A system and method for allocating signal types to transmission channels in a multi-channel, multi-signal transmission system uses one or more decision rules to determine a signal-to-channel mapping based on a predetermined performance criterion, such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), SNR margin, or target transport margin at a particular bit error rate (BER), rather than random assignment. The system and method improve overall performance of a transmission system carrying multiple signal types, such as telephony, compressed digital video, broadcast video, and low and high speed data. The decision rules are implemented over the entire transmission system to simplify recordkeeping and associated aspects of network operations.

Current multi-signal transmission systems deliver multiple types of signals such as telephony, digitized video, and digital data signals over an infrastructure which utilizes various types of physical transmission media. Audio and video information originating at a service provider may be delivered to an end user via a complex switching network employing Radio Frequency (RF), fiber optic, coaxial cable (Coax), and twisted pair copper cabling which may be shielded (STP) or unshielded (UTP). As is known, each type of cabling includes trade-offs between performance characteristics and cost which must be considered in designing and implementing such a transmission system.
As consumers migrate toward information intensive services such as digital television, interactive television, and computer-related on-line services, the demand on the installed infrastructure continues to increase. To meet this increased demand, the physical transmission media forming the delivery infrastructure must eventually be replaced. However, this is an arduous task which requires significant time and expense. Thus, regardless of the particular physical media utilized in any portion of the transmission system, it is desirable to improve the overall system operating performance to maximize or optimize the use of currently installed transmission media.
In a traditional distribution system, a signal which originates at the information service provider may travel through multiple segments of physical transmission media connected by electrical, electronic, or optoelectronic switches before arriving at its destination. The various switches are used to route the signal from a source to a destination where the signals are typically randomly assigned to a particular channel within a multi-channel distribution cable.

Signal-to-channel mapping for multi-channel, multi-signal transmission systems


A system and method for collecting images of monitored devices, such as utility meters for electricity, gas and water, captures a digital image of a monitored device and produces a difference digital image from the digital image using a reference digital image of the monitored device. The difference digital image has pixel values derived from differences between corresponding pixel values of the digital image and the reference digital image. The difference digital image is smaller in data size than the original digital image. The original digital image can be reconstructed from the difference digital image using the reference digital image.

Utility meters are used to keep track of electricity, gas and water usages for individual residential and business premises. The amount of electricity, gas and water consumed by a residential or business consumer over a predefined period of time can be determined by reading the associated utility meters at the end of that time period. As an example, the amount of electricity and gas consumed by a customer over a particular month can be determined by reading the electric and gas meters at the end of that particular month. The meter readings are used to compute the electric, gas and water bills for the predefined period of time.
The traditional method for obtaining these meter readings at the end of each predefined period of time involves visually reading the meters in person for each customer and recording the meter readings on paper or on an electronic device. The recorded meter readings are then processed to generate utility bills, which are mailed to the customers.
A concern with the traditional method for obtaining meter readings is that a large number of meter readers is needed to visually read each utility meter in person at the end of a predefined period of time. In addition, since the utility meters are personally read and the meters readings are manually entered on paper or on an electronic device, the method introduces potential human errors, which would create discrepancies between the actual consumption of electricity, gas or water for a predefined period of time and the associated bill. Furthermore, the method does not provide any record of the actual meter readings, except for the manually entered meter readings, which could be used in evaluating performances of meter readers or in verifying certain utility bills.
In order to partly alleviate these concerns, Automated Meter Reading (AMR) technologies have been developed to automate the method for obtaining meter readings at the end of each predefined period of time. An AMR technology employs a meter interface unit, which automatically extracts meter information and transmits the meter information to a data collection device. The meter interface unit may be attached to an existing utility meter or integrated into a new utility meter. In one type of AMR systems, the data collection device may be mounted on a vehicle or carried by a meter reader so that the data collection device can be moved into the transmission range for a particular utility meter with the meter interface unit to receive wirelessly transmitted meter information. In another type of AMR systems, the data collection device may be located at a centralized facility, where the meter information from different meters are received via a communication network, which may be wireless.
Although the AMR systems alleviate some of the concerns of the traditional method for obtaining meter readings, the AMR systems also do not provide any record of the actual meter readings, except for the information provided by the meter interface units.
In view of this concern, there is a need for a system and method for collecting meter readings in a way that provides physical record of the actual meter reading.

System and method for collecting images of a monitored device


A heat conductive aluminum nitride sintered body contains 100 parts by weight of aluminum nitride, at least 0.005 parts by weight and not more than 0.5 parts by weight of carbon, at least 0.01 parts by weight and not more than 15 parts by weight of a rare earth aluminum oxide in terms of the simple substance of a rare earth element, and at least 0.01 parts by weight and not more than 15 parts by weight of at least one element selected from a group of compounds containing elements belonging to the groups IVB, VB and VIB of the periodic table in terms of the simple substance of the element. Such a sintered body has a heat conductivity of at least 100 W/m.multidot.K. and not more than 270 W/m.multidot.K. at room temperature.

In recent years, the technique relating to a large-scale integrated circuit device (LSI) has made a remarkable improvement in the degree of integration Following such improvement in the degree of integration and due to an increase in size of an IC chip, the heat value generated in a package carrying such an IC chip, has also been increased. Accordingly, the heat radiation property of a substrate material employed for a package for a semiconductor device etc. has been regarded as important. The heat conductivity of an alumina sintered body, which has generally been widely used for making IC substrates, is rather insufficient to provide the required heat radiation property. Thus, it is difficult for the alumina sintered body to cope with the increased heat value of the IC chip. To this end, a study has been made to see whether beryllia can be substituted for alumina, since beryllia has a high heat conductivity. However, beryllia is hard to handle because of its toxicity.
On the other hand, a sintered body of aluminum nitride (AlN), which has a high heat conductivity and high insulation ability with no toxicity, is considered with interest as a material for a circuit substrate or a package for a semiconductor device. In general, an impurity content of such an AlN sintered body is so reduced that an AlN sintered body with excellent heat conductivity and an electrical insulation ability is obtained. Such a sintered body also has an excellent translucense, and hence the same is preferably used for making optical filters etc. in practice. However, it is problematic to use the AlN sintered body for making a package etc. since the transmission of ultraviolet rays leads to malfunction of the IC.
To this end, colored AlN sintered bodies have been studied and several successful examples have been reported.
For example, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 63-233079 discloses a black aluminum nitride sintered body and a method of preparing the same. According to this literature, a black AlN sintered body can be obtained by adding a specific amount of calcium tungstate powder and/or calcium molybdate powder to AlN powder, mixing and molding the same, and thereafter firing the mixture in a non-oxidizing atmosphere.
On the other hand, Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 63-310772 describes that a black AlN sintered body can be obtained by sintering AlN powder with metal molybdenum or a molybdenum compound, serving as an additive. However, the aluminum nitride sintered bodies disclosed in the aforementioned two gazettes have merely low heat conductivity values of about 100 W/m.multidot.K.
AlN easily incorporates an impurity such as oxygen. Thus, AlN powder of high purity is generally employed in order to improve the heat conductivity. If the aforementioned substance is added for coloring, the heat or thermal conductivity may be reduced. Thus, it has been impossible to obtain a colored AlN sintered body having a high heat conductivity.
However, a substrate material for carrying an IC chip having a high output, must have high heat conductivity, so that its heat radiation property is improved in order to prevent the IC from malfunctioning caused by a temperature rise of the IC chip. At the same time, the substrate must be colored in order to prevent the IC from a malfunction caused by the transmission of ultraviolet rays. According to the conventional technique, however, it has been difficult to provide a ceramic substrate, which can simultaneously satisfy the two requirements for the substrate material for an IC chip, as hereinabove described.

Heat conductive colored aluminum nitride sintered body


A control device for use with a view finder optical system of a view finder camera having a variable focal length photographic optical system. The control device includes a view finder having a view finder optical system with a variably set view finder focal length that is set based on the focal length of the photographic optical system, a view finder angle of view detection unit that detects a view finder angle of view in accordance with a position of the view finder optical system and that outputs a first signal, a photographic optical system angle of view detection unit that detects a photographic optical system angle of view in accordance with the position of the photographic optical system and that outputs a second signal, and a view finder drive unit that receives the first and second signals and moves the view finder optical system so that the view finder angle of view and the photographic optical system angle of view correspond. Also provided is an imaging unit that includes a variable focal length view finder optical system, a variable focal length imaging optical system and a control unit that determines a focal length of the variable focal length imaging optical system and that causes the variable focal length view finder optical system to maintain a focal length that corresponds to the focal length of the imaging optical system. Finally, a method for adjusting a view field of a view finder is provided and involves determining the focal length of a variable focal length photographic optical system and adjusting the focal length of a variable focal length view finder optical system in accordance therewith.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a control device for a view finder optical system of a view finder camera and, more particularly, to a control device that controls the angle of view of a view finder optical system so that it corresponds to an angle of view of a photographic lens of a view finder camera.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional rangefinder type cameras, a view finder optical system is configured to operate independently of a photographic lens, which photographic lens may even be of an interchangeable type.
Because rangefinder cameras having interchangeable lenses have at least two independent optical systems, it is necessary to change the angle of view of a view finder upon a change in use of a particular interchangeable photographic lens. This need to change the angle of view of the view finder is due to the fact that as the angle of view of the photographic lens changes, so too does the angle of view of the view finder. In other words, there is a shifting between the angle of view of the view finder as well as the photographic lens due to a change from one photographic lens to another.
Accordingly, typical rangefinder cameras having interchangeable photographic lenses incorporate mechanisms that change the angle of view of a view finder in accordance with a photographic lens that is mounted on a camera body.
For example, a typical rangefinder camera incorporating interchangeable lenses is the "LEICA M3" model camera which allows usage of three (3) different lens. Moreover, the "LEICA M3" has built-in field limit settings that are automatically set upon the exchange and mounting operation of particular photographic lens.
While the "LEICA M3" illustrates an exemplary prior art rangefinder camera that incorporates interchangeable lenses and that automatically sets corresponding field limits for its view finder optical system, the "LEICA M3" and, in particular, its field limit setting mechanism does not allow the usage of a zoom-type lens. The use of zoom-type lens with rangefinder cameras has not heretofore been addressed.
Generally, it is well known that when a photographer manipulates the focal length of a zoom type lens, he or she does so to change the focal length of the lens and the angle of view. Accordingly, a camera that is only capable of switching the field limit of its view finder in correspondence to particular lenses having particular focal lengths cannot operate with a zoom-type length which may take on an infinite or, at least, a large number of focal lengths.
Consequently, as the area being photographed with a zoom lens differs from the area of the field in the view finder, a photographer cannot verify the photographic range based on the field of the view finder.
Due to the problems mentioned above, presently available view finder cameras are restricted in their use of exchangeable lenses and are limited to lenses having fixed focal lengths.

