The invention relates to a heat-activated initiator for polymerising and/or cross-linking polyorganosiloxane-type monomers, oligomers and/or polymers with organofunctional groups, comprising a boron derivative of formula (I): (A)xB(Rxe2x80x2)y, wherein the symbols Rxe2x80x2 are the same or different and represent an alkyl or alkenyl radical in C1-C12, an alkoxy radical in C1-C12, a phenyl radical substituted by at least one electroattractor element, an aryl radical containing at least two aromatic rings such as biphenyl, naphthyl, optionally substituted by at least one electroattractor element, especially a halogen atom (particularly fluorine), or an electroattractor group, especially a CF3, NO2, CN group; and a radical xe2x80x94C2H4xe2x80x94Si(Q)3 with the symbols Q being the same or different and representing an alkyl or alkoxy group in C1 to C10 or a siloxane oligomer with less than 10 silicon atoms. The invention also relates to a corresponding cross-linkable composition and to the uses thereof.

The present invention relates to the field of initiation of reactions for polymerising and/or cross-linking polyorganosiloxane-type monomers, oligomers and/or polymers containing reactive functional radicals capable of forming intra- and inter-catenary bridges so as to obtain a corresponding matrix.
More particularly, its main aim is to provide new initiators which will lead to these matrices.
This type of matrix is of particular interest for the preparation of multiple compositions such as dental materials, adhesives, sealants, jointing products and adhesive finishes.
The applications targeted more particularly by the invention are the use of compositions for the preparation of dental compositions such as dental prostheses or dental restoration materials and of compositions of the non-adhesive coating type used, in particular, to produce coatings on objects such as solid articles or substrates, in particular paper substrate, fabric, polyester or polyolefin type polymer film, aluminium substrate and/or metal substrate such as tin plate.
More precisely, the present invention relates to new initiators containing at least one boron derivative for the initiation and progress of resin or polymer forming reactions, starting from substrate derived from polyorganosiloxane-type monomers, oligomers and/or polymers with reactive organofunctional groups.
The reactions more particularly concerned are those in which agents act as direct promoters of the inter- and/or intra-catonary bonds In the present case, these reactions are initiated by heat activation.
In the present description, the resins and polymers obtained are prepared from polyorganosiloxane-type monomers, oligomers and/or polymers and contain, in their structure, organofunctional groups, for example of the epoxide, oxetane, dioxolane and/or alkenylether type, which react after activation of the initiators according to the invention described hereinafter. In addition organic monomers, oligomers and/or polymers which may be added to the polymerisation medium containing the aforementioned species may also be used.
The present invention also relates to compositions containing the basic materials such as cross-linkable polyorganosiloxane-type monomers, oligomers and/or polymers, the initiators described hereinafter and optionally one or more additives selected from those generally known in the applications for which these compositions are intended.
The initiators generally used to initiate the formation of resins or polymers on the basis of the aforementioned polymerisation and/or cross-linking of organosiloxane substrates may be divided into three categories, depending on their mode of activation. This mode of activation may in fact be thermal, photochemical or by an electron beam.
Conventionally, the initiator used, which is generally a cationic photoinitiator, releases a strong acid under irradiation during photochemical cross-linking such as UV radiation This strong acid catalyses the cationic polymerisation reaction of the functional groups. Initiators of this type are described, in particular, in EP-0 562 897. The initiating salts in that patent represent significant technical progress over the formerly known initiators of the onium salt or organometallic complex type, and in particular over those of which the anion of the initiating salt is SbF6xe2x80x94 which is one of the only ones which has the correct performance but which poses serious problems infuse owing to the presence of heavy metals.
Thermal cross-linking, for its part, necessitates very high temperatures generally higher than 150xc2x0 C. to trigger cross-linking. This second type of initiator is used, in particular, to cross-link silicones such as those described hereinafter (S1 to S15) in a thin layer and for epoxide or oxetanes.
One of the main aims of the present invention is specifically to propose new heat-activated initiators for triggering the cross-linking of polyorganosiloxane-type monomers, oligomers and/or polymers with functional groups at a temperature lower than 150xc2x0 C. and preferably lower than 100xc2x0 C., or even substantially at ambient temperature.
More particularly, the present invention relates firstly to a heat-activated initiator for polymerising and/or cross-linking monomers, oligomers and/or polymers with organofunctional groups, comprising a boron derivative of formula (I)
xe2x80x83(A)xB(Rxe2x80x2)yxe2x80x83xe2x80x83(I)
wherein
the symbols Rxe2x80x2 are the same or different and represent
a linear or branched C1-C12, preferably C1-C8 alkyl or alkenyl radical, optionally substituted by at least one electron-withdrawing element, in particular a halogen atom (more particularly fluorine) or an electron-withdrawing group, for example the CF3, NO2, CN groups,
a linear or branched C1-C12, preferably C1-C8 alkoxy radical, optionally substituted by at least one electron-withdrawing element, in particular a halogen atom (more particularly fluorine) or an electron-withdrawing group, for example the CF3, NO2, CN groups,
a phenyl radical substituted by at least one electron-withdrawing element, in particular a halogen atom (more particularly fluorine) or an electron-withdrawing group, for example the CF3, NO2, CN groups,
an aryl radical containing at least two aromatic rings such as biphenyl, naphthyl, optionally substituted by at least one electron-withdrawing element, in particular a halogen atom (more particularly fluorine) or an electron-withdrawing group, for example the CF3, NO2, CN groups,
a xe2x80x94C2H4xe2x80x94Si(Q)3 radical with the symbols Q being the same or different as representing a C1 to C10 alkyl or alkoxy group or a siloxane oligomer with less than 10 silicone atoms, substituted, if necessary, by a radical of formula B(Rxe2x80x2)2 with Rxe2x80x2 as defined above or
two Rxe2x80x2 groups may be bound to one another so as to form, with the boron atom to which they are bound, a cycle containing 5 or 10 atoms wherein said cycle may be saturated, unsaturated, bridged or aromatic and may comprise one or more heteroatoms selected from oxygen, nitrogen and boron atoms, wherein the boron atom present in said cycle may itself be substituted by a radical as defined for A or Rxe2x80x2 in general formula I,
the symbols A are independent of one another and represent:
a hydrogen atom
a halogen atom or
a hydroxyl radical,
x represents 0 or the integer 1 or 2 and y represents an integer 1, 2 or 3 wherein the sum of x+y is equal to 3 and its solvated forms.
The initiators according to the invention are generally very hygroscopic compounds. Consequently, these compounds may be found in the form of a mixture between the compound as defined in general formula I and its various hydrated form(s). Similarly, when this initiator is formulated with a solvent, the formation of solvated derivatives is observed. This phenomenon can be observed with aprotic solvents such as ethers, esters and silicones or protic solvents such as alcohols, carboxylic acids, silanols, amines, thiols, water or mixtures thereof.
Consequently, the present invention also extends to these solvated forms.
The new initiators are of particular interest in terms of reactivity insofar as they are active at low concentrations and advantageously necessitate only small amounts of energy to carry out cross-linking. In fact, they may be activated at a temperature lower than 150xc2x0 C., preferably lower than 100xc2x0 C., or even at ambient temperature.
The initiators according to the invention may also be associated with a conventional initiator such as a cationic photoinitiator. This is particularly advantageous in terms of profitability insofar as it is thus possible significantly to reduce the effective quantity of conventional initiator. Furthermore, cross-linking and/or polymerisation are totally completed.
It has accordingly been found that the claimed initiators are particularly advantageous in terms of profitability and cost for industrial processes.
More preferably, the symbols Rxe2x80x2 of general formula (I) are selected so as to give the boron atom to which they are bound adequate steric hindrance to give it adequate protection from oxidation and/or hydration phenomena. In this instance, the initiators of general formula (I) in which at least one of the symbols Rxe2x80x2 and preferably at least two of them represent a phenyl or aryl radical are of particular interest.
Similarly, it is advantageous that the symbols Rxe2x80x2 are substituted and, in particular, by electron-withdrawing elements and/or groups so as to give the boron atom electronegativity which is compatible with its electrophilic properties. Initiators of general formula I which the symbols Rxe2x80x2, together with the symbols A contribute to a "sgr"p at least equal to that of 3 (C6H4F) radicals have accordingly been found to be particularly effective.
Particularly preferred according to the invention are initiators corresponding to general formula (Ia)
in which
n represents an integer between 1 and 3 and m an integer between 0 and 2 wherein the sum of n and m is equal to 3,
the symbols Y are the same or different and represent
a) a hydrogen atom,
b) a hydroxyl group,
c) a halogen atom,
d) a linear or branched C1-C12, preferably C1-C8 alkyl or alkenyl radical, preferably substituted by at least one electron-withdrawing element such as a halogen atom and in particular a fluorine atom,
e) a linear or branched C1 to C12, preferably C1 to C8 alkoxy radical, preferably substituted by at least one electron-withdrawing element such as a halogen atom and in particular a fluorine atom,
f) a xe2x80x94C2H4xe2x80x94Si(Q)3 wherein Q represents a C1 to C10 alkyl or alkoxy group or a siloxane oligomer with less than 10 silicone atoms, if necessary substituted by a radical of formula B(Rxe2x80x2)2 wherein Rxe2x80x2 is as defined above, or
g) two groups Y may be bound so as to form, with the boron atom to which they are bound, a C5 to C10 cycle wherein said cycle may be saturated, unsaturated, bridged and/or aromatic and may comprise one or more heteroatoms selected from the oxygen, nitrogen and boron atoms, wherein the boron atom present in said cycle can itself be substituted by a radical as defined for Y in general formula (Ia) and
the symbols Xxe2x80x2 are the same or different and represent
a halogen atom, preferably a fluorine atom,
