizer. Therefore, the observer will perceive that region of the display to be substantially black. When the display is in an OFF state, the light transmitted through the polarizer is optically scattered by the ChLC. The portion of the incident light that is forward-scattered is emitted from the controllable ChLC structure as depolarized light. The left-circularly polarized portion of the forward-scattered light is transmitted through the left-circular polarizer, thus, is perceived by an observer. The black-and-white display, in ""454 patent, is generated by back-lit component and the ambient light is nothing but noise.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,344,887 introduces a method of manufacturing a full spectrum reflective cholesteric display, herein is incorporated by reference. ""887 teaches a cholesteric display employing absorptive polarizers with the same polarity but different disposition. The display utilizes an absorptive circular polarizer and a metal reflector film positioned on the backside of the display to guide the second component of the incoming light back to the viewer. However, the shortcoming of the Iodine type absorptive polarizer makes the display to take on a tint of color in the optical ON state, for example, greenish white. The reasons for that are described as follows: Firstly, all the absorptive iodine polarizer has a more or less blue leaking problem which causes non-neutral color of a display device. Secondly, the absorptive polarizer has limited transmission (44%) and polarization efficiency that causes the second reflection having less intensity than that of the first one. Thirdly, the metal reflector always has a limited reflectivity. Take the Aluminum for example, the reflectivity is in the range of 80xcx9c90%. Fourthly, the quarter waveform retardation film can only match a narrow wavelength of the light to generate a circularly polarized light. Addition to the multi-layer surface mismatching, the total reflection of the back absorptive circular polarizer is around 35%. All those reasons result in a full spectrum cholesteric display appearing non-paper white.
It is the primary objective of the present invention to realize a paper-white reflection in display""s planar texture while maintaining the cholesterics"" superiority such as high contrast ratio, hemispheric viewing angle, zero-field long time memory and so on.
It is another objective of the present invention to create the dark state in display""s focal conic texture so as to achieve a reflective type black-and-white display.
It is still another objective of the present invention to realize a paper-white transmission in focal conic texture when the display switches to back-lit working mode.
It is also another objective of the present invention to create the dark state in planar texture when the display switches to back-lit working mode so as to achieve a transmissive type black-and-white display.
It is another objective of the present invention to accomplish a theoretically best brightness of the front reflection.
It is still another objective of the present invention to utilize a broadband reflective elliptical polarizer as a key component to generate and guide the elliptical polarization.
It is a further objective of the present invention to take the advantage of the bipolarity characteristics of the cholesteric broadband elliptical polarizer to achieve a high efficiency front-lit and back-lit converting system.
It is also another objective of the present invention to obtain a brightness enhancement effect of the reflective elliptical polarizer.

Paper white cholesteric displays employing reflective elliptical polarizer


A step movement mechanism is provided, which comprises a driven member and driving means, which drives the driven member. The driven member is formed with a plurality of equally spaced first concave cambered surfaces and a plurality of equally spaced force-bearing surface pairs. The two surfaces of each surface pair face each other. The driving means comprise a drive source to rotate a cam gear. The cam gear carries a rotation pin and stop means both rotating with the cam gear. The stop means are in contact with one of the first concave cambered surfaces when the step movement mechanism is in a stop position so as to prevent the driven member from moving. The rotation pin is temporarily in contact with one surface of the force bearing surface pair so as to move the driven member by one step when the cam gear rotates one revolution in either direction.

When designing step movement mechanism used in a variety of products, designer frequently meets difficulties to achieve reliable step movement with reliability with a small number of parts. Mechanism designers must achieve step movement when they want to stop some parts in several positions with accurate positioning and holding it in that position even when external shocks or movements disturb the mechanical system.
Normally, a step movement mechanism has to provide several essential features such as accurate stop position control, locking the parts in stop positions, accurate distance between steps (stop positions), easiness to control, allowing tolerance of positioning sensors while still being able to keep accurate stop position and produce less noise and etc. However, in order to achieve accurate step movement and realize accurate stop position control, the conventional step movement mechanism usually has a complicated structure with a large number of parts, resulting in a reduction of reliability and an increase of the manufacturing cost.


A class of novel compounds is described for use in affecting lymphatic absorption of cholesterol. Compounds of particular interest are defined by Formula I:

