The present invention provides automated methods and systems for electronic order routing, and, more particularly, for selecting, ordering, routing, confirming, and tracking orders for financial instruments, such as mutual funds, among multiple buyers and sellers. More specifically, the present invention provides end-to-end, straight-through-transaction processing methods and systems for multiple financial instruments combining order routing, execution, settlement, foreign exchange, and custodial services to financial service providers with a retail customer base. Further, the methods and systems may be utilized to perform one or more of the following tasks: (1) monitor the real-time status of a financial order at various stages; (2) accommodate additional financial instruments and additional users as the system expands; (3) facilitate lower transaction and processing costs; (4) provide multilingual capabilities, settlement currencies, and other identifiers necessary to quote and execute an order for a financial instrument; (5) minimize the manual entry and re-keying of information into multiple formats and templates used by brokers, fund managers, and other parties to a financial transaction.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to the field of electronic order routing that allows a user to select, order, route, confirm, and track orders for multiple financial instruments among multiple buyers and sellers (e.g., fund managers, brokers, custodians, etc.). More specifically, the present invention provides end-to-end, straight-through-transaction processing methods and systems for multiple financial instruments combining order routing, execution, settlement, foreign exchange, and custodial services to multiple parties to a financial transaction.
2. Background
Historically, many fund managers, for example, in Europe, sell mutual funds to and distribute those funds through brokers. As used herein, the term "fund managers" is used to represent mutual fund managers, executing brokers, fund house agents, transfer agents, and other financial service providers with a retail customer base. As used herein, the term "brokers" is used to represent mutual fund brokers, discount brokers, retail brokers, financial institutions, and other intermediaries that act as agents/brokers on behalf of retail clients. A broker may deal with many fund managers, and a fund manager may deal with many brokers. Currently, each separate broker makes up its own template for sending out orders, and they get back many different sorts of templates from the fund manager in terms of what the confirmation information looks like. That situation makes orders and confirmations difficult to interpret, and often results in mistakes. The situation is exacerbated when the broker and the fund manager are located in different countries, and, therefore, dealing in different languages and currencies.
Lacking efficient access to foreign markets, brokers attempting to procure financial products generally employ processes that are highly manual with significant risk of errors and risk of orders getting lost. For example, in order to fill a cross-border equity or a fixed income order, a broker must first establish a relationship with an fund manager in the desired market. After receiving an order, the broker transcribes the order information collected from its call center, customer fax, or web site onto an order ticket. The order ticket will then need to be routed to a fund manager in the foreign market for execution. The system used for the order routing may vary by fund manager and market and many times is simply transmitted as a fax. The broker then receives a notice of execution (again, most likely a fax) that needs to be matched back to the original order. The instructions associated with the trade are subsequently forwarded to the broker's clearing agent and custodian. Finally, the broker reconciles its custodian positions with its retail accounting system which is predominately a manual process. The retail accounting system must be able to handle multiple currencies and the broker must have a process in place for settling the trade in the foreign currency. This process quickly becomes unwieldy as retail volumes expand.
As another example, in order to fulfill an order for cross-border managed funds, a broker first establishes a relationship with a foreign fund manager. On a daily basis, the broker collects orders for particular funds throughout the day by way of its call center, customer fax, or web site, and sends a consolidated order for each fund to the fund house. The next day the broker receives confirmations from the fund houses that are processed against the original orders. Brokers then settle the transactions on behalf of their customers, keeping track of varying settlement instructions by currency by fund manager. Additionally, the broker ensures fund share registries have been properly updated, confirmations of which may be received days later by post, and the broker reconciles statements received from the fund managers to its retail accounting records.
As illustrated in the above illustrative examples, the communication between the broker and the fund manager is often done by fax, telephone, or non-standardized means, which translates into much re-keying, possible data entry errors, lack of standardization in information received, and missing or lost information. While one or more fund mangers have tried to automate some aspects of their own systems from time to time, such aspects are limited to communications between a particular broker and a particular fund manager and do not relate to communications between all brokers and all fund managers.
Another problem is that despite the globalization of investment on an institutional level, brokers remain limited in their ability to invest outside of their home country because the process of ordering and paying for "foreign" investment products is filled with complexities and because transaction costs are prohibitive. The majority of the components making up the costs involved in cross-border trading is inherent on there simply being a transaction and does not vary based on the size of the transaction. At the institutional level, this cost is generally small relative to the overall trade value, but can become significant quickly for a retail trade. Such trade-based transaction costs include order routing and settlement messaging. Furthermore, while execution commissions are generally value-based, steep minimums can also contribute to a disproportionate cost for a retail-size order.
In addition to the aforementioned problems, brokers may have difficulty in obtaining other types of information about financial instruments. For example, brokers face difficulties in pricing the security quickly and easily in terms investors understand (e.g., an investor's local currency). In addition, brokers find it difficult to obtain and disseminate current fund prospectuses in the appropriate language. Further, brokers find it difficult to locate the appropriate security identifiers required by the fund managers in order to quote and execute a trade based on security descriptions provided by the broker's investors.
Thus, a need exists for methods and systems for remotely accessing a secure communications network that provides fund managers and brokers a single point of entry to electronically order and confirm various types of financial instruments, as well as to provide additional flexibility and functionality in managing these orders. A need also exists for electronic order routing methods and systems that afford basic checks on order information and that prevent the submission of duplicate information. There is a further need for flexible electronic order routing methods and systems that are able to: (1) monitor the real-time status of a financial order at various stages; (2) accommodate additional financial instruments and additional users as the system expands; (3) facilitate lower transaction and processing costs; (4) provide multilingual capabilities, settlement currencies, and other identifiers necessary to quote and execute an order for a financial instrument; and (5) minimize the manual entry and re-keying of information into multiple formats and templates used by brokers and fund managers.

Methods and systems for electronic order routing (CORS)

Abstract: The system components may include a plurality of client terminals running an interactive user interface, a network server, and at least one communications network. In other possible embodiments of the present invention, the methods and systems: (1) provide an archive capability for storing transactional data, including order data; (2) provide detailed reports; (3) provide integration with external and internal systems; (4) utilize state-of-the-art technology; and/or (5) allow for real-time system configuration and modifications.


A semiconductor storage device includes: a memory cell array having memory cells positioned at respective intersections between a plurality of first wirings and a plurality of second wirings, each of the memory cells having a rectifier element and a variable resistance element connected in series; and a control circuit selectively driving the first and second wirings. The plurality of first wirings that are specified and selectively driven at the same time by one of a plurality of address signals are separately arranged with other first wirings interposed therebetween within the memory cell array when a certain potential difference is applied to a selected memory cell positioned at an intersection between the first and second wirings by the control circuit.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a semiconductor storage device, and in particular, to a semiconductor storage device with a structure where memory cell arrays are laminated on the semiconductor substrate.
2. Description of the Related Art
Resistive memory has attracted increased attention as a likely candidate for replacing flash memory. As described herein, it is assumed that the resistive memory devices include Resistive RAM (ReRAM), in a narrow sense, that uses a transition metal oxide as a recording layer and stores its resistance states in a non-volatile manner, as well as Phase Change RAM (PCRAM) that uses chalcogenide, etc., as a recording layer to utilize the resistance information of crystalline states (conductors) and amorphous states (insulators).
It is known that the variable resistance elements in resistive memory have two modes of operation. One is to set a high resistance state and a low resistance state by switching the polarity of the applied voltage, which is referred to as "bipolar type". The other enables the setting of a high resistance state and a low resistance state by controlling the voltage values and the voltage application time, without switching the polarity of the applied voltage, which is referred to as "unipolar type".
To achieve high-density memory cell arrays, the unipolar type is preferable. This is because that the unipolar type solution enables, without transistors, cell arrays to be configured by superposing variable resistance elements and rectifier elements, such as diodes, on respective intersections between bit lines and word lines. Moreover, large capacity may be achieved without an increase in cell array area by arranging such memory cell arrays laminated in a three-dimensional manner (see, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. (Kohyo) 2005-522045).
Performing setting operation for writing data to, reset operation for erasing data from, and read operation to reading data from a memory cell array provided on the semiconductor substrate involves a certain amount of processing time. To improve the processing speed of the resistive memory device during the set, reset, and read operations, a larger number of memory cells need to be operated at the same time in the corresponding memory cell array. However, as the number of memory cells operated at the same time increases, a larger voltage drop is caused due to the parasitic resistance of wirings in the memory cell array. This voltage drop may prevent a sufficient voltage/current from being applied to the memory cell, which could result in failure of operations to be performed on a desired memory cell.


The present invention relates to a method for quantitative determination of NAD(P)H derived from a specific component, which comprises converting NAD(P)H present in a sample or formed from components other than the objective component by reactions into NAD(P) by the action of glutathione of oxidation type and glutathione reductase; decomposing the remaining glutathione of oxidation type by the action of .gamma.-glutamyl transpeptidase in the presence or in the absence of a mercapto compound; forming NAD(P)H from the component to be determined in the sample utilizing an NAD(P)H-forming reaction system; and quantitatively determining NAD(P)H.. According to the method of the present invention, amylase activity, etc. in vital components containing maltose and glucose can be determined accurately.

