The present invention relates to a fungicide containing a novel benzoylpyridine derivative or its salt.

The present invention relates to a novel benzoylpyridine derivative or its salt, a fungicide containing it as an active ingredient, its production process and an intermediate for producing it.
Benzoylpyridine derivatives which are analogous to the compounds of the present invention may be compounds as disclosed in e.g. WO99/41237, WO99/38845, WO96/17829, JP-A-7-309837 and JP-A-2-275858. However, they are different from the compounds of the present invention. Further, the purposes of use of these compounds are different from those of the compounds of the present invention.
Many fungicides which have been conventionally provided have their own characteristics in their controlling effects over pests which cause plant diseases. Some have a slightly poorer curative effect as compared with a preventive effect, and some have a residual effect which lasts only for a relatively short period of time, so that their controlling effects against pests tend to be practically insufficient in some cases. Accordingly, it has been desired to develop a novel compound which has a strong controlling effect against pests which cause plant diseases.
The present inventors have conducted extensive studies to overcome the above problems and as a result, have found that use of the compound represented by the formula (I) as an active ingredient presents excellent preventive effect and curative effect against various plant diseases, particularly powdery mildew of barley, vegetables, fruits and flowering plants, and the present invention has been accomplished.
Namely, the present invention relates to a benzoylpyridine derivative represented by the formula (I) or its salt:
wherein X is a halogen atom, a nitro group, a substitutable alkoxy group, a substitutable aryloxy group, a substitutable cycloalkoxy group, a hydroxyl group, a substitutable hydrocarbon group, a substitutable alkylthio group, a cyano group, a carboxyl group which may be esterified or amidated, or a substitutable amino group; n is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R1 is a substitutable alkyl group; R2 is a substitutable alkyl group, a substitutable alkoxy group, a substitutable aryloxy group, a substitutable cycloalkoxy group or a hydroxyl group; and m is 1, 2, 3 or 4, provided that when m is at least 2, R2 may contain an oxygen atom to form a condensed ring (excluding a case where the pyridine ring is substituted by a benzoyl group at the 2-position; the pyridine ring is substituted by an alkoxy group, a hydroxyl group or a benzyloxy group at the 3-position; and n is 1, m is 1 or 2), a fungicide containing it as an active ingredient, its production process and an intermediate for producing it.
The halogen atom represented by X may, for example, be fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine, and preferably fluorine, chlorine or bromine, may, for example, be used.
The alkoxy moiety in the substitutable alkoxy group represented by each of X and R2 may, for example, be a C1-6 alkoxy (such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy or t-butoxy), and preferably it may, for example, be a C1-4 alkoxy (such as methoxy or ethoxy) Further, the secondary substituent of the substitutable alkoxy group may be from one to five substituents which are the same or different, selected from the group consisting of an aryl, an aryloxy, hydroxyl, nitro, nitroxy, a halogen (such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), a haloalkoxy (such as a C1-4 haloalkoxy such as CF3O or HCF2O), a cycloalkyl, amino, an alkylthio and cyano. Of these substitutable alkoxy groups, preferred is an alkoxy group which is not substituted, particularly preferred is a C1-4 alkoxy group.
As the aryl moiety in the substitutable aryloxy group represented by X, a condensation type polycyclic group such as naphthyl as well as phenyl may be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. The secondary substituent of the substitutable aryloxy group may, for example, be a halogen, an alkyl, an alkoxy or hydroxyl. Of these substitutable aryloxy groups, most preferred is a phenoxy group.
The cycloalkyl moiety in the substitutable cycloalkoxy group represented by X is usually one having a carbon number of from 3 to 10, and a monocyclic group such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cyclooctyl, as well as a condensation type polycyclic group, may, for example, be mentioned. However, preferred is a monocyclic group. The secondary substituent of the substitutable cycloalkoxy group may, for example, be a halogen, an alkyl, an alkoxy or hydroxyl. Of these substitutable cycloalkoxy groups, most preferred is a cyclohexyloxy group.
The hydrocarbon moiety in the substitutable hydrocarbon group represented by X may, for example, be a C1-6 alkyl group (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or t-butyl), a C2-6 alkenyl (such as vinyl, allyl, isopropenyl or 3-methyl-2-butenyl), a C2-6 alkynyl (such as ethynyl, 1-propynyl or 2-propynyl), a C3-6 cycloalkyl (such as cyclopropyl, cyclopentyl or cyclohexyl), or a C6-10 aryl. Further, the secondary substituent of the substitutable hydrocarbon group may be from one to five substituents which are the same or different, selected from the group consisting of an aryl, an aryloxy, hydroxyl, nitro, nitroxy, a halogen (such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), a haloalkoxy (such as a C1-4 haloalkoxy such as CF3O or HCF2O), a cycloalkyl, amino, an alkylthio and cyano. Of these substitutable hydrocarbon groups, preferred is a substitutable alkyl group, and particularly preferred is an alkyl group. Further, a C1-4 alkyl group is most preferred among alkyl groups.
The alkylthio moiety in the substitutable alkylthio group represented by X may, for example, be a C1-6 alkylthio (such as methylthio, ethylthio, propylthio, isopropylthio, butylthio, isobutylthio or t-butylthio), and preferably a C1-4 alkylthio (such as methylthio or ethylthio) may, for example, be mentioned. Of these alkylthio groups which may be substituted, preferred is an alkylthio group, particularly preferred is a C1-4 alkylthio group. The secondary substituent of the substitutable alkylthio group may be from one to five substituents which are the same or different, selected from the group consisting of an aryl, an aryloxy, hydroxyl, nitro, nitroxy, a halogen (such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), a haloalkoxy (such as a C1-4 haloalkoxy such as CF3O or HCF2O) and cyano.
The carboxyl group which may be esterified or amidated, represented by X, may, for example, be a carboxyl group which may be esterified such as a C1-6 alkoxycarbonyl group (such as a methoxycarbonyl group, an ethoxycarbonyl group, a propoxycarbonyl group, an isopropoxycarbonyl group, a butoxycarbonyl group, an isobutoxycarbonyl group or t-butoxycarbonyl group), a nitroxy C1-4 alkoxyaminocarbonyl group (such as 2-nitroxyethoxycarbonyl group or a 3-nitroxypropoxycarbonyl group), a phenyl C1-4 alkoxycarbonyl group (such as a benzyloxycarbonyl group or a phenethyloxycarbonyl group); or a carboxyl group which may be amidated such as a carbamoyl group, a C1-6 monoalkylaminocarbonyl group (such as a methylaminocarbonyl group, an ethylaminocarbonyl group, a propylaminocarbonyl group, an isopropylaminocarbonyl group, a butylaminocarbonyl group, an isobutylaminocarbonyl group or a t-butylaminocarbonyl group), a C1-6 dialkylaminocarbonyl group (such as a dimethylaminocarbonyl group, a diethylaminocarbonyl group, a dipropylaminocarbonyl group, a diisopropylaminocarbonyl group, a dibutylaminocarbonyl group or an isobutylaminocarbonyl group), a nitroxy C1-4 alkylaminocarbonyl group (such as a 2-nitroxyethylaminocarbonyl group or a 3-nitroxypropylaminocarbonyl group), a phenyl C1-4 alkylaminocarbonyl group (such as a benzylaminocarbonyl group or a phenethylaminocarbonyl group), a C3-6 cycloalkylaminocarbonyl group (such as a cyclopropylaminocarbonyl group, a cyclopentylaminocarbonyl group or a cyclohexylaminocarbonyl group), a cyclic aminocarbonyl group (such as a morpholinocarbonyl group, a piperidinocarbonyl group, a pyrrolidinocarbonyl group or a thiomorpholinocarbonyl group) or an aminocarbonyl group.
The substitutable amino group represented by X may, for example, be an amino group or an alkylamino group such as a monoalkylamino group or a dialkylamino group. The alkyl moiety in the alkylamino group (a monoalkylamino group or a dialkylamino group) is preferably a C1-4 alkyl. The secondary substituent of the substitutable amino group may be from one to five substituents which are the same or different, selected from the group consisting of an aryl, an aryloxy, hydroxyl, nitro, nitroxy, a halogen (such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), a haloalkoxy (such as a C1-4 haloalkoxy group such as CF3O or HCF2O), a cycloalkyl, amino, an alkylthio and cyano.
The alkyl moiety in the substitutable alkyl group represented by each of R1 and R2 is preferably a C1-6 alkyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl or t-butyl), and among them, preferred is a C1-4 alkyl. The secondary substituent of the substitutable alkyl group may be from one to five substituents which are the same or different, selected from the group consisting of an aryl, an aryloxy, hydroxyl, nitro, nitroxy, a halogen (such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), a haloalkoxy (such as a C1-4 haloalkoxy such as CF3O or HCF2O), a cycloalkyl, amino, an alkylthio and cyano. Of these substitutable alkyl groups, preferred is an alkyl group which is not substituted, and particularly preferred is a C1-4 alkyl group. Among them, most preferred is a methyl group.
The alkoxy moiety in the substitutable alkoxy group represented by R2 is preferably a C1-6 (alkoxy such as methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, isobutoxy or t-butoxy), and among them, preferred is a C1-4 alkoxy. The secondary substituent of the substitutable alkoxy group may be from one to five substituents which are the same or different, selected from the group consisting of an aryl group, an aryloxy group, a hydroxyl group, a nitro group, a nitroxy group, a halogen atom (such as fluorine, chlorine, bromine or iodine), a haloalkoxy group (such as a C1-4 haloalkoxy group such as CF3O or HCF2O), a cycloalkyl group, an amino group, an alkylthio group and a cyano group. Of these substitutable alkoxy groups, most preferred is an alkoxy group which is not substituted.
As the aryl moiety in the substitutable aryloxy group represented by R2, a condensation type polycyclic group such as naphthyl, as well as phenyl, may be mentioned, and preferred is phenyl. The secondary substituent of the substitutable aryloxy group may, for example, be a halogen atom, an alkyl group, an alkoxy group or a hydroxyl group. Of these substitutable aryloxy groups, most preferred is a phenoxy group which is not substituted.
The cycloalkyl moiety in the substitutable cycloalkoxy group represented by R2 is usually one having a carbon number of from 3 to 10, and a monocyclic group such as cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cyclooctyl, as well as a condensation type polycyclic group, may, for example, be mentioned, however, preferred is a monocyclic group. The secondary substituent of the substitutable cycloalkoxy group may, for example, be a halogen, an alkyl, an alkoxy or hydroxyl. Of these substitutable cycloalkoxy groups, most preferred is a cyclohexyloxy group which is not substituted.
Here, the aryl moiety, the cycloalkyl group and the alkylthio group in the secondary substituent of the substituent represented by X, R1 and R2 are as defined for the substituents represented by X, R1, R2 and R3.
The compound represented by the formula (I) may form a salt together with an acid substance, and it can form, for example, an inorganic salt such as a hydrochloride, a hydrobromate, a phosphate, a sulfate or a nitrate, or an organic salt such as an acetate, a benzoate, a p-toluenesulfonate, a methanesulfonate or a propanesulfonate.