This invention relates to novel organic compound and methods for their synthesis. More particularly, the invention relates to novel compounds affecting lymphatic absorption of cholesterol.
Atherosclerosis is a major cause of heart attack, stroke, and gangrene of the extremities and can be attributed directly to having high levels of cholesterol in the body. Cholesterol can enter the body by absorption from foods by the intestinal mucosal cells and the lymphatic system (i.e., exogenous sources). Cholesterol also is produced in the liver by a sequence of enzymatic reactions (i.e., endogenous biosynthesis). Endogenous biosynthesis of cholesterol involves a key enzyme, HMG-CoA (3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A) reductase. HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors can be used to lower total plasma cholesterol in patients with primary hypercholesterolemia. Effective inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase is realized by drugs such as Lovastatin (sold as Mevacor from Merck Co.), Mevalotin (from Sankyo Co., Japan), and analogs thereof (e.g., compounds sold under the trade names Sivastatin, Mevastatin, and Pravastatin). Exogenous sources of cholesterol, however, are not affected by these drugs. Various compounds have been reported to be useful for lowering cholesterol absorption. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,246,960, 5,175,186, 5,215, 972, 5,495,048, 5,856,503, and 5,637,771. Currently, a lipase inhibitor termed Xenical(copyright) has been offered for obesity management. Xenical(copyright) has been reported to achieve a slight reduction in cholesterol.
The invention features a compound of Formula I:
R1 can be independently hydrido, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkylyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, haloalkoxyalkyl, aryl, heterocyclic, heteroaryl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, N-alkylsulfamyl, N,N-dialkylsulfamyl, N-arylsulfomyl, N-alkyl-N-arylsulfamyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, amido, N-alkylamido, N-N-dialkylamido, N-monoarylamido, N-alkyl-N-arylamido, N-alkyl-N-hydroxyamido, N-alkyl-N-hydroxyamidoalkyl, amidoalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, amidino, cyanoamidino, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, acyl, acyloxy, aryloxy, acylamino, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfonate, alkylsilyl, phenylselenyl, thiol, arylsulfenyl, alkylsulfenyl, arylsulfinyl, or alkylsilyloxy.
R2 can be independently hydrido, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkylyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, haloalkoxyalkyl, aryl, heterocyclic, heteroaryl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, N-alkylsulfamyl, N,N-dialkylsulfamyl, N-arylsulfomyl, N-alkyl-N-arylsulfamyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, amido, N-alkylamido, N-N-dialkylamido, N-monoarylamido, N-alkyl-N-arylamido, N-alkyl-N-hydroxyamido, N-alkyl-N-hydroxyamidoalkyl, amidoalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, amidino, cyanoamidino, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, acyl, acyloxy, aryloxy, acylamino, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfonate, alkylsilyl, or phenylselenyl, thiol, arylsulfenyl, alkylsulfenyl, arylsulfinyl, or alkylsilyloxy;
R3 can be independently hydrido, halo, alkyl, alkenyl, alkylyl, haloalkyl, hydroxyalkyl, hydroxy, alkoxy, alkoxyalkyl, haloalkoxy, haloalkoxyalkyl, aryl, heterocyclic, heteroaryl, alkylsulfonyl, arylsulfonyl, N-alkylsulfamyl, N,N-dialkylsulfamyl, N-arylsulfomyl, N-alkyl-N-arylsulfamyl, carboxy, carboxyalkyl, alkylcarbonyl, alkylcarbonylalkyl, alkoxycarbonyl, alkoxycarbonylalkyl, amido, N-alkylamido, N-N-dialkylamido, N-monoarylamido, N-alkyl-N-arylamido, N-alkyl-N-hydroxyamido, N-alkyl-N-hydroxyamidoalkyl, amidoalkyl, aminoalkyl, alkylaminoalkyl, amidino, cyanoamidino, heterocycloalkyl, aralkyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, alkylthio, alkylsulfinyl, N-alkylamino, N,N-dialkylamino, acyl, acyloxy, aryloxy, acylamino, amino, cyano, nitro, sulfonate, alkylsilyl, phenylselenyl, thiol, arylsulfenyl, alkylsulfenyl, arylsulfinyl, or alkylsilyloxy.
R4 can be independently hydrido, alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl.
R5 can be independently hydrido, alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl.
In some embodiments, R1 is halo, R2 and R3 are hydroxy, and R4 and R5 are alkyl in the compound, e.g., R1 is chloro and R4 and R5 are methyl. In other embodiments, R1 is halo, R2 and R3 are alkylsilyloxy, and R4 and R5 are alkyl, e.g., R1 is chloro, R2 and R3 are OSi-t-BuMe2, and R4 and R5 are methyl. In one embodiment, the compound has Formula (24):
The invention also features a compound of Formula II:
R1 can be independently any of the groups described above for R1 of Formula I. R2 can be independently any of the groups described above for R2 of Formula I. R3 can be independently any of the groups described above for R3 of Formula I. R4 can be independently hydrido, alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl. R5 can be independently hydrido, alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl. However, when R1 is chloro, R2 and R3 are not hydroxy and R4 and R5 are methyl.
In some embodiments, R1 is halo, R2 and R3 are hydroxy, and R4 and R5 are alkyl. In some embodiments, R1 is halo, R2 and R3 are alkylsilyloxy; and R4 and R5 are alkyl, e.g., R1 is chloro, R2 and R3 are OSi-t-BuMe2, and R4 and R5 are methyl.
The invention also features a compound of Formula III:
In these compounds, R1 can be independently any of the groups described above for R1 of Formula I.
R2 can be independently any of the groups described above for R2 of Formula I. R3 can be independently any of the groups described above for R3 of Formula I. R4 can be independently hydrido, alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl. R5 can be independently hydrido, alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl.
In some embodiments, R1 is halo, R2 and R3 are selected from hydroxy and alkylsilyloxy, and R4 and R5 are alkyl, e.g., R1 is chloro, R2 and R3 are hydroxy, and R4 and R5 are methyl. In some embodiments, R1 is halo, R2 and R3 are alkylsilyloxy, and R4 and R5 are methyl, e.g., R1 is chloro, R2 and R3 are OSi-t-BuMe2, and R4 and R5 are methyl. In some embodiments the compound has Formula (23):
The invention also features a compound of Formula IV:
R1 can be independently any of the groups described above for R1 of Formula I. R2 can be independently any of the groups described above for R2 of Formula I. R3 can be independently any of the groups described above for R3 of Formula I. R4 can be independently hydrido, alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl. R5 can be independently hydrido, alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl. R6 can be independently hydrido, hydroxy, or acyloxy. R7 can be independently alkyl, or arylselenylalkyl.
In some embodiments, R1 is halo, R2 and R3 are selected from hydroxy, alkylsilyloxy, or aralkyloxy, R4 and R5 are alkyl, R6 is selected from hydrido, hydroxy, or acyloxy, and R7 is selected from alkyl or arylselenylalkyl, e.g., R1 is chloro; R2 and R3 are OSi-t-BuMe2, R4 and R5 are methyl, R6 is hydrido, and R7 is methyl. In other embodiments, R1 is chloro, R2 and R3 are hydroxy, R4 and R5 are methyl, R6 is hydrido, and R7 is methyl. In some embodiments, R1 is chloro; R2 and R3 are arylalkyloxy; R4 and R5 are methyl, R6 is hydroxy, and R7 is arylselenylalkyl. In some embodiments, R1 is chloro,; R2 and R3 are arylalkyloxy, and R4 and R5 are methyl, R6 is acyloxy, and R7 is arylselenylalkyl. In some embodiments, R1 is chloro, R2 and R3 are arylalkyloxy; R4 and R5 are methyl, R6 is acyloxy, and R7 is methyl.
The invention also features a compound of Formula V:
R1 can be independently any of the groups described above for R1 of Formula I. R2 can be independently any of the groups described above for R2 of Formula I. R3 can be independently any of the groups described above for R3 of Formula I. R4 can be independently hydrido, alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl. R5 is independently hydrido, alkyl, or hydroxyalkyl. R6 can be hydroxy. R8 can be independently hydroxy, or alkylsilyloxy.
In some embodiments, R1 is halo; R2 and R3 are arylalkyloxy; R4 and R5 are alkyl; R6 is hydroxy; and R8 is selected from hydroxy and alkylsilyloxy, e.g., R1 is chloro; R2 and R3 are OBn; and R4 and R5 are methyl; R6 is hydroxy; and R8 is OSi-tBuMe2. In some embodiments, R1 is chloro; R2 and R3 are OBn; R4 and R5 are methyl; R6 is hydroxy; and R8 is hydroxy.
The inventions also features a method of synthesizing a compound of Formula I:
wherein R1 is chloro, R2 and R3 are hydroxy, and R4 and R5 are methyl. The method comprises reacting compound (4) with compound (3) to form intermediate compound (18).
wherein R9 is OSi-t-BuMe2, X1 is chloro, X2 is bromo;
wherein R1 is chloro, R2 and R3 are OSi-tBuMe2. The method further comprises isolating compound (18) and deprotecting compound (18). The result is a compound of Formula I.
The invention also features a method of synthesizing (+) chloropuupehenone. The method comprises hydrogenating compound (19) to form compound (25).
Desilylation of compound (25) forms compound (26).
Oxidation of compound (26) forms (+) chloropuupehenone (27).
The invention also features a pharmaceutical composition comprising a pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier and a compound of Formula 1:
The composition can be in the form of a capsule or a liquid emulsion. The composition can in a controlled release formulation, e.g., a dispersion in hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose, or in a formulation suitable for parenteral administration, e.g., a lipid emulsion. The composition can comprise a diluent such as polyethylene glycol, propylene glycol, ethanol, corn oil, cottonseed oil, peanut oil, sesame oil, or benzyl alcohol. The pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier material can be lactose, sucrose, starch powder, cellulose esters of alkanoic acids, cellulose alkyl esters, talc, stearic acid, magnesium stearate, magnesium oxide, sodium and calcium salts of phosphoric and sulfuric acids, gelatin, acacia gum, sodium alginate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, sodium lauryl sulfate, povidone, polyvinylpyrrolidone, or polyvinyl alcohol.
The invention also features a method for identifying a compound that inhibits lymphatic absorption of cholesterol. The method comprises administering a known amount of cholesterol and a compound of claim 1 to a non-human mammal, and determining the amount of administered cholesterol that is absorbed by the lymph. A statistically significant decrease in lymphatic cholesterol absorption relative to the lymphatic cholesterol absorption of a corresponding control mammal indicates that the compound is effective for inhibiting lymphatic absorption of cholesterol. A statistically insignificant change or a statistically significant increase in lymphatic cholesterol absorption relative to the lymphatic cholesterol absorption of a corresponding control mammal indicates the compound does not inhibit lymphatic absorption of cholesterol. The cholesterol and the compound can be administered in a lipid emulsion.
The invention also features a method of treating a cholesterol-related condition. The method comprises administering an effective amount of a compound of Formula I to a mammal. The cholesterol-related condition can be, for example, atherosclerosis, hypercholesterolemia, heart attack, gangrene, and stroke. The compound can be administered orally, intravascularly, intraperitoneally, subcutaneously, intramuscularly, or topically, and in an amount from about 4 mg/kg to about 4 g/kg of body weight per day. The compound can be administered in a composition as described above. The method can be part of a treatment regimen comprising a diet low in cholesterol, or as part of a treatment regimen that includes administering an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors. The method can be used to treat humans. The method can include administering the compound for 7 days or more, e.g., for one year or more.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used to practice the invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.

