A fountain for heating and/or cooling a beverage comprises one or more heating and/or cooling elements that are configured to adjust a temperature of a beverage that circulates through the fountain. In one embodiment, the beverage fountain includes one or more heating elements located proximate to a basin, a cylinder, and/or a top reservoir of the fountain. In another embodiment, the beverage fountain includes one or more cooling elements located proximate to a basin, a cylinder, and/or a reservoir of the fountain. Alternatively, the beverage fountain may include both heating and cooling elements located proximate to a basin, a cylinder, a reservoir, and/or other locations of the fountain, wherein a selection device, such as an electrical switch or control module, may be adjusted by a user in order to select heating or cooling of the beverage.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to a food dispensing apparatus, and more particularly to a fountain that flows with a fluidic material, such as a beverage.
2. Description of the Related Art
Fondue machines typically include a bowl shaped container for holding and heating chocolate. The container is heated by a heating element to melt the chocolate. Fruit, or other food items, may then be dipped into the container of the fondue machine.
In recent years, fondue machines have taken on alternate configurations. For example, Design & Réalisation Inc. in Montreal, Canada markets a chocolate fountain that moves melted chocolate so that it flows over a number of tiers like a fountain. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a prior art chocolate fountain 100, such as the fountain marketed by Design & Réalisation Inc. As shown in FIG. 1, the chocolate fountain 100 includes a container 110 configured to hold and melt chocolate. A hollow barrel 120 is mounted in the center of the container 110 and provides a pathway for melted chocolate to be moved upward, through its hollow center, to the top of the fountain. An auger including a spiral flight extending around the length of the auger is mounted within the hollow barrel 120. The auger is rotated in order to lift the melted chocolate upward in the hollow barrel 120. On the top of the barrel 120 is a crown 140 that fills with chocolate that flows out of the barrel 120. When the crown 140 is full of melted chocolate, the chocolate begins to fall over the edges of the crown 140. Attached to the barrel 120 are tiers 130 which vary in size. As the chocolate flows downwardly from the crown 140, the chocolate flows over each of the tiers 130, thus forming a multi-level chocolate waterfall. The chocolate fountain 100 also includes a heating element that is placed below the container 110.
Fountains that circulate beverages for drinking, rather than melted food items such as chocolate or cheese, are also currently available. In general, these fountains use a pump to move the beverage through the fountain so that the beverage flows out of an upper structure of the fountain in order to create a stream of beverage that may be used to fill beverage containers. However, existing beverage fountains lack any means for adjusting a temperature of the beverage contained in the fountain. Accordingly, the temperature of a hot beverage, such as tea or coffee, that is circulated in an existing beverage fountain will slowly change towards the temperature of the ambient air. Accordingly, hot beverages only remain at suitable temperatures for very limited time periods and, thus, hot beverages are rarely used in existing beverage fountains. Similarly, existing beverage fountains lack any means for cooling the beverage contained in the fountain. Thus, users of currently available fountains must mix a cold substance, such as ice, into the beverage, thereby diluting the beverage and only providing cooling for a limited time period. Accordingly, the temperature of cold beverages, such as juice or soda, that is circulated in an existing beverage fountain will slowly increase towards the temperature of the ambient air. A fountain that adjusts and maintains a desired temperature of a circulating beverage is desired. More particularly, a beverage fountain that heats and/or cools a beverage is desired.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

Fountain that flows with fluidic material


Systems and methods that use ultrasonic emitters for producing multi-dimensional parametric audio are provided. The systems and methods can be configured to determine HRTF filters for the left and right ears of a listener using an optical imaging system to scan a profile of a listener. Audio content may be encoded into a left and right channel for producing a three dimensional sound effect for the listener of the audio content by: processing the sound channel into left and right input channel signals; applying the HRTF filters and acoustic crosstalk cancellations filters to the left and right channel signals to generate output left and right channel signals; and modulating the left and right output channel signal frequencies onto an ultrasonic carrier.

Surround sound or audio reproduction from various positions about a listener can be provided using several different methodologies. One technique uses multiple speakers encircling the listener to play audio from different directions. An example of this is Dolby® Surround Sound, which uses multiple speakers to surround the listener. The Dolby 5.1 process digitally encodes five channels (plus a subwoofer) of information onto a digital bitstream. These are the Left Front, Center Front, Right Front, Surround Left, and a Surround Right. Additionally, a Subwoofer output is included (which is designated by the "0.1"). A stereo amplifier with Dolby processing receives the encoded audio information and decodes the signal to derive the 5 separate channels. The separate channels are then used to drive five separate speakers (plus a subwoofer) placed around the listening position.
Dolby 6.1 and Dolby 7.1 are extensions of Dolby 5.1. Dolby 6.1 includes a Surround Back Center channel. Dolby 7.1 adds left and right back speakers that are preferably placed behind the listening position and the surround speakers are set to the sides of the listening position. An example of this is provided in FIG. 1. Referring now to FIG. 1, the conventional Dolby 7.1 system includes Left Front (LF), Center, Right Front (RF), Left Surround (LS), Right Surround (RS) Back Surround Left (BSL) and Back Surround Right (BSR). Additionally, a Subwoofer, or Low Frequency effects (LFE), is shown.
Upon playback, decoders at the audio amplifier decode the encoded information in the audio stream and break up the signal into its constituent channels—e.g., 7 channels plus a subwoofer output for Dolby 7.1. The separate channels are amplified and sent to their respective speakers. One downside of Dolby 7.1 and other multi-speaker surround sound systems is that they require more than two speakers. Moreover, such multi-speaker surround sound systems require placement of the speakers around the listening environment. These requirements can lead to increased cost, additional wiring and practical difficulties with speaker placement.
Additionally, the sound created by the conventional speakers is always produced on the face of the speaker (i.e., at the speaker cone). The sound wave created at the surface propagates through the air in the direction at which the speaker is pointed. In simplest terms, the sound will appear to be closer or farther away from the listener depending on how far away from the listener the speaker is positioned. The closer the listener is to the speaker, the closer the sound will appear. The sound can be made to appear closer by increasing the volume, but this effect is limited.
In a surround sound speaker system using conventional speakers, speakers may be placed to 'surround' the listener, but it is apparent that the sound is produced at discrete points along the perimeter corresponding to the position of the speakers. This is apparent when listening to content in a surround-sound environment. In such environments, the sound can appear to move from one speaker to another, but it always sounds like its source is the speaker itself—which it is. Phasing can have the effect of blending sound between speakers, but conventional surround sound systems cannot achieve placement or apparent placement of sound in the environment at determined distances from a listener or listening location.
Moreover, even this limited 'surround' effect cannot be achieved with only a pair conventional speakers. Introducing audio processing effects to a two-channel (Left/Right) system can allow the sound to appear to move from the left speaker to the right speaker, but the sound cannot be placed at a desired distance from or beyond the listener.

Multi-dimensional parametric audio system and method


A power device (10) includes a housing (12), a power input interface provided on the housing, and a rotating outlet unit (30) coupled to the housing. The rotating outlet unit has a plurality of power outlets (38) to distribute power from the power input interface. The rotating outlet unit is configured to rotate between a first position in which the power outlets are disposed on one side of the housing and a second position in which the power outlets are disposed on another side of the housing. A method for providing power to electrical components is further disclosed.

1. Field of Disclosure
Embodiments of the disclosure relate generally to power devices, and more specifically to a power device, such as a power strip and a surge protector, having a rotating outlet unit to provide access along two sides of the device.
2. Discussion of Related Art
Many electronic and electrical systems, such as computer and home entertainment systems require that electrical power be supplied to various components of the system. The use of power devices, such as power strips and surge protectors to supply power is known.
A power strip is a strip of power outlets that receive power from a power source and allow multiple electronic devices to be plugged into the various outlets on the power strip to distribute that power. In some instances, the power strip has housing provided with the outlets and a flexible cable with a plug attached at the end of the cable. The plug is configured to be engaged into a power source, such as a wall outlet. In addition to providing power to the devices, the power strip may also provide power surge protection.
For various applications, whether for indoor or outdoor usage, desktop or wall environments, a user of a power strip may encounter a problem in which the power outlets of the power strip are oriented incorrectly for the particular usage or environment. Specifically, the user will have difficulty inserting a plug into the power outlet of the power strip.

Power device having rotating outlet unit


A sensor responsive to movement of a detection target includes a magnetic field transducer operative to provide a magnetic field signal proportional to a magnetic field associated with the detection target, a peak detector for tracking positive and negative peaks of the magnetic field signal to generate a tracking signal, and a comparator having a first input responsive to the magnetic field signal, a second input responsive to an input signal related to the tracking signal, and an output at which is provided an output signal comprising first pulses having a first pulse width when the detection target moves in a first direction and second pulses having a second pulse width when the detection target moves in a second direction.

