A new system and method have been invented to allow a sender/author/user who wishes to send e-mail or a calendar meeting document to someone and make it available to her or his assistant or manager without the need of the sender/author/user finding out who the assistant or manager is. That is, the system and method of the present invention allows the sender/author/user to choose a select number of recipients or even the role who are able to decrypt the email/attached document. Further, the new system and method provides a sender/author/user to choose which level of authority each user or user role.

Encryption, or the process of converting ordinary information ("plaintext") into something unintelligible ("ciphertext"), has been used for centuries to allow a user/sender/author to convey sensitive or confidential information to other parties so that such information, if intercepted by another who is not intended to receive or to read the information, is unintelligible to the unintended recipient. The encrypted information, data or content, once received by the intended parties, must be decrypted in order for the intended parties to understand the information. Decryption is the reverse from encryption and is the process of moving the encrypted information from the unintelligible ciphertext back to plaintext.
Cryptography has been important over the years but maybe never more critical than in this modern era of electronic communication. For example, in the present day, people work and operate in an environment of sending and receiving much information—in the form of, e.g., emails, text messages, instant messages, blogs or other web communications. It is not unusual for a worker to rarely pick up a pen or pencil as much work is done online. Further, the speeds and bandwidths available today allow for many electronic files to be easily sent or transferred from a sender to one or more intended recipients. This has made industry much more efficient.
However, there is an increased risk that an electronic file will be intercepted by an unintended recipient. Due to the proliferation of wireless communications, this risk has increased in recent years.
The inadvertent disclosure of data can pose a serious issue such as by exposing a company's trade secrets or other confidential information to a party who may use it to the company's disadvantage. As such, many times, a sender will choose to encrypt the content prior to sending.
Encryption forms and levels vary in forms of complexity as well as ease of use. For instance, an electronic file (e.g., such as a word processing document) may be encrypted by the author utilizing the application's (e.g., work processing application) encryption mechanism. By way of example, in a most basic form, an author may password protect an electronic file (the password being used as the cipher to the encrypted file, the application having an encryption algorithm to transform the plaintext into ciphertext), send the encrypted file, and convey the password to the recipients by way of a separate manner—such as by telephone or a separate email. The recipients then, when opening the file and being challenged for the password may use the password to open the encrypted file. This is well-known as are other forms of cryptography such as symmetric key cryptography and public key (Diffie-Hellman or asymmetric key) cryptography.
There are many levels of encryption. For instance, a database can be encrypted, a file or document can be encrypted as noted above, or a field can be encrypted.
The most popular level of information to encrypt is e-mail as it is most prolific form of electronic communication. For many people, e-mail is often a substitute for a real conversation. Therefore, similar to the real world where one can shut the door and have a private conversation, e-mail correspondence needs the same capability. To accommodate this need, many email clients provide the ability to encrypt mail before a user sends it, after the user receives it, or before the user saves it. One example of a very popular and highly successful email client is IBM's Lotus® Notes® client which works in conjunction with IBM's Lotus® Domino server software. A description of Lotus Notes and Lotus Domino can be found here:    http://www-142.ibm.com/sofrware.sw-lotus/products/product4.nsf/wdocs/noteshomepage?OpenDocument&ewesite=notes
Email client software is installed on a client computer 520, seen in FIG. 5, and works in conjunction with server software installed on the server shown as numeral 540 in the FIG. 5. In the basic installation, the client computer 520 communicates with server 540 as well as other computers 534, 534A, 534B 534C.
An email client may use a form of the public key encryption noted above. For mail encryption, a user encrypts a mail message before he/she sends the message, Notes uses the recipient's public key to transform the plaintext of the message body to ciphertext. Once received, the recipient's private key decrypts the message. The private key is part of the user's ID file. Therefore, without the right ID file, the message body looks like gibberish. Of course, messages aren't safe if that ID file is lost or stolen; however, if the ID owner has applied a password (one that is difficult to guess, such as a string of random alpha-numeric characters) to his ID file, encrypted messages remain safe.
An example of the UI which allows a user to make such selections is shown in FIG. 1 where a user can encrypt mail before he sends it through a manual option, or automatically by selecting the encryption setting in his user preferences. To use the manual setting:    1. The user opens the message he wants to send in edit mode;    2. The user chooses Actions-Delivery Options (the pictorial shown as 100 in FIG. 1);    3. The user selects the Encrypt option 102; and    4. The user then clicks OK 104.
The message is encrypted using the encryption algorithm of the email client. This option applies to the current message; future messages are not encrypted unless this delivery option is selected. If, however, the user wishes all outgoing messages encrypted automatically, and the email client allows that option, the user makes the following user preference selection as shown in FIG. 2:    1. Choose File-Tools-User Preferences.    2. Select Mail in the User Preferences dialog box shown in the UI screen 200    3. Select Encrypt sent mail 202.    4. Click OK 204.
Once this option is set, the email client encrypts all outgoing messages. If the recipient's public key is not available, which is often the case for Internet mail, a warning message may appear. This message allows the user to continue sending this message or cancel it.
Incoming messages may also be encrypted. For instance, in Lotus Notes, this option is found in the user's Person document in the Public Address Book. To encrypt all incoming mail, a user performs the following steps (as shown in FIG. 3):    1. Open the Public Address Book.    2. Open the user's Person document 300    3. Click the Edit person button.    4. In the "Encrypt incoming mail" field 302, select Yes.
Enabling this option automatically encrypts all received mail with the user's public key. Decryption relies on the user's private key, which is part of the user ID file.
The previous description provides some background to the email encryption/decryption process in an email system. One of the problems of the present day encryption systems, however, is that only the listed recipients are able to decrypt the email message or calendar invitation. This is a problem as it is often the case that the author wants the data to be readable by additional parties. The most typical case of this is to allow an executive's administrative assistant or the recipient's manager to also read the encrypted data.
The state of the art is cumbersome. Presently, if a user wishes, for example, to send e-mail or a calendar meeting document to someone and make it available to his or her assistant or manager, the user needs to first identify who his or her assistant or manager is (typically by searching a user interface for a directory) and then enter the assistant's or manager's name as an e-mail recipient to allow them to read the mail. This is wasted effort to locate the name. It is also unnecessary for the assistant or manager to actually receive the e-mail in his or her own mailbox because the assistant or manager many times reads the mail directly out of the executive's mailbox.
An alternative approach is for the assistant or manager to use the principal's/executive's credentials, i.e, use his or her password. This behavior is prohibited by many organizations for numerous security reasons. For instance, it allows the assistant or manager to impersonate the principal in sending emails as well as in signing the communications. Additionally, it may allow the administrative assistant or manager to read documents he or she is not authorized to read. That is, it doesn't give the author/sender control allowing some messages to be read by the assistant or manager and others to be protected from the assistant or manager.
Another alternative approach, which allows the assistant to read incoming messages without allowing the assistant to send outgoing messages under the premise that it is from the principal, is for the assistant and the principal to share an encryption public/private key but not to share a signing public/private key. This is only available in some software systems (most systems combining the encryption and signing credentials into a single credential). This solves the impersonation problem but still does not solve the granularity problem. That is, it doesn't give the author/sender control allowing some messages to be read by the assistant, some messages to be edited and replied to by the assistant while others to be protected from the assistant.
In view of the foregoing, a need exists to overcome these problems by providing a system and method for an end user to encrypt an email or other data and send that communication to a recipient, and to choose specific people and/or roles who should be able to read the content in the email or communication.

System and method for making encrypted content available to derivable related parties

International Business Machines Corporation


Two power sources are connected to a load by a pair of MOSFET control switches, each connected respectively in series between one of the sources and the load, with their integral diodes forwardly biased between the power source and load. An isolating MOSFET switch is connected in series between the pair of MOSFET control switches and the load with its integral diode back biased between the power sources and the load. Two control lines control the on-off state of all three MOSFET switches so that the isolating MOSFET switch is on when either control switch is on and is off when both control switches are off.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved switching circuit for redundant, d.c. power supplies, and, more particularly, to a circuit for efficiently coupling and for dynamically decoupling the power sources to a load.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Uninterruptible power supplies commonly have two, redundant, d.c. power sources connected by relays or solid state switches to a single load. If one of the power supplies fails, the load can be carried by the other power supply. In many applications where redundant power supplies are used, it is desirable that the circuit be capable of dynamically disconnecting the load from the power supply; to save power in certain applications and in addition to isolate a system fault, such as a short circuit in the load or in the power supply.
Prior art redundant power supply circuits commonly use a diode connected in series between each power supply, its associated switch, and the load. These diodes serve to isolate faults and prevent them from propagating between the power busses. However, because of the fixed voltage drop across the diode in its forward conducting direction, these diodes reduce efficiency, particularly in low voltage applications (e.g. a 0.5 volt drop across the diode in 5 volt supply system).
Proposals have been made in the prior art to use MOSFET transistors as the switch in redundant power supply applications. Particularly, to connect the MOSFET switch "backwards" between the power source and the load. For example, with a P channel MOSFET, the drain is connected to the positive terminal of the d.c. power supply and the source is connected to the load (i.e. the reverse of the typical circuit connection for a MOSFET). In this configuration, the integral diode of the MOSFET is oriented so that it will not conduct current from the load to the power supply when the MOSFET is turned off. However, in this configuration, the integral diode does provide a conduction path from the power supply to the load with the MOSFET off so that the MOSFET switch does not isolate load faults from the power supply.