Several methods for determining a component in a sample by utilizing oxidoreductase which catalyzes a reaction involving NAD(P)-NAD(P)H are known.
The methods are advantageous in stoichiometrical accuracy, small influence of other components, and the like. However, when NAD(P)H derived from components other than the objective component (hereinafter referred to as other components) is added during the determination, such NAD(P)H must be avoided or removed.
To avoid or remove such NAD(P)H, there is a method in which a reagent blank test is separately carried out and after determination of other components (so called blank test of a sample), the sum of NAD(P)H derived from the other components and the objective components is determined and the amount of the objective component is determined by calculation.
For example, in the case of determination of amylase activity in blood, the enzyme reaction described below is carried out and the rate of formation of NAD(P)H is determined, whereby the amylase activity can be determined. However, as maltose and glucose are contained in blood, NAD(P)H must be determined after they are removed or decomposed. ##STR1##
In the quantitative determination of NAD(P)H by colorimetry of the reaction solution, the absorbancy of the objective component is added to those of the other components, and the determinable range becomes narrow, depending upon the amount of glucose or maltose in a sample. The reason is that the absorbancy which is detectable with a spectrophotometer according to the currently employed technique is limited to a certain range; that is, it is impossible to detect an absorbancy of 3.0 ABS or more with an ordinary spectrophotometer. In view of this aspect, a region in which a measurement value is low is preferred. Further, in the case of reagent blank test with a high absorbancy, reproducibility is poor. Assuming that blank solutions have absorbancies of, for example, A and B (A<<B) respectively, the absorbancy E(E<<B) appearing as the result of reaction is added to form A+E and B+E (A+E<<B+E). When this run is repeated with measurements, the respective variations referred to as As and Bs are obtained (variations in the blank are similarly referred to as Ab and Bb, respectively). From the nature of a spectrophotometer as an apparatus, the percent transmission (T %) is logarithmically converted to absorbancy. Thus, a difference based on the logarithmic function appears on the variation in absorbancy in the case of low absorbancy (high percent transmission) and on the variation in absorbancy in the case of high absorbancy (low percent transmission), and even though the variations in percent transmission are identical, As<Bs (Ab<Bb) (absorbancy=log I.sub.0 /I, wherein I is transmittance). From the foregoing, the difference E is calculated for each of the blanks A and B.
With respect to A: EQU (A+E).+-.As-A.+-.Ab=E.+-.As.+-.Ab
With respect to B: EQU (B+E).+-.Bs-B.+-.Bb=E.+-.Bs.+-.Bb
From As<Bs and Ab<Bb is led, As+Ab<Bs+Bb; that is, when the blank has a large value, the variation becomes large, so that the coefficient of variation obtained by division by E becomes large.
An object of the present invention is to provide a method for quantitative determination of the objective component utilizing an NAD(P)H-forming reaction system without performing a blank test of the sample, by eliminating NAD(P)H formed from the other components or present in the sample by reactions.


A method and apparatus for automatically installing a clamp made from a flat blank on an object to be fastened thereby, in which individual blanks are separated from a supply of such blanks, are fed as individual blanks to a deformation station where the flat blank is deformed into circular shape, the thus-deformed clamp is transferred from the deformation station to the object to be fastened thereby where it is placed over the object, and the clamp is thereafter tightened.

Open clamp structures of the type, for example, illustrated in my prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,299,012 which include a so-called "Oetiker" ear have found widespread use in various applications. In one of these applications, such types of open clamps are used on the assembly line in the automobile industry to fasten axle boots onto axles. For that purpose, open clamps which are already preformed into substantially circular configuration are placed about the axle boots, are manually closed by engagement of the hooks provided on the inner band portion in apertures in the outer band portion and are thereafter fastened by contraction of the so-called "Oetiker" ear.
It is also known to ship open clamp structures to the user as flat blanks to benefit from the space- and cost-saving advantage which may be as high as 18:1 compared to the cost of transporting already circularly deformed clamps and to deform the flat blanks into a predetermined shape at the user. My prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,633,698 and 4,425,789 disclose machines for preforming the flat blanks at the user.
The manual operations involved heretofore required four persons at the assembly line before the installation of the clamps on the axle boots was completed. Because of human errors, a fifth person was normally present to control for proper installation of the clamp and a sixth person had to be available to remove improperly installed clamps and correct the deficiencies noticed by the control person by installing another clamp in its place. Thus, the prior art method for installing these clamps was relatively labor-intensive. Additionally, the waste was relatively high because the improperly installed clamp structures had to be destroyed in order to remove the same and thus became useless scrap. Apart from normal human errors, the problems in the prior art method were further compounded by lack of uniformity in the installation of the clamps, not only due to improper application of the pincer-like pneumatic tool closing the so-called "Oetiker" ear but also by vastly varying actuation of the pneumatic tool, which in turn resulted in closing of the ear at different speeds and with greatly differing forces. However, for metallurgical reasons, an excessively rapid deformation of the ear and/or excessive closing forces may affect the quality of installation of the installed clamp and its holding ability.
Thus, the prior art method as described above, which has been used on the assembly line in the automotive industry, entails numerous problems which not only affect cost, but also quality of the installation of the clamp on the axle boot and therewith the length of life of the axle assembly intended to retain in an absolutely tight manner the lubricant present on the inside of the axle boot.
My prior copending application Ser. No. 016,794, filed on Feb. 20, 1987, and entitled "Apparatus and Method for Automatically Installing and Fastening Clamps Onto Objects To Be Fastened" addressed these problems and described an apparatus and method for automatically installing clamps which far-reachingly eliminated the aforementioned shortcomings and drawbacks encountered in the prior art and assured a foolproof installation of the clamp structure, independent of human errors. According to the method and apparatus disclosed in my prior copending application, the subject matter of which is incorporated herein by reference, this is achieved by deformation of a flat blank into a circular shape, closing of the clamp, automatically transferring the closed clamp from a deformation station to a transfer station where the clamp is placed over the axle boot, holding the clamp in proper position on the axle boot by frictional engagement of the previously slightly deformed clamp, and thereafter contracting the ear in the thus-installed clamp to tighten the clamp structure about the axle boot and thus hold the latter tightly on the axle itself. According to my aforementioned copending application, the clamp is so mounted over the axle boot at the transfer station that it will stay in predetermined position while the axle, axle boot and clamp assembly thus-assembled is moved from the transfer station to the fastening station so as to assure that the pneumatic pincer-like tool closes the ear each time in a completely satisfactory manner owing to the relative fixed position between the ear and the pneumatic tool. The circular clamp, picked-up at the deformation station is thereby plastically deformed into slightly non-circular, oval shape and before being placed over the axle boot, is again elastically deformed back into circular shape so that upon release of the gripping fingers, the clamp will seek to return to its slightly non-circular configuration to produce a frictional engagement between the clamp and the axle boot keeping the ear in a predetermined position until it is engaged by the pneumatic pincer-like tool.
However, the apparatus and method according to my aforementioned application still required a person to insert the flat blank into the machine at the deformation station by manually picking up individual flat blanks, as shipped, from boxes that contained several bundles of 100 or more such flat blanks.
Drum-type devices are known in the art for feeding or dispensing various items, such as nails (U.S. Pat. No. 1,132,683), pencils (U.S. Pat. No. 1,853,071), phonograph needles (U.S. Pat. No. 1,412,826) or cores for cop-winding machines (U.S. Pat. No. 2,843,509). However, none of these prior art devices are suitable for the present invention which involves separating individual, relatively thin elongated and flat clamp blanks from a large supply thereof by positively gripping the blank to be lifted to its release point above the other blanks in the supply which remain at the bottom in the rotating drum as a result of gravity. Furthermore, machines for applying clamps are known in the art, for example, as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,837,949. However, these prior art machines require manual operating steps necessitating the presence of operating personnel.

Apparatus and method for automatically installing clamps

Hans Oetiker AG Maschinen- und Apparatefabrik

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A corrosion-resistant, thermally insulative riser elbow for a marine engine. The riser elbow has an exhaust gas conduit made of fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) material formed from a polymer-derived ceramic resin in its ceramic state and fibers. Employing a FRCMC material results in a low-cost, light-weight, corrosion-resistant exhaust gas conduit not available with existing riser elbows. In addition, a FRCMC exhaust gas conduit is thermally insulative and so more of the heat of the exhaust is retained rather than being transferred to the conduit. This allows the cooling requirements for the riser elbow to be lowered, while still maintaining a touch temperature below prescribed levels. FRCMC can also be formed into practically any shape and size desired and can be very ductile thereby making the exhaust gas conduit fracture resistant and capable of withstanding thermally-induced strains typical of the environment of a marine engine's exhaust system. The riser elbow also includes a water jacket sleeve formed integrally with and surrounding the exhaust gas conduit so as to define a cooling water channel between the outer wall of the exhaust gas conduit and the inner wall of the water jacket sleeve. Preferably, a plastic material capable of withstanding long-term exposure to at least 250 degree Fahrenheit cooling water, which can be salt water, without structural degradation is employed to form the water jacket sleeve. In addition, the plastic material should have a sufficient ductility to withstand handling and thermally-induced strains associated with the riser elbow of a marine engine.