Benzoylpyridine derivative or its salt, fungicide containing it as an active ingredient, its production process and intermediate for producing it

Abstract: The present invention provides a fungicide containing a benzoylpyridine derivative represented by the formula (I) or its salt:

Abstract: wherein X is a halogen atom, a nitro group, a substitutable alkoxy group, a substitutable aryloxy group, a substitutable cycloalkoxy group, a hydroxyl group, a substitutable hydrocarbon group, a substitutable alkylthio group, a cyano group, a carboxyl group which may be esterified or amidated, or a substitutable amino group; n is 1, 2, 3 or 4; R1 is a substitutable alkyl group; R2 is a substitutable alkyl group, a substitutable alkoxy group, a substitutable aryloxy group, a substitutable cycloalkoxy group or a hydroxyl group; and m is 1, 2, 3 or 4, provided that when m is at least 2, R2 may contain an oxygen atom to form a condensed ring.


An illuminated hair ornament with fiber optics emitting lines of light and increased points of light is provided, where the illuminated ornament has a housing, a power supply coupled to the housing, a light source electrically coupled to the power supply, at least one fiber optic positioned to receive light from the light source, and includes one end protruding out and away from the housing. In one embodiment a reflective coating may be applied to the end of the fiber optic protruding from the housing, and in another embodiment, the one end protruding out and away from the hosing is cut at an angle to maximize observed brightness of the light. A sealant material may be applied to the fiber optics near the light source to prevent light from escaping from between the fiber optics. Also disclosed is a method for creating patterns of light across a user's hair.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to decorative wearing apparel and more particularly to a reversible decorative hair ornament, which utilizes a power source, a light source, and fiber optics to provide a decorative effect thereto and a method for applying and making the same.
2. Description of the Related Art
Decorative hair ornaments have been used for thousands of years. In the past, hair ornaments included polished stones, feathers, thread, fabric, metal and plastic. Only recently have hair ornaments began incorporating electrical components, such as fiber optics, and light sources to improve the aesthetic appeal of such hair ornaments, especially for youth.
Traditional hair ornaments utilizing fiber optics and light sources are characterized by a point of light, or points of light, at the end(s) of the fiber optic(s). A light source near a bundle of fiber optics shines a light through the length of each fiber optic until it ultimately exits from an end of the fiber optic. A major objective of these traditional hair ornaments is to prevent the light from exiting the fiber optic (also known as "bleed out"), except from the end of the fiber optic. Bleed-out light is light that is traveling in the cladding or slightly imperfectly down the core of the fiber. At some point this light will leave the fiber, since it is not in one of the modes of the wave guide. Accordingly, a coating is applied to the entire fiber optic, which prevents bleed-out of transmitted light. This "bleed-out" of light reduces the point of light at the end of the fiber optic.
It is also noted that the residual light emanating from the fiber bundle near the light source may never have even been in the fiber; it may be between the fibers, but it creates an (generally) unattractive glow from the fiber bundle near the light source.
An additional disadvantage is that traditional hair ornaments utilizing fiber optics may only be used on one side of the head due to the direction of the fiber optics protruding from the barrette.
Another disadvantage of traditional hair ornaments utilizing fiber optics is that the light only exits from a tip of the fiber optic. Full advantage of the light emitting properties of fiber optics has not been achieved.
What is needed is an illuminated fiber optic ornament that is capable of creating a line of light, with fiber optics that may be cut to optimize light emission, a reversible clip, a method for creating the illuminated ornament, a method of cutting the fiber optics to predetermined angles and lengths, and a method for applying the ornament to a user's hair.

Illuminated fiber optic hair ornament and method for applying and making the same


A skateboard stirrup is comprised of a pair of hollow end caps for cupping over the front and rear ends of a skateboard, and a resilient band connected between the end caps. When the rider's feet are on top of the band, it is yielding enough to allow the feet to make full contact with the top of the board. When the rider's feet are inserted under the band, it is taut enough to lift the skateboard for airborne maneuvers when the feet are lifted.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to skateboards.
2. Prior Art
A conventional skateboard is comprised of an elongated board with a pair of front wheels and a pair of rear wheels. In addition to rolling along the ground and making turns, skillful skateboard riders can make complex maneuvers with a board. Many maneuvers involve jumping or lifting the board off the ground. A rider can either lift it by hand, or step on its rear end to pitch up the front end. These methods are difficult to master, and are limiting in the type of maneuvers they enable a rider to perform. Although U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,726 to Beaver shows a skateboard with a handrail which may be used to lift the skateboard, the handrail is tall and rigid, so that the rider's freedom of movement is severely restricted by it.


The fuel cell system of a motor vehicle has a fuel cell, comprising an anode side and a cathode side, a compressor, which is rotationally connected to a motor and connected by a feed line to the cathode side of the fuel cell, and a turbine, which is connected by an exhaust air line to the cathode side and which furthermore is rotationally connected only to a generator, which is connected at the output side to a second inverter and a low-voltage battery.

In order to achieve a very high output electrical power of the fuel cell, which is tantamount to generating an electric current of large current strength, a high cathode pressure is required. In devices of the prior art, one works with an elevated mass flow of the air compressor; a throttle valve in the outlet line or a regulated bypass valve spanning the fuel cell regulates the cathode pressure of the fuel cell to the desired value.
A relatively high cathode pressure is also required for working at lesser output power in order to satisfy the stoichiometry in the individual cells of the fuel cell. When a bypass valve spanning the fuel cell is used, the maximum cathode pressure can be achieved by closing the bypass valve, for then the total air mass is taken solely to the fuel cell, and/or by increasing the rotational speed of the compressor. However, the value then obtained for the cathode pressure is limited by the design of the technical features of the fuel cell which bring about the pressure drop. The efficiency of the fuel cell becomes less when it is supplied by the compressor with a relatively high air flow.
In JP 2005310429 A a regulator 54 is provided for the generated power, which apparently constitutes an AC/DC converter. This is connected to a battery. The drawing shows an electrical connection from this battery to the compressor/air supply unit. The battery is energized only via the generator. Its power cannot suffice to meet the high power demand of the compressor (if the latter is electrically operated). This architecture is only technically meaningful if the battery is furthermore recharged by a high-voltage circuit.
In JP 2006286559 A a similar architecture is proposed, showing basically two electrical architecture variants. In variant 1, the electrical compressor unit and the exhaust gas turbine are connected via the controller 4 to the high-voltage circuit. In variant 2, the compressor unit and the exhaust gas turbine are connected via a controller 8 to a common energy storage 7 (battery, capacitor bank, etc.). Here as well, this architecture is only technically meaningful if the energy storage 7 is recharged by the high-voltage circuit.
If one wishes to optimize the efficiency of a fuel cell, especially a hydrogen fuel cell, much attention needs to be paid to the electrical energy put into the system, which must be as low as possible. According to the present prior art, a turbocharger with electrical drive and a radial compressor with impeller are used at the input side for the air supply. At the output side, a radial turbine is used, which is driven by the outflowing air. This is mechanically connected to rotate with the shaft of the impeller. The drawback of this arrangement is the lower degree of freedom for the turbine to work in its optimal range regardless of the range of the compressor. One consequence of this is that the measure of recovered kinetic energy is relatively low in the event of slight power demand of the fuel cell from the driving motor of the motor vehicle and relatively low air flow. Furthermore, it is not possible to employ a control of the backpressure of the air other than by using an additional component, such as a control valve at the air outlet of the fuel cell or a system bypass or variable turbine geometry, as indicated in several applications of the prior art. Each of these solutions has a limited degree of free opportunities for controlling the cathode pressure or achieving a higher efficiency.