Efficient fault tolerant switching circuit for redundant d. c. power supplies


A semiconductor device comprises, at least, an insulative layer; a semiconductor layer provided in contact with the insulative layer; first and second electrodes provided in contact with the semiconductor layer; and a third electrode provided through the insulative layer. The semiconductor layer has a crystallite layer whose average grain diameter lies within a range from 50 to 350 .ANG. and an amorphous layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a thin film semiconductor device and, more particularly, to a thin film semiconductor device which can be also suitably used as a photoelectric converting device an image processing apparatus such as facused simile, digital copying apparatus, image reader, or the like.
2. Related Background Art
A thin film semiconductor made of a non-monocrystalline semiconductor, particularly, non-monocrystalline silicon (polysilicon, crystallite silicon, and amorphous silicon) is suitably used as a photoelectric converting device which can be preferably used as a thin film semiconductor device in a photoelectric converting device having a large area or a long length. As a photoelectric converting device using a thin film semiconductor, there are two kinds of devices such as primary photo-current type (photo-diode type) device and secondary photo current type device. Although the primary photo current type is a photoelectric converting device to extract electrons and holes generated by the incident light and photo-electrically convert it, there is a problem such that a photo-current which can be taken out as an output is small. On the other hand, according to the secondary photo-current type photoelectric converting device, since a larger photo current (secondary photo-current) can be obtained as compared with that of the primary photo-current type photoelectric converting device, it can be applied to apparatuses in a wider range and so attention is paid to it.
FIG. 1 is a schematic constructional diagram for explaining an example of the secondary photo current type photoelectric converting device. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1011 denotes an insulative substrate such as glass or the like; 1012 a photo-conductive semiconductor layer made of CdS-Se, amorphous silicon hydride (hereinafter, abbreviated to "a-Si:H") formed by a plasma CVD method or the like, etc.; 1013a and 1013b impurity layers for ohmic contact; and 1014a and 1014b electrodes. In the above construction, by applying a voltage across the electrodes 1014a and 1014b, a large secondary photo-current flows and is photoelectrically converted when the light enters from the side of the substrate 1011 or the side of the electrodes 1014a and 1014b.
Further, a photoelectric converting device of the thin film transistor type having auxiliary electrodes to stabilize and improve the characteristics (photo-current, dark current, etc.) is proposed. FIG. 2 is a schematic constructional diagram of a thin film transistor type photoelectric converting device having auxiliary electrodes. In FIG. 2, the same component elements as those shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 1015 denotes a transparent or opaque gate electrode and 1016 indicates a gate insulative layer made of SiN.sub.x or the like and formed by a plasma CVD method or the like.
Further, a complete contact type photo sensor (photoelectric converting device) using the thin film transistor type photoelectric converting device of FIG. 2, a thin film transistor, and the like is proposed (JP-A-61-26365). FIG. 3 shows an example of such a circuit. FIG. 3 relates to the case of a sensor array having nine thin film transistor type photoelectric converting sections. In the diagram, one block is constructed by every three of thin film transistor type photoelectric converting sections E.sub.1 to E.sub.9. Thus, three blocks are formed by the converting sections E.sub.1 to E.sub.9. The sensor array is constructed by those three blocks. Capacitors C.sub.1 to C.sub.9 and switching transistors T.sub.1 to T.sub.9 are respectively connected to the converting sections E.sub.1 to E.sub.9 in correspondence thereto. Individual electrodes of the photoelectric converting sections E.sub.1 to E.sub.9 are connected to corresponding proper ones of common lines 3102 to 3104 through the switching transitors T.sub.1 to T.sub.9. In more detail, the first switching transistors T.sub.1, T.sub.4, and T.sub.7 of each block are connected to the common line 3102. The second switching transistors T.sub.2, T.sub.5, and T.sub.8 of each block are connected to the common line 3103. The third switching transistors T.sub.3, T.sub.6, and T.sub.9 of each block are connected to the common line 3104. The common lines 3102 to 3104 are connected to an amplifier 3105 through switching transistors T.sub.10 to T.sub.12.
Gate electrodes of switching transistors ST.sub.1 to ST.sub.9 are commonly connected every block in a manner similar to the gate electrodes of the switching transistors T.sub.1 to T.sub.9 and are connected to parallel output terminals of a shift register 3109 every block. Therefore, the switching transistors ST.sub.1 to ST.sub.9 are sequentially turned on every block by a shift timing of the shift register 3109.
In FIG. 3, the common lines 3102 to 3104 are respectively connected to the ground through capacitors C.sub.10 to C.sub.12 and to the ground through switching transistors CT.sub.1 to CT.sub.3. A capacitance of each of the capacitors C.sub.10 to C.sub.12 is set to be sufficiently larger than that of each of the capacitors C.sub.1 to C.sub.9 Gate electrodes of the switching transistors CT.sub.1 to CT.sub.3 are commonly connected to a terminal 3108. That is, by applying a high level signal to the terminal 3108, the switching transistors CT.sub.1 to CT.sub.3 are simultaneously turned on, so that the common lines 3102 to 3104 are connected to the ground. Further, the photoelectric converting sections E.sub.1 to E.sub.9 have gate electrodes G.sub.1 to G.sub.9.
FIG. 4 is a partial plan view of a one-dimensional complete contact sensor array formed on the basis of the circuit diagram shown in FIG. 3. In the diagram, reference numeral 3111 denotes a matrix-shaped wiring portion comprising the common lines 3102 to 3104 and the like; 3112 indicates a thin film transistor type photoelectric converting section; 3113 a charge accumulating section comprising the capacitors C.sub.1 to C.sub.9 ; 3114 a transfer switch which is constructed by the switching transistors T.sub.1 to T.sub.9 and uses thin film transistors having the same structure as that of the photoelectric converting section; 3115 a discharge switch which comprises the switching transistors ST.sub.1 to ST.sub.9 and uses thin film transistors having the same structure as that of the photoelectric converting section; 3116 an extension line to connect a signal output of the transfer switch 3114 to a signal processing IC: and 3117 a load capacitor which comprises the capacitors CT.sub.1 to CT.sub.3 and is used to accumulate the signal charges which have been transferred by the transfer switch 3114 and to read out the signal charges.
FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view taken along the line A--A' in FIG. 4. As will be obviously understood from FIG. 5, all of the thin film transistor type photoelectric converting section 3112, charge accumulating section 3113, transfer switch 3114, discharge switch 3115, matrix-shaped wiring section 3111, load capacitor 3117, and the like have a common construction in which a metal (gate electrode 1015 in the photoelectric converting section), an insulative layer (gate insulative layer 1016 in the photoelectric converting section), a photoconductive semiconductor layer (1012 in the photoelectric converting section), ohmic contact layers (1013a and 1013b in the photoelectric converting section), and metals (1014a and 1014b in the photoelectric converting section) are formed on the substrate 1011 in accordance with this order.
The sensor array shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as mentioned above has the common construction in order to reduce the manufacturing costs by simultaneously manufacturing the photoelectric converting section and the drive circuit section. Particularly, when there is a high fine image reading request, the number of pixels must be increased, so that the drive circuit section which operates at a high speed is needed. However, when the thin film transistor as a thin film semiconductor device of the drive circuit section is made of a semiconductor material of a-Si:H, a mobility of the carrier lies within a range from 0.1 to 0.5 cm.sup.2 .multidot.C.sup.--1 .multidot.S.sup.--1 and is not enough large. Consequently, there is a limitation in the charge transfer ability. To improve the charge transfer ability, in general, a size of thin film transistor as one of the thin film semiconductor devices is enlarged, the number of drive circuit sections is set to two, or the like. However, the size of the photoelectric converting apparatus is consequently enlarged and the manufacturing,costs are also increased. Therefore, it is desired to realize a photoelectric converting apparatus in which the size is not enlarged and the costs are low and which is suitable for miniaturization and has a drive circuit section having a high enough transfer ability.

Thin film semiconductor device with particular grain size


A profile switching method and a terminal, where the method includes sending, by a terminal, an enable instruction to an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC), where the eUICC includes at least a first profile and a second profile, the terminal has accessed a network using the first profile, data of the first profile is stored in a cache of the terminal, and the enable instruction instructs the eUICC to disable the first profile and enable the second profile, and send a first instruction to the terminal, where the first instruction instructs the terminal not to restart the eUICC, and after receiving the first instruction, retaining, by the terminal, the data of the first profile in the cache, storing data of the second profile in the cache, and accessing a network using the second profile.