a linear, branched, mono- or polycyclic, saturated, unsaturated or aromatic C1 to C12, preferably C1 to C8, hydrocarbon radical preferably substituted by at least one electron-withdrawing element such as a halogen atom and in particular a fluorine atom or a linear or branched, mono-, poly or perhalogenated C1 to C12, preferably C1 to C8, alkyl radical, in particular with fluorine as halogen atom, and
the indices p are the same or different and represent an integer between 0 and 5, preferably with at least one of the symbols p being greater than 3 and more preferably equal to 5.
The initiators of general formula (Ia) in which Y corresponds to definitions a), b), c), d) and e) are of particular interest.
The following compounds, in particular, may be mentioned as examples of the claimed initiators:
The initiators according to the invention may be used in the form in which they emerge from their preparation process, for example in solid or liquid form or in solution in at least one appropriate solvent, in monomer, oligomer and/or polymer compositions which are intended to be polymerised and/or cross-linked. In the scope of the invention, the term solvent covers products which make solid initiators soluble and products which dilute liquid or solid initiators.
Preferably, the initiators are generally used in solution in a solvent. The proportions by weight of initiating agent(s) on the one hand and the solvent on the other hand are between 0.1 and 99 parts per 100 parts of solvent and preferably 10 to 50 parts.
This initiator solution is therefore used to prepare a bath with the cross-linkable monomers, oligomers and/or polymers with functional groups such that the concentration of the initiator or initiators present is between 0.01 and 5% by weight in said bath and preferably between 0.05 and 0.5%.
The solvents which may be used for the initiators are very numerous and varied and are selected according to the initiator used and the other components of the composition of the invention. Generally, the solvents may be alcohols, esters, ethers, ketones, traces of water and carbonates.
The alcohols commonly used are paratolylethanol, isopropylbenzyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol and butanol. The ethers commonly used are methoxy-2-ethanol, ethoxy-2-ethanol, diethylene-glycol. The conventional esters are dibutylmaleate, dimethylethylmalonate, methyl salycilate, dioctyl adipate, butyl tartrate, ethyl lactate, n-butyl lactate, isopropyl lactate. Other solvents which may be used for the initiator bath and falling in the other categories of solvents mentioned hereinbefore are acetonitrile, benzonitrile, acetone, cyclohexanone and tetrahydrofuran.
Furthermore, from among the solvents which may be used to dissolve the initiators), certain types of proton donor organic solvents and certain types of hydroxylated carboxylic acid esters also have the property of significantly improving their performance in terms of reactivity and kinetics.
As mentioned hereinbefore, in solution, the initiator claimed according to the invention can tend toward a solvated form. The various forms can coexist within the solvent under the influence of an equilibrium. Examples of these salvation phenomena include, in particular
The present invention also extends to the solvated forms of the claimed initiators.
According to another of its aspects, the present invention relates secondly to polymerisable and/or cross-linkable compositions containing at least one polymerisable and/or cross-linkable polyorganosiloxane-type monomer, oligomer and/or polymer carrying functional groups, an effective quantity of at least one initiator of the type corresponding to the invention and described hereinbefore, optionally a polymerisation and/or cross-linking accelerator and optionally again one or more additives selected from among those generally known in the applications for which these compositions are intended.
Effective quantity of initiator according to the invention means an adequate quantity to initiate polymerisation and/or cross-linking. This quantity is generally between 0.0001 and 5 parts by weight, usually between 0.001 and 0.5 parts by weight in order to polymerise and/or cross-link 100 parts by weight of the dry substance in polyorganosiloxane monomers, oligomers and/or polymers with organofunctional groups.
As mentioned hereinbefore, the claimed initiator may be present in the polymerisable and/or cross-linkable composition in association with a conventional initiator such as, in particular, a cationic photoinitiator. Suitable conventional photoinitiators include, in particular, those described in the patent EP 562 897. They may also be corresponding iodonium or sulphonium salts of hexafluorophosphate or hexafluoro-antimonate.
In this type of association, the two types of initiator are used in a proportion of 0.01 to 5 parts by weight in the case of the photoinitiator and 1xc3x9710xe2x88x925 to 5 parts by weight in the case of the claimed initiator, preferably 1xc3x9710xe2x88x924 to 1xc3x9710xe2x88x922 in the case of the initiator claimed for polymerisation and/or cross-linking per 100 parts by weight of polyorganosiloxane-type polymerisable and/or cross-linkable monomer(s), oligomer(s) and/or polymer(s) carrying functional groups.
Photocross-linkable coatings are thus obtained cationically, which develop few interactions with adhesives and in particular with acrylic adhesives.
The claimed polymerisable and/or cross-linkable composition is preferably based on polyorganosiloxane-type monomer(s) and/or oligomer(s) and/or polymer(s) consisting of units of formula (II) and terminated by units of formula (III) or cyclic groups consisting of units of formula (II) shown hereinafter:
in which
the symbols R1 and R2 are similar or different and represent:
a linear or branched alkyl radical containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by at least one halogen, preferably fluorine, the alkyl radicals preferably being methyl, ethyl, propyl, octyl and 3,3,3-trifluoropropyl,
a cycloalkyl radical containing between 5 and 8 cyclic carbon atoms, optionally substituted,
an aryl radical containing between 6 and 12 carbon atoms which may be substituted, preferably phenyl or dichlorophenyl,
an aralkyl portion having an alkyl portion containing between 5 and 14 carbon atoms and an aryl portion containing between 6 and 12 carbon atoms, optionally substituted on the aryl portion by halogens, alkyls and/or alkoxyls containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms,
the symbols Z are similar or different and represent:
an R1 and/or R2 group,
a hydrogen radical,
and/or a cross-linkable organofunctional group, preferably an epoxy-functional, oxetane-functional, dioxolane-functional and/or alkenylether-functional group, bound to the silicone of the polyorganosiloxane via a divalent radical containing 2 to 20 carbon atoms and possibly containing at least one heteroatom, preferably oxygen,
wherein at least one of the symbols Z represents a cross-linkable functional organic group.
According to an advantageous variant of the invention, the polyorganosiloxanes used contain 1 to 10 organofunctional groups per macromolecular chain. For an epoxy functional group, this corresponds to epoxide contents varying from 20 to 2,000 molar meq/100 g of polyorganosiloxane.
The linear polyorganosiloxanes may be oils having dynamic viscosity at 25xc2x0 C. of approx. 10 to 10,000 mPa.s at 25xc2x0 C., generally of approx. 20 to 5,000 mPa.s at 25xc2x0 C. and even more preferably of 20 to 600 mPa.s at 25xc2x0 C. or gums having a molecular mass of approx. 1,000,000.
If cyclic polyorganosiloxanes are used, they consist of units (II) which may be, for example, of the dialkylsiloxy or alkylarylsiloxy type. These cyclic polyorganosiloxanes have a viscosity of approx. 1 to 5,000 mPa.s.
Examples of divalent radicals binding an organofunctional group of the epoxy and/or oxetane type include those of the following formulae:
Examples of organofunctional groups of the alkenyl ether type include those contained in the following formulae:
in which.
nxe2x80x2 represents 0 or 1 and nxe2x80x3 represents an integer between 1 and 5
R3 represents
a linear, branched or cyclic C1 to C12, optionally substituted, alkylene radical, or
a C5 to C12 arylene radical, preferably phenylene, optionally substituted, preferably by one to three C1 to C6 alkyl groups,
R4 represents a linear or branched C1 to C6 alkyl radical.
Examples of dioxolane groups include those contained in the following formulae:
The epoxy or alkenylether-functional polyorganosiloxanes are generally in the form of fluids having a viscosity at 25xc2x0 C. of 10 to 10,000 mm2/s and preferably 20 to 600 mm2/s.
The dynamic viscosity at 25xc2x0 C. of all the silicones considered in the present description may be measured using a BROOKFIELD viscosimeter corresponding to AFNOR standard NFT 76 102 of February 1972.
This type of compound is described, in particular, in the patents DE-A-4.009.889; EP-A-396.130; EP-A-355.381; EP-A-105.341; FR-A-2.110.115; FR-A-2.526.800.
The alkenylether-functional polyorganosiloxanes may be prepared by hydrosilylation reaction between the oils containing Sixe2x80x94H units and vinyloxy-functional compounds such as allylvinylether, allylvinyloxyethoxybenzene; etc.
Epoxy-functional polyorganosiloxanes may be prepared by hydrosilylation reaction between oils containing Sixe2x80x94H units and epoxy-functional compounds such as vinyl-4 cyclohexeneoxide, allylglycidylether, etc.
The oxetane-functional polyorganosiloxanes may be prepared by hydrosilylation of unsaturated oxetanes or condensation of oxetanes containing a hydroxy-function.
The dioxolane-functional polyorganosiloxanes may be prepared by hydrosilylation of unsaturated dioxolanes.
Polyorganosiloxanes of which the units of formulae (II) and/or (III) comprise at least one phenyl, tolyl or dichlorophenyl radical as radical R1 are quite particularly suitable for the invention.
The silicones best suited for the subject of the invention are described hereinafter and comprise at least one epoxide, alkenylether or oxetane group.
In the following formulae, X may represent an alkyl, cyclohexyl; trifluoropropyl; perfluoroalkyl; alkoxy or hydroxypropyl group, R a C1 to C10 alkyl, C1 to C10 cyclohexyl, trifluoropropyl or perfluoroalkyl radical and (0xe2x89xa6axe2x89xa61000); (1xe2x89xa6bxe2x89xa61000).
According to an interesting disposition of the second subject of the invention, the polymerisable and/or cross-linkable composition is based on *polyorganosiloxane-type monomer(s) and/or oligomer(s) and/or polymer(s) such as those defined hereinbefore and on organic-type, in particular hydrocarbon-containing monomer(s), oligomer(s) or polymer(s).
In this instance, the following organic monomers, oligomers or polymers in which n can vary from 0 to 1,000 are particularly suitable for the invention.
According to a third interesting disposition of the second subject of the invention, the polymerisable and/or cross-linkable composition is based on polyorganosiloxane-type and optionally organic-type monomer(s) and/or oligomer(s) and/or polymer(s) in particular hydrocarbon-containing monomer(s) and/or oligomer(s) and/or polymer(s).