1. Technical Field
This invention relates to riser elbows for an inboard internal combustion marine engine, and more particularly, to such riser elbows having an exhaust gas conduit section formed of a fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite (FRCMC) material and methods for making these elbows.
2. Background Art
The exhaust from an inboard internal combustion marine engine used to power recreational and small commercial boats, as well as larger vessels, is typically cooled to prevent excessive heat buildup in the exhaust system. This cooling is necessary to protect the structure of the boat from the heat. For example, hot exhaust gases which impinge the fiberglass hull employed in many recreational boats can degrade or even burn the fiberglass. The same is true for exhaust system component heated by these gases which are adjacent the boat's hull. In addition, the temperature of the exhaust system components must be kept below the flash point of gasoline for safety reasons. U.S. Coast Guard requirements dictate that exhaust system components not exceed a prescribed touch temperature. Typically, the touch temperature of these components must be below 210 degrees Fahrenheit, or 185 degrees Fahrenheit in some cases. As a result many of the exhaust systems components of a marine engine must be cooled as well, typically using a water jacket structure of some type. In addition, the exhaust gas itself is usually cooled by injecting water into the exhaust gas stream.
FIG. 1 depicts in simplified form a typical exhaust system for a marine engine. Exhaust gas exits the exhaust manifold 12 of the engine into the exhaust gas conduit 14 of a riser elbow 16. In addition, cooling water, which is typically drawn from the surrounding body of water to cool the engine and exhaust system components, exits the a water jacket associated with the manifold 12 into the cooling water channel 18 of the riser elbow 16. The cooling water channel 18 is formed by an external sleeve 20 surrounding the exhaust gas conduit 14. The cooling water keeps the riser elbow 16 below the required touch temperature despite the exhaust gas flowing through the conduit 14. The end of the external sleeve 20 of the riser elbow is coupled to the inlet side of a flexible connector conduit 22, which is typically made of rubber tubing. The end of the exhaust gas conduit 14 opens up into the interior of the connector conduit 22. In this way, the cooling water and exhaust gas are mixed, thereby cooling the gas. The outlet side of the connector conduit 22 is coupled to the inlet of an exhaust pipe 24. This exhaust pipe 24 is typically made from stainless steel to resist the corrosive effects of the exhaust gas and cooling water mixture flowing through it. Although, not shown in FIG. 1, the exhaust gas and cooling water mixture eventually exits the boat via the outlet of the exhaust pipe 24. It is noted that no water jacket structure is required for the connector conduit 22 and exhaust pipe 24 as the mixing of the cooling water with the exhaust ensures these components remain below the required touch temperature.
The riser elbow 16 is required in the exhaust system of a marine engine to prevent the cooling water used to cool the exhaust from finding its way back into the engine. Essentially, the riser elbow 16 constitutes a high point in the exhaust system upstream of the connector conduit 22 where the cooling water is injected into the exhaust gas. This high point in the system prevents the cooling water from falling back into the engine.
The structure of the riser elbow creates some unique problems. As can be seen in FIG. 1, the hot exhaust gases make a very abrupt turn within the conduit 14 of the riser elbow. This results in direct impingement of a hot, corrosive gas on the interior surface of the conduit 14. In addition, the cooling water flowing through the cooling water channel may have corrosive effects of its own. For ocean-going vessels, this cooling water is typically raw salt water pumped directly into the engine. And finally, when the cooling water and exhaust gas is mixed in the connector conduit 22, hot, corrosive steam is produce which contacts the outlet side of the riser elbow. The aforementioned factors combine to present an extremely corrosive environment which the riser elbow must survive. Riser elbows are typically made from either cast iron or a thin-wall stainless steel casting. In the case of a cast iron elbow, the corrosive effects cause the cast iron to decay very quickly. A cast iron riser elbow may not survive more than 300-400 hours total use before the outlet end corrodes away. Additionally, a cast iron riser elbow typically has thick walls and has a considerable weight. This results in an increase in the weight of the vessel and reduces the efficiency of the engine. The use of a thin-walled stainless steel casting resolves the weight problem. In addition, stainless steel corrodes at a much slower rate than cast iron and so lessens the corrosion problem. Therefore, this type of riser elbow does not have to be replaced as often as a cast iron riser elbow. However, the thin-walled stainless steel riser elbows are considerably more expensive than the cast iron versions. Thus, the cost is high no matter which version is employed. The cast iron because of the need to replace it often, and the stainless steel because of its high initial cost.
Riser elbows made from stainless steel also present another problem. Whereas, a typical cast iron exhaust manifold and attached cast iron riser elbow expand at nearly the same rate as the engine heats up, a stainless steel riser elbow does not. A thin-walled stainless steel riser elbow expands at a significantly different rate than a cast iron exhaust manifold. This disparity in the thermal expansion rates of these two exhaust system components can result in the seal between the two being compromised resulting in exhaust gas and/or cooling water leaks.
Another problem concerning existing cast iron and stainless steel riser elbows is their high thermal conductivity. Having a high thermal conductivity results in heat from the exhaust being readily transferred through the exhaust gas conduit to the cooling water. Thus, to ensure the riser elbow remains below the prescribed touch temperature, it is necessary to flow sufficient quantities of cooling fluid to dissipate the heat. This in turn can increase the cooling water requirements over that which is required to cool the exhaust gas in the downstream exhaust system components, thereby requiring bigger water jackets and/or cooling water flow rates. These increased cooling requirements can lead to the need for larger engine components, thereby increasing the weight and lowering the efficiency of the engine.
Accordingly, there is a need for a light-weight, low cost, thermally insulative riser elbow which can withstand the corrosive environment of a marine engine exhaust system, and which has a thermal expansion coefficient closer to that of the engine's cast iron exhaust manifold.
Wherefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a riser elbow for a marine engine which is lighter in weight than existing cast iron riser elbow, so as to reduce the overall weight of vessel and increase the efficiency of the engine.
Wherefore, it is another object of the present invention to provide a riser elbow for a marine engine which exhibits a low thermal conductivity so as to retain more heat within the exhaust gas flowing therethrough, thereby reducing the cooling requirements of the elbow while still maintaining the touch temperature below a prescribed level.
Wherefore, it is yet another object of the present invention to provide a riser elbow for a marine engine which can withstand long term exposure to the corrosive environment of the engine's exhaust system while at the same time having lower cost than comparable stainless steel riser elbows.
Wherefore, it is still another object of the present invention to provide a riser elbow for a marine engine which exhibits a thermal expansion coefficient closer to that of the engine's exhaust manifold than current stainless steel riser elbows.

Fiber reinforced ceramic matrix composite marine engine riser elbow


A power tool includes an optical speed control switch for controlling the variable speed of an electrical motor in the tool. The tool includes a moveable member having a reflective surface and the moveable member traversing a distance between a stop position and a full speed position, a biasing member operatively coupled to the moveable member to bias the moveable member toward the stop position, an optical signal generator for generating an optical signal, the optical signal generator being oriented so that the optical signal is directed toward the reflective surface of the moveable member, and a speed control signal generator for generating a speed control signal that corresponds to a reflection of the generated optical signal reflected by the reflective surface of the moveable member.

Power tools including battery operated tools are well-known. These tools typically include an electric motor having an output shaft that is coupled to a spindle for holding a tool. The tool may be a drill bit, sanding disc, a de-burring implement, or the like. Electrical power is supplied to the electric motor from a power source. The power source may be a battery source such as a Ni-Cad or other rechargeable battery that may be de-coupled from the tool to charge the battery and coupled to the tool to provide power.
The power source is coupled to the electric motor through a power switch. The switch includes input electrical contacts for coupling the switch to the power source. Within the switch housing, a moveable member, sometimes called a switch, is coupled to the input electrical contacts and to a wiper of a potentiometer. As the moveable member is pressed against the biasing component of the switch, it causes the input electrical contacts to close and provide current to one terminal of the electric motor and to the wiper of the potentiometer. The moveable member is biased so that the biasing force returns the moveable member to the position where the input electrical contacts are open when the moveable member is released. The current is coupled to a timing signal generator, such as a "555" circuit, through the potentiometer. As the member or trigger continues to be pulled against the biasing force so that the wiper reduces the resistance of the potentiometer from an open circuit to a low resistance or short circuit condition, the level of the current supplied to the timing signal generator increases.
The output of the timing signal generator is coupled to the gate of a solid state device, such as a MOSFET. The source and drain of the solid state device are coupled between a second terminal of the electric motor and electrical ground. In response to the timing signal turning the solid state device on and off, the motor is selectively coupled to electrical ground through the solid state device. Thus, as the timing signal enables the solid state device to couple the motor to electrical ground for longer and longer intervals, the current flows through the motor for longer intervals. The longer the motor is coupled to power, the faster the electric motor rotates the output shaft of the motor. Consequently, the tool operator is able to vary the speed of the motor and, correspondingly, the rotational speed of the tool in the spindle by manipulating the trigger for the power switch.
The timing signal generated by the timing circuit selectively couples the motor to the power source because it alternates between a logically on-state and a logically off-state. During the logically off-state, the motor is no longer coupled to the power source. The windings in the motor, however, still have current in them. To provide a path for this current, a freewheeling diode is provided across the terminals of the motor.
The trigger of the power switch is also coupled to two sets of contacts. One of these contact sets is called the bypass contact set. When the trigger reaches the stop position of its travel against the biasing component, it causes the bypass contacts to close. The closing of the bypass contacts causes the current through the motor to bypass the solid state device and be shunted to electrical ground. This action enables the motor to remain continuously coupled to the power source and reach its maximum speed.
The other set of electrical contacts controlled by the switch trigger are the brake contacts. These contacts are closed when the trigger is at the fully biased off position. As the trigger is moved against the biasing force, the brake contacts open. The brake contacts couple one terminal of the electric motor to the other terminal of the motor. In response to the trigger being released from a position that enables power to be supplied to the motor, the brake contacts close to provide a current path through the motor for dynamic braking of the motor. This enables the motor to stop more quickly than if the motor simply coasted to a stop under the effects of friction.
While the power switch described above is effective for tool speed control, it suffers from some limitations over the life of the power tool. One drawback arises from the mechanical interaction of the various components. Specifically, the moveable member, biasing component, wiper arm, and electrical contact sets, all move with respect to one another. This movement causes friction and the moveable components become worn over time. This wear occurs even when the trigger and the components coupled to the trigger are manipulated and no power source is coupled to the tool. Additionally, dropping the tool or other rough treatment of the tool may result in disruptions of the mechanical linkages between the components. These disruptions may adversely impact the mechanical synchronization of the switch components required for supplying power to the electric motor. For example, if the linkages between the moveable member and the various electrical contacts are disrupted, the current may be coupled through the input contacts before the brake contacts open. This action would cause a short circuit to electrical ground and may cause irreparable harm to the switch.
Another limitation of known power switches is the effect of carrying the current through the switch. When the current is first applied to the contacts, the current level may be sufficient to cause arcing. Arcing may cause the contacts to become pitted or otherwise damaged. Additionally, large currents tend to heat the components within the switch. Consequently, the switch may require a heat sink or a larger volume to dissipate heat within the switch. The larger size of the housing for the switch may also impact the design of the tool housing to accommodate the switch geometry.
Another factor affecting the geometry or size of the switch housing is the potentiometer that generates the variable speed signal. Typically, the distance traveled by the wiper of the potentiometer is approximately the same as the distance traveled by the trigger. In many cases, this distance is approximately 7 mm and this distance must be accommodated by the potentiometer and the housing in which the potentiometer is mounted.