Control device for a view finder optical system of a view finder camera and view finder camera equipped with same and method of operation of same


The present invention is directed to germplasm containing an identifier nucleotide sequence and to a method for identifying germplasm, more particularly the source of germplasm. The present invention is especially useful for determining the ownership of germplasm, plant or animal. Briefly, the invention is directed to the production of transgenic organisms which contain an identifier nucleotide sequence within the organellar genome. The identifier nucleotide sequence is selected such that it is capable of indicating the source of the germplasm. The organellar genome of germplasm to be tested is isolated and analyzed for the presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence. The presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence establishes the source of the germplasm.

The present invention is directed to germplasm containing an identifier nucleotide sequence and to a method for identifying germplasm, more particularly the source of germplasm. The present invention is especially useful for determining the ownership of germplasm, including plants and animals, or the ownership of germplasm used as a parent in the development of germplasm. Briefly, the invention is directed to the production of transgenic organisms which contain an identifier nucleotide sequence within the organellar genome, including but not limited to plastids and mitochondria. The identifier nucleotide sequence is selected such that it is capable of indicating the source of the germplasm. The organellar genome of germplasm to be tested is isolated and analyzed for the presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence. The presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence establishes the source of the germplasm.
The publications and other materials used herein to illuminate the background of the invention, and in particular, cases to provide additional details respecting the practice, are incorporated by reference, and for convenience are referenced in the following text by author and date and are listed alphabetically by author in the appended bibliography.
The classification of organisms has traditionally been done along more or less arbitrary and some-what artificial lines. For example, the living world has been divided into two kingdoms, namely plants and animals. This classification works well for generally familiar organsims, but becomes more difficult for such organisms as unicellular ones. Where classification of organisms becomes more than a scientific exercise is in the identification of plants and animals for hybridization and breeding programs, and in accurate and reliable identification of microorganisms which may infect plants and animals. For example, the plant breeder may wish to have a quick and reliable means of identifying different species and strains for use in their breeding programs. In addition, the owner of a particular plant variety may wish to have a quick and reliable means of identifying his variety for establishing derivation or ownership of germplasm. Thus, the correct identification of species or varieties of organisms is of particular importance.
Biological samples have been collected and analyzed for a variety of reasons relating to agricultural forensic, e.g., to identify individuals for population genetics or variety derivation. The known methods of analyzing biological samples from plants include using the proteins, specific enzymes or the nucleic acids to identify individually specific patterns within a species. For example, protein from a plant can be isolated and subjected to a two-dimensional electrophoretic analysis to produce a protein fingerprint (Anderson et al., 1985; Choi et al., 1984). Alternatively, isozymes, i.e., specific enzymes which exist in several forms in plants, can be isolated and subjected to electophoresis to produce an isozyme fingerprint (Nielsen, 1985; Shields et al., 1983). Finally, the nucleic acids can be isolated and analyzed to produce a DNA fingerprint (U.S. Pat. No. 5,674,687; U.S. Pat. No. 4,963,663; Helentjaris et al., 1985; Landry et al., 1985; Jeffreys et al., 1985). DNA fingerprinting has utilized restriction fragment length polymorphisms and the use of minisatellite and microsatellite probes and/or amplification primers to obtain highly specific patterns which are useful to identify individuals within a known species or in pedigree studies to determine lineage. DNA fingerprinting is generally useful for identifying individuals because it uses patterns that are individually-specific and complex. Similarly, two-dimensional protein fingerprint could be used to identify individuals on the basis of complex patterns. An isozyme fingerprint is less complex but also has less resolution power.
Although each of these methods or a combination of these methods can be used to identify individuals, they have several disadvantages including: (a) time-consuming, (b) complex, sometimes with many steps, (c) requiring skilled and knowledgeable technicians, (d) non-standardization with results varying from lab to lab and test to test and (e) inaccurate measurements often with subjective interpretation. Thus, there is a definite need for a method to identify the source or parentage of germplasm which is easy to perform, relatively fast, does not require significant expertise and requires no subjectivity of interpretation. The present invention solves this need as illustrated herein.
The present invention is directed to germplasm containing an identifier nucleotide sequence and to a method for identifying germplasm, more particularly the source or parentage of germplasm. The present invention is especially useful for determining the ownership of germplasm, including plants and animals, or the ownership of germplasm used as a parent in the development of germplasm. Briefly, the invention is directed to the production of transgenic organisms which contain an identifier nucleotide sequence within the organellar genome. The identifier nucleotide sequence is selected such that it is capable of indicating the source of the germplasm. The organellar genome of germplasm to be tested is isolated and analyzed for the presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence. The presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence establishes the source or parentage of the tested germplasm.
The present invention avoids the problems of prior art fingerprinting techniques for the identification of the source of germplasm. The present invention is simpler and easier to use than prior art fingerprinting techniques and requires no subjective interpretation of the results of the method.
The present invention is directed to germplasm containing an identifier nucleotide sequence and to a method for identifying germplasm, more particularly the source or parentage of germplasm. The present invention is especially useful for determining the ownership of germplasm, including plants and animals, or the ownership of germplasm used as a parent in the development of germplasm. Briefly, the invention is directed to the production of transgenic organisms which contain an identifier nucleotide sequence within the organellar genome. The identifier nucleotide sequence is selected such that it is capable of indicating the source of the germplasm. The organellar genome of germplasm to be tested is isolated and analyzed for the presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence. The presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence establishes the source or parentage of the tested germplasm.
In order to more fully understand the present invention, the following definitions are provided.
xe2x80x9cAmplification of Polynucleotidesxe2x80x9d utilizes methods such as the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), ligation amplification (or ligase chain reaction, LCR) and amplification methods based on the use of Q-beta replicase. Also useful are strand displacement amplification (SDA), thermophilic SDA, nucleic acid sequence based amplification (3SR or NASBA) and repair chain reaction (RCR). These methods are well known and widely practiced in the art. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,683,195 and 4,683,202 and Innis et al., 1990 (for PCR); Wu et al., 1989 and EP 320,308A (for LCR); U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,270,184 and 5,455,166 and Walker et al., 1992 (for SDA); Spargo et al., 1996 (for thermophilic SDA) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,818, Fahy et al., 1991 and Compton, 1991 for 3SR and NASBA. Reagents and hardware for conducting PCR are commercially available. Primers useful to amplify the identifier nucleotide sequence are preferably complementary to, and hybridize specifically to the identifier nucleotide sequence or to regions that flank a target region therein.
xe2x80x9cGermplasmxe2x80x9d refers to species or variety of a plant or an animal.
xe2x80x9cIdentifier nucleotide Sequencexe2x80x9d refers to a unique nucleic acid which is not present either in the organellar genome(s) or in both the nuclear and organellar genomes. A nucleotide sequence can be determined to be unique by, for example, using it as a probe in a hybridization assay of the organellar DNA or the total DNA of the germplasm of interest. The identifier nucleotide sequence is capable of identifying the source of germplasm.
xe2x80x9cPrimerxe2x80x9d refers to a sequence comprising about 8 or more nucleotides, preferably about 15 or more nucleotides which forms a stable hybrid with its complentary sequence and which can be used to amplify the identifier nucleotide sequence. Primers for an identifier nucleotide sequence may be derived from the sequence of the ends of the identifier nucleotide sequence or the complement thereof or may be derived from the sequence of organellar nucleic acid (or its complement) adjacent to the point of insertion of the identifier nucleotide sequence. If the target sequence contains a sequence identical to that of the probe, the primers may be short, e.g., in the range of about 8-30 base pairs, since the hybrid will be relatively stable under even highly stringent conditions. Of course longer primers, up to 100 base pairs or more, may also be employed which hybridize to the target sequence with the requisite specificity.