With rapid development of the Internet of Things, to manage subscription over the Internet of Things more effectively to configure an Internet of Things terminal more flexibly and effectively, and especially to meet a special requirement of a specific application scenario and operating environment, the international standards organization Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) puts forward a demand for an embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC). An eUICC may be applied to a terminal closely related to people, such as a smartphone, a tablet computer, or a wearable device, to better satisfy a special requirement of people on a new smart card and a need of terminals to develop towards higher integration.
Generally, at least one user profile is installed in an eUICC. In other approaches, an eUICC supports only one enabled profile. Therefore, only one network can be accessed at a time. In view of this, to use one eUICC to implement functions of two universal integrated circuit cards (UICCs), one solution is to implement a dual card function by flexible and quick switching between two profiles.
In the other approaches, however, when the eUICC performs a profile switch, the terminal deletes data of an originally enabled profile from a cache of the terminal, re-initializes the eUICC, reads data of a newly enabled profile, and stores the data in the cache. In such a profile switch process, an eUICC platform first needs to be re-initialized. That is, the eUICC is first powered off and then powered on again, a voltage class supported by the eUICC is matched, and a communications protocol is re-negotiated, among other actions. Then, a network is accessed using the newly enabled profile, and a complete network authentication process is completed. This authentication process usually consumes a relatively long time. Therefore, a service interruption, a service loss (for example, missing a phone call), or the like is to occur in the entire profile switch process, and user experience is relatively poor.


An oil well tool including a release mechanism, a splined torque transmitting driver, a liner, an under reamer and a drill bit. Circulation in a passageway through the tool provides drilling foam or fluid to the drill bit and under reamer. A restriction below the under reamer provides pressure to hydraulically force cone arms of the under reamer outwardly. A valve mechanism located within a stinger subassembly within the liner controls communication between the central passageway and the perforated liner. The valve is actuated by placement of a ball following drilling. Gravel packing through the well annulus may then occur following drilling. A second valve may later by actuated to separate the drill pipe from the liner and associated components.

The field of the present invention is oil well completion tools and techniques.
It is frequently advantageous to complete a well, either original, reopened or refurbished, by placing a perforated liner at the oil bearing strata surrounded by a gravel pack. Such a completion may necessitate drilling the well bore and/or undercutting the strata, removing the cuttings, placing a liner and sealing the liner to the adjacent casing. Performing these several steps independently can be time consuming and expensive.
A tool including a drill and a perforated liner has been devised whereby a well may be completed at least in preparation for the placement of a sand control adapter with a single equipment insertion. A drill bit and liner are axially associated. A fluid circulation passage extends through the assembly and may be controlled by a valve mechanism in the liner able to divert flow from the drill bit to a lateral flow through the liner. Axial splines associated between a drill pipe section and the well liner assembly along with a release mechanism to axially release the drill pipe section from the liner assembly provides for drilling with a liner in place. An under reamer is associated with the drill bit and liner assembly with the under reamer actuated by the circulation to the drill bit.
A device for sealing the end of a perforated liner to a well casing following the drilling, liner placement, cutting removal and gravel pack may be performed by a sand control adapter such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,483, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
With such an assembly, a single zone may be finished. However, in many wells, multiple productive zones may be present with interleaved nonproductive zones, water zones, desaturated zones and the like. A particular difficulty in refurbishing and reopening is the presence of desaturated zones which can rob production. Such zones can also interfere with tertiary recovery, uselessly absorbing steam. Special techniques are frequently required, such as cementing the section or covering with inner liners, for such zones.


Multi-sided decorative moldings and furniture parts are manufactured by drying or hot-pressing a cellulosic fiber-containing mat to consolidate said mat into a unitary blank, cutting the blank to a size larger than interior dimensions of a closed mold in each of its three dimensions and with at least two generally shaped or profiled edge surfaces disposed between a top surface and a bottom surface of the blank. The cut blank is then molded at a temperature of at least 200.degree. F. for a period of time sufficient to permanently transfer the interior shape and design of the mold cavity to every surface of the blank.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method of molding man-made boards to produce contoured furniture parts. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of molding a man-made board to produce contoured furniture or decorative parts, such as a drawer front, cabinet door, table top, and the like. A fiberboard or particle board blank is first formed and cut to a size slightly larger than interior dimensions of a mold. The cut blank can be pre-treated with a sealer, preferably including a release agent, and is then molded at a temperature of at least 200.degree. F. to form the blank into its final shape.
The process of the present invention relates to a "post-press" or after consolidation molding operation for molding a fiberboard or particle board into a furniture part or decorative part having a desired shape. The fiberboard or particle board substrate is formed by depositing a mass of fibers onto a support member, by either a dry deposition process or wet deposition process known in the art of papermaking or fiberboard manufacture, and then consolidating the fibers by drying or under test and pressure. Typical products made by these processes are insulation board, medium density fiberboard and particle board.
The consolidated mat is first manufactured by consolidating a cellulosic fiber-containing composition to form a consolidated fiberboard or particle board. The consolidated mat can be consolidated by drying a mat formed by depositing a water slurry of fibers onto a water pervious support member, as is common in the manufacture of insulation board, or the mat can be consolidated under heat and pressure until substantially dry in a first press operation. The consolidated mat is thereafter "post-pressed" in a mold having the desired configuration to form the consolidated fiberboard into a desired shape and to impart surface texture if desired.
After board consolidation, the blank is cut from the board to a size slightly larger than interior dimensions of a mold cavity. The consolidated cut blank is thereafter "post-press molded" in a mold having a desired internal configuration to mold the consolidated fiberboard blank into a multi-sided part having a desired shape and to form a surface design corresponding to natural wood or other decorative materials, such as cork, slate and the like. For the purpose of the present invention, a "post-press molding" operation refers to a molding step performed on a consolidated man-made board which changes the dimensions of the consolidated board in all three of its dimensions.
The fiberboard of the present invention is generally formed in two separate operations. The first operation forms a consolidated man-made board of any desired density, i.e, 10-65 pounds/ft..sup.3, in a manner common in the art of forming a fiberboard, such as insulation board or medium density hardboard. The second step comprises "post-press molding" which changes the overall dimensions of the consolidated fiberboard along its length, width and height to form a multi-sided contoured board having dimensions corresponding to the dimensions of the mold cavity. It is quite surprising that a "post-press molding" operation is effective in substantially altering the dimensions of a consolidated fiberboard in all three dimensions to produce a multi-sided embossed part without visible fiber tearing or delamination.
2. Description of the Prior Art
It is very difficult to both densify and restructure the surface of a consolidated fiberboard without destroying the fiber-to-fiber surface welds referred to in this assignee's U.S. Pat. No. 4,007,076 and co-pending application Ser. No. 739,184 filed Nov. 5, 1976, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,175,150.
An article entitled "Wood Embossing Machines Cut Product Steps For `Carved` Parts" by Bruce Scully, appearing in Furniture Design & Manufacturing, February, 1977, pages 30-33 and an article entitled "Two New Concepts in Embossing" by Darrell Ward, appearing in Woodworking & Furniture Digest, June, 1977, pages 46-50, relate to embossing materials, including fiberboard, in making furniture parts, but do not suggest molding a man-made board to produce multi-sided furniture or decorative parts as disclosed herein.

Post-press molding of man-made boards to produce contoured furniture parts


An apparatus has a first chamber having a water inlet for receiving a flow of water, a water outlet, and a rotating device that is rotated by the flow of water. The apparatus also includes a second chamber having an air inlet, an air outlet, and an air generator coupled to the rotating device for generating air when the rotating device is rotated. The water in the first chamber is directed to fill the pool or object, while the generated air is provided via the air outlet to inflate the pool or object.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to portable and outdoor equipment, and in particular, to an apparatus that pumps water and air to an inflatable pool or object.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Swimming pools provide much amusement and recreation to adults and children alike, especially during hot weather. In particular, children enjoy playing in splash pools, swimming pools, ponds, streams, beaches and other places where they can play and amuse themselves in cool and refreshing water.
Portable pools are especially popular because they are lightweight and can be conveniently carried from one location to another. One type of these portable pools is inflatable, in which the side walls of the pool are provided in a double-walled configuration to define an internal chamber into which air is introduced and stored. Introducing the air into the internal chamber inflates the side wall for use. Water can then be added into the pool for use. These inflatable pools can then be deflated prior to folding and collapsing.
Unfortunately, it can be very inconvenient and time consuming to deploy these inflatable pools for use. In particular, the user must first pump air into the internal chamber to inflate the side wall. After the side walls have been inflated, water must be introduced to the pool. These two steps are separate and can be very time-consuming. Another inconvenience is that the user must carry a separate air pump to inflate the pool.
Thus, there remains a need for an apparatus that will minimize the time and tools needed to deploy an inflatable pool or object.