Sensors or detectors for detecting movement of ferrous or magnetic objects are known. One application for such devices is in detecting the approach and retreat of features of a rotating ferrous object, such as gear teeth or poles of a ring magnet. The magnetic field associated with the ferrous object is often sensed by one or more magnetic field-to-voltage transducers (also referred to herein as magnetic field sensing elements), such as Hall elements or magnetoresistive devices, which provide a signal proportional to a sensed magnetic field (i.e., a magnetic field signal). The sensor processes the magnetic field signal to generate an output signal that changes state each time the magnetic field signal crosses a threshold signal. Therefore, when the sensor is used to detect the approach and retreat of each tooth of a rotating ferrous gear for example, the output signal is a pulse waveform representative of rotation of the ferrous gear and can be used to provide rotational speed information.
Sensors may use a peak-to-peak percentage detector in which the magnetic field signal is compared to a threshold signal that is a percentage of the peak-to-peak magnetic field signal. One such peak-to-peak percentage detector is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,320 entitled "Detection of Passing Magnetic Articles while Periodically Adapting Detection Threshold," which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention.
Sensors may also use a slope-activated or a peak-referenced detector, one type of which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,091,239 entitled "Detection of Passing Magnetic Articles with a Peak-Referenced Threshold Detector," which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Another such peak-referenced detector is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,693,419 entitled "Proximity Detector," which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention. In the peak-referenced detector, the threshold signal differs from the positive and negative peaks (i.e., the peaks and valleys) of the magnetic field signal by a predetermined amount. Thus, in this type of proximity detector, the output signal changes state when the magnetic field signal comes away from a peak or valley by the predetermined amount.
In order to accurately detect the ferrous object, the detectors must be capable of closely tracking the magnetic field signal. Typically, one or more digital-to-analog converters (DACs) are used to generate a DAC signal, which tracks the magnetic field signal. For example, in the above-referenced U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,917,320 and 6,091,239, two DACs are used, one to track the positive peaks of the magnetic field signal (PDAC) and the other to track the negative peaks of the magnetic field signal (NDAC). And in the above-referenced U.S. Pat. No. 6,693,419, a single DAC tracks both the positive and negative peaks of the magnetic field signal.
In some applications, it is desirable to detect not only rotation of a target and/or the speed of rotation, but also the direction of rotation. One way of providing a direction signal requires the use of two magnetic field transducers spaced apart from each other. In some such arrangements, the output signals of the two transducers are processed to provide respective pulse signals which are compared to determine the relative phase of the signals which in turn is indicative of the direction of rotation. An example of such an arrangement is a sensor that is sold under a part no. 3422 by Allegro MicroSystems, Inc. of Worcester, Mass., the Assignee of the subject application.
Another way of providing a direction signal using only a single magnetic field transducer is described in a Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication H2-116753. In this arrangement, the target has an asymmetric shape and a signal provided by a pulse generator is processed by a waveform shaping circuit to detect the direction of rotation based on the polarity of the maximum output value of the voltage generator.
The magnetic field associated with a ferrous object and the resulting magnetic field signal are proportional to the distance between the ferrous object, for example the rotating ferrous gear, and the magnetic field transducer(s). This distance is referred to as the "air gap." As the air gap increases, the magnetic field transducer(s) tend to experience a smaller magnetic field from the ferrous object, and therefore a smaller amplitude magnetic field signal results.


A bacterium belonging to the genus Serratia, which is transformed by introducing into its cells, a DNA coding for a dihydrodipicolinate synthase originating from a bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia or Serratia having mutation to desensitize feedback inhibition by L-lysine and a DNA coding for an aspartokinase originating from a bacterium belonging to the genus Escherichia or Serratia having mutation to desensitize feedback inhibition by L-lysine is cultivated in an appropriate medium, L-lysine is produced and accumulated in a culture thereof, and L-lysine is collected from the culture.

In the prior art, when L-lysine is produced by a fermentative method, a microbial strain separated from the natural environment or an artificial mutant strain obtained from such a microbial strain is used in order to improve the productivity. A large number of artificial mutant strains producing L-lysine are known. Most of them are S-2-aminoethylcysteine (AEC) resistant mutant strains, and belong to the genus of Brevibacterium, Corynebacterium, Bacillus, Escherichia or Serratia. Further, various techniques have been disclosed for increasing amino acid production, for example, by employing a transformant using recombinant DNA (U.S. Pat. No. 4,278,765).
For example, bacteria belonging to the genus Serratia are widely used as bacteria producing various amino acids such as L-proline, L-histidine, L-arginine, L-threonine, L-valine and L-isoleucine and have excellent properties as amino acid-producing bacteria in various aspects, as described in "Oyo Bunshi Idengaku (Applied Molecular Genetics)" publihed by Kodansha Scientific, 1986, ISBN4-06-139659-5) and "Aminosan Hakko (Amino Acid Fermentation)" published by Gakkai Shuppan Center, 1986, ISBN4-7622-9454-3). Production of various amino acids by using bactria belonging to the genus Serratia has been reported. According to one report (Japanese Patent Publication No. 51-9393 (1976)) which reported that it became L-lysine-productive, a yield (a value given by dividing a concentration of produced L-lysine HCl salt by an initial concentration of a carbon source) is calculated at 5.4%.
Serratia marcescens, which is a representative strain of bacteria belonging to the genus Seratia, is similar to bacteria belonging to the genus Escherichia in its gene structure and mechanism of gene expression and regulation, and a cloning vector usable for recombination of DNA in bacteria belonging to the genus Eschrichia can be used for the bacteria belonging to the genus Serratia (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 2-27980 (1990) and 5-10076 (1993)).
By the way, the dihydrodipicolinate synthase (DDPS) is an enzyme for dehydrating and condensing aspartosemialdehyde and pyruvic acid to synthesize dihydrodipicolinic acid. This reaction is located at an entrance into a branch to proceed to an L-lysine biosynthesis system in biosynthesis of amino acids of the aspartic acid family. This enzyme is known to be in charge of an important regulatory site of the L-lysine biosynthesis as aspartokinase is in bacteria belonging to the genus Escherichia.
DDPS is encoded by a gene called dapA in E. coli (Escherichia coli). The dapA has been cloned, and its base sequence has been also determined (Richaud, F. et al., J. Bacteriol., 297 (1986)).
On the other hand, aspartokinase (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "AK") is an enzyme for catalyzing a reaction to convert aspartic acid into .beta.-phosphoaspartic acid, which serves as a main regulatory enzyme in a biosynthesis system of amino acids of the aspartic acid family. AK of E. coli has three types (AKI, AKII, AKIII), two of which are complex enzymes with homoserine dehydrogenase (hereinafter sometimes abbreviated as "HD"). One of the complex enzymes is AKI-HDI encoded by a thrA gene, and the other is AKII-HDII encoded by a metLM gene. AKI is subjected to concerted suppression by threonine and isoleucine and inhibited by threonine, while AKII is suppressed by methionine.
On the contrary, it is known that only AKIII is a simple function enzyme, which is a product of a gene designated as lysC, and is subjected to suppression and feedback inhibition by L-lysine. The ratio of their intracellular activities is AKI:AKII:AKIII=about 5:1:4.
DDPS and AKIII are subjected to feedback inhibition by L-lysine as described above, and it hinders effective production of L-lysine. It is expected that L-lysine can be efficiently produced by fermentation by using a bacterium belonging to the genus Serratia if a mutant enzyme of DDPS or AKIII, which is not subjected to feedback inhibition by L-lysine, can be obtained. However, there is no preceding literature which describes such a mutant enzyme of DDPS, and although there is one report on a mutant enzyme of AKIII (Boy, E., et al., J. Bacteriol., 112, 84 (1972)), no example has been known which suggests that such a mutant enzyme may improve productivity of L-lysine. In addition, they have not been known with respect to genes of an L-lysine biosynthesis system of bacteria belonging to the genus Serratia.

Method of process for producing L-lysine by fermentation


A method, computer program product, and system for automatically tuning a stringed instrument. An initial height of a first string of an instrument having a plurality of strings and a floating bridge is determined. The height of the plurality of strings is determined using a bridge sensor. The floating bridge is locked. A frequency of the first string is analyzed. In response to determining the frequency of the first string does not match a predetermined frequency, a tuning peg servo motor to adjust a tuning peg, thereby adjusting a string tension of the first string. The one or more bridge servo motors adjusts a spring tension until the spring tension of the one or more springs equals the string tension of the first string. In response to determining the first string is tuned, the floating bridge is unlocked.