xe2x80x9cProbexe2x80x9d refers to a polynucleotide which forms a stable hybrid with that of the target sequence, under highly stringent to moderately stringent hybridization and wash conditions. It is preferred that the probes will be perfectly complementary to the target sequence, such that high stringency conditions will be used. Hybridization stringency may be lessened if some mismatching is used, for example, if a probe which is not completely complementary is utilized. Conditions are chosen which rule out nonspecific/adventitious bindings, that is, which minimize noise. (It should be noted that throughout this disclosure, if it is simply stated that xe2x80x9cstringentxe2x80x9d conditions are used that is meant to be read as xe2x80x9chigh stringencyxe2x80x9d conditions are used.)
Probes for an identifier nucleotide sequence may be derived from the sequence of the identifier nucleotide sequence or the complement thereof. The probes may be of any suitable length, which span all or a portion of the identifier nucleotide sequence, and which allow specific hybridization to the region. If the target sequence contains a sequence identical to that of the probe, the probes may be short, e.g., in the range of about 8-30 base pairs, since the hybrid will be relatively stable under even highly stringent conditions. Of course longer probes, up to 100 base pairs or more, may also be employed which hybridize to the target sequence with the requisite specificity.
The probes will include an isolated polynucleotide attached to a label or reporter molecule and may be used to isolate other polynucleotide sequences, having sequence similarity by standard methods. For techniques for preparing and labeling probes see, e.g., Sambrook et al., 1989 or Ausubel et al., 1992. Other similar polynucleotides may be selected by using homologous polynucleotides.
Probes comprising synthetic oligonucleotides or other polynucleotides of the present invention may be derived from naturally occurring or recombinant single- or double-stranded polynucleotides, or be chemically synthesized. Probes may also be labeled by nick translation, Klenow fill-in reaction, or other methods known in the art.
xe2x80x9cProgenyxe2x80x9d refers to any progeny of a particular variety of germplasm and is intended to include progeny of the same variety as well as progeny resulting from the use of the particular variety in a breeding program.
xe2x80x9cRecombinant nucleic acidxe2x80x9d is a nucleic acid which is not naturally occurring, or which is made by the artificial combination of two otherwise separated segments of sequence. This artificial combination is often accomplished by either chemical synthesis means, or by the artificial manipulation of isolated segments of nucleic acids, e.g., by genetic engineering techniques. Such is usually done to replace a codon with a redundant codon encoding the same or a conservative amino acid, while typically introducing or removing a sequence recognition site. Alternatively, it is performed to join together nucleic acid segments of desired functions to generate a desired combination of functions.
xe2x80x9cSubstantially complementary toxe2x80x9d refers to a probe or primer sequences which hybridize to the sequences provided under stringent hybridization conditions and/or to sequences having sufficient homology with an identifier nucleotide sequence, such that the specific probe or primers hybridize to the sequences to which they are complimentary.
xe2x80x9cTarget regionxe2x80x9d refers to a region of the nucleic acid which is amplified and/or detected. The term xe2x80x9ctarget sequencexe2x80x9d refers to a sequence with which a probe or primer will form a stable hybrid under desired conditions.
xe2x80x9cTransgenic organellexe2x80x9d refers to an organelle which contains an identifier nucleotide seqeunce, preferably incorporated into its genome.
The practice of the present invention employs, unless otherwise indicated, conventional techniques of chemistry, molecular biology, microbiology, recombinant DNA, genetics, and immunology. See, e.g., Maniatis et al., 1982; Sambrook et al., 1989; Ausubel et al., 1992; Glover, 1985; Anand, 1992; Guthrie and Fink, 1991; Gelvin et al., 1990; Grierson et al., 1984.
In accordance with the present invention an identifier nucleotide sequence is selected which can serve to identify the source of germplasm. Using an identifier nucleotide sequence which is not homologous with DNA of the germplasm, e.g., Zea mays L., permits the detection of the presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence simply and accurately. In one embodiment, the identifier nucleotide sequence is not homologous with the germplasm""s organellar DNA. For example, the identifier nucleotide sequence is chosen such that it does not not occur naturally in the chloroplast genome. The nucleotide sequence of the chloroplast genome for several plant species is known. See for example, Hiratsuka et al. (1989), Ohyama et al. (1986), Shinozaki et al. (1986), Maier et al. (1995), Wakasugi et al. (1997) and Hallick et al. (1993). The nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome of several species is known. See for example, Janke et al. (1997), Lopez et al. (1996), Unseld et al. (1997), Roe et al. (1985), Gadaleta et al. (1989), Zhou et al. (1995) and Wolff et al. (1994). Additional nucleotide sequences for organelles can be found in the xe2x80x9cOrganelle Genome Databasexe2x80x9d (Korab-Laskowska et al., 1998). In a more preferred embodiment, the identifier nucleotide sequence is not homologous with any of the germplasm""s DNA, both nuclear and organellar. Thus, in the more preferred embodiment, the identifier nucleotide sequence can be derived from a different organism, e.g. a chicken nucleotide sequence could be selected as the identifier nucleotide sequence for plants. This identifier nucleotide sequence could include the complete or partial sequence (genomic or cDNA) for a gene or could include only the promoter element. Alternatively, the identifier nucleotide sequence can be a synthetic sequence which is designed such that it is not present in the DNA of the germplasm. For example, a synthetic sequence can be prepared which contains codons spelling out the name of the company which owns the germplasm in question. Any nucleotide sequence selected for use in the present invention can be determined to be unique by conventional techniques. For example, the nucleotide sequence, its complement or a part thereof can be used as a probe in a hybridization assay of the organellar DNA or the total DNA of the germplasm of interest. Alternatively, primers for the nucleotide sequence can be used to determine if any nucleic acid is amplified in amplification reactions. Preferably, the identifier nucleotide sequence is selected so that it is not capable of being expressed in the germplasm.
Although naked DNA can be used to transform host cells, it is preferred to use vectors which contain the identifier nucleotide sequence. The vectors may also contain selectable marker sequences under control of appropriate host recognizable promoters for use in selecting transformed cells. Suitable markers and promoters are well known in the art. Alternatively, the presence of the integrated identifier nucleotide sequence can be confirmed by assaying for the presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence in transformed tissue. In a preferred embodiment, the vectors for transferring the identifier nucleotide sequence into the desired organelles, or the identifier nucleotide sequence if it is to be used directly, also contains means for inserting the identifier nucleotide sequence and selectable marker into the organelle. The insertion means preferably comprises regions of homology to the target organellar genome which flank the identifier nucleotide sequence and/or selectable marker sequence. Since it is preferred that the identifier nucleotide sequence not be expressed, the identifier nucleotide sequence does not need to be placed under the control of a promoter.
The identifier nucleotide sequence can be introduced into the host cell by well-known methods, e.g., by injection (see, Kubo et al., 1988), or vectors containing the identifier nucleotide sequence can be introduced directly into host cells by methods well known in the art, which vary depending on the type of cellular host, including electroporation; transfection employing calcium chloride, rubidium chloride calcium phosphate, DEAE-dextran, or other substances; microprojectile bombardment; lipofection; infection (where the vector is an infectious agent, such as a retroviral genome or Agrobacteium tumefaciens); and other methods. See generally, Sambrook et al., 1989; Ausubel et al., 1992 and Gelvin et al., 1990. The introduction of the polynucleotides into the host cell or organelles of a host cell by any method known in the art, including, interalia, those described herein will be referred to herein as xe2x80x9ctransformation.xe2x80x9d The cells into which have been introduced nucleic acids described above are meant to also include the progeny of such cells. Thus, the present invention contemplates plant or animal organelles containing the identifier nucleotide sequence as well as plants, plant seeds, plant cells, animals or animal cells containing organelles with the identifier nucleotide sequence.
In accordance with the present invention, host cells are transformed such that the identifier nucleotide sequence is integrated into the genome of the host cell""s organelles. The transformation of plant plastids with the identifier nucleotide sequence can be carried out as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,451,513; 5,545,817; 5,545,818; and 5,576,198; Svab et al., 1990; Svab and Maliga, 1993; Daniell et al., 1990; and Staub et al., 1992. The transformation of mitochondria can be carried out as described in Johnston et al. (1988) and Fox et al. (1988). It is preferred to use microprojectile bombardment, such as described in these references, for the transformation of plant or animal organelles. Generally, plant tissue is bombarded with particles coated with either the identifier nucleotide sequence or a vector containing the identifier nucleotide sequence. The bombarded tissue is cultured on a cell-division-promoting meda, after which transformed tissue is selected. If a selectable marker is used, transformed tissue is selected by culturing plant tissue on selective media. If a selectable marker is not use, transformed tissue is selected by assaying for the presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence. Plants are then obtained from the transformed tissue. This general procedure is adapted according to the general transformation and regeneration methods which have been developed for a given plant species.