The present invention provides novel dental impression materials, the cure of which can be monitored visually, comprising: (1) a curable silicone polymer; (2) a crosslinker compound containing silicon-bonded-hydrogen groups; (3) a hydrosilation catalyst; and (4) one or more cure-indicating dyes that exhibit a color change in the presence of a silicon-bonded-hydrogen compound and a hydrosilation catalyst. The cure-indicating dye provides the composition with an initial pre-cure color and a different post-cure color. As a result of this change in color, the state of cure of the impression material can be visually monitored.

Many materials undergo a change in state as a result of a "curing reaction." For example, as a result of a curing reaction a liquid resin composition can be changed into a solid or elastomeric material. The curing reaction can be initiated in a number of different ways, including for example, heating the uncured sample, mixing two or more reactive components together, or exposing the uncured material to an activating radiation source or electron beam energy. Depending on the method of curing employed the transition time between states can vary in length. For some materials the change in state may be observed by simply probing the material and observing a change in viscosity. This technique, however, is subject to error and misinterpretation in many cases. In addition, manually probing samples may damage the sample, and may not indicate small but important changes in the extent of cure. Other techniques of observing a material's change in state include monitoring the rheological properties of the material, or analytically monitoring the material (e.g., using an instrument such as an NMR probe to observe directly a change in the functional groups of the material). Unfortunately, these direct techniques are often not practical for the routine monitoring of a cure reaction or may be invasive or destructive of the sample being monitored.
One example of a material that undergoes a curing reaction is a silicone material. "Silicones" are synthetic polymeric materials that possess an extraordinarily wide range of physical properties. They can be low- or high-viscosity liquids, solid resins, or vulcanizable gums. They display an unusual combination of organic and inorganic chemical properties that are due to their unique molecular structure of alternating silicon and oxygen atoms. One typical polysiloxane polymer is depicted below in formula F1. ##STR1## These silicone polymers may be made by an equilibrium process from other siloxanes and typically range in viscosity from about 0.01 Pa s to 2500 Pa s. Silicone polymers can be mixed with other chemicals and fillers into an enormous variety of products that serve in a multitude of applications.
Vulcanizing silicones are a special class of silicones that have as a common attribute the development of a "crosslinked" elastomer from relatively low molecular weight polymers by means of a chemical reaction that forms these crosslinks and effectively extends chain length simultaneously. Vulcanizing silicones (e.g., addition-cure silicones) have many applications in industry including use as sealants, caulks, adhesives, coatings, potting materials, release liners, otologic impression materials, molding materials, dental impression materials and medical and dental implants. An essential ingredient in a vulcanizing silicone is a crosslinking component (hereinafter the "crosslinker") that reacts with the "functional group" or groups (e.g., R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 of figure F1) of the polymer chains to simultaneously lengthen them and connect them laterally to form the crosslinked network characteristic of a silicone elastomer. Usually a catalytic agent is included to facilitate the reaction of the crosslinker with the polymer's functional groups.
There are many types of vulcanizing silicones and likewise many types of crosslinking components and catalysts. Two such systems include (i) condensation-cured silicones and (ii) addition-cured, e.g., hydrosilylation cured (alternatively spelled "hydrosilation") silicones. Condensation-cured silicones characteristically, and in many instances detrimentally, release water (or alcohol) as a by-product of the crosslinking reaction. The crosslinking reaction in these systems is triggered typically by combining the silicone polymer, the crosslinker and the catalyst. A variety of catalysts initiate and accelerate condensation curing such as amines and carboxylic acid salts of tin. At low temperatures the condensation-cured silicone typically requires long times to fully cure (hours or even days). Higher catalyst concentrations and/or higher temperatures can shorten the cure time.
Addition-cured silicones (e.g., hydrosilylation cured silicones) are generally considered to be of higher quality and are dimensionally more accurate than condensation-cured silicones. Unlike condensation-cured silicones, addition-cured silicones, e.g., hydrosilation-cured silicones, do not produce detrimental byproducts during curing. Such silicones differ from condensation-cured silicones in that the hydrosilation-cured composition typically contains:
(1) a polymer which contains two or more vinyl functional groups; PA1 (2) a "hydrosilane" crosslinker component containing two or more SiH bonds; and PA1 (3) a precious metal catalyst such as a platinum catalyst. PA1 (a) organohydrosilanes having the empirical formula, EQU (H).sub.a (R.sup.3).sub.b Si.sub.c (F 2) PA1 (b) organohydrocyclopolysiloxanes having the empirical formula, EQU H.sub.d R.sup.3.sub.e (SiO).sub.f (F 3) PA1 (c) organohydropolysiloxane polymers or copolymers having the empirical formula, EQU (H).sub.g (R.sup.3).sub.h Si.sub.j O.sub.(j-1) (F 4) PA1 (a) unsaturated silanes having the empirical formula, EQU R.sub.a R'.sub.b Si.sub.c X.sub.z (F 6) PA1 (b) unsaturated linear or branched siloxanes of the empirical formula, EQU R.sub.d R'.sub.e Si.sub.f O.sub.(f-1) (F 7) PA1 (c) unsaturated cyclic siloxanes of the empirical formula, EQU R.sub.d R'.sub.e Si.sub.f O.sub.f (F 8) PA1 A is O, S, or NR.sup.22, wherein PA1 R.sup.22 is hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a heterocyclic group, preferably R.sup.22 is a group selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkenyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, and substituted sulfonyl; more preferably R.sup.22 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and --SO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5 ; and PA1 B is any group capable of providing extended conjugation thereby rendering the dye capable of absorbing visible, near-UV, or near-infrared radiation including groups of formula D, E, F, H, or J, wherein PA1 D is represented by formula (F12): ##STR7## wherein: each R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, and R.sup.9 group is independently hydrogen, halogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a heterocyclic group, preferably each R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, and R.sup.9 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, halogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkoxy, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryloxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 hydroxyaryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylcarboxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 carboxyaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 is alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 is arylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aminoaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 di(hydrocarbyl)amino, morpholino, and alkylamido and wherein any two adjacent R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, and R.sup.9 groups may be connected to form a saturated or unsaturated ring, for example, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 may be joined by or be a --C.sub.4 H.sub.4 -- or --C.sub.3 H.sub.3 N-- moiety; more preferably each R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, halogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkoxy, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryloxy, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 di(hydrocarbyl)amino, morpholino, and alkylamido and wherein any two adjacent R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, and R.sup.9 groups may be connected to form a saturated or unsaturated 5 or 6 member ring; most preferably each R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8 and R.sup.9 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, benzyloxy, naphthyloxy, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, N,N-dialkylamino, N-alkyl-N-arylamino, --N(Et)[((CH.sub.3).sub.3 C).sub.2 (CH.sub.3).sub.1 SiOCH.sub.2 CH.sub.2 ], chlorine, bromine, morpholino, and alkylamido and wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 or R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 may be joined by or be a --C.sub.4 H.sub.4 --, --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --, or --C.sub.3 H.sub.3 N-- moiety; PA1 E is represented by formula (F13): ##STR8## wherein: X.sup.1 is C(R.sup.12).sub.2, S, NR.sup.12, or O, more preferably X.sup.1 is S or O, most preferably X.sup.1 is S; PA1 X.sup.2 is C(R.sup.12).sub.2, S, NR.sup.12, or O, more preferably X.sup.2 is C(R.sup.12).sub.2 or NR.sup.12, most preferably X.sup.2 is NR.sup.12 ; and PA1 each R.sup.10, R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 group is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a heterocyclic group, preferably each R.sup.10, R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkoxy, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryloxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 hydroxyaryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylcarboxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 carboxyaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aminoaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 di(hydrocarbyl)amino, and wherein R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 may be connected to form or be a ring; more preferably each R.sup.10, R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkoxy, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkylamino, and wherein R.sup.10 and R.sup.11 may be connected to form or be a ring; and most preferably each R.sup.10, R.sup.11 and R.sup.12 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkylamino, chlorine, and bromine, and wherein any two adjacent R.sup.10, R.sup.11, and R.sup.12 groups may be joined by or be a --C.sub.4 H.sub.4 --, --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --, or --C.sub.3 H.sub.3 N-- moiety; PA1 F is represented by formula (F14): ##STR9## wherein: X.sup.3 is N or CR.sup.16 ; and PA1 each R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15, and R.sup.16 group is independently hydrogen, halogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a heterocyclic group and wherein any two adjacent R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15, and R.sup.16 groups may be connected to form a ring, preferably each R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15, and R.sup.16 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, halogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkoxy, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryloxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 hydroxyaryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylcarboxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 carboxyaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aminoaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 di(hydrocarbyl)amino and wherein any two adjacent R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15, and R.sup.16 groups may be connected to form a ring; more preferably each R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15 and R.sup.16 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, halogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkoxy, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, and a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl; and most preferably each R.sup.13, R.sup.14, R.sup.15, and R.sup.16 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, and phenyl; PA1 H is represented by formula (F16): ##STR10## wherein: each R.sup.20 and R.sup.21 group is independently hydrogen, halogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a heterocyclic group and wherein R.sup.20 and R.sup.21 may be connected to form a ring, preferably each R.sup.20 and R.sup.21 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, halogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkoxy, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryloxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 hydroxyaryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylcarboxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 carboxyaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aminoaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 di(hydrocarbyl)amino, morpholino, and furyl and wherein R.sup.20 and R.sup.21 may be connected to form or be a saturated or unsaturated ring; more preferably each R.sup.20 and R.sup.21 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, halogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkoxy, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryloxy, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, and 2-furyl; and most preferably each R.sup.20 and R.sup.21 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, benzyloxy, naphthyloxy, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, diethylamino, dimethylamino, chlorine, bromine, morpholino, acetamido, and 2-furyl; and PA1 J is represented by formula (F17): ##STR11## wherein: each R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 group is independently hydrogen, halogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a heterocyclic group and wherein any two adjacent R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 groups may be connected to form a ring, preferably each R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, halogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkoxy, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryloxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 hydroxyaryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylcarboxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 carboxyaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aminoaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 di(hydrocarbyl)amino, morpholino, alkylamido and wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 or R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 may be connected to form a ring, for example, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 or R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 may be joined by or be a --C.sub.4 H.sub.4 --, --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --, or --C.sub.3 H.sub.3 N-- moiety; more preferably each R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, halogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkoxy, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryloxy, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, morpholino, acetamido and wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 or R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 may be connected to form a 5 or 6 member ring; most preferably each R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, benzyloxy, naphthyloxy, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, N,N-dialkylamino, N-alkyl-N-arylamino, chlorine, bromine, morpholino, acetamido and wherein R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 or R.sup.7 and R.sup.8 may be joined by or be a --C.sub.4 H.sub.4 --, --(CH.sub.2).sub.3 --, or --C.sub.3 H.sub.3 N-- moiety; and PA1 R.sup.23 is hydrogen, halogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a heterocyclic group, preferably R.sup.23 is a group selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkenyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, and substituted sulfonyl, more preferably R.sup.23 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and --SO.