Articulating drill with optical speed control and method of operation


Certain (1,3,2-dioxaphosohorinanemethan) amine compounds, which are useful as halogen-free flame retardant compounds, are disclosed. The compounds are particularly useful in polyurethane compositions.

This invention relates to novel cyclic phosphorus-containing compounds and, in particular, to certain (1,3,2 - dioxaphosphorinanemethan) amine compounds which are useful as fire retardant materials.
Cyclic phosphorus compounds including dioxaphosphorinanes are known to be effective flame retardant compounds for various synthetic resin compositions. U.S. Pat. No. 4,073,767, to Birum, discloses cyclic phosphorus compounds which include phosphorinane rings which are taught to be useful as flame retardants for polyurethanes, polyesters and polyamides. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,397,750, to Hancock, certain cyclic phosphonate esters are shown to be useful flame retardants for polypropylene and other polyolefins.
This invention is directed to certain (1,3,2 - dioxaphosphorinanemethan) amine compounds which are novel compositions and which are particularly useful as halogen-free flame retardant materials for use in organic polymeric materials such as, for example, polyurethane foams, other compositions containing polyurethane and compositions containing polyesters, styrenic polymers, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinyl acetates or polycarbonates. These novel cyclic phosphorus compounds, when used in other polymeric materials provide advantages over the prior art by providing improved flame retardant characteristics such as low smoke and low smoulder without the presence of halogen atoms and, when they are used in foams, the compounds increase the load bearing capabilities of the foams.

Halogen-free cyclic phosphorus-containing flame retardant compounds


A housing of an electronic apparatus including a flip-cover opening/closing device which includes: rotation portions positioned in an outward direction of the housing, the rotation portions being detached from the housing upon rotating a flip-cover over a communication angle and applying a force; a pair of necks for converting a rotational movement of the flip-cover into a rectilinear movement upon rotation of the flip-cover over the communication angle, so as to detach a hooking socket of the flip-cover from a hinge shaft of the housing; and at least one tension opening for absorbing the force applied to the hooking socket of the flip-cover upon the detachment of the hooking socket; the flip-cover being detachable from the housing. The rotation portions may include a space disposed therebetween for reducing the force on the hooking groove caused when detaching the rotation portions from the hooking socket. At least one supportable rib may be provided between the rotation portions and the hooking socket for preventing variation of the hooking socket caused upon detaching the flip-cover.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flip-cover opening/closing device for a foldable electronic apparatus, and more particularly, to a hinge mechanism for a flip-cover of a portable cellular phone which enables one to detach the flip-cover from the phone body upon rotating the flip-cover over a communication angle and applying a force.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a portable cellular phone, since dial button keys and function button keys are disposed on a surface of a body thereof, the buttons can be inadvertently pressed when the phone is carried by a user. To prevent such a malfunction, a button cover, or a flip-cover, is frequently provided to protect the phone body. As the length of the cellular phone is shortened, the transmitting sensitivity is lowered due to loss of transmitted sound volume during calling. Such problems can be overcome by using the button cover to reflect the transmitted sound and thereby improve the quality of the transmission.
In a conventional portable cellular phone having a button cover, two hinge pins and a coil spring positioned therebetween are disposed in a cylindrical hinge arm. The hinge pins, which are made of plastic, have cam surfaces on their outer ends. Metal cam followers are fitted to either side of the phone body do as to respectively contact the cam surfaces of the two hinge pins. The cam surfaces have indented portions and protrusions which interact with the cam followers so that the hinge mechanism either keeps the button cover closed or allows the button cover to remain in a stable and open position at a predetermine angle with respect to the phone body. I have noticed however, that when a user repeatedly opens and shuts the button cover, the cam surfaces of the hinge pins wear out due to the friction between the plastic surfaces of the hinge pins and the metal surfaces of the cam followers. I have also found that when a user applies an excessive force to the button cover, the cover may be detached from the body and the hinge assembly elements are often expelled and lost due to the force of the coil spring. Furthermore, cracks may occur in either the hinge assembly or in the body of the phone due to the excessive force applied to the cover.
Takagi, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,111,503, endeavors to provide a Portable Telephone Set with one cover in an effort to eliminate many of the problems noted above. The hinge of Takagi et al is somewhat cumbersome to manufacture and assemble, and due to its dependence upon a set of U-shaped springs, is not especially reliable for long term use.
Subsequently, Takagi, et al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,291 designed a PORTABLE TELEPHONE HAVING A DETACHABLE FUNCTIONAL MODULE and Kobayashi, U.S. Pat. No. 5,317,785 designed a HINGE MECHANISM FOR FOLDABLE ELECTRONIC APPARATUS; both designs use hinge mechanisms that are not particularly amenable to either disassembly or replacement of broken or worn parts. Moreover, if the distal ends of the cover serving as hinges become cracked, the entire cover as well as its internal microphone, must be removed and discarded, and a new complete cover installed.

Hinge mechanism for foldable electronic apparatus


In an optical connector including a base housing, a cover housing, and a clamp fixing the cover housing to the base housing, the base housing is provided with a groove for positioning and holding an optical fiber of an optical cable, a first recessed portion continuously formed from the groove, and a second recessed portion continuously formed from the first recessed portion. The first and the second recessed portions have bottom portions different in level from each other to have a stepped portion formed therebetween. The cover housing has a first coating portion for covering the groove and a second coating portion for covering the first and the second recessed portions. The bottom portion of the second recessed portion and the second coating portion presses a coating member of the optical cable to clamp the optical cable.

JP-A-H10-123368 (Patent Document 1) discloses one example of an optical connector. The optical connector comprises a ferrule body and a clamp. The ferrule body has a guide pin hole, a fiber hole, and a fiber chamber. An upper wall of each of the fiber hole and the fiber chamber is partly removed to form a clamp window. The clamp is divided into two parts, that is, a core clamp and a coating clamp. The core clamp and the coating clamp are fitted to the clamp window of the ferrule body. Under a spring force, an optical fiber of an optical cable and a coating portion of the optical cable are clamped by the core clamp and the coating clamp, respectively.
JP-B-3939689 (Patent Document 2) discloses another example of the optical connector. The optical connector comprises a housing, an outer frame formed inside the housing, and an inner frame formed inside the outer frame. The inner frame has an exposed portion provided with a V-shaped groove. In the V-shaped groove, an optical fiber of an optical cable is disposed in a deeply sunken state. Thus, the optical fiber of the optical cable is not held in press contact but merely supported.

Optical connector having an internal clearance at a part to be connected to an optical fiber

Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited


To control the production of a protein product by an animal cell culture, a culture of cells is grown to a density greater than one million cells per milliliter wherein the cells have first and second genes under the control of a single promoter with one of said first and second genes being expressed in an early protein which activates said promoter and the other being expressed in a late protein which is said protein product. A starting material for said culture is introduced into it, whereby said culture begins to replicate said early protein for activating said promoter in a self-stimulating manner to cause the other of said first and second genes express itself in said final product. The gene for the early proteins and the gene for the late proteins are artifically positioned into the same genomic region. The first and second promoters are incorporated in the same transactivation region. The vector material is taken from a parvovirus.