General transformation and regeneration methods are well known in the art for most plant species. Plants which have been transformed and regenerated include the following: corn (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,484,956; 5,489,520; 5,177,010; 5,641,664; and 5,350,689); soybeans (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,015,580; 5,416,011; 5,563,055; and 5,024,944); alfalfa (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,324,646 and 5,736,627; McKersie et al., 1993); sorghum (U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,764); wheat (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,610,042; 5,631,152; and 5,589,617); rice (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,679,558 and 5,736,369); oats and barley (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,723,764 and 5,187,073); rye, millet and triticale (U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,764); orchardgrass (Denchev et al., 1997); tall fescue (Dalton et al., 1995); monocot temperate grasses (Horikawa et al., 1993); red clover (Poerba et al., 1997); white clover (Ealing et al., 1994); subterranean clover (Khan et al., 1996); cotton (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,004,863; 5,159,135; and 5,597,718); rapeseed (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,530,192 and 5,188,958); potato (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,510,523 and 5,589,612); and tomato (U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,569,831 and 5,569,829).
General methods for producing transgenic animals are well known in the art. See for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,476,995; 5,175,385; 5,573,933; 5,489,742; 5,741,957 and 5,589,604.
The cells of the germplasm, plant or animal, produced in accordance with the present invention contain organelles which contain an identifier nucleotide sequence, preferably integrated into the organellar genome. As is well known in the art, organelles are only transferred to future generations through the female parent and are not passed transferred to progeny by pollen or sperm. Thus, organelles containing an identifier nucleotide sequence in accordance with the present invention will only be passed on to offspring by the female parent. The germplasm of the present invention can be used in any conventional manner, for example to produce progeny of the same variety or to produce new varieties in a breeding program. Since the transgenic organelle is transferred by the female parent, it is possible to identify progeny, whether of the same variety or of a new variety, which has been produced using transgenic germplasm containing an identifier nucleotide sequence. Thus, a further embodiment of the present invention is a method to determine the source of new germplasm, i.e., germplasm suspected of being or having been derived from the transgenic germplasm. Consequently, the source or parentage of the tested germplasm with respect to germplasm containing the identifier nucleotide sequence can be established by the present invention.
In order to detect the presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence in germplasm to be tested, e.g. germplasm suspected of being the same variety as the transgenic germplasm or having been derived from the transgenic germplasm, a sample from the suspected germplasm is prepared and analyzed for the presence or absence of the identifier nucleotide sequence. Generally, the sample is prepared so that the total nucleic acid or the nucleic acid of the organelles can be analyzed.
The detection of the identifier nucleotide sequence in the germplasm to be tested can be accomplished by any technique known in the art. Such techniques include, but are not limited to, the use of probes for the identifier nucleotide sequence or the amplification of the identifier nucleotide sequence. Thus, the present invention contemplates the use of both PCR and non-PCR based screening strategies to detect target sequences with a high level of sensitivity. Such screening methods include two-step label amplification methodologies that are well known in the art.
When a probe (an oligonucleotide or an analog such as a methyl phosphonate backbone replacing the normal phosphodiester), is used to detect the presence of the target sequences the biological sample to be analyzed may be treated, if desired, to extract the nucleic acids. If the identifier nucleotide sequence is homologous to nuclear DNA, the organelles are first isolated before the organellar nucleic acid is extracted. If the identifier nucleotide sequence is not homologous to any of the nuclear or organellar DNA, the nucleic acid can be extracted without isolation of the organelles, although their isolation prior to extraction is preferred. The sample nucleic acid may be prepared in various ways to facilitate detection of the target sequence, e.g., denaturation, restriction digestion, electrophoresis or dot blotting. The targeted region of the analyte nucleic acid usually must be at least partially single-stranded to form hybrids with the targeting sequence of the probe. If the sequence is naturally single-stranded, denaturation will not be required. However, if the sequence is double-stranded, the sequence will probably need to be denatured. Denaturation can be carried out by various techniques known in the art.
Analyte nucleic acid and probe are incubated under conditions which promote stable hybrid formation of the target sequence in the probe with the putative targeted sequence in the analyte. The region of the probes which is used to bind to the analyte can be made completely complementary to the identifier nucleotide sequence. Therefore, high stringency conditions are desirable in order to prevent false positives. The stringency of hybridization is determined by a number of factors during hybridization and during the washing procedure, including temperature, ionic strength, base composition, probe length, and concentration of formamide. These factors are outlined in, for example, Maniatis et al., 1982 and Sambrook et al., 1989. Under certain circumstances, the formation of higher order hybrids, such as triplexes, quadraplexes, etc., may be desired to provide the means of detecting target sequences.
Detection, if any, of the resulting hybrid is usually accomplished by the use of labeled probes. Alternatively, the probe may be unlabeled, but may be detectable by specific binding with a ligand which is labeled, either directly or indirectly. Suitable labels, and methods for labeling probes and ligands are known in the art, and include, for example, radioactive labels which may be incorporated by known methods (e.g., nick translation, random priming or kinasing), biotin, fluorescent groups, chemiluminescent groups (e.g., dioxetanes, particularly triggered dioxetanes), enzymes, antibodies, gold nanoparticles and the like. Variations of this basic scheme are known in the art, and include those variations that facilitate separation of the hybrids to be detected from extraneous materials and/or that amplify the signal from the labeled moiety. A number of these variations are reviewed in, e.g., Matthews and Kricka, 1988; Landegren et al., 1988; U.S. Pat. No. 4,868,105; and in EP 225,807A. For example, a probe may have an enzyme covalently linked to the probe, such that the covalent linkage does not interfere with the specificity of the hybridization. This enzyme-probe-conjugate-target nucleic acid complex can then be isolated away from the free probe enzyme conjugate and a substrate is added for enzyme detection. Enzymatic activity is observed as a change in color development or luminescent output resulting in a 103-106 increase in sensitivity. For an example relating to the preparation of oligodeoxynucleotide-alkaline phosphatase conjugates and their use as hybridization probes, see Jablonski et al., 1986.
Alterantively, the screening method can involve amplification of the relevant identifier nucleotide sequence. The most popular method used today is target amplification. Here, the target nucleic acid sequence is amplified with polymerases. One particularly preferred method using polymerase-driven amplification is the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The polymerase chain reaction and other polymerase-driven amplification assays (as described above) can achieve over a million-fold increase in copy number through the use of polymerase-driven amplification cycles. The DNA isolated from the suspected germplasm is amplied using conventional techniques which includes automation. The primers for DNA amplification are selected so that only the identifier nucleotide sequence, if present, is amplified. Suitable primers may include unique sequences derived from the 5xe2x80x2 and 3xe2x80x2 ends of the identifier nucleotide sequence or from unique sequences 5xe2x80x2 of and 3xe2x80x2 of the identifier nucleotide sequence from the construct used to introduce the identifier nucleotide sequence into the organelles. In addition, combinations of these primers can be used. Once amplified, the resulting nucleic acid can be detected using conventional techniques, including the use of probes, such as described above. Alternatively, the presence of the identifier nucleotide sequence can be determined by identifying the presence of amplified nucleic acid.
Two-step label amplification methodologies are known in the art. These assays work on the principle that a small ligand (such as digoxigenin, biotin, or the like) is attached to a nucleic acid probe capable of specifically binding to the identifier nucleotide sequence.
In one example, the small ligand attached to the nucleic acid probe is specifically recognized by an antibody-enzyme conjugate. In one embodiment of this example, digoxigenin is attached to the nucleic acid probe. Hybridization is detected by an antibody-alkaline phosphatase conjugate which turns over a chemiluminescent substrate. For methods for labeling nucleic acid probes according to this embodiment see Martin et al., 1990. In a second example, the small ligand is recognized by a second ligand-enzyme conjugate that is capable of specifically complexing to the first ligand. A well known embodiment of this example is the biotin-avidin type of interactions. For methods for labeling nucleic acid probes and their use in biotin-avidin based assays see Rigby et al., 1977 and Nguyen et al., 1992.