Compounds affecting cholesterol absorption

Abstract: or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Kansas State University Research Foundation


A dispensing system of the type including an essentially horizontally oriented plate and an essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder is disclosed. A distinguishing spindle and disc system is present inside said essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder. The disc can serve to form chambers thereabove and therebelow within the essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder. The dispensing system is easy to use, requiring only that a user lift the essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder to dispense dispensable items contained therein onto the upper surface of the essentially horizontally oriented plate.

The benefits provided by plate and storage cylinder combination systems have been especially well demonstrated by Patents covering inventions in the area of animal feeders and small parts dispensers. While specific embodiments vary, said systems generally provide an essentially horizontally oriented plate which is located vertically below a lower end of an essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder. During use, feed or small parts etc. stored in said essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder can escape therefrom onto said essentially horizontally oriented plate for consumption or collection etc.
Most feeder systems provide that a lower end of an essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder be fixed in relation to an upper surface of an essentially horizontally oriented plate. Said positioning being typically fixed to provide an intended gap length between the lower end of said essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder and the upper surface of said essentially horizontally oriented plate, such that an optimum controlled flow of feed from said essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder is achieved during use, in response to removal of feed present on said essentially horizontally oriented plate. See U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,433,641 to Waite; 2,941,506 to Fulton; 2,789,534 to Landgraf for instance, which describe such systems. Another U.S. Pat. No. 3,136,296 to Luin, describes a varied embodiment of a functionally similar system in which the lower end of an essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder rests upon the upper surface of an essentially horizontally oriented plate. Holes are present in the lower end of the wall of the essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder, however, through which feed can flow during use. In addition, a U.S. Pat. to Nelson, No. 3,085,718 describes a dispensing for small parts in which an essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder is present in relation to an essentially horizontally oriented tray-like plate. The lower end of the essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder is cut so that the wall thereof, on one side thereof, is longer than is the wall on an opposite side thereof. Operation of the Nelson system is by rotation of said essentially vertically oriented hollow storage cylinder so that the short wall thereof becomes oriented with respect to the essentially horizontally oriented tray-like plate so that a part can exit thereinto for collection. It is noted that other Patents, both U.S. and Foreign also describe functionally similar systems.
It should be appreciated that while a number of Patents, such as those surveyed above, describe feed or small part dispensing systems, no reference known to the inventor of the present invention teaches an easy to use dispensing system suitable for use in dispensing food for human consumption, such as nuts and jelly beans etc. The present invention provides an aesthetically attractive dispensing system for said use.

Dispensing system suitable for use in dispensing food for human consumption and method of use