This invention relates to controlling the production of materials expressed by a gene.
It is known to induce cells to produce high levels of desired proteins. In the prior art methods, this induction is controlled by external factors such as the nature of the cloned gene, the temperature, hormones, the nature and amount of nutrients supplied to the cells and the J-like. Such methods have been described in several publications such as for example, "Large-Scale Cell- Culture in Biotechnology" by W.R. Arathoon and J. R. Birch Science v.232, Jun. 13, 1986, pp. 1390-1395.
The prior art methods have the disadvantages of: (1) providing relatively low production; and (2) not being adequately controllable under some circumstances. Thus, where toxic materials are produced, such as the production of a protein that is toxic to the cell that is producing it, the cell. and other cells may be prematurely destroyed by the level of the toxic material in the culture.
Increases in transcription rate have been observed under several circumstances but have not been adapted to practical use in controlling the expression of a gene to provide desired products more effectively.
One such observation showed that increased transcription occurred by accident and was reported without explanation in "Establishment of a Rat Cell-Line Inducible for the Expression of Human Cytomegalovirus Immediate-Early Gene Products by Protein Synthesis Inhibition" Journal of Virology, June, 1986, by Rene Boom et. al., pp. 851-859.
It has also been observed that the tat111 gene product of the retrovirus HIV1 (human immunodeficiency virus 1) has a powerful transactivation expression of genes expressed by the HIVI LTR (long terminal repeat). This observation was described in Rosen, C.A., J.G. Sodroski, and W.A. Haseltine, 1985, "In the human T cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III/LAV) long terminal repeat", Cell, 41:813-823; Sodroski, J.G., C.A. Rosen, F. Wong-Stall, S.Z. Salahuddin, M. Popovic, S. Arya, R.C. Gallo, and W.A. Haseltine, 1985, "Transacting transcriptional regulation of human T-cell leukemia virus type III long terminal repeat", Science, 227:171-173. This effect has recently been reported to occur subsequently to transcription and the cis element, tar3, that is required, maps to the region -17/+84 in Rosen, C.A., J.G. Sodroski, W.C. Goh, A.I. Dayton, J. Lippke, and W.A. Haseltine, 1986, "Post-transcriptional regulation accounts for the transactivation of the human T-lymphotropic virus type III", Nature, 319:555-559.

Method of controlling the expression of a gene in a cell culture, cell culture vector used in the method and method of making the vector

The Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska


The present invention relates to chimeric Factor VII polypeptides and methods of using the same.

Blood coagulation is a process consisting of a complex interaction of various blood components (or factors) that eventually gives rise to a fibrin clot. Generally, the blood components, which participate, in what has been referred to as the coagulation "cascade," are enzymatically inactive proteins (proenzymes or zymogens) that are converted to proteolytic enzymes by the action of an activator (which itself is an activated clotting factor). Coagulation factors that have undergone such a conversion are generally referred to as "active factors," and are designated by the addition of the letter "a" to the name of the coagulation factor (e.g., activated Factor VII is designated as Factor VIIa or FVIIa).
Normally, initiation of the haemostatic process is mediated by the formation of a complex between tissue factor and Factor VIIa. This complex then converts Factors IX (FIX) and X (FX) to their active forms. Factor Xa (FXa) converts limited amounts of prothrombin to thrombin on the tissue factor-bearing cell. Thrombin activates platelets and Factors V (FV) and VIII (FVIII) into Factors Va (FVa) and VIIIa (FVIIIa), both cofactors in the further process leading to the full thrombin burst. This process includes generation of Factor Xa by Factor IXa (FIXa) (in complex with Factor VIIIa) and occurs on the surface of activated platelets. Thrombin finally converts fibrinogen to fibrin resulting in formation of a fibrin clot. In recent years Factor VII and tissue factor have been found to be the main initiators of blood coagulation.
Factor VII is a plasma glycoprotein that circulates in blood as a single-chain zymogen. The zymogen has marginal catalytic activity. Single-chain Factor VII may be converted to two-chain Factor VIIa by Factor Xa, Factor XIIa, Factor IXa, Factor VIIa or thrombin in vitro. Factor Xa is believed to be the major physiological activator of Factor VII. Like several other plasma proteins involved in hemostasis, Factor VII is dependent on Vitamin K for its activity, which is required for the gamma-carboxylation of multiple glutamic acid residues that are clustered close to the amino terminus of the protein. These gamma-carboxylated glutamic acids are required for the metal ion-induced interaction of Factor VII with phospholipids. The conversion of zymogen Factor VII into the activated two-chain molecule occurs by cleavage of an internal Arg152-Ile153 peptide bond. Additionally, it is well known that high concentrations of Factor VII lead to autoactivation in vitro. In the presence of tissue factor, phospholipids and calcium ions, the two-chain Factor VIIa rapidly activates Factor X or Factor IX by limited proteolysis.
The gene coding for human FVII (hFVII) has been mapped to chromosome 13 at q34-qter 9 (de Grouchy et al., Hum Genet 1984; 66:230-233). It contains nine exons and spans 12.8 Kb (O'Hara et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 1987; 84:5158-5162). The gene organization and protein structure of FVII are similar to those of other vitamin K-dependent procoagulant proteins, with exons 1a and 1b encoding for signal sequence; exon 2 the propeptide and GLA domain; exon 3 a short hydrophobic region; exons 4 and 5 the epidermal growth factor-like domains; and exon 6 through 8 the serine protease catalytic domain (Yoshitake et al., Biochemistry 1985; 24:3736-3750).
Factor IX (Christmas factor) is the zymogen of a serine protease active in normal hemostasis and the enzymatic activity requires carboxylation of specific glutamic acid residues. Factors IX, X, VII and protein C are closely related paralogs of the same family of serine proteases, with a high degree of amino acid sequence identity and intron-exon arrangement of the genes coding for these proteins. These closely related proteins have a similar structure of functional domains from the amino to carboxyl terminus to include a γ-carboxyglutamic acid (GLA) domain, two epidermal growth factor-like (EGF) domains, an activation peptide and the catalytic domain. Protein S is a 666 amino acid, vitamin K-dependent protein with a GLA domain, 4 EGF-like domains, a thrombin sensitive region and 2 laminin domains.
The vitamin K dependent coagulation plasma proteins contain a GLA domain that functions as the site of protein attachment to membranes and the GLA domain is highly conserved among the various coagulation proteins. Despite their similarity, the GLA domains exhibit a wide range of affinities for phospholipid, with the GLA domain of Protein S having the highest affinity for phospholipids. (Ellison et al., Biochemistry, 1998; 37:7997-8003), (McDonald et al., Biochemistry 1997; 36:5120-27).
It is often desirable to stimulate or improve the coagulation cascade in a subject. Factor VIIa has been used to control bleeding disorders that have several causes such as clotting factor deficiencies (e.g., hemophilia A and B or deficiency of coagulation Factors XI or VII) or clotting factor inhibitors. Factor VIIa has also been used to control excessive bleeding occurring in subjects with a normally functioning blood clotting cascade (no clotting factor deficiencies or inhibitors against any of the coagulation factors). Such bleeding may, for example, be caused by a defective platelet function, thrombocytopenia or von Willebrand's disease.
Bleeding is also a major problem in connection with surgery and other forms of trauma. For example, Factor VII has been used extensively for treating soldiers wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Perkins J G, et al. The Journal of Trauma. 2007; 62: 1095-9; discussion 9-101). Its use has been credited with saving many lives, but as with most medical treatments, there are side effects, such as stroke or other thrombotic events after treatment. The overall impression of physicians using FVIIa, however, is that its use has saved many more lives than it has lost. Perhaps the best indication of this is that in previous wars approximately 30 percent of the wounded died of their injuries, while the number in the current Gulf war has been reduced to about 10 percent. (Gawande A, et al., N Engl J Med. 2004; 351: 2471-5).
Studies of transgenic hemophilia B mice expressing factor VIIa have demonstrated that continuous Factor VIIa expression at low levels (below 1.5 μg/ml) restores clotting activity in hemophilia B mice. Levels of factor VIIa in wild type or hemophilia B mice above 2 μg/ml, however, led to thromboses in the heart and lungs; both the heart and lungs are sites of high tissue factor expression. This suggests that the high levels of factor VIIa in the circulation induce thrombosis when they contact tissue factor exposed upon vessel injury in the heart and lungs. (Margaritas et al., J. Clin. Invest. 2004; 113:1025-31). Furthermore, studies have shown that vector mediated gene transfer of canine Factor VIIa in hemophilic dogs is both safe and effective in the short and medium term. (Margaritas et al., Gene Therapy 2009; 113:3682-3689).
Warnings relating to treatment with Factor VII are currently proposed for products seeking regulatory approval. For example, The European Medicines Agency, Human Medicines Evaluation Unit recommends that current Factor VII therapies carry a warning of the risk of thrombosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation, particularly in situations where the Factor VII is to be administered to patients with a history of coronary heart disease or liver disease, post-operative patients, neonates and those at risk from thrombosis and disseminated intravascular coagulation. See, e.g., Core SPC for Human Plasma Derived Coagulation Factor VII Products (CPMP/BPWG/2048/01), July, 2004.
Previously, it has been shown that the EGF-1 domain of Factor VIIa plays a critical role in the affinity of Factor VIIa for tissue factor. Using both a synthetic substrate and Factor X, in both the presence and absence of tissue factor, Factor VIIa polypeptides with a Factor IX EGF-1 domain had lower catalytic activity than the wild type Factor VIIa. (Jin et al., Biochemistry, 1999, 28:1185-92). At first glance, this would seem to obviate the use of chimeric constructs for treating bleeding; however, Monroe (British Journal of Haematology 1997; 99:542-549) has proposed that the mechanism of FVIIa in treating hemophilia and bleeding is tissue factor independent. Opinion in the art, however, is divided as to whether Factor VIIa is not active independent of tissue factor.
Commercial preparations of human recombinant FVIIa are sold as NovoSeven® and Novo Seven® RT. NovoSeven® and NovoSeven® RT are indicated for the treatment of bleeding episodes in hemophilia A or B patients and are the only rFVIIa for treatment of bleeding episodes available on the market. Recently, it has been demonstrated that NovoSeven® may bind to rehydrated lyophilized platelets, which could be administered in combination to localize the Factor VII to a site of injury. (Fischer et al., Platelets, 2008; 19:182-91). Additionally, it has been shown that selective PEGylation of Factor VII may increase plasma half-life, (Stennicke et al., Thromb. Haemost, 2008; 100:920-28), and that a recombinant human Factor VII, with 3 amino acid substitutions has an increased activity on the surface of platelets. (Moss et al., J. Thromb. Haemost., 2009; 7:299-305). PEGylation of the chimeric Factor VIIa molecules of the present invention are expected to work in a similar manner to increase plasma half-life. Likewise, other modifications of proteins known in the art, such as covalent attachment of non-polypeptide moieties to form conjugates, e.g., glycosylation, are expected to function in a similar manner in the chimeric Factor VIIa molecules of the present invention, i.e., the properties imparted to a protein by the covalent attachment of a non-polypeptide moiety are expected to be imparted to the chimeric Factor VIIa molecules.
There is a need for variants of Factor VIIa having high coagulant activity that can be administered at relatively low doses, and variants which produce fewer undesirable side effects such as thrombotic complications, associated with available therapies.

