The invention provides a method of selecting a modem carrier type for data transmission over a wireless communication system. An incoming call is received from a mobile vehicle and then an initial carrier tone is sent to a mobile vehicle in response to the incoming call. A modem response signal is received from a vehicle modem in response to the initial carrier tone. The modem response signal is determined to be either an analog modem response signal or a digital modem response signal, and then the call is connected to either the analog modem or digital modem based on the modem response signal determination.

Wireless modems may send and receive data streams or data packets through an air interface. Wireless modems may be an analog type, such as a Bell 103 modem operating in accordance with the Bell 103 standard or other standards suitable for data communications over analog cellular voice channels. A wireless modem may be a digital type, operating in accordance with emerging standards suitable for data communications over digital cellular or PCS voice channels. Data transmissions may occur over wireless links by modulating a radio center frequency or band of frequencies in a prescribed fashion using one of a variety of modulation and encoding techniques, such as frequency modulation, frequency shift keying, phase shift modulation or frequency spreading methods, to accurately transmit and receive data through the airwaves. Once a radio communication channel is established, an incoming signal from a wireless modem may be received, amplified, demodulated and then reconstructed into data packets. An outgoing data packet may be formatted appropriately, and an outgoing transmission sent.
Transmissions of data between modems may occur over a wireless link, a wired link, a fiber link, or a combination thereof. An analog modem may operate, for example, using an analog mobile phone system such as the advanced mobile phone system (AMPS) over a band of frequencies nominally at 800 MHz. A digital modem may operate, for example, over a digital cellular or digital PCS (personal communication services) band nominally at 800 MHz, 900 MHz or 1900 MHz. An analog modem or a digital modem may operate, for example, over any suitable band of frequencies. Transmission of data over a digital wireless link using an analog modem may not work adequately due to circuitry and encoding algorithms in the mobile phone network that are optimized for voice transmissions. Data rates achievable with a digital wireless modem may be appreciably higher and more desirable than that of an analog wireless modem. Transmission of data from a digital or analog modem may occur, in part, over land-based communication lines, which may be part of a public switched telephone system.
The protocol required to transmit data streams or data packets between modems requires each modem to be operating in either an analog or digital mode. For a large number of phone calls coming into a call center, for example, it may be unknown whether an incoming data call is from an analog modem or a digital modem. Thus, the receiving end is required to determine whether an analog or a digital modem is initiating communication, and to set up the call accordingly.
A call may be initiated from a mobile vehicle, for example, to request and receive from a call center a variety of services, such as navigation instructions, directory assistance, road condition information, roadside assistance, Internet access, short messages, text messages, audio streams or video information. Many mobile vehicles are currently equipped with analog modems and switches that allow a sequence of data and voice sessions to occur. Newer vehicles may be equipped with digital modems, which offer higher speed and higher reliability in data transmissions. A call center may need, for example, to make a determination whether an incoming data call is being originated from a vehicle with an analog or a digital modem, and furthermore, to establish a connection with the mobile vehicle using the correct modem type such that the correct protocols may be used for accurate and reliable data transmission.
It is an object of this invention, therefore, to provide a method for modem protocol discrimination, and to overcome the deficiencies and obstacles described above.

Method and system for modem protocol discrimination


Alphanumeric images are displayed in common view in one color on a background of a different color using a liquid crystal projection device. The two colors are sufficiently similar so they are not distinguished by the unaided eye of the viewer. A color selective material in the form of glasses is provided to a subclass of the viewers in the audience to enable these viewers to distinguish the alphanumeric subtitles from the background. This material extinguishes either the alphanumeric images or the background, thereby either providing darkened letters on a light background or light letters on a darkened background. The projection and viewing apparatus can be utilized as a motion picture closed captioning system for a mixed audience of hearing impaired and non hearing impaired individuals to permit the hearing impaired to view the subtitles while those individuals not wearing such wavelength selective glasses would not see the subtitles.

It is estimated that throughout the world there are millions of people that suffer some degree of hearing impairment ranging from mild loss to total deafness. Such conditions are attributed to genetics, accident, disease and environmental conditions including work related.
In order to accommodate the deaf and significantly hearing impaired the motion picture industry has provided motion pictures with captioning which is the display of the audio text of the motion picture projected usually at the bottom of the screen.
Captioning has been well known in the motion picture industry and dates back to the days of silent movies and later the famous bouncing ball sing along shorts. Captioning is also utilized in connection with motion pictures to display a foreign language translation and to display various captions as part and parcel of a motion picture. While captions integral with the projected image work well for delivering the audio portion of a motion picture to those who are not able to hear it, there is a substantial reluctance of motion picture studios and exhibitors to provide captions on regularly distributed pictures. The primary reason is that it has been found that audiences without hearing impairment find such captions a distraction.
There have been a number of attempts to provide a caption of the audio portion of a motion picture that cannot be seen by the hearing audience and while some of them have provided this objective, they have not been commercially accepted for various reasons.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,859,994 to Zola utilizes polarized eyeglasses of the type used in stereographic (3D) projection systems where each eye views a different projected image, However, the device disclosed in Zola requires a 50 foot wide LCD (liquid crystal display) screen which would be financially prohibitive to many smaller theater owners. It also would require the theater to be refitted with a polarization preserving screen. U.S. Pat. No. 5,793,470 to Haseltine et. al. utilizes an LCD projector to project a polarization encoded image onto a polarization preserving screen and viewing it with polarized glasses. There are substantial problems in reducing this method to commercial practice since polarized filtered light has to be substantially brighter than ordinary projection levels due to the filtering.
The prior art also includes eyeglasses with individual text generators such as in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,793,470 and 6,005,536 but at present such equipment would not be economical and the weight has found to be uncomfortable to many users. There have also been prismatic glasses where the caption would be projected on the ceiling or rear wall of the theater and viewed with a prism or mirror arrangement. These systems have not been well received since alignment is a problem and some viewers have experienced headaches and eyestrain.

Method and apparatus for selectively viewing captioning


A gem setting for gemstones includes a channel with walls having grooves for holding a portion of a gem girdle, such that when a gem having a crown is set into the channel, the upper portion of the groove extends over the crown of the gem. The upper part of the channel above the groove can be permanently bent or rolled over the crown of the gem to secure the gem in the ring channel. A method of setting a gem in the channel includes inserting the gem girdle in the grooves, without permanently bending the channel walls, until the gem is positioned within the channel such that if the gem and ring together are placed in an upside down position, the gem will not fall out of the channel. Next, the upper part of each channel is permanently bent over the crown of the gem, to thereby secure the gem in the channel.

This invention relates to jewelry settings for gems, such as facet-cut diamonds.
Throughout history, gemstones such as diamonds have been cut and polished to form gems, and then set in rings, earrings and other objects to form jewelry. One cut that is currently popular for such gems is the round facet cut, or brilliant cut, shown in FIG. 1. This cut divides the gemstone 10 into an upper portion, known as the crown 11, and a lower portion, referred to as the pavilion 12. The circumference of the gem where the crown meets the pavilion is called the girdle 13. Another popular cut is the princess cut shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The princess cut gem 10′ also includes a crown 11′, a pavilion 12′ and a girdle 13′.
A variety of gem settings have been employed to securely hold gems in jewelry. One of the most popular types of gem settings is the channel type setting. One advantage of the channel setting is that this type of setting allows the gem to be set into the surface of a ring. The gems can be set all the way around the ring circumference, as often is done with anniversary rings, or partially around the ring circumference, as is done with some wedding and other rings.
With this type of setting, the jeweler cuts notches in each of the channel walls. The notches correspond to the girdle of the gem. The jeweler then places the gem in the notches, so that the girdle of the gem rests in the notches. The portions of the walls above the notches are then bent over the crown of the gem with jeweler's pliers. With this type of setting, the notches must be carefully aligned on the channel walls so that they will hold the gem at a level position. Also, the shape of the notches must be carefully cut with hand tools, such as a motorized bur, to match the shape of the gem girdle. Thus, this type of setting can be used only by a skilled jeweler. In addition, much time is required to set all of the gemstones in the ring, particularly if the gemstones are provided around the entire circumference of the ring.
Some manufacturers have created a shelf in each of the channel walls. In this type of setting, the gem is rested only on the shape of the shelf. The remainder of the wall, particularly the portion of the wall extending above the shelf, is not used to help hold the gem in the channel. Thus, the gem will not be securely held in the setting, and turning the ring upside down (for example, to place gems around the entire circumference of the ring) will result in the gem falling out unless the gems are held in place, for example, with beeswax.

Gem setting having grooved channel walls and methods of setting gems


A system and method of density and effective atomic number imaging include a computer programmed to acquire projection data from the detector of an unknown material at the time of projection data acquisition. The computer is also programmed to generate a density image for the unknown material based on a calibration of two or more known basis materials and to generate an effective atomic number (Z) for the unknown material based on the calibration of two or more known basis materials and based on a function arctan of a ratio of atomic numbers of the two or more known basis materials. The density and effective atomic number images are stored to a computer readable storage medium.

