Methods, apparatus and systems for allowing users to easily and securely enroll directly into a newly issued biometric payment card. In an embodiment, a user is provided with a biometric payment card enrollment package that includes a biometric payment card, an energy sleeve having a power source and at least a front wall and a rear wall defining an opening for accepting the biometric payment card therein, and at least one light-emitting diode (LED). The power source includes circuitry to provide power to an EMV chip of the biometric payment card when the biometric payment card is seated therein, and to provide power to the LED during a biometric enrollment process. In some embodiments, a software development kit (SDK) provided by the issuer of the biometric payment card provides support and guidance which enables the user to enroll directly into the biometric payment card.

Millions of consumer transactions occur daily using payment cards, such as credit cards, debit cards, prepaid cards, and the like financial products. Payment card transactions can occur in a variety of environments, such as in a retail store, over the Internet (or online), at automatic-teller machines (ATMs), and/or via a telephone call to order merchandise via an interaction between the cardholder and a customer service representative. Fraudulent or illegal transactions can occur in each of these cases.
A typical retail store purchase transaction involves a customer bringing one or more items to a checkout counter or cash register station, where a cashier or clerk scans the items and a purchase amount is tabulated. After all of the merchandise or items are scanned, the customer pulls out his or her plastic payment card and then either swipes the payment card through a card reader (if it is a magnetic stripe card) or inserts it into, or taps it on, a chip card reader (if it is a smart payment card or a chip card). The card reader reads cardholder credential data from the payment card and then transmits that data to the cash register, which then forwards the cardholder credential data along with purchase transaction data to an acquirer financial institution (FI), which then transmits it to a payment network. Next, the payment network identifies the issuer FI which issued the customer's payment card account, and then transmits the cardholder credential data and the purchase transaction data to that issuer FI for authorization processing. If all is in order (i.e., the issuer FI verifies the cardholder credential data and confirms that the payment card account has an adequate credit line available, or in the case of a debit or prepaid card has adequate funds deposited, to cover the cost of the purchase), then the issuer FI authorizes the purchase transaction and transmits an authorization response to the payment network. The payment network forwards the authorization response to the acquirer FI, which then transmits an authorization message to the merchant's cash register and/or card reader for display to the cashier and the cardholder. In some cases, the customer is then prompted to utilize a special stylus or pen to sign an electronic signature pad associated with the card reader, but in other cases (for example, when the purchase transaction amount is below a predetermined threshold amount) the customer is not required to provide his or her signature. The customer is then typically provided with a paper receipt for the purchase transaction (which may include the merchant store name, a list of the items purchased and their cost, the total purchase amount, and an indication identifying the type of payment card account used by the customer) and then leaves the retail store.
In-store payment card purchase transaction processes may vary slightly from the above example, and may vary depending on the equipment being used by a particular merchant and/or retail store (for example, some card readers may be configured for the consumer to tap his or her near-field communication (NFC) payment card on a designated area instead of inserting or swiping the payment card through the card reader). Regardless of how cardholder data is obtained, most cashier's and/or store clerks do not bother to verify or check the cardholder's signature. Thus, a thief may be able to use a stolen payment card to make fraudulent purchases until the actual cardholder realizes that his or her payment card has been lost or stolen, and then contacts the issuer FI to cancel or suspend that payment card account.
The risk of fraudulent activity (and loss of money) has increased with the increased use of payment card accounts, and thus major payment card transaction processing companies such as Mastercard International Incorporated, Visa Inc., and the American Express Company have designed and implemented various types of anti-fraud mechanisms and/or features. For example, many payment cards have been issued that include security features such as holograms, a photograph of the cardholder appearing on the rear side of the payment card, and/or a card verification code (CVC). In addition, payment card credential data processing features have been implemented that require the cardholder to use passwords and/or personal identification numbers (PINs). The payment card transaction processing companies have also implemented various types of payment card account fraud monitoring and notification processes in order to prevent and/or curtail fraudulent activities.
In order to further reduce the risk of fraud in card-present transactions, Mastercard International Incorporated introduced the Mastercard Biometric Card, which provides a simple and secure way for cardholders to authenticate their identity for in-store purchases with a fingerprint, as an alternative to utilizing a PIN or a signature. Since biometric characteristics are difficult to duplicate, they are ideal for use to protect against fraudulent activities. The Mastercard Biometric Card includes fingerprint data that is stored on the biometric payment card itself, and during purchase transaction processing the fingerprint data never leaves the biometric payment card. Thus, the biometric payment card data is not shared with the merchant, and therefore is not transmitted to a remote server for authentication purposes.
In some purchase transaction implementations, the biometric authentication process entails a cardholder dipping or tapping his or her payment card at a chip-enabled terminal while at the same time holding his or her thumb onto a built-in fingerprint sensor on the face of the biometric payment card. The cardholder's fingerprint image is then compared against one or more biometric images of the cardholder's fingerprint stored within the card. The terminal receives data in the authorization message indicating whether the biometric authentication was successful or failed, which is forwarded to the payment card issuer. If the biometric authentication failed, then the cardholder will be asked to enter an alternate cardholder verification method (CVM) such as a PIN or a signature, which the merchant then handles in accordance with the merchant's purchase transaction risk procedures.
Advantageously, the use of the Mastercard Biometric Card requires no changes for acquirers or for merchants, because the biometric authentication procedures and/or processes are compatible with the merchant's current hardware and/or software, as the biometric authentication procedures are compatible with the EMV standard. The EMV standard (which stands for "Europay, Mastercard and Visa" standard) is a global standard for cards equipped with computer chips and the technology used to authenticate chip-card transactions. Thus, the Mastercard Biometric Card, which includes an EMV chip (a microprocessor), is compatible with any EMV-enabled terminal (globally) that has satisfactorily completed the Mastercard Terminal Integration Process (TIP). For an optimal cardholder experience using the biometric payment card, merchant terminals should be EMV-enabled, customer-facing, accessible to the cardholders, and designed so that the biometric sensor on the front of the biometric payment card is not blocked from use by the cardholder.
Test market results demonstrated that biometric card transactions using the Mastercard Biometric Card are fast because cardholders do not need to remember and enter a PIN during the checkout process. As mentioned above, biometric card transactions also do not require any changes to current EMV-enabled payment terminals, and thus there is no need for the merchant to make any hardware or software updates. Thus, cardholders enjoy an easy and secure checkout experience, while merchants can have enhanced certainty of genuine cardholder identity, which may result in an increase in revenue (from a reduction in false declines and/or a reduction in forgotten PIN transactions).
Accordingly, it would be beneficial for merchants and issuers if cardholders replaced their current chip cards and/or magnetic stripe payment cards with biometric payment cards. In order to facilitate biometric payment card usage, it would be desirable to provide a consumer with a biometric card enrollment process that allows the consumer to easily and securely enroll with his or her biometric data onto the card while at home instead of queuing at a local issuer bank branch. Such a process would require the consumer to directly enter biometric data into a newly issued biometric payment card in conjunction with the issuer's card activation process, and—when successful—would save the consumer from having to take a trip to the issuer FI (such as a bank) or to another supervised location in order to enroll.

Methods and systems for biometric card enrollment


An object is to provide a mask formation method, which can curtail a manufacturing cost.

1. Field of Invention
The present invention relates to a film formation method as well as a device manufactured by employing the method, and a method of manufacturing a device. More particularly, the invention relates to a film formation method of forming a pattern film in the vicinity of an atmospheric pressure without requiring a lowered-pressure environment, in manufacturing devices, and the devices manufactured by the method.
2. Description of Related Art
In the related art, in manufacturing a semiconductor device, after forming elements on the front surface of a wafer substrate, a wiring pattern is formed on the upper layer side of the elements.
FIG. 14(1)–FIG. 15(3) are schematics showing a related art patterning process. In order to form, for example, a wiring line on the front surface of a semiconductor wafer 1 as shown in FIG. 14(1), the surface of the semiconductor wafer 1, formed with an insulating film (not shown), is subjected to plasma CVD so as to form a wiring layer 2 on the upper layer of the insulating film, as shown in FIG. 14(2). Incidentally, the wiring layer 2 may well be formed by sputtering.
After the wiring layer 2 has been formed on the semiconductor wafer 1 in this manner, a resist film is formed over the wiring layer 2 by coating with a photoresist, and it is brought into a light exposure step and a photo-etching step, thereby to form a patterned resist film 3 as shown in FIG. 14(3).
Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 15(1), the semiconductor wafer 1 is brought into a dry etching step, at which the wiring layer 2 is etched using the resist film 3 as a mask. The resultant state is shown in FIG. 15(2). After the wiring layer 2 has been left only under the resist film 3 in this way, the resist film 3, overlying the wiring layer 2, is removed by a solvent.
Via such steps, a wiring pattern 4 can be formed on the surface of the semiconductor wafer 1 as shown in FIG. 15(3).
However, problems as indicated below have been involved in the manufacturing process stated above and a semiconductor device manufactured by the process.
Since most of the related art steps are carried out in vacuum states (lowered-pressure environments), vacuum processing facilities are indispensable to these manufacturing steps. Regarding the vacuum processing facilities, there has been the problem that, in performing the processing steps, energy consumption which includes energy relating to infrastructure equipment for the evacuation to surroundings, the circulation of cooling water, etc. becomes enormous to occupy more than 60% of energy which is necessary for the manufacturing process.
Herein, increase in the energy consumption is considered to be ascribable to the following constituents of the vacuum processing facilities: Chamber load lock to transfer workpieces from an environment under an atmospheric pressure into a vacuum state, and a plurality of dry pumps or turbo-pumps to bring a processing chamber into vacuum. Also included are the enlargements of footprints attributed to the pluralization of chambers to enhance a throughput, and the attendant enlargement of the area of a clean room, increase in the number of infrastructure equipment for keeping them, and so forth.
Moreover, with the plasma CVD, large quantities of PFC gases are used to provide chamber cleaning and are emitted to heavily burden the global environment with global warming, the destruction of the ozone layer, etc.