Germplasm containing an identifier nucleotide sequence and method for identifying germplasm


A device for locking a vehicle seat comprises a locking pawl which may be pivoted about a first pivot between a closed position in which it engages a fitting part and an open position free of the fitting part. A locking element pivots about a second pivot axis to lock the pawl in its closed position by engagement of a first bearing surface of the locking element with a second bearing surface of the locking pawl. The locking element may further be pivoted about a third pivot axis to move it into a clamping position in which the locking element comes to bear with a first bearing point against the second bearing surface and comes to bear with a second bearing point spaced apart from the first bearing point against a third bearing surface of the locking pawl.

The invention relates to devices for locking a vehicle seat. More specifically, the invention relates to a device for locking a vehicle seat comprising a locking pawl, which is arranged for coming into engagement with a fixed fitting part in a closed position of the locking pawl, and a locking element, which is arranged for locking the locking pawl in said closed position.
Within the meaning of the present invention, a locking device of the aforementioned type may be used for anchoring a vehicle seat to the floor or for locking a pivotable backrest of a vehicle seat.
The fixed fitting part, with which the locking pawl is in engagement in its closed position when the locking device is used for anchoring a vehicle seat to the floor is, for example, a bolt fixed to the bodywork, which is encompassed by a jaw of the locking pawl in the closed position thereof. When the locking device is used for locking a pivotable backrest of a vehicle seat, the fixed fitting part is, for example, a bolt fastened to the C-column, whilst the locking device is mounted on the pivotable backrest. The locking element serves in both cases to lock the pivotable locking pawl in its closed position.
A requirement for a device for locking a vehicle seat is that the locking pawl should not open automatically during operation of the vehicle in which the vehicle seat is installed. This applies, in particular, in the event of an impact to the vehicle, in which large forces are able to act on the locking pawl, and which are able to exert on the locking pawl a torque in the direction of its open position, the locking element having to counteract such an opening moment in order to hold the locking pawl securely in its closed position. This may be achieved, for example, by the locking element bearing against the locking pawl in the closed position thereof by self-clamping of the bearing surfaces on both the locking pawl and the locking element. The bearing with a self-clamping between the bearing surfaces of the locking pawl and the locking element, however, has the drawback that the locking device moves with difficulty when the locking pawl is intentionally opened.
In a locking device disclosed in the document DE 699 24 145 T2, the locking element comprises a bearing surface which is without eccentricity relative to the pivot axis of the locking element, and the locking pawl also comprises a bearing surface cooperating with the bearing surface of the locking element and which in the closed position of the locking pawl is also without eccentricity relative to the pivot axis of the locking element. By this arrangement of the bearing surfaces, the bearing surfaces bear against one another without self-clamping, which promotes the smooth-running of the device. For increasing the safety of the locking device in the event of an impact, it is proposed in the document that two further opposing surfaces are spaced apart from one another beyond the bearing surfaces of the locking element and the locking pawl. As result, it is intended to be achieved that a movement of the locking pawl, in the sense of an opening moment, is not able to be transmitted to the locking element. In addition to the two bearing surfaces of the locking element and the locking pawl without eccentricity relative to the pivot axis of the locking element, said two elements comprise two further opposing bearing surfaces which in the closed position of the locking pawl bear against one another and extend approximately at right angles to the two actual bearing surfaces and form therewith an angle of more than 180°. The latter two bearing surfaces, however, do not have a locking action.
A drawback with said known locking device is that it is not possible to clamp the locking pawl in its closed position in engagement with the fitting part, such that rattling noises during operation of the vehicle may be reliably avoided.
A further locking device is disclosed in DE 44 39 644 C2. In this known locking device, the locking element is provided with a clamping surface which has such a high degree of eccentricity relative to the pivot axis of the locking element that it clamps the locking pawl in its closed position and namely without self-clamping. The absence of self-clamping between the clamping surface of the locking element and the clamping surface of the locking pawl, however, in the event of impact to the vehicle, may cause the clamping surface of the locking element to slip off the clamping surface of the locking pawl. In order to prevent the locking pawl in such a case from reaching its open position, the locking element additionally has a catch surface which is configured so that it extends parallel to a displacement path between an axis of curvature of the clamping surface of the locking element and the pivot axis of the locking element.
DE 100 48 127 B4 discloses a device for locking a vehicle seat, comprising a locking pawl and a locking element, the locking element being configured as a clamping eccentric, which is configured with an eccentrically curved surface for clamping the pawl, a locking element being present in the form of a stop which is effective in the event of an impact and in this case prevents opening of the locking element. To this end, the locking element in the form of a clamping eccentric comprises an oblong hole, via which the clamping eccentric is mounted on the pivot axis of the clamping eccentric, the locking element only being effective in the event of an impact, by the clamping eccentric being displaced relative to its pivot axis, whereby a portion of the clamping eccentric moves against the locking element. In this device, therefore, play is compensated via an eccentric contour on the locking element, whilst the slot permits a displacement of the locking element in the event of an impact, so that the locking element moves against a stop in order to prevent an opening of the locking pawl.
In the two known locking devices cited above, it may be regarded as a drawback that the eccentric clamping surface for clamping the locking pawl in its closed position, in order to avoid rattling noises, always has to produce a sufficiently large counter force in order to keep the locking pawl closed which, for example, has to be implemented by a sufficiently high level of spring force which increases the force expenditure in the case of intentional opening.
DE 10 2009 019 510 A1 discloses a device for locking a vehicle seat in which the locking pawl is able to be clamped in the closed position by means of a locking element which is both pivotable and movable in a translatory manner towards the locking pawl, so that rattling noises are able to be avoided. However, the additional cost in terms of construction is a drawback in this locking device, as in this device an additional control element is required for bringing about the pivoting movement, on the one hand, and the translatory movement, on the other hand.


An organic light emitting diode (OLED) is used to realize a full-color display device. More particularly, a polymer OLED is used to increase uniformity in thickness of a layer formed of polymer ink, and to prevent mixing of colors. The OLED includes a substrate having a first electrode layer formed thereon in a predetermined pattern, an insulator layer formed on the substrate forming a channel in a predetermined pattern, an organic polymer layer formed based on the channel and having at least an emission layer, a barrier formed at either side of the insulator layer of at least one end of the channel for preventing ink for the organic polymer layer from running out of both ends of the channel, and a second electrode layer formed on the polymer organic layer.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an organic light emitting diode (OLED) for realizing a full-color display device and, more particularly, to a polymer OLED which can increase uniformity in thickness of a layer formed of polymer ink and can prevent mixing of colors.
2. Description of the Related Art
OLEDs which can realize full-color display devices are largely divided into two types according to the organic material used: OLEDs employing low molecular materials; and OLEDs employing polymer high molecular materials.
A high molecular OLED is generally fabricated such that two opposite electrodes, that is, a cathode and an anode, are disposed on a substrate, and a hole transport layer (HTL) and an emission layer are provided between the anode and the cathode. In the polymer high molecular OLED, the HTL and the emission layer are formed of organic polymers. Recently, research into polymer OLEDs has been actively carried out because they are driven at a relatively lower voltage, consume small power, and can easily realize large, full-color display screens.
Organic layers, both as active and passive matrix types on the basis of polymer OLEDs, are fabricated according to the state of the art with printing techniques such as ink-jet printing.
In this known method, the light emitting polymers are liquified to form a so-called polymer ink. The polymer ink is printed onto a substrate via an ink-jet printing head.
The OLED, in the simplest case of a passive matrix display screen, is fabricated as follows.
First, a transparent substrate made from glass or plastic is coated with a transparent conductor material, such as indium tin oxide (ITO), to form an anode having a predetermined pattern.
In the next step, a hole transport layer (HTL) is formed of an organic material, for example, poly-(2,4)-ethylene-dihydroxy thiophene (PEDOT) or polyaniline (PANI). The HTL is deposited on the anode on the substrate by means of ink-jet printing or spin coating.
A polymer emission layer is then formed on the organic HTL by the ink-jet printing method as mentioned above. In order to obtain a full-color display screen, a red-emitting, a green-emitting and a blue-emitting polymer are imprinted. Following this, a cathode, e.g., from a layer of calcium and a layer of aluminum, is vapor-deposited.
Finally, the entire structural element is encapsulated. The cathode and the anode are then connected to an electronic driving system.
In producing the OLED, in order to print the polymers for each pixel, a partition structure for preventing ink containing various colors from penetrating into neighboring pixels is necessary. The partition structure is largely divided into two types according to printing methods.
First, an organic layer may be formed at an emitting region only by accurately dropping an inklet for each sub-pixel of a pixel. In this case, a partition structure is provided to define sub-pixels. In order to form an organic layer at an emitting region only, it is necessary to drop an inklet into each sub-pixel accurately, resulting in prolonged processing time. Also, since high accuracy is required, defects may be easily generated.
Alternatively, rather than forming an organic layer only at an emitting region, all pixels may be covered by an organic layer. According to this method, since it is not necessary to limit a pixel to a predetermined size, a reduction in aperture ratio can be prevented. In this case, in addition to a partition structure for defining the respective sub-pixels, another partition structure for separating pixels having various colors from one another is also provided. Such a partition structure for separating pixels having various colors from one another is generally formed in a line array.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,388,377 to Kobayashi, entitled  ELECTROLUMINESCENT ELEMENT WITH BANKS INTERSECTING ANODE GROUP , issued on May 14, 2002, discloses a passive matrix type OLED in which line-patterned channels are formed to be orthogonal to an anode and an emission layer and a cathode are defined by the channels. U.S. Pat. No. 6,380,672 to Yudasaka, entitled ACTIVE MATRIX DISPLAY DEVICE, issued on Apr. 30, 2002, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,373,453 to Yudasaka, entitled ACTIVE MATRIX DISPLAY, issued on Apr. 16, 2002, disclose active matrix type OLEDs in which a partition structure is formed at a TFT region excluding pixel regions where light emission occurs. Also, the fabrication of organic light emitting diodes on a polymer basis is described in the European Patent Publication No. 0423283 B1 to Fiend, entitled ELECTROLUMINESCENT DEVICES, published on 25 Jan. 1995 and PCT publication No. WO 9013148 to Fiend et al., entitled ELECTROLUMINESCENT DEVICES, published on 1 Nov. 1990. The fabrication of OLEDs by means of printing methods, such as ink-jet printing, is described in the following U.S., European and PCT Publications: European Patent Publication No. 0908725 A1 to Fukushima et al., entitled MANUFACTURE OF A MICROSENSOR DEVICE, published on 14 Apr. 1999, European Patent Publication No. 0940796 A1 to Yudasaka, entitled ACTIVE MATRIX DISPLAY, published on 8 Sep. 1999, European Patent Publication No. 0940797 A1 to Yudasaka, entitled ACTIVE MATRIX DISPLAY, published on 8 Sep. 1999, European Patent Publication No. 0989778 A1 to Kiguchi, entitled SUBSTRATE FOR PATTERNING THIN FILM AND SURFACE TREATMENT THEREOF, published on 29 Mar. 2000; PCT publication No. WO 9943031 to Friend et al, entitled DISPLAY DEVICES, published on 26 Aug. 1999, PCT publication No. WO 9966483 to Heeks et al., entitled BACKLIT DISPLAYS, published on 23 Dec. 1999, PCT publication No. WO 9828946 to Thompson et al., entitled MULTICOLOR DISPLAY DEVICES, published on 2 Jul. 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 6,087,196 to Sturm et al., entitled FABRICATION OF ORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES USING INK JET PRINTING, issued on Jul. 11, 2000, PCT publication No. WO 0012226 to Jones et al., entitled FULL COLOR ORGANIC LIGHT EMITTING DIODE DISPLAY AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME USING INKJET FABRICATION, published on 9 March 2000, and PCT publication No. WO 0019776 to Young et al., entitled METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING AN ELECTROLUMINESCENT DISPLAY SCREEN, published on 6 Apr. 2000.
In such prior arrangements and methods, the HTL and the emission layer exhibit nonuniformity in layer thickness at the upper and lower rims thereof, which are effective areas for electro-luminescence emission. This occurs because the layer thicknesses of the HTL and polymer emission layer gradually become thinner, or the HTL ink and polymer ink run out from the channels.
In addition to the problem of nonuniformity in layer thickness, ink may run out into neighboring channels through walls of the channels, causing mixing of colors.