The present invention relates generally to diagnostic imaging and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus of basis material decomposition and representation of diagnostic imaging data.
Exemplary diagnostics devices comprise x-ray systems, magnetic resonance (MR) systems, ultrasound systems, computed tomography (CT) systems, positron emission tomography (PET) systems, ultrasound, nuclear medicine, and other types of imaging systems. Typically, in CT imaging systems, an x-ray source emits a fan-shaped beam toward a subject or object, such as a patient or a piece of luggage. Hereinafter, the terms "subject" and "object" shall include anything capable of being imaged. The beam, after being attenuated by the subject, impinges upon an array of radiation detectors. The intensity of the attenuated beam radiation received at the detector array is typically dependent upon the attenuation of the x-ray beam by the subject. Each detector element of the detector array produces a separate electrical signal indicative of the attenuated beam received by each detector element. The electrical signals are transmitted to a data processing system for analysis which ultimately produces an image.
Generally, the x-ray source and the detector array are rotated about the gantry opening within an imaging plane and around the subject. X-ray sources typically include x-ray tubes, which emit the x-ray beam at a focal point. X-ray detectors typically include a collimator for collimating x-ray beams received at the detector, a scintillator for converting x-rays to light energy adjacent the collimator, and photodiodes for receiving the light energy from the adjacent scintillator and producing electrical signals therefrom.
Typically, each scintillator of a scintillator array converts x-rays to light energy. Each scintillator discharges light energy to a photodiode adjacent thereto. Each photodiode detects the light energy and generates a corresponding electrical signal. The outputs of the photodiodes are then transmitted to the data processing system for image reconstruction.
An exemplary CT imaging system comprises an energy discriminating (ED), multi energy (ME), and/or dual energy (DE) CT imaging system that may be referred to as an EDCT, MECT, and/or DE-CT imaging system. The EDCT, MECT, and/or DE-CT imaging system in an example is configured to be responsive to different x-ray spectra. For example, a conventional third generation CT system acquires projections sequentially at different peak kilovoltage (kVp) level, which changes the peak and spectrum of energy of the incident photons comprising the emitted x-ray beams. Two scans in an example are acquired—either (1) back-to-back sequentially in time where the scans require two rotations around the subject, or (2) interleaved as a function of the rotation angle requiring one rotation around the subject, in which the tube operates at 80 kVp and 160 kVp potentials. Special filters in an example are placed between the x-ray source and the detector such that different detector rows collect projections of different x-ray energy spectra. The special filters that shape the x-ray spectrum in an example can be used for two scans that are acquired either back to back or interleaved. Energy sensitive detectors in an example are used such that each x-ray photon reaching the detector is recorded with its photon energy.
Exemplary ways to obtain the measurements comprise: (1) scan with two distinctive energy spectra, and (2) detect photon energy according to energy deposition in the detector. EDCT/MECT/DE-CT provides energy discrimination and material characterization. For example, in the absence of object scatter, the system derives the behavior at any other energy based on the signal from two regions of photon energy in the spectrum: the low-energy and the high-energy portions of the incident x-ray spectrum. In an exemplary energy region of medical CT, two physical processes dominate the x-ray attenuation: (1) Compton scatter and the (2) photoelectric effect. The detected signals from two energy regions provide sufficient information to resolve the energy dependence of the material being imaged. Furthermore, detected signals from the two energy regions provide sufficient information to determine the relative composition of an object composed of two hypothetical materials.
The conventional basis material decomposition (BMD) algorithm is based on the concept that, in the energy region for medical CT, the x-ray attenuation of any given material can be represented by a proper density mix of two other materials with distinct x-ray attenuation properties, referred to as the basis materials. The BMD algorithm computes two CT images that represent the equivalent density of one of the basis materials based on the measured projections at high and low x-ray photon energy spectra, respectively. Since a material density is independent of x-ray photon energy, these images are approximately free of beam-hardening artifacts. An operator can choose the basis material to target a certain material of interest, for example, to enhance the image contrast.
An exemplary previous discussion of BMD and analysis of a relation of the x-ray attenuation to effective Z or effective atomic number employed approximate formulas that allow insufficient precision in data prediction other than in cases where pure elements are measured, such as through employment of constrained iteration, polynomial approximations, or calibration with real materials. The resulting error in the formulation is significant when very small differences in atomic number are sought such as where delta Z is a fraction of an atomic number. Furthermore, existing algorithms for the decomposition of energy sensitive data into density and effective Z are mathematically unstable. For materials with very small density such as approaching zero or air, the atomic number is undefined. This fact causes numerical instability resulting in high noise for typical techniques.
Therefore, it would be desirable to design a system and method that enhances accuracy and/or precision for computing the density and effective atomic number in diagnostic x-ray CT.

System and method of density and effective atomic number imaging


A wireless data communications network having a number of users communicating from individual remote stations to a central station over a single optical-infrared channel utilizing a two-stage noncontention-based multiple-access communications protocol. During the first stage of the reservation-based polling protocol, the central station provides a synchronization signal to the remote stations to define the start of a "reservation request period," and allocates fixed time slots during which any remote station having a data message to transmit may request access and reserve a portion of the channel for their data messages. During the second stage or "polled data transfer period," the central station polls only those remote stations that have a data message to transmit and have requested access to the channel. In response to the poll, the polled remote stations transmit their data message in their previously-reserved data slots. If desired, the central station may also return an acknowledgement signal to the remote stations upon successful reception of each data message.

This invention generally relates to the field of data communications networks. More particularly, this invention pertains to a noncontention-based multiple access protocol for a data communications network having a number of users communicating from individual remote stations to a central station over a single optical infrared channel.
A multipoint digital communications network typically consists of a number of remote stations which communicate with a central station over one or more two-way communications channels. For example, personal computers are typically connected to a wide variety of peripherals or other computers via wire cables, i.e., a hard-wired communications link. Moreover, local area networks (LAN's) are often used to integrate remote terminals that are located at the same site. Depending upon the number of users, distance between terminals, number of peripherals, frequency of system reconfiguration, portability of the remote stations, etc., the hard-wired cable system may not be practical for a given application. Hence, various wireless communication technologies have been employed, particularly when a system includes a large number of users and/or portable, hand-held computer devices.
Among the more common wireless technologies are narrowband radio frequency (RF) systems, spread spectrum RF, ultrasonic, and infrared optical. Radio frequency systems are often significantly degraded by electromagnetic noise and interference, as well as by large signal amplitude variations and multipath interference. Moreover, RF systems are typically subject to governmental licensing and regulation. Alternative wireless systems employing ultrasonic sound waves experience severe problems with the complete loss of signals due to nulls in the transmission path.
Optical-infrared communications, however, is not affected by electromagnetic interference, and is much less susceptible to multipath interference. Furthermore, optical systems are inherently secure (since the infrared light does not penetrate walls), have no known health or safety effects, and are not subject to F.C.C. regulation. Moreover, infrared transceivers draw relatively low currents, which is particularly important with respect to hand-held battery-powered portable computers. Thus, the use of infrared light as the wireless medium is well suited to such applications.
In order for the remote stations to communicate with the central station, the remote stations must be able to gain access to the commonly-shared communications channel using some type of multiple-access signalling or control protocol As used in the data communications field, a "protocol" is a formal set of rules governing the format and control of inputs and outputs between two communicating devices in order to ensure the orderly transfer of information. Typical multiple-access protocols may be categorized into two broad classes: contention-based protocols (i.e., random access), and noncontention-based protocols, (i.e., scheduled access). Contention-based protocols are characterized in that any remote user with a data message can contend for the channel by transmitting its data message immediately in an on-demand fashion, taking the chance that no other remote stations will transmit at the same time and thus collide with it. When a collision occurs, the data message is seldom received correctly, if at all. Since there is no coordination between contending remote stations, the number of collisions dramatically increases as the number of users increase, or as the channel load increases. Hence, contention-based protocols are not suitable for many data communications applications.
Noncontention-based protocols are characterized in that they provide the necessary coordination between the remote stations to ensure that no two remote stations transmit at the same time to contend for the channel. In other words, the users in a noncontention system take turns accessing the network in an orderly fashion such that collisions between users are avoided. Noncontention channel access is usually implemented using some type of polling technique, wherein the central station sends a control message or synchronization signal to the remote stations as an indication for the remote to respond by transmitting data on the channel.
Using the well-known "explicit polling" technique, the central controller sends a polling signal to each remote station, individually, to inquire if the remote has any information to send. A "poll list" of remote station addresses is used by the central controller to determine when a remote station is to be polled. If the polled remote station doesn't have a data message to send over the channel, the central controller goes on to poll the next remote. If the remote station does have a message to send, the data message is immediately transmitted over the channel in response to the poll. As used herein, the term "polling" includes the second-half of the procedure, wherein the polled stations return a message. Explicit polling has traditionally been considered rather inefficient, since each remote station has to wait for its individualized poll, establish bit and character synchronization, and then transmit its data message in response to the poll. Hence, a significant portion of the overall channel capacity is consumed by the polling signals themselves.
Another noncontention-based multiple-access protocol is referred to as "implicit polling." Under the implicit polling technique, each timing cycle on the channel is divided into a number of time slots, and a specific time slot within each cycle is reserved for a particular remote station. Each remote station, which is synchronized in time with the central station, is implicitly granted access to the channel during its individual time slot. In other words, the channel access is controlled by reserving time slots for each remote station to transmit, rather than being controlled by explicit polling signals from the central station.
In multipoint data communications networks using the implicit polling protocol, a fixed transmission time slot is reserved for each remote station in the network. Each time slot must be of a sufficient length to contain an entire data message packet. Hence, the channel is efficiently utilized only if each remote station has a data message to send during each cycle. If, however, only a few of the remote stations have messages to send during each cycle, then the channel remains idle during the preassigned time slots allocated to these non-responsive remote stations. When only a fraction of the remote users have data messages to send, an enormous amount of channel capacity is wasted in the empty time slots of an implicit polling system.
Therefore, a need exists for an improved multi-access data communications protocol which retains the collision-avoidance advantages of a noncontention-based channel access protocol, while circumventing the disadvantages of the enormous overhead commonly associated with customary polling protocols.