Method of forming a film of predetermined pattern on a surface as well as device manufactured by employing the same, and method of manufacturing device

Abstract: A method of forming a film of predetermined pattern on the front surface of a member to-be-processed is so constructed as to carry out the step (S178) of improving the adherence of a pattern material solution to the member to-be-processed, the step (S180) of filling up a pattern forming recess provided in a mask on the surface of the member to-be-processed with a pattern material solution, the step (S186) of improving the film quality of the pattern film to-be-formed by processing the pattern material solution, the step (S188) of removing the pattern material solution having adhered on the mask, the step (S190) of drying the pattern material solution, and the step (S196) of subjecting the pattern film to annealing processing.


A bark control device (10) for deterring a dog from barking. The bark control device (10) includes a housing (12) carried by the dog, the housing having a vibration dampening surface (13) covering at least a portion of the exterior of the housing (12). The device (10) also includes a bark detection mechanism (18), a stimulus delivery system (26) for delivering a stimulus to the dog to dissuade the dog from barking, and circuitry (22, 24) for activating the stimulus delivery system (26) in response to the detection by the bark detection mechanism (18) of a bark by the dog. The vibration dampening surface (13) of the housing (12) inhibits the delivery of false correction stimuli to the dog as the result of vibrations emanating from a source other than a bark by the dog.

1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to devices and systems that control the barking of pet dogs. More specifically, the present invention is related to a bark control device having an associated vibration dampening housing which decreases the possibility of false corrections being given to the dog. The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a vibration dampening housing for a bark control device.
2. Description of the Related Art
Electronic bark control devices and systems that control the barking of pet dogs by delivering a correction stimulus to the dog are known in the art. Such devices use various correction stimuli such as, for example, an audible warning sound, and, more commonly, an electric shock. Further, such devices use various triggering mechanisms to determine when a bark has occurred and when a correction stimulus is to be delivered to a dog. Certain systems utilize a vibration sensor carried by the dog that detects vibrations generated by a bark and triggers the delivery of a correction stimulus. For example, the vibration sensor can be a piezoelectric device in contact with the throat of the dog as in the case of the system described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,601,054. However, bark control systems which utilize vibration sensors in contact with the throat of the dog to detect the barking of the dog can be prone to delivering false corrections to the dog. For example, the vibration sensor and associated electronic circuitry of the bark control device are typically disposed within a housing secured to the dog's neck with a collar. During the normal activities of the dog it is not uncommon for the housing to rub or scrape against objects such as furniture, bushes, food or water bowls, etc., causing vibrations. Such vibrations can be interpreted by the bark control device as a bark, resulting in a false correction being delivered to the dog. In this regard, false corrections can confuse the dog and undermine the training process. In order to limit the number of false corrections delivered to the dog, some bark control devices utilize a microphone which detects sound waves in addition to a vibration sensor which detects vibrations directly from the throat of the dog. Such devices can better discriminate between an actual bark by the dog wearing the device and other outside influences which could be mistakenly interpreted as a bark. However, devices utilizing microphones tend to be expensive, and tend to be less energy efficient such that the life of the batteries powering the devices can be significantly shortened. Therefore, bark control devices utilizing direct vibration monitors alone remain a popular alternative, notwithstanding the possibility of false corrections. Examples of various bark control devices are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,180,013; 5,927,233; 6,588,376; and 6,668,760.

Bark control device and associated vibration dampening housing and method for constructing such housing


A cutter includes a stopper with which a blade after cutting a harness with a cutting portion collides and stops. The blade includes a flexible guide portion which protrudes further in a forward direction of the blade than the cutting portion.

Cutters configured to cut current-carrying members through which current flows have been known. Cutters of this type are used to shut off power from a power supply, for example, in disaster situations. Patent Document 1 shows a cutter which includes a blade having an approximately columnar cutting portion, and which is configured such that the blade propelled by an explosion of an explosive that fills a gas generation chamber in a cylindrical case moves forward to cut a target current-carrying member with the cutting portion. After the blade propelled by the explosion cuts the current-carrying member, the blade collides with a blade stopper and stops.


A brake-equipped retracting device (3) returns a liquid crystal display device (1) from a deployed position (1B) to a stored position (1A) using an elastic returning force of a spiral spring (18) that is wound up when the liquid crystal display device (1) is opened by the rotational force of a motor. A braking force for preventing the liquid crystal display device (1) from returning with too much force is applied to an input shaft (17a) of a reducer by having a rope (21) whose tensile force increases and decreases in relation to the opening and closing of the liquid crystal display device (1) be wound around a slip clutch (15) that is connected to the input shaft (17a). In emergency situations such as when the rope (21) breaks, a centrifugal grip (53) of a rotation-restraining mechanism (50) strikes an engagement notch surface (56b) on a fixed side, and the rotation of the input shaft (17a) is forcibly halted. A retracting device for a liquid crystal display device comprising a braking device that has a simple structure, is reliable, is highly safe, and is low in cost can be realized.

Liquid crystal display devices are provided to the ceiling of a cabin of an airplane or the like, are horizontally stored within the ceiling, and are opened to a substantially perpendicularly deployed position when necessary. When the liquid crystal display device is opened, rotational movement output via a motor and reducer is converted to circular movement for turning the liquid crystal display to an deployed position via a link mechanism. A spiral spring is connected to an input shaft or output shaft of the reducer, and is designed to be wound up in association with the opening action of the liquid crystal display device. When the liquid crystal display is to be stored, the motor and the reducer are separated by an electromagnetic clutch, and the returning force of the wound-up spiral spring returns the liquid crystal display device to the stored position. The rotational force of the motor is not relied upon for the closing action because the liquid crystal display device must reliably be returned to a safe stored position without relying on electrical power even in an emergency.
In this instance, the liquid crystal display device 1 is in a substantially flat orientation when in a stored position 1A, and is in a substantially perpendicular orientation when in an opened position 1B, as shown in FIG. 5(b). Therefore, a torque T(1) based on the weight that turns the liquid crystal display device 1 in the opening direction is at a maximum in a closed state, is reduced as the display device is turned toward the deployed position 1B, and is at a minimum when the device is in the perpendicular orientation, as shown in FIG. 5(a). In contrast, the spiral spring will have the least number of coils (state of the initial number of coils) when the liquid crystal display device 1 is closed; therefore, the returning force T(18) of the spiral spring will be at a minimum. The number of coils will be at a maximum when the liquid crystal display device 1 reaches the deployed position 1B; therefore, the returning force T(18) will also be at a maximum. The returning force T(18) in the state of the initial number of coils must exceed the torque T(1) in the opening direction created by the weight of the liquid crystal display device 1 when in a closed state in order for the liquid crystal display device 1 to be returned to the stored position 1A by the spiral spring.
Configuring the returning force of the spiral spring in this manner poses a hazard in that a return torque T(1+18) that will be at maximum in the deployed position and decreases toward the stored position, will act on the device, so that the returning torque in the deployed position will become extremely high, and the liquid crystal display device 1 will slam shut.
A demand has arisen for a braking mechanism to be affixed to a retracting device of the liquid crystal display device 1 for applying a brake so that the liquid crystal display device will close at suitable speed. Braking mechanisms able to be used include hydraulic dampers, electromagnetic brakes, and gear dampers in which the braking force increases in proportion to the speed. However, problems are presented in that gear dampers comprise a plurality of gears, are configured so that frictional force increases with centrifugal force, involve a complex mechanism, and have poor reliability. Problems are also presented in that hydraulic dampers must be of a large size in order to maintain a prescribed braking force and are not suitable for being incorporated in retracting devices for liquid crystal display devices and the like. Problems further arise in that an electromagnetic brake or other electrical brake will not function during a power failure.

Brake-equipped retracting device for retractable member

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


Non-human animals comprising a human or humanized DPP4 nucleic acid sequence are provided. Non-human animals that comprise a replacement of the endogenous Dpp4 gene with a human or humanized DPP4 gene, or non-human animals comprising a human or humanized DPP4 gene in addition to the endogenous Dpp4 gene are described. Non-human animals comprising a human or humanized DPP4 gene under control of human or non-human DPP4 regulatory elements is also provided, including non-human animals that have a replacement of non-human Dpp4-encoding sequence with human DPP4-encoding sequence at an endogenous non-human Dpp4 locus. Non-human animals comprising human or humanized DPP4 gene sequences, wherein the non-human animals are rodents, e.g., mice or rats, are provided. Methods for making and using the non-human animals are described.

