A new UV curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition, which comprises in weight percent: about 0.1% to about 15% of a photoinitiator agent, about 10% to about 80% of a polyurethane resin with a pendent acrylate functionality, zero to about 70% by of an acrylate monomer, about 0.1% to about 25% by weight of a 1,2-vinyl polybutadiene component, and zero to about 50% by weight of a tackifier agent.

This invention broadly relates to a new UV curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition and method of using same. By the term "UV curable" as used herein it is meant curable with ultraviolet radiation.
Pressure sensitive adhesives are materials that form a bond with very light pressure. The cured adhesive is neither solid nor liquid, but rather is a viscoelastic material that is usually quite tacky. While pressure sensitive adhesives are available as 100% solids for hot melt applications, and as water-based emulsion acrylic systems, the majority of the approximately 500 million dry pound domestic market in the U.S.A. are solvent based products. UV curable pressure sensitive adhesives represent only a few percent of the market, in large part because of the problem with their historical poor high temperature properties. In the past it has been thought that a UV curable pressure sensitive adhesive exhibiting acceptable high temperature and environmental performance characteristics could capture a large percent of the market share for pressure sensitive adhesives. Also in the past, there have been some UV curable pressure sensitive adhesives which included a polyurethane resin; however, they did not have the necessary integrity or performance characteristics at temperatures above approximately 130.degree.-140.degree. F., and they also exhibited poor humidity resistance.
While UV curable pressure sensitive adhesives do not currently command a significant market share, the interest remains high in this type of pressure sensitive adhesive technology. Various other companies and individuals have worked on solving the problems associated with this technology; however, such other parties have not been able to develop satisfactory products which would be usable and worthwhile in industry.
Pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are tacky substances normally or often placed on backing materials which, when brought in contact with a surface under light contact exhibit sufficient cohesiveness as to resist peeling away from that surface. Classic examples of the usage of pressure sensitive adhesives are tapes, bandaids, and labels.
The chemistry of pressure sensitive adhesives can be roughly sub-divided into three large groups: 1) solvent-based adhesives, 2) water-based adhesives, and 3) radiation cured adhesives.
Solvent-based adhesives are typically ultra-high molecular weight (Mw), soft polymers (low Tg) dissolved in solvent; when applied to a backing material, they provide tack or stickiness of the backing material to a contacted surface. While the chemistry involved is complex, involving different chemical polymers and block copolymer polymerizations, it can be reduced to one generic classification--thermoplastic polymers (TPs). Thermoplastic polymers on this theme are large, low Tg molecules which entangle on a molecular level, giving tack and strength at room temperature. (Tg means glass transition temperature). The liability of TPs is high-temperature strength. Typically at temperatures exceeding 120.degree. F., all strength is lost as the polymers adopt a parallel arrangement to force lines when stressed. Higher Mw polymers, in general, behave better at elevated temperatures, but usually require higher VOC solutions, and still the integrity at temperatures of approximately 140.degree. F. or higher is suspect. VOC stands for volatile organic compound(s).
Water-based PSAs can be considered as nothing more than variants on the thermoplastic polymer theme. Again, low Tg, ultra-high Mw polymers are suspended in solution (water); film formation and chain entanglement then occur when the latex particles coalesce with drying.
The advantages of water-based PSAs are the abatement of air pollution (low VOC) and generally enhanced oxidation resistance of the final film. The liability of this chemistry is identical to its solvent-based counterpart;--high-temperature strength. To achieve better strength at high temperatures, higher Tg polymers are sometimes used and the trade-off is always tack;--the end-product does not efficiently grab contacting surfaces. Tack and high-temperature strength are the features which are diametrically opposed in TP chemistry.
Radiation-cured PSAs can be subdivided into electron beam (EB) films and UV-curable (UV) films. The chemistry is similar in that uncured mixtures of unsaturated polymerizable compounds are irradiated in both instances, but EB films have dominated the past high-temperature market. Electron beam adhesives are usually formed by applying solutions (VOCs) of high Mw polymers with a small amount of double bonds to the substrate they will be used on, and then exposing the resultant film to a high-intensity electron gun. The electrons secondarily crosslink the already high Mw material giving a thermoset nature to the end-product. Final film Tg is not dramatically enhanced; Mw of the polymers approaches infinity, and therefore, the result is a film which has strength at elevated temperatures, up to 200.degree. F., and tack at room temperature. EB films are satisfactory for some applications, but solutions must be used to apply the initially high MW prepolymers (e.g., detrimental VOC's), and the electron beam process is slow cumbersome, and costly. An EB gun costs approximately one million dollars.
UV cure is attractive, therefore, because it involves 100% convertible material with a simpler and more economical manufacturing process. Up to this point combinations of Mw oligomers have had to be used for application purposes; high Mw prepolymers are much higher in viscosity and, therefore, require a solvent. The problem in using low Mw oligomers is that it has been virtually impossible to generate high Mw end-products in the curing time frames usually encountered. The result is a lower overall Mw film which obtains its integrity via the incomplete polymerization of higher Tg starting materials. While this can give decent room temperature tack and cohesion, high-temperature strength is severely compromised. In the past UV-curable PSAs have had virtually no strength at 130.degree. F.
Accordingly it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new UV curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition, and method of using same.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new UV curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition which exhibits good performance characteristics at temperatures in the range of approximately 130.degree.-140.degree. F. or higher.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a new UV curable pressure sensitive adhesive composition which exhibits excellent properties in terms of humidity resistance and high temperature performance.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a novel pressure sensitive adhesive composition which is environmentally friendly and economical to produce.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims.