The present invention relates generally to the field of tuning stringed instruments, and more particularly to an automatic tuning floating bridge for electric stringed instruments.
Bridges for electric stringed instruments (e.g., guitars) can be either floating or fixed. A bridge is an anchoring point at the base of the instrument. A fixed bridge provides no active control over string tension or pitch. Often, a floating bridge includes a tremolo arm that extends from below the string anchoring point and acts as a lever that the user can push or pull to change the strings tension and, as a result, the pitch of the strings. Frequently, a floating bridge can be positioned by a user to a desired angle. Electric instruments utilizing a floating bridge can be tuned by balancing string tension using the tunings pegs at the head of the instrument and by raising or lowering the bridge by adjusting spring tension on the back of the guitar.

Automatic tuning floating bridge for electric stringed instruments

International Business Machines Corporation


A composition for radiation shielding or range of compositions which compositions may be used for a variety of radiation shielding applications. With proper adhesive selection and processing, the construction forms an integral bond with the craft as compatible adhesives form strong bonds. This eliminates the potential for delaminating associated with the use of metallic layered shielding. While prior art protects electronics with a direct coating to electronic packages, this approach allows larger equipment systems, such as optics, or spectrometers, to be shielded.

Many fields benefit from radiation shielding, including space related or high-altitude applications. Earlier materials, such as RAD-COAT™ or RAD-PAK™, either placed a coating directly on the semiconductor die or package or utilized shields made of a gold plated Tungsten-Copper alloy. Foil shielding, however, when incorporated into the walls of space vehicles, are prone to mechanical failure during use, as the adhesive bond between the metal and the organic adhesive of the composite is susceptible to thermal expansion mismatch between the metal and the adhesive. Further the bonds between dissimilar materials are not as robust as bonds between like materials. In the invention, having the matrix material in the shield either match or be chemically compatible with the composite construction of the spacecraft mitigates this. The matrix adhesive in the shield can bond chemically with the adhesive in the walls of the spacecraft, forming a truly mechanically integrated structure.

Optimized nuclear radiation shielding within composite structures for combined man made and natural radiation environments


A method for communicating an image stream, one embodiment comprising negotiating, between a server and client, an MTCC identifying: a window as a portion of a display of the client, and an occluded portion of the window defined by the client; generating, by the server, complying with the MTCC, a sequence of image frames each comprising pixel data in a portion of the frame identified by the occluded portion; transmitting an encoding of a first frame of the sequence not including an encoding of the pixel data in the portion of the first frame; identifying, by the server, an event associated with the sequence; and transmitting, before communication between the server and the client regarding the event, by the server, information of the event in conjunction with an encoding of a second frame of the sequence including an encoding of the pixel data in the portion of the second frame.

Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to a method and apparatus for controlling the delivery of remote applications and desktops to client computers.
Description of the Related Art
A traditional Desktop Windows Manager (DWM) provides compositing functions between multiple image buffers allocated to software applications on one side of the DWM and a composite image buffer on the other (display) side. In remote computing systems, the compositing function may be located at the client end of a network to leverage the compositing engine capabilities inherent to some client computers. In some graphical user interface (GUI) environments, visual tree descriptors that define window positions and z-order are provided by each node connected to a client. The client reconstructs a remote visual tree corresponding to a desktop composition and renders content in compliance with the remote visual tree. In conventional multi-media redirection (MMR) architectures, the location definition for individual windows of a hosted desktop or hosted application may be extracted from the composed desktop and keyed which allows the client to compose media content in the corresponding region within the client composition.
Rapid market adoption of Virtualized Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) and application publishing schemes has accelerated the diversity of architectures in which the desktop presented to a user at a client has become an assembly of hosted desktops, hosted applications and streaming media content generated by multiple servers. Each such server comprises a unique set of capabilities and performance attributes and all are coupled to the client by networks of varying bandwidth limitations and latency characteristics.
Therefore, there is a need in the art for efficiently managing transport and composition of media in general and image sequences in particular such that the impact of the distributed nature of content assembly has minimum effect on user experience.

Composition control method for remote application delivery


Techniques are described for binding secondary services with a cloud service instance. In one or more embodiments, a service definition defines a set of secondary services that are compatible with a primary service. In response to receiving a request to perform a provisioning operation for the instance of the primary service, a provisioning engine identifies, from the set of secondary services that are compatible with the primary service, a subset of one or more secondary services that are available. The provisioning engine binds the subset of one or more secondary services to the primary service to generate a deployment configuration for the instance of the primary service. Based on the deployment configuration, the provisioning engine provisions a set of components for the instance of the primary service.

Cloud computing involves the use of hardware and software resources to provide services over a network. In many cloud computing models, the responsibility of providing and maintaining the hardware and software infrastructure falls on the cloud service provider. By shifting these responsibilities to the cloud service provider, organizations and other consumers may quickly access complex systems and applications without incurring the upfront costs of acquiring the supporting infrastructure. Another benefit of cloud computing is that resources may be shared by multiple tenants, which improves scalability and reduces the costs of the underlying infrastructure.
Cloud provisioning refers to the allocation of cloud computing resources to tenants. Cloud service providers may perform provisioning operations to allocate resources for new tenants of a cloud service, reallocate resources for current tenants, and/or deallocate resources for previous tenants. Cloud resources may be allocated/deallocated in real-time to support tenant requests on an as-needed basis and/or may be allocated based on a pre-defined amount prior to a tenant accessing a cloud service.
Cloud provisioning operations are often defined through complex programs written by cloud administrators. Creating provisioning applications may be a difficult and error-prone process. Inefficient provisioning may have significant consequences to the tenant and/or providers of a cloud service. For example, allocating too few resources to a tenant may lead to resource overload, causing performance degradation. Conversely, allocating too many resources may lead to waste, decreasing the number of tenants that are able to share a resource and increasing costs.
The approaches described in this section are approaches that could be pursued, but not necessarily approaches that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated, it should not be assumed that any of the approaches described in this section qualify as prior art merely by virtue of their inclusion in this section.