This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill


A steam generator boiler for generating steam is connected to a supply conduit for supplying water to the boiler with a supply valve for controlling the supply of water through the supply conduit. A heater supplies heat to the boiler for generating steam with a discharge conduit for discharging excess impure water therefrom. A metering device is operatively connected to the supply conduit for regulating the flow of water to the boiler by calculating the amount of water required based on wattage or BTU's generated by the heater. A pressure switch or thermostat is provided for operating the boiler and the supply valve on the supply conduit for supplying water to the boiler to permit water to be added every time the heater is energized. In addition, a heat exchanger is provided for receiving discharged heated water from the steam generator and preheating water supplied to the steam generator.

1. Field of the Invention
The purpose of this invention is to have a boilers or steam generator that is self cleaning, requires no floats or level controls and reclaims heat that would normal be dissipated into the air or down the drain.
2. Description of Background Art
Hithertofore, steam generator boilers were available that operate by supplying a quantity of water to a steam generator boiler for producing steam. However, the supply of water and the discharge of the waste water was not controlled to optimize the supply of water and to maximize the use of the heat from the discharged water for preheating the supply water.

Self cleaning boiler and steam generator


A trip mechanism having a hatchet plate disposed on a pivot pin assembly having a pivot pin member with at least three pivoting surfaces. First and second pivoting surfaces are located where the pivot pin member engages the supporting side plates. Thus, the pivot pin assembly may rotate in the traditional manner, i.e., both the hatchet plate and the pivot pin assembly rotate between the side plates. An additional pivoting surface is located where the hatchet plate engages the pivot pin assembly.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to electrical switching apparatus(es) such as protective devices and switches used in electric power distribution circuits carrying large currents. More particularly, it relates to a trip mechanism having at least two modes of rotation about at least three pivoting surfaces.
2. Background Information
Electrical switching apparatus for opening and closing electric power circuits typically utilize an energy storage device in the form of one or more large springs to close the contacts of the device into the large currents which can be drawn in such circuits. Such electrical switching apparatus includes power circuit breakers and network protectors which provide protection, and electric switches which are used to energize and deenergize parts of the circuit or to transfer between alternative power sources. These devices also include an open spring or springs which rapidly separate the contacts to interrupt current flowing in the power circuit. As indicated, either or both of the close spring and open spring can be a single spring or multiple springs and should be considered as either even though the singular is hereafter used for convenience. The open spring is charged during closing by the close spring which, therefore, must store sufficient energy to both overcome the mechanical and magnetic forces for closing as well as charging the open springs. Moreover, the close spring is required to have sufficient energy to close and latch on at least 15 times the rated current.
Both tension springs and compression springs have been utilized to store sufficient energy to close the contacts and to charge the open spring. The tension springs are easier to control, but the compression springs can store more energy. In either case, a robust operating mechanism is required to mount and control the charging and discharging of the spring. The operating mechanism typically includes a manual handle, and often an electric motor, for charging the close spring. It also includes a latch mechanism for latching the close spring in the charged state, a release mechanism for releasing the stored energy in the close spring, and an arrangement, a pole shaft for example, for coupling the released energy into the moving conductor assembly supporting the moving contacts of the switch.
The latch mechanism includes a hatchet plate that was fixed to a pivot pin. The pivot pin extended between, and was disposed within aligned openings in, two side plates. The pivot pin was structured to rotate within the aligned openings. While this configuration performs the desired function, if the pivot pin becomes fixed in one position, the hatchet plate may be prevented from rotating. For example, if, over an extended period of time, vibration caused the pivot pin openings to become deformed, the pivot pin may not rotate properly. This disadvantage could be overcome if the hatchet plate had more than one mode of rotation about the longitudinal axis of the pivot pin.
There is, therefore, a need for a pivot pin assembly that allows for more than one mode of rotation of a hatchet plate about the pivot pin.
There is a further need for a pivot pin assembly having at least three pivoting surfaces.
There is a further need for a pivot pin assembly that allows for more than one mode of rotation of a hatchet plate about the pivot pin which can be installed in existing circuit breakers.


Disclosed is a method in which a User Equipment will be able to register near instantly onto an available preferred roaming network, when the cellular radio of the UE is powered on. The method disclosed comprises of a roaming destination determined from a mobile boarding pass or input via User Interface of an Application installed on the Mobile Equipment or via UI on the Operating System of the ME, where the Application or OS compares the roaming destination with a PLMN list to obtain the preferred PLMN ID of that roaming destination which is selected and updated to specific files within the UICC. LTE and/or UMTS band information can also be obtained for the roaming destination and an MRU database updated to include the LTE and/or UMTS band information. A specific REFRESH command that is sent from the UICC to the ME prior to turning off the cellular radio of the UE, is used in the disclosed method to achieve near instant or instant registration onto the preferred visited PLMN when the cellular radio of the UE is turned on upon arrival at roaming destination. Alternatively, the ME can send a reset signal to the UICC when turning on the cellular radio of the UE upon arrival at the roaming destination.

The majority of wireless networks around the world today are 3GPP standard based supporting GSM and/or UMTS and/or LTE Radio Access Technologies. A 3GPP based User Equipment, which consists of a Mobile Equipment containing a UICC provisioned by the home Public Land Mobile Network operator, is able to distinguish one PLMN operator from another based on the unique PLMN ID, consisting solely of the MCCMNC, broadcasted by each PLMN operator and will be able to register onto its home PLMN if available. If the User Equipment is no longer able to detect the home PLMN ID, and is able to detect the PLMN ID of another PLMN operator, the UE will be able to register successfully onto a visited PLMN provided a roaming agreement exists between the home PLMN operator and the VPLMN operator.
Many people typically travel by airplane from their home country to a foreign country, and bring their UE in order to contact family, friends or colleagues back home or in the foreign country they are travelling to, upon arrival. Since almost all Airline operators require UEs to be turned off prior to takeoff, many ME manufacturers build into their ME a feature called Airplane Mode, which allows the cellular radio of the ME to be turned off when Airplane Mode is enabled/turned on, in order to comply with Airline rules and regulations. While Airplane Mode is enabled/turned on, the rest of the ME is still able to function as normal in order to allow the person travelling to enjoy listening to music, watching videos, reading eBooks or using any other functionality of their ME which does not require use of the cellular radio, during their travel while in the airplane. Once the airplane has landed safely, Airplane Mode is allowed to be disabled/turned off which turns the cellular radio back on, thus allowing the UE to attempt registration on the available VPLMN(s).
In addition to Airplane Mode, all ME manufacturers are required by 3GPP standard to implement both Automatic and Manual Network Selection modes on their MEs. MEs are typically set to Automatic Network Selection mode by default and the majority of users typically leave the ME set to this mode. Therefore, when a roaming UE's cellular radio is turned on in a foreign country with multiple VPLMNs available, for which registration is possible (due to bilateral network agreements), a UE in Automatic Network Selection mode follows the related Network Selection Procedures outlined in 3GPP TS 23.122 clause 184.108.40.206 and 184.108.40.206.
However, as per 3GPP standard, the UE is required to attempt registration on the last registered PLMN as indicated in the EF_LOCI and EF_EPSLOCI files in the UICC. Should the last registered PLMN not be available, which is typically the case when travelling to a foreign country, the UE in Automatic Network Selection mode must follow the related Network Selection Procedures outlined specified above.

Registration of a roaming UE onto a preferred VPLMN using airplane mode of operation


A circuit for diagnosing the state of a load connected to a driver includes a DMOS transistor interposed between a terminal of the load and voltage comparator circuits. The DMOS transistor limits the maximum voltage input to the comparators to thereby reduce the circuit area occupied by the comparators and consequently to reduce the cost of the diagnosis circuit.