Reservation-based polling protocol for a wireless data communications network


The invention relates to measuring the effectiveness and an compliance of inhaler medication, such as for asthma treatment. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method of determining the effectiveness of an inhaler medication, comprising taking a measurement of HFA-134(a) from an exhaled breath of an individual after the individual has inhaled a medication, and determining an effective administration of the medication based on the presence of a high level of HFA-134(a).

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Asthma inhalers (i.e., inhaled corticosteroids) are the first line of asthma treatment. However, one of the most vexing problems facing clinicians and researchers has been the lack of technologies to measure treatment compliance and/or efficacy. The typical methods to measure ICS compliance—patient self-report of medication use and medication canister weighing or counting actuations are not optimal for both adults and children. Patient self-report of asthma inhaler use is notoriously inaccurate. Other advanced methods such as electronic monitoring of ICS compliance are limited because it will not be able to detect whether the medication is actually inhaled. Thus, there is a need in the art for a readily accessible method to identify asthma inhaler compliance or treatment efficacy.

Approach to asthma inhaler compliance using breath measurement of tetrafluoroethane

The Regents of the University of California


A device for the voltage supply of an occupant protection system in a motor vehicle having a switching unit and a voltage supply unit, which supplies an operating voltage to the occupant protection system, the switching unit providing a supply voltage to the voltage supply unit when the supply voltage exceeds a predefined threshold value voltage level. A configuration unit is also provided which provides various reference voltage levels for the switching unit as threshold value voltage levels.

Present control units for occupant protection systems, which, for example, include an airbag system, a seatbelt tightener, a roll bar, etc., generally have the ability to switch the occupant protection system to a so-called "sleep mode" despite the continuously applied battery voltage. Almost no functionality is required in sleep mode and power consumption may be reduced to less than a predefined value of 100 μA, for example. The decision as to whether the system should be active or "asleep" may be made by a voltage monitor, for example, on a separate input terminal pin of an airbag system ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit) in the case of an occupant protection system configured as an airbag system. The airbag system is activated as soon as an applied voltage is detected at this input terminal pin, which is higher than a predefined threshold value of 3V, for example. The airbag system remains deactivated below the predefined threshold value. This voltage threshold for the sleep detection is the default setting and cannot be selected or adjusted for a specific project. In addition to this sleep threshold, which defines the logic decision about an ON state and/or an OFF state of the airbag system, there is also a voltage threshold, which is a function of the specific embodiment for each type of airbag system, above which the full functionality of the airbag system must be ensured. A distinction is made in principle between "6 V devices" and ">6 V devices." The "6 V devices" are characterized in that they are fully functional above a supply voltage of approximately 6 V due to optimized and more cost-intensive input filters on the power supply. The ">6 V devices" do not meet this requirement until the voltage supply is approximately 7 V.
If the supply voltage is below 6 V or 7 V, the airbag system is already partially activated by exceeding the sleep threshold of approximately 3 V, but it is impossible to ensure that the airbag system will reach a state of full readiness. Thus, a great deal of heat may develop or radiation of EMC in the airbag system may be increased. There is only the option of activating or stopping functions of the airbag system which are controlled by a software program running in the control unit. However, this does not apply to the circuit parts, which are independent of the software programs, such as the central voltage supply of the occupant protection system.
German Patent Application No. DE 102 55 433 A1 describes a method for operating a voltage supply circuit in a power saving mode, in which the power consumption is reduced in comparison with regular operation. The voltage supply circuit includes a voltage transformer having a voltage transformer switch, which is controllable for the voltage transformer operation, and a voltage transformer capacitor and an in-phase regulator downstream from the voltage transformer for supplying voltage to a consumer, in particular a microprocessor. The voltage supply circuit may be used for safety devices, for example, airbags, seatbelt tighteners or roll bars. To reduce the power consumption, instead of the regular voltage transformer operation, its voltage transformer switch is operated together with the in-phase regulator as a two-point regulator with regard to the output voltage generated at the output of the voltage transformer. The conventional two-point regulation is preferably implemented in such a way that detection means for detecting the voltage generated at the output of the first voltage transformer and control means and detection means are provided, which activate the voltage transformer switch when the detection means indicate a voltage value below the first threshold value and deactivate it when the detection means indicate a voltage value above a second voltage value. The voltage transformer switch may be triggered via a comparator, for example.

Device and method for the voltage supply of an occupant protection system


Patient flow is automatically tracked through a medical clinic and data is acquired from the automated patient flow tracking. A file is associated with a patient including a patient identification indicator when the patient enters the facility and placement of the file in a receptacle along with the identification is detected by sensors in a receptacle located of at first service location. Removal of the file from the receptacle when a first service provider commences service is further detected. Placement of the file in a second receptacle is detected upon completion of the service. One receptacle may be a physician receptacle and the other may be a nurse receptacle. A patient visit data record is generated based upon the detected movement of the file including determining treatment time and waiting time based on marking the time of events when the file is removed and replaced in respective receptacles. Indications of patient status are further provided at the receptacle location or transmitted to a remote location. Patient flow tracking is preferably provided by receptacles at various locations to follow the treatment of the patient to entry of the service provider through ancillary services and checkout.

Medical service providers, such as physicians, often provide services to their patients in an office (clinic or facility) or other ambulatory treatment environment. A typical clinic visit may be considered as a sequence of related interactions between the patient and the staff of the service provider. For example, the patient may first be greeted and logged in by a receptionist. The patient may then be called by a nurse and taken from the reception area to one of a plurality of examination rooms. The nurse may perform some initial analysis of the patient and then depart. The physician will then, typically, follow the nurse's visit and perform a physician examination of the patient. A follow up visit from the nurse may then be required after which the patient, depending upon the results of the examinations, may be taken to an ancillary service provider, such as a lab technician or to another clinic in the same facility, for additional test work. Finally, the patient may be taken to an exit area where payment for the expenses of the visit and scheduling of the next visit is arranged. With the increasing size of many physician practices, large numbers of patients may be concurrently going through processing at the physician's clinic through different examination rooms with a variety of nurses, physicians and lab technicians. The patient's records are typically tracked by providing a patient specific file containing the patient's examination information, both from the current and previous visits. The file is moved along with the patient from location to location within the clinic. There also may be service provider associated locations such as the physician's clinic and/or nurse's stations within the clinic. Multiple clinics may be located in one building or campus allowing a patient to schedule interdependent visits with multiple providers.
As the scale of medical clinic operations increase, the complexity of tracking both the physical location, movement and status of patients as well as maintaining control over patient related information becomes increasingly challenging. Accordingly, a variety of approaches to tracking patient flow or movement and data acquisition have been proposed. An example of such a system is a push button system. A typical push button system involves manual push buttons at locations within the physician's clinic and indicator lights, typically put at a remote location from the examination rooms, such as a panel in a location visible to staff members to allow calling of a staff member by a doctor. Buttons are pushed by various staff members and physicians to indicate their locations and indicator lights are driven responsive to the push buttons to provide, for example, an indication to others of where a physician is located or when a staff person is needed. An example of such a system is the Expeditor System from Expeditor Systems of Alpharetta, Ga.
A variation on a push button system involves the use of keyboard entry of data by staff members to allow more detailed, patient specific information to be entered into a tracking system. Keyboard entry systems are typically offered for use in environments with highly variable flow paths for patient treatment where the added expense of maintaining keyboards for input and committing staff to data entry connected with patient tracking may be justified. A further variation on a push button system is the Client-Tel system from Client-Tel of Milford, N.J. The Client-Tel system provides a chart rack with detectors in the reception area. When a patient arrives or an urgent message is received, the chart or message is placed in the slot of the rack associated with the requested service provider based on name plate designations on each slot. An indicator light is then activated at a remote location from the rack next to the corresponding name plate of the person who is requested to check with the front desk for a message or to meet a patient.
A further variant of prior approaches are systems directed primarily to tracking clinical information as contrasted with patient flow control. Such systems have been proposed which utilize computer data processing and storage capabilities to increase the accessibility and range of patient records available to service providers such as physicians. With the advent of smart cards, variants on such systems have been proposed that utilize a patient smart card which can be maintained by the patient allowing the patient to bring with him to a service provider extensive information regarding the patient's medical records in an electronic form. An example of such a system is the Berdy SmartCard.TM. from Berdy Medical Systems in Rochelle Park, N.J.
A further variant on push button patient tracking systems includes the addition of infrared tracking to locate and follow the movement of individuals, typically, physicians. Utilizing such systems, the presence of a physician carrying an infrared transmitter is detected from infrared receivers located in various locations in the medical clinic such as examination rooms. However, such systems require additional burdens on the physicians and/or patients as it requires that an additional device, which may be easily misplaced or forgotten, be maintained on the individual. If the infrared transmitter is forgotten or lost, the expensive overhead of the sensor system becomes unreliable and fails to provide the desired information. An example of such a system is the CS2000 from Varitronics, Inc.
Each of these approaches suffers from various limitations. For example, push button indicator systems, in practice, tend to be unreliable as the service providers do not consistently operate the push buttons resulting in a breakdown of the patient status logic. Push button systems also typically do not track patient specific information. In contrast, keyboard based systems which provide for patient specific tracking of flow and data acquisition suffer from the added complexity and expenses of making keyboards available for data input and utilizing additional staff member time in entering the additional information manually.