Provisioning framework for binding related cloud services


Methods, devices and systems for processing a customer interaction of any media type for assignment to at least one selected call center agent and/or to at least one selected queue coupled to at least one call center agent in a call center. The method includes steps of receiving the customer interaction and extracting customer data from the received customer interaction. The customer data is linked with the customer interaction from which the customer data was extracted. The extracted customer data is stored in a data structure that is generic across all media types of the customer interactions. The customer data in the generic data structure is then applied to a rule-based engine, the rule-based engine operating upon the extracted customer data to select the agent(s) and/or the queue(s) to which to assign the generic data structure. A repository of call center agent characteristics may be accessed to select the agent(s) and/or queue(s), as may be a customer information database. The generic data structure or object is assigned and sent to the selected agent(s) and/or to the selected queue(s), and the customer interaction linked to the generic data structure is retrieved. At least the retrieved customer interaction may then be presented to the selected agent(s) on a display and/or teleset.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to methods and systems for processing customer interactions such as may occur in a customer service call center. Specifically, the present invention relates to methods and systems for uniformly processing call center customer interactions across all media types such as e-mail, facsimile, telephone and the like to assign and send the processed customer interactions to one or more call center agents and/or call center agent queues.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the organization and operation of a call center 100 receiving and originating a variety of customer-related communications. Call centers such as shown at 100 in FIG. 1 conventionally feature a large group of agents 102A, 108A, 110A, 112A, 114A, 116A and 118A handling inbound calls 116 (order taking, billing inquiries, technical support requests, for example), outbound calls 108 and callbacks 118 (telesales, for example) or both. Such a call center 100 may also handle inbound or outbound communications over media other than the telephone, such as facsimile (faxed) communications 112, communications 102 originating from the World Wide Web (hereafter xe2x80x9cWebxe2x80x9d), email communications 110 and/or customer letters, as shown at 114. Such customer communications may be assigned to the first available agent that handles such communications. While waiting for such first available agent, the communications may be stored in a queue, which may be thought of as a holding place and an organizational structure to hold communications. Typically, there is one queue for each media type. Indeed, there may be one queue 102Q for Web-based communications 102, one queue 112Q holding faxed communications 112, one queue 110Q holding emailed communications 110, one queue 116Q for telephone inbound customer communications and other queues 108Q, 118Q for outbound, agent-originated communications 108 and callbacks 118. In the case of a customer letter 114, the corresponding queue 114Q may be a simple physical inbox where the customer letters 114 are deposited while waiting for action from an agent 114A. Communications may be removed from such queues 102Q, 108Q, 110Q, 112Q, 114Q, 116Q and 118Q by corresponding call center agents 102A, 108A, 110A, 112A, 114A, 116A and 118A respectively, on a first-in first-out basis or may be prioritized according to a predetermined service level, for example.
Conventionally, a separate system handles (receives, processes, routes, queues and sends out, for example) each different media type. For example, one system handles incoming and outgoing telephone calls 116, 108, another system handles emails 110, another handles Web-based customer communications 102, while another separate system may handle faxed communications 112. Such separate have thus far been necessary as the email system, for example, does not xe2x80x9cknowxe2x80x9d how to handle telephone calls and the Web system does not xe2x80x9cknowxe2x80x9d how to handle facsimile communications 112. Indeed, each system is only equipped to handle a specific media type, as each media type is formatted differently. The consequence of such a fragmented approach to customer-related communications is that separate agents 102A, 108A, 110A, 112A, 114A, 116A and 118A are needed to handle Web communications 102, outbound calls 108, email communications 110, facsimile communications 112, customer letter 114, in bound calls 116 and callbacks 118, respectively. Each agent 102A, 108A, 110A, 112A, 114A, 116A and 118A, therefore, plucks the next available communication from queues 102Q, 108Q, 110Q, 112Q, 114Q, 116Q and 118Q specific to a single media type. For example, the Web customer agent 102Q only plucks communications from the Web queue 102Q, the email call center agent 110A only retrieves communications from the email queue 110Q and so on. In turn, this entails that the workload of the agents 102A, 108A, 110A, 112A, 114A, 116A and 118A may vary widely, depending upon the most prevalent media in the queues 102Q, 108Q, 110Q, 112Q, 114Q, 116Q and 118Q at any given time. For example, the telephone call center agents 108A, 116A and 118A may be overworked (as their respective queues 108Q, 116Q and 118Q are full), while the email call center agents 110A sit idle, for lack of requests in their email-only queue 110Q. However, when separate systems administer queues 102Q, 108Q, 110Q, 112Q, 114Q, 116Q and 118Q and routing (i.e., assigning and sending the communication to selected agent(s) and/or queues) for each different media type, it is not possible to re-route some of the customer communications of one media type to a system handling only communications of another media type. For example, inbound calls 116 normally routed and/or queued by the inbound call system to the inbound call-only agent 116A and/or the inbound call-only queue 116Q may not be re-routed and/or queued to the idle email call center agents 110A and/or queue 110Q, as the inbound call-only system is not equipped to handle an email communication 110. Such separate systems, although effective to handle a single well-defined media type, have arguably become an artificial technologically based barrier to human interaction.
In an increasingly multimedia electronic marketplace where orders and support requests, for example, may be placed in a variety of different media, such separate systems increasingly constitute a liability (both in terms of cost and functionality) and hamper the call center""s ability to effectively handle a large volume of calls and customer communications in a timely manner. Ultimately, the operating costs of the call center increases and the customers suffer from less than optimal quality of service. There has been a long felt need, therefore, for methods and systems that would allow call centers to have greater flexibility in the manner in which they handle customer communications. What are needed, specifically, are methods and systems that would allow call centers to handle all customer communications in a homogeneous manner, across all media types. Such a system should allow the call center to make optimum use of its existing material and human resources by increasing the flexibility of its queuing and routing systems and by allowing, for example, previously idle email agents 110A to handle incoming Web-based or facsimile communications 102, 112.
It is an object of the present invention, therefore, to provide methods, devices and systems that that would allow call centers to have greater flexibility in the manner in which they handle customer communications. It is a further object to provide methods and systems that would allow call centers to handle all customer communications in a homogeneous manner, across all media types, to thereby allow the call center to make optimum use of its existing material and human resources.
In accordance with the above-described objects and those that will be mentioned and will become apparent below, a method for processing a customer interaction of any media type for assignment to at least one selected agent or to at least one selected queue coupled to at least one agent, according to an embodiment of the present invention, comprises steps of receiving the customer interaction, extracting customer data from the received customer interaction and linking the customer data with the customer interaction from which the customer data was extracted. The customer data is stored in a data structure that is generic across all media types of the customer interactions. The customer data in the generic data structure is applied to a rule-based engine, the rule-based engine operating upon the extracted customer data to select the one or more agents and/or one or more queues to which to assign the generic data structure. The generic data structure or object is then assigned and sent to the selected agent(s) and/or to queue(s) and the customer interaction linked to the generic data structure is retrieved. At least the retrieved customer interaction is then presented to selected agent(s).
According to further embodiments, the incoming customer interaction originates from a group of media types including e-mail, facsimile, telephone, Word Wide Web and written letter. The applying step may cause the rule-based engine to access a repository (such as a database) of agent characteristics, the rule-based engine selecting the at least one agent or the at least one queue by matching the customer data to the agent characteristics. The agent characteristics may include one or more criteria such as the agent""s availability, skill sets, proficiency, languages spoken and experience. The extracting step may extract customer data by collecting at least one of Interactive Voice Response (IVR) data, Automatic Number Identification (ANI) data, call arrival time, CallerID data, Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) when the media type of the received customer interaction is a telephone call. The extracting step may extract customer data from a Web page accessed by a customer, when the media type of the received customer interaction includes a World Wide Web page. Similarly, the extracting step may extract customer data from an email sent by a customer, when the media type of the received customer interaction includes an email. A step of accessing customer information based upon the extracted customer data may also be carried out, the customer information being stored in a customer information database. The customer information database may store at least one of a customer account number, name, contact information, interaction history, level of service to render, payment information and sales information. The presenting step may include a step of presenting the accessed customer information, interaction history, level of service to render, payment information and sales information. The presenting step may include a step of presenting the accessed customer information to the selected agent(s) along with the retrieved customer interaction. The generic data structure may include one or more fields associated with each media type and the storing step may selectively populate one or more of such fields with the extracted customer data. A task to be performed by one or more agents may be substituted for the customer interaction and task data may be substituted for the customer data, the agent task thereby being assigned to the selected agent(s). The generic data structure may be removed from the queue(s) when the retrieved customer interaction is presented to the selected agent(s).
According to another embodiment, the present invention is a computer system, comprising at least one processor; at least one data storage device and a plurality of processes spawned by the at least one processor, the processes including processing logic for processing a customer interaction of any media type for assignment to one or more selected call center agents and/or one or more selected queues coupled to at least one call center agent in a call center. The processing logic defines the steps of receiving the customer interaction; extracting customer data from the received customer interaction and linking the customer data with the customer interaction from which the customer data was extracted; storing the customer data in a data structure that is generic across all media types of the customer interactions; applying the customer data in the generic data structure to a rule-based engine, the rule-based engine operating upon the extracted customer data to select the agent(s) and/or the queue(s) to which to assign the generic data structure; assigning and sending the generic data structure to the selected agent(s) and/or to the queue(s); retrieving the customer interaction linked to the generic data structure, and presenting the retrieved customer interaction to the selected agent(s).
According to a still further embodiment, the present invention is a machine-readable medium having data stored thereon representing sequences of instructions which, when executed by a call center computer, causes said computer to process a customer interaction of any media type for assignment to one or more selected agents and/or to one or more selected queues coupled to at least one agent of a call center by performing the steps of receiving the customer interaction; extracting customer data from the received customer interaction and linking the customer data with the customer interaction from which the customer data was extracted; storing the customer data in a data structure that is generic across all media types of the customer interactions; applying the customer data in the generic data structure to a rule-based engine, the rule-based engine operating upon the extracted customer data to select the agent(s) and/or the queue(s) to which to assign the generic data structure; assigning and sending the generic data structure to the selected agent(s) and/or to the queue(s); retrieving the customer interaction linked to the generic data structure, and presenting the retrieved customer interaction to the selected agent(s).

Methods and systems for homogeneously routing and/or queueing call center customer interactions across media types


The present invention is to provide an ADSL modem for providing an IPoA, a PPPoA, or a PPPoE based dial-up networking service over Ethernet, which comprises a DHCP server coupled to at least one computer, each computer is adapted to use a DHCP provided by an OS thereof to obtain an authorized IP address and associated settings from an ISP through the DHCP server, and the DHCP server is adapted to assign the authorized IP address and the associated settings to each computer, enabling at least one computer to access the Internet without installing any driver or application program.