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) is a therapeutic target for the treatment of a variety of human diseases, disorders and conditions, including, for example, hyperglycemia (see, e.g., Gerich (2013) Pathogenesis and Management of Postpandrial Hyperglycemia: Role of Incretin-Based Therapies, Intl. J. Gen. Med. 6:877-895) and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection (see, e.g., Raj et al. (2013) Dipeptidyl Peptidase 4 is a Functional Receptor for the Emerging Human Coronovirus-EMC, Nature 495(7440):251-254).
The evaluation of the pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of therapeutic molecules that specifically target human DPP4 protein are routinely performed in non-human animals, e.g., rodents, e.g., mice or rats. However, the PD of such molecules cannot properly be determined in certain non-human animals if these therapeutic molecules also do not target the endogenous Dpp4 protein.
Moreover, the evaluation of the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of human DPP4-specific small molecule, peptide or protein (i.e., biologic) antagonists in non-human animal models of diseases is problematic in certain non-human animals in which the species-specific antagonist does not interact with the endogenous Dpp4 protein. Furthermore, the evaluation of the in vivo therapeutic efficacy of small molecule, peptide or protein (i.e., biologic) antagonists that target molecules that specifically interact with human DPP4 protein is also problematic in certain non-human animals in which the therapeutic target molecule itself does not interact with the endogenous Dpp4 protein.
Accordingly, there is a need for non-human animals, e.g., rodents, e.g., mice or rats that comprise a human or humanized DPP4 gene. For example, there is a need for non-human animals, e.g., rodents, e.g., mice or rats, in which the Dpp4 gene of the non-human animal is humanized in whole or in part or replaced (e.g., at the endogenous non-human loci) with a human DPP4 gene comprising sequences encoding human or humanized DPP4 protein.
There is also a need for non-human animals comprising a DPP4 gene (e.g., human or humanized) in which the DPP4 gene is under control of non-human regulatory elements (e.g., endogenous regulatory elements), for example, in the 5′ flanking region, e.g., promoter and enhancer(s), or in the 3′ untranslated region, of the DPP4 gene.
There is also a need for non-human animals comprising a DPP4 gene (e.g., human or humanized) in which the DPP4 gene is under control of human regulatory elements, for example, in the 5′ flanking region, e.g., promoter or enhancer(s), or in the 3′ untranslated region, of the human DPP4 gene.
There is also a need for humanized non-human animals that express human or humanized DPP4 protein on the surface of immune cells, e.g., T cells, and/or on the surface of cells in one or more tissues, e.g., placenta, kidney, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, heart, brain and/or pancreas, at a level similar to that of Dpp4 protein on the surface of immune cells, e.g., T cells, and/or on the surface of cells in one or more tissues, e.g., placenta, kidney, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, heart, brain and/or pancreas, of an age-matched non-human animal that expresses functional Dpp4 protein, but does not comprise the human or humanized DPP4 gene.
In addition, there is a need for humanized non-human animals that express human or humanized DPP4 protein on the surface of immune cells, e.g., T cells, and/or on the surface of cells in one or more tissues, e.g., placenta, kidney, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, heart, brain and/or pancreas, at a level higher than or lower than that of Dpp4 protein on the surface of immune cells, e.g., T cells, and/or on the surface of cells in one or more tissues, e.g., placenta, kidney, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, heart, brain and/or pancreas, of an age-matched non-human animal that expresses functional Dpp4 protein, but does not comprise the human or humanized DPP4 gene.
Throughout this specification, various patents, patent applications and other types of publications (e.g., journal articles, electronic database entries, etc.) are referenced. The disclosure of all patents, patent applications, and other publications cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Humanized dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) animals


The invention relates to an information system comprising a signal detection device (1751) which detects signals reflected back by at least one eye having a retina; a visual field detection device which detects visible light in a visual field associated with the retina, without detecting a ghost image of the retina; an information device; and an output device which co-operates with the information device to provide information according to the detected light and in correlation with the detected signals.

Many cases are known from daily life in which it would be useful and/or desirable to have immediate access to information that goes beyond our personal knowledge and sensory impressions. Examples of this are searching for an electrical cable under the plaster in a wall, navigating in a unfamiliar city, collecting wild mushrooms and inspecting a possibly dangerous object by means of a remote-controlled robot.
The strong dependency of a person having vision on their visual senses clearly contributes to the difficulty of providing additional information. Indeed, the fact that people having vision primarily use their eyes makes it necessary, in many cases, to either input the supplementary information via the eyes or to determine the supplementary information based on the information seen. In the case of input via the eyes, however, the orientation of the eyes must be taken into exact consideration for correct "placement" of the input information and to avoid a "jittering" or "blurring" thereof. In addition, in many cases the information should be made available without a controlled movement of the eyeballs; a car driver may have a map on his lap but would prefer not to have to look away from the street.
Due to their dependency on solid media, e.g. paper, CRT and LCD screens, etc., prior visual information systems have not been in a position to sufficiently fulfill the comfort needs of a person having vision. Non-visual information systems previously lacked the correlation to that which is seen that is natural for people having vision.
DE 196 31 414 A1, whose introduction describes several modern information system, in particular from the military field, contains further information to the prior art.


A projection device (1; 24), comprising a base (2), a support (3) and a projection head (4; 27), the support (3) being rotatable relative to the base (2) and relative to the projection head (4; 27) wherein a light guide system (10-18) is accommodated in the support, (3) and at least one wavelength-converting luminophore (22) for converting at least part of a light beam (L) generated by the at least one light source (5) is accommodated in the projection head (4; 27).

Projection devices or beamers of the aforementioned type with a compact housing are known in which a light production unit creates mixed light by means of the luminophore. The mixed light is emitted via a frontally arranged projection optical system as a defined light beam. The frontally emitted light beam can be at least coarsely oriented by the adjustment of stand legs.

Projection device and method for operating a projection device


A method for transferring colorant from a donor element to a compact disc (CD) includes holding a CD in the focal plane of a focused laser beam with a colorant donor element being positioned in transferable relationship with the CD and focusing a laser beam on the colorant donor element to heat the donor element to a sufficient temperature to transfer colorant to the CD to thereby effect the transfer of colorant from the donor element to the CD.