To provide detailed information with large amount of data without changing the information to be provided by considering environment of users on information server side providing information and without increasing data amount of the information sent to an information terminal from the information server, and also to facilitate referring, setting and updating of the information of a portable storage medium when the portable storage medium is used as local information storage means. Information is provided to the users by referring to conversion information, which indicates a conversion object address expressing storage status of a given information, which is to be a conversion object, and a conversion candidate address expressing storage status of an information corresponding to said given information, which is to be a conversion candidate, and conversion relationship between said two addresses.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an information providing system, which can replace an information to be displayed by other information and can acquire a new information from a portable medium and from a network when necessary and display it.
2. Description of the Related Art
When electronic information is presented, moving picture, detailed image or sound are indispensable for providing effective contents. In such information, however, there are problems in that amount of data extensively increases compared with the information which contains text only.
In the past, to acquire a part or all of large-scale information via a network and to perform processing to present it to users, the following methods have been used:
(1) To decrease amount of information according to transfer speed and to provide information at high speed; PA1 (2) To adopt compression procedure; PA1 (3) To provide contents with large amount of information over a long transfer time; PA1 (4) To place only the contents having smaller amount of information on the network; PA1 (5) To disperse data; or PA1 (6) To use cash. PA1 the feature that the content of conversion information comprising the object to be converted (conversion object), conversion candidate and applicable condition can be arbitrarily determined in case the information specified by the user is re-read to the other information; PA1 the feature that, when expressing the storage site of information of a portable storage medium, fixed expression having a drive name is not used at the time of installing; PA1 the feature that the above conversion information can be added and/or updated later; PA1 the feature that, in case there are a plurality of conversion candidates to a conversion object, an adequate candidate is selected; and PA1 the feature that two or more types of related information are also included in the conversion objects, and it is so designed that two or more types of related information can also be specified for the conversion candidate. PA1 by interpreting and reading again the script to another script, more detailed information can be provided to the user compared with the case where an entity of information is simply converted to another entity information. PA1 by providing the conversion information via the network, it is possible to eliminate trouble and complicated procedure to distribute the conversion information summarized and controlled on the network to the users. PA1 the conversion information is possessed by the storage medium, and even a user in a closed environment not connected to the network can obtain the conversion information. PA1 the conversion information is possessed by the portable storage medium, and the conversion information can be obtained from the portable storage medium, which can be conveniently carried. PA1 the media-identifying information is possessed by the portable storage medium where the conversion information is recorded, and by effectively utilizing it, it is possible to avoid duplication of registration processing such as re-registration of the conversion information, which has been registered already. PA1 in a system where the information providing system is not connected to the network, PA1 the information providing system is designed in such manner that it is possible to judge whether the conversion candidate of the obtained conversion information is remote or local, and if the conversion candidate is a remote information, it is possible to recognize in advance that the conversion candidate is ineffective and the ineffectiveness can be notified to the user by means such as message. PA1 it is possible to judge whether the information expressed by the conversion candidate is effective to the user or not because it is possible to judge whether or not the conversion candidate of the conversion information obtained by the information providing system possesses the media-identifying information stored in the media-identifying information storage means. PA1 it is possible to judge whether the information indicated by the conversion candidate is effective to the user or not because it is possible to judge whether the conversion candidate of the conversion information obtained by the information providing system can possess the media-identifying information stored in the media-identifying information storage means or not. PA1 the conversion information can be put together in groups and controlled because it is possible to judge as to from which media-identifying information the portable storage medium has the conversion information has been obtained by the information providing system. PA1 the storage site of the conversion candidate is expressed in a type not including drive name in the system utilized by the user in the portable storage medium when it is distributed, while, by acquiring a drive name for uniquely identifying the storage site of the portable storage medium in the system, if the corresponding portable storage medium is not set in the drive, message is issued to call special attention so that it is set to the corresponding drive. PA1 the storage site of conversion candidate in the portable storage medium when it is distributed is expressed in the type not including the drive name in the system which user utilizes, by acquiring a driving name for uniquely specifying the storage site of the portable storage medium in the system, if the corresponding portable storage medium is not set in the drive, message is issued to call special attention so that it is set to the corresponding drive. PA1 by acquiring a drive name for uniquely specifying the storage site of the portable storage medium in the system and by storing the drive name, useless processing can be eliminated to judge where the portable storage medium indicated by the conversion candidate is present at each conversion. PA1 by recording the updated information address, indicating the storage site of conversion information for updating on the network, to the portable storage medium, the conversion information can be automatically updated by setting the portable storage medium on the drive. PA1 by storing two or more updated information addresses in the updated address storage means, the conversion information can be updated by batch processing. PA1 various types of settings can be performed by providing version information when the conversion information is updated. PA1 even in case it is wanted to update the conversion information in a system not connected with the network, by preparing at least the portable storage medium where the updated conversion information and the application media-identifying information are recorded, the conversion information matching the application media-identifying information can be updated, and because the portable storage medium where the updated conversion information is recorded does not specifically require the media-identifying information, this is also applicable to a conventional type portable storage medium having no media-identifying information. PA1 various types of settings can be performed by providing the version information when the conversion information is updated. PA1 in case there are two or more conversion candidates, candidate selecting means can select a candidate in accordance with a plurality of rules, and an adequate candidate can be selected and displayed according to the circumstances.
Of the above methods, the following technique of karaoke system is known for the method (5): the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication Laid-Open 6-102888. In this technique, data is dispersed and large-scale contents are locally maintained, and by clearly specifying which of the contents is to be presented via the network, moving pictures complying with the contents are provided even when lines are fine.
Description will be given below on arrangement and operation of a karaoke system using the above technique referring to FIG. 27. In FIG. 27, reference numeral 2700 represents a karaoke terminal, 2701 is music selecting means for specifying a desired music number by a user at the karaoke terminal, 2702 is image element pattern synthesizing means for providing an image in response to the request by combining image element pattern according to moving picture combining information, 2703 is image element pattern storage means to divide pattern to image elements and to control, 2704 is temporary storage means for storing information sent from local data base or primary information read from the image element pattern storage means, 2705 is reproducing and display means for reproducing and displaying by combining music data read from a local server with the image synthesized by the image element pattern synthesizing means, 2706 is communication means for sending a request number according to the request from the user and for receiving the corresponding music data and moving picture combining information, 2707 is central processing means for accepting the request from the user and for presenting the corresponding information, 2710 is a local data base, comprising music data storage means 2711, moving picture combining information storage means 2712, communication means 2713, and central processing means 2714, 2711 is music data storage means, 2712 is moving picture combining information storage means, 2713 is communication means, 2714 is central processing means for reading the corresponding music data to the request number received from the communication means 2713 from the music data storage means 2711, for reading the moving picture combining information from the moving picture combining information storage means 2712 corresponding to the request number and for sending it to the terminal, from which the request has been sent, using the communication means 2713.
When the user selects a request number of the desired music by operating the music selecting means 2701, the central processing means 2707 transmits the specified request number to a predetermined local data base using the communication means 2706.
The local data base 2710 accepts this request and sends back a command signal to combine music data corresponding to the request with moving pictures.
The terminal 2700 stores a command signal to combine music data with moving picture at primary storage means 2704.
Next, the terminal 2700 reads the music data from the primary storage means 2704 and reproduces it using the reproducing and display means 2705 and reads an image element pattern from the image element pattern storage means 2703 based on the received moving picture combining command signal. Then, this is synthesized by the image element pattern synthesizing means 2702. The synthesized image is reproduced via the reproducing and display means 2705.
As described above, when the technique of Japanese Patent Publication Laid-Open 6-102888 is used, it is possible to provide information of large capacity to match the request of the user without transferring large capacity information via the network. This is attained by sending the information for reproducing the contents at hand of the user in response to the request of the user on the server side and by presenting image information according to the information on the terminal side.
In a system for reading and displaying information via a network, e.g. browser of WorldWideWeb, the information once read is stored in local storage means, and for the second time and after, the local storage means is referred (6) in many cases. This method is provisionally called "cash utilizing method" hereinafter.
Description will be given now on an arrangement of an information providing system using the cash utilization method, referring to FIG. 28.
In FIG. 28, reference numeral 2800 represents an information terminal, 2801 is input means for specifying storage site of an information necessary for the user, 2802 is corresponding information storage means for matching and storing the storage site of a remote information with the storage site of the information in the information storage means, 2803 is data storage means for storing an information read form a remote place, 2804 is display means, 2805 is communication means, by which the information terminal exchanges information via a network, 2806 is central processing means for acquiring the information specified by the input means 2801 from the corresponding information storage means 2802 if it is available at the corresponding information storage means 2802, and, if not available, for reading and displaying the information from a specified place, 2810 is a network for connecting the information terminal 2800 with one or more information servers, 2820 is an information server group connected to the network 2810, reference numerals 2821, 2825, 2826 and 2827 each represents an information server included in the information server group 2820, 2822 is data storage means where real entity of the information or a substantial information referred by the information server 2821 is stored, 2823 is communication means of the information server 2821, and 2824 is central processing means of the information server 2821.
Next, referring to FIG. 28, description will be given on operation of the information providing system in case the user acquires a certain information from the information server 2821.
When the user specifies the storage site of necessary information by the input means 2801, the central processing means 2806 checks whether this storage site agrees with the storage site of remote information (0 or more) stored in the corresponding information storage means 2802. Because the corresponding information is established after reading the information from remote place, the storage sites do not agree with each other in this case.
Next, the central processing means 2806 requests real entity of the information shown by the remote storage site to the information server 2821 having the information using the communication means 2805. The central processing means 2824 of the information server 2821 receives this request via the communication means 2823 and reads the real entity of the information specified from the data storage means 2822. The information thus read is transferred to the information terminal 2800 via the network 2810 using the communication means 2823.
The central processing means 2806 of the information terminal 2800 reads the real entity of the information from the communication means 2805 and stores the information in the data storage means 2803. Also, correspondence information is prepared, which relates the storage site of the remote information obtained with the storage site at the corresponding information storage means 2803, and this is registered at the corresponding information storage means 2802. The central processing means 2805 displays the information using the display means 2804.
Next, when the storage site of the same information is specified by the input means 2801, the central processing means 2806 checks whether this storage site agrees with the storage site of remote information of the corresponding information storage means 2802 or not. They agree with each other because the corresponding information is already registered. The central processing means 2806 reads the storage site of a conversion candidate of the corresponding information storage means 2802 and acquires the entity of the information from the corresponding data storage means 2803. The acquired information is displayed using the display means 2804.
As described above, in the information providing system based on the cash utilization method, when the entity of the information present at the information server 2821 is to be displayed, the entity of the information is read at local data storage means 2803 when the entity of the information is first transferred from the information server 2821. By relating the storage site of the information in the information server 2821 with the storage site of the information at the data storage means 2803, there is no need to acquire the same information via the network in the second time and after, and this makes it possible to eliminate the time required for transfer before displaying the information.
In the methods (1) to (4) as described above, when large-scale information such as moving pictures is to be sent via the network, much time is required for the transfer of information because lines used for transfer are much finer compared with size of information, and the information cannot be presented at once.
Also, it is necessary that the server knows in advance what information is present at the user who requested the information, and this is a transaction in a closed network where a specific user is recognized by the server and a special-purpose program is offered.
In the hash utilization method of (6) above, it is necessary to read the information first via the network and to store it in a local storage medium for once, and it is not suitable for practical application to large-scale information such as motion picture.
Also, in the method of (6) above, the corresponding relation between the storage site of a remote information with the storage site of a local information is established after the entity of the information is transferred from the information server and is read in the local information storage means. This has the effect to reduce the time of transfer by eliminating repeated transfer of the same information, while it is not possible to define free corresponding relation such as the conversion of a request to a text in a remote information server to a request to moving picture present in a local storage medium.
In case it is described in a portable storage medium that information of which storage site should be re-read to information of which storage site, problem arises in that how the storage site of the information in the portable storage medium should be changed to an absolute path.
In the stage to distribute the portable storage media, only the path in the portable storage media can be described, while drive name is added to the path depending on the driving unit in a practical system.
In contrast, there is a method to add a drive name of the portable storage medium to the path in that portable storage medium in case software requiring the information including the storage site is installed. In such case, however, if another portable storage medium is present in the driving unit after the software has been installed and if it has similar file arrangement, what is originally different file may be erroneously referred to.
In a system where a plurality of driving units to match the same type of portable storage medium are present, drive name changes depending upon in which drive the media are put. If there is a drive name when storage site of a local information should be specified, there is the possibility that the desired file may not be at the specified site. The same applies to the case where connecting sequence of the driving units has changed and the drive may have different name.
In this respect, it is an object of the present invention to improve the following points in case information corresponding to the information specified by the user is read from a local storage medium:

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.