According to various embodiments, an electronic device can comprise: a housing including a first surface oriented in a first direction, and a second surface oriented in a second direction traversing the first direction; a display, which is arranged along at least a part of the first surface and at least a part of the second surface and has at least a portion including a curved surface; and an optical unit arranged along the first direction.

As information and communication technology and semiconductor technology have developed, various electronic devices have been increasingly distributed and used. In particular, there has recently been an increasing demand for virtual reality (VR) electronic devices that provide a specific environment or situation and make a user feel as if he or she is interacting with the actual surrounding situation and environment. Such a virtual reality electronic device may also reproduce a multimedia content such as a movie or drama.

Electronic device including flexible display


The present invention provides a connector used to interconnect a hard-line coaxial cable to an equipment port. The connector of the present invention essentially comprises a main connector body in which the various connecting and sealing members are housed, and a compression body attached to the connector body for axial, sliding movement between first and second terminal positions relative to the connector body. The port side of the connector includes a conductive pin extending axially outwardly therefrom that is adapted to be inserted into the port provided in the equipment box, and an axially extending bore is formed though the distal end (cable side) of the connector and compression bodies for receiving the central conductor of the hard-line cable therein.

The present invention relates generally to co-axial cable connectors, and more particularly to such connectors used with hard-line co-axial cables.
Co-axial cable is a typical transmission medium used in communications networks, such as a CATV network. The cables comprising the transmission portion of the network are typically of the xe2x80x9chard-linexe2x80x9d type, while those used to distribute the signals into residences and businesses are typically xe2x80x9cdropxe2x80x9d connectors. The principal difference between hard-line and drop cables, apart from the size of the cables, is that the hard-line cables include a rigid or semi-rigid outer cable (typically covered with a weather protective jacket) that effectively prevents radiation leaking and protects the inner conductor and dielectric, while the drop cables include a relatively flexible outer conductor, typically braided, that permits their bending around obstacles between the transition or junction box and the location of the device to which the signal is being carried, i.e., a television, computer, and the like. Drop cables are less effective than hard-line cables at preventing radiation leakage. Hard-line conductors, by contrast, generally span considerable distances along relatively straight paths, thereby greatly reducing the need for a cable""s flexibility. Due to the differences in size, material composition, and performance characteristics of hard-line and drop cables, there are different technical considerations involved in the design of the connectors used with these types of cables.
In constructing and maintaining a network, such as a CATV network, the transmission cables are often interconnected to electrical equipment that conditions the signal being transmitted. The electrical equipment is typically housed in a box that may be located outside on a pole, or the like, or underground that is accessible through a cover. In either event, the boxes have standard ports to which the transmission cables may be connected. In order to maintain the electrical integrity of the signal, it is critical that the transmission cable be securely interconnected to the port, and without disrupting the ground connection of the cable. This requires a skilled technician to effect the interconnection.
A typical type of interconnect device used to connect a transmission cable to an equipment port is of the threaded type. The technician must prepare the cable in the standard manner, i.e., stripping the various layers of the cable to their predetermined distances and furrowing out the dielectric material over a predetermined distance in order to bottom out the inner conductor until it is seized by the conductive pin that will carry the signal through the port, and use a wrench to provide torque that will radially compress and seal portions of the connector into the outer jacket of the transmission cable. Such types of connector rely heavily on the skill of the technician in applying the proper amount of torque to effect the connections, thereby making reliability of signal integrity a concern.
In addition to the need for a skilled technician in effecting the connection between the transmission cable and the equipment port, such threaded connectors also require that the transmission cable be separated from the connector the equipment housed in the box needs to be serviced or maintained. It also is difficult to fit a wrench into the space provided by many equipment ports, thereby making the technician""s job that uses threaded connectors even more difficult.
Another type of standard connector used with transmission cables are of the crimping type. With crimp connectors, the technician uses a crimping tool that radially surrounds the connector after the cable has been bottomed out therein, and radially crimps the connector body into engagement with the cable""s outer jacket. While such connectors eliminate the difficulties associated with the threaded connectors, the crimping action often produces inconsistent electrical connection between the connector and the cable, is less effective at preventing moisture migration, and also degrades the cable""s outer conductor, thereby creating signal losses that ultimately reduce the quality of the signal being transmitted.
A compression type connector usable on hard-line cables is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,123. Compression connectors utilize a compression member that is axially slidable into the connector body for radially displacing connecting and sealing members into engagement with the hard-line cable""s outer conductor. A compression tool that slides the compression body into the connector is utilized by the technician to effect the connection, and due to the physical constraints of the compression member and connector body, it is impossible for the technician to use too much force to effect the interconnection. Thus, compression connectors eliminate the assembly drawbacks associated with threaded, and to some degree, crimp type connectors.
It is a principal object and advantage of the present invention to provide a compression type connector for use on hard-line cables.
It is another object and advantage of the present invention to provide a compression type connector that reliably effects interconnection between a hard-line cable and an equipment port.
It is an additional object and advantage of the present invention that reduces technician errors associated with connecting a hard-line cable to an equipment port.
It is a further object and advantage of the present invention to provide a compression type connector for use with hard-line cables that may be inexpensively manufactured with a minimum of waste material.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will in part be obvious, and in part appear hereinafter.
In accordance with the foregoing objects and advantages, the present invention provides a connector used to interconnect a hard-line co-axial cable to an equipment port. The connector of the present invention essentially comprises a main connector body in which the various connecting and sealing members are housed, and a compression body attached to the connector body for axial, sliding movement between first and second terminal positions relative to the connector body. The port side (also referred to herein as the xe2x80x9cproximalxe2x80x9d end) of the connector includes a conductive pin extending axially outwardly therefrom that is adapted to be inserted into the port provided in the equipment box, and an axially extending bore is formed through the distal end (cable side) of the connector and compression bodies for receiving the central conductor of the hard-line cable therein. A collet electrically connected to the conductive pin seizes the central conductor when it is fully inserted through the axial bore, thereby electrically interconnecting the conductor to the conductive pin that ultimately carries the signal to/from the equipment mounted in the box. A nut is rotatably attached to the proximal end of the connector body and serves to connect the connector body to the equipment port.
After preparing the cable using industry standard preparation tools, the central conductor is fully inserted in the axial bore, the outer conductor of the hard-line cable is positioned annularly between a mandrel that is housed within the connector body and various clamping and sealing members. An industry standard compression tool may then be used by a technician to axially slide the compression body into the connector body. As the compression body slides into to the connector body its ramped, leading face engages a correspondingly ramped surface of a clamping and sealing member. The co-acting ramped surfaces cause the clamping and sealing member to deflect radially inwardly until it contacts the outwardly facing surface of the outer conductor (and possibly a potion of the jacket coating the outer conductor).
The proximal end of the compression body then engages an RF seal driver (that may be an integral part of the clamping and sealing member), and drives it axially within the connector body. As the RF seal driver slides axially in the connector body (as a result of being pushed by the compression body), its proximal end surface engages the distal end surface of the RF seal and drives the RF seal axially. The RF seal includes a portion of its outwardly facing surface that is ramped, and as it is forced axially, the ramped portion of the RF seal engages a correspondingly ramped surface formed on the inwardly facing surface of the connector body. The ramped surface on the connector body forces the RF seal radially inwardly towards the outwardly facing surface of the hard-line cable""s outer conductor. Upon termination of the axial movement of the compression body, the hard-line cable""s outer conductor is sandwiched between the RF seal and the mandrel, and the jacket coating the outer conductor is sandwiched between the clamping and sealing member and the mandrel.
Alternatively, the proximal end surface of the compression body may serve as the RF seal driver. In this arrangement, the proximal end of the compression body pass entirely over the clamping and sealing member and engages the distal end surface of the RF seal in order to drive it axially. Alternate embodiments of the RF seal are also disclosed, as is connector body having a port side that is offset 90 degrees relative to its cable side.


The present invention is to provide means to treat breast cancer and/or mastitis by topically administering a non-steroidal antiinflammatory analgetic agent and/or an anticancer agent and allowing them efficiently to arrive into the mammary gland. The present invention provides an iontophoretic preparation for treating breast cancer and/or mastitis which contains a non-steroidal antiinflammatory analgetic agent and/or an anticancer agent as an active ingredient and has a donor to be applied on a nipple part for topical administration of the active ingredient from the nipple part to the mammary gland by application of electric potential.