An apparatus for interconnecting form structures, such as formboards and the like, is disclosed which allows for the permanent or removable attachment of a connecting device to the ends of adjacent form structures and which provides for the quick and easy assembly and disassembly of the forms. The connecting device employs opposing connector plates which can be permanently or removably mounted to abutting ends of successive form structures and has a latching device which allows the connector plates to be quickly and easily latched and unlatched for efficient assembly and disassembly of the forming structures.

I. Field of the Invention
This invention relates very generally to splicing methods and devices and, more specifically, to a new and improved method and apparatus for interconnecting form structures used in forming and/or aligning moldable or stackable building materials such as concrete and masonry.
II. Prior Art and other Considerations
Form structures, such as wooden formboards or metallic forms, are used almost universally as framing barriers for moldable or stackable building materials such as poured and block concrete and other masonry materials. Use of such forming structures is apparent in the construction and formation of various works such as driveways, sidewalks, curbing, retaining walls and foundations. Interconnection of formboards is required for framing jobs which have extended lengths. Typically, the interconnection of successive formboards for such jobs has been accomplished by what is commonly known as "cleating", wherein a "cleat", consisting of a small piece of board or metal, is used to connect or splice the ends of the formboards together in order to construct the particular framing barriers required for each job. Where wooden formboards are used, the connecting cleats are usually nailed in place and must be physically removed from the formboards after each use in order for the boards to be transported and stored for future use. Upon completion of a job, the formboard cleats are generally removed by the fastest method available which usually means severing the cleats from the end of each formboard. The obvious disadvantage of this method is the shortening of, and/or damage to, the formboards each time they are used. The cost of materials and the time and labor necessary to construct and remove these forms are critical to the economic success of each project.
Various devices, such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,837 (Jones) and 3,753,545 (Stegmeier) have been proposed for use in connecting successive formboards. These devices, however, generally have not been commercially accepted and typically employ a type of sleeving device which must be inserted onto the ends of adjacent formboards each time the boards are to be used. The use of a sleeve connector limits the size of board which may be used with the device and also creates unwanted edges or creases in the concrete or other moldable material poured adjacent to said sleeve. These sleeving devices also require the use of flexing slots, stops, "stake pockets" or additional boards for proper operation and use and must be removed from the form structures and reinstalled for each job.
A continuing need exists, therefore, for the provision of method and apparatus for interconnecting framing barriers, such as formboards and the like, which can be permanently installed onto the ends of formboards and which is not restricted by the size of form structures and which is easily adaptable to virtually any type of connecting form. Applicant's method and device addresses these needs and effectively overcomes the cited and other unwanted characteristics associated with the prior art.


A scroll compressor includes a casing accommodating a rotary shaft and a driving unit, a first scroll making an orbiting movement by the rotary shaft, a second scroll engaged with the first scroll to form a compression chamber and having a bypass hole bypassing a refrigerant sucked into the compression chamber to an internal space of the casing, and a back-pressure chamber assembly pressing the second scroll toward the first scroll, wherein the back-pressure chamber assembly includes: a back-pressure space, a first valve unit allowing the bypass hole and the internal space of the casing to selectively communicate with each other, and a second valve unit opened and closed to selectively supply the refrigerant of the back-pressure space to the first valve unit to operate the first valve unit, and positioned to be fixed to the casing.

A scroll compressor is a compressor in which a non-orbiting scroll is installed in an internal space of a casing and an orbiting scroll is engaged with the non-orbiting scroll to make an orbiting movement to form a pair of two compression chambers each including a suction chamber, an intermediate pressure chamber, and a discharge chamber between a non-orbiting wrap of the non-orbiting scroll and an orbiting wrap of the orbiting scroll.
Scroll compressors may obtain a high compression ratio, compared with other types of compressors. Also, due to advantages of smoothly performing sucking, compressing, and discharging operations on a fluid to obtain stable torque, scroll compressors have widely been used for compressing a refrigerant in air-conditioning devices, or the like.
The scroll compressor may be divided into a high-pressure type and a low-pressure type according to types of refrigerants supplied to a compression chamber. In the high-pressure type scroll compressor, a refrigerant is sucked directly into a suction chamber without passing through an internal space of a casing and is subsequently discharged through the internal space of the casing. Most of the internal space of the casing forms a discharge space which is a high-pressure portion. Meanwhile, in the low-pressure type scroll compressor, a refrigerant is indirectly sucked into a suction chamber through an internal space of a casing, and the internal space of the casing is divided by a high and low-pressure separator into a suction space which is a low-pressure portion and a discharge space which is a high-pressure portion.
FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view illustrating a related art low-pressure scroll compressor, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are longitudinal sectional views illustrating power operation and saving operation states of the scroll compressor illustrated in FIG. 1.
As illustrated FIG. 1, the related art low-pressure scroll compressor has a driving motor 20 for generating a rotational force in an internal space 11 of a sealed casing 10 and a main frame 30 installed above the driving motor 20.
On an upper surface of the main frame 30, an orbiting scroll 40 is rotatably supported by an oldam ring (not shown), and a non-orbiting scroll 50 is engaged with an upper side of the orbiting scroll 40 to form a compression chamber P.
A rotary shaft 25 is coupled to a rotor 22 of the driving motor 20 and the orbiting scroll 40 is eccentrically coupled to the rotary shaft 25. The non-orbiting scroll 50 is coupled to the main frame 30 such that rotation thereof is restrained
A back-pressure chamber assembly 60 for restraining floating of the non-orbiting scroll 50 due to pressure of the compression chamber P during operation is coupled to an upper side of the non-orbiting scroll 50. A back-pressure space 60a filled with a refrigerant having intermediate pressure is formed in the back-pressure chamber assembly 60.
A high and low-pressure separator 15 is installed above the back-pressure chamber assembly 60 to support a rear surface of the back-pressure chamber assembly 60 and separating an internal space 11 of the casing 10 into a suction space 11 as a low-pressure part and a discharge space 12 as a high-pressure part.
The high and low-pressure separator 15 has an outer circumferential surface tightly attached to and welded to an inner circumferential surface of the casing 10 and has a discharge hole 15a formed at the center thereof and communicating with a discharge hole 54 of the non-orbiting scroll 50.
In FIG. 1, reference numeral 13 denotes a suction pipe, reference numeral 14 denotes a discharge tube, reference numeral 18 denotes a subframe, reference numeral 21 denotes a stator, reference numeral 21a denotes a winding coil, reference numeral 41 denotes a disk plate part of the orbiting scroll, reference numeral 42 denotes an orbiting wrap, reference numeral 52 denotes a non-orbiting wrap, and reference numeral 53 is a suction hole.
In the related art scroll compressor, when power is applied to the driving motor 20 to generate rotational force, the rotary shaft 25 transfers rotational force of the driving motor 20 to the orbiting scroll 40.
Then, the orbiting scroll 40 is pivotally moved relative to the non-orbiting scroll 50 by the oldam ring, forming a pair of two compression chambers P between the orbiting scroll 40 and the non-orbiting scroll 50 to suck, compress, and discharge a refrigerant.
Here, a portion of the refrigerant compressed in the compression chamber P moves from the intermediate pressure chamber to the back-pressure space 60a through a back-pressure hole (not shown), and the refrigerant having the intermediate pressure introduced to the back-pressure space 60a generates back-pressure to cause a floating plate 65 forming the back-pressure chamber assembly 60 to float. The floating plate 65 is brought into close contact with a lower surface of the high and low-pressure separator 15 to separate the suction space 11 and the discharge space 12 from each other and the non-orbiting scroll 50 is pressed toward the orbiting scroll 40 to maintain airtightness of the compression chamber P between the non-orbiting scroll 50 and the orbiting scroll 40.
Here, like any other compressor, compression capacity of the scroll compressor may be varied according to demand of a refrigerating (or freezing) machine to which the compressor is applied. To this end, as illustrated, a modulation ring 61 and a lift ring 62 are additionally provided on the disk plate part 51 of the non-orbiting scroll 50, and a control valve 63 communicating with the back-pressure space 60a through a first communication path 61a is provided on one side of the modulation ring 61. A second communication path 61b is formed between the modulation ring 61 and the lift ring 62 and a third communication path 61c is formed between the modulation ring 61 and the non-orbiting scroll 50 and opened when the modulation ring 61 floats. One end of the third communication path 61c communicates with the intermediate compression chamber and the other end thereof communicates with the suction space 11 of the casing 10.
In the scroll compressor, in the case of power operation, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the control valve 63 closes the first communication path 61a and causes the second communication path 61b to communicate with the suction space 11 to prevent the bypass hole 51a from floating so that the bypass hole 51a and the third communication path 61c are maintained in a closed state.
Meanwhile, in the case of saving operation, the control valve 63 causes the first communication path 61a and the second communication path 61b to communicate with each other to allow the modulation ring 61 to float, and accordingly, the bypass hole 51a and the second communication path 61b are opened to cause a portion of a refrigerant of the intermediate compression chamber to be leaked to the suction space 11 to reduce capacity of the compressor.
However, a capacity varying device of the related art scroll compressor is composed of the modulation ring 61, the lift ring 62, and the control valve 63, and thus, the number of components thereof is large. Also, since the first communication path 61a, the second communication path 61b, and the third communication path 61c are formed, the structure of the modulation ring 61 is complicated.
In addition, the modulating ring 61 must be lifted up quickly using the refrigerant in the back-pressure space 60a. However, the modulation ring 61 has an annular shape and since the control valve 63 is coupled, the weight of the assembly to be driven is increased to increase consumption of driving power and it is difficult to perform modulation quickly.