A decoder device for decoding a bitstream so as to produce therefrom an audio output signal, the bitstream having audio data and optionally loudness metadata containing a reference loudness value, wherein a gain control device has a reference loudness decoder configured to create a loudness value, wherein the loudness value is the reference loudness value in case that the reference loudness value is present in the bitstream; wherein the gain control device has a gain calculator configured to calculate a gain value based on the loudness value and based on a volume control value, which is provided by an external user interface allowing a user to control the volume control value, and a loudness processor configured to control the loudness of the audio output signal based on the gain value.

The invention relates to the control of the loudness of audio, video, and multimedia content played back in digital form on electronic reproduction devices, specifically but not exclusively to the control of the playback loudness with content that is prepared both with and without embedded loudness metadata as commonly occurs in new media devices.
In the production and transmission of music, video, and other multimedia content, the process of loudness normalization is carried out to ensure that the consumer hears the audio signal with an appropriate loudness from song to song or program to program.
Since the early days of recording and films, this has been done during the production process or through reproduction standards for theaters. The common practice today in the music and radio broadcasting industries is to adjust the loudness to a value near the maximum peak level of the medium, while the practice in the film or television industries is to use one of several standard loudness levels that may be 20 to 31 dB below the maximum peak level. In the era before media convergence, this was unnoticed by consumers as separate devices or volume settings were used to playback each type of content.
With the advent of mobile devices such as mobile phones or portable media players that are intended to playback both music and film content, this difference in production practices leads to loudness differences that may be as much as 30 dB, if the content is transmitted to the device without modification. This can lead to movies that are too quiet, or music that is too loud, when switching from one type of content to another.
A related trend is the increase in loudness of many genres of recorded music through the use of strong dynamic range compression, limiting, and clipping during the mastering of a recording. Such mastering is done considering only lossless recording media such as Compact Discs, though the majority of music sold today is in lossy data-compressed formats such as MPEG AAC and MP3. The data compression process may introduce changes in the time-domain waveform reconstructed in the decoder during playback that cause overshoots in the waveform above the full-scale limits or maximum peak value of the signal. In a fixed-point decoder (or saturating floating-point decoder) typically used in mobile devices, this can lead to clipping of the overshoot to the full-scale limit, causing additional audible clipping in the reproduced signal.
This strong compression and clipping of music is done in some cases for artistic purposes, but is more commonly done either as an attempt to increase the commercial appeal of a recording by making it "sound louder" than others, or to provide content that can be understood in all listening circumstances, such as in airports or noisy places as well as quiet environments.
In the film and video industries, wide audio dynamic range is used in some genres for dramatic effect and to create a more engaging experience. When conveyed to a consumer through the Dolby Digital or MPEG-4 AAC codecs, audio dynamic range control metadata is often included to allow the dynamic range to be optionally reduced at the receiver or player for cases where there is a noisy environment or where loud scenes would be too disturbing.
The traditional metadata included in DVD or BluRay content encoded with Dolby Digital or transmitted in TV signals encoded with Dolby Digital (standardized in Advanced Television Systems Committee, Inc. Audio Compression Standard A/52) or MPEG-4 AAC (standardized in ISO/IEC 14496-3 and ETSI TS 101 154) includes the following components:
1. A single, static metadata value indicating the overall long-term integrated loudness of the program, termed program reference level in the MPEG standards.
2. Static metadata values for downmix gains used to control the down-mixing of multi-channel content for output through a stereo or monophonic device.
3. Two sets of dynamic range control gains or scaling factors, sent for each data-compressed bitstream frame for a plurality of frequency bands or regions in the audio signal. One is used for "light" compression in the industry vernacular and the other for "heavy" compression. The use of these light and heavy DRC values is typically tied to operation at decoder loudness target levels established for the operating modes "Line Mode" and "RF Mode". The naming conventions and operation points for these modes were established in the early days of digital media when it might have been necessary to convert digital audio to analog signals sent over baseband cables to line inputs on a succeeding device or transmitted over an RF carrier to an analog television set.
The use of this metadata allows the reproduction to be tailored to the listening environment in a non-destructive manner during playback. The same stream or file may be played back with a different set of metadata, or no metadata used at all, to produce a different dynamic range. Unlike the use of a compressor that resides solely in the playback device, dynamic range control using metadata allows monitoring and control of the nature of the compression by creative artists during the production process, if desired.
Unfortunately, dynamic range control metadata as commonly implemented in lossy codecs such as MPEG AAC or the Dolby Digital family cannot compress a signal strongly enough to match the loudness of contemporary music, as the metadata affects the average power of the signal (potentially in several frequency bands) on an audio compression frame basis, with common frame periods of 20-40 ms. This frame-by-frame gain control is not quick enough to reduce the peak to average ratio of the signal to that of highly processed contemporary music.
The approach taken by Wolters et al as described in [5] to solve this problem is to employ an audio limiter following the decoder in a playback device to increase the average loudness. This will solve the loudness matching issue, so that music and film content have equal loudness, but has several disadvantages. When a consumer is playing content in a quiet environment, perhaps with the mobile device connected to speakers in a quiet room or using headphones or earphones with strong acoustic isolation, the film content will be undesirably compressed as strongly as the music. Also, the limiter introduces additional workload on the device CPU or DSP, shortening battery life.
A different approach is described by Camerer et al in [6] which proposes encoding a loudness measurement such as described in ITU Standard BS.1770-2 as metadata in music files and normalizing the playback of each file to a target level set by the device's volume control. This builds upon previous systems of music loudness normalization such as SoundCheck (www.apple.com) and ReplayGain (www.replaygain.org), which have been optional features of some music players such as the iPod. In their approach, they advocate mandating loudness normalization as on by default; however, they do not specify what is to happen when a user turns off the loudness normalization, or more importantly, what happens when content which has not been encoded with loudness metadata is played back. Their assumption is that all content will be analyzed by the playback device or by a secure trusted distributor such as iTunes before playback. Additionally, there is no provision for adjusting the overall dynamic range of the content to tailor it to the listening environment.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a unified approach to the problem of normalizing playback loudness of both film/video style content, with potentially wide dynamic range and possible embedded loudness metadata, and music or radio/podcast content, with potentially extremely narrow dynamic range and strong compression, limiting, and clipping, potentially, but likely not containing embedded loudness metadata, due to the vast amount of prior music content already held or exchanged by consumers.
It is another object of this invention to allow the dynamic range of content containing dynamic range control metadata to be adjusted to the consumer's listening environment or taste.
A further object of this invention is to prevent potential clipping in lossy data-compression audio decoders, such as an AAC, MP3, or Dolby Digital decoder, caused by the changes in signal components introduced by the data compression process.
A further object of this invention is to provide a mild incentive for the music recording industry to abandon pursuit of ever-stronger dynamic range compression, limiting, and clipping in their content.
Still another object of this invention is to limit the additional workload on the device CPU or DSP caused by loudness processing or clipping prevention.

Method and apparatus for normalized audio playback of media with and without embedded loudness metadata of new media devices

Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.