Breast cancer is a cancer which occurs in mammary gland tissues and is classified into lobular carcinoma arising from acinus and breast ductal carcinoma arising from breast ducts. The state of cancer limited within lobules or breast ducts and not disseminating to surrounding tissue is called noninfiltrating cancer whereas the state in which cancer cells proliferating in breast ducts destroy basement membrane and develop metastasis to the neighboring tissues is called infiltrating cancer. As a treatment method for breast cancer, adjuvant chemotherapy is common, in which an anticancer agent is administered by instillation after surgery operation for excising affected parts or without surgery operation. However, many of anticancer agents have problems that they may cause side effects such as nausea, loss of appetite and alopecia when administered by instillation.
Meanwhile, it has been reported that activities of cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) increase upon the development of breast cancer (Non-patent Documents 1 to 5). Furthermore, it is known that non-steroidal antiinflammatory analgetic agents are effective for inhibiting COX-1 and COX-2.
Mastitis is classified into stagnation mastitis and acute suppurative mastitis. Stagnation mastitis develops just after the puerperium in the state that milk stagnates within breast ducts. On the other hand, acute suppurative mastitis develops by infection of bacteria such as staphylococcus, Escherichia coli and streptococcus. Of these, treatment with an antiinflammatory analgetic agent is performed for acute suppurative mastitis (Non-patent Document 6).
However, there has been a problem that non-steroidal antiinflammatory analgetic and/or anticancer agents cannot be administered topically since breast cancer and mastitis occur or develop within the breast.
As attempts to treat breast diseases such as breast cancer by topical administration of a medicinal agent, methods of percutaneously administering adriamycin, danazol or progesterone to the breast have been reported (Non-patent Document 7, 8 and Patent Document 1).    [Patent Document 1] WO2004/060322 (Description)    [Non-patent Document 1] Igaku no Ayumi (Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine), 204 (1), 10-19, 2003    [Non-patent Document 2] Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 90 (21), 1609-1620, 1998    [Non-patent Document 3] Journal of Cellular Physiology, 190, 279-286, 2002    [Non-patent Document 4] Annual Reviews Medicine, 53, 35-57, 2002    [Non-patent Document 5] Carcinogenesis, 23(2), 245-256, 2002    [Non-patent Document 6] Shusanki Igaku (Perinatal Medicine), 34 (9), 1443-1445, 2004    [Non-patent Document 7] Yokohama Igaku (Journal of Yokohama Medical Association), 44, 487-494, 1993    [Non-patent Document 8] Dermatology and Venereology, V(2), 65, 1951

Iontophoretic preparation for treatment of breast cancer and/or mastitis

Tokyo University of Science Educational Foundation Administrative Organization


A straddle mount connector includes a connector body having a base and a plug. The plug extends a length from the base to an end surface of the plug. The plug has opposite first and second sides and is configured to be received within a receptacle of a receptacle connector. Electrical contacts are held by the connector body and include mating segments arranged in a row that extends along the first side of the plug. The mating segments extend lengths along the first side of the plug from the base to contact tips. The contact tip of a first of the electrical contacts is positioned closer to the end surface of the plug than the contact tip of a second of the electrical contacts such that the mating segment of the first electrical contact mates with a corresponding mating contact before the mating segment of the second electrical contact.

The subject matter described and/or illustrated herein relates generally to transceiver assemblies.
Various types of fiber optic and copper based transceiver assemblies that permit communication between host equipment and external devices are known. These transceiver assemblies typically include a module assembly that can be pluggably connected to a receptacle connector in the host equipment. The module assemblies are constructed according to various standards for size and compatibility, one standard being the Quad Small Form-factor Pluggable (QSFP) module standard. Conventional QSFP modules and receptacle assemblies perform satisfactorily conveying data signals at rates up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). Another pluggable module standard, the XFP standard, calls for the transceiver module to also convey data signals at rates up to 10 Gbps.
As electrical and optical devices become smaller, the signal paths thereof become more densely grouped. Moreover, the rate at which the data signals propagate along the signal paths is continually increasing to satisfy the demand for faster devices. Accordingly, there is a demand for transceiver assemblies that can handle the increased signal rates and/or that have a higher density of signal paths. However, because of the increased signal rates and/or higher density, differential pairs of signal contacts within a transceiver assembly may interfere with each other, which is commonly referred to as "crosstalk". For example, adjacent differential pairs in the same row and/or differential pairs in opposing rows may experience crosstalk. Such crosstalk can become a relatively large contributor to errors along the signal paths of the transceiver assembly. Coupling between signal contacts within the same differential pair may also contribute to errors along the signal paths of the transceiver assembly. Moreover, the increased signal rates and/or higher density may make it difficult to maintain a desired impedance value of the transceiver assembly, which may result in impedance discontinuities between the transceiver assembly and the host equipment and/or the external device.

Straddle mount connector for a pluggable transceiver module


A mercury vapor discharge fluorescent lamp is provided having a phosphor layer that has a yttria-based red emitting rare earth phosphor. The phosphor layer is prepared from an aqueous phosphor slurry that is coated onto the inner surface of the glass envelope of the lamp, then baked in a lehring oven to vaporize or decompose non-phosphor components of the slurry to leave behind the finished phosphor layer. The phosphor slurry contains a non-ionizing thickener, preferably polyethylene oxide, but does not contain any calcium carbonate or carbonate salts. The phosphor layer includes a yttria-based red emitting rare earth phosphor.

The present invention relates to fluorescent lamps. More particularly, it relates to fluorescent lamps having a phosphor coating that is substantially carbonate-free.
Fluorescent lamps utilizing a rare earth blended phosphor system are well known in the art. Conventional rare earth phosphor blends are disclosed, e.g., in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,045,752, 4,088,923, 4,335,330, 4,847,533, 4,806,824, 3,937,998, and 4,431,941. Typically, a rare earth phosphor layer utilizing a conventional rare earth phosphor blend comprises a mixture of red, green and blue emitting rare earth phosphors resulting in a triphosphor mixture.
In the conventional triphosphor system, the particular red, green and blue emitting phosphors, as well as their weight percents, are selected based on their specific color emission characteristics so that when combined, their respective color emissions result in light output of the desired color with suitable color rendering properties (CRI) for the intended application.
The red emitting phosphor is most commonly a yttria-based species, e.g. yttrium oxide activated with europium (Eu3+), commonly abbreviated YEO. The green emitting phosphor can be lanthanum phosphate activated with cerium (Ce3+) and terbium (Tb3+), commonly abbreviated LAP, less preferably cerium, magnesium aluminate activated with terbium (Tb3+), commonly abbreviated CAT, still less preferably gadolinium, magnesium pentaborate activated with cerium (Ce3+) and terbium (Tb3+), commonly abbreviated CBT. The blue emitting phosphor is most commonly calcium-based, such as calcium, strontium, barium chloroapatite activated with europium (Eu2+). Less preferably, the blue phosphor can be barium, magnesium aluminate activated with europium (Eu2+). Alternatively, other red, green and blue emitting rare earth phosphors are known and could be selected based on operational as well as cost considerations.
In addition to the above-described triphosphor system, rare earth phosphor blends comprising other numbers of rare earth phosphors, such as systems with 4 or 5 rare earth phosphors, are also known and can be used. Still further, phosphor layers having a mixture of rare earth phosphors and the less expensive halophosphors can also be used.
In virtually all rare earth phosphor blends, as well as blends containing both rare earth and halophosphors, it is necessary or desirable to include a red emitting rare earth phosphor. As described above the most common red emitting rare earth phosphors are yttria-based. Though other red emitting rare earth phosphors are known, the yttria species of phosphors are highly preferred due to their excellent red color emitting characteristics, including color intensity and resulting CRI in the red spectrum.
The process for making a fluorescent lamp involves coating the interior surface of the lamp's glass envelope with a slurry of the desired phosphors. Then the slurry is dried or heated to decompose or vaporize liquid slurry components leaving behind the dried coating of phosphors.
The slurry is prepared as an aqueous slurry suspension of the phosphors (which are generally provided in powdered form). The aqueous slurry must have sufficient viscosity to effectively and uniformly coat the interior surface of the glass envelope prior to drying. Conventionally, acrylic thickeners containing carboxylic acid (COOH) groups are used to to elevate and regulate the slurry viscosity. However, when yttria-based rare earth phosphors are used, the slightly water-soluble yttria reacts with the COOH groups on the acrylic molecules causing a cross-linking cascade that effectively cross-links the acrylic molecules causing gellation or flocculation of the slurry. The result is that the slurry essentially "gels," and is no longer in a liquid or flowable state.
To avoid the above complication, other polymeric thickeners having no COOH groups are used when yttria-based red phosphors are to be included in the phosphor slurry. In this case, the thickener of choice is polyethylene oxide (PEO). PEO is a highly effective thickener for aqueous systems, and has been used with great success to regulate the viscosity of phosphor slurries for coating onto the glass envelope of a fluorescent lamp. However, PEO conventionally contains trace amounts of carbonate salts, particularly calcium carbonate particles, as a result of the manufacturing process for PEO. Conventionally available PEO contains from 0.2 to about 1 percent calcium carbonate by weight.
The presence of this small amount of calcium carbonate in the PEO thickener has been well known to lamp manufactures, and till now has been believed to be innocuous to lamp production and/or performance. However, the inventor herein has discovered, surprisingly and unexpectedly, that the presence of this small amount of calcium carbonate in the PEO thickener results in calcium carbonate being present in the finished phosphor layer, and causes lower lumen efficiency and lumen maintenance in the finished fluorescent lamp. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a fluorescent lamp that utilizes yttria-based red emitting rare earth phosphors, yet contains no calcium carbonate in the phosphor layer.

Fluorescent lamp having phosphor layer that is substantially free from calcium carbonate


Devices and methods for forming and securing tissue folds and elongated invaginations in gastric tissue are used as a treatment for obesity. In several embodiments, a plurality of tissue folds is formed along the greater curvature of the stomach using laparoscopic tissue anchor deployment devices. Additional embodiments include various combinations of tissue folds, elongated invaginations, and other reconfigurations of stomach tissue using laparoscopic devices or laparoscopic devices in combination with endoscopic devices.