The Internet is booming in recent years. The World Wide Web ("the Web"), as the multimedia portion of the Internet, can provide a variety of services by combining voice, graphics, and dynamic images together in addition to the typical e-mail service. It is understood that a substantial amount of data is associated with, for example, multimedia. As such, the typical dial-up networking involving the use of phone line and modem cannot provide the capability of transferring a substantial amount of data as required by multimedia by simply providing 28.8 Kbps, 33.6 Kbps, or 56 Kbps. In some conditions, even a local network or ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) cannot provide a data transfer rate acceptable by network users.
For providing higher data transfer rate, many ISPs (Internet Service Providers) submitted solutions in which the interesting one of the solutions is DSL. DSL, as self-explanatory, is a digital subscriber line different from the typical POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service). DSL has many types collectively called xDSL. In the existing xDSL, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) technology is the most important one because ADSL involves the use of POTS as means for carrying out a high data transfer rate without modifying and/or expanding the existing data transfer infrastructure. Also, associated operating standards are stipulated. Further, products associated with ADSL are widely used by businesses and individuals in their daily work and life. Such increasing popularity of ADSL not only increases data transfer rate and efficiency but also brings a great convenience to our daily life and work.
As stated above, ADSL involves the use of POTS the same as the typical PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network). ADSL using a dedicate modem can obtain a data transfer rate in the range of 1.5M bps to 9M bps in download or 64K bps to 640K bps in upload. Variation is possible due to different ADSL modem types, data transfer modes, and/or data transfer distances in which the data transfer distance is the most important factor. The different data transfer rates between download and upload (e.g., download being faster about 10 times than upload) is the reason why such DSL is called asymmetric DSL.
Conventionally, a PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) is used between a computer at a end user and a server of ISP for transferring data over ADSL. A user can use an ADSL modem and phone line to transfer data in an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) over the Internet. An ISP may provide one of two means for providing IpoA (IP (Internet Protocol) over ATM, PPPoA (Point-to-Point Protocol over ATM) or PPPoE (Point-to-Point Protocol over Ethernet, i.e., RFC 2516 Protocol) based dial-up networking service over ADSL depending on applications. These means are detailed below.
(1) ADSL modem. A user couples an ADSL modem to his/her computer. Next, the user can use the computer to transmit data, receive data, and/or browse by means of the ADSL modem over the Internet. The accessing to the Internet by an ADSL modem is inexpensive. But only one computer is allowed to gain access to the Internet at one time. In other words, multiple computer accessing to the Internet simultaneously is not possible. Moreover, the user has to install a dial-up software, a driver, and application programs into the computer after connecting the ADSL modem to the computer. However, it is often that a user cannot make a successful installation, resulting in frustration. For developers, they also experience difficulties in designing and/or updating such various drivers and application programs with respect to a variety of platforms and/or operating systems (OSs).
(2) ADSL router. A user may couple an ADSL router to an associated local network server. A NAT (Network Address Translation) is provided in the ADSL router. As such, a computer of local network may use TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) to share an IP address with other computers by means of NAT. Thereafter, many users using the local network may have access to the Internet through the ADSL router and once accessed, a user may use the computer to transmit data, receive data, and/or browse. However, the user has to pay a high fee for using an ADSL modem in addition to installing a dial-up software, a driver, and application programs into the computer. As such, the cost is prohibitively high. Moreover, computers coupled to the local network can only obtain translated addresses rather than authorized IP addresses. Hence, for some application software packages using authorized IP addresses (e.g., online video games, VoIP services or the like), a user cannot use such software packages over ADSL. Such problem may be solved by using a special design. However, for most users it is a very difficult task to achieve. Hence, a need for improvement exists.

ADSL modem for providing IPoA, PPPoA, or PPPoE based dial-up networking service over Ethernet


The Aircraft Landing Gear Warning System is an electronic device designed for general aviation aircraft having retractable landing gear. The unit attaches to the aircraft. The system incorporates means of determining the aircraft's proximity to the ground and the status of the landing gear. If the device determines that the aircraft has descended to approximately 100 ft. above the ground and the wheels are retracted, the device provides a visual and audible warning to the pilot.

This invention is an electronic device designed for use on aircraft having retractable landing gear. If the aircraft is in close proximity to the ground and the landing gear is still retracted, the system provides a warning to the pilot. Although intended primarily for use on general aviation aircraft, it is not restricted to that application.
Historically, one of the major causes of aircraft accidents, and one of the largest causes of insurance claims, results from pilots landing their aircraft with the landing gear retracted.
Although some aircraft incorporate devices to warn the pilot that his landing gear is retracted, they require action on the part of the pilot to activate. Actions such as retarding the throttle to idle are required before the system will function. Also, these devices are not restricted to operation close to the ground. They can be activated by the pilot when the aircraft is at any altitude. For example, if the throttle on some aircraft is retarded while the aircraft is in flight at 10,000 ft., with the landing gear retracted, the landing gear warning will occur.


A veterinary procedure table includes a vertically extending frame and an animal support assembly upon which an animal may be placed during the performance of a veterinary procedure. An equipment support is secured to the animal support assembly or the vertically extending frame. The equipment support adjustably supports a device or surgical tool used during veterinary procedures performed on an animal placed on the animal support assembly. In one embodiment, a video display is associated with the vertically extending frame for viewing of a particular region on the animal.

Veterinary examination and procedure tables are known in the art and are convenient for supporting pets and other animals during examination and treatment. Many veterinary tables have a fixed-height animal support surface. Because the height of the animal support surface cannot be adjusted, it is difficult to lift large animals onto the support surface of fixed-height examination tables, particularly after the animal has been anesthetized. Other veterinary examination tables have adjustable-height animal support surfaces, but these generally include some type of support structure directly beneath the table that limits the minimum height to which the table can be adjusted above the floor surface. Moreover, support structure located directly beneath the table may impede the ability of practitioners to draw close to the table while in a seated position.
During certain procedures, such as cutting and trimming of hair and nails, administering shots, suturing wounds, or performing dental work, it may be desired to collect fluid materials discharged from the animal or otherwise used during the procedure and to direct these fluids away from the animal support surface to an appropriate drain. For example, the treatment of wounds, the performance of surgery, or various other veterinary procedures may require irrigation or washing of the animal which generates fluids that should be directed away from the animal support surface. As an additional example, prophylactic cleaning and various other dental treatments are becoming increasingly popular, particularly for pets. Such dental procedures necessarily require the use of fluids for washing and irrigation, as discussed above. Accordingly, veterinary examination or treatment tables may be provided with a sink, or basin, adapted to collect fluids generated during treatment and to direct these fluids to an appropriate drain. Conventional wet procedure tables, however, are not generally configured for height adjustment.
In any case, the practitioner must have surgical or examination tools and equipment available for performing the necessary or requested procedures. These tools are usually arranged on separate stands or racks and positioned proximate the table. Consequently, multiple, separate stands may be required for even moderately complex procedures. The practitioner may then become surrounded by a disarranged cluster of stands. In addition, the tools or equipment, while on their respective stands, are generally positioned after placing the animal on the table. Arrangement or preparation of these tools may require additional support staff and preparation time. In certain instances, such as following traumatic injury to the animal when time is of the essence, the additional staff or time may be unavailable. Therefore, the subject animal may not receive the practitioner's immediate and full attention.
A need therefore exists for an improved veterinary procedure table that overcomes these and other drawbacks of the prior art.


An aspect of the present invention is a method for producing a resin film, including a casting step of casting a resin solution containing a transparent resin from a casting die onto a running support to form a cast membrane, and a releasing step of releasing the cast membrane from the support, wherein, in the casting step, a velocity at which the resin solution is discharged from longitudinally opposite ends of a discharge port of the casting die is 0.95 times to 1.5 times a velocity at which the resin solution is discharged from a longitudinally central portion of the discharge port of the casting die.