A compact disc (CD) is a high-volume and long lived data-storage medium. One recordable compact disc (CD-R) contains a polycarbonate disc that is coated with a dye layer, a metallized reflective layer, and a protective layer. A CD-R will be understood to be a compact disc that can be written on, typically by a laser beam as contrasted with a CD-ROM which information is recorded by injection molding. Cyanine, phthalocyanine, and metallized azo dyes are commonly used dyes coated in a polymer binder in the dye layer. The metallized reflective layer typically consists of gold in CD-R, and aluminum in CD-ROM. In a CD writer, a laser beam illuminates the dye polymers through the polycarbonate substrate as the disc spins. The illumination is turned on and off at selective locations determined by the input digital information. The heating by the laser causes the dye layer to chemically change at these locations, forming readable marks in the dye polymer. The degraded dye polymers in the marked regions are less reflective than the unmarked regions. During the reading process, a low-power laser scans the dye polymer layer in a recorded disc. The laser light is reflected directly from the unmarked regions, but is scattered or diminished in the marked regions. A sensor monitors the transitions between the marked and unmarked regions from the intensity of the reflective light, and converts it into a digital data stream. Similar to the above process, a CD-ROM differentiates the intensity of the reflective light by pits and lands in the compact discs. These pits and lands are pre-recorded by pressing the compact discs, typically mass produced.
The CDs are often coated with a printable surface opposite to the surface from which the information is recorded and retrieved. On the printable surface, a label is printed which can be logos, trademarks, text, graphics, and bar codes, etc., which are related to the information stored on the CD. The label also protects the CD from physical damage. Because the CD spins at high speed in the writer and the player, the CD label needs to be precisely balanced to the center of the disc for smooth rotation.
Labeling of CD discs has routinely been accomplished through screen printing methods. While this method can provide a wide variety of label content, it tends to be cost ineffective for run lengths less than 300-400 discs because the fixed cost on unique materials and set-up are shared by all the discs in each run. The screen printing technique is well described in the textbook "Graphic Arts Manual", edited by Janet and Irving Field, Arno/Musarts Press, New York, N.Y., 1980, pp. 416 to 418. In screen printing a stencil of the image is prepared, placed in contact with the CD and then ink is spread by squeegee across the stencil surface. Where there are openings in the stencil the ink passes through to the surface of the CD, thus producing the image. Preparation of the stencil is an elaborate, time consuming and expensive process.
Recently, significant increases in use of CD-R discs as a data distribution vehicle have increased the need to provide customized CD label content to reflect the data content of the disc. For these applications, the screen label printing presents a dilemma as CD-R discs are designed to allow customized user information to be recorded in standardized CD formats.
Initially, the customized label information was "hand written" on the disc surface using felt tipped markers. While this method allowed users to individually identify discs, it tends to be labor intensive, prone to human error in transcription, and aesthetically limited.
Other attempts to provide a CD-R labeling solution has incorporated digitally printed adhesive labels. Label stock for this type of CD-R labeling is available from a number of sources. These allow pre-cut labels to be printed using desktop or commercial ink-jet, thermal wax transfer, or electrophotographic printers. An example of such labels is the STOMP Company's (Irvine, Calif.) CD Stomper package of die-cut CD labels that can be printed on any 8.5 by 11 inch inkjet or laser printer. Following printing, the labels can be applied manually with or without the aid of an alignment tool or a specially designed machine. This method can be labor intensive. It is also prone to human error in label transfer. Damage to the CD-R can result if the label is removed. System performance problems can occur due to disc imbalance or label delamination in the CD writer or reader.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,337 describes an apparatus and method for printing label information on a CD. Both ink jet and laser printing are described, but the laser printing is limited to printing ink onto an intermediate drum and then transferring the image to the CD label, that is, offset printing
Within the past several years, methods for direct CD labeling have been growing in prominence. These methods utilize the versatility and ease of the setup associated with digital printing to provide customized label content directly on a disc surface. The most commonly used direct CD printers incorporate ink jet or thermal wax transfer technologies. Examples of such printers are the AFFEX Corporation's (2522 Chambers Road, Suite 110, Tustin, Calif.) Multi Media Color Ink Jet Printer, the FARGO Corporation's (Eden Prairie, Minn.) Signature CD Color Printer. These printers can be either stand alone or integrated into a computerized disc writing system reducing problems associated with labor, human error, disc damage, and imbalance. While printers of this type can produce satisfactory output, specially designed layers are required for their use. There is concern over performance of printed image quality for both types of printers. Thermal printing has demonstrated a lack of robustness with respect to abrasion and ink jet printing is less resistant to moisture. There are additional concerns over the inability to produce multi-color output on the thermal wax transfer CD-label printers, and the long print time required for the ink jet label printing. Additionally, both of these printers are binary in the density scale, and cannot reproduce continuous tone photographic images.
One known continuous-tone digital color printing technique is the thermal resistive dye diffusion (or sublimation) printer. Printing techniques have been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,542,768, and the above cross referenced co-pending applications. However, a thermal resistive head (both thermal wax transfer and dye diffusion) prints at a pressure contact to the CD surface. Good printing uniformity by thermal resistive printing requires (see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,244,861) a conformable layer in the receiving paper, which is lacking in CD-R discs.
Screen printing is not economic for printing label images on a small number of discs. Ink-jet and thermal wax transfer printing methods are binary, and therefore not suitable for photographic quality continuous tone printing. Thermal resistive head printing techniques including wax transfer and thermal dye diffusion printing require either a conformable surface or a high pressure nip contact between the print head and the Photo CD surface, both of which make the process expensive and difficult. All the above techniques, to different degrees, are slow in printing speeds.

Transferring colorant from a donor element to a compact disc


A profiling device (100) is discussed, the profiling device is adapted for mounting to a cutting implement such as an angle grinder (10) having body (11), head (12), blade (13) and guard (14). The profiling device (100) preferably includes an elongate member (101) which encapsulates a portion of the blade (13) and a shroud (102) which is secured to the head (12) end of the grinder (10). The elongate member (101) includes rails (1011, 1012) which act as a cutting guide for the cutting implement to produce the desired profile to the work piece. Rails (1011, 1012) are preferably disposed at a pre-set angle? to one another with the portion of the blade (13) accommodated therein.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a device to assist in the profiling and/or cutting of vitreous and/or porous materials such as ceramics. In particular although not exclusively the present invention is directed to a device for profiling or cutting of ceramic and glass tiles.
2. Discussion of the Background Art
Tiles are often used to form wall and floor coverings, and can range from simple square tiles to complex mosaics. Tiles are most often made from porcelain, fired clay or ceramic with a hard glaze, but other materials are also commonly used, such as glass and stone. Generally it is the hard wearing nature along with general water resistance that has seen the use of tiles in many wet and high traffic areas of buildings such as bathrooms, lobbies, foyers, atriums, kitchens etc.
As tiles come in various shapes and sizes it is often necessary to cut tiles to length in order to fit them within the dimensions of the area in which they are installed. Often a number of angled cuts are required to ensure that tiles are properly fitted into and around corners and various fixtures and fittings within the installation area. One of the simplest devices available for cutting tiles are beam score cutters. Essentially these devices make use of the fact that while tiles are hardwearing they are also brittle and prone to breakage along faults such as cracks etc within the tile. Such beam cutters are equipped with a scoring blade which is used to score the tile where the cut is to be made. Once the tile is scored pressure is exerted on the tile about the scored section to cause the tile to fracture along the score. Often this results in a clean break of the tile in case where it does not the stray pieces of tile are removed using tile nippers.
While beam cutters and the like are useful for making cuts their application is somewhat limited. Such device are typically limited to making straight cuts moreover they are effective for certain tile thicknesses. To perform more complex angle cuts and to effect cutting of tiles of greater thicknesses tile saws are often utilised. Such saws often include a table or stand which supports an electric saw, the table or stand may also include a cutting guide to guide the tile in relative to the blade. While such saw provide for accurate cuts at a variety of angles their size and weight and expense makes them less than appeal to the average tradesman or home handy man where the expense and transportation of such a saw is not feasible for small jobs.
An alternative to the tile saw is the use of a angle grinder fitted with a diamond blade. Such blades are relatively inexpensive and fit most models of grinders. This relatively simple arrangement enables most handy men and trades people to cut tiles utilising an existing tool they already own. However the problem with using a grinder fitted with such a blade is that it often difficult to obtain a precise cut. Often an angled cut or bevel with this arrangement are often made by eye as most commercially available angle grinders do not come with cutting guides.
On example of a device to assist in the cutting of tiles or the like utilising a grinder is discussed in International Application No WO 2000/48799 to Moncrieff entitled "profiling tool" (hereinafter the '799 reference). The device of the '799 reference includes an elongate member having a slot, a first and second arms disposed at opposing ends of the elongate member. The device is affixed to an angle grinder by the arms, with the first arm being attached to one side of the casing of the angle grinder, and the second arm being attached to the other side of the casing of the angle grinder by a casing bolt such that the blade of the angle grinder passes through the slot. As the arrangement of the '799 reference requires attachment to grinder's casing by means of casing bolts it is application is limited to a number of older angle grinder models.
Clearly it would be advantageous to provide a device to assist in the cutting of tiles or the like which fitted to a wide variety of cutting devices in a safe and effective manner.


An ion source for a mass spectrometer is disclosed comprising a lens and mirror arrangement which focuses a laser beam onto the upper surface of a target substrate. The lens has an effective focal length ≦300 mm. The laser beam is directed onto the target substrate at an angle θ with respect to the perpendicular to the target substrate, wherein θ≦3°. One or more ion guides receive ions released from the target substrate and onwardly transmit the ions along an ion path which substantially bypasses the lens and mirror.

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method of mass spectrometry. More specifically, although not exclusively, this invention relates to a mass spectrometer and a method of mass spectrometry. Mass spectrometers configured for Matrix-Assisted Laser Desorption Ionisation ("MALDI") are known. MALDI is a soft ionisation technique for mass spectrometry in which the analyte molecules are prepared on the surface of a target plate. They are supported in a solid polycrystalline matrix. A pulse of laser radiation, with a typical duration of a few nanoseconds, is directed onto the MALDI sample which is strongly absorbed by the matrix molecules. This pulse of laser energy results in rapid heating of the region that is irradiated. This heat causes a proportion of the matrix material to be vaporised and explosively ejected from the surface as a plume of gaseous material (desorption). Analyte ions, embedded within the matrix that is desorbed, are transferred to the gaseous phase along with the matrix. Reactions between the matrix ions and the analyte molecules can result in the analyte molecules being ionised either through protonation/deprotonation or through the removal or addition of an ion. Upon dispersal of the initial MALDI plume, the remaining analyte ions are predominantly singly charged.
Although the absorption of the laser radiation occurs at all levels of laser fluence, there is a threshold energy density required in order to obtain desorption of material under illumination.
MALDI imaging is a growing technique where the sample to be analysed may be a thin (typically 15 μm) section of tissue, with a layer of matrix deposited upon the surface. The sample is scanned in a raster manner, with the laser firing at specific locations or ranges of locations spaced along the raster pattern. Mass spectra are acquired at each location or range of locations and the relative abundance of ion masses is then displayed as an ion image of the tissue section. The image resolution to which the spatial distribution of ions can be determined is a function of the distance between each spectral location and the area of the sample irradiated above the ionisation threshold by each individual laser pulse. Therefore, the spatial resolution can be improved by the use of a small diameter laser intensity profile. A shorter distance from the final laser lens to the sample is therefore advantageous in improving the spatial resolution of the ion image.
In order to obtain a high spatial resolution of the MALDI source, the area irradiated by the laser pulse must be reduced in area. This is determined by several factors associated with the laser beam profile incident upon the focusing element, including the beam diameter and the beam profile. It is also determined by the focal length of the focusing optic, and hence the working distance between the lens and the MALDI sample plate. One further issue that determines the size of the laser pulse incident on the sample is the angle of incidence of the laser beam. With this in mind it is preferable to ensure that the laser beam is orthogonally incident upon the sample target.
The plume and analyte ions formed by irradiation by the laser tends to expand in a direction towards the incident laser beam. This is because of the inhomogeneous surface topography of the MALDI sample and crystalline matrix. Reference is made to P. Aksouh et al. Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrometry, 9 (1995) 515.
The ions formed in the MALDI plume must be transferred into the analyser. This requires electrodes to be located in close proximity to the sample target. In high vacuum MALDI instruments, the requirement for electrostatic lenses to be also arranged along the ion optic axis to enable ion acceleration orthogonal to the sample plate generally precludes the ability to locate laser optics along the same path. Consequently, many MALDI mass spectrometers are designed with the laser incident at a small but non-zero angle of incidence. For other systems with orthogonal illumination electrostatic deflectors have been used to guide ions around the laser optics.
With intermediate pressure MALDI, where a hexapole RF guide is used to transfer ions, the RF device prevents the possibility of locating laser optics designed specifically to provide orthogonal illumination. Furthermore, the RF lenses limit the possibility of providing a final focus lens close to the MALDI sample plate. Similar constraints also apply to atmospheric pressure MALDI instrumentation.
It is desired to provide an improved mass spectrometer and method of mass spectrometry.