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.5. PA1 each R.sup.26 and R.sup.27 group is independently a --(CF.sub.2).sub.m F group wherein m is a number between 0 and 20, more preferably m is a number between 0 and 10, most preferably m is 0 or 1; and PA1 n is an integer preferably less than 5, more preferably n is 1 or 2. PA1 R.sup.30 is independently hydrogen, halogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a heterocyclic group, preferably R.sup.30 is a group independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, halogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkoxy, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryloxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 hydroxyaryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylcarboxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 carboxyaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aminoaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 di(hydrocarbyl)amino; more preferably R.sup.30 is a group independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, halogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkoxy, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl, and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkylamino; and most preferably R.sup.30 is selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, and a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl; PA1 n is an integer preferably less than 5, more preferably n is 1 or 2. PA1 each R.sup.28 is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a heterocyclic group, preferably each R.sup.28 is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 hydroxyaryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 carboxyaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkenyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aminoaryl; more preferably each R.sup.28 is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 alkyl, a C.sub.5 -C.sub.8 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.10 aryl, and a C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 alkenyl; PA1 n is an integer preferably less than 5, more preferably 1 or 2; and wherein PA1 M+ is selected from any suitable cation including sodium, triethylammonium and the like. PA1 R.sup.35 and R.sup.36 are as defined above for R.sup.33 and R.sup.34 ; PA1 X is O, S, or NR.sup.37 ; PA1 Y is N or CR.sup.38 ; PA1 R.sup.37 and R.sup.38 are as defined above for R.sup.33 ; and wherein PA1 M- is any suitable anion. PA1 R.sup.39 is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group or a heterocyclic group, preferably R.sup.39 is a group selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryloxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 hydroxyaryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylcarboxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 carboxyaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aminoaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 di(hydrocarbyl)amino; PA1 R.sup.40 is independently hydrogen, halogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a heterocyclic group, preferably R.sup.40 is a group selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, halogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkoxy, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryloxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 hydroxyaryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylcarboxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 carboxyaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aminoaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 di(hydrocarbyl)amino, and carboxamide; PA1 X is C.dbd.R.sup.48, C(R.sup.38).sub.2, O, S, or NR.sup.37, more preferably X is C.dbd.R.sup.48, C(R.sup.38).sub.2 or S, wherein PA1 R.sup.37 is as defined above for R.sup.39, PA1 R.sup.38 is as defined above for R.sup.40, PA1 R.sup.48 is all oxo group, a divalent hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a divalent heterocyclic group, wherein R.sup.48 and R.sup.34 may be connected to form an unsaturated ring, for example, R.sup.48 and R.sup.34 may be joined by a --C.sub.3 H.sub.3 -- moiety, and wherein R.sup.37 and R.sup.34 may be connected to form a saturated or unsaturated ring; and wherein PA1 M- is any suitable anion. PA1 each R.sup.40, R.sup.41, R.sup.46 and R.sup.47 group is independently hydrogen, halogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a heterocyclic group, preferably each R.sup.40, R.sup.41, R.sup.46 and R.sup.47 group is independently selected from the group consisting of: hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, a C.sub.3 -C.sub.18 cycloalkyl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aryloxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 hydroxyaryl, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylcarboxy, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 carboxyaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.18 alkenyl, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 arylamino, a C.sub.6 -C.sub.18 aminoaryl, a C.sub.2 -C.sub.20 di(hydrocarbyl)amino, wherein any two adjacent R.sup.41 to R.sup.43 groups may be connected to form a ring and wherein R.sup.44 and R.sup.45 may be connected to form a ring; more preferably R.sup.40, R.sup.41, R.sup.46 and R.sup.47 are methyl and R.sup.42 to R.sup.45 are hydrogen; PA1 n is an integer preferably less than 5, more preferably 1, 2 or 3; and wherein PA1 M- is any suitable anion. PA1 R.sup.2 is as defined above for Formula I, PA1 each R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 group is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl-containing group, or a heterocyclic group, preferably R.sup.2 is hydrogen and each R.sup.1 and R.sup.3 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl, and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkylphenyl group, more preferably each R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 is hydrogen; PA1 j is a number having an average value between 0 and 25, more preferably j is a number having an average value between 5 and 15; PA1 k is a number having an average value between 0 and 100, more preferably k is a number having an average value of 0; and wherein PA1 the sum of j and k is at least 3.
A particularly preferred addition-cured silicone is formed by reacting (1) a multiply-vinyl-containing organopolysiloxane with (2) an organopolysiloxane containing a multiplicity of SiH bond per molecule (hereinafter "organohydropolysiloxane"). This reaction is typically facilitated by the presence of (3) a platinum catalyst of the Karstedt type. Platinum catalysts of the Karstedt type are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,715,334, 3,775,452 and 3,814,730 which are herein incorporated by reference.
When vulcanizing silicones are used as modeling compounds (e.g., dental impression materials) it is customary to provide the compound to the user as two separate mixtures (i.e., the hydrosilation catalyst is stored separately from the hydrosilane crosslinker). When the user is ready to prepare an impression or model, the two parts will be mixed together, the silicone will be placed against the surface or object to be modeled and then the user will wait until the silicone completely cures. The cured silicone is then removed from the surface or object and retains a negative impression of that surface. A positive model may then be formed by filling the impression cavity with a material such as wax or plaster of Paris. In many instances it may not be feasible to form the positive model immediately. Therefore, it is also important that the impression retains its dimensional accuracy over a long period of time (often weeks or months).
The setting reaction of a vulcanizing silicone is triggered, in general, by the mixing together of the catalyst, crosslinker and polymer. By varying the amount of catalyst and crosslinker, the rate of setting may be adjusted. The rate of setting may be further adjusted by the incorporation of well known inhibitors and/or retarders. One such inhibitor is 1,3,5,7-tetramethyl-1,3,5,7-tetravinylcyclotetrasiloxane. These retarders often operate by reacting competitively with the catalyst thereby slowing the crosslinking reaction. In general, with the slowing of the reaction both the working time and the setting time (as defined below) are affected.
As the material begins to set, its viscosity increases. Eventually, the mixture becomes "gelled" and is changed irreversibly into a crosslinked polymer or an "elastomer." At the gel-point the material no longer easily flows or adapts to new shapes. Therefore, in applications such as the taking of a dental impression this period of time defines the extent of the "working time" period.
When the reaction is complete (or "practically" complete) the material is said to be "set." This "setting time" is likewise an important parameter for a silicone impression material, as it is crucial that the material remain in contact with the surface it is to replicate until it has completely set. For dental impressions it is desirable to have a relatively short setting time (e.g., less than 10 minutes). Premature removal from the surface being replicated may result in a distorted impression which will continue to crosslink, in the distorted position, outside of the mouth. Unfortunately, this situation is often unnoticed by the dentist initially and is discovered only after an expensive, but worthless, dental appliance has been fabricated. The dentist and patient must then go through the entire lengthy impression making and appliance fabrication process again. This is a great expense and inconvenience.
For applications requiring detailed reproduction, such as dental impression materials, the setting time and the working time parameters are very important and must be carefully controlled. As previously mentioned, the working time measures the time period over which the reacting silicone material remains fluid enough to flow and change shape. After the reaction has reached the "gel point" the material's properties change drastically and resist further fluid flow. It is desirable to have sufficient working time so that the dentist may easily, and prior to gelation, (1) mix the materials and (2) place them in the mouth.
One major factor which affects both the working time and the setting time (in addition to the aforementioned use of an inhibitor or retarder) is the catalyst's "activity." Unfortunately, platinum catalysts of the Karstedt variety are somewhat sensitive to degradation and therefore are of variable activity. While the exact mechanism is presently unknown, this degradation may be advanced at high temperatures (such as might be encountered in a hot warehouse or in a truck-trailer). Over time the catalyst composition is believed to degrade and the setting time of the mixed composition becomes longer and longer. As previously mentioned even small changes in the setting time can have a detrimental effect on the accuracy of an impression if the user removes the material prior to its complete cure. Such early removal becomes more likely if the catalyst activity unexpectedly decreases upon storage. Another major factor which affects both the working time and the setting time is the ratio of catalyst to crosslinker. This ratio may be adjusted (purposely or inadvertently) by varying the amounts of each paste in the mix.
Various approaches have been attempted to provide an indication of a material's extent of cure. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,047,444; 5,118,559; and 5,182,316 describe curable compositions that can be monitored for extent of cure via detection of a UV fluorophore which is generated during the curing process. These compositions require the use of both a UV irradiation source and a UV fluorescence detector to monitor the extent of cure effectively and cannot be visualized by the naked eye. U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,081 describes the use, in a condensation silicone composition, of a dye that exhibits a visible color change at the desired degree of cure. This system is apparently limited and unpredictable, since, as the inventors state, it is "believed there is no technical relationship between the desired cure and the ultimate color change." In addition, as previously mentioned condensation silicones are limited by their dimensional instability. European Patent Application 0 492 830 A2 describes a method, for ultraviolet radiation curing compositions, of indicating a cure point by color change. Compositions of this invention comprise free-radical-curable materials, UV activated free-radical initiators, and a dye that changes color upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation in the presence of free-radical-generating photoinitiators. Preferred dyes of this invention include anthraquinone and bis-azo dyes. U.S. Pat. No. 4,788,240 discloses compositions comprising a polyorganosiloxane having two or more alkenyl radicals, a polyorganohydrogensiloxane, a platinum or platinum compound catalyst, and an anthraquinone or azo dye. The compositions are described as being useful as a molding or dental impression material. Materials exemplified in this patent require extended curing times which are undesirable for many dental procedures.