Methods and systems for automated patient tracking and data acquisition


An intermittent blocking mechanism for at least one escape wheel, that intermittent blocking mechanism cooperating with at least one regulating member or a balance which is actuated with an alternate motion under action of an elastic return mechanism, the intermittent blocking mechanism being pivoted in at least one bottom plate, and forming an inseparable single-piece component with the bottom plate. The intermittent blocking mechanism includes at least one pallet lever in a single-piece with the plate to which it is connected by the elastic return mechanism.

The use of modular assemblies permits the manufacture of families of products using a common base, each personalised by different options or functions, notably complications in the case of a mechanical timepiece movement.
The concept of extremely high precision modules or cassettes allows large scale production to be combined with high quality goods.
Thus, modular sub-assemblies for timepiece movements are known, from EP Patent Application Nos 11193173.9 and 11193174.7 in the name of ETA SA. The mechanical modules disclosed in these Patent Applications are irreversibly pre-adjusted and assembled to ensure the durability of their settings.
However, in a conventional embodiment, the modules do not always make it possible to reduce the number of components, which could both reduce production costs and simplify the assembly plan, enabling mid-level technical personnel to assemble and adjust the most complex functions, which include the distribution of energy in an escapement mechanism.
WO Patent Application No 2011/120180 A1 in the name of ROLEX discloses a blocking mechanism for a toothed wheel, including a pallet lever, a main plate and elastic return means, which form a flat one-piece assembly, in the plane of an escape wheel.

Pallet lever for a timepiece escapement mechanism


A packaging assembly for packaging a surgical device including first and second needle assemblies at least a distal portion of which having a curved configuration including an inner package member having first and second recesses sized and shaped for receiving at least a handle portion of the first and second needle assemblies. The recesses extend inwardly from the distal end of the inner package member a distance so that the distal curved portions of the needle assemblies extend beyond the distal end of the inner package. The distal end has a height such that the curved distal portions do not contact a surface on which the inner package member rests. The assembly further includes an outer package member dimensioned to removably receive therein the inner package member and the surgical device. The outer package member has a height sufficient so that when the inner package member and surgical devices are received therein, the outer package element remains substantially clear from contact with the surgical devices. The inner package member and surgical device can be removed from the outer package member and placed on a substantially flat surface in a manner such that the surgical device retains its orientation, and the distal portions of the needle assemblies remain clear of the surface.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to packaging for surgical devices, with particular application for packaging a surgical device for placing a suburethral sling to treat urinary incontinence.
2. Background Discussion
Women account for more than 11 million of incontinence cases. Moreover, a majority of women with incontinence suffer from stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Women with SUI involuntarily lose urine during normal daily activities and movements, such as laughing, coughing, sneezing and regular exercise.
SUI may be caused by a functional defect of the tissue or ligaments connecting the vaginal wall with the pelvic muscles and pubic bone. Common causes include repetitive straining of the pelvic muscles, childbirth, loss of pelvic muscle tone, and estrogen loss. Such a defect results in an improperly functioning urethra. Unlike other types of incontinence, SUI is not a problem of the bladder.
Normally, the urethra, when properly supported by strong pelvic floor muscles and healthy connective tissue, maintains a tight seal to prevent involuntary loss of urine. When a woman suffers from the most common form of SUI, however, weakened muscle and pelvic tissues are unable to adequately support the urethra in its correct position. As a result, during normal movements when pressure is exerted on the bladder from the diaphragm, the urethra cannot retain its seal, permitting urine to escape. Because SUI is both embarrassing and unpredictable, many women with SUI avoid an active lifestyle and shy away from social situations.
One device and method for placing a sub-urethral sling is described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,899,909. This patent discloses a surgical instrument comprising a shank having a handle at one end and connecting means at the other end to receive, one at a time, two curved needle-like elements which are connected at one end to one end of a mesh intended to be implanted into the body. In practice, the mesh is passed into the body via the vagina first at one end and then at the other end, at one side and the other, respectively, of the urethra to form a loop around the urethra, located between the urethra and vaginal wall. The mesh is extended over the pubis and through the abdominal wall and is tightened. The mesh ends are cut at the abdominal wall, and the mesh is left implanted in the body. This trans-vaginal procedure is exemplified by the TVT product sold by the Gynecare franchise of Ethicon Inc., a Johnson & Johnson Company, of Somerville, N.J., USA. In this procedure two 5 mm needles pass a PROLENE mesh trans-vaginally and through the abdomen to create a tension-free support around the mid urethra.
Sub-urethral slings have also been place by a different approach, wherein a needle is passed first though the abdominal wall, along the same path as described above, and eventually exiting through the vaginal incision. The tape is then coupled to the needle in some manner, and pulled back through the body from the vaginal incision and out through the abdominal incision. The chosen approach, vaginal or abdominal, will often depend on the preferences of the surgeon.
Yet another approach for implanting a sub-urethral sling has also been recently developed. In a "transobturator" approach, the implanted sling extends from beneath the urethra, and out through the obturator hole on either side. The procedure may involve inserting an appropriately configured needle from a vaginal incision and subsequently out through the obturator hole, or vice versa. The former technique (an "inside-out" approach) has been performed using a surgical instrument substantially similar to that shown in FIG. 1. This instrument is described in greater detail in copending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/699,045, which was filed on Oct. 31, 2003 and entitled "Guide for Surgical Device for the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence", and Ser. No. 10/706,559, which was filed on Nov. 12, 2003 and entitled "Improved Surgical Instrument and Method for the Treatment of Urinary Incontinence," which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. The surgical instrument or assembly 100 includes two needle assemblies 114, 116 that include two surgical passers 101, 103 that are secured at proximal ends to handles 102, 104. The surgical passers are curved and form a somewhat helical shape, and are mirror images of one another so that one 101 is particularly suited for passage through the body on the left side of the urethra, whereas the other 103 is particularly suited for passage on the opposite (right) side of the urethra. The needle assembly further includes tube elements 106, 108 that are removably applied over the ends of the surgical passers. Proximal ends of the tube elements are coupled to the tape 110 to be implanted as a sling beneath the urethra. The tape is preferably of knitted mesh construction, such as Prolene® polypropylene mesh (manufactured by Ethicon, Inc. of Somerville, N.J.) having dimensions of approximately ½×18 inches. The tape is also preferably covered by a plastic sheath that overlaps in the middle section so as to be easily removably. The surgical assembly may also include a guide element 112 to help guide the needle assemblies through the patient's body and to ensure safe passage thereof.
To implant a sub-urethral tape using the surgical assembly described above, the patient is first placed in the dorsal lithotomy position with the hips hyperflexed over the abdomen, and the bladder emptied. Next, the exit points of the surgical needles through the obturator foramen are marked. A midline incision is then made in the vaginal mucosa, and the left and right sides dissected with scissors or the like until it reaches and dissects the obturator membrane. The guide element 112 is then inserted through the vaginal incision and into the dissected tract until is passes the inferior pubic ramus and enters the opening previously made in the obturator membrane.
Once the guide element is fully inserted on one side as described above, the surgical passer 101 with associated tube element 106 (the needle assembly) for that side of the body is then inserted. The assembly is positioned within the guide member and passed through the dissected tract following the channel of the guide element from the vaginal incision and through the obturator membrane. Once the tip of the assembly traverses the obturator membrane, the guide element is removed. The assembly is rotated the remainder of the way through until the tip emerges from the skin at the exit point. The end of the tube element is then grasped, and the surgical passer reverse rotated to bring it back through the dissected tract and out through the vaginal incision. Subsequently, the tube element is pulled through the skin incision until the tape 110 exits the skin incision. The process is then repeated on the patient's other side and the tape adjusted, leaving the tape to form the sub-urethral sling beneath the mid-portion of the urethra.
When it comes to packaging the surgical assembly described above, several challenges have been encountered. First, the needle assemblies are each designed for passing the tape through one specific side of the body and on one side of the urethra. Further, they are specifically designed for passing the tape from the vaginal incision and out through the obturator foramen, or an "inside-out" approach. In other words, a given needle is designed for use on one side of the body in one direction, such that a needle for use in passing the tape on the left side would be different depending on whether using an "inside-out" or "outside-in" approach. Thus, it is important that during transition from the packaging during surgery, there is limited room for opportunity for mixing up the needles. The transition and presentation should best ensure limited entanglement of the tape, and that all elements remain sterile. An additional concern is for the guide element, as it is used prior to inserting the first needle, and then again prior to inserting the second needle. A convenient way must be available to ensure sterility between uses.
Another packaging concern is ensuring that the tube elements, which are assembled over curved helical needles of opposing pitches, are not jostled relative to the needle, which would require re-assembly prior to use. Yet another packaging concern is ensuring that the sheath and mesh assembly is not kinked or damaged during storage or transit, as damage thereto could render the device inoperative. Further, it is important that the packaging and other device elements not be damaged by the sharp tip of the tube elements, and that the sharp tip itself not be damaged. The packaging according to the present invention overcomes these challenges, as well as provides a means by which to cleanly and efficiently present the surgeon with the instruments needed for performing the surgical procedure.