The present disclosure pertains to devices and methods for laparoscopic gastric tissue reconfiguration. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to devices and methods for laparoscopically manipulating stomach tissue, forming and securing tissue folds, forming and securing tissue invaginations, altering stomach tissue configuration, restricting the ability of stomach tissue to distend, altering the function of nerves located in or near stomach tissue, and/or altering hormone production from cells associated with stomach tissue. The devices and methods described herein have particular application to methods and treatments for obesity.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) estimate that about two-thirds of adults—133.6 million people—in the U.S. are overweight or obese, while almost 5% of adults—15 million Americans—are considered extremely obese. Obese adults are at increased risk of type II diabetes, hypertension, stroke, certain cancers, and other dangerous conditions.
The NIH estimates that being overweight or obese leads to $117 billion in medical spending a year, with $61 billion in direct costs and $56 billion in indirect costs.
As obesity rates continue to rise, patients are increasingly seeking surgical weight loss options. Bariatric surgery aids weight loss by restricting food intake and, in some operations, altering the digestive process. The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Procedure (RYGBP) is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure, estimated to account for approximately 65% of weight loss surgeries performed in the U.S.
A study from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) found that the number of bariatric surgeries grew by 400 percent between 1998 and 2002. In 2007, an estimated 205,000 people with morbid obesity in the U.S. underwent bariatric surgery and these numbers are expected to grow. Only 1% of the clinically eligible population is currently being treated for morbid obesity through bariatric surgery.
A major retrospective study published in the New England Journal of Medicine showed that gastric bypass reduced the risk of death in extremely obese patients by over 40% by lowering the incidence of diabetes, coronary artery disease and cancer.
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure involves creating a small stomach pouch out of a portion of the stomach and attaching it directly to the jejunum, bypassing a large part of the stomach and duodenum. The stomach is made very small to restrict the amount of food that can be consumed. The opening between the stomach pouch and the small intestine (called the stoma) is also made very small to slow the passage of food from the stomach. These restrictions help the patient feel full and limit the amount of food that can be eaten. In addition, by altering the path of the intestines, consumed food bypasses the duodenum so fat absorption is substantially reduced.
The RYGB procedure is performed either laparoscopically or in an open surgery. Alternative procedures for obtaining some or all of the benefits of the RYGB procedure with fewer of the associated complications, risks, limitations, and costs would be preferred.

Devices and methods for laparoscopic gastric tissue reconfiguration


A method and system for searching for data in at least two databases. To allow simultaneous access to two or more databases, a search term is entered. On the basis of the entered search term, the predecessor or a plurality of predecessors and the successor or a plurality of successors to the search term and, if available, the search term itself from each of the databases are stored in a search table, and the search term, if stored in the search table, or that term from the successors stored in the search table which comes closest after the entered search term is displayed.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for searching for data in at least two databases, in particular for searching for telephone directory, address book or appointments diary entries or the like in at least two telephone directory, address book or appointments diary databases or the like, and also to a database system having at least two databases which is particularly suitable for carrying out the inventive method for searching for data.
2. Brief Description of Related Developments
As electronic devices such as mobile telephones, that is to say car telephones and xe2x80x98mobilesxe2x80x99, cordless telephones, which communicate via a base station connected to the landline network, electronic notebooks and PCs, which contain databases, such as personal telephone directories, appointments diaries, personal address books, task lists and the like, become more and more widespread, there is the increasing problem that a user needs to manage various electronic telephone directories and/or electronic appointments diaries. If a user uses a cordless telephone with an electronic telephone directory at home in his apartment, for example, then the electronic telephone directory primarily stores private telephone numbers, whereas his work mobile primarily stores work telephone numbers. Further telephone directory entries may be stored in the car telephone, and if he additionally uses a private mobile telephone or mobile as well, this contains further, private and work telephone numbers. In this context, important telephone numbers are frequently stored in a plurality of communication devices used by the user, while other telephone numbers can be found only in a single one of the personal telephone directories in each case. In addition, the user may also have access to electronic telephone directories in his private and/or workplace PC.
In addition, a lot of mobile telephones operated with a SIM card (subscriber identity module) have the facility to store telephone directory entries either in the memory of the SIM card or in a further memory of the appliance itself. This is the case with the Nokia 9110 Communicator, for example. While the SIM card can hold 125 entries in the case of the current prior art, several 100 to several 1000 entries can be made in the memory area of the Nokia 9110 Communicator, depending on the additional memory used.
Parallel access to the various memory areas or the various electronic telephone directories is currently not possible, which means that a user must either constantly coordinate all his available telephone directories with one another if he wants to have all telephone numbers constantly available, or he needs to search through the individual electronic telephone directories one after the other. The problem described in this case in connection with electronic telephone directories with mobile and cordless telephones also concerns, by way of example, address books, appointments diaries and other databases which are provided in PCs, electronic appointments diaries and planners and the like, however.
DE 196 44 104 C1 discloses a communication device which has a main data memory in a mobile telephone and has a call number memory in a voice dialling unit connected to the mobile telephone by means of a cable. In this context, the main data memory serves as a database for a personal telephone directory, while the call number memory stores some of the data recorded in the personal telephone directory, which data can be used to access the telephone directory entries in order to select a stored telephone number. In this case, the main data memory has access to the call number memory and is able to change and/or add to entered data in order to ensure that the telephone numbers stored in the main data memory can be reliably accessed using the call number memory.
It is not necessary to search through the two interconnected memories simultaneously in this case, since the call number memory does not represent another personal telephone directory, but rather only a data list which stores for telephone directory entries in the main data memory the name of the entry and the memory location.
Against this background, the invention is based on the object of providing a method and a database system of the type mentioned in the introduction which allows simultaneous access to two or more databases in order to be able to perform a search therein as in a single database.
This object is achieved by the method according to Claim 1 and by the database system according to Claim 9. Advantageous developments of the method and of the database system are described in the respective subordinate subclaims.
The inventive method is distinguished in that, following entry of a search term, on the basis of the entered search term, the predecessor or a plurality of predecessors and the successor or a plurality of successors to the search term and, if available, the search term itself from each of the databases are stored in a search table, and the search term, if stored in the search table, or that term from the successors stored in the search table which comes closest after the entered search term is displayed. In this context, it is particularly advantageous for the displayed successor to be used as a search term for updating the search table.
According to the invention, a search table is thus set up in which, for each connected database, at least the immediate predecessor and the immediate successor to the entered search term and, if the search term itself has likewise been found in the database, the search term itself are also stored. If the search term itself has not been found in any of the connected databases, then, among the immediate successors stored in the search table, the one selected is that which comes closest after the search term. This selected successor is then displayed to a user. On the basis of this, the user can then display the next term or the previous term. He thus has the impression that he is searching for the desired information in a single database. This allows the user to search in various databases just as simply as when searching in a single database.
Another fundamental advantage of the inventive method is that, of the individual databases, in each case only the entries which come closest to the entered search term need be transferred from the database to the search table. This is particularly advantageous if the individual databases are stored in different electronic devices which communicate with one another only via communication links. In this case, the transfer time is significantly reduced, so that the electronic appliance which controls the search on the basis of the entry by the user reacts very quickly to the user entry, which represents a high level of convenience of use. Another advantage is that the search table requires only relatively little memory space, since, in the simplest case, each connected database requires only three memory locations for storing the respective names or terms, and only one memory location is required for storing the database entry associated with the respective term displayed.
The inventive method is thus suitable for searching in databases particularly where, despite low memory capacities and low data transfer rates, it is necessary to search a plurality of databases quickly so that the user feels as though he is searching through a single database.
Since, in the event of the entered search term not having been found in one of the databases, the displayed successor to the search term is used as the new search term for updating the search table, the search becomes not only even faster for the user, but also more convenient, since the search is performed in the precise order of sorting, that is to say in alphabetical order when searching for names in telephone directory or address book databases, for example. According to the invention, the search is performed as though all the available databases were to form a single database sorted on the basis of the selected sorting criterion, that is to say alphabetically, for example.
Once the search term or its closest succeeding successor has been displayed, the displayed term can either be selected in order to display and/or select for further processing the data associated therewith, or a new search term can be determined for continuing the search. In this context, a new search term is expediently determined by cycling or scrolling through the terms stored in the search table. In this case, the new search term selected is expediently the next predecessor or the next successor to the displayed term from the search table.
In one advantageous refinement of the invention, only the respective predecessors and successors to the search term in the connected databases and also, if available, the search term itself are stored in the search table in response to a search query, and the data associated with a search term are read from the appropriate database and stored only for the term displayed, in order that they may be displayed and/or processed further upon request.
For the purpose of further simplifying and accelerating the display of the database entries once the desired search term has been found, it is advantageous if each term stored in the search table has an associated unique identification number, where, for the purpose of reading the data associated with a displayed term from the appropriate database, the identification number of the displayed term is transmitted with a read request.
One option in accordance with another refinement of the inventive method is that, together with the respective predecessors and the successors to the search term and also, if available, with the search term itself, the associated data from the connected databases are also stored in the search table in response to a search query in order that they may be displayed and/or processed further upon request. This refinement of the method is particularly advantageous if the relatively high data transfer rates between the databases and the search table are possible, and the search table itself has sufficient memory space available.
The invention makes it possible to search simultaneously, quickly and conveniently in two or more databases by combining the databases into one database system in which each of the databases has an associated database control device.
In this case, the database system also comprises a database primary control apparatus which can be connected to the database control devices for the purposes of transmitting data and control commands to the database control devices and receiving them therefrom, and which has an associated search table memory which is able to store data transmitted from the database control devices, and a user interface which is connected to the database primary control apparatus and via which search terms and control commands can be entered for the purpose of simultaneously searching for data in all the connected databases, and via which terms and data found during the search in the connected databases can be output.
One advantageous provision is that the database primary control apparatus is connected to a database access interface to which the database control devices of the databases can be connected for the purpose of interchanging data and control commands using communication links. In this case, the communication links provided may be radio links, such as radio-frequency interfaces operating at radio frequencies, e.g. with a short range on the basis of a Bluetooth standard, with a long range on the basis of the GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) or UMTS standard (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service), infrared links or else wired links.
The invention can, in principle, be used for all databases whose entries can be clearly organized in any form using xe2x80x9cless thanxe2x80x9d, xe2x80x9cequal toxe2x80x9d and xe2x80x9cgreater thanxe2x80x9d. On the basis of the main area of application of the present invention, namely communication, provision is made for the databases to be telephone directory, address book and/or appointments diary databases.
In this case, it is particularly expedient if the databases are provided on various apparatuses, at least one of which is a telephone, in particular a mobile telephone, with the database primary control apparatus being provided in the telephone, in particular in the mobile telephone. In this case, the user interface of the telephone, that is to say its various input and output facilities, such as keypad and possibly voice command input unit and also screen and voice output unit, can be used as the user interface for the database system.
In another development of the invention, a plurality of database primary control apparatuses are provided, each of which is arranged in a different apparatus.