A method and system for subscriber selection from multiple predefined profile sets. The method comprises maintaining the multiple predefined profile sets for a subscriber in a communication network. Each of the predefined profile sets defines a respective configuration of multiple services to which the subscriber subscribes. The method then comprises receiving a request from the subscriber to make a given one of the predefined profile sets an active set for the subscriber and responsively making the given predefined profile set an active set for the subscriber.

I. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to communications. More particularly, the present invention is directed to methods and systems for maintaining and selecting profile sets for various communications services.
II. Description of Related Art
Advances in the telecommunications industry have led to the availability of a large number of communications services. Such services are available, often by subscription, to users of current communications networks. For example, some of these services include voicemail, selective ringing, voice-activated calling, selective call forwarding, and text messaging, among numerous other services. Additionally, many of these services have service parameters that can be used to modify their functionality.
In this regard, for example, a voicemail service may have multiple greetings that may be stored by a user. A user may use one of these greetings as a "primary" greeting, which callers will hear when the user does not answer an incoming call within a specified number of rings. Alternatively, all calls may be directly forwarded to the voicemail service and an alternate greeting may be used. The user may also use one of the available greetings as a "not available" greeting, which callers may hear when the user is either on the phone or out of the office.
As another example, call forwarding may be used to direct calls placed to the user's phone number to another phone number at which the user, or someone who is taking calls for the user, will be. This may be done non-discriminately, with all calls being forwarded to the other number. Alternatively, calls may be forwarded on a selective basis, such as the subscriber accepting calls only from certain numbers (which may be based on caller identification information), while all other calls are forwarded.
The availability of such services (among others), with corresponding service parameters, allows subscribers to adapt the services they use (or subscribe to) to their particular needs. Most subscribers, however, have different service preferences at different times. In this respect, a subscriber may desire that multiple services be configured in one way during business hours, such as when the subscriber is in his/her business office or normal place of business. However, the subscriber may prefer that those same services are configured in another way during business hours when traveling away from the subscriber's home office. Additionally, the subscriber may want the services configured in still other ways during weekday evening hours, on weekends, or when the subscriber is on vacation. These situations are, of course, exemplary.
In current communications systems, such services may be distributed across a number of platforms that are included in a communications network. A carrier with which the subscriber has obtained a phone number and access to a communications network of the carrier may provide some services. Other services may be provided by third parties (not by the carrier), which are included on platforms coupled with the communications network that the subscriber has access to through the carrier. For example, a voicemail service may be provided to the subscriber by the carrier, while a news and information service may be provided to the subscriber by a third party via the carrier's communications network. These various communications services also have various manners in which subscribers configure the services based on their individual preferences. The configuration for each of the multiple services for a respective subscriber is maintained in a profile for the subscriber.
In this regard, modifying how such services operate (e.g., modifying the subscriber's profile), so as to be consistent with the subscriber's preferences may be a time consuming process. For example, to change the configuration of the subscriber's voicemail service in the subscriber's profile, the subscriber dials into the voicemail service and then traverses an interactive voice response unit's (IVRU's) menu to enable or disable the voicemail service, select the type of calls to be forwarded to the service, select which greeting to use from multiple greetings, among any number of other options. The subscriber's profile is then updated to reflect any changes in the configuration of the voicemail service made by the subscriber using the IVRU.
Then, if the subscriber, for example, wishes to modify the configuration of a call forwarding service, the subscriber must disconnect from the IVRU. After the subscriber is disconnected from the IVRU, he/she may then modify the call forwarding service using, for example, a feature-code selection system. In this regard, the subscriber dials a certain key sequence (e.g. *23) and then enters (in this example) a call forwarding number and any criteria on which calls are forwarded (e.g. all calls or selective). The subscriber's profile may then be updated to reflect any changes made to the call forwarding service.
Other services may be configured in different manners. For example, the subscriber may configure a news and information service by contacting a customer service representative by phone, by accessing another IVRU (physically and functionally distinct from the voicemail IVRU), or by using a World Wide Web based interface. Other services (such as voice calling, selective ringing, etc.) are modified in a similar, one by one, and stepwise manner. Such an approach to configuring communications services is both time consuming and inefficient for the subscriber. Thus, alternative approaches may be desirable.

Method and system for user selection from multiple predefined service profile sets


A multi-actuator system for active sound and vibration cancellation utilizes an LMS type algorithm having an adaptive filter. However, the error signal rather than the input is filtered through an adjoint filter of the error channel to drive an adaptive filter which in turn drives, for example, a loudspeaker to provide destructive interference for noise cancellation. The adjoint filter is realized by converting a standard filter's flow direction, such as a finite impulse response filter, swapping branching points with summing junctions and unit delays with unit advances. For multiple-input-output systems, computational complexity is significantly reduced.

Active noise control systems using the well-known filtered-x LMS (least mean square) Algorithm are known for electrical noise cancellation. A general discussion is by S. Elliot and P. Nelson, Active Noise Control, IEEE Signal Processing Magazine, October 1993. The well-known filtered-x LMS Algorithm is discussed by B. Widrow and S. Stearns in a book, Adaptive Signal Processing, Prentice Hall, 1985. The above algorithm uses an adaptive filter in conjunction with a transfer function in the forward path which filters the input. The Filtered-x LMS algorithm is most ideally used in a single-input single-output (SISO) system. For multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems, the Multiple Error LMS algorithm is a generalization of the Filtered-x LMS algorithm.
For the SISO system, the computational complexity is of a desirable order N, where N is the number adjustable parameters of the adaptive filter. However, in the multiple error LMS algorithm the desirable order N computational complexity of LMS is lost, resulting in prohibitive cost.

Multi-actuator system for active sound and vibration cancellation

Oregon Graduate Institute of Science and Technology


A cased wellbore extends downhole to a pay zone which is produced by a rod actuated downhole pump that lifts fluid from the bottom of the wellbore up through a tubing string to a wellhead. The pump is seated in a pump cavity, and the tubing string is tensioned and is rotated. The upper end of the tubing string is attached to a fluid conveying swivel and a tubing rotator. A combination tubing anchor having a fluid conveying rotatable mandrel is attached adjacent to and forms part of the lower end of the tubing string by which the lower end of the tubing string is rotatably and releasably affixed to the casing in proximity to the lower end of the wellbore. A plurality of radially active slips are actuated in response to manipulation of the tubing string to extend the slips into engagement with the casing wall and to retract the slips in order to remove the tubing string from the borehole.

In my co-pending patent application, Ser. No. 07/682,499 filed Apr. 8, 1991, now the U.S. Pat. No. 5,139,090 of which this application is a continuation-in-part, it is pointed out that rotating the production tubing string respective to the sucker rod and casing string while concurrently placing the production tubing string in tension reduces the severity of wear of a curved tubing string by reducing the contact area between the tubing string and rod string. This redistribution of wear between the sucker rod string and the tubing string is very desirable for it reduces the maintenance cost of the well, and additionally reduces the cyclic working (tension changes) of the production string and thereby overcomes many problems associated with crooked wellbores. Moreover, such an arrangement provides the unexpected benefit of enhancing the protection of the sucker rod and production tubing afforded by corrosion inhibitors which is realized because the rod and tubing rubbing surfaces are continually moved away from the contact area therebetween, thereby progressively treating the entire surface of the rod and tubing string each rotation of the tubing string.
The present invention comprehends improvements over the co-pending patent application by the provision of a new anchor device having a mandrel rotatably extending therethrough and connected to the rotating production tubing string by which the production tubing string is placed in tension while being rotated from the surface, thus greatly simplifying the production equipment required for producing the well.