Dental impression material with cure-indicating dye

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company


A method of operating a cellular telecommunication system is described, wherein one base station communicates with at least one mobile station, and wherein the power level of the transmission is increased and decreased by requests of the mobile station. The transmission includes at least two channels (DPDCH, DPCCH), e.g data and control. One of the two channels (DPDCH) is turned off if the power level of the transmission reaches a first maximum value (DPDCH-MAX).

The invention relates to a method of operating a cellular telecommunication system wherein one base station communicates with at least one mobile station, wherein the transmission includes at least two channels, and wherein the power level of the transmission is increased and decreased by requests of the mobile station. The invention also relates to a corresponding cellular telecommunication system and a base station.
In Direct Sequence Code Division Multiple Access (DS-CDMA) cellular telecommunication systems, a mobile station communicates in a so-called macrodiversity mode with a number of base stations. In order to keep the power levels of the combined signal received by the mobile station from the base stations at least similar, an inner-loop transmission power control is established. This control creates a transmission power control (TPC) signal which is sent from the mobile station to the base stations. Each one of the base stations then increases or decreases its power level depending on the TPC signal.
DS-CDMA telecommunication systems usually include a data channel (DPDCH) and a control channel (DPCCH). The power levels of these two different channels are increased and decreased in conjunction. This may lead to disadvantages, in particular in the downlink direction.
It is an object of the invention to provide a method for operating a telecommunication system which has an improved control of the power level of the transmission.
For a method as described above, this object is solved according to the invention in that one of the two channels is turned off if the power level of the transmission reaches a first maximum value. For a telecommunication system as described above, this object is solved accordingly by the invention.
If the first maximum value is reached it may be assumed that the base station is not able to satisfy the needed power to be received by the mobile station. In this situation, it may as well be assumed that the transmission from the base station to the mobile station is not received well at the mobile station. Therefore, it makes no sense to continue the transmission.
The invention is able to recognize this situation and then to consequently turn off the transmission from the base station to the mobile station. Thereby, the power consumption of the base station is reduced and other mobile stations are not disturbed anymore by the turned-off transmission.
It is advantageous if the one of the two channels is only turned off if the power level of the transmission reaches the first maximum value and if the mobile station still requests a further increase of the power level.
The inventive method thereby includes the additional feature that the transmission is only turned off, if the mobile station still requests for a further increase of the power level. However, if this is not the case, the transmission is not turned off. This means in other words, that the invention provides another trial whether the mobile station still needs more power after the first maximum value is reached. With this further trial it is possible to avoid the turn-off of a transmission, if the power level requested by the mobile station does not exceed the first maximum value too much.
Furthermore, it is advantageous if the power level of the other one of the two channels is limited to a second maximum value. As well, it is advantageous if the one of the two channels is turned on again if the power level of the transmission becomes smaller than the second maximum value or than a turn-on value which is smaller than the second maximum value.

Operating a cellular telecommunication system


A method is described for selectively reinking a resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing ribbon, comprising:. (1) positioning a used resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing ribbon in a colloidal dispersion of electrophoretically depositable ink prepared PA0 (2) passing an electric current through said colloidal dispersion, with an electrically conductive layer of said ribbon serving as one electrode, to electrophoretically deposit the pigment-containing polymeric colloid on areas of said ribbon that have been depleted of ink, to form a ink layer of uniform thickness.. (a) heating a water-insoluble polymeric binder having a melting point in the range of 85.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. until the polymeric binder has been melted to a liquid state, PA1 (b) adding and blending a pigment into the melted polymeric binder, PA1 (c) adding and blending a heated dilute, aqueous solution of a carboxylic acid to the composition formed in (b), and PA1 (d) adding and blending a colloid charge-forming compound to the composition formed in (c), to form an aqueous dispersion of a pigment-containing polymeric colloid, PA1 (e) cooling the dispersion formed in (d); and

Printing by means of the resistive ribbon thermal transfer technique is a desirable method of printing, having a number of advantages. In printing by resistive ribbon thermal transfer, an electrically resistive ribbon is pattern-wise heated by the passage of current through the ribbon. The operation of pattern-wise heating the ribbon melts neighboring regions of a layer of ink that forms one surface of the ribbon and renders it pattern-wise transferable while contacting the ink surface of the ribbon to the paper to be printed.
A resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing ribbon (also referred to herein as the "thermal transfer ribbon" or simply "ribbon") useful in such processes typically comprises three layers, viz.:
(1) a resistive film of polymeric material, such as a polycarbonate, containing conductive carbon particles; PA0 (2) a thin metal layer, e.g., an evaporated aluminum film deposited upon the resistive film having a thickness of about 1,000 A, and PA0 (3) a fusible ink layer formed, e.g., from a polymeric material and carbon black. PA0 (1) positioning a used resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing ribbon in a colloidal dispersion of an electrophoretically depositable ink prepared by PA0 (2) passing an electric current through said colloidal dispersion, with an electrically conductive layer of said ribbon serving as one electrode, to electrophoretically deposit the pigment-containing polymeric colloid on areas of said ribbon that have been depleted of ink, to form an ink layer of uniform thickness.
Layer (2) may be omitted, but is preferred to achieve improved resolution.
When such a resistive thermal transfer ribbon is used for printing, the ink is transferred from the heated spots and transferred to the surface being printed. Due to the depletion of ink corresponding to the printed patterns made thereby, the ribbon can not be reused unless a uniform coating of a fusible ink is again formed on the surface of the ribbon. Processes for depositing a uniform thickness of ink over all regions of the ribbon would not be expected to be useful for such reinking, as the resulting ribbon would not have a uniform thickness of ink thereon.
A number of processes have been described in the prior art for reconditioning, e.g., typewriter ribbons. U.S. Pat. No. 2,051,942, issued Aug. 25, 1936 describes the total reinking of used typewriter ribbons with a composition based on coconut oil, and including also sulfuric acid, lamp black, and gum arabic; the composition is applied to the face of the used typewriter ribbon, and after allowing time for penetration into the pores of the typewriter ribbon, excess composition is removed, e.g., by scraping, from the face of the ribbon.
U.S. Pat. No. 2,155,653, issued Apr. 25, 1939, describes a method for redistributing ink from undepleted areas of a typewriter ribbon to the depleted areas to form a uniformly inked ribbon by means of treatment with hydrocarbon vapors. Of course this process could be used only a limited number of times because as the density of the redistributed ink becomes lower it would adversely affect the quality of the typed images formed using such a ribbon.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,105,769, issued Oct. 1, 1963, describes a liquid solution intended to soften and redistribute pigment remaining in a used typewriter ribbon (and the like) and to distribute "body" material included in the solution to the ribbon by means of capillary action.
Processes for coating small electrically conductive articles by electric deposition are known in the art, such as the process described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,539,489, issued Nov. 10, 1970.