Method for searching for data in at least two databases, and database system having at least two databases


An arrangement for fastening at least one sensor to a face of a subject to acquire a signal indicative of one or more patient physiological parameter is disclosed herein. The arrangement includes a sensor holder for placing the sensor and having at least one fixing point. The arrangement also includes at least one ribbon being stretching for fastening the sensor holder by means of the at least one fixing point to an ear of the subject. Also a measuring assembly is disclosed herein.

This disclosure relates generally to an arrangement for fastening at least one sensor on a face of a subject to acquire one or more signals indicative of patient physiological parameter and also relates to a measuring assembly.
There is a need for placing sensors on a patient's face for measuring signals indicative of the patient's physiological condition. Sensors may acquire signals proportional to for example a body temperature, breathing gas concentration etc. One good example of a sensor placed is a respiration flow sensor used for measuring a breathing gas flow through a mouth and nose. Such sensors are used in hospital wards, home- or elderly care or in a sleep laboratory, where there is a need to detect a breathing deficiency or even apnea, caused by for example opiates, other medicine, an obstruction in the airways or as a consequence of a neurological disease or trauma.
Existing respiration sensors are usually placed on the patient's face, on or near by the patient's mouth or on the upper lip, between the mouth and the nose. Some small and light sensors are commonly attached on the face with a tape or similarly gluing. Some sensors are attached on a face with a rubber band type string going around the patient's neck or occiput. It is obvious that if such sensors come off, as the glue looses its grip on the skin or if the rubber band snaps, there is a high risk that the sensor enters the patient's upper airways or trachea causing choking and death. Partly for that reason some sensors are attached with a helmet type rubber net dressed on the patient's whole head, but such configuration is uncomfortable to wear as the helmet type rubber net squeezes and presses the face and the head.
Respiration sensors based on measuring pressure change caused by the flow of the breathing gas usually comprise voluminous pressure sensors and electronics due to they have been placed further away from patients face into a remote unit, such as a patient monitor or similar, and only the tubing used to sense and transfer the pressure change to the remote unit is placed on the patient's face. Such tubing is usually suspended under the nose, cannulas entering the nasal cavities, extending there on ears and continuing around the head to the remote unit or alternatively continuing from ears to the chest over the jaws. Tubes are commonly made of plastics and they are rather inflexible and uncomfortable to wear, furthermore the cannulas irritate the hawse pipes and are easily torn off by the patient.
The attachment and placement of existing configurations, such as described above, is insufficient in practice. It is common in hospital to use a tape to attach above sensors on patients face to prevent them to end up in to an incorrect place.

Arrangement for fastening sensor to face of subject and measuring assembly


A picture-data compression system for compressing inputted multiple picture data includes a storage device that stores the multiple picture data; a selection controller that writes the multiple picture data into the storage device and reads the multiple picture data from the storage device; a pixel-number converter that converts the number of pixels of the picture data read from the storage device; and an inter-picture predictive coding unit that codes the picture data whose number of pixels is converted by the pixel-number converter by inter-picture predictive coding. The selection controller reads the picture data written to the storage device at a period of 1/n (positive integer) times the frame period or field period of the picture data. The pixel-number converter converts the number of pixels of the picture data read from the storage device to 1/m times (positive integer) the original.

The present invention relates in general to a picture-data compression system for compressing picture data; and, more particularly, it relates to a system for compressing multiple picture data like that produced in a monitor camera system.
Various systems for compressing multiple picture data have been developed, including the following:
Specifically, JP-A-2001-16541 discloses an excellent method and apparatus for storing pictures, which method and apparatus are capable of providing higher compression than conventional picture storage units that use a compression method incorporating inter-frame prediction to achieve long-time picture recording, and it also discloses a method and apparatus for providing a picture signal that is suitable for compression means incorporating inter-frame prediction to increase the compression efficiency by temporarily storing picture signals, without correlation between frames which are not suitable for the compression means incorporating inter-frame prediction and by rearranging them.