Packaging assembly for surgical instruments


A reclining chair is provided which includes a base, and a support linkage assembly pivotally supported from the base. A longitudinal link is operably interconnected to the support linkage assembly. A recline linkage assembly is operably coupled to the longitudinal link and to the base for controlling movement of the longitudinal link from an upright position to at least one reclined position. A rotatable drive shaft is journally supported by the longitudinal link. The reclining chair further includes a leg rest assembly supported from the longitudinal link and operably coupled to the drive shaft for movement from a retracted position to an extended position in response to rotation of the drive shaft.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to a mechanism for a reclining article of furniture. More specifically, the present invention relates to an all linkage wall proximity reclining mechanism.
2. Description of Related Art
Wall proximity reclining chairs are known within the art, and are becoming increasingly popular as it becomes more desirable to integrate comfort and reclining functions into various articles and styles of furniture including chairs, love seats and sofas. Many of the first developed designs were based upon all linkage mechanisms. However, these all linkage mechanisms typically did not provide a smooth reclining motion. To overcome this problem, wall proximity reclining mechanisms utilizing track and roller assemblies were developed to provide a smoother reclining motion. Presently, the reclining mechanisms utilizing track and rollers are fairly complex, require an excessive number of links, and are thus expensive to manufacture.
An exemplary reclining chair mechanism which was developed to provide a smoother reclining motion is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,011,220, entitled "Chair Mechanism," which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, and which is commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention. This mechanism utilizes a short inclined track and roller to provide the recline-away motion of the wall proximity reclining chair. While this chair mechanism achieved the goal of providing smoother reclining operation, the design of this mechanism presents several disadvantages. First, this mechanism is limited to only two operative positions, namely the upright position, and the fully-reclined position. Additionally, this chair design does not allow the chair arms to move along with the seat assembly. Thus, this chair design requires a chair frame having more forwardly extending arm rests for providing adequate support when the chair mechanism is in the fully reclined position.
Another exemplary wall proximity reclining chair is that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,217,276, entitled "Chair Mechanism," which is also expressly incorporated herein by reference, and which is commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention. This chair mechanism design provides several improvements over those mechanisms known within the art. However, this mechanism also relies upon a track and roller system for providing smooth reclining motion. Additionally, this chair is limited to only two reclining positions, and requires manual actuation via a hand operated lever. Accordingly, this design limits the types of furniture within which this mechanism can be integrated.
Yet another type of wall proximity reclining chair is that illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,526, entitled "Method for Assembling A Modular Wall Proximity Reclining Chair," which is expressly incorporated herein by reference, and which is commonly owned by the assignee of the present invention. This chair was developed for reducing the complexity of the reclining mechanism, and the method for assembling the reclining mechanism. This chair mechanism surmounted the disadvantages of the prior art designs by providing a side frame and arm rest assembly that moves in conjunction with the seat assembly for providing adequate arm rest support. However, this mechanism design also relies upon a full length track and roller assembly for providing the desired smoothness in the reclining operation. The requirement for a bearing based roller assembly also increases the cost of the mechanism. Additionally, the design of this mechanism limits this chair to a single reclining chair and further prevents this mechanism from being used in larger articles of furniture, such as loveseats, sofas and modular sofa assemblies.
The all linkage reclining chair mechanisms known within the art also do not provide adequate adjustment features for accommodating seat occupants of varying stature. In view of the growing popularity of wall proximity chairs, there is an increasing need to develop a wall proximity reclining chair mechanism which can be utilized with various types of furniture at a considerably lower cost and that provides the comfort features demanded by consumers. As such, it is desirable to provide an all linkage wall proximity reclining chair which delivers smooth reclining motion and includes an adjustment feature for accommodating various sized seat occupants. It is also desirable to provide an all linkage reclining chair mechanism which is designed to be primarily gravity driven with the assistance of a spring biasing mechanism, rather than manually driven by the occupant using an externally mounted operating handle. Such a design would simplify the operation of the chair. It is also desirable to provide a wall proximity reclining chair mechanism in which the leg rest assembly can be fully extended by actuating a compact trigger release assembly, and can be retracted by the occupant merely moving the leg rest assembly back into the chair mechanism by leaning forward and placing a small amount of force onto the leg rest assembly. Finally, it is desirable to provide a reclining mechanism in which the leg rest assembly can be replaced in the field, if damaged during use, without disassembling the entire chair mechanism.


A remotely installable piping support device includes a pair of mating tapered wedge segments extending from lever arms connected with a spiral wound spring. The spring is machined integrally with the left lever arm and has a projecting center square drive hub with an internal mounting thread. The right lever arm has an internal square drive which mates with the drive hub. A bolt engages the drive hub and secures the lever arms together. The spring preload on the wedge acting across the shallow angled wedge surfaces maintains rigid contact between jet pump components and takes up the clearance from wear during operation.

This invention relates generally to nuclear reactors and more particularly, to apparatus for repairing jet pump assemblies within a nuclear reactor pressure vessel.
A reactor pressure vessel (RPV) of a boiling water reactor (BWR) typically has a generally cylindrical shape and is closed at both ends, e.g., by a bottom head and a removable top head. A top guide typically is spaced above a core plate within the RPV. A core shroud, or shroud, typically surrounds the core and is supported by a shroud support structure. Particularly, the shroud has a generally cylindrical shape and surrounds both the core plate and the top guide. There is a space or annulus located between the cylindrical reactor pressure vessel and the cylindrically shaped shroud.
In a BWR, hollow tubular jet pumps positioned within the shroud annulus provide the required reactor core water flow. The upper portion of the jet pump, known as the inlet mixer, is laterally positioned and supported against two opposing rigid contacts within restrainer brackets by a gravity actuated wedge. The restrainer brackets support the inlet mixer by attaching to the adjacent jet pump riser pipe. The purpose of the gravity actuated wedge is to maintain contact between the inlet mixer and the restrainer bracket. The wedge works in cooperation with two set screws which are tack welded to the restrainer bracket to maintain contact with the inlet mixer. The flow of water through the jet pumps typically includes pressure fluctuations that are caused by various sources in the reactor system. The pressure fluctuations may have frequencies close to one or more natural vibration modes of the jet pump piping. The jet pump piping stability depends on the tight fit-up, or contact, of the restrainer brackets and the inlet mixers. Operating thermal gradients, hydraulic loads, and fluctuations in the hydraulic loads can overcome the lateral support provided by the gravity wedge, allowing gaps or clearances to develop at the opposing two fixed contacts or set screws. Particularly, the tack welds can break and the set screws can loosen permitting the jet pump to vibrate within the restrainer bracket. The loss of contact between the inlet mixer and the restrainer bracket can change the jet pump natural frequency to match some excitation frequency in the system, causing vibration of the piping and exerting increased loads which may cause cyclic fatigue cracking and wear of the piping supports, which can result in degradation from wear and fatigue at additional jet pump structural supports.
To overcome this problem, gravity wedge supports have been used at locations where clearances have developed in restrainer bracket contacts. The gravity wedge support employed a sliding wedge and a fixed bracket mount that engaged the jet pump restrainer bracket. These gravity wedges were only applicable to restrainer bracket/inlet mixer gap widths from about 1.0 to 2.0 inches, as space was required for a wedge with sufficient weight to give the desired support load. Another solution which was implemented was to reinforce the welded attachment of the two set screws to the restrainer bracket, then reset the inlet mixer against the set screws when the jet pump is reassembled. However, this procedure causes significant downtime and also requires disassembling the jet pumps.
It would be desirable to provide an apparatus for restoring the tight rigid fit-up provided between the inlet mixer and the adjacent restrainer bracket, replacing the support function of the existing screw type contacts. It would also be desirable to provide an apparatus that can be installed in restrainer bracket/inlet mixer gap widths as small as xc2xc inch and provide a continuous adjustment for possible alignment variations between the mixer and diffuser. Further, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus that compensates for after-installation changes in the interface between the mixer and diffuser. Additionally, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus that can be remotely installed by attachment to the existing restrainer bracket without disassembling the inlet mixer.
In one embodiment of the present invention, a remotely installable piping support device couples to the restrainer bracket of a jet pump inlet mixer at a position adjacent an existing screw type contact, typically, a set screw. The remotely installable piping support device includes a left lever arm and a right lever arm. The right lever arm is coupled to the left lever arm. The device also includes a clamp spring which forces the end portions of the lever arms together. The left and right lever arms are movable in relation to one another about the clamp spring as the clamp spring is torsionally deflected. At least one tapered first wedge segment is mounted on the first lever arm, and at least one tapered second wedge segment is mounted on the second lever arm. The tapered second wedge segment slideably engages the tapered first wedge segment to fill any clearances that develop between an inlet mixer and a restrainer bracket. In an exemplary embodiment, the clamp spring is a spiral wound spring integral with one of the lever arms, and the remotely installable piping support device is referred to as a spring wedge.
During installation, the spring wedge is spread apart to an open position utilizing an installation tool. The open spring wedge is positioned around a set screw and the plier tool is removed allowing the spring clamp to cause the first lever arm and second lever arm to close together. The tapered first wedge segment and the tapered second wedge segment slideably engage to fill a gap between the mixer inlet and the restrainer bracket, thus, providing a tight fit-up between the mixer inlet and the restrainer bracket.
The above described spring wedge restores the tight rigid fit-up between the inlet mixer and the adjacent restrainer bracket, enhancing the support function of existing screw type contacts. Additionally the spring wedge is remotely installed by insertion between an existing restrainer bracket and an existing installed inlet mixer. Furthermore, the spring wedge is configured fit in jet pumps which have a restrainer bracket/inlet mixer gap width as small as xc2xc inch.