An antiferroelectric liquid crystal display, which is equipped with an antiferroelectric liquid crystal panel having an antiferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates, performs at least one scanning period when carrying out a display based on one set of display data, wherein the scanning period comprises a selection period for determining the state of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal, a non-selection period for holding the state determined in the selection period, and a reset period for resetting pixels to a black display state before initiating the selection period. The length of the reset period is adjusted according to the speed of change in the display data. Alternatively, the pixels are reset to a white display state in the reset period and, during that period, the backlight is turned off.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an antiferroelectric liquid crystal display, such as a liquid crystal display panel or a liquid crystal optical shutter array, that has a liquid crystal layer of antiferroelectric liquid crystal.
2. Description of the Related Art
Liquid crystal panels using antiferroelectric liquid crystals have been researched vigorously since it was reported in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2-173724 by Nippondenso and Showa Shell Sekiyu that such liquid crystal panels provide wide viewing angles, are capable of fast response, and have good multiplexing characteristics.
In traditional liquid crystal displays using conventional liquid crystals such as nematic liquid crystals, when a rapidly changing image is displayed on the screen, the screen cannot respond quickly to the changes of the image. For example, in a video game, when an image of a ball moving around is displayed on a liquid crystal display, there occurs the phenomenon that the contour of the ball cannot be displayed distinctly and the image is blurred (this phenomenon will hereinafter be referred to as the xe2x80x9cimage trailing phenomenonxe2x80x9d). Previously, this image trailing phenomenon has been believed to occur because of the slow switching speeds of liquid crystal molecules. However, a recent research report shows that not only the slow switching speeds of liquid crystal molecules but the traditionally employed liquid crystal driving method is also responsible for the image trailing phenomenon. That is, the report says that in a scanning period during which an image based on display data is written to the pixels, if the image is written to the pixels without once resetting the previous image display, the previous image persists in the eye of the person viewing the display, thus causing the image trailing phenomenon.
It has been believed that antiferroelectric liquid crystals are resistant to the image trailing phenomenon because of their fast switching speeds compared with other conventional liquid crystals. However, recent research has revealed that antiferroelectric liquid crystal displays are resistant to the image trailing phenomenon, not only because of their fast switching speeds but also because of their unique driving method, that is, the inclusion of a reset period which, as earlier described, is supposed to contribute to reducing the image trailing phenomenon.
In the previous research, however, it has not been made clear as to how the antiferroelectric liquid crystals can be controlled most effectively to reduce the image trailing phenomenon. The prior known method has had the further problem that by simply providing the reset period, the image trailing phenomenon cannot be completely eliminated when displaying a moving image based on rapidly changing display data.
In view of the above situation, it is an object of the present invention to provide, in an antiferroelectric liquid crystal display using an antiferroelectric liquid crystal, an antiferroelectric liquid crystal display having an effective reset period, and achieving a good display quality by setting an optimum reset period when displaying an image, whether it be a moving image or a still image.
To attain the above object, the antiferroelectric liquid crystal display according to the present invention is equipped with an antiferroelectric liquid crystal panel having an antiferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates, wherein the antiferroelectric liquid crystal display is provided with at least one scanning period when carrying out a display based on one set of display data, and the scanning period comprises a selection period for determining the state of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal, a non-selection period for holding the state determined in the selection period, and a reset period for resetting pixels to a black display state before initiating the selection period, and wherein the antiferroelectric liquid crystal display includes a device for adjusting the length of the reset period according to the speed of change in the display data.
The length of the reset period is increased when the speed of change in the display data is fast, and is reduced when the speed is slow.
The antiferroelectric liquid crystal display further includes a backlight and a device for adjusting the brightness of the backlight according to the length of the reset period.
The brightness of the backlight is increased when the length of the reset period is increased, and is reduced when the length is reduced.
The speed of change in the display data is detected by comparing display data of approximately successive screens (frames).
The antiferroelectric liquid crystal display is characterized in that the antiferroelectric liquid crystal display includes a pair of polarizers whose polarization axes are oriented substantially at right angles to each other, in that the antiferroelectric liquid crystal is capable of exhibiting an antiferroelectric state, a first ferroelectric state, and a second ferroelectric state, in that the pair of polarizers are arranged so that the polarization axis of either one of the polarizers substantially coincides with the average molecular long axis direction of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal in the absence of an applied voltage, and in that in the reset period, the antiferroelectric liquid crystal is set to the antiferroelectric state.
The antiferroelectric liquid crystal display is also characterized in that the antiferroelectric liquid crystal display includes a pair of polarizers whose polarization axes are oriented substantially at right angles to each other, in that the antiferroelectric liquid crystal is capable of exhibiting an antiferroelectric state, a first ferroelectric state, and a second ferroelectric state, in that the pair of polarizers are arranged so that the direction of line bisecting the angle which is made by the polarization axes of the polarizers substantially coincides with the average molecular long axis direction of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal in the absence of an applied voltage, and in that, in the reset period, the antiferroelectric liquid crystal is set to the first or second ferroelectric state.
The antiferroelectric liquid crystal display according to another aspect of the invention is equipped with a backlight and an antiferroelectric liquid crystal panel having an antiferroelectric liquid crystal sandwiched between a pair of substrates, wherein the antiferroelectric liquid crystal display is provided with at least one scanning period when carrying out a display based on display data for one frame, and the scanning period includes a selection period for determining the state of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal, a non-selection period for holding the state determined in the selection period, and a reset period for resetting all pixels simultaneously to a white display state before initiating the selection period, and wherein the backlight is turned off during the reset period.
The antiferroelectric liquid crystal display includes a device for adjusting the length of the reset period according to the speed of change in the display data.
The length of the reset period is increased when the speed of change in the display data is fast, and is reduced when the speed is slow.
The speed of change in the display data is detected by comparing display data of approximately successive screens (frames).
The antiferroelectric liquid crystal display further includes a device for adjusting the brightness of the backlight according to the length of the reset period.
The brightness of the backlight is increased when the length of the reset period is increased, and is reduced when the length is reduced.
The antiferroelectric liquid crystal display is characterized in that the antiferroelectric liquid crystal display includes a pair of polarizers whose polarization axes are oriented substantially at right angles to each other, in that the antiferroelectric liquid crystal is capable of exhibiting an antiferroelectric state, a first ferroelectric state, and a second ferroelectric state, in that the pair of polarizers are arranged so that the polarization axis of either one of the polarizers substantially coincides with the average molecular long axis direction of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal in the absence of an applied voltage, and in that in the reset period, the antiferroelectric liquid crystal is set to the first or second ferroelectric state.
The antiferroelectric liquid crystal display is also characterized in that the antiferroelectric liquid crystal display includes a pair of polarizers whose polarization axes are oriented substantially at right angles to each other, in that the antiferroelectric liquid crystal is capable of exhibiting an antiferroelectric state, a first ferroelectric state, and a second ferroelectric state, in that the pair of polarizers are arranged so that the direction of line bisecting the angle which is made by the polarization axes of the polarizers substantially coincides with the average molecular long axis direction of the antiferroelectric liquid crystal in the absence of an applied voltage, and in that in the reset period, the antiferroelectric liquid crystal is set to the antiferroelectric state.

Antiferroelectric liquid crystal display


In a fly-back voltage converter that includes a transformer to transform a primary current to a secondary current and a switch serially coupled to the primary winding to switch the primary current in response to a control signal, a detection signal is produced by comparing the secondary current with two threshold values after the primary current is switched off to trigger the next on-time cycle of the switch. Once the secondary current is detected to be greater than a first threshold value, it is determined that the secondary current has been switched on, and until the secondary current is detected to be lower than a second threshold value, it is determined that the secondary current is to be switched off. The hysteresis range of the threshold values prevents error detection of the secondary current.