Multiple picture-data compression system


A paper feed tractor comprising a main frame, a sub frame secured to the main frame with a major portion thereof and disposed in parallel to the main frame, and a belt driving unit supported for sliding movement between the main and sub frames. The main and sub frames have first openings formed in a coaxial relationship at locations adjacent one end portions thereof so as to loosely fit a drive shaft therein and second openings formed in a coaxial relationship at locations adjacent the other end portions thereof so as to support a support shaft for sliding movement and for fixation therein. The belt driving unit includes a belt driving sprocket wheel supported for rotation on a plate-formed belt receiving member, and an endless belt extends between the sprocket wheel and a belt guide formed on the belt receiving member. The belt receiving member of the belt driving unit has third and fourth openings formed at locations thereof opposing to the first and second openings for receiving the drive and support shafts loosely therein, respectively. A shaft hole which is formed in the belt driving sprocket wheel for engaging with the drive shaft is exposed to the third opening.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a paper feed tractor for supplying paper to a printer for use with a computer, a word processor, a plotter and so forth or to a printer of various other types.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Paper having a pair of feed holes or perforations formed therein along the opposite longitudinal edges thereof is used very frequently on a printer for use with a computer, a word processor, a plotter or the like as paper on which characters or figures outputted from the printer are to be recorded. Such feed holes are formed at fixed intervals on straight lines along the opposite longitudinal edges of the paper at locations spaced by a predetermined distance from the opposite longitudinal edges of the paper and are adapted to be engaged with feed pins which are provided projectingly on a belt of a paper feed tractor at locations corresponding to the opposite longitudinal edges of the paper.
FIGS. 24 to 26 show a conventional paper feed tractor. Referring to FIGS. 24 to 26, the paper feed tractor generally denoted at 1000 includes a main frame 1100 and a sub frame 1200 both made of a plastic material or the like and disposed in a spaced relationship by a predetermined distance from each other. The two frames 1100 and 1200 are integrated with each other by means of a fastening screw 1250 or the like.
An endless belt 1300 made of a rubber or plastic material is supported between the main frame 1100 and the sub frame 1200 for driving movement by a sprocket wheel (not shown) and has a large number of feed pins 1350 provided projectingly on an outer periphery thereof at intervals equal to the intervals of feed holes of paper. A pair of circular through holes H.sub.1 and H.sub.2 are formed in each of the main frame 1100 and the sub frame 1200, and a hub portion 1800 formed on the sprocket wheel is supported for rotation in the through holes H.sub.1 of the main frame 1100 and the sub frame 1200 through which a drive shaft extends. The hub portion 1800 of the sprocket wheel functions as a rotary shaft of the sprocket wheel and has a square through hole formed at a location around a center axis of rotation thereof. The sprocket wheel has teeth formed on an outer periphery thereof for engagement with teeth formed on an inner periphery of the belt 1300 to drive the belt 1300.
The main frame 1100 has a pair of supporting portions 1150 formed thereon for receiving and supporting thereon a shaft 1450 of a cover 1400 which has a paper holder 1460 thereon. A spring 1600 extends between the main frame 1100 and the cover 1400 and normally urges the cover 1400 in its closing direction.
The holes H.sub.2 of the main frame 1100 and the sub frame 1200 are adapted to receive a support shaft therein and have a fixing device 1700 provided thereon. The fixing device 1700 includes a collet which clamps the support shaft as a ring 1750 is turned by a certain angle in a direction in order to secure the paper feed tractor 1000 at an arbitrary position on the support shaft.
FIG. 27 shows such paper feed tractors 1000 as described above installed in a printer. In particular, a pair of such paper feed tractors 1000 are mounted at left and right positions on a pair of drive shaft S.sub.1 and a support shaft S.sub.2 which are disposed in such a manner as to provide an interaxial distance L therebetween in the printer. The drive shaft S.sub.1 is supported for rotation on a frame of the printer by means of a pair of left and right bearings B.sub.1 while the support shaft S.sub.2 are secured to a pair of left and right shaft receivers B.sub.2 provided on the printer frame.
The drive shaft S.sub.1 is provided to transmit a turning force and has a square cross section to allow the drive shaft S.sub.1 to engage with the square through holes of the sprocket wheels of the paper feed tractors 1000. Meanwhile, the support shaft S.sub.2 is adapted to slidably engage with the holes H.sub.2 formed in the frames 1100 and 1200 of the paper feed tractors 1000 and has a circular cross section.
The left and right paper feed tractors 1000 are each positioned in the drive and support shafts S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 as shown in FIGS. 27 and 28 while the portions thereof are adjustable in the direction indicated by an arrow mark X parallel to the direction of the axes of the drive shaft S.sub.1 and the support shaft S.sub.2 in accordance with the width and the position of paper to be fed by the paper feed tractors 1000. The span between the two bearings B.sub.1 and the span between the two shaft receivers B.sub.2 on which the two shafts S.sub.1 and S.sub.2 are supported, respectively, is great where the printer is of a large size. As the size of a line printer or the like increases recently, the amount of deflection of a drive shaft such as the drive shaft S.sub.1 is apt to increase.
FIG. 28 shows the drive shaft S.sub.1 the center axis CS.sub.1 or rotation of which is deflected by a maximum amount d.sub.0 from a straight line C.sub.0 interconnecting the two bearings B.sub.1. In the condition, if the drive shaft S.sub.1 is driven to rotate in the direction indicated by an arrow mark R around the center axis of rotation thereof, it will rotate with a deflection amount d at a location of each of the paper feed tractors 1000. Consequently, the interaxial distance L between the center axis CS.sub.1 of the drive shaft S.sub.1 and the center axis CS.sub.2 of the support shaft S.sub.2 varies during rotation of the drive shaft S.sub.1.
Since the interaxial distance L is fixed in the conventional paper feed tractors shown in FIGS. 24 to 26, the deflection amount d is absorbed by clearances between the shafts and receiving members for the shafts. If the deflection amount d increases greater than the clearances, then turning torque required for rotation increases suddenly, which may cause damage to a motor or deterioration in accuracy in feeding paper and make a cause of a trouble of the paper feed tractors.
An apparatus including improved paper feed tractors of the type mentioned is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,129,239. In the apparatus, a fixing device for securing each of the paper feed tractors to a support shaft is formed as a separate unit from the paper feed tractor such that, when the interaxial distance between a drive shaft and the support shaft is varied by a deflection of the drive shaft, the fixing device unit to be secured to the support shaft may be moved relative to the paper feed tractor coupled for integral movement to the drive shaft to absorb a displacement of the drive shaft by such deformation. However, since the support shaft for the paper feed tractors is held in a stationary condition while the drive shaft is rotated in a deflected condition, the mass of elements driven to rotate in an eccentric relationship by the drive shaft which is rotated in an eccentric relationship corresponds substantially to a mass of the entire paper feed tractors. Accordingly, significant vibrations are produced by the inertia of the mass, which disadvantageously causes resonance of the entire printer to impair the printing performance of the printer and impair the performance of the paper feed tractors.


A receiver for television signals is arranged to receive video signals comprising video data and information data. The receiver is arranged to respond to viewer operation of a control device. The receiver includes a processor for processing selected information data to convert the same into signals representative thereof for output to a television in combination with the video signals. The receiver is arranged to respond to the information data to output for display data derived from said image data and said information data and representing an inter-active image. The receiver is responsive to viewer manipulation of the control device to vary the interactive image and to establish a telecommunications link to a remote site for on-line interaction via the interactive image between the viewer and the remote site. The interactive image may form part of an interactive services interface comprising a broadcast entry level and plural broadcast interactive levels. The interactive services interface may comprise one or more on-line interactive levels entered from one of the broadcast interactive levels for establishing an on-line connection with a remote site.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to improvements in receivers for television signals.
2. Description of the Related Art
At present most television broadcasting, regardless of medium over which the signal is broadcast (Terrestrial, Cable, Satellite), is analogue based and comprises a single television service (e.g. SKY ONE, SKY SPORTS, SKY MOVIES) transmitted on a carrier signal or channel. However, the use of digital based broadcast technology is imminent. Digital broadcast technology will enable television service companies to transmit in a single channel high definition television programs, or plural programs at conventional definition or multiple customer services, or a combination of these.
In a conventional analogue-based television broadcast system programs (or "services") are broadcast by separate television service companies on a single carrier signal ("channel"). In a digital based broadcast system it is possible to broadcast plural services multiplexed together on a single carrier. Unless the context requires otherwise the term "channel" will be used herein to refer to the bandwidth used by a single service to broadcast television programs or other customer services. The term "channel" therefore encompasses both an entire carrier signal (when the signal is used entirely by a single service) and a portion of a carrier signal (when the signal is shared by plural services).
The ability to transmit multiple channels in a single carrier signal enables a far greater number of services to be provided in the digital domain than is possible in the analogue domain. Some of the channels in a carrier may be used to provide conventional television programs while simultaneously other channels in the carrier are used to provide data for other customer services such as television program listings, on-line program ordering or so-called pay-per-view (PPV) services, and so on. Customer services should not be confused with the "services" provided by television companies as discussed hereinabove.
In addition to such television related services some of the channels in a carrier may be used to provide on-line shopping facilities by which a customer may purchase goods and/or services from their own home. Such on-line shopping is, of course, only possible if there is an element of interaction between the goods/service provider and the customer. The term "interactive services" will be used herein to refer generally to on-line shopping facilities and the like made available via one or more channels in a digital based broadcast system.
Digital data compression techniques enable a single channel to carry simultaneously multiple interactive services. In itself this creates a problem. Many customers will find bewildering the large number of interactive services available to them. If customers become confused they will not make use of the interactive services. Clearly, this is undesirable.
Transmission bandwidth is a finite resource and will remain at a premium even if full advantage is taken of digital data compression techniques. This presents a problem when it comes to providing an interactive service. On the one hand it is desirable to present high quality pictures and graphics. However, higher quality necessitates the use of a larger bandwidth. On the other hand it is desirable to keep costs down because customers will not make use of interactive services if they are significantly more expensive than comparable high street services.
The invention aims to address the above-mentioned and other problems.
In one aspect the invention provides a receiver for receiving broadcast digital television signals representing both image data and information data, the receiver being responsive to the information data to output for display data derived from said image data and said information data and representing an interactive image, and being responsive to viewer manipulation of an input device to vary the interactive image and to establish a telecommunications link to a remote site for on-line interaction via the interactive image between the viewer and the remote site.
In another aspect the invention provides a method of interacting with broadcast interactive services, the method comprising receiving signals representing both image data and information data, deriving from the data in the received signals an interactive image for display, responding to manipulation of an input device by varying the interactive image, and establishing a telecommunications link to a remote site for on-line transfer of data therewith in response to the manipulation of the input device.
In a further aspect the invention provides an interactive services interface comprising: a broadcast entry level for enabling a user to select from a range of available service types; a first broadcast interactive level entered by user selection of a service type in the entry level for enabling the user to select from a group of service providers of the selected type; a second broadcast interactive level entered by user selection of a service provider in the first broadcast interactive level, for enabling the user to select from a range of classes of goods and/or services available from the selected service provider: and a third broadcast interactive level, entered by user selection of a class of goods and/or services, for enabling the user to select goods and/or services from the selected class.
In another aspect the invention provides a receiver for receiving television signals in a plurality of channels, each signal comprising video data defining a television program and program scheduling data defining the scheduling of programs in the plurality of channels, the receiver being arranged to produce from received program scheduling data output signals defining for display an image of a list of present programs in the plurality of channels, the receiver comprising a user operable selector operable to select from the list when displayed one of the present programs and being responsive to such selection by receiving the video data for the selected present program and combining the video data with the output signals so that the output signals define an image of the selected present program in combination with the image of the list of the present programs.
In another aspect the invention provides a receiver for receiving television signals in a plurality of channels each defining a television program, the receiver comprising a processor adapted to generate output signals for display of an image representing a list of programs receivable by the receiver; the receiver comprising a user operable selector operable to select from the list when displayed channels for which no information will normally be displayable by the receiver.
In another aspect the invention provides a receiver for receiving television signals in a plurality of channels each defining a television program, the receiver comprising a processor adapted to generate output signals for display of an image representing an ordered list of channels receivable by the receiver, the receiver comprising a user operable selector operable to select the order in which channels are listed in the list.
The above and further features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims and together with advantages thereof will become clearer from consideration of the following detailed description of an exemplary embodiment of the invention given with reference to the accompanying drawings.