An extruder screw mixing section has a plurality of threads formed on a body of the screw with a pitch defining mixing channels for moving material in a direction from a feed end to a discharge end of the screw. The threads and the mixing channels are interrupted by counter channels that divide the mixing channels into segments of similar diminishing depth profile. A portion of the material moves through the counter channels in direction from the discharge end to the feed end to promote better mixing and melting of the material.

The present invention relates generally to extruder screws and, in particular to an extruder screw with a mixing section.
Extruder screws are used for transforming solid materials into a molten mixture for subsequent use in a mold or die via extrusion or injection. Materials that are used for this purpose include a range of plastic materials, as well as various metal or thixotropic materials. The screw consists of a generally cylindrical body with at least one helical thread machined thereon. The outer diameter of the threads is known as the peak of the screw, the areas between the peaks are known as channels of the screw. The opposing ends of the screw are known as the feed end, where the solid material is introduced, and the discharge end, where the molten material is delivered.
Extrusion, injection molding or blow molding with a single screw extruder, includes feeding the solid material in pellet, chip, powder, or flake form to the feed end of the extruder through a hopper or similar device mounted on an opening of a heated cylindrical barrel. The extruder screw is rotatably mounted and received in the barrel. The screw thread maintains a minimum clearance to the barrel and the material is moved downstream through the channel from the feed end to the discharge end by forces exerted by the rotation of the screw. The solid material fed into the screw channel is compacted into a solid plug or solid bed and the solid bed melts as it travels down the screw channel.
Extruder screws are often divided into a plurality of sections along the length of the screw from a feed section adjacent the feed end of the screw, where the solid material is introduced to the screw, to a metering section adjacent the discharge end of the screw, which delivers the molten material in a constant amount for extrusion or injection. Often, the feed section and the metering section each have a constant barrel clearance. The section or sections between the feed section and the metering section of the screws can include, but is not limited to, a taper section, an energy transfer section, and a mixing section. It is in these intermediate sections where the majority of the melting of the solid material into the molten material occurs.
Because the majority of the melting of the solid material occurs in the mixing section, it is desirable to maximize the amount of mixing and efficiency of the melting in the mixing section and thereby increase the overall efficiency of the extrusion, injection molding, or blow molding process. It is also desirable to provide an extruder screw mixing section that may be constructed with a minimal amount of machining.


A WATER TAG.TM. game (10) that consists of a maze structure (14) having an outer perimeter wall (16) enclosing a plurality of sections (20,22,24,26) and protrusions (40). An opening (36) admits players armed with water guns (12) into the maze structure (14). Once inside the players circulate among the sections (20,22,24,26) and the protrusions (40), firing their water guns (12) at each other. The maze structure (14) is inflated when the WATER TAG.TM. game is being played and can be deflated for storage and transportation.

It has been suggested that man is aggressive by nature and thus drawn to compete in competitive games and sports. For thousands of years, man has competed in combative-type games, which allow a healthy release of hostile and aggressive tendencies. In order for combative-type games to be effective, they must accurately simulate actual combat reality. Most people have a concept of combat from what is seen on television or other media. Whenever an enemy has been shot, the event is registered by the enemy falling down or otherwise becoming disabled.
Water guns have long been implements of such combative-type games. These water guns allow individuals to shoot water at each other accurately beyond 50 feet, which allows a game such as the WATER TAG.TM. game disclosed herein to be played. In addition to the water guns, a specialized playing area equipped with wall or other barriers that allow players to hide behind greatly enhance the experience of playing a combative-type game.
A search of the prior art did not disclose any patents that read directly on the claims of the instant invention however, the following U.S. patents were considered related:
______________________________________ PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED ______________________________________ 5,411,269 Thomas May 2, 1995 4,819,389 Kihn Apr. 11, 1989 4,743,030 Auer et al May 10, 1988 4,363,483 Minami Dec. 14, 1982 ______________________________________
The U.S. Pat. No. 5,411,269 patent discloses a water-gun target game and apparatus in which-a direct-current electrical water-presence detector, supported by or worn on an outer garment, is the target. A hit by a water jet from a water gun, initiates action by a direct electrical effect ordering responses by switching, sound or visual signaling, and scoring devices. A water-level sensor initiates a signal after a succession of hits or a strong continuous hit. An absorption option disposes received water, allowing repetitious operation. A tank for the water level sensor has a discharge stopper, which when removed, opens a power source circuit and inhibits any response. The object of the game is to project the jet stream of the water gun on to the target, making one or repetitious hits on the apparatus-bearer's bull's-eye.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,819,389 patent discloses a typical inflatable tent structure consisting of a plurality of inflatable frames. The first plurality of inflatable frames define an interior region and include a plurality of interconnecting first frame elements which define an opening into the tents interior. The second inflatable frames, which are independently inflatable from the first frames, include a plurality of interconnecting second frame elements and are sized to fit entirely within the interior of the first inflatable frames. To complete the tent structure, a supporting fabric is secured over the first and second inflatable frames.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,743,030 patent discloses a simulated combat game set in which the players are provided with toy water guns and each player wears a target. When a gun is fired by a player it shoots out a stream of Water, each player trying to hit a vulnerable site on the target worn by an opposing player and thereby strike him out. The vulnerable site on the target consists of a plaque or label having printed thereon a strike symbol or other hit indicator covered by a mask that conceals the indicator. The hit indicator is readable only when the mask is made wet and transparent by the water stream from the water gun.
The U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,483 patent discloses a game having a transparent housing filled with a liquid and a movable member. The member located in the liquid can be made competitive by utilizing a first and second circulating member each capable of ejecting a stream of liquid from a nozzle to move the movable member. The game incorporates a housing having two separate pivoting members. Each pivoting member is located in association with one of the nozzles and moves in response to impingement of liquid ejected from the nozzles. The ejected liquid impinges upon the surface of the pivoting members to both pivot the members and deflect the stream of liquid. The degree of pivoting and the amount of deflection are dependent on the force of ejection of the stream of liquid.
For background purposes and as indicative of the art to which the invention relates, reference may be made to the following remaining patents found in the search:
______________________________________ PATENT NO. INVENTOR ISSUED ______________________________________ 4,040,622 Sinnott Aug. 9, 1977 4,093,228 Pierce June 6, 1978 4,165,073 Kellerstrass Aug. 21, 1979 4,197,679 Yamada, et al Apr. 15, 1980 4,271,641 Kawaguchi June 9, 1981 4,384,435 Polise May 24, 1983 4,526,366 Kenoun July 2, 1985 4,556,391 Tardivel Dec. 3, 1985 4,718,661 Wolfe Jan. 12, 1988 5,261,873 Bremer et al Nov. 16, 1993 5,263,714 Rudell et al Nov. 23, 1993 5,435,569 Zilliox July 25, 1995 ______________________________________