A fly-back or switch-back voltage converter is a circuit to step up a voltage or to step down a voltage. For further illustration, FIG. 1 shows a circuit diagram of a typical fly-back voltage converter 10, which comprises a transformer 12 having a primary winding L1 coupled between an input voltage Vin and a switch M and a secondary winding L2 coupled between a capacitor Co and a controller chip 14. The controller chip 14 has an output pin EXT to provide a control signal S1 to switch the switch M, so as to transform a primary current Ip in the primary winding L1 into a secondary current Is in the secondary winding L2 to charge the capacitor Co to thereby produce an output voltage Vout, and a detection pin MCD coupled to the secondary winding L2 to detect the secondary current Is in order to control the off-time of the switch M. The converter 10 employs a control of constant on-time (regulated peak-current) and minimum-current detection. FIG. 2 is a waveform diagram to illustrate the control signal S1, primary current Ip and secondary current Is when the converter 10 ideally operates, in which waveform 20 represents the control signal S1, waveform 22 represents the primary current Ip, and waveform 24 represents the secondary current Is. Ideally, at the moment, for example time T2 in FIG. 2, that the primary current Ip in the primary winding L1 is switched off, the secondary current Is is immediately switched on in the secondary winding L2 to charge the capacitor Co. However, as shown in FIG. 3, noises 34 are actually introduced into the primary current Ip and secondary current Is when the primary current Ip and secondary current Is are switched on and off, because of the ringing effect of the primary current Ip and secondary current Is and the transferring delay resulted from the parasitic capacitor Cp between the primary winding L1 and secondary winding L2, and therefore error operations may occur in the converter 10. For an example, FIG. 4 shows a waveform diagram when noises induce error operations in the converter 10, in which waveform 40 represents the control signal S1, waveform 42 represents the primary current Ip, and waveform 44 represents the secondary current Is. After the primary current Ip is switched off and before the secondary current Is is switched on, noises 46 and 48 each completes a full waveform, causing the control circuit in the controller chip 14 to misjudge that the secondary current Is has charged the capacitor Co for a cycle, and therefore, the primary current Ip is switched on once more. Actually, the secondary current Is was not switched on and as a result, the primary current Ip will continuously increase, finally causing the transformer 14 to go into magnetic saturation and accordingly to fail to accomplish magnetic energy transformation.
To remove the noise interference, it has proposed to introduce a constant delay time (CDT) after the primary current Ip is switched off, as shown in FIG. 5, in which waveform 50 represents the control signal S1, waveform 52 represents the primary current Ip, waveform 54 represents the secondary current Is, and waveform 56 represents the CDT. With the insertion of the CDT before the switch-back current detector is enabled, the controller chip 14 is delayed for a time period CDT to detect the secondary current Is after the primary current Ip is switched off, and the interference of the noise 58 is prevented. However, it is hard for a circuit designer to determine a suitable CDT, since the duration of the noise 58 is sensitive to induced current, transformer size, parasitic capacitor and PCB layout.
Therefore, it is desired a control circuit and method for a fly-back voltage converter to avoid the noise interference without CDT technique.

Control circuit and method for a fly-back voltage converter


Methods, systems, and computer-readable storage media for resource-efficient generation of a workover rig schedule by receiving well data and workover rig data for wells, each well producing oil, determining sets of schedules by, for each schedule in a set of schedules, incrementally: calculating a virtual gain for each well in a set of remaining wells, each virtual gain being a function of a production gain for a respective well, a travel time of a workover rig to travel from a current well to the respective well, a workover time for the respective well, a first parameter applied to the workover time, and a second parameter applied to the travel time, and selecting a well as a next well in a schedule based on a respective virtual gain; identifying, from the sets of schedules, a schedule having a maximum cumulative gain, and outputting the schedule as an optimal schedule.

Typically, oil wells rely on artificial lift equipment to extract oil from the Earth. The artificial lift equipment is part of a so-called completion that requires maintenance services for cleaning, repair, reinstatement, and the like. These maintenance services are considered as relatively important activities in oil and gas industry and may be planned (e.g., scheduled maintenance) or unplanned (e.g., in response to an unexpected event). Some maintenance activities are performed by workover. The term workover generally refers to oil well intervention involving invasive techniques (e.g., wireline, coiled tubing, snubbing). In some instances, workover refers to the process of pulling and replacing a completion.
Workovers are performed using so-called workover rigs. In view of cost, complexity and other factors, oil field operators typically have a limited number of workover rigs with respect to the number of wells demanding service. Many factors are considered for deciding which workover rigs should be sent to perform the maintenance service for which wells. However, any delays in addressing the workover of a well results in loss of production. Consequently, a goal in scheduling workover rigs is to maximize production given different factors and constraints.

Workover rig scheduling to maximize oil production


An ornamental assembly for use in a non-aquatic viewing cage of the like is disclosed. The ornamental assembly includes a body member formed from a natural indiscriminate piece of driftwood and a fastening assembly for semi-permanently fixably securing the body member to any surface of the viewing cage.

The present invention relates generally to ornamental implements for use in viewing tanks and, more particularly, to driftwood implements and the like for use in non-aquatic viewing tanks and cages.
Viewing tanks and cages are used to confine various types of natural life forms such as fish, small reptiles, rodents, birds and the like for the enjoyment of the viewer. Typically, viewing tanks and cages are equipped with ornate articles and implements such as artificial foliage, pieces of driftwood, sunken ships and other decorative devices which provide an aesthetically pleasing environment.
Generally, the ornate articles and implements which are commercially available for use in viewing tanks are provided with weighted base members. The weighted base member counteracts the buoyancy of the water in aquatic tanks and prevents accidental tipping of the implement in non-aquatic tanks and cages. The base members must be sufficiently weighted to prevent such undesirable tipping or floatation of the ornamental articles within the tank.
Alternatively, other commercially available ornamental devices are provided with base members having a relatively large peripheral area which must be covered by a blanketing material such as gravel, sand, or the like provided at the bottom of the viewing tank. The weight of the blanketing materials acts to maintain the decorative device at the bottom of the viewing tank. As such, installation of such decorative devices is restricted to the bottom surface of viewing tanks and such that the ability to freely orient and position such decorative devices within a viewing tank or cage is severely limited.
Because conventional ornate implements are aesthetic accessories which are not permanently attached to an inner surface of the viewing tank, it is not unusual for unanticipated tipping or movement to occur. This undesirable movement is aggravated by the normal activity of the fish, birds, or other life forms confined within the viewing tank. Therefore, it is very desirable to provide means for permitting semi-permanent or removable attachment of the decorative devices within the viewing tank which prevents undesirable tipping and movement. The novelty of the present invention is its functional utility as a decorative viewing tank implement which is capable of being semi-permanently secured to any surface within the viewing tank without the requirement of base weighing or the use of sand or gravel.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an aesthetically pleasing ornamental implement for use in viewing tanks and cages, and a method of use, which prevents undesired tipping movement of the ornamental implement.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an ornamental implement which is semi-permanently and removably fixably securable to side and bottom surfaces of a viewing cage without the necessity of base weights or a blanketing material.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved ornamental implement, such as a piece of driftwood, capable of omni-positional movement so as to provide superior viewing tank aesthetics while maintaining a semi-permanent fixed association with any of the inner surfaces of the viewing tank.
Another object of the present invention provides an ornamental viewing tank implement or assembly which is very inexpensive, easy to use, and which is aesthetically pleasing.
Various advantages of the present invention will become apparent to one skilled in the art upon reading the following specification and drawings.