To use the initiators according to the invention, various sources of heat may be used to carry out polymerisation and/or cross-linking of the monomers, oligomers and/or polymers. In the particular case where the initiator according to the invention is used with a cationic photoinitiator, the heat inherent in the irradiation used to activate said photoinitiator may be sufficient simultaneously to activate the claimed initiator.
Conventionally, the compositions according to the invention can also comprise inter alia one or more additives selected as a function of the intended final application.
The additives may be, in particular, compounds possibly in the form of polymers containing mobile hydrogens such as alcohols, glycols and polyols which are useful for improving the flexibility of the material which has hardened after polymerisation and/or cross-linking; these include, for example, polycaprolactone polyols, in particular the polymer initially obtained from 2-ethyl-2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propane-diol and 2-oxepanone such as the product TONE POLYOL-301 sold by UNION CARBIDE or the other industrial polymers TONE POLYOL 201 and TONE POLYOL 12703 from UNION CARBIDE. Further suitable additives include long chain alkyl diacids, the fatty esters of epoxidised or non-epoxidised unsaturated acids, for example epoxidised soya oil or epoxidised linseed oil, epoxidised 2-ethylhexyl ester, 2-ethylhexyl epoxy stearate, octyl epoxy stearate, epoxidised acrylic esters, epoxidised acrylates of soya oil, acrylates of epoxidised linseed oil, glycolpolypropylene diglycidyl ether, long chain aliphatic epoxides, etc.
This additive may be, in particular, a stabilisation additive. It is generally an aminated agent containing at least one amine of which the boiling point is higher than 150xc2x0 C. and preferably higher than 200xc2x0 C. This amine may be a secondary amine or a tertiary amine.
In particular, the amines described in WO 98/07798 may be used.
It should be noted that the majority of hindered amines used as stabilisers to light (xe2x80x9cHALSxe2x80x9d type) have been found to be very good candidates for meeting the requirements of the stabilisers used in the scope of the invention even though their intrinsic property of stability to light is not directly related to the mode of action of the stabilising aminated agents of the compositions according to the invention. In this regard, it is possible to use the various types of hindered amines in the documents EP 162 524 and EP 263 561.
Numerous types of commercially available hindered amines have given good results, in particular:
the TINUVIN products sold by CIBA GEIGY, in particular the products TINUVIN 144 and TINUVIN 765 described hereinafter,
the CYAGARD products sold by CYTEC, in particular the product CYAGARD UV 1164L, and
the SANDUVAR products, in particular the product SANDUVAR 3055, described hereinafter and sold by SANDOZ.
Other types of amines corresponding to the following formulae are also good candidates for use in the compositions of the invention; by way of example, the structure of some of these amines is given hereinafter:
The percentage of aminated agent generally used by weight relative to the total weight of the silicone matrix is between 1 and 1,000 ppm and preferably between 10 and 100 ppm. In the case of HALS type aminated agent, the quantity is approx. 20 to 100 ppm.
The compositions according to the invention may also contain other ingredients such as adhesion modulators for increasing or reducing the forces of adhesion obtained from the polyorganosiloxane alone (silicone linear resins or polymers carrying vinyl, epoxy, vinyl ether, alcohol functions), pigments, photosensitisers, fungicidal, bactericidal and anti-microbial agents, corrosion inhibitors, etc.
Whatever the nature of the polymerisable matrix, these may also be, for example: fillers such as, in particular, synthetic fibres, titanium dioxide, silica from precipitation or combustion; soluble dyes; oxidation and corrosion inhibitors; organosilicon or other adhesion modulators; fungicidal, bactericidal, anti-microbial agents; and/or any other material which does not interfere with the activity of the initiator.
The present invention also relates to resins or polymers obtainable from the above-described compositions.
In the particular case where the compositions are used to prepare dental compositions, various types of fillers may be used. The fillers are selected as a function of the final use of the dental composition: they affect significant properties such as, the appearance, the penetration of UV radiation and the mechanical and physical properties of the material obtained after cross-linking and/or polymerisation of the dental composition.
Suitable reinforcing fillers include treated or untreated pyrogenated silica fillers, amorphous silica fillers, quartz, glass or non-vitreous fillers based on zirconium, barium, calcium, fluorine, aluminium, titanium, zinc oxides, borosilicates, aluminosilicates, talcum, spherosil, ytterbium trifluoride, polymer-based fillers in the form of crushed powder such as inert or functionalised polymethylmethacrylates, polyepoxides or polycarbonates. Examples include:
LUXASELF inert fillers based on polymethylmethacrylate from the company UGL which contain pink pigment and may be used in the dental field,
hexamethyldisilazane-treated fumed silica fillers having a specific surface area of 200 m2/g,
untreated fumed silica charges (xe2x80x9caerosilxe2x80x9d AE200 sold by DEGUSSA).
The fillers, and in particular the silica fillers, may be treated prior to use at 120xc2x0 C. with a quantity smaller than 10% p/p of silicone comprising at least one unit of formula
Pxe2x80x94Sixe2x80x94(R5)axe2x80x2xe2x80x94O(3-1xe2x80x2)/2
wherein P, which may be the same or different, is an organic substituent containing at least one reactive epoxy and/or alkenyl ether and/or oxetane and/or dioxolane and/or carbonate function,
R5, which may be the same or different, is a C1 to C6 alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, vinyl, hydrogen, alkoxy, preferably lower alkyl radical,
axe2x80x2=0, 1, 2 or 3,
with at least one silicon atom.
The polymer described hereinafter wherein P=epoxide and P=trialkoxysilyl may be mentioned as an example
The dental compositions according to the invention may be used for numerous dental applications and in particular in the field of dental prostheses, in the field of dental restoration and in the field of temporary teeth.
Advantageously, in dental use, the compositions according to the invention allow rapid setting at ambient temperature and a significant reduction in the phenomenon of shrinkage normally observed with conventional silicone compositions.
In the field of dental prostheses, the dental composition according to the invention is preferably in the form of a single product containing the various components (xe2x80x9cmonocomponentxe2x80x9d) and this facilitates the use thereof. If necessary, this product may be stabilised by organic derivatives containing amine functions in accordance with the teaching of the document WO 98/07798.
The product may be deposited by means of a syringe directly onto the plaster model or in a mould. It is then polymerised (polymerisation by possible successive layers) by means of a UV lamp (visible light spectrum 200 to 500 nm). An aesthetic dental prosthesis is generally produced in 10 to 15 minutes.
It should be noted that the products obtained from the dental composition according to the invention are not porous. Thus, after polishing with a felt brush, for example, if necessary, the surfaces of the dental prostheses obtained is smooth and shiny and therefore does not necessitate the use of varnish. Applications in the field of dental prostheses are essentially those of complete denture.
In the field of dental restoration, the dental composition according to the invention may be used as material for filling front and back teeth in different colours (for example xe2x80x9cVITAxe2x80x9d), which is quick and easy to use.
As the dental composition is non-toxic and may be polymerised in thick layers, it is not essential to polymerise the material in successive layers. Generally, a single injection of the dental composition will suffice.
The preparations for dental prostheses and for restoration materials are carried out by conventional methods in the art.
With regard to the other applications, the compositions according to the invention may be used as they are or in solution in an organic solvent. They are useful in the field of non-adhesive coatings on cellulose containing materials, paints, the encapsulation of electric and electronic components, coatings for textiles and for the cladding of optical fibres.
They are of particular interest when used as such to make a material non-adhesive, such as metal sheets, glass, plastics material or paper to other materials to which they normally adhere. The composition advantageously has a viscosity not exceeding 5,000 mPa.s, preferably not exceeding 4,000 mpa.s at 25xc2x0 C.
The invention therefore also relates to a process for making articles (for example sheets) non-adhesive to surfaces to which they normally adhere, the process being characterised in that it involves applying a quantity of composition of the invention generally of between 0.1 and 5 g per m2 of surface to be coated and cross-linking or polymerising the composition by exposing it to a source of heat.
This invention also extends to coatings derived from the claimed resin and/or polymer compositions. The coating may be of the varnish, adhesive, non-adhesive type and/or an ink. Silicone coatings may also be obtained in the field of encapsulation of electronic components or claddings for optical fibres.
The solvent-free, in other words undiluted, compositions are applied using devices capable of depositing small quantities of liquids uniformly. The device known as xe2x80x9csliding Helioxe2x80x9d comprising, in particular, two superimposed cylinders may be used for this purpose: the role of the lowest cylinder immersed in the coating tank containing the composition is to impregnate the highest cylinder in a very thin layer, the role of the highest cylinder therefore being to deposit the desired quantities of composition with which it is impregnated on the paper, this dosage being obtained by adjusting the respective speed of the two cylinders which rotate in opposite directions to one another.
The quantities of compositions deposited on the substrates vary and usually range between 0.1 and 5 g/m2 of treated surface. These quantities depend on the nature of the substrates and the desired non-adhesive properties. They are usually between 0.5 and 1.5 g/m2 in the case of non-porous substrates.
The present invention also relates to the use of a compound of general formula I as defined hereinbefore as a heat-activated polymerisation and/or cross-linking initiator for polyorganosiloxane-type monomers, oligomers and/or polymers with organofunctional groups, in particular as defined hereinbefore.
The present invention also relates to the articles (for example sheets) consisting of a solid material (metal, glass, plastics material, paper, etc.) of which at least one surface is coated with the above-mentioned thermally-cross-linked composition.
The following examples are given as an illustration and cannot be considered as a limit to the scope and essence of the invention.