A fresh gas supply device for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas turbocharger includes a charge air inlet for letting in compressed charge air from the exhaust gas turbocharger; an outlet connected to the charge air inlet, wherein the connection is closable via at least one backflow flap pivotable about a rotational flap axis; a compressed air inlet for letting compressed air into the outlet; an adjusting unit for adjusting the at least one backflow flap; at least one additional turbocharging unit having an air turbine and a compressor coupled thereto. The air turbine is disposed upstream of the compressed air inlet in the flow direction of the compressed air and compressed air can flow through the air turbine. The compressor is designed to take in and compress additional charge air from the charge air inlet and deliver compressed additional charge air to the outlet.

The invention relates to a fresh gas supply device for an internal combustion engine having an exhaust gas turbocharger.
To enhance the charging of internal combustion engines, for example diesel engines, with the aim of increasing torque and power output, various types of boosting systems are known. Exhaust gas turbochargers (ATL) are frequently used; utilizing the residual energy in the exhaust gas of the internal combustion engine in an exhaust gas turbine, they drive a directly coupled turbo-compressor with the mechanical energy generated in the turbine, the air stream thus generated being supplied, with overpressure, to the internal combustion engine.
A known disadvantage of these boosting devices is their sluggish response behavior during acceleration processes. The causes are, firstly, the characteristic curve of continuous-flow machines, that is, of the ATL, which generate only very low charge pressures when there is low gas throughput, and therefore at low engine speeds. A second cause is the fact that increased air charging is available as an increased exhaust gas quantity for driving the ATL only after the four working strokes of a four-stroke engine have been executed, that is, after two engine revolutions, whereby speeding-up of the ATL is additionally retarded.
To eliminate this disadvantage, the ATL is frequently combined with a mechanically driven positive-displacement supercharger or with a smaller ATL specifically adapted to the small exhaust gas flows during the start-up phase. Both solutions require considerable constructional outlay and installation space, especially because the units are arranged directly on the engine as a result of the necessary mechanical drive or the coupling to the exhaust gas system.
In vehicles which are equipped with a compressor and a compressed air storage system for operating an air suspension system and/or a compressed air brake system, there is an opportunity to inject stored compressed air into the internal combustion engine in the acceleration phase, whereby high engine torque and an associated high exhaust gas flow are available in a very short time. After a boost build-up time of a few seconds, the ATL can reach a stable high pressure level. By means of an optimized electronic control system it has been possible to impart very satisfactory operational behavior to such devices, which are also referred to as PBSs (Pneumatic Booster Systems).
FIG. 1 shows schematically an internal combustion engine 1, the exhaust gas line 15 of which for exhaust gas 70 is connected to an exhaust gas turbine 4 of an exhaust gas turbocharger 2. The exhaust gas 70 drives the exhaust gas turbine 4 and is discharged as expanded exhaust gas 71 through an exhaust gas outlet 16. The exhaust gas turbine 4 is coupled to a charge air compressor 3 of the exhaust gas turbocharger 2, for example by way of an exhaust gas turbocharger shaft 5. The charge air compressor 3 compresses fresh air 40 from a fresh air inlet 11 in order to generate compressed charge air 41 for increasing an induction pressure of combustion air 60 in an intake pipe 14 for the internal combustion engine 1. A fresh gas supply device 10, which is arranged between the charge air compressor 3, or a charge air cooler 6 connected downstream thereof in the flow direction, and the intake pipe 14, serves to inject compressed air 51 into the intake pipe 14 of the internal combustion engine 1 in a controlled manner. The compressed air 51 is compressed by a high-pressure compressor 7 from additional air 50 supplied through an air inlet 17 and introduced via a feed line into a compressed air container 8, from which the compressed air 51 is made available to the fresh gas supply device 10 via a compressed air line 19.
A conventional fresh gas supply device 10 is represented schematically in FIG. 2. It is connected by a charge air inlet 12 to the charge air cooler 6, by an outlet 13 to the intake pipe 14 and by a compressed air inlet 29 to the compressed air line 19. A backflow flap 24, which can be swiveled about a flap axis of rotation 25 for closing and opening the connection of the charge air inlet 12 to the outlet 13, is located between the charge air inlet 12 and the outlet 13 in an inlet section 100. In a version described by the application document WO 2006/089779 A1 in relation to a device for supplying fresh air to a turbocharged piston internal combustion engine and a method for operating same, the backflow flap 24 is adjusted by an adjusting device 26, for example an adjusting motor. In addition, the compressed air line 19 is connected to the outlet 13 via a quantity regulating device 9, for example a valve. A control unit (not shown) serves to control the quantity regulating device 9 and the adjusting device 26. In the event of a demand for torque in a "kick down" event, the quantity regulating device 9 supplies compressed air 51 to the outlet 13 through the compressed air inlet 29. Prior to this, the backflow flap 24 is closed, so that the compressed air 51 does not flow into the charge air compressor 3 of the exhaust gas turbocharger 2 via the charge air inlet 12 against the intake direction, but into the intake pipe 14 via the outlet 13. When the compressed air supply ends, the backflow flap 24 is opened again and the quantity regulating device 9 is closed. At this time the pressure of the charge air 41 compressed by the charge air compressor 3 of the exhaust gas turbocharger 2 is again sufficient.
In this case it is regarded as disadvantageous that the PBS requires a relatively large storage volume for compressed air, and requires compressed air at a high pressure level of more than 10 bar. That is approximately four to five times the pressure level required for boosting, and required to keep the storage volume acceptable and to achieve a rapid response of the system. For this purpose, a high-pressure piston compressor with relatively high energy consumption is required to generate the necessary compressed air. When the compressed air is injected into the internal combustion engine and expanded to the charge pressure level, the predominant part of the pressure energy generated is diminished by throttling.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to make available an improved fresh gas supply device.
Accordingly, a fresh gas supply device for an internal combustion engine with an exhaust gas turbocharger includes the following: a charge air inlet for admitting compressed charge air from the exhaust gas turbocharger; an outlet connected to the charge air inlet, this connection being closable by way of at least one backflow flap which can be swiveled about a flap axis of rotation; a compressed air inlet for admitting compressed air to the outlet; and an adjusting device for adjusting the at least one backflow flap. The fresh gas supply device also includes at least one additional turbocharging device having a compressed air turbine and a compressor coupled thereto. The compressed air turbine is arranged upstream of the compressed air inlet in the flow direction of the compressed air, and compressed air can flow through the compressed air turbine. The compressor is configured to aspirate and compress additional charge air from the charge air inlet and to convey compressed additional charge air to the outlet.
With the aid of the additional turbocharging device an energy efficiency of the fresh gas supply device is improved in that excess pressure energy of the compressed air supplied is made usable.
The pressure level of the compressed air required to operate the fresh gas supply device does not need to be increased, and the storage volume required for this compressed air can be reduced.
The additional turbocharging device is driven by the injected compressed air and generates an additional charge air stream. The excess energy of the compressed air is thereby made effective and the required quantity of compressed air and the associated storage volume are considerably reduced.
The energy stored in the compressed air is converted in a compressed air turbine of the additional turbocharging device into mechanical work which is transmitted to a compressor via a common shaft. The compressor therefore generates an additional charge air stream which, together with the partly expanded compressed air from an outlet of the compressed air turbine, makes available the desired charge pressure in the intake pipe of the associated internal combustion engine. Because the pressure level of the exhaust gas turbocharger is lower in this phase, a backflow flap is closed in order to prevent reverse flow. The increased filling of the internal combustion engine and the rise in the speed of the internal combustion engine as a result of increased power cause a sharp rise in the exhaust gas flow, so that after only a few seconds the exhaust gas turbocharger reaches a pressure level sufficiently high that the boost build-up effect of the fresh gas supply device is no longer required, and the device can be switched off and the backflow flap opened.
In a preferred embodiment, the additional turbocharging device may be integrated in a housing of the fresh gas supply device. An advantageously space-saving constructional unit is thereby made possible.
The compressed air turbine and the compressor of the at least one additional turbocharging device are coupled by a shaft. This shaft may extend through a housing of the fresh gas supply device or, in an alternative configuration, may be arranged outside the housing.
The shaft may be mounted rotatably in bearings configured as air bearings. Negligible frictional losses thereby occur in the bearings.
It is especially advantageous if one of the bearings of the shaft, in the form of air bearings, is supplied with the compressed air and another with the compressed additional charge air. In this way an additional air supply for the air bearings can be dispensed with.
The fresh gas supply device may further include a quantity regulating device which has a closed position and any desired number of open positions, in which open positions the quantity regulating device supplies compressed air to the compressed air turbine of the additional turbocharging device. In this way, in conjunction with a suitable control device, especially effective utilization of the energy present in the compressed air can be made possible.
It is further provided that the adjusting device for adjusting the at least one backflow flap is configured in such a way that a completely open position of the at least one backflow flap is associated with a completely closed position of the quantity regulating device. It is therefore ensured that no reaction of the injected compressed air on the exhaust gas turbocharger occurs.
An internal combustion engine having at least one exhaust gas turbocharger, at least one compressed air container and at least one high-pressure compressor has the above-described fresh gas supply device.
The use of such a fresh gas supply device is especially important in heavy commercial vehicles.
Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of one or more preferred embodiments when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fresh gas supply device for an internal combustion engine

KNORR-BREMSE Systeme fuer Nutzfahrzeuge GmbH