The invention addresses the problem of the diagnosis of the state of a load when a circuit driving the load is de-activated, that is, with its output at high impedance. The load may be in the short-circuited state (to ground, to the supply, or between its terminals). The circuit may also be in the open-circuit state (for example, because of a broken contact), or in a normal state, that is, connected and operating correctly. The diagnostic data may be supplied, for example, to a microcontroller which can implement recovery operations to ensure functioning in the event of a breakdown.
Obtaining the diagnostic data may be particularly advantageous for applications with supply voltages and ambient temperatures which are variable over a wide range, for example, in automotive applications. In this case, the diagnosis circuit if preferably able to withstand the maximum output voltage applicable to the load, for example, 50 V. Clearly, if the diagnosis circuit is produced in the form of an integrated circuit, components capable of withstanding high voltages occupy a larger area and therefore involve a higher cost. A reduction in the number of high-voltage components is therefore important for minimizing the area occupied by the circuit. Such a circuit is also desirably able to withstand the variations which take place in the characteristics of the electronic devices when the ambient temperature varies over a wide range, for example, from -40.degree. C. to 125.degree. C.
FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a typical configuration in which the use of a diagnosis circuit may be necessary. One terminal of an electrical load LD is connected to an output OUT of a driver circuit DR. The driver circuit DR may be, for example, an amplifier, an output stage, or the like. It can be enabled or disabled (with the output OUT at high impedance) according to the value of an enabling logic input EN. When the driver circuit DR is enabled, a logic input IN selects the supply (positive or earth) to which the output OUT is connected. The other terminal TR of the load LD is connected to a supply, also to ground, or to another driver circuit (not shown). This diagram includes the possibilities of so-called "low side", "high side" and "bridge" driver circuits.
The basic layout used in diagnosis circuits according to the prior art is shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2 and the following drawings, parts and elements already described with reference to FIG. 1 have been attributed the same reference numerals and/or letters. The output of the driver circuit DR, that is, the terminal OUT is connected to two high-voltage polarizing resistors Rpu and Rpd, and to the high-voltage comparators CDT. When the enabling input EN of the driver circuit DR switches, disabling the circuit DR, the power transistors of the circuit DR are cut off and the voltage at the output OUT is brought to a value which depends upon the state of the output OUT, as described below:
if the load LD is correctly connected, the voltage at the output OUT is brought to a value close to that of the other terminal TR of the load LD, PA1 if the output OUT is short-circuited to ground, the voltage is brought to a value close to 0 V, PA1 if the output OUT is short-circuited to the supply Vdd, the voltage is brought to the value of the supply Vdd, and PA1 if the load LD is disconnected, that is, in an open circuit condition, the voltage at the output OUT is brought to a value determined by the voltage divider formed by the resistors Rpu and Rpd.
Discrimination between these conditions is carried out by means of the high-voltage comparators CDT. The situation in which the terminals of the load LD are short-circuited is distinguished from that in which the load LD is connected correctly by means of circuits, within the driver circuit DR, which can detect the presence of an overcurrent. Unfortunately, this approach has the disadvantage, however, that the resistors Rpu and Rpd and the comparators CDT have to withstand a high voltage, necessitating the use of large components. This approach according to the prior art also has the disadvantage of being very complex and consequently expensive.

Circuit for diagnosing the state of an electrical load


A wall and door hole repair kit used for repairing a hole accidentally punched or intentionally cut during repair or remodeling of a wall or door. The repair kit includes a thin sheet first brace and a thin sheet second brace. A width of one or both braces is dimensioned for receipt inside the hole. Each of the two braces includes a round tube opening with a tube compression slit. The compression slits are disposed next to the tube openings. A small rubber or plastic tube is received through the tube openings in the first and second braces. An adhesive is applied to an inside surface of the first brace. The adhesive is used for securing the first brace to the inside of the wall or door and next to the hole. A portion of the tube is then inserted in the compression slits to hold the braces firmly against an inside and outside of the wall or door and next to the hole. When the adhesive dries, the second brace is removed and the hole is filed with wood putty, spackle and the like and using the first brace as a working surface inside the hole.

(a) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a repair kit used for repairing walls and doors and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a repair kit and method used to repair both small and large holes in a damaged area in a wall's sheet rock or in a hollow door.
(b) Discussion of Prior Art
Heretofore, a hole accidentally punched into a wall or door was difficult to repair since there was no workable surface inside the damaged area for adding wood putty, spackle and the like, unless the hole was extremely small. Obviously and until now, when repairing a large damaged area, the repair material would merely fall into a space inside the wall or door. The subject invention provides a working surface inside the hole for ease in repair.

Wall and door hole repair kit and method of hole repair


In a subsea fluid extraction system, the wellhead equipment comprises an X-mas tree on a guide base, the tree having a borethrough which can be run and retrieved a pump unit including an electric motor driving an impeller, the pump unit being suspended from a pump hanger in the X-mas tree by an elongate electrical conductor assembly consisting of concentric tubular conductors with insulating sleeves therebetween. An outer tube spaced around the conductors provides a fluid passage communicating through the pump unit with a second passage within the conductors for circulation of barrier fluid. Electrical supply to the pump unit is effected by a female connector located at the side of the X-mas tree which mates with an upright connector element on a transformer on the guide base.

In undersea fluid extraction systems, operational efficiency can be improved by the use of submersible pumps, in particular where production is from wells remote from a mother platform or fluid processing facility, so that the well effluent requires to be transported over substantial distances. Submersible pumps could also be used in multi-phase marginal field wells where the fluid is monophasic downhole. However electrically powered submersible pumps tend to be very prone to breakdown and are generally unreliable. Average operational times before failure may be only a few months. More often than not, failure is due to a damaged external power cable. Such pumps are accordingly unattractive economically because of the cost of frequent well shut-downs.
The present invention is concerned accordingly with the provision of a submersible pump system for subsea use which avoids the above-mentioned disadvantage.


An internal combustion engine system includes an engine with a plurality of pistons housed in respective ones of a plurality of cylinders, an air intake system to provide air to the plurality of cylinders through respective ones of a plurality of intake valves, an exhaust system to release exhaust gas from the plurality of cylinders through respective one of a plurality of exhaust valves. The internal combustion engine uses vacuum braking and/or compression release braking in response to one or more braking conditions.

The present invention relates to operation of an internal combustion engine system, and more particularly, but not exclusively, relates to vacuum and compression release braking in a spark-ignited internal combustion engine.
Vacuum braking in a spark-ignited engine occurs when the throttle is released. When the throttle is actuated, a valve opens in the engine intake, allowing air to enter the intake manifold to be mixed with fuel for combustion. When the throttle is released, the valve shuts and only a small amount of air is able to pass through to the engine. The sudden closing of the intake air passage forms a vacuum within the intake manifold, which produces an opposing force to the pistons reciprocating in the cylinders. The effort exerted by the pistons to oppose the vacuum in the intake manifold slows the pistons down and causes the crankshaft to rotate slower, reducing road speed. This braking effect is greater at higher speeds since the amount of air entering the intake manifold is reduced from a greater intake flow, creating a larger vacuum to oppose the rotational forces than the vacuum created at lower speeds.
Compression release braking is a common feature in diesel engines. Compression release braking involves opening the exhaust valve(s) of the cylinder near top dead center (TDC) of the compression stroke of the piston. This releases a portion of the compressed air trapped in the cylinder into the exhaust manifold, resulting in a volumetric efficiency reduction and subsequent torque absorption that can help to slow the vehicle. A compression release braking system allows the engine to produce significant negative torque that can be used to avoid dangerous driving conditions and reduce the wear and extend the life of the vehicles service or friction brakes.
However, vacuum and compression release braking have not been effectively employed together for engine braking purposes, such as in a spark-ignited engine. Thus, there is a continuing demand for further contributions in this area of technology.

Vacuum and compression release braking in spark-ignited engines


Plural window elements are set in one edge window, and edge detection is performed every each the window element, and calculation and determination about its result are made inside an image processing apparatus. A user can freely set a width of the window element and a distance between the adjacent window elements.

1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to an image processing apparatus, an image processing method, and a record medium including a program executable on the image processing apparatus.
2. Description of the Related Art
As one use aspect of an image processing apparatus, it is configured so that edge related information such as an edge position or the maximum edge width about an edge, which a user wishes to obtain, can be calculated by setting an edge window and detecting an edge of a workpiece for detection of variations in workpiece outline. For example, when the maximum edge width W of a workpiece w such as cable shown in FIG. 8 is measured, as shown in FIG. 9, plural edge windows 1 are set and the maximum edge width W4 is decided based on output results of edge widths W1 to W4 between edges 2 and 2 of each the edge window 1. The number of such edge windows 1 varies depending on the image processing apparatus and can be set at, for example, up to 8 to 64.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a related-art operating procedure including setting of an edge window. Referring to the related-art operating procedure according to this flowchart, in step S1, a user decides a width of an edge window in response to fineness of unevenness of a surface of the workpiece w or size of the workpiece w and an edge window 1 according to the window width decided by the user is set (step S2). When it is necessary to set plural edge windows 1, operations of step S2 are repeated. Next, when the workpiece w is set in an image pickup position and a trigger from the outside is inputted to an image processing apparatus, an image pickup of the workpiece w is performed (step S3).
The image processing apparatus captures image pickup data (step S4), and then measures an edge every the edge window 1 set (step S5), and outputs a measured result every each the edge window 1 to an external device (step S6).
The external device receives the measured result every each the edge window 1 (step S7), and performs statistical processing of these and obtains, for example, the maximum edge width, an edge position, the number of edges, etc. (step S8), and thereby performs determination processing (step S9).
However, in setting of the edge window 1, the setting operation becomes more complicated for a user as the number of edge windows 1 to be set increases. Also, the external device is required for performing statistical processing.
Also, in the case of detecting the tip P of the workpiece w having the sharp end as shown in FIG. 11, another problem tends to arise. For example, as shown in FIG. 12, in the case that an edge window 1 in which the entirety of workpiece w having the end of an acute angle is included is set, it becomes difficult to detect the end of the acute angle when the number of pixels read increases in character of a general algorithm of image processing. Therefore, an edge position 2 detected tends to become a position distant from the end of the workpiece w.
Therefore, a user has to set a narrow edge window 1 as shown in FIG. 13A, but when such a narrow edge window 1 is set, it cannot cope flexibly with variations from an image pickup position of the workpiece w. As shown in FIG. 13B, a new problem that there is a high possibility that the end P of an acute angle deviates from the edge window 1 arises.