Initiator for polymerizing and/or cross-linking polyorganosiloxanes with cross-linkable functional groups, corresponding compositions and their uses


A spike mold structure includes a first male mold base having a plurality of male molds and at least one firing pin, and a female mold base having a first fixing board, a second fixing board, a plurality of outer female molds and inner female mold. The second fixing board has at least one sliding rod, and the sliding rod has an actuating block. One surface of the first fixing board has a plurality of convex blocks. A plurality of concave slots are located at the surface of the sliding rod. The thimbles push the actuating block to make the sliding rod slidingly move so that the first fixing board and second fixing board are closely embedded or have a gap. Therefore, there is a displacement between the outer and the inner female mold. The spike mold structure is used to mold a bi-colored spike having increased strength.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a spike mold structure. In particular, this invention relates to a spike mold structure that can be formed via two continuous processes.
2. Description of the Related Art
The golf spike (sometimes also known as a cleat), such as the spike published in Taiwan patent T.W. 588980, and the spike set published in Taiwan patent T.W. 266736, includes a connection part and a spike part. The connection part is usually made of metal or macromolecule material and is formed by an injection molding process. The spike part is made of macromolecule material and is formed on the connection part by an injection molding process.
Generally, when a spike is manufactured, two steps are needed. Firstly, the connection part is manufactured. Then, the spike part is molded on the connection part. When the connection part is made of metal, the spike is molded on the connection via an injection molding process. If the connection part is made of macromolecule material, the connection part is formed using an injection molding machine. Then, the connection part is moved to another machine to form the spike part. However, when the spike part having two different colors is molded on the connection part made of metal or molding the connection part and the spike part using the same machine, two continuous injection molding processes are needed.
Reference is made to FIG. 1A˜2C, which show the two continuous injection molding processes of the prior art. FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram of the spike 1. The spike 1 includes a connection part 11, a base part 12, and a spike part 13. The connection part 11 is made of metal. The base part 2 and the spike part 3 are made of macromolecule materials that are different in color. Firstly, the connection part 11 is placed on a first female mold 14. Then, a first male mold 15 is used for molding the base part 12. After that, a second male mold 16 is used for molding the spike part 13. Thereby, the spike 1 having two different colors is produced. FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of the spike 2. The spike 2 includes a connection part 21 and a spike part 22. The connection part 21 and the spike part 22 are made of macromolecule materials that are different in color. Firstly, the connection part 21 is molded via a second female mold 23 and a third male mold 24. Then, a fourth male mold 25 is used for molding the spike part 22. Thereby, the spike 2 is manufactured.
For the spike 1 and the spike 2 manufactured via two molding processes, the connection strength of the connection structure located at the first molding part and the second molding part, means the connection area between the base part 12 and the spike part 13 of spike 1. The connection area between the connection part 21 and the spike part 22 of spike 2, is weaker. There further exists a problem of the spike dropping from the shoe that causes users to be hurt when they are exercising.


The present invention discloses a pallet construction having a body including a plurality of interconnected structural members defining at least an upper support surface, a bottom and a plurality of interconnecting sides. A plurality of stand-offs extend from underside projecting locations of the body in order to elevate the bottom an upward distance from a ground supporting location. A mesh or other sheer material is provided and exhibits durable load carrying and anti-tear properties. The mesh is applied over at least the upper support surface and, in additional variants, along each of the extending side surfaces such that the body establishes a three dimensional volume defining interior. In order to support the mesh, the body includes upper and lower vertically spaced and rectangular perimeter defining members separated by spaced apart and vertically interconnecting members.

The prior art is documented with various types of load bearing pallets for supporting volumes of cargo. Typical pallet designs include a plurality of individually sized lengths of a board material, such as 2×4 lengths of lumber, which are assembled together in order to construct a generally three dimensional square or rectangular article exhibiting an upwardly spaced and planar load supporting surface. Other prior art pallets incorporate materials other than natural wood according to varying designs and applications.

Lightweight pallet and container including mesh support surface and galvanized frame construction


Certain examples provide systems, methods, and apparatus for medical device management. An example method includes comparing a first identification of a first data set to a second identification of a second data set at a medical device. The example method includes, when the first identification does not match the second identification, triggering a download of the second data set to the medical device. The example method includes determining an operating state of the medical device. The example method includes, when the operating state indicates the medical device is idle, triggering activation of the second data set in place of the first data set at the medical device. The example method includes facilitating operation of the medical device according to the second data set.

Increasingly, medical devices are becoming electronic or involve an electronic or software component. Electronic devices, distributed facilities, and scattered patients make training, treatment, and troubleshooting difficult. Further, it is often difficult to educate the public, and patients may not seek the treatment they should due to a lack of information and access. Operators and administrators may also introduce inefficiencies in their operation and management of medical devices due to a lack of information and access. Additionally, unauthorized access and/or interruption has potential to introduce harmful error as well as inefficiency into patient treatment.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be understood, however, that the present invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in the attached drawings.