Tubing anchor catcher with rotating mandrel


Relevant fuel-gas properties (XG) are measured on an ongoing basis while a gas turbine group is operating. The C2+alkane content of the fuel gas is of particular interest in this context, since it has a significant influence on the ignitability of the fuel gas in the combustion chamber. The operating parameters of the gas turbine group are acted on directly as a function of the measured fuel-gas properties. In particular, in the case of the example of a gas turbine group with sequential combustion, the distribution of the fuel mass flows ({dot over (m)}EV, {dot over (m)}SEV) between the combustion chambers (4, 8) of the gas turbine group is varied. Furthermore, if there is provision for inert media, such as water or steam, to be introduced, it is possible for the mass flow of inert media ({dot over (m)}ST) to be controlled as a function of the measured fuel properties.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a method for operating a gas turbine group.
2. Brief Description of the Related Art
The stability of combustion in modern premix burners of gas turbines is critically dependent in part on the ignitability of the fuel used, but also on other fuel properties, such as in particular the calorific value or the Wobbe index.
Premix burners of this type have been disclosed, for example, by EP 321 809, EP 780 629, WO 93/17279 or WO 92/19913. The various designs of burner are based on the common idea of introducing fuel into a swirling combustion-airstream and of generating an as far as possible homogenous and usually substoichiometric, lean fuel-air mix. When it is transferred into the combustion space, the swirling flow bursts open at a change in cross section, with the result that a backflow region which serves for flame stabilization is formed upstream of the burner mouth. The flame must not be stabilized too close to the burner mouth, in order to prevent excessive thermal loading of the burner. However, if the stabilization zone is too far downstream of the burner mouth, instability results.
The position of the combustion zone is also decisively dependent on the ignitability of the fuel used. This changes dramatically if, for example, a fuel gas contains high levels of higher saturated hydrocarbons, such as ethane, butane, propane, also known as C2+alkanes. Since the fuel-air mix is supplied in premixed form, there is an acute risk of flashback to the burner. Component failure is then likely.
A similar problem also manifests itself when operating spontaneous-ignition combustion chambers of the type that are known from EP 669 500, for example in a gas turbine group with sequential combustion, as has been disclosed by EP 620 362. In this case too, flashback caused by a highly ignitable fuel gas can lead to major damage.
Furthermore, a change in the fuel-gas composition also has effects on the emissions and on combustion-chamber pulsations.
In addition to the C2+-alkane content, the calorific value or Wobbe index also has an influence on the combustion behavior. In premix burner systems, this influence is primarily attributable to the changed pulse ratio of fuel gas and air at different Wobbe numbers. U.S. Pat. No. 6,082,092 describes controlling a variable fuel-gas preheating in such a way that the Wobbe index is kept constant. Control with a view to establishing a constant Wobbe index would also be possible by variable admixing of inert components in a closed-loop control circuit. DE 197 31 209 proposes keeping the Wobbe index constant when burning residual gases of highly varying composition by the controlled admixing of natural gas and nitrogen.


The present invention discloses a container having a cavity for dispensing a paste and a cavity for another material. In one aspect, a first cavity for a comestible paste resides in an area between a hollow piston and a top section having a dispenser. The top section and piston have corresponding male and female threads in their respective cylindrical sections. The paste can be dispensed by slidably advancing the piston towards the dispenser. The threads can then be engaged to rotatably advance the piston towards the dispenser to dispense additional paste. A comestible seasoning or other material can be disposed in the hollow piston.

1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for dispensing a paste-like substance from a first cavity and can optionally dispense another substance from a second cavity.
2. Description of Related Art
Piston-based dispensing containers are known in the art. For example, Kaplan (U.S. Pat. No. 3,472,423) discloses a compartmentalized dispensing container capable of dispensing a plurality of independently stored substances in such a manner so as to homogenously administer the substances. Nielsen (U.S. Pat. No. 4,323,177) discloses a tube-shaped container with an inner piston. An axial force is provided by a piston rod. Otto, Sr. (U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,833) discloses a tube-shaped container having a conical-shaped end and a conically-shaped piston. A threaded rod is coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis of the container and through the center of the piston. One end of the threaded rod is secured to a knob, which when turned creates a rotationally-generated axial force that causes a circular member to advance thereby dispensing the contents.
While the prior art discloses a piston for ejecting a paste-like material from a container, the prior art fails to disclose a container that can be used to store another non-paste like material such as a powdered or granular food topping that can be dispensed separately from the paste material. The prior art also fails to disclose a container that permits a paste to be first dispensed by direct application of an axial force to the piston followed by an axial force generated by rotation.

Method and apparatus for dispensing for paste-like substances


A magnetic recording medium comprises a non-magnetic support on which is coated a magnetic layer. The magnetic layer contains a ferromagnetic powder dispersed in a binder. The binder comprises a styrene copolymer or an acrylic copolymer, respectively containing both of (i) an epoxy group and (ii) at least one hydrophillic group, such as a strong salt group or a tertiary ammonium salt group. The magnetic recording medium exhibits excellent recording density and S/N ratio, causes no environmental pollution, because of the absence of generation of hydrochloric acid on incineration of the magnetic recording medium for disposal after use. The magnetic recording medium is favorably utilized for magnetic tapes, magnetic sheets, magnetic discs and like products.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a novel magnetic recording medium. More particularly, it relates to a magnetic recording medium showing excellent recording density and S/N ratio, causing no environmental pollution because of the absence of generation of hydrochloric acid on incineration for disposal after finishing the use and favorably utilized for magnetic tapes, magnetic sheets, magnetic discs and the like products.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Magnetic recording media are utilized in audio instruments, video instruments, computers and the like instruments and the demand for the magnetic recording media has been growing remarkably. The magnetic recording media generally have a structure comprising a non-magnetic supporter, such as polyester film, and a magnetic layer comprising magnetic powder and a binder and coated on the supporter. The magnetic layer is generally formed by coating or transferring a magnetic coating material comprising the magnetic powder dispersed in a medium containing the binder on the surface of the supporter.
As the binder in the magnetic recording media, organic macromolecular compounds, such as polyester resins, cellulose resins, polyurethane resins, polyvinyl chloride resins, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymers, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate-vinyl alcohol copolymers, vinyl chloride-vinylidene chloride copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers, phenolic resins, epoxy resins, polyamide resins, polyvinyl butyral, nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate butyrate, acrylic resins, resins curable by electron beam and the like, are generally utilized.
Each of these binders has its own strong points and weak points. The binders are generally utilized as a combination of two or more kinds because a magnetic layer having a desired property is not usually obtained by a single kind of the binder. For example, a combination of a relatively hard resin, such as a polyvinyl chloride resin, polyvinyl butyral, nitrocellulose and the like, and a relatively soft resin, such as a polyester resin, a polyurethane resin, an acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymer and the like, is widely utilized. A polyisocyanate compound is also widely utilized as a hardening component in the binder for the purpose of increasing durability of the magnetic layer.
The ferromagnetic powder is progressively having a finer structure, a higher magnetic strength and a higher reluctivity in accordance with the requirements to increase the recording density and to improve the S/N ratio of magnetic recording media. The dispersing ability of the binder is, therefore, a very important factor for achieving the improvement of the properties of the magnetic recording media by dispersing the ferromagnetic powder uniformly in the magnetic coating material to form a highly filled magnetic layer having a smooth surface.
A dispersant, such as a low molecular weight surface active agent, is generally added for improving the dispersion of the ferromagnetic powder. When a large amount of the dispersant is used, decrease of durability of the magnetic recording media, soiling of the recording head and other undesirable phenomena take place and the amount of the dispersant is inevitably limited. Thus, the satisfactory dispersion can not be achieved by relying on an added dispersant and it is required that the binder have an intrinsic dispersion ability of a high degree.
It is generally practiced in the field of video magnetic recording tapes that the magnetic layer is crosslinked by compounding a hardening component like a polyisocyanate compound into the magnetic coating material for the purpose of increasing the durability and the reliability of the magnetic recording media. In this method, the binder is required to have reactivity of a suitable degree with the crosslinking agent like a polyisocyanate compound.
As the binder satisfying these conditions, polyvinyl chlorides resins comprising a hydrophillic group containing sulfur or phosphorus, such as a salt type strong acid group and a tertiary ammonium salt group of the formulae: SO.sub.3 M, SO.sub.4 M, PO.sub.4 M.sub.2 and PO.sub.3 M.sub.2 wherein M is an alkali metal or ammonium group, are widely utilized because of excellent dispersion ability and dispersion stability for the ferromagnetic powder and high strength based on strong intermolecular force.
Along with the growth of usage of the magnetic recording media, the amount of the magnetic recording media which finished its life of service is also increasing. When securing of secret information is considered, incineration is desirable as the method of disposal of such used magnetic recording media. However, when a polyvinyl chloride resin is used as the binder, hydrochloric acid gas is generated during the incineration and acidic mist may be discharged in the air if the incineration furnace is not equipped with an apparatus for discharge gas treatment. Of course, a method like the incineration with addition of lime powder can be adopted but the method has a problem that the amount of ash after the incineration is inevitably increased.
A binder containing no chlorine may be utilized to avoid the generation of hydrochloric acid gas during the incineration. Nitrocellulose resins, acrylate resins and styrene resins have been known as such a binder containing no chlorine. However, nitrocellulose resins are essentially dangerous because of the possibility of denitration and explosion and have insufficient ability as the binder for a magnetic recording media of higher recording density because of high viscosity of the magnetic coating material. It was proposed that the dispersion can be improved by introducing a sulfonic acid (salt) group or phosphoric acid group into acrylic resins or polystyrene resins (Japanese Laid Open Patent Application Showa 57-138050, ibid. Showa 57-138051, ibid. Showa 57-141020, ibid. Showa 58-108032 and Japanese Patent Publication Showa 62-7606). However, a larger alkyl group must be contained in the polymer to improve the dispersion ability by increasing the hydrophobic property of the backbone polymer and this structure brings a lower softening point to cause an unfavorable effect on the running property and the durability of the magnetic recording media. Polystyrene resins have an intrinsic problem that the resins have a weaker intermolecular force than polyvinyl chloride resins and the magnetic layer prepared is more fragile. Various methods have been tried to improve the fragility, such as copolymerization of a monomer containing hydroxyl groups with a styrene monomer, mixing with polyurethane resins and crosslinking by adding a polyisocyanate compound to these materials. Nevertheless, the running property and the durability of the binders based on polystyrene resins still remain inferior to those based on polyvinyl chloride resins.