Ornamental assembly for use in non-aquatic viewing cages or the like


A method of sequentially dispensing a consumable layered liquid composition to treat a fabric article is provided. Suitable consumable layered liquid compositions generally comprise two or more liquid layers, which exhibit a density differential between them and provide sequential refreshing and/or finishing benefits to the fabric article being treated. A fabric care product comprising such composition packaged in a container is also provided.

The present invention relates to a method of sequentially dispensing a consumable layered liquid composition to deliver multiple fabric care benefits. Specifically, the consumable layered liquid composition comprises two or more liquid layers that exhibit a density differential between one another, such that the liquid layers of the composition can be dispensed sequentially. The two or more liquid layers may comprise different actives and/or additives capable of delivering various fabric care benefits to the fabric article being treated. A product containing this consumable layered liquid composition for sequentially delivery of multiple fabric care benefits is also disclosed.
Typically, phase separation and/or layer formation in liquid compositions are considered to be negative effects by formulators because the actives in a compositions are designed to collectively achieve certain benefits. Phase separation and/or layer formation tend to prevent accurate dispensing of a representative composition, thus, the dispensed composition may not fully or adequately deliver the desired benefits. To overcome these negative effects, formulators may instruct users of the liquid compositions to shake them before using. By shaking the liquid composition, the actives therein are mixed and the composition becomes a substantially homogeneous dispersion. Thus, upon dispensing, the actives in the composition are delivered together and every dose dispensed is representative of the overall composition. Alternatively, formulators may be required to use expensive ingredients or technologies to maintain the compositions in a stable, homogeneously mixed condition.
Some multi-phase compositions are known in hair care and skin care products, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,718,609; 4,438,095; and 5,468,496. Multi-phase compositions for hard surface and glass cleaning are also known, for example, Japanese Patent Applications JP 60243199A2; JP 61296099A2 and JP 62263297A2; and PCT publications WO 99/47634 and WO 00/24852A2; and German Patent Application DE 2220540A1. However, these compositions are formulated to deliver the intended benefits together in one dispensing step.
It is sometimes desirable to deliver multiple benefits at different times such that a first active is dispensed in the absence of the second active to deliver the first benefit, and the second active is subsequently dispensed in the absence of the first active to deliver the second benefit. This is especially desirable when the first and second benefits are conflicting benefits. For example, it is not desirable to put a finishing agent on a fabric article prior to subjecting the fabric article to a cleaning agent, which can strip the finishing agent from the fabric article, thus, removing the benefit provided by the finishing agent. Accordingly, in this example, it is desirable to subject the fabric article to the cleaning agent prior to subjecting the fabric article to a finishing agent so that the finishing agent will be present on the fabric article upon completion of the fabric article treating process.
The delivery of multiple benefits at different times has typically been done with multiple formulations, individually packaged and dispensed at different times and/or in different quantities. For example, formulations for washing, rinsing or conditioning for hair, dishes or clothing are packaged and used separately. Inaccurate timing and/or dosing tend to reduce the overall benefits sought by the users. This approach is inconvenient because it relies on the user to administer the timing and/or dosage. This approach is also wasteful because it uses multiple or complex packages which are either destined for trash or consume energy and/or other natural resources to recycle.
Therefore, it is desirable to have a product and a method for using the same for sequentially delivering fabric care benefits to a fabric article via a single consumable composition, preferably in a single container. Such composition is specially formulated to deliver different fabric care benefits at different times. Moreover, it is desirable to have such a consumable composition in a single container to facilitate accurate dosing and timing of the desired benefits. Thus, a fabric care product having such composition packaged in a container is very desirable from the standpoint of convenience, ease-of-use and exact delivery of benefits.
In one aspect of the present invention, a method for sequentially delivering fabric care benefits to a fabric article is provided via a layered liquid composition. The method comprises the steps of:
a. providing a consumable layered liquid composition, wherein the composition comprises a first liquid layer and a second liquid layer, the first liquid layer and the second liquid layer are discrete layers in direct contact with each other, and optionally, at least one additive in the first or the second liquid layer;
b. dispensing the first liquid layer and contacting the fabric article with the dispensed first liquid layer, thereby delivering a first benefit to the fabric article; and
c. dispensing the second liquid layer and contacting the fabric article with the dispensed second liquid layer, thereby delivering a second benefit to the fabric article.
In another aspect of the present invention, a fabric care product comprising at least a unit dose of a consumable layered liquid composition, which comprises a first liquid layer capable of delivering a first benefit, and second liquid layer capable of delivering a second benefit; the first liquid layer and the second liquid layer are discrete layers in direct contact with each other, and a container for the composition, is provided.

Method of sequentially dispensing a consumable layered liquid composition and product containing the same


A device to inspect a non-pattern wafer includes a light source to emit light that reflected from a wafer. A judgment unit converts the detected light into a quantitative measured value to determine whether the wafer is faulty. The wafer comprises a first region and a second region. The detection unit sequentially detects lights reflected from the first and second regions of the wafer, and a judgment unit converts the lights reflected from the first and second regions of the wafer into first and second quantitative measured values, respectively. The second region of the wafer is determined to be faulty by comparing the second measured value with a first reference value, wherein the first reference value is calculated using an average value between the first and second measured values, and a characteristic value that indicates distribution of the first and second measured values.

1. Field of the Invention
The present inventive concept relates to a device to inspect a non-pattern wafer, and more particularly, to a device to inspect a non-pattern wafer that detects faults of a non-pattern wafer by applying different reference values to respective regions of the wafer.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a semiconductor device is formed by repeating processes of forming a plurality of layers on a wafer and patterning the layers. In this case, if faults, such as particle, voids, dislocations, and the like, which may occur in the process of forming the respective layers, exceeds a predetermined tolerance limit, a bad influence may be exerted upon the quality of a completed semiconductor device.
A device to inspect faults of a wafer so as to prevent in advance the occurrence of such faults is a wafer inspection device. A wafer inspection device may be classified into a pattern wafer inspection device to inspect a wafer on which a specified pattern is formed and a non-pattern wafer inspection device to inspect a wafer on which the specified pattern is not formed.
On the other hand, in a semiconductor process of forming a plurality of layers on a wafer, a layer formed on the wafer may have a non-uniform thickness due to the characteristics of semiconductor equipment, a local stepped portion formed thereon, and different surface roughness of respective regions of the wafer. Also, due to a high-temperature wafer processing, the wafer may get bent.
If the same reference value is applied to the whole regions of a wafer in inspecting a wafer having a local stepped portion formed thereon, a wafer having different surface roughness, or a bent wafer as described above, the fault inspection may be performed in a state where such local characteristics are not considered, and thus it is difficult to obtain a reliable result of inspection. This may cause the inferiority of products.
Accordingly, there is a need for a device to inspect faults of a non-pattern wafer in due consideration of the shape and characteristics of the plurality of layers formed on the wafer, and by using such a device, the reliability of the products can be improved.