Data set distribution during medical device operation


A contactor control apparatus is provided for controlling contactors connected to a battery assembly. A contactor control apparatus includes a controller for turning on and off a first contactor connected to one end of a battery assembly having at least one secondary battery connected in series and a second contactor connected to another end of the battery assembly. The controller counts a first counter value when a control voltage for controlling each contactor is higher than a first reference voltage, and holds the first counter value when the control voltage is lower than or equal to the first reference voltage. The controller turns off at least one of the first contactor and the second contactor when the first counter value is equal to or higher than a first threshold value.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a contactor control apparatus for controlling contactors connected to a battery assembly. In particular, the present invention relates to a contactor control apparatus controlling contactors according to a counter value.
2. Description of the Related Art
In recent years, a power-supply apparatus using a secondary battery such as a nickel-metal hydride battery having a high energy density (hereinafter, referred to as "a nickel-hydrogen battery") is used as a power source of a motor and a drive source for various types of loads in an electric vehicle such as a pure electric vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as "PEV"), a hybrid electric vehicle (hereinafter, referred to as "HEV") or the like. The power-supply apparatus for use in the electric vehicle requires a total voltage of approximately 100V to 350V. Since an output voltage of a single battery (a cell) as a minimum unit constituting the power-supply apparatus is approximately 1.2V, a plurality of single batteries (for example, 100 single batteries) is conventionally connected in series so as to obtain a desired total voltage.
A contactor (relay) for connecting and disconnecting the power supply is provided between the power-supply apparatus and the motor. For example in the PEV, when a driver operates an ignition key to turn on an ignition and turn on the power supply, the contactor is conducted to connect the power-supply apparatus, and as a result, the motor is driven to rotate. When the ignition is turned off, the contactor disconnects the power-supply apparatus and the motor from each other, and as a result, the motor is stopped.
The contactor includes a moving contact and a fixed contact, and further includes a contactor coil for operating the moving contact. In general, the contactor used in the PEV and HEV applies a voltage of an auxiliary power supply that outputs a relatively low voltage, which is generally called an auxiliary battery, to the contactor coil to switch over conductive state and non-conductive state.
However, the auxiliary battery, which is detachably provided in the electric vehicle, may be removed for maintenance or the like or exchanged. If an inappropriate auxiliary battery is mounted or in any similar case, the contactor coil may excessively generate heat and be damaged when a voltage of the auxiliary power supply exceeding a rated voltage of the contactor coils is applied to the contactor coil for a long time interval. The excessive heat generation and the damage of the contactor coil cause malfunctions of the entire electric vehicle.
The Japanese patent laid-open publication No. 10-224901 discloses a contactor control apparatus of a prior art. Referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, the contactor control apparatus of the prior art is described. FIG. 11 shows a configuration of an electric vehicle according to the prior art. In FIG. 11, the electric vehicle includes a battery assembly 1 constituted by a plurality of secondary batteries, a first contactor 2 whose one end is connected to a high-voltage side of the battery assembly 1, a second contactor 3 whose one end is connected to a low-voltage side of the battery assembly 1, a current detector 4 provided in a line on the low-voltage side of the battery assembly 1, a controller 115 connected to the battery assembly 1, the first contactor 2, the second contactor 3 and the current detector 4, a smoothing capacitor 6 connecting another end of the first contactor 2 and another end of the second contactor 3, an inverter 7 connected to both ends of the capacitor 6, and a motor 8 connected to the inverter 7.
The contactors 2 and 3 respectively include a moving contact and a fixed contact, and further include a contactor coil for operation the moving contact. One ends of the respective contactor coils are grounded, while another ends thereof are connected to the controller 115. The respective contactor coils are supplied with the auxiliary power-supply voltage of the auxiliary battery not shown from an auxiliary power-supply voltage input terminal (hereinafter, referred to as "a Vsub terminal") via the controller 115 to move the moving contacts and switch over between conductive state and non-conductive state of the contacts.
The inverter 7 includes, for example, a plurality of transistors and diodes. The inverter 7 converts a DC power-supply into an AC power-supply and sequentially applies the power-supply voltage supplied from the battery assembly 1 to each phase of the motor 8 so that the motor 8 is rotated.
The smoothing capacitor 6 is provided to reduce a change of the voltage applied to the inverter 7 and stably supply a voltage.
The current detector 4 detects a current flowing in the conductive line on the low-voltage side of the battery assembly 1 and outputs results of the detection to the controller 115.
The controller 115 inputs the current value detected by the current detector 4 and the voltage value of the battery assembly 1. The controller 115 further inputs an operation signal for operating the vehicle from an accelerator, a brake, a shift lever and the like not shown, and controls the contactors 2 and 3 in accordance with the operation signal. The contactors 2 and 3 are controlled in such a manner that the auxiliary power-supply voltage of the auxiliary battery not shown that is inputted from the Vsub terminal is applied to each contactor coil of the contactors 2 and 3 so that the contactors are switched over between conductive state and non-conductive state of the contacts.
The controller 115 compulsorily stops the application of the voltage to the contactor coil when the auxiliary power-supply voltage applied to the contactors 2 and 3 is higher than an uninterruptedly applicable voltage defined by the ratings of the contactor coil to set the contactors in non-conductive state.
Referring to FIG. 12, an operation of the controller 115 is described. FIG. 12 is a timing chart illustrating a change (a) of the voltage applied to the coil and a change (b) of the operation of the second contactor 3. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the uninterruptedly applicable voltage of the contactor coil is set to 16V.
As shown in FIG. 12(a), the voltage applied to the coil exceeds 16V, which is the uninterruptedly applicable voltage of the contactor coils, during a time interval from a timing T2 to a timing T3, a time interval from a timing T4 to a timing T5 and a time interval after a timing T6. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12(b), the controller 115 switches the contactor to be in non-conductive state (OPEN) during the time interval from the timing T2 to the timing T3, the time interval from the timing T4 to the timing T5 and the time interval after the timing T6.
As described above, the contactor control apparatus according to the prior art is capable of preventing the damage of the contactor by reducing the excessive heat generation in the contactor coil.
However, in the contactor control apparatus according to the prior art, the contactors cannot be conducted when an auxiliary battery whose rated voltage is any higher than the uninterruptedly applicable voltage of the contactor coils is connected as a replacement for emergency or for maintenance, which disadvantageously stops the operation of the electric vehicle.
Further, even when an auxiliary battery having a suitable rated voltage is connected, the electric vehicle is unfavorably often stopped when the voltage value is often increased due to the change of the output voltage of the auxiliary battery.

Contactor control apparatus and contactor control method for use in electric vehicle


A method is disclosed to generate and save run time data. The method supplies an embedded device comprising a processor which includes a processor cache, memory, a hardware trace facility comprising a plurality of data buffers, where the embedded device is capable of communicating with one or more host adapter ports. The method generates a trace entry, stores that trace data entry in the processor cache, and then writes the trace data entry to the plurality of data buffers.

Embedded systems comprise special purposes systems requiring high performance but having relatively few dedicated resources. For example, embedded devices typically comprise relatively little memory, a low performance processor, few if any standard utilities, and no hard disks.
In addition, embedded devices typically do not comprise a conventional operating system. A conventional operating system is written for flexibility. An embedded system, however, performs a single purpose. Therefore, such an embedded device operates using a device microcode written to optimize the device's single function.
In order to monitor the performance of an embedded device, the device microcode includes instructions for logging trace data. In the event of a device error, that logged trace data can be analyzed to determine the cause of the error. Periodically during the operation of the embedded device, a trace statement is issued which causes, inter alia, the parameters the device is executing on at that point in time to be written to a memory device.
If an error is detected, the trace data is downloaded, and is used to determine the source of the error. What is needed is a method to form and save such trace which involves minimal usage of embedded device resources. Applicants' apparatus and method generates and saves trace data while requiring minimal device resources, and such that the trace data can be retrieved even if the embedded device resets.

Apparatus and method to generate and save run time data

International Business Machines Corporation


An apparatus configured for maintaining a barrier in a position against a trans-barrier force less than a predetermined magnitude. The barrier has associated structures for cooperating with the apparatus to define the position in which the barrier is maintained.. The apparatus comprises a guide follower attached to the barrier and operatively interactive with the associated structures for defining the barrier position. The guide follower of the apparatus comprises a first portion attached to the barrier and a second portion operatively interactive with the associated structures. The first portion and the second portion are in an interfitting relation and define at least one pair of mating surfaces, each of which mating surfaces is transverse to the barrier and oriented to allow sliding disengagement of the first portion and the second portion in response to application of a trans-barrier force to the barrier in excess of a predetermined magnitude.

The present invention is directed to an apparatus configured for use with a door or other barrier for maintaining the door or other barrier in a position and capable of resisting a trans-barrier force less than a predetermined magnitude. When the trans-barrier force exceeds the predetermined magnitude, the apparatus is designed to yield and allow the barrier to move in response to the trans-barrier force, thereby avoiding damage to the barrier and, further, avoiding damage to adjacent supporting structures for the barrier, such as guide rails, supports, tensioning mechanisms, and the like.
The preferred embodiment of the present invention is particularly adaptable for use with a door of the roll-up type which is generally used for environmental control between two spaces, such as between sections of a warehouse, or the like. In such doors, a motor-driven roller controls the upward and downward movement of the door to control access through an opening. An assembly of cables, associated pulleys, and tension springs serves as a tensioning mechanism. The tensioning mechanism is driven by the roller motor and connected to a guide follower apparatus. The guide follower apparatus is attached to the bottom, or leading edge, of the roller door and interacts with guide rails adjacent the opening. In such installations, the door is generally flexible and is kept under tension to aid in maintaining alignment of the door with respect to the guide rails and the opening.
It is common that such door installations are subjected to abuse during normal operations by the impact of machinery, such as fork lifts, with the bottom (leading edge) of the door. In previous designs, such abuse inflicted serious damage to the door and its associated guide rails, tensioning mechanism, and other parts. Such damage often jammed the door in its down (closed) position, causing serious delays in operations in spaces about the door since the door blocked access through the opening.
Previous efforts have been made to accommodate these destructive forces accidentally imparted to such doors. One solution has been to provide a hinged guide rail so that application of force to the door causes the hinged panel of the guide rail to pop loose and rotate away from the guide follower attached to the bottom, leading edge, of the door. That swinging open of the guide rail allowed the door and guide follower to swing free in response to the application of the destructive force.
The hinged guide rail solution had problems and shortcomings: the cables in the door tensioning mechanism could snarl, stretch, break, or otherwise become damaged; associated pulleys and tension springs of the tensioning mechanism could similarly be damaged; and, perhaps most important, since the guide rails were generally placed adjacent the opening, as opposed to within the opening, the hinged guide rail only accommodated trans-barrier forces in one direction, away from the wall surrounding the opening. Trans-barrier forces applied in the opposite direction (toward the wall) would not operate to pop open the hinged panel of the guide rail and would serve only to drive the door and its associated guide follower against the wall surrounding the opening. Of course, driving the door against the wall caused damage to the guide follower, door, guide rail, tensioning apparatus, and other parts of the door installation.
The present invention is designed to overcome the shortcomings of these previous attempts to provide a trans-barrier force accommodation mechanism to avoid damage to a barrier and its associated structures and mechanisms. In one of its embodiments, the present invention uses a structure which accommodates trans-barrier forces in two directions.
Further, great precision of determination of the predetermined magnitude of the trans-barrier force at which the apparatus will allow the door to yield can be achieved in the present invention through the use of a shear pin-type or similar assembly.

Apparatus for accommodating application of a force in excess of a predetermined magnitude and closure employing such apparatus


An estimate of a functional capacity such as VO2Max is made by applying the vital signs of a monitored human to a trained encoding neural network producing a cardio profile vector. The vector is applied to a trained functional capacity (VO2Max) neural network to estimate the functional capacity. Once estimated, an action is taken.