Magnetic recording medium comprising a styrene copolymer or an acrylic copolymer


A non-fusible switch assembly including a line base assembly is disclosed. Line base assembly includes a load bus connector assembly with single-piece lug body, first and second load lugs formed in the lug body, and load-side sliding nuts slidably received in first and second load-side slide features, and load-side stationary contacts positioned directly underneath of the first and second load lugs within a projected footprint of the lug body. Line base assemblies, load lug connector assemblies and methods of operating a line base assembly are provided, as are other aspects.

Conventional non-fusible switch assemblies include a line base assembly within an enclosure, such as a metal switch box. Prior art non-fused switch assemblies include a line base assembly including lugs adapted to allow connection to line and load conductor wires, and a rotor assembly operable with a rotation mechanism to open or close the switch thereof. Multiple poles, such as 3-pole, non-fusible switch assemblies are commonplace.
The rotor assembly of the non-fusible switch includes multiple blades adapted to electrically couple to stationary contacts when the rotation mechanism rotates the rotor assembly.
Such non-fusible switch assemblies, although adequate for their intended purposes, tend to have long lengths, thus requiring relatively large enclosures, and may include relatively high material and assembly costs. Furthermore, such non-fusible switch assemblies may include a large number of components. Thus, the non-fusible switches may tend to be costly to manufacture, because of their size and complexity (e.g. number of components).
Therefore, a need exists to reduce the size and complexity of such non-fusible switch assemblies.

Non-fusible switch assemblies, line base assemblies, load bus connector assemblies, and operational methods


Below a transparent board-like digitizer, a screen of the same size as that of the digitizer is placed. Scenes of a display device is displayed on the screen. A co-ordinates standard of the digitizer is set to be identical with that of the screen. Thereby, the point indicated on the digitizer of a first cursor device is shown at a position corresponding to that of the point indicated by means of the cursor. The screen displays a right-angle scale lines controlled by a second cursor device on the digitizer. The right-angle scale lines can carry out parallel movements and rotations on the screen. In a drafting mode of the digitizer, the operator hits each points shown on the digitizer through the first cursor device on the basis of, or with reference to the right-angle scale lines in order to draw patterns on the screen. The center of the right-angle scale lines is moved to, or into, an area of the original pattern on the screen. The area intended to enlarged, by using the second cursor device in order to make the control apparatus to of an enlargedly displaying or indication mode. Thus, an enlarge indication area is formed on the screen using the center of the right-angle scale lines as a standard. In the area, an enlarged pattern or picture is displayed overlapping on the original one with the original width of the lines and the enlarged length of the lines of the original pattern. Accordingly, the operator can use the first cursor device to draw patterns in the enlarged indication area.

The present invention relates to a computer aided designing and drafting system or drawing co-ordinates input device used in CAD.
Japan Patent Publication No. 62-59329 discloses a co-ordinates input device of a type of integrated digitizer and display device composed by overlapping a position detection tablet or a digitizer on the display device in order to display patterns or shapes on the display device. The applicant of this application has developed another input device for CAD provided with a digitizer and a display device integrated for displaying right angle scale lines with graduation in the display device, and drafting a drawing on the display device on the basis of these right angle scale lines. It is well known that an input device used for CAD indicating an enlarged area of drawing lines on the display device and enlarging the area to enlarge it.
As shown in FIG. 19(A) depicting a conventional input device for CAD in which while graduated right angle scale lines are displayed on the screen of the display device, patterns are drawn on the screen, an enlarge indication area 98 is set in the screen 96, the pattern 100 shown in the screen 96 is enlarged together with the right angle scale lines 64 and they are displayed on the screen as shown in FIG. 19(B). It is noted that because the pattern is simply enlarged in scale, the pattern 100 and the right angle scale lines 64 in the enlarged area 102 are enlarged in their length and width of these lines. Consequently, when you want to draft fine drawing or treat the pattern finely on the enlarged screen 104, such operation and treatment is disadvantageously difficult due to large width of lines shown in the display.


An injection apparatus for injecting and/or removing substances from subjects, such as avian eggs, includes an injection needle having a body portion and a tapered portion that terminates at a tip. A tube is attached to and extends around the injection needle in substantially concentric relationship therewith. The tube has an end portion positioned a predetermined distance from the needle tip. The tube end portion acts as a stop to limit the distance the needle tip can be inserted into a subject, such as an egg, through a membrane of the subject. A detector may be utilized to measure force exerted on a membrane of an egg by a stop attached to a needle. Force exerted on a membrane by a needle and/or by a needle and a stop attached to the needle may also be measured.

In poultry hatcheries and other egg processing facilities, eggs are handled and processed in large numbers. The term "processing" includes treating live eggs with medications, nutrients, hormones and/or other beneficial substances while the embryos are still in the egg (i.e., in ovo). In ovo injections of various substances into avian eggs have been employed to decrease post-hatch morbidity and mortality rates, increase the potential growth rates or eventual size of the resulting bird, and even to influence the gender determination of the embryo. Injection of vaccines into live eggs have been effectively employed to immunize birds in ovo. It is further desirable in the poultry industry to manipulate an embryo in ovo to introduce foreign nucleic acid molecules (i.e., to create a transgenic bird) or to introduce foreign cells (i.e., to create a chimeric bird) into the developing embryo.
In ovo injection of a virus may be utilized to propagate the particular virus for use in preparation of vaccines. For some applications it may be desirable to insert a sensing device inside an egg containing an embryo to collect information therefrom, for example, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,244,214 to Hebrank. In addition, it may be desirable to remove material samples from eggs, including embryonic and extra-embryonic materials.
Examples of in ovo treatment substances and methods of in ovo injection, as well as apparatus for handling a plurality of eggs, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,458,630 to Sharma et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,028,421 to Fredericksen et al.
Many of the above-described in ovo methods require accurate positioning of a needle, sampling device or sensing device within an egg. However, it can be difficult to accurately and repetitively position a needle, sampling device, or sensing device within various compartments of an egg using conventional in ovo apparatus and methods. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for improved methods of accurately and repetitively placing devices including, but not limited to, needles, sensing devices and sampling devices within various compartments and locations of eggs.

Methods for injecting and sampling material through avian egg membranes


An electrical signal phase compensator includes at least two conductors and a ground wire. In a two conductor system, the length of the first conductor is substantially longer than the second conductor. The first conductor and the second conductor are connected in parallel, with the high frequency current in the first conductor and the low frequency current in the second conductor. In a three conductor system, the length of the second conductor is substantially longer than the third conductor which conducts an intermediate frequency. The second conductor is longer than the first conductor. The first conductor, the second conductor, and the third conductor are connected in parallel. The several conductors are mounted to minimize electromagnetic interaction. The electrical signal phase compensator may include a neutral line which is disposed adjacent to the corresponding signal line. Each respective neutral line is connected in parallel. Each end of the plurality of neutral lines is terminated with a potentiometer. Each potentiometer is connected to ground. The electrical signal phase compensator may also be implemented on a circuit board with spaced traces of different lengths. The high frequency conductor in all embodiments has a length which is at least 10 times or more the length of the low frequency conductor and preferably substantially longer to create the most significant compensation.