An adapter board is described having a substrate having a width, a length and a depth and at least one electrical component placed one of within the substrate and on a surface of the substrate. The adapter board may also have a first pad positioned on the substrate, the first pad connected to the at least one electrical component through a first via. The adapter board may also have a second pad positioned on the substrate, the second pad connected to the at least one electrical component through a second via, wherein at least a portion of the adapter board is configured through an additive manufacturing process and wherein the substrate is configured to be installed within a downhole tool.

Passive electrical components manufacturing and delivery lead-times have been steadily increasing, and this increase can be attributed to growing demand from automotive and smart phone industries. Passive components, as defined, do not introduce net energy into the circuit or rely on a power source except for the circuit that the component is connected to. As a result, passive components do not amplify, or increase the power of a signal, but may be used to increase a voltage or current within a circuit.
Traditionally, passive components include different types of components. These components may be resistors, capacitors, inductors, and transformers. These components are directly incorporated into an electronics package by the oil and gas industry. Due to the longevity of service life of a downhole tool used in downhole operations, the industry has recently encountered difficulty in obtaining electrical parts to fit the legacy apparatus used. In general, as time has elapsed, electrical component manufacturers tend to manufacture smaller electrical components. These smaller resistors, capacitors and other components will not fit into the legacy apparatus as the footprint of the new components is substantially reduced compared to the previous design sizes.
Apparatus used in downhole operations of the oil and gas industry require a certain level of uniformity and continuity, therefore, operators of downhole equipment make very few purchases of passive components. Once these passive components are used, there is no stockpile upon which to receive further components. This causes a significant issue with maintenance of legacy ("older") components. Without spare parts being generated for these legacy tools, many of the tools are required to be retired prior to their service life being spent.
Recent developments in the technology in other industries, such as automotive and aerospace, have resulted in manufactures receiving demands for smaller size passive components to be use. In order to supply the demand, several manufacturers of passive components are moving away from the larger size parts in order to secure the capacity for smaller case sizes. Compounding the problem, designers for electronics today merely use "standard form" electronic components when possible to drive down the cost of a designed product. This, in turn, prevents the use of older types of components which again impacts availability.
There is a need for an adapter board that has the capability to use the smaller size passive components that are currently available, to fit into legacy apparatus of downhole systems, while maintaining the functionality of the downhole equipment.
There is a further need for an adapter board that will accept multiple types of smaller size passive components to circumvent the need to use obsolete larger size passive components.
There is a further need for an adapter board that can be assembled in the footprint of the existing larger size passive components without compromising performance and reliability.
There is a still further need to provide for electrical components that may be used in legacy devices without significant cost expense for manufacturers.

Passive component adapter for downhole application


A muzzle brake for firearms including a housing positioned at the end of a gun barrel which defines a gas receiving expansion chamber. A plurality of vent slots or openings are formed in the housing and are oriented to direct escaping gases from the chamber in an upwardly or upwardly and rearwardly direction. The chamber and slotted housing are so defined that reverberating shock waves build up within the chamber and escape sequentially so as to substantially increase the duration of the upwardly and rearwardly directed gas venting pulse and thus retard upward muzzle jump of the gun barrel and minimize the felt recoil experienced by the user. The muzzle brake apparatus may be adjustable to provide for selective muzzle deflection in any suitable direction or to neutralize muzzle deflection.

It is well known that a discharging fire arm, such as a pistol, rifle or the like will move rearwardly as the result of recoil and that the muzzle of the firearm will move upwardly. The rearward movement of the firearm which is due to the sudden release of, expanding gases is known as recoil. As a bullet progresses down the rifled barrel of a hand gun or rifle, the rifling within the barrel imparts a rotary motion to the bullet, thus causing it to spin during its trajectory from the barrel to the target. The bullet spin enhances the accuracy of the bullet during its flight. As this twist or spin is imparted to the bullet, a simultaneous reverse torque is imparted to the firearm. The simultaneous influence of rearward firearm movement or recoil at bullet discharge and bullet imparted torque causes the gun muzzle to jump upwardly and slightly to the right or left depending upon the direction twist of lands and grooves of the barrel. During the firing of individual rounds, where ample time is available for careful aiming and controlled trigger pull, the muzzle jump that occurs naturally is not a particularly annoying factor. During rapid fire conditions, however, such as during tournament shooting or the case of military operations after each muzzle jump, the firearm is completely misaligned with respect to the target and must be re-aimed at the target as quickly and efficiently as possible. It is desirable, therefore, to provide a firearm system where muzzle jump is substantially eliminated or directionally controlled so as to aid rather than hamper efficient rapid firing activities.
Another significant problem in conjunction with the use of firearms is the recoil felt by the user. Especially under circumstances where very high energy is imparted to large caliber or heavier weight bullets the user of the firearm will typically experience a severe level of sharply induced recoil. In certain cases this recoil is sufficiently heavy that it will disturb the user's ability to control accuracy of shooting. Also, the sharpness and severity of firearm discharge can cause bruising of the muscles of the user to the extent that shooting firearms of the high energy, heavy caliber type can become a painful and annoying experience. It is desirable, therefore, to provide a firearm system having the capability of extending the duration of the gas venting pulse to thus reduce the felt recoil experienced by the user and to minimize the possibility of bruising or other injury that might otherwise be experienced.


Signal generation devices including an auto-tuning electronic circuit module for generating tuned output signals are disclosed. The auto-tuning electronic circuit module may include a tunable resonant electronic circuit element for providing a tuned output signal, including a voltage divider element and a tuning array element and control element.