There are numerous circumstances in the medical arts where it is highly valuable to determine the comparative health of an individual at a point in time, compared to others (or compared to known categories), or compared to the individual's history. In particular, this health determination often seeks to measure the individual's cardiopulmonary function, as blood circulation and gas exchange are front-line life-enabling in comparison to dietary metabolism or cognitive functions. In some aspects and as used herein, "health" refers to the cardiopulmonary vitality for humans although it will be understood that other types of health vitalities are possible.
Determining the comparative health of a human is useful in a variety of different ways. For example, these determinations can be used to determine the efficacy/side effects of a drug in a drug trial (e.g., whether the drug usage is improving the subject's health, sustaining the subject's health in view of expected degradation, or is having negative side effects on the subject's health). Comparative health determinations can also be used to obtain the efficacy of a device/procedure intervention in a clinical trial, or determine a capacity for treatment (e.g., in oncology treatments/chemotherapy, determine whether the patient sufficiently recovered from last treatment to endure more, whether the patient is being overtreated, or whether the treatment is otherwise harming the patient). These determinations can further be used in health care surveillance (e.g., tracking the day-over-day trajectory of a patient with chronic disease (e.g., heart failure or COPD), or post-surgical discharge). These determinations can additionally be used to identify individuals with undiagnosed disease in the population, or to enable early intervention (e.g., NYHA Class I Heart Failure, which is often underdiagnosed and is asymptomatic). Still further, these determinations can be used to evaluate the effectiveness of rehabilitative regimen (e.g., whether the regimen is helping the patient or whether the patient performing the regimen). Other examples are possible.
Indicators of health status are typically measured under "effort challenge" activities (activities that individuals may be reluctant to perform), such as exercise tests. In general, exercise tolerance is determined by three factors: pulmonary gas exchange; cardiovascular performance, including the peripheral vascular tree; and skeletal muscle metabolism. Methods for directly and objectively measuring an individual's cardiopulmonary functional capacity are generally invasive or arduous to set up and perform. Because of expense or inconvenience, they are not easily deployed for long-term surveillance or repeated measurement, whether in a clinical trial or for extended monitoring of a patient.
For example, objective measurements of cardiopulmonary function include ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) tests. VAT measurements involve successive blood samples are drawn from a subject during exercise challenge to determine an inflection point at which metabolism moves from aerobic to anaerobic. This method involves challenges of sequential blood gas testing and setup to acquire blood samples in an exercise equipment setting.
Another objective measurement of cardiopulmonary function includes the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET), where the subject is fitted with a breathing mask for measuring oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide production. The mask and connected equipment are able to measure O2 (and/or CO2) content from the breath, so that an objective estimate of oxygen uptake can be made, in particular as the subject reaches a plateau of maximum exercise capacity. This method requires specialty equipment as well as a laboratory-type exercise equipment setting.
Still another objective measurement of cardiopulmonary function includes the pulmonary function test (PFT), which uses either a spirometer or a plethysmograph chamber, to measure volumes and rates of air during breathing. This method only measures breathing, and so does not capture the "cardio" side of the health assessment. Nonetheless, it presents a way for objectively measuring structural gas exchange volume and flow.
Yet another objective measurement of cardiopulmonary function includes the cardiac echo doppler test, which is a measure of the cardiac output, physical distension and valve health of a person. These measurements are not expected to change much over short periods (weeks) of time. This measurement does not address the pulmonary side of performance or skeletal muscle metabolic health.
As a substitute for these objective measurements, more easily deployed tests like the "6-minute walk test" (6MWT) are used in health monitoring and clinical studies. In the 6MWT, a clinician marks out a stretch of hallway in which the tested individual walks back and forth as far as possible in 6 minutes. The distance walked is a proxy for cardiopulmonary exercise capacity. One problem with the 6MWT is its crudeness: Settings may vary in terms of obstacles or distractions; a tested individual may walk less distance owing to something other than cardiopulmonary fitness, such as arthritis, a headache, balance issues or joint pain. Hence results are noisy and only coarsely correlated to true health. Moreover, it is inconvenient for a tested individual to travel to the clinician's location to participate in the test.
Estimators of VO2Max have been derived based on physical attribute values such as age or gender. However, these are also only coarsely accurate, and of course lend no information on day-over-day changes in the performance of an individual. For example, such estimators are useless for monitoring the status of a patient with chronic disease who may evolve a disease exacerbation over days or weeks. More recently, VO2Max estimators have begun to be developed using features from fitness trackers, mainly heart rate, in combination with physical attribute values, but these have lacked accuracy, and often still require the subject to perform a specific exercise routine during which the assessment is made.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

System and method for improving cardiovascular health of humans


Adaptive transition density data triggered PLL (Phase Locked Loop). A novel solution is presented within a data triggered PLL whereby the missing data edge transitions may be detected and used to modify a phase difference between a data signal and a feedback signal and/or a current of a CP (Charge Pump) thereby maintaining a substantially constant loop bandwidth of the PLL for varying data edge transition rates. In one embodiment, an estimation of a substantially linear shift in PLL phase relative to the data phase is employed in the absence of data edge transitions. Alternatively, other means of implementing the shifts may be employed (e.g., non-linear) as desired in particular applications. This solution provides for a data triggered PLL that is practically impervious to variations in data edge transition density.

1. Technical Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to communication systems; and, more particularly, it relates to PLL (Phase Locked Loop) devices within such communication systems.
2. Description of Related Art
PLLs (Phase Locked Loops) are implemented within a wide variety of applications. Most generally, PLLs are employed to lock a frequency of a locally generated signal onto an incoming signal. This functionality may be important in a wide variety of contexts. For example, within data communication receivers (or transceivers), a locally generated signal is typically employed in some way such that the locally generated signal must be synchronized with a received signal that may be received via a communication channel or even simply via a bus (or other interconnection) that interconnects 2 or more devices.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a prior art PLL (Phase Locked Loop). The operation of a prior art PLL may be described as follows. The prior art PLL receives an incoming signal (shown as coming from a reference oscillator 110) and locks onto it and provides an output signal that is in phase with the incoming signal (e.g., the input signal). The prior art PLL includes a phase detector 120 (having conversion gain Kφ, in Volts/radian), an LPF (Low Pass filter) 130 (sometimes referred to as a loop filter) that limits the frequency spectrum over which the signal is employed, a VCO (Voltage Controlled Oscillator) 140 (having voltage conversion constant KV in radian/S/Volt) that generates a local signal (shown as an output signal having a frequency of
            ω      n        =                                        K            ϕ                                          K            V                                    N                                                              R                                                              C                      ,in radian/S) that corresponds to the incoming signal. In this embodiment, R (in Ohms) and C (in Farads) correspond to the values of the resistance and the capacitance of the resistor of the passive LPF 130 illustrated. The output of the VCO 140 is also provided to a divider 150 (that may be a divide by N counter), and the output of the divider 150 is a feedback signal that is used to adjust the phase detector 120 such that the frequency of the signal output from the VCO 140 is a multiple (by a factor of N) of the incoming signal.
The phase detector 120 of the prior art PLL detects the phase difference between the incoming signal to the PLL and the local signal generated by the VCO 140.
In general, a prior art PLL is an electronic circuit that synchronizes the signal from an oscillator (e.g., from the VCO 140) with a second input signal (called the "reference" or "incoming signal"), so that they operate at the same frequency, or multiples of the same frequency.
The loop synchronizes the VCO 140 to the input reference by comparing their phases and controls the VCO 140 in such a manner that a constant phase relationship is maintained between the two signals. If it is determined that the incoming signal and the local signal are in phase (e.g., the two clocks are in phase), then no phase adjustment need be performed. However, if the regenerated clock from VCO 140 lags the reference signal, then the phase adjuster needs to compensate for this by advancing the regenerated clock. If it leads the reference signal, the phase adjuster needs to make the opposite change.
From certain perspectives, PLL circuits are implemented and used for frequency control. They may be configured as frequency multipliers, demodulators, tracking generators or clock recovery circuits. A PLL is basically a feedback control system that controls the phase of the VCO 140. The input signal to the PLL is applied to one input of the phase detector 120. The other input to the phase detector 120 of the PLL is connected to the output of a divider 150 (that may be a divide by N counter) whose input is the output of the VCO 140. Normally the frequencies of both of these signals are nearly the same. The output of the phase detector 120 is pulse width proportional to the phase difference between these two inputs, and this output is applied to a loop filter that is shown as being an LPF (Low Pass Filter) 130 here. It is the combination of the VCO gain, the phase detector gain, the LPF loop filter value (e.g., the loop filter value), and the divider value that determines the dynamic characteristics of the PLL. The filtered signal controls the VCO 140. It is also noted that the output of the VCO 140 is at a frequency that is N times the signal supplied to the frequency reference input. This output signal is sent back to the phase detector 120 via the divider 150 (which may be a divide by N counter).
For additional understanding of the operation of the PLL, it is noted that the loop filter (shown here as the LPF 130) will be designed to match the characteristics required by the application of the PLL. For example, if the PLL is to acquire and track a signal, then the bandwidth of the loop filter will be greater than if it expects a fixed input frequency. The frequency range over which the PLL may lock onto is called the capture range. Once the PLL is locked, the range of frequencies that the PLL follows is called the tracking range. Generally the tracking range is larger than the capture range. The loop filter also determines how fast the signal frequency can change and still maintain lock. This is the maximum slewing rate. The narrower the loop filter bandwidth (or the lower the frequency range of the LPF 130), then the smaller the achievable phase error. This comes at the expense of slower response and reduced capture range.
Typically, the PLL is powered by a power supply that energizes the phase detector 120 and the VCO 140. In some embodiments, where the loop filter is implemented as an active device (e.g., NOT as the passive LPF 130 device as illustrated in this diagram), the power supply may also energize the active components contained therein. The power supply may be located on-chip with, or off-chip from, the PLL.
In some instances, a PLL is implemented to be triggered not off a received clock type signal (having a relatively constant periodicity, duty cycle, amplitude, frequency, and so on), but off of an incoming data signal (whose parameters may vary significantly over time). Such PLLs may generally be referred to as data recovery PLLs. These prior art data recovery PLLs are typically implemented using intelligent phase comparators that make updates only in the presence of data edge transitions. However, it can be very difficult to use a data signal as the reference signal (or incoming signal) to trigger a PLL.
From even a most general consideration, the density of data edge transitions of a digital data signal may be very varied. While the data edge transition density of a typical data signal may in fact be close to 50% (0.5 where a data edge transition occurs every 2 clock cycles) over a relatively long period of time, the data edge transition density within a more localized period of time may vary anywhere from 0% to 100%. That is to say, the number of data edge transitions that occur every period of time may vary from a value of up to 1.0 (e.g., a data edge transition every clock cycle) to a value of down to 0.0 (e.g., no data edge transitions at all within the period of time). When considering a relatively shorter period of time, the data edge transition density statistically is not close to the ideal of 50%. In addition, the PLL loop bandwidth varies as a function of the data edge transition density. That is to say, the loop bandwidth of the PLL is in fact dependent on the data edge transition density. When the data edge transition density is closer to 1, the PLL experiences the widest loop bandwidth because the loop gain is at the highest value. However, when the data edge transition density is closer to 0, the PLL experiences the most narrow loop bandwidth because the loop gain is at the lowest value. An additional loop parameter that varies with transition density is the damping/peaking and hence, the stability thereof. Stabilizing the damping factor generally increases the loop's stability.
In such instances, it can be seen that the local signal (shown as an output signal having a frequency of
            ω      n        =                                        K            ϕ                                          K            V                                    N                                                              R                                                              C                      ,in radian/S) will vary as a function of the inverse of the square root of the factor N (e.g.,
                    ω        n            =                                                  1              N                                ·                                                                      K                  ϕ                                                                  K                  V                                                            R                                                                                C                                                    =                                                            1                N                                      ·            constant                                                                        value                      )    .
In high performance systems, these variations in loop bandwidth may generate a great deal of deleterious effects. For example, in SONET (Synchronous Optical NETwork, a standard for optical telecommunications transport formulated by the ECSA (Exchange Carriers Standards Association) for the ANSI (American National Standards Institute)), the loop bandwidth is to maintained at less than 8 MHz (Mega-Hertz) and the damping factor is maintained large enough such that the PLL exhibits less than 0.1 dB of jitter transfer peaking. This loop bandwidth requirement inherently puts a significant constraint on the jitter of a VCO that may be implemented in such a PLL. In this SONET example, if the loop bandwidth varies, then the nominal loop bandwidth of the PLL must be placed lower then 8 MHz in an effort to compensate for those instances where the loop bandwidth may expand (based on changes in the data edge transition density). This also requires an even better VCO to meet the jitter specifications within the PLL.
As such, it can be seen that there are many limitations existent within the prior art of data recovery PLLs. A more robust and reliable approach is needed in the art to allow for high performance of data recovery PLLs in view of the variations in data edge transition density that may occur within the data signal by which such a PLL is triggered.