An improved process for calcination and activation of a catalyst containing mixed oxides of vanadium and phosphorus (V/P/O) involving the addition of spray dried catalyst precursor to a fluidizing oxygen containing gas at a controlled rate such that the temperature is maintained at a range of 370 to 410.degree. C. (preferably 390.+-.5.degree. C.). The catalyst precursor experiences, in addition to rapid temperature rise, dehydration/calcination at this elevated temperature in the fluidized state for an average range of residence time of less than about 4 hours at 3.5 atm of air or above, and up to 20 hours at 1 atm of air while simultaneously and continuously maintaining an average V.sub.ox of 4.55 or less. Such a process is useful in preparing a V/P/O catalyst that exhibits enhanced activity for the oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride. The novel process also provides an improved method for start-up of a commercial scale recirculating solids reactor.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an improved process for the calcination and activation of a catalyst containing mixed oxides of vanadium and phosphorus (V/P/O) useful in the preparation of maleic anhydride from n-butane. More specifically but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to a method of calcination of a V/P/O catalyst by inducing a very rapid temperature rise while in an oxidizing fluidized state and a novel method of accomplishing this within a transfer bed commercial scale plant.
2. Description of the Related Art
The vapor phase oxidation of n-butane to maleic anhydride over a V/P/O catalyst is generally known in the art. A review of the prior art describing this process is given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,802. In improved processes described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,668,802 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,021,588 the reaction is conducted in a recirculating solids reactor having two fluidized reaction zones. The conversion of n-butane to maleic anhydride takes place primarily in one reaction zone and the catalyst, essentially stripped of gaseous species, is transported to the other reaction zone where it is re-oxidized; i.e., regenerated prior to being returned to the reaction zone.
The mixed oxide V/P/O compositions used as catalysts in these processes are known to the art. A review of the art describing V/P/O compositions and their preparation is given in U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,702. The catalyst precursor composition is usually made by a process wherein a conventional vanadium compound in which the vanadium is in the +5 oxidation state, such as in V.sub.2 O.sub.5 or NH.sub.4 VO.sub.3, is partially reduced to the +4 oxidation state by reaction in either an aqueous or organic liquid medium. The catalyst precursor is then formed by the addition of any appropriate phosphorus compound, for example H.sub.3 PO.sub.4, refluxing to bring about reaction and recovering the catalyst precursor, usually as a hydrated vanadium phosphate, by filtration and drying or spray drying. The prior art describes the desirable range of atomic ratios of phosphorus to vanadium and also the incorporation of catalyst promoters. It is desirable that the V/P/O catalyst has good attrition resistance particularly when it is used in a fluidized bed or recirculating bed reactor. The prior art relevant to attrition resistant catalyst and its preparation is reviewed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,677,084. The production of V/P/O catalysts useful for the preparation of maleic anhydride from n-butane requires controlled calcination and activation of the catalyst precursor. This is accomplished by heating the precursor under appropriate temperature, time and atmosphere conditions to accomplish dehydration, while maintaining the average vanadium oxidation state (Vox) between specified limits. For example in U.S. Pat. No. 3,915,892 the precursor dihydrate is converted to the monohydrate by evolving one water of hydration at 370.degree. C. to 394.degree. C. while maintaining the Vox in the range of 4.1 to 4.5. The balance of the water is then removed by heating at 395.degree. C. to 425.degree. C. followed by promoting a bulk crystal phase transition above 450.degree. C. in a carrier gas consisting of air or an inert gas together with controlled amounts of oxygen and hydrocarbon to provide an effluent stream containing at least one volume percent of oxygen or one volume percent each of oxygen and hydrocarbon, again while maintaining the Vox in the range of 4.1 to 4.5.
When the calcination/activation procedures described in the prior art are used to prepare V/P/O catalyst on the scale necessary to provide catalyst for commercial operation it is found that, from the standpoint of maleic anhydride production from n-butane, the resulting catalyst is inferior, to catalyst made on a small batch basis. Consequently more stringently controlled process conditions are needed to produce high grade catalyst on a scale required for commercial plant operation. For example in U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,992 issued Nov. 12, 1996, a relatively low pressure process for calcination and activation of a catalyst containing mixed oxides of vanadium and phosphorus within limited specified operating conditions is disclosed. This process involved the steps of calcining a hydrated V/P/O or V/P/O-SiO.sub.2 catalyst precursor at a temperature range of 375.degree. C. to 400.degree. C. for sufficient time to dehydrate the catalyst precursor while simultaneously and continuously controlling the oxygen level such as to maintain the Vox in the range of 3.825 to 4.175; and then activating the dehydrated catalyst precursor by further heating at a range of 340.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. in the presence of a gaseous atmosphere containing n-butane at a partial pressure not exceeding 0.20 atm while simultaneously and continuously controlling the oxygen level such as to maintain the Vox in the range of 3.95 to 4.15. The instant invention is viewed as an improvement over this process.

Process for the calcination/activation of V/P/O catalyst


A shift lever has a detent rod which is movable along a longitudinal direction of a lever main body. A knob, which is graspably mounted to a distal end portion of the shift lever, has an attachment hole, and a holder is attached in the attachment hole. The holder has a button which is reciprocatingly movable into and out of the attachment hole, and a link which is interlocked with movement of the button. When the button is moved inwardly, the link abuts the detent rod, and moves the detent rod along the longitudinal direction of the lever main body. When the link moves reciprocatingly at the inner side of the knob, the link abuts the inner side of the knob. Elastic members which elastically deform are provided at the link and at a region of the inner side of the knob which region is abutted by the link.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a shift lever for operating a transmission of a vehicle or the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
A plurality of shift ranges are set in advance in an automatic transmission of a vehicle. An operating device, for selecting and operating these plural shift ranges, is provided in the vehicle. As this type of operation device, there is a so-called "straight-type" shift lever device.
The straight-type shift lever device has a shift lever. The shift lever is supported, at a predetermined region of the longitudinal direction proximal end side thereof, so as to be rotatable around an axis whose axial direction is the substantially left-right direction of the vehicle. The rotational position of the shift lever is detected by a position detecting device such as a microswitch or the like for example. An ECU or the like, which controls the automatic transmission, changes the shift range of the automatic transmission on the basis of the results of detection of the position detecting device.
The shift lever is provided with a detent mechanism for preventing inadvertent movement of the shift lever from, for example, a shift position (hereinafter, called "N position" for convenience) corresponding to a neutral range which cuts-off the transmission of driving force from the engine to the wheels, to a shift position (hereinafter called "R position" for convenience) corresponding to a reverse range which transmits driving force from the engine to the wheels and moves the vehicle rearward.
The detent mechanism has a detent rod. The detent rod is provided at the interior of the shift lever so as to be movable along the longitudinal direction of the shift lever. A detent pin is formed to project from the longitudinal direction proximal end side of the detent rod. The detent pin projects outside of the shift lever, and enters in a detent hole which is formed in a housing of the shift lever device.
When the shift lever is operated by being rotated, together with the shift lever, the detent pin rotates in the detent hole. In the state in which the shift lever has reached the N position, a projection, which is formed at the inner peripheral portion of the detent hole, opposes the rotating direction side of the detent pin at the time when the shift lever rotates to the R position. When an attempt is made to rotate the shift lever to the R position in this state, the projection interferes with the detent pin, and restricts rotation of the detent pin, and accordingly, rotation of the shift lever.
On the other hand, a button is provided at a knob for grasping which is provided at the distal end side of the shift lever. When this button is pushed and operated, the detent rod moves toward the proximal end side of the shift lever. In this way, the detent pin is set in a state in which it can avoid the aforementioned projection, and even when an attempt is made to rotate the shift lever from the N position to the R position, the projection does not interfere with the detent pin, and the shift lever can be rotated from the N position to the R position.
The structure of a shift lever which has such a button is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (JP-A) No. 11-151944.
In the shift lever disclosed in JP-A No. 11-151944, a knob button is rotatably supported at a supporting shaft which is provided at the inner side of the shift knob in a vicinity of the upper open end of the shift knob (the knob). The opening of a rectilinear, elongated hole is formed at the side of the supporting shaft of the knob button, which side is opposite the side at which a pushing surface is located.
A lever, which is bent in a substantial V-shape, is provided at the inner side of the shift knob. The lever is structured such that a supporting shaft is provided at the bent portion, and so as to be able to rotate around the supporting shaft. A pin is provided at an arm portion at one side of the bent portion of the lever. The pin enters into the aforementioned opening.
On the other hand, one end of a wire, which corresponds to the aforementioned detent rod, is engaged to an arm portion at the other side of the bent portion of the lever.
In this shift lever, when the pushing surface of the knob button is pushed, the knob button rotates around the supporting shaft. When the knob button rotates, the inner wall of the opening pushes up the pin, and rotates the lever around the supporting shaft. The other arm portion of the lever thereby pulls the wire.
In the shift lever disclosed in JP-A No. 11-151944, if a so-called "overstroke" state arises in which the amount of movement at the time when the knob button is pushed is too large, the arm portion at the one side of the bent portion of the lever is interfered with by the inner wall of the shift knob, and further rotation of the lever is restricted. When such interference arises, the rotating arm portion collides with the inner wall of the shift knob. Therefore, an impact noise arises accompanying this collision.