System and devices that may include circuits for generating output signals are well known in the art. Often these devices require the signals to be at a tuned frequency which are typically implemented using various LC or resonant circuits having different topologies to achieve tuning. Resonant circuit topologies for generating a signal at a tuned frequency may either be "tuned," generating a signal at a particular tuned frequency, or "tunable," having adjustable elements to achieve one or more tuned frequencies. For example, a tuned resonant circuit relies on the inherent tuning of networks of capacitors and inductors, with the input signal driving the circuit to achieve the tuned output signal. In contrast, a tunable resonant circuit may be implemented using adjustable elements to achieve the tuned output signal in addition to the inherent tuning of capacitors, inductors, and input signals driving the circuit.
Existing tuned resonant circuit topologies may experience inaccuracies in output signal tuning due to quality limitations and/or component tolerances of the inductors and capacitors used. For example, these electronic circuit components may be imprecise in initial tolerance (i.e., L or C values) and/or, over time, may degrade and drift in tuning, resulting in improperly or inaccurately tuned output signals due to tuned frequency drift as a result of component variations. Likewise, in many applications, tuned resonant circuit topologies may be particularly lossy as high current input is required to generate the desired tuned output signal frequency.
A tunable resonant circuit topology is often preferred as tunable circuits are typically designed to compensate for the inaccuracy problems associated with variation in inductor and capacitor parameter values in fixed tuned resonant circuits. In many applications, tuning may be implemented via a user manually manipulating one or more tuning capacitors in the circuitry. The manual tuning of resonant circuits is cumbersome, time consuming, and can results in improper or inaccurately tuned output signals due to human error. Such tunable resonant circuit topologies, particularly wherein the circuit aims to achieve a high quality or Q factor, often require many expensive components such as high current and/or high voltage tuning capacitors which results in a large physical package to attempt to achieve precise tuning. As a result, precision tuning tends to come at the cost of added expense and size to a signal generating device includes a high precision tunable resonant circuit.
In some utility locating system devices known in the art, for example in a utility frequency identification excitation device (also referred to herein as "utility frequency identification device" or "UFID" exciters or transceivers) and/or other signal transmitter or inductive devices, various resonant circuits may have varying topologies that are used to generate and broadcast one or more tuned output signals. In such applications, precisely tuned output signals may be a prerequisite for efficiently and accurately locating and mapping utility lines (i.e., detection by sensing and processing magnetic field signals emitted from the utility or an associated device such as a dipole magnetic field generating sonde, also denoted here in just a "sonde" for brevity). High accuracy in knowing the precise location of utilities beneath the ground surface is necessary to avoid costly destruction to infrastructure and potential harm to human wellbeing such, for example, to avoid rupturing a buried water line, high voltage line, or natural gas line.
In other prior art devices, frequency tuning of resonant circuits may be implemented using automatic tuning topologies and circuitry. Existing automatic tuning resonant circuits may likewise fail to achieve sufficiently accurate tuning, particularly in high Q factor circuits. Furthermore, auto-tuning resonant circuits known in the art are not optimized for use in utility locating systems and devices. For example, utility locating system devices may be used in a variety of scenarios that may interfere with the tuning of the output signal, such as varying temperatures, differences in soil conditions, rain and moisture, as well as the presence of pipes and/or rebar and/or other conductive elements in the locating environment.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art to address the above-described as well as other problems in the art.

Auto-tuning circuit apparatus and methods


A hinge pin includes a pin body, a first electrical connector located at a first end of the pin body, a second electrical connector located at a second end of the pin body, and electrical conductors that electrically connect the first electrical connector and the second electrical connector. The hinge pin may be incorporated in a hinge to connect a first hinge part and a second hinge part for rotation. The hinge may be incorporated in an apparatus in which first and second wire harnesses are connected to the first and second electrical connectors of the hinge pin by third and fourth electrical connectors.

Hinges are generally defined as movable joints or mechanisms that connect two structures in a manner that allows relative motion. Hinges are commonly used in architectural applications to mount a door for movement with respect to a door opening. Hinges are commonly used in automotive applications to connect movable components to structures such as a vehicle body or a vehicle frame of a vehicle. As one example, a hinge can be used to connect a side door of the vehicle to the vehicle body. As another example, hinges can be used to connect a rear hatch of the vehicle to the vehicle body.
In some applications, electrical connections are made between components on either side of a hinge. As one example, electrical connections can be made by a wire harness that extends from a door to a door frame separate from the hinge. To protect the wire harness, it may pass through a flexible tube that extends from the door to the door frame. As another example, electrical connections can be made by passing one or more electrical conductors through part of a hinge.

Hinge pin with electrical connection through a cylindrical pin body


A memory card connector assembly for use within a chassis includes a conductive shell that has a forward perimeter. A connector including a dielectric housing holding contacts is positioned within the shell. An EMI shielding member is disposed on the forward perimeter of the shell. The EMI shielding member is configured to engage a panel of the chassis to suppress the escape of EMI energy from the chassis.

The invention relates generally to electrical connectors and, more particularly, to a connector assembly having features for inhibiting electromagnetic emissions.
Electromagnetic interference (EMI) is commonly encountered in the operation of electronic systems. EMI can cause electronic equipment to malfunction when the equipment is not sufficiently shielded. EMI becomes more problematic as processing speeds increase. Some electronic devices may be mounted on or adjacent to a panel inside a chassis or cabinet. In the cabinet, doors and seams are sources for the escape of radiation or electromagnetic energy from the cabinet that may cause electromagnetic interference. The leak or escape of radiation from the cabinet may be monitored and may be subject to FCC regulation.
Compressive gaskets are commonly applied around connections between electrical components to suppress EMI. In addition to being compressible, the gasket is intended to provide conductivity to ensure electrical continuity between mating surfaces of the components. However, tolerances associated with the positioning of connectors on the panel require that the gasket have a deflection range sufficient to effectively seal against EMI leakage between the connector and the panel. Some known gaskets are made from a conductive elastomer, which is inserted into a channel between two mating surfaces. In addition, the gasket may be glued to the inside of the channel. In such arrangements, the channel is used to provide lateral stability for the gasket and to prevent misalignment that could result over time from the repeated separation of the components. In another known shielding method, a compressible gasket is formed from a conductive metal and attached to a metal band along its length. The metal band is sandwiched between the mating surfaces of the components when the components are mated.
With the ongoing trend toward the development of smaller components, such as the newer secure digital (SD) memory card form factor, less space or structure is available on the connectors for features such as EMI suppression. SD memory card connectors are typically designed with a conductive shield and may have grounding tabs or pads that may be connected to a ground plane on a circuit board. However, a space may still be present between the connector and a panel which may allow EMI radiation or energy to escape from the cabinet. For instance, the panel may be a chassis or cabinet wall that is integral with the chassis bottom or floor, usually with a right angle bend. There are angular tolerances associated with the bend. The connector may be mounted on a circuit board that is aligned with standoffs on the chassis floor. There are tolerances associated with the location of the standoffs on the chassis floor as well as the position of the circuit board on the standoffs and the connector on the circuit board. As a result, there is a tolerance accumulation between an edge of the circuit board and the panel that produces a space between the connector and the panel through which EMI emissions may escape from the chassis. Thus, the effective suppression of electromagnetic emissions remains a challenge.

Memory card connector with EMI shielding