Electrophoretical method for selectively reinking resistive ribbon thermal transfer printing ribbons

International Business Machines Corporation


Certain implementations of the disclosed technology may include systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing device-to-cloud (upstream) message delivery. According to an example implementation, a method is provided that can include generating, by a mobile computing device, a first message from a first application and a second message from a second application. The method includes establishing a communication connection between the mobile computing device and a remote device, packaging the second message with the first message for sending from the mobile computing device to the remote device; and sending, from the mobile computing device to the remote device, and by the established communications connection, the packaged first message and second message.

Certain mobile applications that are utilized in mobile computing environments are designed to provide communications with remote servers (sometimes referred to as servers on the "cloud"). For example, when applications and services on a mobile device prepare to deliver data to a server on the cloud, a connection to the server is opened, and the connection is often encrypted. For example, communication protocols such as HTTPS, TCP, SSL, etc., can be used for secure communications between the mobile device and servers on the cloud. The process of opening, encrypting, sending, and closing multiple, uncoordinated messages from the mobile device to the server can require extra overhead, increase latency, cause excess battery drain on the mobile device, and unnecessarily consume data.

Systems and methods for device-to-cloud message delivery


A target of an alloy of metals having different specific weights is used in a method for producing substrates that are coated with a layer comprising the same two metals by magnetron sputtering of the target. When sputtering such a target material, the metals of the alloy will sputter off with different sputtering characteristics with regard to a static angle xcex1 at which the sputtered off material leaves the target. For this reason, at the substrate to be sputter-coated, there occurs a demixing effect of these metals which will be deposited with a varying local ratio of the metals, that differs form the ratio of the metals in the alloy of the target. To counter-act this demixing phenomenon, the location of an electron trap formed by the magnetron field of the sputter source at the target with respect to the location of the substrate, is selected. By proving this electron trap and the resulting erosion profile on the target, the amount of deposited heavier metal to the amount of lighter metal is increased along the surface of the substrate.

The present invention relates to a method for the production of substrates coated with a layer comprising at least two distinct heavy elements (L, S) by magnetron sputtering of a target made of a compound of the two elements.
The invention also relates to a method for generating an essentially centric erosion profile on a magnetron target and to a magnetron source.
The present invention also relates to a sputter-coating chamber with a magnetron source having a circular-disk or annularly shaped planar target as well as a substrate mounting for receiving an annularly or circular-disk shaped substrate that is coaxial with the target and spaced apart with respect to it, wherein the magnetron source generates at least one coaxial magnetron field revolving about the axis, as well as applications thereof.
The present invention builds on problems which are encountered when sputter-coating substrates for magnetic and/or magneto-optic storage disks, which are specifically planar and of annular shape. Therein also specifically circularly or annularly shaped targets are used, which in new condition are planar. The coating is carried out with an alloy; the targets comprise the coating alloy.
It was found that during sputtering or vapor deposition of alloy targets with different heavy metals, such as, for example, with Co and Pt, demixing takes place in the substrate plane. As a consequence an inhomogeneous distribution of the layer stoichiometry occurs as a function of the radius coordinate on the substrate. In the case of the magnetic or magneto-optic storage disks, this leads to inhomogeneous distribution of the coercivity.
An objective of the present invention is, first of all, to solve specifically this problem. However, therein far more generally the problem is solved of attaining on a substratexe2x80x94which can well be of planar and annular or circular disk shapexe2x80x94when preparing a coating from a target, which comprises a compound of different heavy elementsxe2x80x94and which primarily can well be of annular or circular-disk shape or planar, but does not need to bexe2x80x94on the coating a desired local distribution of the ratio of fraction of heavy and fraction of light elements. This is thus to be attained generally also for none circular-disk or annularly shaped substrates and/or nonplanar substrates or and in any combination for nonannularly or circular-disk shaped targets or nonplanar targets when in their new condition. Although metals are assumed to be involved, further, the problem of demixing generally for dissimilar heavy elements is to be solved.
Furthermore, the task formulation assumes primarily deposition of layers of target compound, thus in particular alloy layers. But since the cited demixing phenomenon can also have an undesirable effect in reactive processes, the invention also relates to reactive sputter-coating off targets of the considered compounds, in particular of alloy targets.
The issue here is, again specifically, to solve the described problems in the coating with layers which comprise the target alloy metals which, in terms of ratio of weights or specific densities, behave essentially like the metals Pt and Co, thus in particular for the deposition of layers with Pt and Co, or Tb, Fe and Co or Tb, respectively, Gd, Fe, Co.
The task posed according to the invention is generally solved in that the local distribution of the ratio (V) of the target alloy elements on the layer, through the selection of the mutual geometric disposition (RE, RH, r, d) of the electron trap forming the magnetron magnetic field and substrate, is at least approximated to a given local distribution of said ratio (V).
The basis of this part of the invention is the findings that heavy metals preferably and, with respect to the surface normal, are statistically released with a greater angle on a sputtering region than are lighter metals.
According to the present invention it is taken into consideration that the local distribution of the ratio of target alloy metals at the layer on the substrate, is at least approximated, by selecting the mutual geometric disposition of electron trap-forming magnetron magnetic fields and substrate, to a given local distribution of this ratio.
Specifically, measures are proposed of decreasing or increasing locally the cited ratio of heavy element, preferably metal, to light element on the substrate. According to another feature of the invention, a desired distribution is targeted, preferably with both cited measures, lowering and raising. Also and simultaneously, the layer thickness distribution on the substrate, due to the available degree of setting freedom, is also specifically adjusted, and, in particular, is homogenized.
Preferred embodiments of the method according to the invention are include defined in the dependant claims.
It was found that according to the invention it is highly desirable, in particular with said specific coatings of planar, circular-disk or annular-shaped substrates off, in new condition, planar, coaxial, circular-disk or annulus shaped targets, to provide a target erosion zone in the center of the target, wherewith for this preferred case the use of annularly shaped targets is omitted. The method according to another feature of the invention specifies the way in which fundamentally a center erosion zone is developed on a target.
According to still further features of the invention, a magnetron source according to the invention is specified, whose magnet configuration is laid out for the realization of a central erosion profile on the target.
The invention also includes specify sputter-coating chambers for circular-disk or annularly shaped coaxial targets which, in new condition, are planar, in which the geometric conditions are specified in order to attain a distribution of said ratio which, with respect to uniformity, is improved. Preferred embodiments of this sputter-coating chamber are specified in some of the dependent claims.
The present invention, under all of its aspects, namely production process, sputtering process, magnetron source and sputter-coating chamber, is suitable for the deposition of storage layers on magnetic or magneto-optic storage substrates or for the substrate coating with an alloy layer comprising at least PtCo, TbFeCo or GdFeCo.
The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, reference is made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated.

Method for the production of substrates, magnetron source and sputter-coating chamber


A stereoscopic display method or system includes an image display panel, object tracking sensors, and a means to create first or left, and second or right stereoscopic images based upon viewpoint location. This allows the user to perceive the viewed 3D stereoscopic image as approximately fixed in space.

1. Field of the Invention
The instant invention relates to a stereo image display technique, by which a 3D image display may produce a stereoscopic image that takes viewpoint into account. By taking viewpoint into account, a stereoscopic image may be created which appears to remain at approximately the same location in space as viewpoint changes.
2. Description of Related Art
Methods of implementing a 3D stereoscopic image are described as follows:
First of all, as mentioned in the following description, in order to implement a 3D stereoscopic image, a first image for a left eye and a second image for a right eye need to arrive at both eyes in a manner of being discriminated from each other. For this, various methods are explained as follows. These images shall be referred to as first or left image and second or right image.
Prior art displays which may be viewed as 3D images generally fall into four methods for display of 3D imagery.
The first method employs polarized light images where the planes for first and second images are rotated by approximately 90 degrees. A similar method employs first and second circularly or elliptically polarized images. These polarized first and second images pass through polarized spectacles so that the corresponding image reaches the first or left and second or right eye.
Another similar method employs liquid crystal shutter spectacles which open and close left and right shutters so as to allow the corresponding image to reach the correct eye. Prior art employing liquid crystal shutters do not account for a change in viewing location from one viewer to the next. Therefore a 3D image would appear to be at different locations in space when viewed from differing viewpoints. Thus if one viewer pointed at a 3D stereoscopic object, a viewer at a second viewing location would have difficulty determining what is being pointed at.
A third method employs a lenticular screen provided between a display and both eyes. In particular, a propagating direction of light is refracted via lens on the lenticular screen, whereby different images arrive at both eyes, respectively.
A fourth method requires no spectacles and utilizes parallax barriers so that each eye sees the proper image. This technology shall be referred to as auto stereoscopic.
A final method employs differently colored filtered images, which are viewed through glasses whose lenses are colored differently. This method or system shall be referred to as anaglyphic or an anaglyph.