A surface tracker includes a tubular marker body having an interior electronic marker and a visual indicator attached to an upper end of the marker body which extends away from the marker body. When deployed, the marker body is mostly underground and the visual indictor extends upwardly from the ground level to provide above-ground visual recognition. The electronic marker may be a passive electronic marker that includes a ferrite core assembly having a longitudinal axis which is generally parallel to a longitudinal axis of the marker body. The visual indicator may be a plurality of resilient filaments which pass through a hole in a tab portion of the marker body at the upper end thereof, the filaments being folded about the tab portion and secured to the tab portion using a heat-shrink tube. In an exemplary embodiment, the filaments extend about six inches from the marker body and are brightly colored. Multiple trackers can be used to mark the path of a buried utility. Due to the resilient and durable nature of the filaments, they are resistant to wear and tear and the elements. The visual indication, along with the ability to electronically detect the marker, provides a tracker with superior locating capability.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to devices used to electromagnetically mark and locate obscured objects, and more particularly to a surface tracker adapted to visually mark a buried object or a location at the surface or ground level, which also provides a transponder or marker to enable the later location of the tracker when it becomes buried.
2. Description of the Related Art
Buried conduits are employed for supplying a wide variety of utilities, including pipelines for gas, water and sewage, and cables for telephone, optical fiber, power and television. It often becomes necessary to locate defective or damaged cables, pipes, etc., in order to repair or replace them. Conversely, it is important to know with as much accuracy as possible the approximate vicinity of such items in order to avoid disturbing them when digging or excavating for other purposes. Above-ground marking devices may be installed immediately after the conduit is buried, but they are often lost, stolen, or destroyed after a short period of use. Therefore, it is common to use underground marking devices or systems to enable the later location of a section or feature of an underground utility.
In the past, three different approaches have been used to indicate the presence of buried conduits, namely, warning tapes, trace wires, and electronic marker systems. A warning tape is simply a band of plastic which is placed above the conduit before burial. These tapes are used to alert the excavation team of the presence of the conduit before any damage thereto might occur. As the backhoe or other mechanical digger excavates the site, it will hopefully uproot a portion of the warning tape prior to contact with the conduit. The primary disadvantage of (non-metallic) warning tapes is that they cannot be detected by any surface instrumentation.
A single trace wire is sometimes buried with a utility line. The trace wire is used as a conductor for an AC signal which is applied to the wire at one accessible end, and then acts as an antenna and radiates an electromagnetic field above ground along its entire length. The electromagnetic field may be detected with an appropriate receiver, and the underground path of the line thereby determined. The earliest cable locators used a single sensor which detects a single null or peak (depending upon the orientation of the sensor) as the unit passes near the cable. Many later devices use two or more sensors that combine the signals to provide an indication of conductor proximity. The most common sensors are ferrite-core antennas, i.e., inductors. Although the conduit itself may act as a conductor (i.e., when steel pipe or copper wire cabling is used), most conduits are non-conductive and therefore require a trace wire. There are three significant disadvantages in the use of a trace wire. First of all, it is necessary to provide above ground access to the trace wire in order to couple the AC signal thereto. Secondly, if a break occurs in the wire (due to excavation, or natural causes such as corrosion, earth movement or burrowing animals), then the wire becomes useless. Finally, the trace wire is too thin to imprint a warning message thereon, precluding any visual warning. Additionally, a receiver cannot distinguish the trace wire from any other conductor in the vicinity.
Electronic marker systems for locating buried objects are known in the art, and generally consist of two types, namely, active and passive markers (transponders). Active markers require the use of a power supply which amplifies a signal source (usually an AC signal). The signal is radiated by the underground marker and detected by a receiver unit above ground. Passive markers, in contrast, have no power supply, but rather operate in a resonant mode, responsive to a transmitted electromagnetic field.
A passive marker is basically a wire coil and capacitor surrounded in a protective envelope, which is then buried adjacent to the cable, pipe, or other object to be located. The marker is self-contained, with no external, accessible connections. Passive markers are activated by radiating a signal into the ground in the area where the marker is expected to be found. The signal is emitted via an inductive coil held close to the surface (the transmitter portion of a transceiver). When the coil is directly over, or near, the passive marker (which is itself an inductive coil), the marker accepts energy within its bandpass and stores it, reaching a sustained amplitude during the transmission cycle. When the transmission cycle ends, the marker re-emits the energy at the marker's resonant frequency with an exponentially decaying amplitude. A second coil within the transceiver unit acts as a receiving antenna which detects the re-radiated energy, alerting the locating technician with an audible tone or other indicator means. See generally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,368.
FIG. 1 illustrates several kinds of passive transponders for different applications. These include a small, near-surface marker 2 for locating a valve box, a medium size or mid-range marker 4 for locating a service drop (a loose coil of cabling deployed for future use), a full-range marker 6 for locating a more deeply buried conduit stub, and a so-called ball marker 8 for locating a conduit tee. The latter marker provides a spherical housing which supports the marker coil horizontally, regardless of the orientation of the housing (i.e., self-leveling), and is used for soil conditions which may result in significant shifting of the housing, such that the marker always provides a vertical location beacon (inductor axis). These markers simply "float" around the underground feature in the soil, and are subject to soil movement.
Electronic markers, as well as warning tapes, are usually color-coded according to the particular type of utility line they mark. Specifically, gas line markers are yellow; telephone cable markers are orange; waste water tunnel markers are green; water pipe markers are blue; and power supply markers are red. Similarly, the passive marker is "coded" by tuning the coil for a specific resonant frequency. Five distinct frequencies have been designated: 83.0 kHz for gas; 101.4 kHz for telephone; 121.6 kHz for sewage; 145.7 kHz for water; and 169.8 kHz for power. In this manner, a locating technician searching for, say, a gas line, cannot accidentally activate a telephone marker since his transmitter will only be sending out an 83 kHz signal, which is not within the bandwidth for a telephone marker tuned for 101.4 kHz. Of course, these frequencies have been designated by convention, and are not meant to be restrictive.
There are hybrid systems wherein, for example, a signal is applied to a buried conductor (cable or trace wire), and coupled through the conductor to one or more markers buried adjacent the conductor. Also, a marker can be used to couple one conductor to another, so that the test signal may be conveyed to the second conductor without a direct physical connection.
While several of the foregoing articles can be used to alert an excavation team that a buried object is nearby, there continue to be problems regarding both locating and damaging the cables or conduits. Significantly, none of the foregoing designs offer any above-ground visual indication of the desired location, so a fair amount of trial and error searching must be performed before the signal from the subsurface marker is detected. If there are several underground markers in the same general vicinity, it is very likely that the searcher will mistakenly identify one of the other markers as the target marker, resulting in a mislocate of the obscured object which is only revealed after the site has been excavated. Although a location can be marked above-ground with stakes, paint, flags, etc., these implements can be removed or easily obscured by growth over time. Stakes and flags can further be re-positioned at the surface so there is no guarantee that such an implement will still be marking the proper location at later dates.
In light of the foregoing, it would be desirable to devise an improved article for more accurately locating a buried object during interim construction which also has long-term locatability. It would be further advantageous if the article could provide a visual indication which is easily detected by an excavator.


A hydraulic elevator pressure relief valve is activated if a pilot valve disposed therein senses an excessive pressure build up within a hydraulic elevator system. The pilot valve opens once excess fluid pressure force is detected. A main piston then facilitates communication between a solenoid valve disposed within the valving system and the drain pressure thereby closing a check valve and thus stopping an elevator car from further movement. The main piston further ports the excess fluid pressure force from the system to drain pressure, thus stabilizing the fluid pressure force therein.

Hydraulic elevators are comprised of a cab, a plunger attached to the cab either directly or by means of a roping configuration, and a cylinder housing the plunger. Hydraulic fluid is impelled into the cylinder to drive the plunger and the cab attached thereto, upwardly. The fluid is typically impelled into the cylinder by means of a constant speed motor which drives the fixed displacement pump.
This type of hydraulic elevator requires valves to control the cab speed during acceleration, leveling, and lowering of the elevator. The valves waste energy while controlling the motion of the elevator by discharging excess fluid flow. Valves may also be noisy and provide relatively poor control.
Some hydraulic elevators utilize a variable speed pump and motor. In this type of elevator, hydraulic fluid is impelled into and out of the cylinder to drive the plunger and the cab attached thereto upwardly and downwardly. The variable speed pump and motor are known to reduce the control problem and greatly simplify the number of valves. However, a valve is still required to maintain the elevator at a landing. One such type of a valve is disclosed in U.S. patent application 07/701,369, wherein the valve controls the pressure between the pump and the elevator, thereby controlling the movement of the elevator car.
In case of excessive pressure build up, most hydraulic elevator systems require some means of limiting pressure within the system to preserve the integrity thereof. Therefore, most systems provide some type of a switch or a relief valve that in case of excessive pressure increase within the system, limits such pressure build up. However, safety problems arise when the excess pressure is limited.