A pulse oximeter includes a light-emitting device for repeating red light emission, infrared light emission, and no light emission with respect to an object to be measured every data sampling cycle in a measurement of a saturated oxygen in arterial blood, a light-receiving device for outputting a light-receiving signal obtained by receiving transmitted light or reflected light from the object to be measured; a noise level detecting device for detecting from the light-receiving signal a noise signal level at the time of no light emission in the light-receiving device, and a light-receiving signal generating device for obtaining a light-receiving signal of a level corresponding only to the red light emission and the infrared light emission by subtracting the noise signal level from each of light-receiving signal levels of the red light emission and the infrared light emission.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a pulse oximeter that not only detects an external noise level affecting measurement of the saturated oxygen in the arterial blood (SPO.sub.2) so that a measurement with the external noise eliminated can be obtained, but also displays an alarm in the case where an accurate measurement cannot be made.
2. Related Art
In the conventional SPO.sub.2 measurement, it is known that the light-receiving element of a measuring probe is affected not only by external light from light sources other than infrared light and red light used in the measurement, e.g., a fluorescent light and the like, but also by induced noise from external devices, e.g., an electric blanket and the like. To overcome this problem, various methods have been proposed, the methods being intended to suppress disturbance affecting a target signal and thereby obtain only the target signal.
FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of such a conventional pulse oximeter with part of circuits thereof. In FIG. 8, this conventional example is provided as including light-emitting diodes 2a and 2b and a control circuit 3. The light-emitting diode 2a blinks red (R) light at a frequency f during a first half interval, which is a data sampling cycle T/2, by causing a switching transistor to be turned on and off by a R light emission drive signal. The light-emitting diode 2b blinks infrared (IR) light at the frequency f during the latter half interval, which is a data sampling cycle T/2, by causing a switching transistor to be turned on and off by an IR light emission drive signal. The control circuit 3 controls the emissions so that emission of the R light and the IR light from the light-emitting diodes 2a, 2b is repeated alternately at the frequency f. The control circuit 3 has a CPU, a ROM that stores a control program, a working RAM, and the like.
This conventional example is further provided as having a light-receiving diode 4, a current/voltage converting and amplifying circuit 5, a bandpass filter (BPF) 6, and an AM detecting circuit 7. The light-receiving diode 4 receives transmitted light or reflected light obtained at the time the R light and the IR light from the light-emitting diodes 2a, 2b are irradiated onto the arterial blood, and outputs a photoelectrically converted light-receiving signal. The current/voltage converting and amplifying circuit 5 outputs an amplified light-receiving signal obtained by converting the photoelectrically converted current from the light-receiving diode 4 to a voltage and amplifying the converted voltage. The BPF 6 cuts off low and high frequency ranges of the light-receiving signal from the current/voltage converting and amplifying circuit 5 by a center frequency f. The AM detecting circuit 7 has operational amplifiers and diodes, and outputs a detection signal by detecting (rectifying both waves) the light-receiving signal from the BPF 6.
This conventional example is still further provided as including a switching circuit 8, an integrating circuit 9, and a radio transmission section 10. The switching circuit 8 performs a switching operation in response to an R/IR switching signal from the control circuit 3, the switching operation being such that a light-receiving signal of the reflected light of each of the R light and the IR light can be introduced in the order of irradiation of the R light and the IR light while dividing a single data sampling time (cycle T) into two intervals. The integrating circuit 9 alternately outputs an R signal and an IR signal, each being obtained by integrating the detection signal output from the switching circuit 8 by a constant determined by a capacitor C and a resistor R, based on the R/IR switching signal. The radio transmission section 10 transmits measured data from the control circuit 3.
An operation of this conventional example will be described next.
FIGS. 9(a) to (g) are timing charts showing processed waveforms and the processing timings in the operation of this conventional example. In FIGS. 8 and 9, the R light and the IR light are emitted alternately with the R/IR light emission drive signals shown in FIGS. 9(a) and (b) supplied every cycle T/2 to the light-emitting diodes 2a, 2b through transistors Q1, Q2 from the control circuit 3. The light-receiving diode 4 receives transmitted light or reflected light obtained at the time these emitted lights are irradiated onto the arterial blood, and outputs a photoelectrically converted light-receiving signal. This light-receiving signal is converted to a voltage and the converted voltage is amplified to obtain an amplified light-receiving signal shown in FIG. 9(c) by the current/voltage converting and amplifying circuit 5. Such amplified light-receiving signal is then output to the BPF 6. The BPF 6 passes the amplified light-receiving signal only through a pass band whose center frequency is f.
The amplified light-receiving signal from the BPF 6 is detected by the AM detecting circuit 7. A detection signal shown in FIG. 9(d) is output to a movable contact c of the switching circuit 8. The movable contact c is switched at a cycle of T/2 of the R/IR switching signal shown in FIG. 9(e) from the control circuit 3, and allows the detection signal to be supplied to the integrating circuit 9 through fixed contacts a, b in such a manner as to correspond to the light emission cycles of the R light and the IR light. It is from the integrating circuit 9 that outputs an R signal and an IR signal shown in FIGS. 9(f), (g) obtained by integrating the detection signal by the CR constant. The level of the R signal or the IR signal is equal to the transmitted light or reflected light of the R light and the IR light irradiated onto the arterial blood. That is, such level is equal to an SPO.sub.2 measurement.
In this case, if the light-emitting frequency f of the light-emitting diodes 2a, 2b is increased compared with a conventional frequency so that an amplified light-receiving signal is allowed to pass only the pass band of the BPF 6 (whose center frequency is f), then the pass band can be narrowed to cut off noise in both low and high frequency ranges. That is, many external noises disturbing SPO.sub.2 measurement are distributed in relatively low frequencies that are only several times the ordinary commercial ac power frequency, and these external noises are eliminated by the BPF 6 to thereby improve discrimination of the target signal components (R light and IR light), which therefore allows accurate measurement to be made.
However, while the aforementioned conventional pulse oximeter not only emits the R light and the IR light at a higher light-emitting frequency f than the conventional frequency, but also passes the amplified light-receiving signal only through the pass band (whose center frequency is f) of the BPF 6 to allow discrimination of the external noise from the signal components to be improved, such method is not effective with respect to a diversity of external noises, and in the case where a frequency component close to the light-emitting frequency f is present in a noise, i.e., in the case where the so-called "disturbance" is present, accurate measurement cannot be made.
That is, the frequency component of the external noise close to the light-emitting frequency f is superimposed on the detection signal, which in turn adds an offset voltage to the R signal and the IR signal from the integrating circuit 9. In addition, beat sound due to a phase difference between the frequency f and the light-emitting cycle T is produced as a noise signal.
Under these circumstances, the conventional pulse oximeter displays SPO.sub.2 measurements on a display screen without eliminating the noise. In other words, since the operator cannot identify inaccurate measurements with noise superimposed thereon, no such measures to obtain accurate measurements as changing the measurement site and turning off the power of the noise source can be taken, which has been a shortcoming encountered by the conventional example.

Method and apparatus for accurately measuring the saturated oxygen in arterial blood by substantially eliminating noise from the measurement signal


An arrangement for preventing damage to a circuit of an integrated circuit chip due to the occurrence of voltage introduced externally to the integrated circuit is disclosed. The arrangement generally has a timer circuit, a clamping circuit, and an override circuit. The clamping circuit is coupled between an input and ground such that voltages and currents applied to the input are shunted to ground for a first length of time. The timer circuit is coupled to the input and passes a voltage applied to the input for the first length of time. The output of the timer circuit is disabled at the expiration of the first length of time. The override circuit disables the clamping circuit a second length of time after a power supply voltage exceeds a predetermined level.