Abstract: A first embodiment employs differently filtered colored, stereoscopic images. The first and second differently filtered colored images may be perceived as a 3D stereoscopic image by applying anaglyph glasses.

Abstract: In a second embodiment the method of passively polarized glasses may be applied with the result being a stereoscopic image whose location is approximately fixed in space.

Abstract: A third embodiment employs passively polarized anaglyph glasses. This provides the advantage of allowing two different viewers to see different virtual 3D stereoscopic images whose location remains approximately fixed in space.

Abstract: By employing tracking sensors, user gesturing or pointing may now allow interaction with the virtual 3D stereoscopic images in much the same way 2D objects are manipulated by employing a touch screen. This may be combined with voice commands. This allows for input systems such as virtual 3D touch panels, keyboards and remote controllers. In addition virtual 3D objects may be pushed, pulled rotated or manipulated in almost any way a real 3D object would be.

Abstract: The methods described may be applied in other ways, including, but not limited to gaming systems, 3D virtual caves, and simulators. It may also be used wired or wirelessly to remotely control or interact with other devices.


A baicalin magnesium compound and methods for preparing and extracting the same. The method for preparing the baicalin magnesium compound includes steps of preparation of a baicalin suspension, preparation of a magnesium ion-containing suspension, reaction and drying. The method for extracting the baicalin magnesium compound includes steps of pretreatment of macroporous resin, extraction, adsorption and elution, concentration and drying and purification. The methods restores the baicalin to the original form as found in radix scutellariae, and the baicalin magnesium compound may be used as a substitute for the baicalin in pharmaceutical applications. As compared to the baicalin, the baicalin magnesium has a greatly increased solubility, faster adsorption rate and higher oral bioavailability. The baicalin magnesium compound may also be easily formulated as a water-soluble injection or a powder injection. Pharmacological tests show that the baicalin magnesium compound is more pharmacologically active than the baicalin.

Radix scutellariae, first published in Shen Nong's Herbal Classic, is the dry root of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi, Labiatae family, effective in clearing away pathogenic heat and dampness, purging intense fire and detoxicating, facilitating hemostasis and preventing miscarriage. Baicalin is a flavonoid compound with a molecular formula of C21H18O11, which is more than 9% by weight or even up to 20% by weight in radix scutellariae and is one of main active ingredients of radix scutellariae.
Modern pharmacological researches have indicated that baicalin plays a role in eliminating oxygen free radicals, antiarrhythmia, dilating heart and cerebral vessels, reducing blood pressure and keeping calm, protecting liver and gallbladder and anti-pathogen, and also inhibits tumors such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer, malignant lymphoma, myeloma and liver cancer. Clinically, there have been various preparations such as baicalin tablets and baicalin capsules, which are mainly used for treating acute and chronic hepatitis, cardiovascular diseases and the like.
Magnesium is an element essential for the activities of normal life and metabolism of living organisms. Magnesium affects various biological functions of cells including transport of potassium ions and calcium ions, regulation of cell signaling, energy metabolism, protein and nucleic acid synthesis; activation and inhibition of catalyticase; and regulation of cell cycle, cell proliferation and cell differentiation. Also, magnesium participates in maintaining genomic stability and is associated with oxidative stress and tumorigenesis in the body.
Baicalin is soluble in alkaline solutions such as sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate and sodium bicarbonate, but it is unstable in alkaline liquor and will gradually turn to dark brown. It is slightly soluble in hot glacial acetic acid, hardly soluble in methanol, ethanol and acetone and insoluble in water, benzene, ether and chloroform. Since baicalin is almost insoluble in water, oral bioavailability of baicalin is low, so that the clinical application of baicalin is greatly limited.
Recently, there are many related reports on the use of new preparation techniques to improve the solubility and bioavailability of baicalin, involving the preparation of baicalin into metal complexes, β-cyclodextrin inclusion compounds, solid dispersions, phospholipid complexes, microparticles, nanoparticles, liposome nanoemulsions, microemulsions, gelatin microspheres, and the like.
As described in Chinese Pharmacopeia under Radix Scutellariae Extract (2015, Part I), baicalin is obtained through water extraction and acid precipitation and purification through alkali-soluble acid precipitation. The commercially available baicalin is generally prepared by this method. Baicalin is found in radix scutellariae as a magnesium salt. This form of baicalin has good water solubility and may be extracted by water dissolution. However, the original structure of the baicalin will be damaged by acid precipitation, resulting in low water solubility, slow adsorption rate and low baicalin bioavailability, as well as reduced baicalin efficacy.
The present invention provides a method for extracting baicalin magnesium from radix scutellariae without changing the original form of baicalin as found in radix scutellariae, and further provides a method for synthesizing baicalin magnesium using the commercially available baicalin as raw material, in a manner that the baicalin is returned to its original form existed in the radix scutellariae. The baicalin magnesium can be used as a substitute for the baicalin. Baicalin magnesium has greatly increased solubility, faster adsorption rate and higher oral bioavailability as compared to the baicalin. The baicalin magnesium can also be easily formulated as a water-soluble injection or a powder injection. Moreover, the compound can also display the synergistic pharmacological actions of baicalin and magnesium ions, thereby enhancing the efficacy.
The present invention is designed on the basis of a large number of experiments and analysis.

Baicalin magnesium compound and its preparation method and application


A containment device for a liquid handling system is presented. The devise has a vault having a cavity, a closed bottom and an open top. A supporting device having a first half of a quick connect system connected to external plumbing is positioned in a lower portion of the cavity and secured to the vault to provide support for a weight of the liquid handling system. A bracket having a second half of a quick connect system connected to internal plumbing for the liquid handling system is configured to retain the liquid handling system, contact the supporting device when the bracket and liquid handling system is lowered into the cavity and mate the first second halves of the quick connect system allowing liquid to flow from the external plumbing to the internal plumbing. A lid is secured to the top for minimizing the intrusion of environmental elements into the vault.

Several issues have been identified with liquid handling systems. One of these problems is that fluid pumping devices installed in homes or other buildings leave room for extensive damage by defective or worn out devices. Defects such as, but not limited to, failed and leaking pressure tanks and bad pressure switches may cause pressure relief valves to release water into the building and can cause water damage and mold issues inside the building. Another issue is that valuable building space is occupied by liquid handling systems. Other problems include, without limitation, limited access to the device due to physical building limitations, and hazards caused by the proximity of electrical devices. These issues may be avoided by housing the liquid handling system in a containment device outside of the building.
The current art provides some methods for housing liquid handling systems. For example, without limitation, separate "pump houses" may be built to house liquid handling systems. However, pump houses are expensive to construct and may not be appealing in a yard. In cold climates, pump houses must be heated to prevent freezing. In warm climates, pump houses tend to cause the liquid to warm up, and if this is a drinking water system, it may not to pleasing or refreshing to drink warm water. Also, pump houses tend to be confining and tend to collect everything else around the house or facility including, without limitation, toxic items such as, but not limited to, herbicides, and pesticides that should not be stored near water systems. This collection of objects also creates problems and safety issues with servicing the equipment of the liquid handling system. Pump houses are often dirty and filled with insects. Pump houses can become homes for pests such as, but not limited to, rodents, poisonous spiders, snakes, etc., creating additional health hazards. Also, pump houses require maintenance themselves including, without limitation, regular painting, cleaning, and roof maintenance.
Another solution is to house liquid handling systems in concrete "well rings" buried in ground. Concrete rings allow for the placement of a liquid handling system in-ground and protect the liquid handling system from freezing and resist vandalism, although less expensive than pump houses. However, concrete rings are still costly. Concrete rings are very heavy and may require a boom truck or truck-trailer to deliver and may require a crane, backhoe or similar device to set in-ground. Use of concrete rings requires entering a confined space to work on the water system device. Confined space issues include, without limitation, hazardous gasses, and electrical safety issues that actually may not meet electrical codes. Also, these concrete rings are not very tight, allowing nuisances such as, but not limited to, bugs, snakes, water, etc. to enter the concrete ring. It is also difficult to get plumbing through the concrete ring. The lids of these concrete rings are often very heavy and may require hoisting equipment to remove. The use of concrete rings does eliminate or minimize potential water damage in structures from leaking devices, and provide some protection from weather. Use of concrete rings in ground may be more aesthetically pleasing than a building, but is still somewhat of an eyesore. Furthermore, with the advent of new variable speed pumping systems and computerized pumping systems, it is necessary to have devices as big as concrete rings to house these smaller components.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for an improved containment device for a liquid handling system that protects the liquid handling system from the elements and pests, is simpler to install than current containment devices, and provides easy access to the liquid handling system.
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

Device for containment, protection and easy installation and removal of a liquid handling system