Resin films are used in various fields, for example, for liquid crystal display devices, in view of their chemical characteristics, mechanical characteristics, electrical characteristics, and the like. Specifically, various resin films, for example, transparent protective films for protecting polarizing elements on a polarizing plate are arranged in an image display area of a liquid crystal display device. As such resin films, for example, cellulose ester films which are excellent in transparency are widely used.
A resin film such as a cellulose ester film can be produced using a resin solution (dope) in which a material resin such as a cellulose ester resin is dissolved into a solvent. Specifically, a method for producing a resin film using such dope includes, for example, a solution cast film-forming method. The solution cast film-forming method is used for producing an elongate resin film by casting dope on a running support to form a cast membrane, drying the cast membrane to the degree that the cast membrane can be released, releasing the cast membrane from the support to obtain a film, and conveying the released film by a conveying roller, while performing a drying operation, a stretching operation, and the like on the film.
Furthermore, there has been a demand to increase the size of screens of image forming apparatuses, particularly liquid crystal display devices used as television receivers. Hence, resin films produced for application to image forming apparatuses have been demanded to be wide. A possible method for producing a wide film by the solution cast film-forming method is to use a wide support to increase the width of a cast membrane cast on the support.
However, conventionally, when a wide film is produced by increasing the width of the cast membrane, the resin film obtained tends to be likely to be defective as a result of entrainment of bubbles in ends of the resin film. Even when the resin film is thus defective at the ends thereof, a central portion of the resin film can be utilized by cutting the defective ends. However, there has been a demand to minimize the cut areas in the ends in order to increase the width of the resin film.
Examples of a method for producing a resin film are described in Patent Documents 1 to 3.
Patent Document 1 describes a method for producing an optical film by the solution cast film-forming method, in which a resin solution (dope) cast on a casting surface of a casting support at widthwise opposite ends thereof is lower in viscosity than dope cast on the casting surface of the casting support in a widthwise central portion thereof.
Patent Document 1 discloses an optical film which can be produced to have a large width with the planarity thereof kept uniform so that even the widthwise opposite ends thereof are usable, allowing productivity to be significantly improved.
Furthermore, Patent Document 2 describes a method for producing a propylene film by extruding a propylene resin through a T die having a ceramics sprayed portion formed at an edge of a lip opening in the die by spraying a ceramic material at the edge.
Patent Document 2 discloses that a propylene film can be obtained which avoids being contacted by and mixed with foreign matter adhering to a lip portion surrounding the lip opening in the die.
Additionally, Patent Document 3 describes a method for producing a cellulose resin film in accordance with a molten-resin cast film-forming method, the producing method including discharging a molten resin melted by an extruder from a die onto a running or rotating cooling support in the form of a sheet to cool and solidify the molten resin, wherein a contact portion of the die that comes into contact with the molten resin has a surface roughness of 0.3 μm or less, a contact angle of 50° or more, and a surface energy of 60 mN/m or less.
Patent Document 3 discloses that when the molten resin is discharged from the die, possible streak defects are suppressed which may degrade the surface quality of the film, thus allowing a cellulose resin film with excellent optical characteristics to be produced at a high production efficiency.    Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-234169    Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-289888    Patent Document 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-194956

Method for producing resin film, casting die, device for producing resin film, resin film, polarizing plate, and liquid crystal display device


The present invention relates to an evacuation apparatus for evacuating a vacuum chamber of a substrate processing apparatus for processing a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer or liquid crystal panel. An evacuation apparatus according to the present invention includes a first vacuum pump connected to a vacuum chamber, and a second vacuum pump connected to the first vacuum pump. The first vacuum pump has a pair of multistage pump rotors.

An evacuation apparatus is widely used for evacuating a process gas that has been supplied to a vacuum chamber of a substrate processing apparatus. In this substrate processing apparatus such as a CVD apparatus or an etching apparatus, it is required to evacuate the process gas from the vacuum chamber to produce a constant vacuum state therein, and a plurality of vacuum pumps connected in series are used to achieve a desired pumping speed and a desired ultimate pressure.
The above-mentioned evacuation apparatus comprises a booster pump connected to the vacuum chamber, and a main pump connected to the booster pump. Both the booster pump and the main pump are a positive-displacement vacuum pump having a pair of pump rotors disposed in a rotor casing. In this type of vacuum pump, a small gap is formed between the pump rotors and also between the pump rotors and an inner surface of the rotor casing, so that these pump rotors can be rotated in the rotor casing in a non-contact manner.
Generally, a single-stage vacuum pump having a pair of Roots-type single-stage pump rotors is used as the booster pump. This is because the conventional CVD apparatus and etching apparatus do not require a large quantity of the process gas for processing a substrate and thus a quantity of the process gas to be evacuated is not so large.
However, as a substrate such as a semiconductor wafer or a liquid crystal panel, which is an object to be processed, becomes large in size, there has been an increasing need for evacuating a large quantity of the process gas. In order to evacuate the process gas in large quantity, it is required to use large-sized pump rotors or to increase a rotational speed of the pump rotors so as to increase a pumping speed. However, with such a structure, a motor for driving the booster pump is overloaded, resulting in increased power consumption. In addition, the pump rotors are likely to expand due to heat of compression of the process gas and heat generated by the motor, and hence the pump rotors may be brought into contact with the inner surface of the rotor casing, resulting in operation failure. Accordingly, it is difficult for the conventional evacuation apparatus having the single-stage booster pump to evacuate a large quantity of the process gas while maintaining a vacuum state in the vacuum chamber. Under such circumstances, there has been a need for an evacuation apparatus which can evacuate a large quantity of a gas (e.g., a process gas) and can prevent a motor thereof from being overloaded.


A plurality of spaced mounting blocks pivotally support an arcuate shield therebetween projecting above the mounting blocks defining a concave surface in confronting relationship relative to a support web directed between the boxes. A first of said mounting box is arranged to include a radio, with a second arranged to provide for a timer mechanism to permit timing of a sun bathing event, with the shield affording protection of a facial surface of an individual relative to sun rays. A modification of the invention includes a spray medium directed onto an individual's face to enhance cooling during a sun bathing event.

1. Field of the Invention
The field of invention relates to shield apparatus, and more particularly pertains to a new and improved facial sun shield apparatus wherein the same affords protection to an individual's face.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Sun bathing of various types is known to enhance facial wrinkling, wherein the instant invention attempts to overcome deficiencies of the prior art to afford protection to an individual's face during a sun bathing event to avert the ill effects of sun bathing to an individual's facial regions. A prior art sun shield structure is addressed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,322 to Ott having a sun shield formed with a flat insulating member mounted above and pivotally spaced relative to a head band worn by an individual.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,379,349 to Larson sets forth a sun shield arranged for positioning over an individual's face having an arcuate shield structure including spaced wire support loops directed from opposed end portions of the shield structure.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,652 to Mays sets forth a portable sun shade member of planar construction easily erected to permit rectilinear configuration to afford a sheltering member relative to an individual during a sun bathing event.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,837,862 to Heil sets forth a sun, rain, and wind deflector worn above an individual's facial regions.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,993,081 to Fulghum sets forth a flexible sun shield arranged for securement relative to a helmet structure.
As such, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for a new and improved facial sun shield apparatus as set forth by the instant invention which addresses both the problems of ease of use as well as effectiveness in construction and in this respect, the present invention substantially fulfills this need.


The present invention discloses to a high refractive index polysiloxane (co)polymer comprising refractive index modifying groups chemically bonded in clustered configuration to the polysiloxane backbone. The invention also discloses methods for the preparation of such high refractive index polysiloxane (co)polymers. A polysiloxane according to the invention is very suitable for use as a material for the production of intra-ocular lenses.