Adaptive transition density data triggered PLL (phase locked loop)


An alert device, which is adapted for mounting to a valve of a pneumatic object, is capable of detecting any decrease in the interior pneumatic pressure of the pneumatic object and generating a warning signal immediately therefor. The alert device includes a signal arrangement and a connector, wherein the signal arrangement includes a cap, a signal generator fittingly received in the cap, and a power supply arrangement comprising a first contact unit and a second contact unit, and the connector comprises a power inlet and a power outlet.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to an alert device for pneumatic object, and more particularly relates to an alert device which is attached to a valve of the pneumatic object, so that when the pressure inside the pneumatic object decreases due to gas leakage or other reasons, a signal will be generated.
2. Description of Related Arts
Pneumatic objects are widely used in different aspects in our everyday lives such as balloon and pneumatic toys for entertainment, tires and pneumatic boats in transportation, pneumatic safe guards for life saving. However, people will not pay attention to the condition of the pneumatic objects all the time while using them, so when the pressure inside the pneumatic object is not sufficient, people may not be aware and alert. It may not be important for gas leakage from the pneumatic toys or balloons. However, if the gas leakage is happened during the use of tires and pneumatic boats for transportation or pneumatic safe guards for life saving, it will increase the risk of driving a car or monitoring a boat or loss of one""s life as the pneumatic safe guard cannot function.
The main object of the present invention is to provide an alert device for pneumatic object, wherein the alert device is adapted for mounting in a valve of the pneumatic object and to detect the interior pneumatic pressure of the pneumatic object. A warning signal is immediately generated when the interior pneumatic pressure of the pneumatic object is lowered than a predetermined safety pressure. Therefore, when the pneumatic pressure of the pneumatic object is insufficient to timely replace or repair the pneumatic object before the happening of any tragedies, users can be alert with the signal.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an alert device for pneumatic object, wherein the alert device comprises a connector that controls the opening and closing of a circuit such that the alert device is in an open circuit condition and consumes no electricity when the pneumatic pressure of the pneumatic object is higher than a predetermine pressure. The alert device is in a close circuit condition and generates a warning signal when the pneumatic pressure of the pneumatic object is lower than the predetermined pressure.
In order to accomplish the above objects, the present invention provides an alert device, comprising:
a signal arrangement which comprises a cap, a signal generator fittingly received in said cap and a power supply arrangement which comprises a first contact unit connected to said generator and a second contact unit; and
a connector, adapted for connecting to a valve of a pneumatic object, further comprising a power inlet connected to said second contact unit of said power supply arrangement and a power outlet connected to said signal generator, wherein said power inlet and said power outlet are arranged to electrically disconnect with each other when the pneumatic object has a pneumatic pressure equal to or higher than a predetermined pressure, wherein when said pneumatic pressure of said pneumatic object is lower than said predetermined level, said power inlet and said power outlet is electrically connected to transmit electricity from said power inlet through said second contact unit of said power supply arrangement to said power outlet to generate a warning signal.


A system and method for registering and unregistering a module with a kernel includes a processing unit communicating with the kernel. A hierarchical kernel registry service communicates with the kernel and includes an identifier of the module. The processing unit causes the module to be one selected from registered with the kernel and unregistered from the kernel as a function of a hierarchical position of the identifier within the kernel registry service.

The present invention relates to dynamically configurable kernels incorporating various modules. It will be appreciated, however, that the invention is also amenable to other like applications.
One component of a computing system is an operating system (OS) kernel, which includes a plurality of modules (e.g., drivers) that allow the computing system to communicate with peripheral devices such as a printing device. The modules are compiled and subsequently linked to form the kernel. When the system is started or "booted-up," the kernel is loaded into memory.
In some systems, the kernel is static, which means the kernel is built/re-built whenever a new module (or new version of a module) is linked (registered) to the operating system (OS) kernel. In other systems, the kernel is dynamic, which permits a new module (or new version of a module) to be linked to the operating system (OS) kernel without rebuilding the kernel or rebooting the system. In either system, it is necessary to manage modules linked to the kernel. In other words, it is necessary to maintain a list (index) of modules (or versions of modules) that are currently registered with the kernel, a list of modules (or versions of modules) that are not currently registered with the kernel but that are to be registered in the future, and a list of modules that are currently registered with the kernel but that are to be unregistered in the future.
Currently, one means for managing a kernel includes creating and/or accessing one or more registration files stored on a computer readable medium within a computing system. The registration files, which are typically text files, identify the modules that are currently registered with the kernel. Furthermore, the files may identify multiple versions of one or more of the modules that are currently registered with the kernel. Registering multiple versions of a module with a kernel simply means that the kernel is "aware" of each of those versions. Only one of the registered versions (e.g., the active version) is actually used by the kernel when a call is made to the module. The text files also identify modules (and versions thereof) that are currently not registered with the kernel but that are to be registered in the future, along with modules (and versions thereof) that are currently registered but that are to be unregistered in the future.
As discussed above, the registration files are typically text files and, furthermore, are "flat," which means the entries in the files have no structured interrelationship. For example, a flat file used within the current system may simply include a list of file names (including the full path) representing the modules that are currently registered with the kernel. Other flat, text files in the current system may include file names of at least one of various versions of the modules that are currently registered with the kernel, modules and/or versions that are to be registered with the kernel in the future, and modules and/or versions that are to be unregistered from the kernel in the future.
Since a plurality of registration files are currently used for managing the kernel, the OS manages the location and name of each of these files. This additional layer of management is cumbersome and, furthermore, utilizes computer resources that may affect the efficiency of the system.
Additionally, there are drawbacks associated with text registration files. For example, the computing system must be sufficiently loaded to accomplish the relatively high-level processing used for text files (e.g., the system may be completely booted). Therefore, text registration files preclude boot-time loading. Furthermore, text files are typically accessible to system users and, therefore, may be easily corrupted and/or inadvertently deleted.
The present invention provides a new and improved apparatus and method which addresses the above-referenced problems.

Data structure and method for managing modules associated with a kernel

Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.


A method of qualifying a ferrule assembly as being adequate to make physical contact upon application of a certain mating force, said ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule having an mating face and two or more fibers in said ferrule extending from said mating face, said method comprising (a) determining a coplanarity line of the ends of said fibers of said ferrule assembly, (b) determining minus coplanarity, said minus coplanarity being the greatest parallel offset between said coplanarity line and a fiber end below the coplanarity line; and (c) determining whether said ferrule assembly will make physical contact as a function of at least said minus coplanarity and said certain mating force.