Hydraulic elevator pressure relief valve


An active solid polymer electrolyte membrane in a solid polymer type fuel cell comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a plurality of precious metal catalyst particles supported on the surfaces of the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane by ion exchange and distributed uniformly over the surfaces thereof. In accordance with the use of this active solid polymer electrolyte membrane the ability to generate power can be enhanced.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to active solid polymer electrolyte membranes in solid polymer type fuel cells and a process for the production thereof.
2. Description of the Prior Art
With regard to active solid polymer electrolyte membranes of this type in the art, those in which a precious metal catalyst is supported on the surface of a solid polymer electrolyte membrane by a sputtering method are known.
However, since the conventional precious metal catalyst is formed as a layer, the conduction of the generated hydrogen ions to the solid polymer electrolyte membrane and the conduction from the electrolyte membrane to the air electrode are comparatively low, and the area of the interface at which the three elements of precious metal catalyst, solid polymer electrolyte membrane and fuel gas (hydrogen and air) come into contact with each other, that is to say, the area of the three phase interface, is small and in spite of a large amount of precious metal being supported on the electrolyte membrane the ability of the fuel cell to generate power is low, which is a problem.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an active solid polymer electrolyte membrane that can enhance the ability of the fuel cell to generate power with only a small amount of precious metal supported.
In accordance with the present invention in order to achieve the aforementioned object, an active solid polymer electrolyte membrane in a solid polymer type fuel cell comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a plurality of precious metal catalyst particles supported on the surfaces of the above-mentioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane by ion exchange and distributed uniformly over the surfaces thereof.
In accordance with the aforementioned arrangement, since the precious metal catalyst particles are present as spots on the surfaces of the aforementioned electrolyte membrane, the conduction of the generated hydrogen ions to the aforementioned electrolyte membrane and the conduction thereof from the electrolyte membrane to the air electrode both become high and association between the hydrogen ions and oxygen is enhanced. Moreover, the area of the three phase interface at which the three elements of precious metal catalyst particle, solid polymer electrolyte membrane and fuel gas come into contact with each other increases. Thus, it becomes possible to reduce the amount of precious metal supported on the aforementioned electrolyte membrane and at the same time increase the efficiency of power generation in the fuel cell.
Furthermore, in accordance with the present invention, an active solid polymer electrolyte membrane in a solid polymer type fuel cell is provided which comprises a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a plurality of precious metal catalyst particles supported inside the surface layers of the above-mentioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane by ion exchange and distributed uniformly throughout the inside of the surface layers thereof.
In accordance with the aforementioned arrangement, since the precious metal catalyst particles are present as spots inside the surface layers of the aforementioned electrolyte membrane, the conduction of the generated hydrogen ions to the aforementioned electrolyte membrane and the conduction thereof from the electrolyte membrane to the air electrode become both high and association between the hydrogen ions and oxygen is enhanced. Moreover, the area of the three phase interface at which the three elements of precious metal catalyst particle, solid polymer electrolyte membrane and fuel gas come into contact with each other increases. It thus becomes possible to reduce the amount of precious metal supported in the aforementioned electrolyte membrane and at the same time increase the efficiency of power generation in the fuel cell.
Furthermore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a production process in which the aforementioned active solid polymer electrolyte membrane can be mass produced.
In accordance with the present invention in order to achieve the aforementioned object, there is proposed a process for the production of an active solid polymer electrolyte membrane in a solid polymer type fuel cell comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a plurality of precious metal catalyst particles supported on the surfaces of the above-mentioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane by ion exchange and distributed uniformly over the surfaces thereof, wherein the process comprises in sequence a step in which the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane is immersed in a solution of a precious metal complex so as to carry out ion exchange, a step in which the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane is washed with pure water, a step in which the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane is subjected to a reduction treatment, a step in which the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane is washed with pure water and a step in which the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane is dried.
The solid polymer electrolyte membranes which are known at present are polymer ion exchange membranes. Therefore, when the aforementioned ion exchange is carried out, precious metal complex ions are adsorbed on a plurality of ion exchange sites which are present on the surfaces of the aforementioned solid electrolyte membrane and are distributed uniformly over the surfaces thereof. In the first washing step, free precious metal complex ions which are present inside the aforementioned electrolyte membrane are removed and recovered. In the reduction step, groups of atoms bonded to the precious metal atoms of the precious metal complex ions are removed. In the second washing step the reducing component is removed from the aforementioned electrolyte membrane, and an active solid polymer electrolyte membrane can be obtained via the subsequent drying step.
When the reduction treatment is effected without carrying out the first washing, free precious metal atoms remain inside the aforementioned electrolyte membrane, and as these precious metal atoms generally do not contribute to the generation of hydrogen ions expensive precious metal is therefore wasted. When the second washing is not carried out, since residual reducing component interferes with the ionisation of hydrogen the ability to generate power is degraded.
In accordance with the present invention, there is further proposed a process for the production of an active solid polymer electrolyte membrane in a solid polymer type fuel cell comprising a solid polymer electrolyte membrane and a plurality of precious metal catalyst particles supported inside the surface layers of the above-mentioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane by ion exchange and distributed uniformly throughout the inside of the surface layers thereof, wherein the process comprises in sequence a step in which the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane is immersed in a liquid mixture of a solution of a precious metal complex and at least one additive chosen from the group comprising water-soluble organic solvents, nonionic surfactants and nonmetallic bases so as to carry out ion exchange, a step in which the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane is washed with pure water, a step in which the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane is subjected to a reduction treatment, a step in which the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane is washed with pure water and a step in which the aforementioned solid polymer electrolyte membrane is dried.
As hereinbefore described, when the ion exchange is carried out using a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, which is a polymer ion exchange membrane, under the influence of an additive as mentioned above, precious metal complex ions are adsorbed on a plurality of ion exchange sites which are present inside the surface layers of the aforementioned electrolyte membrane and are distributed uniformly throughout the inside the above-mentioned surface layer. In the first washing step, free precious metal complex ions and the additive which are present inside the aforementioned electrolyte membrane are removed and recovered. In the reduction step, groups of atoms bonded to the precious metal atoms of the precious metal complex ions are removed. In the second washing step the reducing component is removed from the aforementioned electrolyte membrane, and an active solid polymer electrolyte membrane can be obtained via the subsequent drying step.
When the reduction treatment is effected without carrying out the first washing, free precious metal atoms remain inside the aforementioned electrolyte membrane, and as these precious metal atoms generally do not contribute to the generation of hydrogen ions expensive precious metal is therefore wasted. When the second washing is not carried out, since residual reducing component interferes with the ionisation of hydrogen the ability to generate power is degraded.
The above-mentioned objects, other objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be clarified by an explanation of preferable embodiments which are described in detail below by reference to the attached drawings.

Active solid polymer electrolyte membrane in solid polymer type fuel cell and process for the production thereof


Methods and systems for secure applications running web view applications are disclosed. In some aspects, user data may be secured within a first security domain, that is inaccessible to a web view application running within a second application. The second application accesses the user data via a second security domain, when a request is received from the web view application to display a user interface. The second application then displays a user interface based at least in part, on the user data.

Social networking applications support a broad array of features, which continues to expand. Some of these features include the ability to integrate third party applications into the social networking framework. While 3rd party applications can augment social network functionality in important ways, user data segmentation is often of significant importance.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.


Apparatus and a method are disclosed for automatically identifying and validating a document, for validating the identity of a bearer of a document, for verifying that the bearer has authorization to participate in an activity represented by the document, and for comparing information on the document against information databases to determine if there are known concerns about the document or its bearer. A document type is narrowed by initially determining the size of the document, and is then identified from amongst a group of documents by looking for colors or other characteristics at specific locations on the document only until the document is identified. The order in which document locations are looked at is dependent upon a history of the types of documents that have been identified. An identified document is verified by first looking up reference information about the document type and using that information to read specific contents and check only specific security and other features utilized on the document. The contents of a document are checked against a database to verify its contents, and other databases are checked for stolen documents, known valid documents, and prohibited travel or entry. Biometrics in databases, on documents and directly from the document bearer are compared to verify the bearer.