The present invention relates generally to electrical phase compensators and more specifically to an electrical signal phase compensator that is less complicated and more effective than that of the prior art.
A problem with the transmission of electrical signals is the medium through which they are transmitted. A higher frequency signal will travel faster down a conductor than a lower frequency signal. For example, this phenomenon reduces the quality of audio signals by inducing a phase difference between the high and low frequency signals as they travel on the conductor. This problem can be helped by having a conductor which has varying diameters of wire. The higher frequencies flow down the smaller wires and the lower frequencies flow down the larger diameter wires, due to skin effect.
There have been at least three attempts in the prior art to correct the phase difference between high and low frequencies in a transmission medium. The first is Brisson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,538,023; an audio cable comprises an inner conductor and an outer conductor which consists of numerous wires which are twisted around the inner conductor to compensate for the phase difference between high and low frequencies. The second is Brisson, U.S. Pat. No. 5,123,052; a discrete capacitor is used in conjunction with a transmission line to compensate for the phase difference between high and low frequencies. The second is Sakata, U.S. Pat. No. 5,230,022. An active circuit is used to compensate for the phase difference between high and low frequencies.
The prior art has also provided compensation systems based on use of helically wound low frequency conductors and high frequency conductors connected in parallel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,945,189 which issued Jul. 31, 1990 to Palmer and U.S. Pat. No. 4,777,324 which issued Oct. 11, 1988 to Lee both disclose helically wound twisted conductors and closely spaced conductors for improving the output signal with respect to random noise with interaction of the magnetic fields. The system requires the twisted wires in close spaced relation to produce an improved output. Systems which require the helical wound or twisted conductors do not create a system in which the length of the hf conductor will be greater than the lf conductor by even a factor of five and often much less.
None of the above prior art patents disclose an electrical signal phase compensator which overcompensates or anticipates the delays of high and midrange frequencies which will occur when the signal passes through subsequent electrical circuits.
Accordingly, there is a clearly felt need in the art for an electrical signal phase compensator which does not use an active circuit, a capacitor, or an inductor to correct phase differences between high and low frequencies. There is also a further need for an electrical signal phase compensator which overcompensates or anticipates the delays of high and midrange frequencies which have been encountered and also for those which will be encountered in subsequent circuitry. The high and midrange frequencies are overcompensated such that all frequencies are in-phase at the output of the subsequent circuitry.
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a electrical signal phase compensator which does not use an active circuit, a capacitor, or an inductor to correct phase differences between high and low frequencies. There is also a further need for an electrical signal phase compensator which overcompensates or anticipates for delays of high and midrange frequency signals which have been encountered and also for those which will be encountered in subsequent circuitry.
According to the present invention, an electrical signal phase compensator includes at least two conductors and a ground wire. In a two conductor system, the length of the first conductor is substantially longer than the second conductor. The length of the ground wire is not important. The first conductor and the second conductor are connected in parallel. Each conductor and ground wire is insulated.
In a three conductor system, the length of the second conductor is substantially longer than the third conductor. The first conductor is substantially longer than the second conductor. The length of the ground wire is not important. The first conductor, the second conductor, and the third conductor are connected in parallel. It is also possible for the electrical signal phase compensator to have four or more wires. Each diameter of wire is chosen to accommodate a particular frequency range. Each conductor and ground wire is insulated.
In a second preferred embodiment, the electrical signal phase compensator includes a neutral line which is disposed adjacent to the corresponding signal line. Each respective neutral line is connected in parallel. Each end of the plurality of neutral lines is terminated in various ways with potentiometers or resistors. Each potentiometer or resistor is connected to ground. Adjustment of the potentiometer with an audio signal will cause a shift of the amplitude of the audio signal to be increased or decreased.
The electrical signal phase compensator is preferably implemented by using insulated wire that is wrapped around a spool or printed as traces on a circuit board. The conductors may also be wrapped around each other. The different conductors are preferably wrapped on a spool in a radial fashion or adjacent to each other. Each conductor is wound as a coil unit, with the coil unit stacked on each or adjacent each other, and may even be separate coil units. The different conductors may be replicated on a circuit board by nesting different length traces within each other or using multiple layers. The conductors are wrapped in such a way that no inductance is generated in the conductor. The conductors are also spaced to minimize different electromagnetic interaction between the conductors.
The present inventor has found that the several conductors for the different frequencies are not necessarily located to interact directly, and are preferably separate for purposes of construction and application. In the present invention, the several different frequency conductors are separately mounted, either adjacent each other or as completely separate elements formed of wire of an appropriate length, wherein the high frequency length is significantly longer and preferably very substantially longer than the low and/or midfrequency conductor, as presently discussed. This concept permits the complete separate assembly of the different conductors with the proper parallel connection of each subassembly. The present invention is particularly adapted to wrapping each conductor as a separate coil unit on one or more supports such as well known spools. The coil units can be completely separate or can be wound as separate layers on a common spool. The final can be conventionally contained within an outer housing and potted to produce a final compensator for connection into the load system.
The inventor has discovered that the high frequency component of the complex multifrequency signals is a dominant factor in the final output signal and particularly in producing an optimum waveshape based on the original signal. Thus, the high frequency signal skew or offset relative to the initially created signal is very substantial at the input to and the output of the load device or system.
In accordance with a preferred and unique application of the present invention, the high frequency line of the transmission cable is constructed to produce a corresponding offset and cancellation of the skew in the hf component in the output signal at the output device. This effect on the output signal is most practically established by the high frequency hf line being greater in length than the low frequency line by a substantial factor of at least ten (10) and preferably in excess of fifteen (15) or substantially greater. This result is most readily produced with a line having a thin insulation and relatively small diameter wire. The inventor has found that as in the other applications, the diameter of the hf line also contributes to skew modification, and in various applications a combination of length and diameter may be found to produce a most satisfactory result. However, the inventor has found that generally, the line length is most significant.
In a high fidelity sound system, the inventor has constructed a skew compensator having a three line unit with a hf line having a length greater than the lf line by a factor of 20 and by a factor of over 200. In both units the mf line had a factor of 4 and 5 relative to the lf line. In the preferred construction, the high frequency wire is at least a 30 or higher gauge wire. The diameter of the lines were also different, and generally increased with the hf line having a gauge of about 1xc2xd to 2 times the low frequency (lf) line. The quality of the output sound established by both were outstanding relative to the prior systems with smaller difference factors in the lines. The unit having difference factor or the order of 250 produced an audio output quality factor which was considered to be substantially greater than the unit with the difference factor on the order of 20.
The above example of the very substantial hf line lengths are relevant for the teaching of a separate coil or coil units for each frequency band in the construction of the compensator. This is particularly important in making a most effective compensator at a reasonable cost.
The present invention is applicable to various applications which include a broadband input signal including audio signals, visual signals, power signals and others where the broadband signal is transmitted over any significant distance resulting in skewing of the higher frequency component relative to the lower and medium frequency component. The compensator is connected adjacent the receiving element and serves to reset the skewed higher frequency signal component into the original generated alignment. The use of a rather higher compensation of the high frequency component which creates an over compensation of the signal has created an exceptional recreation of the original signal in the receiver by compensating for internal difference in the signal transmission.
The inventor has discovered that although the varying diameter of the wire does contribute to the final improvement in the received signal, it appears that a difference in the diameter of the wire alone will not create a very large change when compared to the change based on significant differing length of the conductor.
Although generally formed with wire of distinct differing lengths and diameters, the diameter could of course continuously vary in an appropriate manner in such a construction. Further, the construction may include a plurality of conductors for each frequency band.
In summary, the inventor has discovered that the high frequency signal line should be wound to preferably create a significant over compensation in the high frequency component of the transmitted signal and thereby insure a proper and improved orientation at the sound, video or power signal receiver.
One advantage of the electrical signal phase compensator is synchronization of electromagnetic fields which result from the propagation of signals down a conductor. The higher frequency signals will travel down the smaller diameter conductor because it provides a decreased impedance path. The higher frequency signals will also arrive at the end of their conductor faster than a lower frequency signal. The increased conductor lengths for higher frequency signals compensate for the faster propagation speed of the higher frequency signals; thus facilitating the synchronization of the electromagnetic fields and preventing any deleterious effect that occurs from electromagnetic fields which are not synchronized. Conductor lengths and diameters are optimized according to the frequencies, currents, and effects desired. The electrical signal phase compensator will work with the same size wires, but performance will be decreased.
The electrical signal phase compensator will work for all frequencies, currents, and voltages. Currents from low frequency DC pluses for controlling motors to higher frequencies for audio and video applications and microprocessors which will benefit from this invention. The electrical signal phase compensator will work anywhere the design of electromagnetic properties are critical to the operation, such as microprocessors, disk drives, or tape devices. Microprocessors with limited real estate, will benefit from improved signal flow. Hard disk drive and tape devices have shown improvement in performance utilizing the present invention.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an electrical signal phase compensator which improves the sonic qualities of audio and other broadband signals by eliminating the phase differences between different frequencies.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical signal phase compensator which improves the clarity of phone conversations by eliminating the phase differences between different frequencies.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical signal phase compensator which allows the transmission of higher speed modem communications.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical signal phase compensator which improves the performance of motor controllers.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide an electrical signal phase compensator which overcompensates high and midrange frequencies such that all frequencies will be in-phase at the output of the subsequent circuitry.
Finally it is another object of the present invention to provide an electrical signal phase compensator which improves the sharpness of a video display.
These and additional objects, advantages, features and benefits of the present invention will become apparent from the following specification.