Optical fiber connectors are an essential part of substantially any optical fiber communication system. For instance, such connectors are used to join segments of fiber together, to connect fiber to active devices such as radiation sources, detectors and repeaters, and to connect fiber to passive devices, such as switches, multiplexers, and attenuators.
A typical optical fiber connector comprises housing and a ferrule assembly within the housing. The ferrule assembly comprises a ferrule, which has one or more bore holes to accommodate fibers, and a fiber secured in each bore hole such that the end of the fiber is presented for optical coupling by the ferrule. Of particular interest herein, are multi-fiber ferrules such as the MT ferrules, which are well know.
The housing is designed to engage a "mating structure" having an optical path to which the fiber optically couples during mating. The mating structure may be another connector or an active or passive device as mentioned above. The optical path may be, for example, a fiber in a ferrule, a waveguide in a substrate, a lens, or an optically-transparent mass. The principal function of an optical fiber connector is to hold the fiber end such that the fiber's core is axially aligned with optical pathway of the mating structure. This way, light from the fiber is optically coupled to the optical pathway.
It is well known that to effect an optical coupling and minimize Fresnel loss, there must be sufficient "physical contact" between the fiber and the optical path of the mating structure. Generally, adequate physical contact requires that an area of the fiber core contacts the optical path. In common optical applications, this area is at least 62.5 μm, although it should be understood that the area of physical contact will be a function of a system's tolerance to Fresnel loss. For purposes of illustration, however, throughout this disclosure, we will assume a requisite physical contact of 62.5 μm.
There are many factors that affect a connector's ability to make adequate physical contact when mated. Applicants have identified the following factors as being of particular significance: (1) the compressive force of the mated connectors, (2) the ferrule material, (3) the environmental response, (4) the geometry of the end-face of the ferrule, (5) the variations in the protrusion of the fibers from the end-face of the ferrule, (6) the number of fibers in the ferrule. These features are herein referred to as the "PC connector interface parameters" or "PC parameters" for short. Such parameters are considered in US Published Application No. 2009/0097800 hereby incorporated by reference.
With respect to compressive force parameters, different connectors have different mated forces. The term "mated force" refers to the force applied to the ferrule end face when the connector is mated. This force is typically imparted on the ferrule by virtue of a spring that urges the ferrule away from the connector such that the ferrule end face urges against the mating structure. Typical mating forces for MT-type connectors range from about 2-12 Newtons.
With respect to ferrule material, the parameters of interest are Young's modulus and Poisson's ratio.
Environmental response is yet another PC parameter that may affect physical contact. Although many such environmental conditions exist, of particular interest herein is the coefficient of thermal expansion mismatch between the fiber and the ferrule material. Additionally, there is potentially a permanent fiber withdrawal due to the creep of the adhesive used to fasten the fiber to the ferrule.
Referring to FIG. 1, a table showing current interface parameters is shown. With respect to ferrule geometry, the parameters include x-angle, y-angle, x-radius, y-radius, and flatness deviation. These tend to be difficult parameters to determine and often require a significant degree of compromise and "best fit" techniques.
With respect to variations in fiber protrusion, the current interface parameters include fiber height, maximum fiber height differential, and adjacent height differential. Coplanarity is also being considered as a parameter.
Although these parameters have been used to provide an indication of the likelihood of physical contact, they can be onerous to obtain, subject to error, and ultimately unreliable in certain situations. Therefore, a need exists for an approach that determines whether a connector will make adequate physical contact that is simpler and more reliable. The present invention fulfills this need among others.

Method and apparatus for predicting physical contact


The present invention relates to skin care compositions, including cosmeceuticals, for topical application, and more particularly, a skin cream, comprising exosomes and cell culture medium conditioned by cells grown in two-dimensional culture. Also included are methods of making and using such compositions and kits comprising the skin cream therein.

1 Field of the Invention
The present invention is generally related to skin care compositions, and more specifically to cosmeceuticals and medicaments for topical application, including a skin cream, comprising exosome enriched cell culture medium conditioned by foreskin-derived fibroblast cells grown in two-dimensional culture.
2 Background Information
Currently there is no cure for aging skin and treatments for aging and/or wrinkled skin are temporary and suffer from drawbacks and side effects. The loss of collagen and elastic proteins present in the dermal layers causes a breakdown of resiliency and skin thickness over time, which may result in fine lines and wrinkles. The most common surgical interventions available for treatment of facial wrinkles include face-lifts, laser surgery, skin peels, and injection therapies, such as BOTOX®. However, surgical methods may result in detrimental complications, are often painful, and must be repeated with time. Non-invasive remedies include topical formulations consisting of alpha/beta hydroxy, retinoic acids, argirelines, and vitamins. However, none of these methods completely eliminate wrinkles, and require multiple, and often expensive treatments. Some topical formulations may act as irritants to the skin, to elicit wound healing responses, but do not successfully replenish the thinning skin with adequate proteins for treatment and/or prevention of age-related defects.
The pathogenesis of skin aging is well defined; it is characterized by a decrease in collagen synthesis and an increase in collagen breakdown, mediated by metalloproteinases (Arch. Dermatol. 138[11]:1462-70, 2002). This net loss in dermal collagen is believed to contribute to and/or permit wrinkling. Biologic factors that stimulate collagen production in wound healing might provide benefits for aging skin. Accordingly, growth factors, peptide fragments, and other biologically active molecules are being incorporated into anti-aging cosmeceuticals.
Growth factors are typically peptides with diverse biological effects. Some growth factor families that have been identified as useful in wound healing and/or epidermal remodeling include, e.g., transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), epidermal growth factor (EGF), insulin-like growth factors (IGFs), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs).
Living cells cultured in vitro secrete extracellular proteins and peptides, including growth factors, into the nutrient medium in which they are cultured. Medium exposed to cells in culture is referred to as "conditioned medium." Naughton et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,494, teach that conditioned medium from cell cultures comprising a three-dimensional extracellular matrix and multiple layers of stromal and tissue specific cells (i.e., a three-dimensional culture system) may be used advantageously to prepare growth factor-enriched cosmeceutical compositions; U.S. Pat. No. 6,372,494 is herein incorporated in its entirety by reference thereto. Indeed, Naughton et al. assert that the complex three-dimensional culture systems have numerous advantages over simple two-dimensional culture systems, e.g., greater surface area; more analogous to tissues in vivo; absence of "contact inhibition" (a limitation on the growth of cells in two-dimensional cultures); creation of localized microenvironments; increased cell-cell interactions and potential cell migration; maintenance of a differentiated phenotype and elaboration of differentiation factors, etc. Unfortunately, three-dimensional culture systems are substantially more expensive and technically challenging to establish and maintain than conventional two-dimensional culture systems. Moreover, the complex biological systems formed in three-dimensional culture create so many variables (e.g., cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions, tissue differentiation, etc.), that quality control with respect to the harvested conditioned medium becomes nearly impossible, and batch-to-batch variability in growth factor composition may be commercially unacceptable.
In addition, cultured cells also produce extracellular vesicles. Extracellular vesicles, or exosomes, have emerged as potent vehicles for cell-to-cell communication since the discovery that they contain functional mRNA, miRNA, DNA, and protein molecules that can be taken up by target cells. The genetic information contained in exosomes can influence or even direct the fate of the target cell, for example by triggering target cell activation, migration, growth, differentiation or de-differentiation, or by promoting apoptosis or necrosis. As such, exosomes can provide additional cell factors which assist in wound healing and/or epithelial remodeling.
Accordingly, while the use of growth factors to treat aging skin is gaining favor among skin care professionals, there remains an important and unmet need for more effective topical formulations for the treatment and/or prevention of skin damage, wrinkles and/or other defects due to aging and environmental factors, where the formulations comprise conditioned medium enriched with vesicles, growth factors, and/or extracellular matrix compositions produced by economical, well-controlled cell culture methods.


Systems and methods are provided for utilizing an asynchronous report feature when a time or volume reporting trigger is unavailable. The systems and method can include receiving node level capabilities from at least one of a plurality of user plane functions, receiving an asynchronous report from the at least one of the plurality of user plane functions, determining an absence of a reporting trigger based on charging information associated with a policy control function and trigger information associated with a charging function, selecting a user plane function from the plurality of user plane functions based on the asynchronous report, and generating a usage reporting rule without the reporting trigger to be provided to the user plane function from the plurality of user plane functions.

Wireless communications systems are deployed to provide various telecommunications and data services, including telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasts. A fifth-generation (5G) mobile standard calls for higher data transfer speeds, greater number of connections, and better coverage, among other improvements. The advantages offered by a 5G network can be leveraged by private industries that are driving the deployment of private networks, which may also be referred to as Standalone Non-public Networks (SNPNs) or Public Network Integrated Non-Public Networks (PNI-NPNs).
In some cases, a wireless device can be configured to operate on multiple wireless networks. For example, a wireless device can be configured to operate on a private network (e.g., an NPN) as well as a public network that is operated by a mobile network operator (MNO). In some examples, the wireless device may be configured to use different network identities that are associated with the different wireless networks. A wireless network can use the network identity associated with a wireless device to provide short message service (SMS) (e.g., text messages) to the wireless device.

System and mechanism to report usage for offline services with specific trigger requirements