A method and a structure (1) are provided for enclosing a packaging machine (100), which can be divided in at least two work areas or portions (110; 130, 120) having different operation tasks, arranged one after another along a packaging line (2) of the machine (100). The structure (1) includes a plurality of enclosing panels (P), suitably assembled together to form enclosing chambers (3, 4) for protection of each of the work portions (110; 130, 120). At least one of the enclosing chambers (3) is aimed at enclosing, a pressurized environment and at least the other chamber (4) is aimed at enclosing an environment, whose pressure is substantially constant and equal to the outside pressure.

In the field of the automatic packaging machines, in particular machines for packaging pharmaceutical products into containers, to which the following description refers explicitly without losing its generality, the packaging machines, or the parts thereof, are often isolated from the outside environment, in order to prevent the product being packaged, or their containers, from contamination.
In general, if the pharmaceutical product being packaged is dangerous for the health of operators who work near the packaging machines, it is also essential to avoid spreading of remains or parts of the product in the surrounding area.
For this purpose, specific solutions for packaging pharmaceutical products in a controlled atmosphere have been proposed.
These solutions include apparatuses provided for performing the packaging operation in protected environment, that is for completely isolating the whole packaging machine, and in general the whole packaging area, from the outside area, in order to avoid any type of cross contamination between the product being packaged, their containers and the outside environment.
The above mentioned apparatuses usually include big enclosing structures, having inside work areas with a controlled purity, systems for sterilization and decontamination, and complicated systems for micro filtrations of the air exchanged with the outside.
Since they have to maintain very high isolation standards, the above apparatuses must be very complicated and sophisticated structurally and functionally, and moreover, they are very expensive.

Method and structure for enclosing a packaging machine


A computing device (10) for capturing designated data from one or more graphic applications (60) comprising a screen area (16) for viewing one or more graphic functions (111) wherein each function (111) is manipulated with a plurality of shortcut keys (75) or a cursor pad (24) communicably linked to the screen area (16). A first applications (60) with a screen interface (100) for the user is provided within the device (10) having graphing capabilities for manipulating the graphs (111) on the screen area (16). A cursor (64), cursor pad (24) and shortcut keys (75) are used to trace data along the graph (111) and capture the points to a stack area (84) where they are stored for future use by a second application (90, 92). The second application (90, 92) gives the user the ability to further study and analyze the data. Alternatively, shortcut keys (75) can be used to automate the transfer from the first application (60) to the second application (90, 92).

Without limiting the scope of the invention its background is described in connection with an electronic calculator having math graphing capabilities and memory means for storing data and functions. It should be understood, however, that principles disclosed may also be used in other applications such as desktop computers, portable notebook computers and other similar computing devices.
Educational institutions, businesses and individuals depend on electronic computing devices such as computers, calculators and organizers to store, analyze and manipulate information. One such device, the electronic calculator, has proven to be a very useful tool in a number of applications. For example, calculators are commonly used in business applications to prepare financial statements including balance sheets and income statements, and in reconciling balances. Also, calculators are used for engineering applications such as solving equations for stress and strain, resistance and voltage, or chemical concentrations. Further, calculators are commonly used for personal applications such as balancing checkbooks and home budgeting.
In addition, calculators are commonly used in educational applications. Not only are calculators useful for solving mathematical problems, but also, calculators have recently become effective teaching devices. Several developments in calculator technology have enhanced the teaching capabilities of calculators. For example, the incorporation of a screen into the calculator which allows the user to view not only, the answer, but also the formula or equation inputted by the user.
Additionally, calculator screens have enabled the calculator to present graphical data, which is particularly beneficial in teaching applications. This capability allows a user to enter a function or data from an experiment and view the function or the data in a graphical format. The user may then, for example, change a parameter within the formula or the data to see its effect on the graph.
These calculators often have the capability of graphing in a variety of modes. For example, an equation can be graphed as a function of two rectangular variables in the form y=f(x), two polar variables in the form r=f(.theta.), or three parametric variables in the form x=f(t) and y=g(t). Some of these calculators also have the capability of determining the vector or (x,y) coordinates of a data point along a graph. With such calculators, a user can position a cursor at a given point or points on a graph or functions and resolve the vector coordinates of the point or points.
These calculators, however, limit the user's ability to study, analyze and edit such data in other applications. For example, should a user wish to collect a series of points and import them into a matrix, list or other similar application, he or she must resort to resolving the individual points one at a time and then inputting into a separate application manually. Calculators with built in scientific, engineering and statistical applications lack a quick method of transferring data between different applications resident to the calculator for further study and analysis by the user.
Thus, what is needed is a way to capture data from a graph or screen image and transfer the data to one or more internal applications for further analysis.

Device and method for collecting data from graphed images


An easily installed and removable wind deflecting device that also provides noise reduction and temperature control within the cockpit of a convertible automobile. The invention includes two major components: fitted vinyl or leather seat caps attached to a yoke and an auto safety glass wind diverter panel. The seat caps are jointed together by the yoke and a bottom yoke flap that extends downward to the center console of an automobile. The seat caps fit over the headrest portion of seats and removably secure the invention to the seats. The panel is held in place by snaps attached to a cooperating pair of central flaps provided on the yoke such that the snaps secure together through holes provided in the edge of the safety glass. Access openings provided in the back of the seat caps allow access to controls located on the headrest of the seats.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is a removable wind deflecting or blocking device that is suspended between the front seats of a convertible automobile to rerouting the airflow that normally occurs between, around and over top of the seatbacks.
2. Description of the Related Art
The idea for this windscreen evolved when my wife and I were enjoying a day out driving in our Corvette convertible. As we returned home late in the evening, the air had become much cooler. Rather than put the top up, between the two of us we wrapped a blanket around the seatbacks of the car, then leaned back on them in order to keep the blanket somewhat in place. This drastically changed the airflow, the wind noise, and the temperature within the car. It also made it possible for my wife to wear her long hair completely down, with no need for a cap, hair clip, or ponytail holder. Following this night, I began to research the available of products used for this purpose and found them to be lacking in the aspects of appearance, efficiency, and installation.
Thus, I developed the present invention which is highly efficient in reducing wind flow and wind noise within the car. And because it allows the temperature to remain easily controlled and thus more constant within the car (warmer or cooler depending on the season), it vastly extends our ability to use and enjoy our convertible car.
The invention is subtle and attractive; therefore it never detracts or draws attention away from the beauty of the automobile. Installation involves only the fitting of the vinyl seat-caps over the headrest portion of the car seats much like a stocking cap fits on the human head. The invention requires no modifications to the interior of the car or use of bolts, screws, straps, etc. to secure it.
Due to the use of auto safety glass, visibility is never obstructed, and the design of the invention allows for the convertible top to be raised or lowered easily and safely with the windscreen remaining in place. When one wishes to remove the invention, it lays completely flat and takes up very little space, allowing it to be easily stored in the trunk of the car.


The present disclosure relates to the field of health care products, disclosing a powder made from inulin, FOLIUM CYCLOCARYA PALIURUS, RHIZOMA DIOSCOREA OPPOSITE, RADIX ASTRAGALUS MEMBRANACEUS, CAULIS DENDROBIUM and RADIX ET RHIZOMA SALVIA MILTIORRHIZA. The raw materials of the powder are all from natural Chinese herbal medicine without addition of excipient. In addition, dosage required for the powder is small; it can be directly dissolved in water for taking; it is soluble in cold water and can be absorbed quickly. The method for preparing the powder in the present disclosure is simple and suitable for large-scale production. Also, it is easy to be carried. The powder obtained has a good stability and long storage time. Experiments show that the powder of the present disclosure has greatly hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects, therefore can be used to prepare the health care foods having hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effect.

Hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are "rich people's diseases" derived from modern life, and they exist either alone or linked to each other. Hyperlipidemia and hyperglycemia are sources of many diseases. Hyperglycemia causes lesions in various tissues and organs of the body, resulting in the occurrence of acute and chronic complications, for example, pancreatic failure, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, nutritional deficiency, decreased resistance, impaired renal function, neuropathy, fundus diseases, diabetes and so on. Hyperlipidemia is a risk factor of stroke, coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, and sudden death. In addition, hyperlipidemia is also an important risk factor for promoting abnormal glucose tolerance and diabetes. Hyperlipidemia also leads to fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, cholelithiasis, pancreatitis, retinal hemorrhage, blindness, peripheral vascular disease, claudication and hyperuricemia.
People's living standard has increased significantly in recent years, and consumption concept and health concept of people have changed a lot. In order to avoid the adverse effects of being unhealthy, people pay more and more attention to the use of nutraceuticals. Currently, most of the health care foods for improving hypertension, hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia are in the form of oral liquid. Oral liquid has disadvantages of inconvenience of carrying, poor stability and short storage time. Large doses of adjuvants such as starch and hydroxymethyl cellulose are often added to the tablet when the tablets are made, which causes a long disintegration time. At the same time, it is inconvenient for people who have dysphagia, such as old people and children.

Powder formulation having hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic functions and method for preparing the same