Image processing apparatus, image processing method and record medium for the image processing apparatus


Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for setting up a session at a high speed in a WLAN system or a LAN LTE system. A method for a station (STA) setting up a link at a high speed in a wireless communication system, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises the steps of: transmitting a request frame comprising information related to bandwidth requested by the STA to an access point (AP); and receiving from the AP a response frame, which is decided on the basis of the information related to the bandwidth that is requested, comprising information indicating whether to accommodate the request.

Standards for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology have been developed as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 specifications. IEEE 802.11a and 802.11b use an unlicensed band at 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. IEEE 802.11b provides a transmission rate of 11 Mbps and IEEE 802.11a provides a transmission rate of 54 Mbps. IEEE 802.11g applies Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) at 2.4 GHz to provide a transmission rate of 54 Mbps. IEEE 802.11n may use Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO)-OFDM, and provide a transmission rate of 300 Mbps to four spatial streams. IEEE 802.11n may support a channel bandwidth up to 40 MHz to provide a transmission rate of 600 Mbps.
IEEE 802.11ai which is a new standard for supporting fast initial link setup of IEEE 802.11 stations (STAs) through an IEEE 802.11 Medium Access Control (MAC) layer has been developed. IEEE 802.11ai is intended to provide a technology for supporting link setup at a high speed in a state that huge users simultaneously access a new WLAN by leaving a wireless LAN coverage which is typically accessed by them in case of transfer of public transportation. Also, main features of IEEE 802.11ai are security framework, IP address assignment, and fast network discovery.
Also, in a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Long Term Evolution (LTE) or LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) system, a user equipment (UE) may perform a random access process to acquire an uplink transmission timing alignment value or perform other various purposes. For example, if the user equipment transmits a random access preamble to a base station, the base station may provide a random access response to the base station in response to the random access preamble.

Method and apparatus for setting up link at high-speed in wireless communication system


A silicone rubber composition having a good transparency and hardness is made of a hydrosilylation-curable silicone rubber composition containing (A) 100 parts by mass of an organopolysiloxane, (B) a silicone resin, (C) an organohydrogenpolysiloxane, (D) a rare earth salt of a carboxylic acid represented by general formula (I): (RCOO)nM (I) (in the formula, R denotes a monovalent hydrocarbon group having 4 to 10 carbon atoms, n denotes a number between 3 and 4, and M denotes a rare earth element selected from among cerium (Ce), lanthanum (La), neodymium (Nd), praseodymium (Pr), samarium (Sm) and the like), and (E) a hydrosilylation reaction catalyst.

As molded articles for optical use, there is proposed a silicone rubber composition for optical use because a cured product having high transparency and high hardness can be obtained (JP-A 2008-101056, JP-A 2008-291124).
In applying a silicone rubber composition to optical use, there is a case where heat resistance is required in addition to transparency and hardness.
As a method of imparting heat resistance to a silicone rubber, there is known a method of blending a metal oxide powder.
In JP-B 43-3019, an organopolysiloxane rubber composition in which heat resistance is improved by blending an octanoate, chloride or acetate of cerium, lanthanum, neodymium, and the like into a silicone rubber.
In JP-A 60-163966, there is described a heat-resistant organopolysiloxane composition in which there was blended, into an organopolysiloxane as the component A, a reaction product obtained by subjecting an organopolysiloxane, a cerium carboxylate, a titanium or zirconium compound to heat treatment at a temperature of 150° C. or more as the component B. However, in any of Examples 1 to 3, there was produced a silicone oil or a dimethylpolysiloxane fluid.
In JP-B 43-3019, JP-A 60-163966, there is no description of transparency.
In WO-A1 2008/082001, there is described a thermally curable silicone rubber composition containing a cerium oxide powder in an amount of 0.001 to 10% by mass, and it is described that a total light transmittance at a thickness of 1 mm is 90% or more.

Hydrosilylation-curable silicone rubber composition

MOMENTIVE PERFORMANCE MATERIALS JAPAN LLC


The present invention presents a method for the aerobic production of xanthan by bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas on a solid or semi-solid substrate. In the exemplary embodiment of the method, a substrate is provided that has a total solids content of about 6.5% or higher. The substrate is sterilized and cooled. Bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas are inoculated into the substrate and incubated. After incubation, the bacteria are destroyed, the substrate is either diluted or washed, and the xanthan is isolated.

The invention relates to a fermentation process for producing xanthan gum using bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas.
Xanthan, or xanthan gum, is excreted by bacteria of the genus Xanthomonas, for example Xanthomonas campestris NRRL B-1003, NRRL B-1459, NRRL B-1043, or related organisms. The length of a xanthan molecule varies as a function of the: i) bacterium strain used, ii) composition of culture media, and iii) downstream processing; its average molecular weight is reported in the range of 2×106 to 5×107 Daltons (Da). The xanthan primary chain is made of β-d-glucose monomers; the side chains are linked to the primary chain at every second glucose and are composed of one glucuronic acid sited in-between two D-mannose.
Industrial production of xanthan started in the mid 1970s and today the hetero-polysaccharide is widely used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener, and friction and water mobility reducer in industries as different as food and petroleum. Numerous xanthan based products have been developed, for example: i) xanthan-cryogels, which could replace gelatin in the food industry thereby eliminating potential BSE related problems while meeting the needs of vegetarians and populations not consuming cattle or pigs, and ii) xanthan-hydrogels, which could be used in pH and similar sensors. With an estimated worldwide production of over 40,000 tons per year and a price of about $7-8 per kilogram (as reported in 2002), xanthan is the most important, industrially produced, microbial hetero-polysaccharide.
In industry, xanthan is usually produced by aerobic submerged fermentation conducted in a batch-mode for up to five days. To minimize oxygen transfer and viscosity problems in the submerged fermentation, the broth is either made of a very large amount of water and a relatively low concentration of nutrients or a very large amount of water and a sequential addition of nutrients, which results in a lower concentration of nutrients. The fermentation process requires a carbon source, which is commonly glucose, sucrose, or starch in concentrations of 1-5%. The concentration and the type of carbon source and the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of the substrate are important because these factors affect the xanthan yield. After fermentation, xanthan is precipitated from the pasteurized fermentation broth with ethanol, methanol, isopropyl or similar alcohols. Not less than two, but often more than three volumes of alcohol per volume of broth may be required for precipitation. Therefore, large amounts of solvents are needed to extract xanthan from the fermentation broth because of the high water content of the broth. Following extraction, the raw xanthan is dried, milled, and packed for further use or purification.
Alternative carbon sources have been tested on xanthan fermentation, for example: apple pomace, spent malt grains, citrus waste, olive-mill wastewater, sugar beet pulp, and whey. Solubilized residues of cassava, cassava bagasse, potatoes, husks and pulp of coffee beans have also been tested on xanthan fermentation. With the exception of the citrus waste, apple pomace, and spent malt grains works, all other works on xanthan fermentation using residues from the agro- or food industry were conducted following the release of simple sugars from the residues by means of an enzymatic, acid, or base treatment. Additionally, a number of improvements concerning aerobic submerged fermentation of xanthan have been developed to increase xanthan yield.
Xanthan fermentation is characterized by a significant increase in the viscosity of the fermentation medium, which limits the transfer of oxygen and other chemicals to the Xanthomonas campestris bacteria while decreasing both the xanthan yield and quality. It is highly desirable to maintain the appropriate supply of oxygen and other chemicals to the bacteria while minimizing the energy requirements pertinent to oxygen supply and mixing caused by utilization of power intensive aerating and mixing devices. It is also highly desirable to increase the xanthan production while decreasing, preferably eliminating in full, the large volumes of water involved in aerobic submerged xanthan fermentation. Such fermentation would have a higher yield of xanthan, require much less solvents for extracting the xanthan from the broth, and, consequently, yield substantial economical, environmental, and technological benefits for xanthan producing plants and is the subject of this invention.

Solid or semi-solid state fermentation of xanthan on potato or potato waste


An arbitrator receives a request to use a plurality of content in an aggregation. The arbitrator determines whether there exist proper rights to use the plurality of content in the aggregation. The requestor is communicated whether permission is granted. The determination may include negotiating for extending right of use by an arbitrator. This negotiation may communicate with content hosting service(s) or the content author(s). The determining step retrieves, stores, and maintains rights information to and from an information store which is accessible by the rights management system.

Online data aggregators are known. Such online data aggregators may offer aggregation services on a standalone basis or in conjunction with other services, such as portfolio tracking and on-line bill payment provided as a website service. Many established companies with an Internet presence appear to recognize the need of offering an aggregation service to enhance other web-based services which can attract more visitors. Offering a data aggregation service to a website is attractive because of the potential that it will frequently draw users of the service to the hosting website.
Over time, the transfer of large amounts of account data from the account provider to the aggregator's server could develop into a comprehensive profile of a user. The user's profile may include: (i) their banking; (ii) credit card transactions and balances; (iii) securities transactions and portfolios; and (iv) travel history and travel preferences. As the sensitivity to data protection considerations grows, it is likely there will be a considerable focus on the extent to which data aggregators may seek to use data either for their own purposes or to share it on some basis.

Rights management for content aggregators

International Business Machines Corporation