Advances in silicon process technology have led to the development of increasingly smaller sized transistors in integrated circuits. In turn, the decreasing size of transistors has made the circuits increasingly susceptible to damage from ESD events. In order to protect these circuits from damage certain ESD protection schemes have been developed.
Previous approaches to ESD protection include thick-field oxide devices or silicon-controlled rectifier devices coupled to input pads. These devices are effective for protecting signal pads but ineffective for protecting power supply pads because of triggering difficulties and shunting of ESD current through power buses on the integrated circuit (IC) chip that is protected.
Previous approaches also include use of a cantilever diode string connected such that when the voltage on an input pad reaches a certain level, the diodes turn on and create a short circuit between the pad and ground. The cantilever diode string steers the ESD current away from the integrated circuit that could be destroyed by large amounts of current.
Cantilever diode strings alone are not effective when the voltage on the pad being protected is to be switched between multiple voltage levels. On pads where voltages are to be switched, cantilever diode strings alone may respond to each high voltage pulse as if the pulse were an ESD event and couple the pad to ground potential. This would make the high-voltage pad ineffective.
High voltage programming pads such as those found on programmable memory devices are difficult to protect with traditional ESD protection circuits because a high voltage, high current pulse is required to program the memory circuit, and the high current requires low impedance to the circuit receiving the programming pulse. Cantilever diode strings could connect the high voltage programming pulse to potential and prevent the programming pulse from programming the memory circuit.
Cantilever diode strings serve as effective power supply ESD protection without the triggering difficulties of thick-field oxide and silicon-controlled rectifier devices. Because they provide a defined path for ESD current between the pad and ground, cantilever diode strings remove the uncertainty from ESD protection schemes which pass current to a power supply bus. Also, performance of cantilever diode strings does not decrease over time due to use, which allows circuits to survive hundreds or thousands of ESD events.
The standard cantilever diode string as used on low voltage power supply pads cannot be used on pads where fast powering up will occur because each programming pulse is treated as an ESD event and the input voltage is shorted to ground. However, using the novel circuit disclosed herein, appropriate protection can be obtained.

Method and apparatus for providing electrostatic discharge protection for high voltage inputs


A system and method for retrofit engine start/stop control system for an air starter equipped internal combustion engine includes a circuit to energize and air control value, an air pressure sensor, a programmable logic controller, an engine block temperature sensor to measure an external engine temperature, an ambient temperature sensor, an ignition circuit connector, a battery voltage sensor, and an engine speed sensor. The programmable logic controller is configured to start the engine when at least one of the pressure of the compressed gas tank, an external engine block temperature, an ambient air temperature, and a battery output voltage fall below a predefined threshold value for startup.

Unnecessary idling of internal combustion engines in vehicles and heavy equipment produces undesired carbon and other polluting emissions, consumes additional unnecessary fuel, increases wear and maintenance requirements on engines and ancillary equipment, contributes to idle-specific engine problems such as fouling and "wet-stacking" due to low engine and/or exhaust idle temperatures, and reduces available up-time between required maintenance intervals. Each of these disadvantages represent efficiency, environmental and financial costs to the operator of the vehicle and/or equipment. Particularly in industries where vehicles and equipment are used intermittently or on an on-demand basis, long periods of idling have typically been associated with the operational duty-cycle of the internal combustion engines powering the equipment. These disadvantages of idling are further compounded in harsh cold weather environments, where engines are typically also idled to maintain operating temperatures during cold weather.
Certain engine start/stop systems have been provided in the art attempting to integrate start/stop functions into OEM engine control unit (ECU) systems, which have typically required customized development to attempt integration with closed-source and proprietary engine control systems, leading to increased costs and complexity of start/stop functionality, and risks of warranty cancellation or obsolescence due to engine manufacturing or maintenance updates. Other start/stop engine control systems in the art require substantial mechanical modifications and invasive alterations to engines and vehicle systems in order to function, which may undesirably increase costs and complexity as well as risk reliability and warranty coverage for expensive engines and vehicle or equipment components.
Therefore, there remains a need for an apparatus and method providing for start/stop and idle control functionality for internal combustion engine powered vehicles and equipment. More particularly, a need exists for systems and methods to provide for retrofit start/stop and idle control functionality for existing vehicle and equipment engines.

Apparatus and method for retrofit engine start/stop and idle control


A light source is movable between a reference position located on an optical axis on the rear side of a rear side focal point of a projection lens and a forward shift position located on the forward side of the reference position. At a predetermined position of the reflecting surface of a reflector on the lower side of the optical axis, an auxiliary reflecting surface having a vertical section of substantially an elliptical shape is formed which has a first focal point set at the center of the light source at the forward shift position, and a second focal point set at the rear side focal point of the projection lens.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a projector-type vehicle headlamp and, in particular, relates to a vehicle headlamp which forms a distribution light pattern for a low beam.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, a projector-type vehicle headlamp is configured such that a projection lens is disposed on an optical axis extending in the longitudinal direction of a vehicle, a light source is disposed on the rear side of the rear side focal point of the projection lens, and the light from the light source is reflected by a reflector toward the optical axis. When a distribution light pattern for a low beam is formed using the projector-type vehicle headlamp, the headlamp is configured such that apart of the light reflected from the reflector is shielded by a shade disposed so that the upper end edge thereof extends near the rear side focal point of the projection lens, thereby forming a predetermined cutoff line at the upper end portion of the low beam distribution light pattern.
JP-A-2002-42516 discloses a projector-type vehicle headlamp having the aforesaid shade. JP-A-2002-42516 discloses a projector-type vehicle headlamp in which a light source is movable between a reference position located near the optical axis thereof and moving positions located in the left, right and lower directions with respect to the reference position, thereby changing the shape and the luminance distribution of a low beam distribution light pattern.
Further, JP-A-2004-327187 discloses a projector-type vehicle headlamp in which a shade is movable, and when the upper end edge thereof is moved slightly downward, the cutoff line of a low beam distribution light pattern is moved slightly upward, thereby improving the visibility at a distant place on the road surface in the forward direction of a vehicle.
By employing the lamp disclosed in JP-A-2004-327187, it is possible to selectively switch between a low beam distribution light pattern suitable for normal driving and a low beam distribution light pattern suitable for high speed driving.
Such selective forming of the distribution light pattern may be obtained by moving the light source instead of moving the shade. However, if one tries to employ the lamp structure disclosed in JP-A-2002-42516, it is difficult to provide selective forming of the distribution light pattern due to the following reasons.
That is, since the vehicle headlamp described in JP-A-2002-42516 is configured to move the light source in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis thereof, the shape and the luminance distribution of the low beam distribution light pattern can be changed, but the degree of light convergence cannot be changed.
Further, the vehicle headlamp described in JP-A-2002-42516 employs the reflecting surface of a reflector which is designed based on an assumption that the light source is located at the reference position, even though the light source moves. Thus, it is not easy to set the low beam distribution light pattern to a desired distribution light pattern with a light source designed to be moved.
Thus, according to such lamp configurations, it is difficult to selectively form the low beam distribution light pattern suitable for the normal driving and the low beam distribution light pattern suitable for the high speed driving.


A system and method for locking an application to specific hardware device without storing device or user information on server. A lock registration is performed during the first usage of the application where the application sends a unique value to the server through secured channel. This unique value is combination of user specific information and device information. The server receives the unique value, and sends the encrypted value to the device, which is stored in predefined location of device. During lock validation, which is initiated during every request to the server or on every session creation, the device unique value and encrypted value is sent to the server. The server receives it, decrypts the encrypted value, and compares with the received unique value. If both the values are same, the server validates application instance by sending the response to the device else error message is sent to the device.

Presently, there is no clear solution available in the market or in the OSS world that can reliably lock the installed application to the device without actually storing some application specific information on the server. Existing technologies rely on storing information of application, user and device at the server side, which may not be optimal in all scenarios as it will require additional infrastructure to store and protect the user and device specific information on server. Existing methods rely on application registration processes that involve data persistence on the server. This is not ideal for systems with dynamic user bases, as the server would then have to deal with the additional overhead of maintenance and security of such data.

Systems and methods for locking an application to device without storing device information on server


The present invention relates to a transdermal therapeutic system for the transdermal administration of guanfacine comprising a guanfacine-containing layer structure, said guanfacine-containing layer structure comprising: A) a backing layer; and B) a guanfacine-containing layer; wherein the transdermal therapeutic system comprises at least one silicone polymer.

The active agent guanfacine (also known as N-(aminoiminomethyl)-2,6-dichloro-benzeneacetamide, C9H9Cl2N3O, CAS No. 29110-47-2) is a sympatholytic drug used to treat hypertension and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). It is a centrally acting alpha(2)-adrenergic receptor agonist. It has the following chemical formula.

Currently, guanfacine is commercially available, e.g., in the form of immediate or controlled release tablets comprising from 1 to 4 mg guanfacine. The tablets are suitable for once daily administration.
However, the oral administration of active agents has disadvantages, e.g., in terms of patient compliance. Furthermore, it is not possible to quickly terminate the therapy, e.g. in light of overdosing or signs of intolerance, once the prolonged release tablet has been ingested.
Therefore, a need exists for a transdermal therapeutic system for the transdermal administration of guanfacine. In particular, a need exists for a TTS, which is suitable for multi day therapy with a single application thereby improving patient compliance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Transdermal therapeutic system for the transdermal administration of guanfacine comprising a silicone polymer

DDP Specialty Electronic Materials US 9, LLC