Over time there has been an increase in counterfeiting and alterations to identity, travel and other documents, such as drivers licenses, passports, identification cards, and passes. In addition, there has been an increase in counterfeiting and alterations to documents having value, such as negotiable instruments, bonds and other similar documents. This has caused concern to the governments and companies who issue such identity and travel documents; and much financial loss where such counterfeit and altered documents are documents of value.
To hinder such counterfeiting and alterations to identity, travel and similar documents, and documents having value, many innovations have been proposed or introduced. One solution has been the development and implementation of new materials for producing such documents that has made counterfeiting and alterations more difficult, and the detection of counterfeit and altered documents easier and faster. Such new materials include the use of holograms and retro-reflective layers in laminating material, invisible information that only appears when illuminated by certain wavelengths of invisible light or other energy, and different types of inks that are seen as one color under normal ambient light but are seen as a different color when illuminated by certain wavelengths of invisible light or other energy (chemical taggants). In addition, magnetic and radio frequency (RF) taggants that are invisible to the eye are added to base materials and laminating materials but may be detected using special equipment. Further, micro-miniature smart chips and memory chips are embedded in such documents, just as they are in smart cards, and may be used to identify, read and validate documents in which they are embedded, and to identify and validate the bearer of such documents.
One example of a security laminating material used for anti-counterfeiting of passports is 3M's Confirm® security laminate described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,658,411. Another example of a 3M security laminating material used for anti-counterfeiting of passports is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,631,064 and utilizes retro-reflective glass microspheres.
An example of an identity card using smart-card technology has recently been introduced in Malaysia where an embedded computer chip and memory allows the card to be used as a combination identity card, driver's license, cash card, national health service card, and passport.
Coupled with the increase of new materials and new techniques to produce documents that are more difficult to counterfeit or alter, there has been an increase in the demand for new equipment and systems for automatically identifying and validating documents, for validating the identity of a bearer of a document, for verifying that the bearer has authorization to participate in an activity represented by the document, and for comparing information on the document against information databases to determine if there are known concerns about the document or its bearer. This demand has risen because it has become virtually impossible for a person, by themself, to analyze and validate documents using such new materials and other techniques.

Validation and verification apparatus and method


Data is digitally sampled at intervals, and these samples are stored for a fixed period. During this period the samples are also processed to select certain characteristics, such as maximum, minimum, average, etc., and these abstract indicators are stored and updated. Then, at some longer interval, the abstract is stored in another data block, and this data block of abstracts is also continuously monitored to select the maximum, minimum, etc., to produce a higher abstracted sample. The process of storage of samples and continuous selection can be repeated for even higher abstraction. Thus, the important characteristics are preserved, but the quantity of data to be stored is greatly reduced.

This invention relates to digital data storage and compression and more particularly to a method of abstracting and compressing sampled data.
In process monitoring or other detection and recording systems, the availability of low-priced memory has made the task of acquiring and storage of information a relatively easy one. Very large quantities of data can be acquired and stored at low cost. Even so, the storage medium is finite and, when sampling rates are high, the limits of the system are reached at some point and old data must be purged. But there are many situations where the older data may be the most useful, at least as to certain characteristics such as maximum, minimum, average, standard deviation, catastropic events, etc.
It is the object of this invention to provide a method of abstracting and compressing digital data in a manner that preserves the most useful characteristics of the data but yet eliminates the need for vastly redundant data storage capability.

Method and system for digital data storage, abstraction and compression to preserve the most useful characteristics of the data


A content selection system, in which a management apparatus, a distribution apparatus and a wireless terminal are provided, includes the distribution apparatus's distribution unit for distributing, within a predetermined spatial range, location information indicating a location at which the distribution apparatus is installed; the wireless terminal's obtaining unit for obtaining the location information distributed by the distribution unit; the wireless terminal's transmission unit for transmitting the obtained location information to the management apparatus; the management apparatus's reception unit for receiving the transmitted location information; the management apparatus's determination unit configured to determine whether the received location information indicates a predetermined location; and the management apparatus's selection unit for selecting a content associated with the predetermined location for output thereat in response to the determination by the determination unit that the received location information indicates the predetermined location.

1. Field of the Invention
The disclosures herein generally relate to a content selection system, a content selection method and a management apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
There is a system in museums, galleries or the like which provides content related to exhibits by way of audio and video. Visitors can obtain more information about an exhibit by viewing reproduced content through, for example, a speaker or a display which is placed near the exhibit. In general, these kinds of content are continuously being reproduced near the exhibits or the reproduction of content is started by a visitor's manual operation. Also, a visitor may be able to select content to be reproduced according to the language used by the visitor.
In the meantime, various location information management systems which obtain a location of a person or a wireless terminal indoors are proposed. In Patent Document 1, a system in which a location of a person is obtained by putting a passive-method wireless tag on a person and reading the wireless tag through a fixed wireless tag reader/writer is disclosed. In Patent Document 2, a system is disclosed in which a wireless terminal determines its location by converting an identifier wirelessly transmitted from a nearby transmitter to location identification information. In Patent Document 3, a system is disclosed in which a location of a wireless terminal is identified by causing the wireless terminal to receive unique information transmitted from an illuminating device, and to transmit the unique information to a server through a predetermined access point.
There is a requirement for starting reproduction of content at the timing when a visitor arrives at a predetermined location where an exhibit or the like is located. Also, it is desirable to provide appropriate content according to an attribute such as the language used by the visitor.
[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 4620410
[Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2010-159980
[Patent Document 3] International Publication WO2005/086375

Content selection system, content selection method and management apparatus


A portable liquid filtration device includes a GPS tracking unit, a portable housing, an inlet configured to receive non-potable water, and an ozone chamber positioned within the portable housing. The ozone chamber is configured to generate an ozone gas from received air. The device also includes a filtration duct positioned within the portable housing and downstream from the inlet. The filtration duct includes at least one oxidation chamber configured to mix the received water with the ozone gas, and at least one ultraviolet (UV) chamber downstream from the at least one oxidation chamber and including a UV lamp positioned adjacent the water within the filtration duct. The device further includes an outlet positioned on the portable housing and downstream from the filtration duct. The filtration duct is operable to output at least 150 liters per hour of the received water from the outlet as potable water.

The field of the disclosure relates generally to liquid purification systems, and more particularly to a portable, self-contained water purification device.
In at least some areas of the world, the availability of potable water supplies is minimal or nonexistent. The need for potable water in a particular area may arise from a lack of naturally present potable water, some variety of accidental contamination, or from a natural disaster such as an earthquake or a flood that results in contamination of the water supply. Natural disasters may also result in damage to a disaster area's water supply infrastructure. In natural disaster scenarios, for example, a water purification system may be delivered to the area of need to augment its potable water producing capabilities. However, at least some water purification systems have a weight or bulk that prevents or inhibits transportation to areas of need, and/or power requirements that prevent or inhibit use at areas of need.
At least some known water purification systems include at least one filter and a pump to move water through the filter. Some known water purification systems include multiple filtration steps including introducing ozone to the water and exposing the water to ultraviolet light. However, at least some of these systems are not designed to remove both chemical and biological contaminants such as pesticides and infectious disease carriers.

Portable water purification systems and method of assembling same


A heat radiation structure for a portable micro projector that enables efficient radiation of heat generated therein. A projector module irradiates light of high intensity using a lamp to project an image to an external screen. A thermally conductive plate having a plate-like shape, the projector module being attached to one surface of the thermally conductive plate to transfer heat generated in the projector module. A heat radiation case to which the thermally conductive plate to which the projector module is attached is coupled therein to emit the heat transferred through the thermally conductive plate outside.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a heat radiation technology. More particularly, the present invention relates to a heat radiation structure for a portable micro projector that enables efficient radiation of heat generated therein.
2. Description of the Related Art
In general, mobile communication terminals normally refer to terminals, such as personal mobile communication (PCS) terminals, personal digital assistant (PDA) terminals, international mobile telecommunication 2000 (IMT-2000) terminals, and wireless LAN terminals, which enable wireless communication and various functions using application programs while users are carrying them.
There are continuing efforts to miniaturize mobile communication terminals and for such terminals to be additionally provided with various functions of MP3s, digital cameras, navigators, and the Internet. Accordingly, mobile communication terminals are becoming complex communication terminals and necessaries of modern people.
Recently, mobile communication terminals to which micro projectors are mounted are being developed. Micro projectors ref to small-sized portable projectors that use LED modules or laser diode (LD) modules as light sources. When micro projectors are mounted to mobile communication terminals, they can be easily carried and easily project images anywhere.
There is a degree of difficulty for such a micro projector (hereinafter, referred to as 'portable projector') to radiate heat generated therein. In other words, the size of a portable projector is so small that the portable projector cannot use a heat radiation fan as in a conventional general projector.
The heat generated by a portable projector may be radiated using a Peltier device, but this method requires a supply of power. Accordingly, when a Peltier device is used in a portable projector, the power of a mobile communication terminal is easily exhausted.