Prosthetic implant lenses are widely used to replace natural lenses that are affected by cataracts. Cataracts are the leading cause of blindness in the industrialized and developing world. The standard medical procedure for treatment is to remove the natural cloudy lens by elective cataract surgery and replace it with an intra-ocular lens.
Currently, flexible silicone is progressively replacing the classical polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) material and its derivative polymers as an intra-ocular lens implant material. Continued perfection of the cataract operation has brought new techniques that remove the natural lens through a self-sealing incision so tiny that no sutures are required. Thin, flexibly foldable implant materials permit the insertion of the implant lens through the same small size self-sealing incision of the cataract operation, which has the important advantage to considerably reduce the risk of post-operative complications.
Except for a preferred requirement of high flexibility, materials for intra-ocular lenses should be clear, highly transparent and should allow for the manufacturing of lenses with high refractive indices. An intra-ocular lens with a high refractive index has the advantage that it can be thinner at the same dioptric power as an intra-ocular lens with lower refractive index.
In order to increase the refractive index of intra-ocular lenses, co-polymers of polysiloxane and polymethacrylates may be prepared. Also, sulphur compounds can be introduced into the siloxane polymer. But despite these modifications, the refractive index of silicone materials is still limited, and a thin lens thereof does not provide much optical power.
It is recognized that the inclusion of diphenyl siloxane or phenyl-methyl siloxane into a polysiloxane results in a polymer of higher refractive index as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,996,189. Introduction of aromatic groups is now a general approach to increase the refractive index of intra-ocular lens materials while maintaining biocompatibility. Although other refractive index modifying groups such as cyclo-alkyl groups or aromatic groups, optionally combined with phenyl groups (JP2000017176) or phenol groups (U.S. Pat. No. 5,541,278), can also be used, conventional co-polymers for intra-ocular lenses consist of dimethylsiloxane-phenylmethylsiloxane co-polymers or dimethylsiloxane-dipenhylsiloxane co-polymers as described in e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,147,396, JP10305092, EP 0335312, WO 93/21245, WO 95/17460, U.S. Pat. No. 5,444,106 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,236,970.
Thus, it is generally known that silicone materials with higher refractive index can be obtained by increasing the phenyl content of silicone (co)polymers. At a phenyl content of approximately 15 mole %, a polydimethyl siloxane/methylphenyl siloxane co-polymer has a refractive index of 1.462 (Gu & Zhou, Eur. Polymer J. 34, pp. 1727–33 [1998]). Although certain levels of refractive indices can be attained by using polymers and methods for their production as known in the prior art, there still is a need for materials with which intra-ocular lenses of a wide range of refractive indices, i.e. both high and low, can be produced.
Despite the positive effect on the refractive index, the introduction of refractive index modifying groups, such as phenyl-groups, in polysiloxanes is known to result in several important disadvantages.
A principal disadvantage is associated with the reduced flexibility or elongation of cross-linked networks of such modified polymers. The presence of phenyl groups attached to the alternating silicon-oxygen backbone of the siloxane causes the (co)polymer to become relatively stiff and, despite their potential dioptric power, the suitability of such polymers as a material for intra-ocular lenses is greatly reduced. In general, the introduction of aromatic groups, such as phenyl groups, in polysiloxane increases the glass transition temperature, or Tg, of the polymer, making it more hard and brittle and less flexible over a wider temperature range. This renders the material more vulnerable to cracking or breaking during folding and reduces the suitability of phenylated polysiloxanes as a material for intra-ocular lenses because such lenses must be folded and inserted through a self-sealing incision.
A well-known remedy to the problem of vulnerability to cracking is to reinforce the lens and improve its mechanical properties by combining the polymer with a solid filler material. Mostly, finely powdered silica is used as a filler material for this purpose. This filler material has a refractive index of 1.46. Since differences in the refractive index of the filler material and the polymer are not allowable in an optical lens, the maximum refractive index of a lens containing such filler material is ultimately 1.46.
Therefore, the use of silicone as an intra-ocular lens implant material and particularly the development of silicone with the enhanced material characteristics that would support broadening of such use is determined, at large, by the maximum attainable refractive index of the material and its associated flexibility. In order to obtain higher flexibility, the glass transition temperature of the material must be reduced. One method of reducing the glass transition temperature of phenyl-modified polysiloxanes is to link the phenyl-groups to the silicon-oxygen backbone by alkanediyl-bridges. Such modification of polysiloxanes is known from U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,510 wherein a hydride/vinyl reaction pair is used. U.S. Pat. No. 5,233,007, WO 93/21258 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,420,213 describe a process wherein phenyl groups are introduced in tetramethyl cyclo tetrasiloxane via an addition reaction with styrene to produce a tetramethylstyryl cyclo tetrasiloxane monomer.
However, another disadvantage associated with the introduction of refractive index modifying groups in polysiloxanes is related to the molecular weight of the polymer and the attainable mechanical strength of the polymer network in the silicone material. Polysiloxanes with a high content of phenyl groups generally exhibit a reduced molecular weight and therefore flexibility after crosslinking. This lower molecular weight reduces the mechanical strength of the network after cross-linking of the (co)polymers. In general, styrene-modified polysiloxanes or polysiloxanes with high phenylsiloxane content exhibit lower molecular weights compared to unmodified polysiloxane materials (i.e. with a low refractive index). This results in difficulties with achieving the high levels of flexibility, elasticity and mechanical strength of cross-linked rubbers. It is known, for example, that diphenyl cyclosiloxanes cannot easily be polymerized to high molecular weight polymers as a result of the unfavorable thermodynamics of the reaction from rings to chains (Journal of Polymer Science Part A: Polymer Chemistry, v35(10), p 1973). Only the application of non-equilibrium reaction conditions will yield the desired product, but such conditions are perceived as less suitable for large-scale production.
Thus, the introduction of refractive-index modifying groups in polysiloxanes results in reduced flexibility of the silicone prepared therefrom and in reduced mechanical strength due to the presence of relatively low molecular weight polysiloxanes and reduced flexibility of the polymer chains themselves.
Yet another important factor to consider in preparing polysiloxanes for intra-ocular lens applications relates to the presence of free reactive groups in the final material. The methods as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,780,510 yield products wherein the presence of free unreacted vinyl groups in the polymer after completion of the addition and cross-linking reaction cannot be avoided nor controlled. This is not useful in intra-ocular lens applications, as it may result in allergy, inflammation or other discomforts in patients.


An access cover assembly for use in removably covering an access opening of a utility pole, the access opening defined in part by opposing side edges. The cover assembly includes a cover having peripheral edges configured to engage the pole, a threaded fastener and a gripping apparatus. Two interlocking portions make up the gripping apparatus, a first portion is configured to engage a second portion with at least one of the side edges of the pole sandwiched therebetween. At least one of the first interlocking portion and the second interlocking portion have locking formations for creating the interlocking relationship. Each of the cover and both portions of the gripping apparatus have a throughbore for accommodating the fastener, so that upon assembly of the gripping apparatus in the access opening, as the fastener is rotated axially, the cover is pulled toward the apparatus and simultaneously tightened against the pole, and the first and second interlocking portions are drawn more tightly together.

The present invention relates generally to a replacement cover for the access opening typically found near the base of utility poles. Utility poles are generally cylindrical in shape with hollow interiors to allow for storage of electrical wiring. The wiring powers the light fixture located at the top of the pole.
Utility poles typically include an access opening at a base for servicing the electrical wiring. Generally, the access openings are taller than wide, having elliptical, oval or rectangular perimeters. Sometimes the access openings are configured to support a removable cover for the opening. The cover is typically secured to the pole by threaded fasteners.
These access opening covers have become vulnerable to vandalism: the typically aluminum covers can be stolen for their scrap value; and the covers can also be removed in order to steal the electricity passing through the wires or in order to cut the wires.
Utility service personnel must replace the removed covers. It may take a long time to locate a replacement cover, since the access openings come in various sizes, depending on the manufacturer and vintage of the pole. Meanwhile, people in the immediate environment of the pole are subjected to possible injury via contact with the exposed wires in the coverless access opening.
Even without the threat of vandalism, the conventional metallic access opening design has other disadvantages. For instance, the screws securing the cover to the pole become rusted and difficult to remove when the light pole must be serviced. Furthermore, service personnel risk shorting out the wires with the metal hardware used in installing replacement covers.
A still further disadvantage of conventional universal replacement utility pole covers is that they are unable to fit the variety of utility pole access openings. Some of these openings are bordered by deep, cowl-like edges, while others merely have a thickened bead around the opening. Replacement covers which fit the beaded-type openings do not always properly fit on the cowl-like edged openings, and vice versa.
One attempt at providing a universal access opening cover is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,258. In that patent, the replacement assembly includes a cover shell fitting over the opening, a flat steel retaining bar which fits inside the pole, and a threaded fastener which passes through an opening in the shell and is threadably received in the bar. A major disadvantage of this type of replacement kit is that, because of the bar length and poor positioning characteristics, the threaded fastener must be relatively long and includes a relatively long threaded portion. This structure means that the installer, in many applications, will have to laboriously thread a major portion of the fastener into the bar. In commercial embodiments of this device, assembly of the bar requires two additional threaded bolts which have to be laboriously positioned, retained and tightened simultaneously. This is cumbersome (requiring tools and both hands) and is often difficult due to the proximity of the repair site to high speed traffic or inclement weather conditions (rain, ice, etc.).
Another related disadvantage is that the typically metallic bar and metallic fastener risk the chance of creating shorts in the wiring, particularly when the installer first inserts the bar through the access opening and into the interior of the pole, manipulating and positioning the bar amongst old, potentially exposed wiring. Often the wires become bunched or tangled near the access opening, and must be pushed down to receive the bar. Also, as the fastener is tightened, the tip portion may contact the wires, creating another source of short circuit or shock to the installer. Additionally, when the bar is tightened forward into position, it could pinch otherwise insulated wiring and actually create an exposed wire or a short circuit condition.
Still another disadvantage of the replacement cover disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,914,258 is that when the cover or shell is secured to the pole, a waterproof seal is not achieved, and moisture collects inside the pole. Over time, this moisture accelerates the corrosion of the pole, its internal components and more importantly, the mounting bolts.
Another attempt to create an alternative replacement cover was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,064,005. In that patent an assembly included: a cover having edges configured for engaging the pole, being provided in a sufficient size to cover the opening, and a claw tool having a central portion and a pair of opposing ends, the central portion having a fastener chamber for lockingly engaging a threaded fastener, the fastener chamber constructed and arranged so that the fastener may be pushed axially into the chamber and held there to secure the cover to the pole to cover the opening, and so that the fastener may be removed by unthreading.
In the preferred embodiment of U.S. Pat. No. 6,064,005, the claw tool is provided with a claw formation at each of two opposing ends to engage side edges of the access opening in a secure manner. Each claw formation has a pair of legs, one leg disposed externally of the pole and the other internally within the pole. The rear leg preferably takes the form of a plurality of spaced, angled, flexible flaps.
Experience with the assembly disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,064,005, however, revealed that in certain situations, the claw tool can be dislodged. In particular, impacts to the upper, lower or side edges of the replacement cover, delivered purposefully or inadvertently, may upset the stability of the claw tool and result in its displacement and/or that of the replacement cover. Thus, there is a need for a replacement cover assembly for a utility pole access opening which is better able to resist side impacts.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved replacement utility pole access opening cover with heightened stability to withstand blows to the side of the pole.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved replacement utility pole access opening cover which is made of non-conductive materials to avoid creating shocks or short circuits.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved replacement utility pole access opening cover which can be implemented with minimal disturbance to existing old wiring and without exerting a shearing action from the passing by and torquing of a sharp metal rod.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved replacement utility pole access opening cover which fits into a wide variety of utility pole access openings.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide an improved replacement utility pole access opening cover which is easily installed without the need for tools.
The above-listed objects are met or exceeded by the present access assembly cover for a utility pole. Included in the features of the present invention is a quick connect two-part gripping apparatus including a receiver and an insert. In the preferred embodiment, the receiver has ratchet-type attachments, fits in the access opening and is configured to receive the insert. The insert also has ratchet-type attachments and interlockingly engages the receiver. Thus, the installer merely fits the engaged insert and receiver into the access opening, then squeezes the insert and the receiver together so that the ratchet-type attachments on the receiver and the insert engage each other and the access opening becomes sandwiched therebetween. Then, the installer pushes a fastener through an opening in a cover portion, through an opening in the insert and ultimately into an opening in the receiver. Next, the installer presses the fastener in by hand until the cover seats tightly against the pole. Additional gripping force can be obtained by tightening the fastener with a tool. The fastener may be removed, if necessary, in a conventional manner by unthreading.
In addition, to prevent short circuits and shocks to the installer, the gripping apparatus, and even the fastener, are made of non-conductive plastic material. To increase the applicability of the present invention to a wider range of utility pole sizes, the receiver may be fitted with extending end portions, the end portions constructed and arranged to engage access openings of various sizes. Another feature is that the cover is provided with an air vent for preventing corrosion of the utility pole and/or its internal components. Tamper resistant fasteners having specialized heads may be used to discourage unauthorized removal of the present covers.
More specifically, the present invention provides an access cover assembly for use in removably covering an access opening of a utility pole, the access opening defined in part by opposing side edges. The cover assembly includes a cover having peripheral edges configured to engage the pole, a fastener and a gripping apparatus. Two interlocking portions make up the gripping apparatus, a first portion is configured to engage a second portion with at least one of the side edges of the pole sandwiched therebetween. At least one of the first interlocking portion and the second interlocking portion have locking formations for creating the interlocking relationship. Each of the cover and both portions of the gripping apparatus have a throughbore for accommodating the fastener, so that upon assembly of the gripping apparatus in the access opening, as the fastener is tightened, the cover is pulled toward the apparatus and simultaneously tightened against the pole and the first and second interlocking portions are drawn more tightly together. By tightening the fastener, the cover is pulled toward the second interlocking portion to enhance the gripping force applied to the pole.
In the preferred embodiment, the insert has a center beam from which one or more arms may be attached. The receiver has sockets corresponding to the arms on the insert. Angled teeth are attached to the arms of the insert, which further correspond to angled barb formations in the sockets of the receiver. When assembled, the receiver is disposed internally within the pole and the insert is disposed externally to the pole. The receiver and insert are interlocked by the engagement of their angled locking formations, the pole being sandwiched therebetween.
In an alternate embodiment, the cover itself has arms attached to a rear face. The arms are preferably proportioned to the length of the sides of the access opening. Attached to the arms are locking formations disposed to face the sides of the access opening. When assembled, the arms and their locking formations tightly and frictionally engage the sides of the access opening and adjacent inner surfaces of the pole, and the cover engages the outer surface of the pole. In this way, the cover is stabilized in the access opening.