Heat radiation structure for portable projector

Maetan-dong, Yeongtong-gu, Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do


An organic EL device having a large effective area with improved uniformity in luminescent brightness. A transparent first electrode, an organic EL layer, a second electrode, and a protective film are formed on a glass substrate. A conductive film is formed insulated from the second electrode. The conductive film, which covers the second electrode, is connected to opposite ends of the first electrode. One of the ends of the first electrode includes a connection terminal.

The present invention relates to organic electroluminescence (EL) devices.
Organic EL devices have received much attention for use as a display device or a thin luminescence device. A typical organic EL device includes a transparent electrode (anode), which is made of indium tin oxide (ITO) and formed on a glass substrate, an organic EL layer, which has a luminescence layer formed on the transparent electrode, and a cathode, which is formed on the organic EL layer. The luminescence layer generates light that is emitted from the glass substrate.
Drive voltage is applied between the anode and the cathode so that current flows through the organic EL layer between the anode and the cathode to emit light from the electroluminescence layer. The intensity of the light emitted from an organic EL device (luminescent brightness) is proportional to the amount of current flowing between the anode and cathode. Further, the resistance of the material forming the transparent electrode is greater than that of the material forming a metal electrode. Accordingly, the electric resistance and electric current differs between a location near an electrode terminal and a location far from an electrode terminal. The difference between the electric currents causes the brightness to differ at different positions in the organic EL device.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-115393 describes a first prior art example in which luminescent brightness differences are suppressed. To reduce the electric resistance of a transparent electrode in the first prior art example, a transparent electrode is used. The transparent electrode has a multilayer structure including a transparent conductive layer and a light-transmissive metal film. The metal film decreases the electric resistance of the transparent electrode and reduces the differences in the luminescent brightness. However, the metal film decreases light transmission in the transparent electrode. This decreases the brightness of the organic EL device.
FIG. 6 shows an organic EL device that suppresses brightness unevenness without decreasing the brightness of the organic EL device. The organic EL device 41 includes a transparent electrode 43, which is formed on a glass substrate 42, and a metal auxiliary electrode 44, which is formed on a peripheral portion of the transparent electrode 43 and connected to an anode. An insulation film 45 is formed on the auxiliary electrode 44. An organic EL layer 46 covers the transparent electrode 43 and the insulation film 45. A cathode 47 is formed on the organic EL layer 46. A protective film 48 is formed on the outer side of the cathode 47 to protect the organic EL layer 46 from oxygen and moisture.
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-123990 describes a second prior art example of an organic EL device 54, as shown in FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B. The organic EL device 54 includes a transparent substrate 50, a transparent anode layer 51, an organic EL layer 52, a cathode layer 53, an insulation layer 55, and an auxiliary electrode layer 56. The transparent anode layer 51 includes an anode electrode terminal 51a. A cathode electrode terminal 53a is defined on the opposite side of the anode electrode terminal 51a. The auxiliary electrode layer 56 includes a contact region 57 that has three sides contacting the transparent anode layer 51 (FIG. 8A) or two sides contacting the transparent anode layer 51 (FIG. 8B)
In the organic EL device 41 of FIG. 6, the organic EL layer 46 is thin. Thus, the organic EL layer 46, which is arranged between the auxiliary electrode 44 and the cathode 47, is apt to being cut by edges of the auxiliary electrode 44. This increases the possibility of the occurrence of short circuiting between the transparent electrode 43 and the cathode 47. Accordingly, the insulation film 45 is requisite and thus increases the manufacturing cost. Further, the arrangement of the auxiliary electrode 44 at the both sides of the luminescent portion increases the area outside the luminescent portion on the glass substrate 42. In other words, the area of the surface of the glass substrate 42 that does not emit light is increased.
In the organic EL device 54 disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2003-123990, the cathode electrode terminal 53a is arranged on the opposite side of the anode electrode terminal 51a. As shown in FIGS. 7, 8A, and 8B, the auxiliary electrode 56 cannot be connected to the transparent anode layer 51 at the side farthest from the anode electrode 51a. Accordingly, the occurrence of brightness unevenness cannot be sufficiently suppressed. Referring to FIG. 8A, if the auxiliary electrode 56 were to be arranged along three sides of the transparent anode 51, this would increase the area outside the luminescent portion, or the area of the surface of the transparent substrate 50 that does not increase light.
Further, the insulation layer 55 is a requisite to the organic EL device 54 of FIG. 7. This increases the manufacturing cost. Furthermore, although not shown in the drawings, a seal cover or a passivation film is necessary to protect the organic EL layer 52 from oxygen or moisture in the ambient air.

Organic electroluminescent device having insulated conductive film over cathode


The invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a drug-resin complex and a chelating agent in which the composition is in the form of a solid or a gel. The invention also provides a method of making such a composition and a method for improving the stability of a pharmaceutical composition.

The reaction or complexation of a drug with an ion exchange resin forms a composition known as a drug-resin complex. A drug for the purposes of the present invention is a medicinal substance for internal or external use. An ion exchange resin is an ionic, or charged, compound which has binding sites that can bind or take up an ionic drug. The most common types of ion exchange resins are polymers. Such a compound is called a resin because the polymer is formed into very small particles or beads.
Drug-resin complexes have several advantages over pure drugs in ordinary formulations. Many drugs are bitter and some smell bad. Getting a patient, particularly a small child or an elderly person, to swallow something that tastes or smells bad can be a serious problem. Complexing such a drug with a resin often improves the taste or the smell.
Complexing a drug with a resin can also change its physical characteristics. This change may make the drug more convenient to mass produce or easier for patients to take. For example, mixing a drug in powder form with inert ingredients and compressing the mixture into a tablet is a very common and inexpensive way of preparing a drug for consumption. However, if a particular drug in liquid or powder form tends to make a crumbly or sticky mixture, large-scale automated tablet compression may be impossible or overly costly. Complexing a drug with a resin can sometimes improve compression characteristics.
Complexing a drug with a resin can affect the rate at which the drug dissolves in the digestive system of a patient. Fast dissolution can be a problem if it means the drug has to be taken often to maintain a reasonably even level of the drug in the blood. If a drug causes stomach upset when it dissolves, rapid dissolution in the stomach may also be undesirable. Drug-resin complexes often dissolve more slowly than an ordinary drug formulation. Complexes are useful in changing dissolution profiles and are frequently used in time-release formulations. Coating of a drug-resin complex can delay the release of a drug even more.
The technique for adsorption of a drug onto an ion exchange resin to form a drug-resin complex is well-known. Generally the drug is mixed with an aqueous suspension of the ion exchange resin and the complex is dried. Complexation of the drug by the resin may be detected by a change in pH or by other changes in physical properties or by a decrease in concentration of drug dissolved in the aqueous phase.
Ion exchange resins are usually made from a polymer backbone with various displaceable functional groups ionically bonded to the polymer. In water the functional groups of the resin ionize. The polymer chains are also typically cross linked, leading to a gel-like insoluble composition formed in beads. The particle size of a resin can differ between two resins even though the polymer it is made from is the same. The amount of cross linking also varies from one resin to another. The amount of drug which can be bound to a particular resin is called its binding capacity or loading. Binding capacity varies greatly between resins and from drug to drug. Most resins are sold in dehydrated form and then soaked in water prior to use.
Cationic ion exchange resins have negatively charged, or anionic, binding sites. The anionic binding sites are bonded to displaceable cationic groups. Cationic drugs are positively charged and tend to displace the cationic groups, typically becoming bonded to the resin by ionic bonds. Since basic drugs are generally cationic, cationic exchange resins are often used to prepare drug-resin complexes with basic drugs. Typical approaches to forming a water insoluble drug-resin complex are to react the sodium salt of a cationic ion exchange resin with a cationic drug or to react the base form of the drug with the acid form of the cationic ion exchange resume.
Anionic ion exchange resins have positively charged, or cationic, binding sites. The cationic binding sites are bonded to displaceable anionic groups. Anionic drugs are negatively charged and tend to displace the anionic groups, typically becoming bonded to the resin by ionic bonds. Since acidic drugs are generally anionic, anionic exchange resins are frequently used to prepare drug-resin complexes for acidic drugs. Once a drug-resin complex reaches the digestive system of a patient, the many ions present there tend in turn to displace the drug from the resin and release the drug.
Many drugs have been found to be chemically unstable when reacted with a resin. The drug alone does not degrade in the same way. The decomposition products generally are oxidized forms of the drug, or in some cases hydrolytic products. This decomposition occurs both in the presence of water and when the drug-resin complex is dry. U.S. Pat. No. 5,413,782 (Warchol et al.) describes a method for increasing take-up of the drug and preventing decomposition of anionic drug-ion exchange resin systems. This method involves, not adding a chemical, but rather reacting the drug and the resin in the absence of carbon dioxide and/or bicarbonate ion.
The use of chelating agents to stabilize chemicals and drugs in solution is known. Chelating agents are scavengers for trace amounts of metal ions. Chelation refers to the formation of an unusually stable bond between an organic compound and an ion or other polar group. Most commonly chelation involves a metal ion. The unusual stability of the bond is due to the ability of the organic compound to bind to a central ion at two or more binding sites, often in a ring formation. Compounds which have this ability are known as chelating agents or chelating ligands. The resulting combination of a chelating ligand with a metal ion is referred to as a metal complex. Many reactions, including many oxidation and decomposition reactions, are catalyzed by trace amounts of metallic ions present in solutions. Many drugs can be degraded through oxidation and hydrolytic reactions which are catalyzed by metal ions. The presence of metallic ions can therefore significantly accelerate the degradation of these drugs. Chelating agents are useful in preventing degradation for drugs in solution. EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) and its salts are examples of powerful chelating agents. EDTA is known to stabilize drugs in solution by retarding their oxidation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,973,607 (Stahlbush et al.) describes the use of antioxidants to improve the chemical stability of cationic exchange resins. This differs from the present invention in that only the resin is involved, not a drug-resin complex. U.S. Pat. No. 4,221,778 (Raghunathan) describes prolonged release pharmaceutical preparations made of ion exchange resin drug complexes treated with a solvating agent and provided with a diffusion barrier coating.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,852 (Umemoto et al.) describes prolonged release liquid pharmaceutical preparations of drug-resin complexes coated with ethylcellulose and including a benzoate preservative to reduce bacterial activity. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,182,102 (DeSantis, Jr. et al.) and 5,540,918 (Castillo et al.) describe drug-resin ophthalmic compositions whose resistance to bacterial contamination is improved by the use of antimicrobials. EDTA is disclosed as an antimicrobial in such compositions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,894,239 (Nonomura et al.) discloses preparations that contain drug-resin complexes in which an antioxidant may be added. U.S. Pat. No. 5,152,986 (Lange et al.) also discloses preparations that contain drug-resin complexes in which an antioxidant may be added.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,774 (Clemente et al.) discloses aqueous pharmaceutical solutions that contain a drug, a pharmaceutically acceptable preservative such as sodium benzoate, and a chelating agent such as ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid. None of the patents described above discloses a pharmaceutical composition in the form of a solid or gel that comprises a drug-resin complex and a chelating agent.

Drug-resin complexes stabilized by chelating agents


The present invention provides a system and method for measuring weight and speed of a moving railcar through dynamic processing of a voltage signal from at least one strain gauge embedded into a rail on the railroad track. The system comprises at least one strain gauge, an amplifier circuit, a converter circuit, and a first processing means. The method performed by the first processing means is a state machine expert system algorithm which dynamically determines the baseline non-stressed voltage level and the peak voltage level upon the strain gauge being stressed by a moving railcar passing over the strain gauge. The method further provides for eliminating the effects of debounce on the weight calculations by continuously monitoring the voltage signal from the strain gauge for a predetermined period of time after an initial peak is detected and updating that value if a greater peak is detected within the predetermined period of time. Other aspects of the present invention include a second processing means which performs fault tolerance and weight calculations based on the baseline voltage level and peak voltage level of each operating strain gauge. The system also provides for transmitting control signals to external braking devices located on the railroad track for improved control in coupling of the moving railcars.

Determining the weight and other dynamic properties of railcars is useful, particularly in railroad distribution yards in which railcars are reallocated based on their weight classifications and must be coupled to each other at controlled speeds.
Railroad distribution yards are used to hold railcars awaiting departure and to align the railcars into trains designated for various destinations. The railcar alignment may be based on the destination of the load of the railcar, the necessity for additional railcars on a specific train, the weight capacity of a train's engine, etc. Generally, railcars are classified into one of four weight categories: light, medium, heavy and extra heavy.
The normal operation at a distribution yard includes the use of a "hump track" which, as the name suggests, is a track which runs over a hump, or hill. A railcar is usually backed up the hump and allowed to free roll down the other side on the hump track. The hump track leads to as many as ninety different tracks, called holding or pullout tracks, to which the railcar may be directed. The different tracks are used for the alignment of the railcars into trains designated for certain destinations. For example, track one could be used to couple railcars destined for Chicago, track two for Philadelphia, track three for New York, etc.
In order to control the railcar dispersement at the distribution yard, each of the railcars should be classified. The process of railcar classification usually requires the ability to determine railcar characteristics, such as speed and weight. The proper coupling of the railcars at speeds that will not damage the railcars or their contents is achieved by predicting the rolling behavior of the railcars.
Therefore, it is necessary to utilize both weight and speed measurements to determine if and how much the railcar should be slowed during its free roll down the hump track. There are usually only a few sections of a hump track which contain braking systems, called retarders. The retarders are used to control the speed of the railcar and prevent coupling at excess speeds which could cause damage. Information regarding the weight and speed of the railcar moving down the hump track must therefore be analyzed quickly and accurately and transmitted to the retarder controller in sufficient time to assess the need for and duration of the operation of the track's braking system.
In determining the necessity for reducing the speed of the moving railcar, the retarder control system analyzes the kinetic energy of the railcar according to the following formula: EQU E=1/2 mv.sup.2
Thus, both the weight of the railcar and its speed must be determined precisely. With the calculation of the energy, the reduction in speed necessary to safely couple the railcar with the next railcar on the designated track may be determined.
Currently, distribution yards utilize micro-switch type "slotted" weight rails to weigh railcars. These weight rails contain slots which have been cut into a section of the rails so that the rails flex as railcars pass over them. The amount of flex trips one or more microswitches. The closing (tripping) of the microswitches sends a signal to a computer indicating the weight class (light, medium, heavy or extra heavy) of the railcar. For example, if only one microswitch closes, the railcar is "light," two indicates "medium," etc.
The micro-switch based "slotted" weight rails have many problems associated with installation, accuracy and cost. Because they are based on mechanical flex of the rail, the continuous stressing of the slotted rails usually results in cracking. Failure generally occurs within three months to two years of use. Breakage of the weight rail disrupts the operation of the distribution yard, is dangerous and may result in derailments. Furthermore, it results in shutting down the distribution yard operation until the weight rail can be replaced.
Additionally, the accuracy of the weight rail system is less than ideal. It is difficult to maintain and adjust the weight classification readings. The undersection of the rail is susceptible to changes resulting from ballast movement caused by vibrations. Therefore, the undersection must be kept properly tamped to get consistent readings. Lastly, the weight rail system only classifies the railcars into one of the four weight categories; thus, the weight of the railcars is only determined within about 25,000 pounds. Greater accuracy is needed for improved control of car coupling.
Finally, the average cost of a micro-switch slotted weight rail is about $30,000 for the rail alone. Additional expense is incurred for installation and for system shutdown upon breakage of a weight rail.
While the weight rails are the most commonly used weighing devices in railroad distribution yards, the use of strain gauges for weighing railcars has also been known in the prior art. Strain gauges are used by a number of companies in the railway industry, including Salient Systems, Siemens, Weightronics, and Revere Technologies, to analyze weight of railcars. Strain gauge systems for use in weighing moving railcars have also been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,342, issued to Snead, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,199, issued to Bolland. Like the strain gauges utilized by the railway companies listed above, the strain gauge systems described in the Snead and Bolland references calculate weight based solely on the peak voltage of the signals read from the strain gauges. There is no accommodation for fluctuating baseline voltage levels resulting from the effects of temperature variations or lateral stresses on the strain gauges. Furthermore, the references do not describe any means for reducing or eliminating the debounce effects that the moving railcars often have on the strain gauge readings. In general, debounce effects result in a false peak in the strain gauge signal close in time to the actual peak caused by the weight of the moving railcar exerting direct force on the strain gauge. This false peak may result from vibrations on the railroad track caused by a moving railcar, or other external forces. Whatever the cause, the debounce effect could result in inaccurate weight measurements by a weight system utilizing strain gauges. The prior art strain gauge devices, therefore, must function differently than the present invention or must be installed with a different mechanical system to negate the lateral forces. Otherwise, they will lack much needed accuracy in their weight measurements.

Methods and systems employing strain gauge signals to determine the dynamics of moving railcars