Utility pole access cover with ratcheting attachment


The present invention concerns a three dimensional conductive organic polymer covered micro structure having improved current carrying capacity as compared to a substantially smooth surface. More specifically, it relates to a three-dimensional poly(aniline) or poly(pyrrole)-substrate micro structure for use as a battery electrode, having improved properties as compared to a substantially smooth surface, which structure comprises: a thin surface layer of poly(aniline) or poly(pyrrole) film on a substrate surface, wherein the polyaniline or poly(pyrrole) film has a thickness of between about 0.1 and 10 microns and the substrate surface is irregular or patterned having a protruding surface, wherein representative protrusions amount to between about 40 to 90 percent of the surface of the electrode. The processes to produce the three-dimensional microstructure are also disclosed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention concerns the production and use of a three dimensional electrode substrate covered with electrically conductive organic polymer having improved current carrying and storage capacity as compared to a substantially smooth surface electrode. The organized three-dimensional substrate is usually obtained by lithographic techniques. This combination is particularly useful as a battery electrode. The electrically conductive organic polymers are selected from poly (aniline), poly(pyrrole), poly(thiophene), and the like.
2. Description of the Related Art
Examination of the appropriate literature indicates that there has been little recognition of the advantages of using a three dimensional surface to hold and to discharge an electric current or to be electrochromic.
M. Kaya, et al. discuss polyaniline as the positive electrode for a storage battery in Denki Kagaku (Japan), Vol. 52, #2, pp. 847-848 (December 1984).
The present invention described herein provides such polymeric coating on a three-dimensional substrate, which includes improved adhesion to the substrate, larger surface area, and a much larger charge capacity.
The organized three-dimensional substrate is obtained using lithographic techniques. This combination is particularly useful as a battery electrode. Dopants for the electrically conducting polymer include organic sulfonic acids, tetrasulfonated metal phthalocyanines, etc.

Three-dimensional microstructure as a substrate for a battery electrode


A multi-stage rotary-type fluid machine may be configured as what is called a two-stage rotary expander, in which a refrigerant expands in an expansion chamber having a first discharge side space (115b) of a first cylinder (105), a second suction side space (116a) of a second cylinder (106), and a communication hole (104a) for allowing communication between the two spaces (115b, 116a). The first cylinder (105) and the second cylinder (106) are partitioned by an intermediate plate (104). The communication hole (104a) is formed so as to penetrate through the intermediate plate (104). The opening shape and location of the communication hole (104a) are set so that direct blow-through of the refrigerant from a suction port (105b) to a discharge port (106b) cannot occur at any rotation angle of a shaft (103).

A power recovery type refrigeration cycle apparatus in which the energy of expansion of refrigerant is recovered by an expander and the recovered energy is utilized as a part of the work of a compressor has been proposed. For example, a two-stage rotary expander such as disclosed in JP 2005-106046A has been studied as an expander used for such a refrigeration cycle apparatus.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are horizontal cross-sectional views of a conventional two-stage rotary expander 200. FIG. 10A shows a first stage cylinder 205 (first cylinder 205) and FIG. 10B shows a second stage cylinder 206 (second cylinder 206). The refrigerant drawn into the first cylinder 205 expands in an expansion chamber, which is constituted by a working chamber 215b of the first cylinder 205, a working chamber 216a of the second cylinder 206, and a communication hole 204a for allowing communication between the two working chambers 215b and 216a. The first cylinder 205 and the second cylinder 206 are partitioned vertically by an intermediate plate, and the communication hole 204a is formed so as to penetrate through this intermediate plate across its thickness direction. Employing such a construction makes it possible to partition the working chamber 215a for drawing refrigerant, the working chambers 215b and 216a for expanding the refrigerant, and the working chamber 216b for discharging the refrigerant easily. At the same time, it allows the suction-side working chamber 215a to perform 360° continuous suction, making it possible to reduce suction pulsing.

Multi-stage rotary-type fluid machine and refrigeration cycle apparatus


A method for configuration of a data lens for use in translation of information between first information located in a first information storage location and stored in a first information format and a second information stored in a second information storage location and stored in a second information format, comprising the steps of determining the creator of the first information; determining the nature of said first information; determining the first information storage location; and determining a manner of recognizing items and elements in the first information. A method for translating information between first information in a first data format in a first data storage location and information in a second data storage format in a second data storage location includes identifying changed information in the first information, and using iterative techniques to determine if a corresponding qualifier may be identified. Additional qualifiers may be added as a result of identifying matching items in the two storage locations.

Conversion of data between different file formats is desirable in a wide variety of computing environments. For example, conversion of information between two different database formats is often highly desirable for synchronization of data. For individual users, synchronization of data between PDA's and desktop computers is an obvious example. For business users, synchronization of data between files created by different software on the same network, or between programs running on mainframes, on the one hand, and programs running on Windows computers, on the other, are examples. A further example is the conversion of video between different data formats.

Method, system and computer program for identification of data and translation of data between storage locations